The Sit-In Mixtape

The Sit-In Mixtape is now streaming on YouTube in its entirety, or is available for viewing across its eight parts.

This project stems from a years-in-the-making idea, brought to life by an incredible team of local artists. Spanning eight tracks, the release harkens back some 60+ years to the beginning of a movement, a counter-action against oppression, and a statement for righteousness and equality… This being the lunch counter sit-ins staged in Nashville in 1960.

As Jessica Bliss wrote for The Tennessean, “more than 100 young African Americans, along with a few white supporters, staged the very first demonstrations to desegregate Nashville lunch counters. They came from local universities: Fisk, Tennessee A&I and the American Baptist Theological seminary. They entered the Woolworth, Kress and McLellans. They wandered through the stores, some purchased candy and other small items, then they occupied the lunch counter seats. They asked to be served. When they were denied, they stayed, in silent protest. It was the beginning of a movement.”

Written by: Alex “AL-D” Davis-Smith and Kyna “JusBam” Ealey, The Sit-In Mixtape brings this setting into the present, retelling the story of the sit-ins through music performed by a cast of Nashville artists. Upon its premiere this past April, The Sit-In Mixtape was recognized as a Critics’ Pick by the Nashville Scene, and the entire production is now available to stream in its entirety on YouTube. To view it in its entirety, click the video link above, or any of the links below to watch each of the individual parts:

Music in the opening and closing credits contains samples from “My Momma Told Me” by DeRobert and the Half-Truths (D. Adams, N. DeVan). Music in the intro (produced by E.T.) contains samples from “Jimmy” by The Danberrys (D. Daniel).

Part 1: The Workshops

The Workshops: James Lawson, Curtis Murphy, Bernard LaFayette, Gloria Johnson, Diane Nash (Alex Davis-Smith, Kyna Ealey, Laura Reed, Angela McDowell, Keith Proffitt, Malcolm Lockridge, Leo Bonner, Racqhel Pugh, Greg Bryant, Nick Melidis). Contains samples from “Naturally” by Laura Reed (L. Reed, S. Sanders). Portions were written by Aphropik. Bass written and performed by Greg Bryant. Cuts by DJ Rate.

Part 2: Basic Training

Basic Training: James Lawson, Curtis Murphy, Diane Nash, Gloria Johnson, Bernard LaFayette, C.T. Vivian, Jim Bevel. (Alex Davis-Smith, Kyna Ealey, DeRobert and the Half-Truths, Keith Proffitt, Malcolm Lockridge, Leo Bonner, Racqhel Pugh, Greg Freeman, Ethan DaSilva, Nick Melidis). Contains samples from “The Dole (Part 2)” by DeRobert and the Half-Truths (N. DeVan, D. Singleton, D. Adams). Cuts by DJ Rate and Quiet Entertainer.

Part 3: Recon

Recon: Diane Nash, Jim Bevel, C.T. Vivian, James Lawson, Curtis Murphy, Bernard LaFayette, Gloria Johnson. (Alex Davis-Smith, Kyna Ealey, Magic in Threes, Ethan DaSilva, Greg Freeman, Keith Proffitt, Malcolm Lockridge, Leo Bonner, Racqhel Pugh, Nick Melidis). Contains samples from “I Got Warrants” by Magic in Threes (D. Singleton, N. DeVan). Cuts by Quiet Entertainer.

Part 4: Big Saturday

Big Saturday: Diane Nash, Gloria Johnson, Bernard LaFayette, Jim Bevel, Curtis Murphy. (Alex Davis-Smith, Kyna Ealey, A.J. and the Jiggawatts, Racqhel Pugh, Leo Bonner, Ethan DaSilva, Malcolm Lockridge, Nick Melidis). Contains samples from “Typical Feeling” by A.J. and the Jiggawatts (N. DeVan, A.J. Eason, A. Muller). Cuts by DJ Rate.

