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DC street drummer advances on ‘America’s Got Talent’

A street drummer from D.C. made it through to the next round on the reality television show America’s Got Talent on Wednesday night. Malik Dope, 27, from D.C., performed on the semifinal episode and the judges chose him over singer Nolan Neal to move on in season 15. Judge Howie Mandel was the tiebreaker when it came to voting Dope on. Dope starting playing drums around the age of 5 and started on a six-piece drum set playing D.C. go-go music, hip-hop and R&B, according to his bio on NBC’s America’s Got Talent page. He was a part of Howard University’s marching band and in 2013 he formed his own band named D.O.P.E. — Definition of Percussion Entertainment, according to the bio.

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Malik has performed at various festivals including the Charged Up Festival, D.C. Funk Parade, Broccoli City Festival, Afro Punk, SXSW, A3C and Made in America. His bio says that he has also performed with artists such as Usher, Wale, Mike Will Made It, Rae Sremmurd, Backyard Band and D.R.A.M., and is currently collaborating on new projects.

For first time, Chuck Brown Day will go on without Brown family

For the first time in its 12-year history, Chuck Brown Day in D.C. will go on without the support of the family of the "Godfather of Go-Go." The Brown family announced it has withdrawn its support for Saturday's celebration at Fort Dupont Park, saying it no longer believes the event reflects the collaboration and respect Chuck Brown's legacy deserves. Chuck Brown's son, Nekos Brown Sr., told WTOP the issues are primarily with the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation. "It's been three years of issues we've been having with them as far as staying on par with proper communication, just overall professionalism and the ability to take our stance seriously," Brown said.
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