“The South Got Something To Say”

Award-winning filmmakers, visual journalists and reporters came together at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution to create the publication’s first feature-length documentary under the company’s new production arm, AJC Films.

“The South Got Something to Say” explores Atlanta’s hip-hop journey, including Outkast’s iconic statement at The Source Awards in 1995, and its ongoing cultural impact. Featuring interviews with over 70 hip-hop, cultural and political figures, the film connects Atlanta’s rich history with its influence on global hip-hop culture. The film’s creators went beyond Atlanta to understand the city’s hip-hop culture. They visited the Bronx, where the genre was born, and states in the South to further learn about its evolution and impact. And they included more than just the music. They looked at the city of Atlanta itself and the culture there that makes it unique, from the city’s first Black mayor to the Atlanta child murders and the role of racial justice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The film emphasizes how Atlanta’s narrative in hip-hop intertwines with other parts of society, from political leadership to social justice movements. 

Article by: Abbi Ross