Chris Harris realizes love is not a popular theme in hip-hop music.
"There's a lot out there that gives kids the wrong message," says Harris, aka Cleveland rapper DJ $crilla. So he and local singer Lauren Lanzaretta teamed up to create Color of Love, a collection of songs that celebrates love and positivity in all forms.
"The album covers the whole spectrum of love," Harris says. "It can be the love for your craft, the love that comes from triumph and overcoming obstacles, really any kind of love."
But the release is about more than just music. Harris and Lanzaretta are offering Color of Love as a pay-what-you-can download via multivu.com with proceeds going to Berea Children's Home & Family Services
"I initially brought the idea to Lauren," Harris says. "She liked it, and suggested we try to focus on a local charity, so that's how we got involved with them."
The collaboration between Harris and Lanzaretta was spurred by a Facebook friend request. When the singer tried to connect with a couple Cleveland-area DJs online, Harris responded to her message. It wasn't long before they were in the studio recording together.
"One song turned into two, and then it turned into a full-fledged EP," Harris says.
