Post by Soulcialista
Photos by Nick Fullen
This week the Baltimore music community and music as a whole, lost an artists who saved and touched the lives of many far beyond the scope of music. We at Gypsy Soul want to celebrate his life by getting you familiar with a man who did much build, sustain, and save a city. With humility, we bring to you our knowledge of a great man, father, son, musician, activist, teacher (and the attributes can go on and on) that did so much for so many people.
OOH aka Yo Slick aka Derrick Jones may have first touched many in my generation through music. I personally remember meeting him and hearing his music over a decade ago on the campus of Morgan State University as he performed with his good friend and brother Jahiti. Together they performed as BrownF.I.S.H. and made music, that for me, was part of the Morgan experience. They were also a staple in the spoken word and performance scene and had the respect of artists and musicians not just in Baltimore but up and down the coast as well as across the country. The song that stuck with me most was "I DO" and for me, that was his theme song every time I saw him out and about.
For many others in the younger generation not only were they privy to his music but were educated by him. He taught the youth in Baltimore City Public Schools for ten years and developed a movement #SAVEADOPEBOY that impacted a great deal of urban males who wanted other options besides the street. Through a program called YAP (Youth Advocate Programs) OOH provided those options by working with employers to hire these "dope boys" and provide income and opportunity they were not able to discover on their own. Due to certain restrictions of YAP many of the youth wanted ways out but had not yet been caught or convicted of a crime and therefore were not eligible. With the single "DOPE BOY" OOH raised funds and provided his own personal money to assist where YAP was lacking. AND THATS JUST WHAT WE KNOW HE DID...many of his good deeds, sacrifices, and triumphs may never be known but what we do know is that he made a colossal impact on Baltimore, the youth and otherwise.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014 family, friends, and fans gathered to celebrate his life with a great tribute performance and candle light vigil. For most, this gathering seemed like a Warm Wednesdays, Organic Soul, Morgan State, Coppin State reunion. We saw many that we hadn't seen in a while, we saw friends that we had no clue had a connection or was impacted by OOH, and we saw music makers and art creators cancelling plans and appointments to be in a space filled with love for a awesome man.
We send our deepest condolences to his mother, family, and close friends. We hope that by getting familiar with some brief aspects of the life of Derrik Jones aka OOH aka Yo Slick it will inspire you to #SAVEADOPEBOY or at least work so hard in your community, in your gifts and your passions that you leave a legacy as beautiful and inspiring as OOH!
To view more photos by Nick Fullen of the tribute and vigil please click HERE.
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