NOLA Hiphop Archive is a digital archive encompassing videotaped oral histories from some of the greatest local musicians. During a 20 day funding period, creator Holly Hobbs and team hope to raise $6,000 through Kickstarter. With just 50 hours to go, the campaign has raised $4,750.
New Orleans is historically rich in music, food and culture. With the emergence of food and beverage based companies embracing technology, as well as many music tech startups materializing, it’s only fitting that a digital archive is in the works.
From international sensation Lil Wayne to Juvenile to Mannie Fresh, the city of New Orleans is one of the most innovative and unique locations for producing hip hop talent. New Orleans hip hop is specifically influenced by bounce, which can best be described as an energetic style of the local hip hop music.
Photo of artist Dee-1for NOLA Hiphop Archive.
“New Orleans rap without bounce is not New Orleans rap, it’s just rap…bounce influenced everyone’s sound,” says artist Dee-1 in the Kickstarter video.
Over the last two years, the first 30 oral histories were collected, all to be launched in conjunction with the Where They At bounce exhibit materials, including music and memorabilia, beginning in Spring 2014 at the Amistad Research Center at Tulane University.
Once launched, the interviews will be accessible free of charge to anyone visiting the center or online.
Creator and Executive Producer Hobbs is currently completing her PhD at Tulane University and writing her dissertation on post-Katrina hip hop and recovery in New Orleans. Other team members include lifelong New Orleans residents Colin Meneghini, project Production Assistant, and Dick Darby, project videographer.
To help fund the project, click here.