GORDO opens a second learning center in Guatemala

GORDO has opened a second learning centre in Guatemala with the organisation Seeds of Learning.

The Guatemala-born and raised artist, has had the opportunity to open another school in the town of Nuevo Eden called EDIFICIO TARAKA aiming to “create far brighter opportunities” for young people in the area.

The DJ - whose real name is Diamanté Anthony Blackmon - previously opened a school in the same area with his website explaining that his childhood “struggles” has motivated him to build schools and “raise awareness of the struggles of others.”

Read this next: An electronic record label has opened a school in Sierra Leone

Working on this project since 2014, GORDO has teamed up with the non-profit organisation, Seeds of Learning which is “dedicated to improving prospects for young people living in rural areas of Central America.”

GORDO has said: “My childhood in Guatemala shaped who I am today and I am honored to give back to the generation of tomorrow in my home country. I dedicate this school to my aunt, my uncle and my late cousin Catherine who I grew up with in Guatemala.”

His “second mother” also known as ‘Auntie’, ran both private and public school students around Guatemala City which added to the inspiration for him to do the same.

Read this next: Ukraine Resistance Radio launches broadcast for experimental Ukrainian music

Before relocating to the US, GORDO’s childhood is described in a press release to be “marked by the sheer desperation of a world in which so many are forced to sacrifice their potential to earn money, lessons abandoned to necessity.”

Alongside his work in education, GORDO has recently co-produced six tracks on Drake’s house-inspired album ‘Honestly Nevermind’ and last month released the single ‘R U 4REAL’ with Marina Maximilian.

Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Video and Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter