Hip Hop...

Twelve Atlanta residents pen open letters to celebrate 50 years of Hip Hop.

50CURATED BY ANN HILL BOND, LAMAR STWEART, ODIE DONALD II In partnership with the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office

These letters are an ode of gratitude, a chorus of appreciation resounding through Atlanta's core. Here, we gather the penned sentiments of our city's luminaries—a mosaic of thank-yous dedicated to the heartbeat of our culture: Hip Hop. In Atlanta, Hip Hop isn't just music—it's our heartbeat, synchronizing with the pulse of our dynamic city. These letters, crafted by souls who've danced in spotlights and toiled behind curtains, encapsulate the ecstasy of that first bass drop, the artistry of lyrical tales, and the communal fervor coursing through crowds. We celebrate the beats and the ethos woven into Atlanta's fabric.

DearHip Hop,

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop, I am pleased to reflect on what it means to me personally. I grew up in Southwest Atlanta in Adamsville when Atlanta’s Hip Hop scene began to blossom. Atlanta is the Hip Hop Mecca of the South. The music industry here is plentiful and diverse, producing noteworthy artists in various genres. So, it’s no surprise that some of the biggest names in Hip Hop call Atlanta home. Our city’s history as the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement is tied to the social justice themes often found in the lyrics of rap songs. Hip Hop has greatly influenced Atlanta’s culture, and in turn, Atlanta also transformed this lyrical genre.

I fell in love with Hip Hop when I was about six years old. I can remember hearing music coming from my older sister’s room. That was my first introduction to Hip Hop from artists like Kurtis Blow, Raheem the Dream, Run DMC, KRS-One and more. In high school, I participated in talent shows as a part of a dance crew. We used to gather at Greenbriar Mall and other places in Atlanta to have dance and rap battles with kids from schools throughout the metro area. Music has served as a roadmap for my life.

As a kid, music was an important creative outlet for my friends, and I. I attended school with some of the world’s greatest Hip Hop icons. Music moved us and inspired us to express ourselves in ways that helped shape who we are. I remember the ascension of Hip Hop in Atlanta around the late 80’s and early 90’s. Around that time, I started listening to my favorite Hip Hop group OutKast, as well as other Atlanta rap geniuses like Jermaine Dupri, Organized Noize, Goodie Mob, and Kilo Ali, to name a few.

Hip Hop’s influence will span generations, and our city is a huge part of that revolution. It touches fashion, art, and culture. Hip Hop produced an original sound with beats that stir something deep within us. That’s a feeling you never forget.

Sincerely,

Mayor Andre Dickens

With a nod to DJ Kool Herc, a Jamaican pillar in Hip Hop's foundation, we embrace the cross-cultural ties that enriched this movement.

Let's journey through time and sound—a tapestry of heartfelt expressions illuminating Hip Hop's profound impact on our lives, city, and collective spirit. These letters honor the love, memories, and unbreakable bond we share with the beats that forever transformed us.

Crank up the volume, and let the symphony commence.

Hip Hop, you are appreciated.