Stomp the Stigma concert featuring Colicchie set for next year

ONEIDA, N.Y. >> The Oneida N.Y. and Surrounding Areas Drug Awareness Support Group invites the public to Stomp the Stigma.

On April 11, 2020, at the Kallet Civic Center, Pittsburgh rapper Colicchie will perform. The concert, organizer Jerome Brock said, will serve as a forum for people to gather and share their stories in a safe place or get help for themselves or someone they love.

Born Chas Smith in Pittsburgh, PA, Smith grew up without a father and was raised by his grandparents, helping Smith’s mother who was dealing with addiction.

Smith began experimenting with drugs in his early teens and was fully addicted by the end of high school.

In 2005, Smith began his rapping career as an outlet to support his efforts to stay clean. Performing around Pittsburgh and working toward recording music, Smith drew content for his songs from his own harrowing experiences with addiction and recovery.

After getting clean at the age of 23, Colicchie began writing his music, turning stories from his life into a confessional with themes of addiction and recovery with songs like “Recover or Die” and “To Whom It May Concern”.

A video for his song “Drug Addiction” went viral in 2017, reaching millions of listeners.

“I have talked to hundreds of recovering people who say Colicchie’s lyrics are inspirational and make them feel hope,” Brock said.

Tickets are $15 each. Contact Jerome Brock or Emily Lynn on Facebook or at 315-481-4431 for tickets. Doors open at 5 p.m.