Music lovers traveled from all over to attend the 20th anniversary of House in the Park at Grant Park in Atlanta on Sept. 1. For the second-consecutive decade, various DJs played house music for lovers of the genre to dance and connect with fellow genre lovers.
Near the end of the event, House in the Park founder and CEO Ramon “Rawsoul” Guyton spoke to rolling out about it all.
What was this year’s House in the Park event like?
Oh, man, today was overwhelming, in a good way.
I almost teared up on the stage because I just gave a woman $5,000 in the community.
We had no idea how the second stage was going to be because it was our first time doing it. We had no idea it was going to be as successful as it was tonight. This was our first year doing a hospitality lounge, and we had no idea it would be this successful. The people love it. I think we’ve found something now. I think we put the right amount of garlic in our seasoning, I think our gumbo is right now.
What advice do you have for anyone who wants to throw a music festival?
Oh, my God, do I have enough time?
No. 1, don’t let anyone say you can’t do something.
No. 2, don’t be afraid to invest your personal money into something.
No. 3 is probably the most important, which is to surround yourself with a good team who listens to you but has your back and is willing to help you out. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. It’s not intimidating. They’re smarter than you. They’re good at what they are good at. You’re good at what you’re good at, and then together, you guys make a great thing.
Why is House in the Park important to the culture?
House music is the only music that does not discriminate based on race, color, creed or sexual orientation.
I’ve been listening to house music since 1984, so in however many years that is, I’ve never seen a fight at a house music party. I’ve never had anyone step on my toes. It’s just a beautiful experience for me.
This party is more than just a party. It’s a family reunion. People have gone to this event, met their husbands, their wives, their partners, had babies, and then, brought them back here and danced with them on the floor.
It’s a community event that needs to continue to happen.
How else can people support House in the Park?
Continue to support us.
Come out, have a good time and spread the word because we’re back next year for year 21. We’ll be back, and we’ll be the legal drinking age next year.
