Events
Free Music:
The Illusion of Liberation
On Display until January 2026
Eaton House DC
A collaborative music and arts exhibition led by Michael Bowie of Distrik Kollective, mixed-media artist Khadija Jahmila, and Eaton House, the project brings together DMV musicians and visual artists to examine the paradox of “free music” in the digital age, where access seems unlimited but artists remain financially and creatively constrained.
Music has long been a force of freedom, resistance, refuge, and change. Yet in the digital age, where access feels limitless, artists remain bound by an industry that capitalizes on their work. The show confronts the contradiction of creative freedom, exposing how corporate control and economic inequity limit artistic autonomy.
A collaboration between Michael Bowie of Distrik Kollective and Khadija Jahmila, it features the works of DMV musicians and visual artists who challenge the myth of creative freedom within a system built on extraction. Streaming platforms and cultural commodification force artists to navigate a landscape where their work is consumed but rarely compensated. Through visual art and sound, the exhibition reveals the unseen labor, cultural erasure, and financial constraints that shape the artist’s reality.
More than a critique, the exhibition is a reclamation of artistic autonomy and creative agency.
We are...
. . . an independent, artist-driven network committed to fostering the creative development and economic empowerment of D.C.-area musicians.
By providing the performance and educational opportunities emerging artists need to succeed, we aim to enhance the arts experience for both musicians and music lovers.
Rooted in the District of Columbia and its rich musical tradition, we believe our strength comes from community, and that our creativity is enriched by collaboration.
Our focus is...
Creative Growth for Musicians
Our primary goal is to cultivate an atmosphere where emerging musicians can collaborate, innovate, and thrive in their craft, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.
Economic Empowerment
We champion entrepreneurial endeavors for musicians, providing them with the tools and connections necessary for building sustainable careers in the evolving music landscape.
Community Connection
We are committed to enhancing the relationship between D.C.-area artists and audiences, fostering a community that actively supports a vibrant music scene.
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Founded by internationally recognized bassist, bandleader and music educator Michael Bowie in November 2021, Distrik Kollective aims to provide emerging musicians with a creative and collaborative environment where they can build skills and find community.
As it prepares to enter its fifth year, as a 501(c) (3) certified nonprofit with a full board in place, it is constantly working to bring performance and educational opportunities to artists through a series of events, programs and partnerships. These have included:
The Creators Jam
The Workshop and a Vinyl Listening and Storytelling Session, in partnership with the Eaton Hotel, K Street
An inaugural Creators Talent Showcase and SUPERJam, in partnership with Atlas Performing Arts Theater and Arlington Independent Media (AIM)
The Seventies Sessions, in partnership with Funk Me Radio WMCU College Park 90.5 FM
Flip the Beat, in partnership with Legacy HiFi and Pipkin Creative Communications
Free Music: The Illusion of Liberation, a multimedia exhibition in partnership with visual artist Khadija Jahmila and Eaton House
Distrik Kollective is proud to support the D.C.-area’s finest rappers, vocalists, instrumentalists and beat-makers as they strive to succeed in a challenging industry, express themselves, hone their sound and find their singular voice.
Distrik Kollective: We’re stronger together.
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