Local singers lend voices to anti-racism music video

Four high-profile San Diego singers have banded together to record “Bad Wolves,” a music video single condemning racism filmed in Balboa Park.

Taking the lead is Pacific Records artist Rebecca Jade, who performed at the Oscars this year with Elton John and with other superstars on the 2020 CBS TV concert, “Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince.”

Jade says that “Bad Wolves,” which was released Oct. 13, was written collaboratively as a “rally cry for the acknowledgement of racial injustice and police brutality,” while calling out bystanders who turn a blind eye to injustice.

The video revolves around a choreographed confrontation that is captured on the cellphones of onlookers, including twotime Grammy winner Jason Mraz, wearing a gray hoodie and playing the role of a singing narrator. Mraz and Jade were joined by two other San Diego recording artists, Miki Vale and Veronica May.

May, who moved to Colorado earlier this year, came up with the concept in June following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

“In talking to my friends who are Black there is still a disparity. ... To me, this is a call to action for White people to start doing the work,” explains May, who plans to orchestrate a string of music videos highlighting different artists.

In December, she is joining Jade and Vale and San Diego rapper Kendrick Dial (of Kendrick Dial & The Lyrical Groove) to write lyrics for a second music video. All will address social injustice, May says.

“The writing process was so powerful,” adds Jade. “It had a beautiful synergy, and we want to replicate that and continue with new people.”

The musical protest against the “bad wolves,” described as people running the country and furthering systems of oppression and racism, played out among the international cottages in Balboa Park’s House of Pacific Relations.

Videographer Eboni Har vey picked that setting for its community feel. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the dancers wore masks and kept their social distance.

After a confrontation by Whites and police, the lead Black dancer runs to safety arriving at what, in reality, is Vale’s apartment. It is in a Sherman Heights building that, coincidentally, was the headquarters of the local Black Panther party in the 1960s.

Pacific Records CEO and producer Brian Witkin called this type of close collaboration unusual. “I wish there was more of this,” he said. “When artists are in a position to make a difference and take a stand, it’s important they do so. I’m glad to have played a small role in this.”

Proceeds from “Bad Wolves” will be donated to a local Black-owned nonprofit community housing organization, Bay Vista. In each of the upcoming music videos, the lead performer will be asked to choose a charity to which 80 percent of the profits will be given, May notes.

Mraz promoted the music video on social media and announced he was proud to participate in the project to help combat systemic racism in America. “Bad Wolves,” noted Mraz,