~GAS A.K.A Andrew Gaston~

“Why do you like Go-Go music so much? “I simply say, I’ve been around it my entire life and love it”. From Rare Essence, who played in the alley of Yuma Street SE, growing up on Barnaby Street. Also participating in the marching band at Washington Highland Elementary School, as a safety patrol. Participating at No#11 Boy's & Girl's Club in almost every sport and winning city championships, you meet a lot of people. 

Then attending Ballou High School and wanting to be a drummer, but had no experience playing, but managed to make the drum line, with Buggs, Black Poo, Calvin Gant, Luther, Ernest, Lesile, and Willie Gaston, aka Heavy One, who I found out was my 1st cousin! I can’t forget Ras Lidj in the music game and still Ballou’s, best drum major of all time.  Ballou’s male chorus is simply legendary, with HUGG, PRATT and others.  During that time, your best and circle of friends, are all main stays in Go-Go Bands David Ellis (Ballou male chorus to JUNK-NEG-RE, Da Mix Band) and Bruce Bailey (Ballou male chorus to, Physical Wonder, Ultimate Groove, JUNK & BACK), Stanley aka “Poochelly” was a crew member for JUNK and NEG and his brother, Bo-Chell, ran the PA board for NEG & now JUNK, your Go-Go portfolio of music and library is legendary and deep with Go-Go history that is timeless.  

Attending live performances and walking in with them, gave you a feeling like you about to perform.  With PA Tapes and CD’s laying around like candy, I politely helped myself for decades!  I also traded and purchased music, with countless of people throughout city.  Then attending Morgan State University and witnessing the history of rap and house music, you learn to rep your music every chance you get.  So, this is why, I love Go-Go music and live shows. These stories and experiences allowed me to create a company called “Go-Go Royalty, LLC” to keep the music alive through streaming, production and historical preservation of shows, so it will never be lost. This is MY story and I’m sticking to it.

I fell in love with Go-Go Music at an early age. My mother was good friends with Lil Benny’s sister. So one day Lil Benny ask if he could take me to watch his band play. This was back in 1982 and Rare Essence was performing at Washington Highland Elementary School. That night Rare Essence cranked so hard that the show became legendary! That "82 Washington Highland PA Tape" was and still is one of the best shows that Rare Essence has ever performed. 

Experience Unlimited was out of Valley Green and Foxy Brown lived in the same housing complex that I lived in. There was nothing like having the latest and clearest PA tape, in your boom box and fresh batteries. We use to exchange tapes all the time back in the day to build up your stash of go-go music. There is something spiritually and hypnotic about the music; tribal even. There is no way, you can go to a live show and not shake or nod your head to the rhythm of the music. Go-Go Music will forever be apart of the Washington, D.C. culture and that’s part of the mission of Go-Go Royalty. We are here to try to preserve the legacy of Go-Go Music one show and one band at a time. 

Darrin “X” has been involved in the genre of music created in Washington, DC called Go-Go for over 35 years. Darrin started his journey in Go-Go in the early 1980’s when the Go-Go band Experience Unlimited (EU) made him a part of their stage crew. Darrin went on to then work with another popular Go-Go band in 1985 named Rare Essence as a stage technician and later joined the organization as a band member playing keyboard in 1991. This tenure produced the well-known Go-Go songs “Work the Walls”, “Must Be Like That”, “Body Snatchers”, “Overnight Scenario” and many more over a 10-year span.  

In 2001 Darrin joined the Go-Go band 911 with Donnell Floyd, a former member of Rare Essence, and performed on the “Chuck Brown Birthday Celebration Live at the 9:30 Club”.  

In 2003 Darrin met Reginald “Polo” Burrell. Burrell was the owner and lead musician for the Go-Go band TCB. Darrin, along with Burrell and business partner Ben Abba, created and marketed a brand of Go-Go Burrell labeled, Bounce Beat. This new style of Go-Go catered to younger demographics and introduced a parallel culture that created its own dance called “Beat Your Feet”. The genre was so popular that rapper Wale approached TCB about using one of their songs. That song, “Bait” appeared on Wale’s Ambition album which was release in late 2011 by Warner Music Group.  

In 2019 an opportunity presented itself in the form of social protest through music. Darrin connected with “Yaddiya”, the founder of Moechella, and proceeded to elevate social issues by using Go-Go music as a unifier. This being bred from the “Don’t Mute DC” movement, gave Darrin the opportunity to be able to further connect people and programs that could benefit from the relationship between Go-Go and the community.  

Chairman of Apparel Division & Brand Ambassador and Retail Partnership Manager at the Go-Go Royalty Collabative Store located at 3806 Old Silver Rd.Suitland, MD.   Over 25 years in the apparel business and simply sales genius. Also, Billy "Da Kid" is the No#1 Go-Go party host in  the culture period.