Although the music scene of Atlanta is rich and varied, the city's production of hip-hop music has been especially noteworthy, acclaimed, and commercially successful. In 2009, The New York Times called Atlanta "hip-hop's center of gravity",[1] and the city is home to many famous hip hop, R&B, and neo soul[2] musicians.
History
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In the 1980s and early 1990s Atlanta's hip hop scene was characterized by a local variant of Miami's electro-driven bass music, with stars like Kilo Ali, MC Shy-D, Raheem the Dream, and DJ Smurf (later Mr. Collipark).[1] MC Shy-D is credited with bringing authentic Bronx-style hip-hop to Atlanta (and Miami), such as 1988's Shake it[3] produced by DJ Toomp; Jones was signed to controversial Southern hip hop label Luke Records, run by Luther Campbell aka "Uncle Luke". Arrested Development won a Grammy Award in 1992 with "Tennessee", while Kris Kross won with their hit song "Jump". The group Tag Team released their debut platinum certified album Whoomp! (There It Is) on July 20, 1993, spawned by their hit single of the same name; they were under Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def Recordings, which had a significant part in the introduction of Atlanta to hip hop. However, Organized Noize and Dungeon Family "cornerstone" Rico Wade, who even produced albums for Outkast, Goodie Mob and Future, was considered to be a major architect of Atlanta hip hop.[4][5] Numerous aspiring musicians and artists would in fact record music in the studio which was located in the basement of Wade's mother, and which became known as the "Dungeon."[4]
By the mid-1990s, the rise of LaFace Records artists Outkast, Goodie Mob and the production collective Organized Noize led to the development of the Dirty South style of hip-hop and of Atlanta gaining a reputation for "soul-minded hip-hop eccentrics", contrasting with other regional styles.
Although Atlanta had Pop success in the hip hop industry, there was nobody speaking as a representative of someone who is from Atlanta. Until December 1993, when Outkast dropped their debut single Player’s Ball, the success of that single led to their debut album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik in 1994. Which later that year won them a source award for best new artist. However, at the time the industry only cared about East Coast and West Coast when it came to hip hop. When their name was announced they were boo’d; when they got on the microphone Big Boi said “So what’s up Dre?” Then Andre 3000 said “I’m tired of closed minded folks… It’s like this the south’s got something to say.” From then on it was a wrap and ever since then the south has ran the industry Outkast went on to release 6 albums and win 6 grammy awards.(Andre 3000 has and additional 3) Goodie Mob went on to release multiple albums most notably Soul Food which is a southern hip hop classic. This entire movement was the beginning of 2 things, Atlanta being the hip hop capital and the southern takeover.
The late 90s and early 2000s is when people really realized that Atlanta hip hop was gonna stay consistent forever. This time period saw the creation of Trap Muzik and rapper Lil Jon’s huge expansion of Crunk Music. This generation/class of Atlanta artists is widely considered the peak; the mount rushmore of this class is usually given to T.I., Jeezy, Gucci Mane, and Ludacris. T.I. AKA Tip, is the founder of trap music one of the biggest sub genres of hip hop ever. He released his second album Trap Muzik in 2003 and from then on it was a wrap. His legacy is seen and acknowledged everywhere, and he has 3 grammy award wins to show it. While T.I. is the founder of trap music there are 2 other pioneers, grammy nominated artists, Jeezy and Gucci Mane. With Jeezy’s major label debut album Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101 and Gucci Mane’s major label debut album Trap House both in 2005, they were able to take what T.I. started and help him take Trap Music worldwide, which is why they are the three pioneers. As for Ludacris, he is not a trap music artist nor a street rapper at all, but he has definitely earned his spot as the 4th man on this mount rushmore. The 3 time grammy award winner released his major label debut album Back for the First Time in 2000; very quickly he received commercial success and is a highly loved and respected dirty south representative. There were many artist in this gap way too many to name but the mount rushmore will forever be T.I., Jeezy, Gucci Mane, and Ludacris.
Atlanta hip-hop has influenced other mainstream forms of media. The television show Atlanta, which chronicles the lives of two cousins as they navigate the hip-hop world, exemplifies this broader impact. It has earned two Golden Globe awards and two Emmy awards. A number of Atlanta-based artists, including Killer Mike and Jermaine Dupri, have also become involved in local and national political movements.[6]
Top-selling artists
editLocal multi-platinum artists include Ludacris,[7] Ciara,[8] B.o.B,[9] Outkast,[10][11] T.I.,[12] and Jeezy. The following hip-hop, rap, R&B, and soul artists have had #1 or #2 albums or singles on the U.S. Hot 100 chart:
See also
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References
edit- ^ a b Caramanica, Jon (2009-12-11). "Gucci Mane, No Holds Barred". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
- ^ NPR: "Atlanta soul scene reborn"
- ^ Mickey Hess, Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide: Volume 1: East Coast and West Coast
- ^ a b Abrams, Jonathan (April 14, 2024). "Rico Wade, an Architect of Atlanta Hip-Hop, Dies at 52". New York Times. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
- ^ "Atlanta rap legend, Dungeon Family member Rico Wade dies at 52". WSB-TV. April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
- ^ "How Atlanta rappers helped flip the White House (And they're hustling to flip the US Senate)". CNN. 29 December 2020.
- ^ Birchmeier, Jason. "Ludacris Biography by Jason Birchmeier". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
- ^ Thomas, Fred. "Ciara Biography by Fred Thomas". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
- ^ Cordor, Cyril. "B.o.B Biography by Cyril Cordor". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
- ^ Guzman, Isaac (22 October 2000). "Melody Makers of Hip-Hop". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
- ^ Bush, John. "OutKast Biography by John Bush". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
- ^ Kellman, Andy. "T.I. Biography by Andy Kellman". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 November 2022.