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"Who Next Jump In" (2023)
by Red

594 Orange Street Newark, NJ 07101

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Who Next Jump In

"Who Next? Jump In. Let's Go" was a popular tag line used by jersey club DJs during the 2010s. It was a call to action for dancers to enter the circle and show off their best moves. Little did we know this was also a splash of our Afrikan ancestry peaking through our ceremonies. This mural is a tribute to the positive impact of jersey club culture and the dances that blossomed from that. This mural depicts a brother doing the "running man," which was a staple Jersey Club dance that was creatively woven into dance sequences. These dances were seen at random moments when people just felt like hitting it one time, during sporting events and celebrations, while warming up food waiting for the microwave to ding, and anywhere else the creative energy flowed. Growing up in Newark had its challenges but one of the most positive and nostalgic qualities from that experience is the memories of Science parties, Wisommm Center parties, street teams, booty bouncing, the brands we wore, framed against the backdrop of community violence and trauma. As we knew, the same brothers hitting the running man also knew how to fight. In one way or another, I think we were all pulled into the streets but the dance represented that on some level, we could still hear the drums. 

BEFORE

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The location of this mural at Cooper's at the entrance of Newark from East Orange also holds significance. Coopers' has been open since 1968 and has seen 4 Black Mayors of the City of Newark depicted in the mural - Kenneth Gibson, Sharpe James, Cory Booker, and Ras Baraka. The hoody of the main figure reads, "Welcome to Newark." African masks including symbols of Sankofa and the War Horn are represented as well.

AFTER

This  project was completed in partnership with the City of Newark. Funding was provided by the City of Newark Creative Catalyst Fund, Newark Artist Accelerator, and private donations. This project
was made possible in part by Project for Empty Space and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the
Visual Arts Regional Regranting Program.

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