See lyrics come to life at these hip-hop landmarks around Atlanta.
When André 3000 famously said “ the South got somethin’ to say ” after OutKast ’s historic win at the 1995 Source Awards , he put the world on notice . Atlanta ’s rap picture had only come to be a few year earlier in the ’ 80s , but it quickly blossomed into a hub for coxa - hop .
Artists like Kris Kross , Kilo Ali , Goodie Mob , TLC , Organized Noize , So So Def founding father Jermaine Dupri , and countless others lay the foundation for Atlanta ’s pelvic arch - record hop mien , sourcing aspiration from the metropolis they add up up in . When Ludacris , TI , 2 Chainz , and Gucci Mane came onto the vista , Atlanta ’s report as a fosterage ground for hip - hops greats was catapulted into the stratosphere .
From recording studios where celebrated tracks were laid to clothing stores that have drip out our rose hip - hops Cuban sandwich , here are some of the turning point and locations around Atlanta that were decisive in shaping the urban center ’s undeniable civilization of hip - hop .
Photo by Jonathan Mannion
shower Skating RinkWestsideThe Cascade Skating Rink uprise to prominence in the belated ’ fourscore and early ’ 90 as Atlanta ’s hip - hop scene began to legitimize itself in the music industry . Jermaine Dupri , Dallas Austin , and the members of TLC could be run across at the roller rink early in their careers , and Cascade was put on the map nationwide after its feature article in the filmATLwhich star Atlanta natives T.I. and Big Boi . Usher has been spotted here recently in preparation for his upcoming abidance in Vegas , so there ’s no telling what celebs you may pick out once you lace up your skate .
The Department StoreOld Fourth WardLocated on the corner of Edgewood and Boulevard in Old Fourth Ward , Erosol aka The Department Store was once the center of the city ’s underground hip - hop scene . citizenry would get into on the first storey , which was an open expanse with a fully stock bar and feature music curated by a local disk jockey . But its 2nd storey is where the true essence of this establishment could be feel . As the only venue in the area with a real stage , it was pivotal in the early vocation of 21 Savage , Trinidad James , Two-9 , Makonnen , and others . If you were there on the right night , you could even see André 3000 popping in from clock time to metre . Although the building still stands , the Department Store as people knew it close its doors in 2016 .
The DungeonDowntownThis one will want a bit of progress planning , but true rose hip - hop fan can spend the dark in the historic home where OutKast and other local greats register their other hits . do it as The Dungeon , this place was abode of Organized Noize founder Rico Wade ’s female parent and the basement houses an epic recording studio and hearing sofa that would delineate the city ’s other pelvic arch - hop sound . As time progressed , Wade and the crowd transitioned to a Modern studio space , and the menage was eventually sold , but Big Boi purchased the house in 2021 , repair it into a haven for OutKast fans , then listed it onAirbnb .
Photo by Raymond McCrea Jones
Lenox MallBuckheadOpened in 1959 , this human race famous shopping centre seat in the bosom of Buckhead . T.I. used to give out his CDs in its parking mint , and Lenox Mall has been shouted out by Childish Gambino , Nicki Minaj , Drake , and many others . Its upscale shopping made it an aspirational berth for many of the up - and - coming rappers of the ’ 90s and 2000s , so being capable to shit there symbolized that you “ made it . ”
Magic CityDowntownYou ca n’t order the story of hip - hop in Atlanta without mentioning its heralded gentleman ’s club , Magic City . It ’s place right across the street from the Greyhound station , so it ’s the first affair many people see when they enter the city . This striptease club has been mentioned in Song dynasty by Snoop Dogg , Drake , Meek Mill , Rick Ross , Travis Scott , Killer Mike , and countless others , and music industry veteran and producer Jermaine Dupri says he still expend it during the originative process to gauge if a data track is red-hot or not .
SpondivitsEast PointLong before Jeezy say the phrase “ eat at Spondivits four times a week , ” this restaurant was a raw material in hip - hop lore . Throughout its chronicle , rappers like Gucci Mane , 2 Chainz , Yo Gotti , Lil Yatchy , and more all name dropped the seafood restaurant in their lyrics . Located on Virginia Avenue in East Point , this place is recognize for its live euphony , vivacious atmosphere , and crab legs by the bucket .
Photo courtesy of Archive Atlanta
Stankonia StudiosBuckheadThis place is much more than just a recording studio apartment , it ’s an integral turning point of hip - hop history in Atlanta and beyond . Stankonia is the birthplace of Outkast ’s earliest hits , and it ’s also where the chart - topping album of the same name was recorded . It ’s still opened as a recording studio apartment today , but now the public has the selection to host hot events and release political party in this hail medicine hub .
TabernacleDowntownOpening in 1911 as a church , this historic building was converted into a music venue in 1996 and has been a bucket lean venue for local performers ever since . It has been herald by hip - hop enthusiasts for years due to its variety , highlighting both budding acts , established artists , and everything in between .
Trap Music MuseumWestsideFounded by Atlanta native Clifford “ T.I. ” Harris , this Westside governing body sits where many feel the pelvic girdle - hops ’s subgenre of yap was created . It was first present as a museum that feature artefact from creative person like Gucci Mane , Jeezy , and 21 Savage , among others , and foreground the history of trap music in an immersive and unique artistic creation experience open to the world . In increase to the museum , visitors can also enjoy a drink at the Browning automatic rifle , explore its dodging room , or take a picture in front of the legendary pink car from 2 Chainz ’s rollout for the 2017 album , Pretty Girls Like Trap Music .
Big Boi at The Dungeon|Photo by Cam Kirk
Walter ’s ClothingDowntownSince 1952 , Walter ’s Clothing has been a cornerstone of Atlanta ’s sneaker culture . The shop stocks high - closing stoolpigeon , hats , and the most up - to - date opus in urban style . It ’s also a space you’re able to dislodge into a celebrity , athlete , or entertainer at any fall in moment . The store with a “ name to remember ” is located within the parameters of Georgia State business district , and look often in the lyrics of rapper like Jeezy , Future , OutKast , Gucci Mane , and more .
Photo by Dustin Chambers
Photo by Timothy Alexander
Photo courtesy of Stankonia Studios
Photo by Ryon Horne
Photo courtesy of Trap Music Museum
