Electro/hip-hop/soul demigod, Derek Vincent Smith, a.k.a. Pretty Lights, has officially teamed up with charity apparel brand, Electric Family, to design beautiful bracelets that raise money for kids who currently lack the opportunities and/or resources to learn, create and explore their musical passions in a safe environment. The proceeds of the Electric Family x Pretty Lights bracelet will be donated to Upbeat Academy in New Orleans, an organization that offers at-risk high school children an environment where they can experience the luxury of discovering and developing their enjoyment, passion and talent for music that they would have otherwise not had the opportunity to pursue. On top of the money raised, Smith will personally donate $2 for each dollar donated to Upbeat Academy through the purchases of the symbolic bracelets.
Smith took to his Facebook to announce his Electric Family bracelet and share the touching ethos behind the partnership with Upbeat Academy, stating that, although recognizing that his career as a musician and acclaimed artist has brought copious amounts of joy, understanding, connection and inspiration to fans and music lovers around the world, his music and the enjoyment of it is a profound luxury for those who have the means “to be able to envelop themselves in the arts and invest time, money, and thought towards the experience of music and the creation of music.” After recognizing this fact, it became clear to him “how many billions more people in this world never have the opportunity to even consider attending a concert, or listening to a new record, or dedicating their days to pursuing beauty through music;” and therein lies the motive for this charity partnership. The Electric Family x Pretty Lights bracelets are a symbol of Smith’s new aim as a musician: to align his career with a philosophy of doing good and redefine the purpose of his “career as an opportunity to bring much of the same joys and opportunities that music provides, to people that are not so lucky as” him and so many of his fans have been. This charity “bracelet is a small example of that mentality. It is a means to support the music we love while simultaneously helping people that may never hear that music.” Smith’s mission is an admirable one from any music lover’s perspective, and can be supported by purchasing his Electric Family bracelet here.