Part 5: Jail, No Bail

Jail, No Bail: Curtis Murphy, Bernard LaFayette, Gloria Johnson, Jim Bevel, Diane Nash. (Alex Davis-Smith, Kyna Ealey, Concurrence, Malcolm Lockridge, Barry Anderson, Leo Bonner, Racqhel Pugh, Ethan DaSilva, Greg Freeman). Contains samples from “Line of Sight” by Concurrence (P. Horton, J. Estes). Portions were written by T.R.A.N.E. Spitta, BA the Lewe, and Racq Music. Cuts by Quiet Entertainer.

Part 6: Court, No Fines

Court, No Fines: Z. Alexander Looby, DJ Vamp. (Alex Davis-Smith, Kyna Ealey, Fauna Halo, Roycardoes Kelly, Dwayne Warner). Contains samples from “Never Be My Baby” by Fauna Halo (A. Fumagali, B. Hoffman, CJ Stanley) as well as video and audio samples from “Reenactment of the 1960 Sit In Trials” by Gary C. Shockley (G. Shockley). Cuts by DJ Vamp.

Part 7: The March

The March: C.T. Vivian, Diane Nash, Curtis Murphy, Bernard LaFayette, Gloria Johnson. (Alex Davis-Smith, Kyna Ealey, Alanna Royale, Greg Freeman, Malcolm Lockridge, Leo Bonner, Racqhel Pugh). Contains samples from “Animal” by Alanna Royale (E.A. Quinn-Broadus, J. Colby, G. Golden, M. Snow). Cuts by Quiet Entertainer.

Part 8: The Confrontation

The Confrontation: C.T. Vivian, Diane Nash, Mayor Ben West. (Alex Davis-Smith, Kyna Ealey, Space Capone, Greg Freeman, Mike Logan). Contains samples from “A-Rod” by Space Capone (A. Winters). Portions written by E.T. Cuts by Quiet Entertainer.

The cast for this project includes:

Remsteele as James Lawson
JusBam as Diane Nash
Loso the Great as Bernard LaFayette
Malcolm DeWayne as Curtis Murphy
RaqMusic as Gloria Johnson
T.R.A.N.E. Spitta as Jim Bevel
Quiet Entertainer as C.T. Vivian
Foundation as Z. Alexander Lobby
E.T. as Mayor Ben West
with music from DJ Vamp, DJ Rate, and Quiet Entertainer

The Sit-in Mixtape was written and produced by JusBam and AL-D.

The Sit-In Mixtape was premiered Saturday, April 20 at NECAT Network on White Bridge Pike in Nashville, TN. This event was listed as a Critics' Pick by the Nashville Scene. The event multiple screenings of the production, DJs, and a conversation with the production team and cast. In support of that event, the cast connected with CultureVille to discuss the project:

In October 2024 the Sit-In Mixtape was celebrated as the “Best Historical Multimedia Production” in the Nashville Scene’s 2024 Best of Nashville edition, written by Stephen Trageser.

Meant for the Milk Crate at The Cobra

Another round of AL-D and E.T.'s Meant for the Milk Crate showcase was scheduled for March 9, 2020, but due to health and safety concerns the show was cancelled. The night was set to feature music from A Playa Name Stones, Knowledge Nick, Classic Williams, and Weston, with an open mic cypher after the show. 

Meant for the Milk Crate at The Cobra

Meant for the Milk Crate returned to The Cobra for a showcase that went down Saturday, January 25, 2020. The event featured performaces from Big Lo, BEZ, Nathan Fouts, Mr. Ahmad Rashad, and music from AL-D, E.T., and DJ Vamp.

Meant for the Milk Crate at The Cobra

Saturday, November 9: Meant for the Milk Crate returned to The Cobra (2511 Gallatin Ave.). Hosted by AL-D and E.T. with sounds by DJ Vamp, the show featured performances by Top Notch, Cronyk Illness, King the MC & Odd Moon, with an open mic cypher after the show! (9:30 – 21+ – $10 cover)

Meant for the Milk Crate at The Cobra

Meant for the Milk Crate returned to The Cobra on September 14, 2019, featuring performances by Sasha Renee, Tiara P & Priestess of Planet X.

