Country Rap: The Gulf States & Katrina Five Years Later

Curated by Bertolain Elysee, Jessica Green and Philip Maysles

This two-part series sheds a spotlight on hip hop (and its cultural and political antecedents), from a region engulfed in an environmental siege with centuries old roots and a New South identity. After considering hip hop’s southern migration and local variations, Country Rap transitions into Katrina: Five Years Later, a selection of films that document New Orleans’ rich history, lending further gravity to those made in response to the devastation of New Orleans, and efforts towards recovery.

Friday, August 20th, 6:00pm

Country Rap: The Gulf States (Florida) 

The U

Dir. Billy Corben, 2009, 105 mins.

Throughout the 1980s, Miami, Florida, was at the center of a racial and cultural shift taking place throughout the country. Overwhelmed by riots and tensions, Miami was a city in flux, and the University of Miami football team served as a microcosm for this evolution. With a newly branded swagger, inspired and fueled by the quickly growing local Miami hip hop culture and its overlord Uncle Luke, these Hurricanes took on larger-than-life personalities and won four national titles between 1983 and 1991. Filmmaker Billy Corben, a Miami native and University of Miami alum (and the director of Cocaine Cowboys and Cocaine Cowboys 2) tells the story of these “Bad Boys” of football.

8:00pm

2 Live Crew: Banned In The USA

Dir. Penelope Spheeris, 1990, 47 mins.

The video features 47 minutes of live performances and interviews from Miami bass legends 2 Live Crew, both with besieged Crew chief Luther Campbell and such critics as the head of a Dallas decency league.

AFTER THE FILM:

Panel Discussion with Kenya Robinson (NY based multi-media artist from Gainesville, Florida) and Cleo Silvers (Black Panther, Young Lord and Cutural Warrior). More speakers to follow. Following the discussion will be a reception sponsored by Harlem's Sugar Hill Ale and a set by DJ Donsta.