DuPree

Description

DuPree is a Brooklyn-raised artist residing in Crown Heights. DuPree grew up in Bedford-Stuyvesant in the Society for Seamen’s Children (Seamen’s Society for Children and Families) foster care system. She talks about attending Cornerstone Baptist Church, the Rev. Sandy F. Ray Choir, and important role the church has played in her artistic life. She remembers spending the entire day at church and drawing with other children while the adults had meetings. She talks about the blending together of song and art in her life. She remembers getting a scholarship for art at the Brooklyn Museum. She talks about traveling to Staten Island with the Society for Seaman’s Children. She remembers participating in a yearly singing-competition at Erasmus Hall High School and credits music for saving her life. She remembers hitchhiking with friends to Canada and Provincetown, M.A. to perform. She talks about developing her style from artists like Buffy Sainte-Marie, Miriam Makeba, and Nina Simone. She talks about working for with the Legal Aid Society and later as a paralegal in the 1970s. She speaks about her experience with prison corruption and how it inspired her to use music to be an advocate. She talks about moving to California to be closer to friends and to take advantage of the opportunities to share songs and grow. She remembers performing at festivals and events for Earth Day and prison reform. She talks about her musical partner, Judith Casselberry and their career with Iceberg Records. She talks about the gay community and...

From Collection

Community Curators

Record Contributed By

Weeksville Heritage Center