Brown Bag Fest at The Cobra

Cold Lunch Recordings presented Brown Bag Fest on August 31, 2019 with two stages at The Cobra in East Nashville.

Meant for the Milk Crate at The Cobra

Meant for the Milk Crate returned to The Cobra on July 13, 2019 for a showcase featuring performances by Bobby Fuego, 7 Giggaz, Racq Music, and Apollo.

Meant for the Milk Crate at The Cobra

Meant for the Milk Crate returned for a May 11, 2019 show at the Cobra in East Nashville, featuring the Morning After Crew, Pow Shadowz, BeHoward, and Entre on Purpose. This event was listed as a Critics' Pick by the Nashville Scene.

"There are at least three milestones that you could reasonably argue mark the start of summer: the solstice, Memorial Day and the last day of school. That last one is closest to the feeling of Saturday’s installment of the Meant for the Milk Crate series, a showcase for local and regional hip-hop since 2012. You’ve got short-and-sweet sets from four choice acts. At the top of the bill is The Morning After Crew — a trio, something rare in Music City rap — and you’re going to want to get to know their 2018 album For My Friends. Maybe you already know local rap veterans Pow Shadowz and BeHoward, or rising champ Endre on Purpose (part of local label/collective It’s Like That Records), but if you don’t, don’t feel bad — come out and get familiar. As always, MFTMC co-founders AL-D and E.T. will be on hand to host (and hopefully spit a bar or two, because they are excellent rappers), DJ Vamp will man the 1s and 2s, and there will be an open-mic cypher after the show, where you can flex your rhyming abilities." 9:30 p.m. at The Cobra, 2511 Gallatin Ave. - Stephen Trageser, Nashville Scene

Blues in the Schools on Tennessee Crossroads

Bayou & the Degradables take their What the Blues Has Done for You school program to Nashville Public Television’s Tennessee Crossroads.

Meant for the Milk Crate at The Cobra

Meant for the Milk Crate returned to the Milk Crate March 9, 2019 with a special night headlined by J-Live. The showcase also featured music from Virghost, 2Piece, and Stepson, hosted by AL-D and E.T., with DJ Vamp, and an open mic cypher after the show.

Concurrence Residency

During the month of February, Concurrence (Greg Bryant & Paul Horton) performed several shows around Nashville, sponsored by the Nashville Fringe Festival. Nashville. 

Friday, February 1, 2019 at Rudy’s Jazz Room (809 Gleaves St.; N/TN 37203) / 11:30pm, $10 cover. (Featuring Dara Tucker.)

Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at Rudy’s Jazz Room / 9:00pm, $10 cover. (Featuring Nashtamiz.)

Friday, February 15, 2019 at Rudy’s Jazz Room / 11:30pm, $10 cover.

Saturday, February 23, 2019 at Radio Cafe / 10:00pm, $10 cover.

SPEWFEST IV

Featuring 30+ bands, SPEWFEST IV took place at February 9, 2019 The Cobra and The East Room.

Meant for the Milk Crate at The Cobra

Meant for the Milk Crate returned to The Cobra January 12, 2019. The showcase featured STAN, Rashad thaPoet, B.Cooper, and OskarProphecy, with hosts AL-D and E.T., DJ Vamp, and an open mic cypher after the show.

Meant for the Milk Crate at The Cobra

Meant for the Milk Crate returned to The Cobra Saturday, November 10, 2018. Hosted by Fringe Radio Show co-hosts AL-D and E.T. (with DJ Vamp), the showcase featured D.O.U.G.H., 3van Grey, 11, and Malcolm DeWayne. Doors at 9:30 / 21+ / $10 cover / with an open mic cypher after the show.

