ANOTHER EDITION OF TRAPXART. A NEW CITY TO EXPLORE. SO LETS RUN THROUGH IT….THE GOLDEN PEACH OF THE DIRTY SOUTH…THE a…..atl…aTLANTA. rAY CHARLES SAID “ITS GEORGIA ON MY MIND”…BUT IS IT REALLY THAT PEACHY IN THE a: “WHERE PLAYERS PLAY?

“never been”…means you got an opinion

Lets get this settled from the jump….this is Ill-Philz talking. Dont wan’t any other Klub members taking heat for this personal review LOL. Of course we’re going to lay out the review of TrapxArt, but this is a dual-mission. See even though I’ve been across the GLOBE…from Austrailia to Zimbabwe, Amsterdam and back….this was my first time EVER going to Atlanta. Just saying the word “Atlanta” has this nostalgic ring; flashing back to movies like ATL and Drumline or even street classics like Bankroll Fresh’s “Take Over Your Trap” or “Snow on The Bluff”. Being born in ‘91 means I got a front-row seat to witness Atlanta’s evolution to hip-hop supremacy. What was snap-style party music conquered by groups like D4L and others around the early 2000’s turned to the reign of legends ranging from T.I, Jeezy, Gucci, Future and more. Like forreal…we went from “pop-lock and drop it” to seeing the impacts of movements like 4PF, YSL, YFN or QC. Straight up CANT deny the fact…Atlanta has an amazing storyline that proceeds it, especially from the outlook of hip-hop, entertainment and southern Black culture. That awkward cousin who had to stand behind forerunners like the Tri-state area or the West Coast found a way to position itself at the helm of the table.…and although it seems they’re friendly and open down ATL…they definitely got a focus on self / the collective brand of what is the “A”.

These Small Hoods Got Motion…either you out, in…or tryna get in

For some reason I keep thinking “man Atlanta was almost EXACTLY what I thought it would be”. If you’ve visited any southern metropolis you understand the concept of downtown / city versus urban suburbia. Far as Atlanta, it seemed like a mix of tight neighborhoods that surround a single downtown area. Now to me “midtown” Atlanta seemed like what an out-of-towner would call downtown really…full of all the tall buildings, posh boutique and corporate hotels, museums, and the main strip called “Peachtree St”. But you have a bunch of neighborhoods such as Buckhead, Kirkwood, Edgewood, Decatur and more that surround midtown. These small enclaves are where the real flavor of Atlanta takes place. I’m talking southern fish and chicken joints where the hood has so much love that the owners pulled the chairs / tables out of the dining room and placed up signs that say “no dining inside; to-go only”. (No really JJ’s Chicken in ATL is so jumping you cant eat inside LOL.. least the one we went to).

The stories about Atlanta strip-club culture are DEFINITELY true. In any other regular city one would expect to find almost nothing in the strip-club before say 8pm (even this is warm-up time). But in ATLANNA…..we popped up at Club Vivide at what had to be 3 pm. And it was JUMPING LOL. Shouts to Finesse for putting us on that one. Another little section that has some serious flavor (literally and figuratively) is Peter St. See here you can find everything from fast casual dining lounges or a studio-compound for a well known local emcee, to the local Rescue Mission. A must is to try 2-Chainz’s Restaurant and Tapas Bar called Esco. Word is you MIGHT catch PeeWee Longway on that block also. (shouts to our brother @KinoBeats). While its always my goal to catch the full local experience; we were in the A about business. So these are the few recommendations I can toss you off the top.

You Can Say Where You From…Just Know Where You At

Atlanta is about getting on. Trust me the younger generations who are engaged in creative culture understand that. Same as say a NYC, LA, MIA or HOU. But to finally hop in the mix and get a chance to engage with other entreprenuers and creatives….on the turf…. you get a feel for how things truly are. TrapxArt ATL “Summer Link-Up” Edition was great. Similar to TrapxArt Baltimore we did a few months back, Amina and the team did a superb job on finding that perfect nook-and-cranny. When you’re throwing events like art exhibitions and pop-ups, you need a venue that is receptive to the curiosity and engagement of others, but also is open towards the unique tastes and offerings that arise from a mass of creative personalities. Flat out…the music is going to be loud, people are going to be buzzing around…there probably will be some adult beverages and more-than-likely some of that devils lettuce is going to be smoked.

But when it comes to matters of nurturing expression, refinement and creative craftsmanship….this calamity is the prescription for growth. That’s why we get down with TrapxArt and their movement; because the artistic vanguard of tomorrow needs individuals on the front lines risking their personal / professional reputations and economic safety. And personally I’ve found that when you feel this is truly your calling…there’s literally no other option. Thats why the motto is “For Souls From Misfortune”. Because its all about nurturing raw talent…the highest given gift….those who are able to bring about revelation and insight to the minds of others.

So after the soliloquy and sermon…what’s to be said? Obviously TrapxArt was illmatic, but having taken 30 plus years to get out my first trip to the A….I feel both relieved and remiss. Relieved in the sense here’s to another notch; another destination successfully managed. But also remiss in the sense that I KNOW I didn’t get the full experience. See back home I can IMMEDIATELY tell you who’s running what or has where jumping. But outta town in foreign land like Atlanta?….Its all a mystery. Don’t worry though….we’ll be back. I got the hook-up with a few good people round da way.