Full Blast Booking Saving Lives Through HipHop | Tour For Life | Mental Health CT | The Apex Awards | Voting and Sponsors

Updated: Aug 1

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ABOUT THE CAUSE:

Full Blast Booking Saving Lives Through HipHop Donating to Mental Health Connecticut

Full Blast Booking is a regional event management company established by Kenny Mercer in 2010, with the intention of creating a platform for indie artists run by indie artists. After the unexpected loss of his best friend, Mercer joined forces with Mental Health Connecticut to create a dedicated stage to raise mental health awareness through music. Independent artists, with help from legends in the Hip Hop industry, have collectively traveled the now international tour to raise money for partners, Mental Health Connecticut (local chapter of Mental Health America). Next month, the Tour For Life charity music tour fundraiser will be hosting its 4th annual event and has currently raised over $75,000 for mental health charity. Mercer, his assistant Jo Anne Piccarillo, and resident DJ Funksway work year-round to ensure that 100 percent of proceeds from the annual August event can be donated to mental health charities. To date, Full Blast Booking has presented 25+ tours, totaling over 300 shows; with a growing list of Hip-Hop legends including: Ghostface Killa & Capadonna of the WuTang Clan, Cormega, Onyx, The Inphamus Amadeuz of Shade 45, The Outsidaz, Rah Digga, Sheek Louch, Kool G Rap, Nems, Termanology, and so many more.

HOW IT WORKS SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS:

Tour For Life is a safe-space for artists, creatives, advocates & local commerce to showcase their brand, and network. On-site vendors and mental health counselors are available throughout the 5-day event. The event includes, the Mending Arts live art community project. It's a great cause and inspires a lot of Indie artists to take part. There is not enough mental health support around Connecticut and it is an amazing cause to get familiar with. Music brings people together and it is also a great way for artists to vent in a safe space.

HOW IT CAME TO BE:

Full Blast Booking founder, Kenny Mercer, also known as the artist (Duece Bug) has over 20 years of experience. He developed the concept of Tour For Life in honor of his best friend, who succumbed to suicide at a young age. Being from a generation that lacked productive guidance about mental health and self care - Mercer deemed it vital to launch his campaign within a community where mental health stigmas were highly present. With the help of his best friends, including resident DJ Funksway, the idea for Tour For Life was cultivated ... but halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Jo Anne (JoJo) Picarillo, an assistant at Full Blast Booking, joined the team in 2019 and has been with the company liaison/tour assistant for just over 4 years. Full Blast Booking is now the sole funding source of community music programs provided by Mental Health Connecticut.

THE APEX AWARDS:

The Apex Awards was founded by Jo Anne (JoJo) Piccarillo, and will debut at the Tour For Life 2024 finale. The event will be hosted at The Monarch in Brooklyn, New York on August 18th, 2024. The event was created to recognize the indie artists that have been active in the Full Blast Movement, but have more importantly pursued their passions far beyond! Voting is currently open until August 5th, 2024, for Artist Of The Year, Best Collaboration, Best Duo, Best New Artist, Best Stage Performance, Community Inspiration, Hustler Of The Year, Lyricist Of The Year, Most Improved Artist, and Producer Of The Year. The event will be headlined by the one and only Redman! Buy tickets now click the button below>>>

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