Please Contribute To The NOLA Hip-Hop Archive

New Orleans is well-know the world over for its rich musical history. From jazz to soul to hip-hop and beyond, the Big Easy has produced some of the biggest names to ever grace the stage. Yet, in regards to hip-hop, the far-reaching successes of artists such as Lil Wayne and Curren$y have not helped to shine a light on the local talent bubbling below the Mason-Dixon, several of which are familiar faces on this site.

With that being said, Holly Hobbs (artist manager, musician and promoter) has put together a team of multimedia professionals to launch a digital archive of oral commentaries and visual exhibitions to highlight "the city's rappers, producers and DJs" who helped push many performers into the mainstream of music and pop culture - most of whom "remain largely invisible."

We strongly encourage our network of artists, musicians, photographers, videographers and other creatives to "wobble, wobble and shake, shake" yourself to Kickstarter and make a pledge. Every bit helps.

Rubble Kings (Documentary) [Video]

From 1968 to 1975, gangs ruled New York City. Beyond the idealistic hopes of the civil rights movement lay an unfocused rage. Neither law enforcement nor social agency could end the escalating bloodshed. Peace came only through the most unlikely and courageous of events that would change the world for generations to come by giving birth to hip-hop culture. Rubble Kings, the most comprehensive documentation of life during this era of gang rule to date, tells the story of how a few extraordinary, forgotten people did the impossible, and how their actions impacted the world over.

Rubble Kings is a feature length documentary about the New York city street gangs of the late ‘60s / ‘70s and their influence on hip-hop culture.

"The film's lively roster of former Savage Skulls, Black Spades, Assassinators, Ghetto Brothers, Hitmen or Turban Queens, expressively recalling and explaining gang culture, is matched only by its flood of down-and-dirty archival imagery." (Variety.com)

Independent and self-funded, Rubble Kings needs your help!

The movie is pretty much finished. Unfortunately we can't release or show the film beyond festivals or private screenings because the music rights and archival footage must first be cleared. Being able to pay for the songs and footage in this film is crucial to telling this story accurately and in its truest form.

Please support Shan Nicholson via Kickstarter.

NOLA MIX: Youth DJ & Music Production Program [Video]

NOLA MIX is a New Orleans based music education program that provides training, mentoring and performance opportunities for aspiring DJs of all ages and skill levels. NOLA MIX students learn about the history of DJ-ing, basic mixing, scratching and beat making. Students are also exposed to new DJ technology including Serato Live software, and art activities that reinforce their emerging DJ skills. Students who complete the 5 week NOLA MIX DJ training receive a Certificate of Achievement, produce a group music CD, and coordinate a free community performance.

Please support their Kickstarted campaign here.

Finding The Funk (Trailer) [Video]

I live for the funk, I'll die for the funk. Nelson George and Arthur Baker highlight the history of music's most amicable genre - funk. To contribute to the project, please visit Kickstarter.

Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton: This Is Stones Throw Records (Documentary) [Video]

Please head to Kickstarter to help fund what will no doubt be an amazing tale of one of the most revered record labels of our time, Stones Throw Records.

Boots Riley: A Tour Bus For The Coup [Video]

One question: where is Pam?

Dust & Grooves: A Photography Book About Vinyl Collectors [Video]

Dust & Grooves is a photo and interview project documenting and exalting vinyl records, the people who love them, and the musical heritage they carry.

With a website launched in October 2008 by Brooklyn-based professional photographer and vinyl addict Eilon Paz, D&G profiles individual collectors from all over the world in their natural environment – usually at home with their personal collections. Each subject is interviewed in depth about their devotion to vinyl, then each conversation is paired with a beautiful series of portrait photographs by Eilon that capture the heart and soul of this passionate avocation. Together, words and images tell the story of the love affair between collector and collection, and preserve a record of music that otherwise might be lost.