The Grind & Hustle of Atlanta's Hip-Hop
Atlanta has established itself as the epicenter of the hip-hop industry. How are its artists transforming their grind into a hustle, and championing self-care?
OutKast by Michael Johnson @myname_mikej and Courtesy of the Trap Music MuseumBottom of the Map Podcast
At the 1995 Source Awards, OutKast won Best New Rap Group. The awards show took place in New York at Madison Square Garden. At a time when an east coast versus west coast narrative dominated hip-hop, a Southern duo winning best new rap group was unexpected and unappreciated. The audience booed. "It's like this tho," Andre 3000 declared while accepting the award, "The South got sumthin' to say." And with that, New York's disrespect fueled OutKast's work, and gave Southern hip-hop its rallying cry.
Tip "T.I." Harris by Dexter Scrill Davis and Cam Kirk StudiosBottom of the Map Podcast
There's a difference between a hustle and a grind. Trap music started out reflecting the grind of the trap, a struggle with no end in sight. But in their music and life, artists like T.I. transformed that grind into a goal-oriented hustle.
Gucci Mane by Keenan Litmon and Cam Kirk StudiosBottom of the Map Podcast
Sometimes artists, genres or regions have to be on their grind to continuously prove themselves. When Gucci Mane was in jail, he released dozens of mixtapes to keep his name out there. A hustle looks out into the future, past the 27 club, and makes provisions for the long term.
2 Chainz by Cam Kirk and Cam Kirk StudiosBottom of the Map Podcast
2 Chainz instagrammed healthy dinners and released a cookbook as part of his campaign for his 2013 album "B.O.A.T.S II: Me Time."
Jeezy by Cam Kirk and Cam Kirk StudiosBottom of the Map Podcast
Hip-hop artists like Jeezy have embraced fitness as a means to reconnect with themselves and live a better life.
This exhibit is based on excerpts from two episodes of the Bottom of the Map podcast: "Virgil Abloh Been Trill: Bottom of the Map Live!" and "Self Care Motivation 101."
Bottom of the Map is hosted by music journalist Christina Lee and hip-hop scholar Dr. Regina N. Bradley. In each episode, they explore, explain and exalt Southern hip-hop culture.
Cam Kirk Studios provided the photography.
Bottom of the Map is produced by WABE, Atlanta's NPR station, and PRX, and made possible (in part) by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.
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