Rare Essence

Rare Essence, Washington’s premier Go-Go band for more than four decades, is a DC institution that has built a devoted fan base that spans multiple generations, drawn to the indigenous funk sired in the mid -70s by the late Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown. Formed by students at a Southeast Washington Catholic school during the mid-‘70s and kept on track by several no-nonsense moms, Rare Essence quickly developed into the city’s most powerful GO-GO band, performing six or seven nights a week for a huge local and regional following. More than 40 plus years later, Rare Essence remains a GO-GO powerhouse, releasing dozens of albums and live recordings while continuing to perform for several thousand fans each week. GO- GO has always been an underground music; still, it has prevailed despite economic deprivation, racial prejudice and the misperception. Rare Essence has performed with Run DMC, LL COOL J, Doug E. Fresh, Biz Markie, Ice Cube, Heavy D and the Boyz, Wu Tang Clan, Method Man, French Montana, Scarface, TLC, Eric B and Rakim, The Roots, Erykah Badu, Wale, Thievery Corporation, Clutch, KRS-1 not to mention Chuck Brown, Trouble Funk, The Junk Yard Band and EU. Rampant gentrification has changed the look of DC, but GO-GO remains the heart and soul of black Washington and is officially the sound of DC.