DC Store Blasting Go-Go Music Sparks Neighborhood Controversy

UPDATE: The music is back (for now), with the store apparently getting permission from T-Mobile.

Original story:

WASHINGTON, DC -- There's a big controversy stirring in one D.C. neighborhood. And it's all over a cell phone and record store that has been blasting go-go music for decades -- only to have residents of a new condo building nearby make them shut it off.

The hashtag #DontMuteDC has taken off on social media among those who are rebelling against an effort to silence the music.

The Metro PCS store at the corner of 7th Street and Florida Avenue NW in the Shaw neighborhood has been blaring what is known as go-go music, a genre born in D.C. The store was prompted to turn down the music because a neighbor made a complaint to the company, but thousands have been tweeting the #DontMuteDC hashtag calling for its return.

Even a local pizza chain weighed in in favor of the music.

You can’t help but bounce once the GoGo hits your ears #DontMuteDC pic.twitter.com/Ax7uimWdDB
— &pizza (@andpizza) April 10, 2019

The store has been playing the music since the 1990s. On Tuesday, a huge rally of protesters blocked 14th and U streets, dancing peacefully to music -- even rapper Wale showed up, according to an NBC Washington report.

More than 60,000 people have signed a petition to bring back the music.

"Neighbors in newly constructed condos across the street pressured the city and then T-mobile, to force the owners to stop playing the music," the petition reads. "Tell T-mobile, the city, and residents who don't understand the cultural significance and history of go-go music in Washington, D.C. that this is unacceptable. Bring back the music!"

The petition slams "gentrifiers [who] malign, assault and attempt to erase this culture." The petition was started by Ronald Moten, a "longtime peace activist" and go-go promoter, and Dr. Natalie Hopkinson, the author of "Go-Go Live," a book published in 2012 that chronicles the history of Black Washington DC through its music.

Go-go is a music subgenre associated with funk that arose in the mid-60s to late 70s. It is a mix of funk, rhythm and blues, and old school hip-hop.