The Record Crate

Counter culture has been bringing the masses together in the most obscene fashions lately. A bunch of nose-in-the-air artsy-types celebrated the work of Shepard Fairey in Boston recently, an artist that, up until this year, would have been written off as just another criminal street artist. Starbucks-the epitome of the buttoned-up polo shirt, duck-shoe wearing modern day beatniks-has embraced counter culture. Being from the Boston area, I’ve heard and seen countless individuals write off street buskers as homeless losers and drug addicts.

False. And filmographer Mark Johnson says so. He and his team belive that there is a common belief behind music; the idea that it has the power to breakdown all boundaries in the social human movement. What better way to do this than by having a bunch of street buskers in all parts of the world, recording them, mashing their performances up and playing them back? What would that sound like? What would that look like? Check out Playing For Change’s mash-up of the classic “Stand by Me,” featuring over 35 musicians from around the country.

The hidden agenda behind this project is so hidden, it’s straight-up in the forefront. These musicians are from different countries-many of which are currently feuding with eachother. Even though these musicians may not associate with one another if they were to interact on their own, this project shows that music truly knows no boundaries. Even moreso, these musicians have a better take on the world’s problems than most news anchors on CNN. To end this, have a look at this New Orleans street musician talking about Fannie Mae.

Dipset.