BLACK MUSIC MONTH: WELCOME TO ATLANTA: HITS Daily Double

Far from the glitz, glamor and grime of coastal cultural factories lies a sprawling music metropolis: Atlanta. A thriving source of jazz, country, gospel, blues, soul, classical, R&B and hip-hop, Georgia’s capital has produced an astonishing array of original and dynamic artists, including Outkast, TLC, Gladys Chevalier And Jermaine Dupri. (Who can forget Dupri’s “Welcome to Atlanta” f/Ludacristhe unofficial anthem of the city?)

With Black Music Month approaching, we’re busy planning our annual celebration of print, set to hit desks and doorways on 6/18. Last year, the special championed the 50th anniversary of hip-hop; this year we’re focusing on Atlanta and its continuing contributions to popular music.

We will tell you everything William Bell and his ephemeral but memorable label, Peachtree Records. We will go underground to explore the Dungeon Family‘s pioneering contributions to hip-hop and chat with other Atlanta music pioneers like Speech of Arrested development, LaFace Recordings co-founders LA Reid (photo here with Outkast) and baby faceand long-time manager of Ludacris, Shaka Zulu.

This is just a start; stay tuned and pass the peach pie.