Natives of Washington, D.C., need no explanation regarding the significance of go-go music in the city's historic U Street neighborhood. On any given day, residents are exposed to lively funk music that's representative of a simpler time of a place many commonly refer to as "Chocolate City." Gentrification has made its way around several D.C. neighborhoods, causing headaches that can easily be blamed on inflated rent prices, closures of small businesses, etc. Before the uncultured elite has a chance to claim victory on yet another facet unique to D.C. culture, activists and lawmakers alike are fighting back.

Metro PCS, located on the corner of Seventh Street and Florida Avenue NW, is known for playing iconic go-go tunes, which is a music genre that got its start in D.C. back in the early 1970s. Many streets across the city are laced with musicians who entertain bystanders with the unique mix of funk and R&B with hints of lo-fi percussion instruments and beats daily.

Donald Campbell, owner of the Metro PCS storefront for 24 years, said to DCist that his knack for playing go-go tunes has trickled down through generations of locals.

"Generations of Howard students, generations of people know that I play music every single day," Campbell said. "We started selling [go-go] tapes, now we’re selling CDs. I always liked the go-go bands, I always tried to keep the music alive."

The open-air playing of go-go tracks wasn't a cause for concern for residents near Metro PCS until about a month ago. A tenant of upscale apartment complex the Shay griped to T-Mobile, which owns Metro PCS, about the constant thuds coming from the business. According to The Washington Post, Campbell compromised by playing softer jazz renditions of go-go instead. That wasn't enough for career complainers, and soon enough, the large speakers that blasted the familiar tunes vanished.

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"That was the day the music died," U Street resident Julie Guyot said to The Post. "I walk my children to school every day, and we pass this shop every day, and we move to that go-go as we cross the street because this is the beat of D.C. I don’t understand how one person’s discomfort is enough to trump the will of the people in this community."

The systemic silencing of a culture already at risk of losing its identity in the District has inspired many to take action, starting with creating the hashtag #DontMuteDC.

Enough said. #DontMuteDC
pic.twitter.com/jO5gyeUnIG

— Hi, I’m Juu!???????? (@JulianDionG) April 10, 2019

#DontMuteDc u had to be there this bounce beat is crazy I will forever love gogo pic.twitter.com/KPu5i2g7uP

— BigOc (@ochermohwe) April 10, 2019

I miss that sound RT @Biggscooley: You can take the block but you can’t take the culture. The culture is ours and it’s here to stay #DontMuteDC
pic.twitter.com/0YQJtbs1gU

— Dunn (@JMDHeisman) April 10, 2019

Y’all wanted the Gogo to just go away and WE MADE IT LOUDER CAUSE THATS HOW WE DO. #DontMuteDC
https://t.co/gZlIYlUV3y

— Brittany Packnett (@MsPackyetti) April 10, 2019

Similar sentiments were shared on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

As a Washington DC native also born and raised in the Ledroit Park neighborhood, I’ve always heard Gogo music on the 7th and Florida Avenue corner. Growing up, my mother told me stories of how this corner has been a cultural hub for the city, playing GoGo music for 20+ years & being a historical center point for our DC Culture as well. Now in 2019, new DC residents are threatening to sue the owner “Don” for playing GoGo music outside of his store. As most of us know this relates to a bigger issue related to the rapid amount of GENTRIFICATION taking place in Washington DC. WE, THE NATIVE PEOPLE ARE OUTRAGED ABOUT THIS & WE WILL NOT LET THIS GO BY THAT EASY WITHOUT A FIGHT FOR OUR DC CULTURE. I’m doing what I do best which is using my drum to strike a message & get the rest of the community aware of this wrong doing to our good people so please share this or spread the word. Thank you ! #DONTMUTEDC #DCorNothing #DMV #stopgentrification #definitionofpercussionentertainment #DOP3WÆ #WEBÂND #DCGOGO ????: @kymonefreeman

A post shared by Malik DOPE Drummer ???? (@malikdopedrummer) on Apr 8, 2019 at 1:42pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

#DONTMUTEDC @tmobile @johnlegere make this right .

A post shared by mrtonylewisjr (@mrtonylewisjr) on Apr 9, 2019 at 5:24pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

DC SHOWED OUT ???? #dontmutedc #dontmutedcgogo #gogomusic #gogomusic4life #dcgogo #dcgogomusic

A post shared by Charles Chappy (@chappy_3c) on Apr 9, 2019 at 7:12pm PDT

Efforts to keep go-go alive and playing have also made their way to city officials. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser showed her support and encouraged Twitter followers to sign a petition to stop others from muting a vital part of the city's history.

I’m with you #DontMuteDC

Sign the petition: https://t.co/NOhSrDvqky

Celebrate DC & Go-Go on Emancipation Day this Saturday: https://t.co/ALN6uKbzCl
pic.twitter.com/ZYikLZG0BE

— Muriel Bowser (@MurielBowser) April 9, 2019

D.C. Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeu shared an open letter she wrote to T-Mobile on Monday, indicating that she planned to meet with officials from the communications company to find a solution.

#DontMuteDC I'm in touch with @TMobile to inform them of the important history of this corner. See my letter to them: pic.twitter.com/FHOlmoDzGV

— Brianne K. Nadeau (@BrianneKNadeau) April 8, 2019

Thanks to the work from residents and lawmakers alike, T-Mobile reversed its decision on Wednesday and announced Metro PCS would continue blaring go-go music from its doors.

I’ve looked into this issue myself and the music should NOT stop in D.C.! @TMobile and @MetroByTMobile are proud to be part of the Shaw community – the music will go on and our dealer will work with the neighbors to compromise volume. https://t.co/qXvwzmc24E

— John Legere (@JohnLegere) April 10, 2019

"@TMobile and @MetroByTMobile are proud to be part of the Shaw community – the music will go on and our dealer will work with the neighbors to compromise volume," T-Mobile CEO John Legere announced in a tweet Wednesday.

We’re outside the Metro PCS in Shaw, where the owner is scheduled to speak at noon. #DontMuteDC
pic.twitter.com/EJgjojczR0

— WPGC 95.5 (@WPGC) April 10, 2019

In short, if you don't like go-go, you can go bye-bye.

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