culture Archives - Rolling Out

Tip “T.I.” Harris is headed to the classroom. The rapper and businessman will be lending his music industry expertise to students at Clark Atlanta University next semester teaching an innovative new course that will merge the history of trap music with the economics behind its success in the industry and mainstream presence. Clark Atlanta University…

Randy Hairston is a media-based entrepreneur and the father of two sons, Christiaan and Joshua. A proud San Francisco native, Hairston enjoys a bicoastal career, which currently finds him between his original stomping grounds and the city of Atlanta monthly. Hairston entered the entertainment industry in 2004 with a passion for music production and has…

As the global pandemic continues, the 2020 Roots Picnic has announced it’s going to host its celebration virtually this year. Although the annual music festival started by the iconic hip-hop group The Roots is typically a highlight of the summertime in Philadelphia, the event will still be impactful. While the event will remain rooted in…

Pop icon Michael Jackson “tore down the walls and the doors” of culture, according to Kanye West. The 43-year-old rapper has defended the reputation of the late pop star in a new interview with Pharrell Williams for i-D magazine, seemingly speaking in reference to the Dan Reed-directed documentary Leaving Neverland. Kanye said: “We should have…

On Friday, June 5, 2020, D.C. residents woke up to the words “BLACK LIVES MATTER” painted on the street leading up to the White House. The bold yellow words could be seen via satellite and captured the attention of people across the country and around the world. The mural was commissioned by Washington, D.C., Mayor…

With protests continuing throughout our country in support of racial equality and against police brutality, it can be difficult to determine which form of action yto take. With a global health pandemic still ravaging our community, many people can’t risk being on the front lines because of underlying health conditions or due to their responsibility…

Baldhead Phillips is a keep-it-real comedian hailing from the South Side of Chicago. As a young child, he used comedy as an escape from traumatic situations. His comedic style is upfront and to the point. He touches on the reality of being a young man growing up in tough circumstances while also understanding that the…

Ryan Alexander is a composer, entertainer, and overall lover of music. As a culture creator, Alexander joined CEO Munson Steed in the Creative Class to talk about his creative process. Check out his video in its entirety.

Edoheart understands the power of words. A royal descendant of the Ugu Kingdom of the Benin Empire of Nigeria, Edoheart is a princess of Ugu. Raised in Detroit and now a resident of Brooklyn, New York, Edoheart stands as one of the nation’s top poets and songwriters. On April 10, Edoheart will release For The…

Kanye West’s high school artwork has been appraised. The “Gold Digger” rapper’s cousin-in-law appeared on PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow” to show off the impressive collection, which Kim Kardashian West’s spouse created when he was just 17 years old. The program’s appraiser Laura Woolley priced up the largest art at $6,000 to $8,000, with the rest valued at…

Asia Hamilton has a phenomenal vision for art and culture. “HAIRarchy: A Celebration of the Black Hair Experience,” is an exhibition curated by Hamilton, founder and owner of Norwest Gallery of Art in Detroit. The exhibition, which opens Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, and continues through Saturday, Feb. 29, is a salute to the creativity within…

On Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, Google released a new video ahead of Black History Month highlighting phenomenal African Americans who have made noteworthy accomplishments. The concept behind the video is to bring awareness to some of “the most searched” history makers and moments that have captured the attention of the world. It opens with “the…

On Friday Jan. 17, 2020, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Art, Beats + Lyrics returned to Atlanta for an epic exhibition of artwork, music,and drinks. This year Art, Beats + Lyrics featured tech-centric installations and visual art exhibits from renowned artists like Tim Okamura, Yung Yemi and more. Rolling out showcases some of our favorite pieces…

The “Chi-town Soul Collective” is a group of local artists and curators whose goal is to elevate the Chicago art and music scene one hustle at a time. Their artwork is a mix of street art, graffiti and culturally diverse themes created individually and collaboratively. Rolling out spoke with some of the founders about their…

Marshall “DJ Mars” Thomas is one of the most respected deejays in the game. Hailing from Springfield, Massachusetts, Mars made a name for himself as a deejay when he moved to Atlanta to attend Clark Atlanta University. Over the years, he has worked with some of the hottest artists, from OutKast to Usher and many…

Watch as Chicago’s Dave Jeff and Alonzo Jackson, aka “Fashion Geek Zo,” enjoy test-driving luxury cars courtesy of AutoBahn Speed. These two fashion gurus have shared many accomplishments from having two of the most popular fashion brands in Chicago to landing partnerships with Puma. These guys have paved the way for many fashion brands and…

Data from the U.S. Department of Health data indicates that suicide is the second-leading cause of death for college-age African Americans. In the Black community, there exists a stigma around mental health and getting proper treatment. Eliminating the stigma is a key step to getting help and identifying the many resources available to those in…

Sneakers, art and culture took center stage at the 2019 Sneaker Ball Atlanta Gala which was held on Nov. 16 in Atlanta. Jah Rawlings, a partner in the venture, shared his thoughts on the event which featured curated experiences with contributions from artists, designers, educators, parents, and industry tastemakers for a cause. What is Sneaker…

The “Soul of a Nation” art exhibit held its grand opening in San Francisco at the de Young Museum on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. A dedication to the Black Power movement of the 1960s and ’70s, “Soul of a Nation” transports attendees to a time when Black art embraced its struggle, power and beauty. “Soul…

Hennessy has found alternative ways to market to urban culture. One of the company’s most intriguing campaigns features rapper Nas. The Queens-raised emcee narrates several commercials that spotlight the lives of great people in history such as Patriarch Auguste Piccard, the first man to reach the stratosphere, and Major Taylor, a Black cyclist who broke…