Alan King, one of many authentic members of the legendary Chosen Few DJs, has been instrumental in creating one in all Chicago’s most enduring cultural celebrations. What started as a small reunion in 1990 has advanced into a large annual competition that attracts tens of 1000’s to Chicago’s South Facet. The Chosen Few Picnic stands as a testomony to deal with music’s energy to unite communities and problem destructive stereotypes about Chicago’s Black neighborhoods.
King and his fellow DJs by no means deliberate to create a music competition—they merely needed to reconnect with associates from the unique home music scene. Three a long time later, their picnic has grow to be a cornerstone of Chicago’s cultural panorama, proving that genuine group gatherings can develop organically into one thing really particular.
You’ve been a foundational piece to the Chosen Few Picnic because the starting. What had been these early days like, and did you ever think about it could grow to be this?
No, we completely by no means imagined what it could grow to be. We had no plans to create any type of massive music competition. We simply determined round 1990 to have a bit of picnic within the park to get the oldsters again collectively from the unique home music days. We actually went out within the park and put chairs—perhaps 30 folks. It went fairly effectively. Let’s do that once more subsequent 12 months. Subsequent 12 months was 60 folks, then 100, then 500, then 1,000, then 10,000, and it nonetheless counts. We by no means imagined it. We by no means deliberate it.
How do you suppose the spirit of home music and Chicago’s function in it has advanced through the years?
Nicely, home music originated in Chicago. I don’t care who else needs to inform a unique story. However one of many many issues we’re actually proud about with this occasion—is we all know, Chicago has a nasty rap. South Facet of Chicago has a nasty rap. The West Facet of Chicago has a nasty rap. All they wish to discuss is violence. However one of many issues we’re most pleased with is we put tens of 1000’s of Black of us in a park on the South Facet of Chicago. For the final 30-plus years, we have now by no means had a single act of violence.
We’ve got by no means had a safety incident of any type. In order that’s a testomony to what Chicago actually is and what home music is about. Individuals simply don’t come right here with that vibe.
For somebody coming to the Chosen Few for the primary time, what are you able to inform them to anticipate?
So far as folks coming for the primary time, it’s at all times the identical response. Even DJ and performers—they’ve by no means seen a sea of humanity this manner. And I’m going to maintain it actual. A whole lot of our visitor DJs tour and play all around the globe. They see crowds like this, however they don’t see Black folks like this. In order that’s one of many issues that makes this occasion so particular. It’s Black-owned, it’s Black-produced. Clearly we welcome all people—home music welcomes all people. However this can be a Black-owned occasion, a Black community-produced occasion.
And that’s what folks touch upon essentially the most. DJs who tour around the globe going to festivals—yeah, they’re enjoying for giant crowds, however not their of us, not our of us.
King’s phrases seize the essence of what makes the Chosen Few Picnic distinctive: it’s not simply concerning the music, however about creating an area the place Chicago’s Black group can have fun its cultural contributions in security and solidarity. The occasion stands as residing proof that home music’s authentic spirit of unity and pleasure continues to thrive in its birthplace.