PROJECTS AND COLLABORATIONS

west side x west side

West Side X West Side is a symphonic mixtape created and produced by Steve Hackman that combines the iconic musical West Side Story with West Coast rap from the 90’s and today, fusing beloved selections from the best musical ever written with the most classic West Coast tracks of all time, including those by Dr. Dre, Snoop, 2pac, Kendrick Lamar, Anderson Paak, and NWA.

The mixtape breaks through boundaries of every kind and explores the shockingly similar themes of music that, on paper, should have nothing in common. It starts with the independent and rebellious cry of the youth, who both in 1950’s New York City and 1990’s Compton, CA were railing out against social and societal conditions that were discriminatory, unjust and inhumane. Whether it was Latino immigrants in New York City or African Americans in Los Angeles, the underserving and marginalization of those minorities was devastating to their communities, leading to emerging drug epidemics followed by gang culture and violence. Those struggles and conditions were channeled in both cases through art, music and dance.

The fact that West Side Story and West Coast rap are so seemingly different- worlds apart, just like the two lovers in West Side- is precisely the point. The goal is illustrate, through the music, how similar they actually are under the surface. This is the exact same lesson we learn at the end of West Side Story. 

Finally, West Side X West Side, like the music it is derived from, reminds us of how far we have yet to go in achieving equality, tolerance and understanding. It asks us how far we’ve come, and what action could we take? This message is given most poignantly through the pairing of ‘Somewhere’ with Tupac’s ‘I Wonder if Heaven’s Got A Ghetto’.

CREDITS

Produced by Steve Hackman

Mixed by Hosu Yoon

Additional Production: Hosu Yoon, Maahir Shah, GoodGuy Dez