Metro Art Presents: Soundmaps is a place-based DJ series on IG Live in June from historic LA neighborhoods. For the final night on Friday, June 19, DJ and multidisciplinary artist BAE BAE presents a two-hour set from her home in Leimert Park to celebrate Juneteenth and the living landmarks and locations that uplift Black music, community and freedom in Los Angeles.

Leimert Park has always been the place I go when I need to be in community with other Black folks. I’m from Arlington and King, a few blocks away from the village. That park has always been a hub for Black people: young, old, and everything in between. It’s where people gathered to protest for Black lives, where you could get some bomb jerk chicken tacos or talk about LA art history with Ben Caldwell. I would often go to an event called Bananas (@bananasnetwork), produced by Kyle Guy (aka Verbs @verbsisthehomie), hanging out and politicking outside and inside of the legendary KAOS Network (@kaosnetworkz) on the corner of 43rd and Leimert Blvd. It was always exciting to catch up with old friends, meet new vibrant people, and witness a rap cypher on the corner. Leimert Park is also a great place to hang out on Sundays during their weekly festival. Hot and Cool is a newer cafe with a great communal feeling. I am looking forward to seeing what comes with the opening of the Metro on Crenshaw.

– BAE BAE @baexploitation

Love LA history and music? This IG Live is also a preview of Deep Routes, a new and special series of 3 one-hour radio programs coming in July highlighting Los Angeles’ multilayered music history, created and produced by dublab in partnership with Metro Art.