VH1 Rock Docs Premieres ‘ATL: The Untold Story of Atlanta’s Rise in the Rap Game’

Rico Wade, producer – Organized Noise

Last night (Sept. 2), VH1’s Rock Docs premiered ATL: The Untold Story of Atlanta’s Rise in the Rap Game.  The 90-minute documentary took a look at the Black Mecca of the South and its impact on the rap industry. Several key players whose own rise to stardom was narrated in the film were MC Shy D, King Edward J, Kilo Ali, Raheem The Dream, Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon, Outkast’s Big Boi and Andre 3000, Ludacris, DJ Toomp, and T.I.

From the civil rights era to Atlanta’s dominant hold on rap, the untold story of its rise and never-before-seen footage was seamlessly laid out. To reiterate the city’s complexity in the rap game, other notable music pioneers featured in the documentary were Shanti Das, Killer Mike, Rico Wade, Ray Murray, Usher, Young Jeezy, DJ Nabs, and even Miami’s Uncle Luke.

For years, Atlanta’s version of hip-hop was unheard throughout most of America. This was during the time when “hip-hop” became itself out of the burroughs of New York. In the late 90’s, when west coast rap arrived through the likes of N.W.A., Snoop Dogg, and Death Row Records, the South still found it difficult for their voices to be heard. But it wasn’t until groups like Kriss Kross and Outkast, that Atlanta rap began to shake up major labels, which provided larger marketing budgets to help generate acceptance outside of the South.

Present day, Atlanta is the capital of rap music. In the 2000’s alone, rap out of the city has garnered worldwide attention and mass emulation. You can not go to any city, within the U.S., and not hear an Atlanta artist or producer’s music on the radio, car, or nightclub. Rap music from Atlanta is in high-demand. Most rappers from other cities, oftentimes, make it their business to create and generate their buzz in Atlanta.

There is no doubt how largely of an impact the Atlanta rap industry has made on music, in general. And the city is likely to maintain its choke hold on the industry for many years to come.

In case you missed the documentary, check VH1’s website for upcoming air dates/times.