Contributors include Gardenn, DJ Monstalung. Stunna T’s
First published by Black By God on Aug. 4, 2024.
On August 2, June Appal Recordings — Appalshop’s record label — released No Options: Hip-Hop in Appalachia! You can preorder it through Bandcamp now and hear West Virginia artist Gardenn’s single “Sun-Flower.”
Why is this album so special?
While previous hip-hop compilations have focused on more urban areas, the 24 original tracks on No Options purposefully celebrate the unique perspectives of small-town and rural hip-hop artists.
Artists hail throughout Appalachia, including Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, and New York.
Notable contributors include West Virginia artist Gardenn and DJ Monstalung. Stunna T’s track “Show Up” was recorded via phone in Wallens Ridge State Prison in Big Stone Gap, Virginia.
As executive producer, JK Turner writes:
“Hip-hop in Appalachia is a testament to the enduring power of music to forge connections and give voice to the marginalized. The fusion of hip-hop culture with the region’s rich cultural heritage has resulted in a unique form of artistic expression that speaks to the resilience and creativity of the people of Appalachia.”
James “Sparky” Rucker, 2022 winner of the Black Appalachian Storytellers Fellowship Award, notes:
“June Appal has always been ahead of the curve, and No Options: Hip-Hop in Appalachia proves it. Fans of hip-hop will not be disappointed.”
Order your copy now through June Appal’s Bandcamp!
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