Howloween at The Crying Wolf

*repeat repeat presented the 5th annual Howloween, which took place October 27, 2018 at The Crying Wolf in East Nashville. The night also featured a performance by Bad Culture.

Meant for the Milk Crate Mixtape Release Party at The Cobra

Meant for the Milk Crate returned to The Cobra September 18, 2018 with a special Mixtape Release Party. The night marked the release of the Meant for the Milk Crate Mixtape, mixed by AL-D featuring artists who have performed at the party in the past. This show featured performances by Young Quael, Case Arnold, Foundation, and Daisha McBride.

The event was listed as a Critics' Pick by the Nashville Scene:

"AL-D and E.T. have been dauntless in doing their part to spotlight local and regional hip-hop with their Meant for the Milk Crate showcase series and their weekly Fringe Radio Show on community station WRFN-LPFM. Over Meant for the Milk Crate’s five-year run, your hosts have put dozens of rappers on the stage at conventional Nashville venues, an important feat in itself. But now AL-D is going one step further and dropping a mixtape featuring tracks from past guests. The track list wasn’t available at press time, but previous bills have featured top-shelf MCs like Brian Brown, Rashad tha Poet, Virghost, Tiara P. and BeHoward, so chances are it’s going to be rad. And why not throw a party to celebrate? A $10 cover at the door will get you a copy of the mix, plus admission to live sets from established local rappers Young Quael, Case Arnold and Foundation, as well as choice up-and-comer Daisha McBride. On top of all that, you can watch (or spit some bars in) open-mic cyphers before and after the show." Stephen Trageser, Nashville Scene

The Meant for the Milk Crate Mixtape was later named "Best Hip-Hop Mixtape" by the Nashville Scene.

Meant for the Milk Crate at The Cobra

Meant for the Milk Crate returned to The Cobra for a July 14 showcase, featuring Brian Brown, Out Here Boys (Sofa Brown and Evan Blocker), Tyke T, and Weston.

The event was featured as a Critics' Pick by the Nashville Scene:

"AL-D and E.T.’s Meant for the Milk Crate hip-hop showcase series is approaching its fifth anniversary, so it’s likely most Nashvillians know what’s up by now. But maybe you’re here on vacation, or just moving to town. First of all, welcome, and second, you really wanna check this out. Your hosts are two outstanding rappers who’ve been known to spit a rhyme or three during the course of the evening, and they’ve got DJ Vamp on the decks, who makes the art of keeping the beat look easy. Four choice MCs are the featured guests for this installment: Music City’s Brian Brown, who’s been building up his already-strong following with new tracks from his forthcoming full-length Journey; also-local duo Out Here Boys, aka Sofa Brown and Evan Blocker, who’ve released two volumes of their athletic Move or Get Moved EP series this year; Memphis’ Tyke T, who slides between styles and voices like a chameleon changes colors; and Weston, whose lack of an internet presence is all the more reason to see him in the flesh. Really want your mind blown? Come early or stay late for the Olympic-level verbal gymnastics on display during the open-mic cyphers before and after the main show." Stephen Trageser, Nashville Scene

Meant for the Milk Crate at The Cobra

Meant for the Milk Crate at The Cobra returned to The Cobra May 19, 2018 featuring Culture Freedom, JusBam, Weirdose x Juan Cosby, and T.R.A.N.E. Spitta, hosted by AL-D and E.T., with DJ Vamp and an open mic cypher after the show.

Black Holler at Full Moon Cineplex

Full Moon Cineplex hosted a special screening for Black Holler on April 13, 2018, also serving as a release party for the local horror film's DVD & soundtrack.

Meant for the Milk Crate at The Cobra

Meant for the Milk Crate returned to The Cobra on March 10, 2018, featuring Namir Blade, DTL, Ayce G, Raw Proof, and DJ Vamp. The event was hosted by AL-D and E.T. and featured an open mic cypher before and after the show.