🔄 Bowser wants to reinstate tipped minimum wage

What's CITY Talking About?

DC 2026 Budget Surprises

Mayor Bowser dropped details on her 2026 budget. As expected, it includes continued investments in downtown, money towards Capital One Arena and RFK Stadium, and funding for the planning for a new Southwest neighborhood. Unexpectedly, she also called to repeal I-82, the ballot initiative that eliminates the tipped minimum wage. [Office of the Mayor]

• Several restaurant closures have blamed I-82, but is that accusation fair? [City Cast DC 🎧]

DC To Host NFL Draft

President Trump announced that the 2027 NFL draft will be held on the National Mall, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors. [NBC]

DC Fights To Keep Rock Creek Reversible Lanes

D.C. is pushing back against the National Park Service’s plans to close Rock Creek Parkway’s reversible rush hour lanes. They say closing it could increase traffic 20%. [Washington Post 🔒]

• The pushback comes after an outcry from D.C. residents over the proposed change. [City Cast DC 🎧]

Free Outdoor Concert Season Begins

The lottery for the first Jazz in the Garden starts on May 19. But if you don't get tickets, there are plenty of other free events this summer to keep your schedule busy and wallet full. The key is to plan in advance. [City Cast DC 🎧]

Theodore Roosevelt Bridge Construction Starts

Construction to repaint, widen, and improve Theodore Roosevelt Bridge starts next week. The $127 million upgrade will take more than three years, during which there will be significant lane reductions. [WTOP]

Your DC Local Music Guide for May

Welcome to another edition of our monthly music feature, where we highlight a local artist and upcoming shows from local acts. Today, we’re focusing on a local artist for which Afrobeats — a genre influenced by Black American and West African music — tells the story of his identity.

🎙️ Spotlight: Acquaah

Self-Described Current Sound:

Fusion of Afrobeats and Rap

Get To Know the Artist:

Born in Takoma park, then raised in Ghana, artist Acquaah now considers the DMV his homebase. After moving back eight years ago, he began working on raps during his lunch breaks. With encouragement from friends, he performed for the first time at a Tiny Sesh from the local Sesh Collective.

“Before the performance, I almost left because I had stage fright,” Acquaah recalled. “I was at the elevator about to walk away while they were calling my name.”

What made him stay was the fear itself, noting “I feel like the path of least resistance is never the way to go. If you feel scared to do something, that means you probably should do the thing.”

Since then, Acquaah has gone on to collaborate with multiple rappers, with his most popular “Dial-777-ABBA” with Cru Alxndr gaining over 40,000 streams on Spotify. His first full-length album “Ezy 2 Luv” dropped last year and highlights his rap skills while also introducing Afrobeats into his music. Currently on a break, Acquaah reflects on his inspirations and what to expect next from him, including a venture into cinematography.

Follow:

@acquaah_

Song to Check Out:

“Gentility”

🎟️ Upcoming Local Shows To See

1. Emotional World (opening for Mamalarky) (Indie Rock) | May 8 Comet Ping Pong
2. Cecily (performing at My Body My Festival) (Soul) | May 16 | Union Stage
3. Spring Silver, Drook, Roxy 2 (Alt. Rock, Shoegaze) | May 19 | Pie Shop
4. Jane O’Neill (Folk, Americana) | May 23 | Comet Ping Pong
5. WRIZZARDS (R&B, multi-genre) | May 24 | Songbyrd

🎵 New Local Music Mentions

Emily Fain: “Frail”

A self-described “strange pop” artist, Emily Fain’s latest single is reminiscent of 2010’s pop. Think Lorde and Ellie Goulding, but more avant garde.

🎧 Your May Local Music Playlist

Check out this Spotify playlist we made, featuring Acquaah’s songs and inspirations, plus music by the other local bands above.

What To Do