Whether it’s to encourage self-expression, develop like-minded communities or build confidence, Manny Lopez understands the power of music more than most and he’s on a mission to spread the gospel.

Over the last five years Lopez has not only launched a record label and created the House Hats music events company, but he still finds time to work in the music education technology space. As the founder and president of Beats Give Back, his main focus is on giving the gift of music to those who need it the most.

The non-profit organisation dedicates itself to providing underprivileged children in Florida the opportunity to get involved with music at all levels, focusing on developing education programs inside foster homes to encourage creative expression and learning through music.

“My journey has always been rooted in music, and Beats Give Back is a natural extension of that because it uses music to uplift and empower the next generation,” says Lopez. “We’ve seen firsthand how even a few guitar lessons can change a child’s outlook. Music becomes more than a hobby; it’s a tool for healing, confidence, and community. It gives structure, inspires creativity, and opens doors that many never knew existed. In many cases, it’s a lifeline.”

The idea of Beats Give Back was born during the pandemic. The organisation was formed in 2023, hosted its first instrument drive in 2024, and earlier this year held its first major fundraiser - with a silent auction and an afterparty at Sheltair Aviation at Tampa International Airport. Playing host to over 1,000 guests, the fundraiser exceeded everyone’s expectations. Managed by the Beats Give Back, House Hats and Sheltair Aviation teams, it featured big name headline artists like Beltran and Chase West.

Lopez knew the event would need a premium audio solution and drafted in Florida’s Nomad Sound Systems to design a high-performance Funktion-One system.

“This event was two years in the making and all our artists, vendors, consultants and volunteers came together with one shared goal: to give back through music,” says Lopez. “I’ve been friends with the Nomad team for years and I love working with them because they always deliver a premium experience, especially when it comes to sound.

“I personally requested Funktion-One. It’s a gold standard in audio and something I try to make a staple for events of this scale. Having that quality of sound elevates the entire experience, and Nomad brought it to life seamlessly.”

The venue wasn’t without its challenges, but Nomad Sound Systems’ director of operations Leo Eckers was unfazed.

“Our prior collaborations with House Hats made the decision to utilise Funktion-One a straightforward one,” says Eckers. “But this particular project presented an interesting challenge due to the expansive width of the aircraft hangar, and delivering comprehensive sound coverage was paramount."

For the main system, Nomad deployed six Evo 7T loudspeakers in three-wide configurations to address that challenge, as well as 12 F121 bass enclosures. Two Res 2 loudspeakers and four additional F121 infills further enhanced the powerful sonic impact directly in front of the stage.” The installation also utilised PSM318 DJ monitoring and eight F101.2 for the VIP and stage fill area.

Forming in 2016, Nomad Sound Systems has been working with Funktion-One since day one and now has over 300 cabinets in its rental inventory – one of the largest Funktion-One repositories in the United States.

“We acquired our first Funktion-One system nearly a decade ago and have been consistently satisfied with its performance since that initial setup,” adds Eckers. “Working with promoters like House Hats and Beats Give Back, who feature accomplished DJs playing high-quality music, means that the resulting sensory experience is truly exceptional and difficult to surpass.”

With items including a signed Tom Brady helmet, EDC Orlando tickets and artworks from renowned Florida artists, the silent auction raised $8,000 towards the purchase of new equipment for Beats Give Back’s music education studio project at the Joshua House Foundation in Tampa Bay.

But for Lopez, it wasn’t just about the money. “The after-party played a key role in securing artists like Beltran and Chase West to join us in Tampa, and it also gave our hardworking team and volunteers a chance to enjoy the day,” he says. “It was inspiring, emotional and powerful, and it reminded all of us why we do this work, helping to balance the workload and end the event on a high note.

“Beyond the money we raised, the exposure it gave us was massive. Beats Give Back has been grassroots from day one but following the event we saw a huge spike in emails, website traffic, and community members asking how they could get involved. We’re already planning the next event and expanding our programs. This was just the beginning.”

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Note from Manny Lopez:
Special thanks to Jolene Swift, our VP, who led the silent auction effort with Grace Seymour. Nicole Poplawski, Lucia Morales, and Michelle Miggins helped shape the atmosphere. Jensen Diaz, Stephen Sherer, Kai Seymour, Jose Lopez, Tayler Scharg, Natalie Maida, Ashley Wegaleski and the rest of the Beats Give Back, House Hats, and Sheltair teams made this possible. It truly took a village.