Sup, folk? It’s Gavin, UATL’s deputy editor.
If you’ve lived in Atlanta long enough, you know one thing to be true: Our Uber and Lyft drivers got stories for days.
Oftentimes, they’ll spin long yarns about how their gig with the rideshare companies — even if they’ve been doing it for 10 years — is temporary, just a means to a greater end. In my experience, that aspiration usually involves realizing their music dreams. I’ve met aspiring rappers, singers, producers, DJs and audio engineers. I’ve been asked to listen to more than a dozen mixtapes, demos, singles and a cappella’s — all while riding in the backseat.
When it came to the next story in our Black mecca series, I thought back on all of these interactions and wondered, “Folks still come here to find music success? How’s that working out for them?”
UATL OG and AJC video producer Najja Parker wrote a gem about where Atlanta stands as a place to foster Black music talent. With a lack of major labels in the city and legislation calling for an official Georgia music office, that answer varies depending on who you ask.
What did Najja find? Well, you’ll have to read the full story, but with anything involving Black culture in ATL, the answer is beautifully complicated.
As we close out Black Music Month, the beat goes on for Team UATL. Speaking of music, Christopher Daniel spoke to friends, family, and peers about the late D.R.E.S. Tha Beatnik’s lasting Atlanta legacy.
Brooke Howard caught up with Atlanta Fashion Week founder Angela Watts, who announced that they’re moving the show’s runway to Atlantic Station this year.
Atlanta Influences Everything cofounder Bem Joiner takes us on a trip to the Motherland. OK, not literally, but in conversation with Senior Editor Mike Jordan, Bem breaks down how Black Atlanta has and will continue to benefit from cultural exchanges with South Africa.
Can you imagine seeing Mayor Andre Dickens doing the Yeek dance with locals in Johannesburg?
Hey, it could happen.
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