Hip-Hop Harmonic concert represents a cultural milestone in the Athens music scene
From breakdancing outside of Fuse Box Pinball on College Square and rap battles at Skate-Inn to the main stage at AthFest and plaques on the Music Walk of Fame, Athens hip-hop has made astounding strides over the decades in a town where indie rock has historically been disproportionately celebrated.
The upcoming Athens Hip Hop Harmonic concert, which will debut original works created by local hip-hop, poetry and R&B artists in collaboration with University of Georgia composers and musicians, represents a cultural milestone in the Athens music scene.
Photos: Athens Hip-Hop Harmonic's first performance (Oct. 2021)
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The event will take place on Oct. 20 at the UGA Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Longtime Athens hip-hop artist Cassie Chantel told the Banner-Herald that working with the orchestra was an encouraging experience.
"Over the last year I have felt highly connected to my ancestors and artists of the past, especially Nina Simone and Ray Charles," said Chantel. "In their time period, performing with an orchestra was the thing to do. Right now, to be able to sort of resurrect that for a Black musician, for a rapper, it's an amazing feeling."
Hip Hop Harmonic concert lineup
Ishues with UGA assistant professor of jazz piano and African-American studies James Weidman and Jazz Combo
Cassie Chantel and UGA saxophonist Julien Berger with the African American Choral Ensemble
Celest Ngeve with UGA cellist Ayako Pederson-Takeda and the Contemporary Chamber Ensemble
Convict Julie with Hugh Hodgson School of Music assistant professor of commercial music & media Tom Hiel and Wind Symphony
Launched in Aug. 2021 as a multi-year collaboration between the Athens hip-hop community and the UGA Hodgson School of Music, Hip Hop Harmonic is supported by UGA’s Arts Lab under the Willson Center and Ideas for Creative Exploration. The project held its first public performance on Oct. 2021 at Creature Comforts.
ATHfactor-Liberty Entertainment CEO and ambassador of Athens hip-hop Montu Miller will emcee the show. Miller and UGA professor of saxophone Connie Frigo are the co-directors of Athens Hip-Hop Harmonic.
This will be the second residency for Camilla Sims, who performs R&B music under the name Convict Julie and composed with UGA's Contemporary Chamber Ensemble in collaboration with Dr. Brandon Quarels back in April. Sims told the Banner-Herald that being part of Hip-Hop Harmonic has sharpened her skills as a musician.
"I’m a huge Quincy Jones fan and my goal has always been to compose a huge piece like the one I’m performing and wrote with Tom Hiel," said Sims. "To show all of my musical sides as an artist, songwriter, and composer, is something I hope translates to the audience. I owe a great deal of thanks to Dr. Connie Frigo, Tom Hiel, Dr. Jaclyn Hartenberger, and all of the musicians participating in the execution of this vision."
The UGA Performing Arts Center is located at 230 River Rd. and parking is free on surface lots and parking deck next to Performing Arts Center. For more details, contact Connie Frigo at cfrigo@uga.edu.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Athens: Hip-Hop Harmonic concert a cultural milestone in music scene
