Music has always been my companion while I create. Rap has a special place in my heart due to its ingenuity - the authenticity, the storytelling, the sheer audacity of it all. Most rap fans gravitate to music from the region they grew up in. When we hear those common notes, flows, and drum patterns that characterize the region, we feel a sense of nostalgia - a call back home. As a native Nashvillian, Southern rap impacted me heavily. The radio always fed me gems from TN, TX, GA etc. It’s just something about those club-bangers that characterize Southern hip hop that invigorates me.

One of my absolute favorite rap artists is Project Pat. When I moved to St. Louis right before high school, it was often tracks from him and Three 6 Mafia that made me feel grounded during my transition and brought me joy. I would reminisce on the amazingly fun times I had in middle school loading my MP3 player, listening to music on the city bus, sharing one earbud with a friend, or getting revved up before a track meet.

The last couple years have brought even more transitory periods as I moved back and forth across the Midwest; and nothing has been more grounding and gratifying than spending more time in my birthplace as an adult. I’ve reconnected with that foundational aspect of myself and feel much more pride and sense of belonging than I had before.

Now that I live in Alabama with more conservative views and less people that look and act like me, I’ve found that many of the t-shirts I’d receive compliments on up North give me weird looks in the South. But that’s what’s awesome about t-shirts. They are so universal that they’ve become wearable billboards for your personal interests or values. This revelation is what inspired me to make this shirt. Project Pat is the overwhelming inspiration, but the cultural relevance of Southern rap is what I want people to appreciate when they see you sporting it.

I brought my longtime friend DJHOODBUNNNY on the project because beyond being one of the most creative, innovative DJs I know, he was the first to point out my affinity for Southern beats (and give me the nickname “Freaky Sheena” ~iykyk!). He created this bomb ass mix of my favorite Project Pat & Three 6 Mafia hits. Whether you’re a Project Pat fan, a Southern chick like me, or a rap-head in general, my goal is that this mix brings you a sense of pleasure, excitement, and nostalgia.

I hope you appreciate all aspects of this collaboration because it truly was a labor of love from all those involved. For the (hip hop) culture!

CREDITS

Photos: SkyQuajus Turner | IG: @trusiifuu

Fashion Designer/Model: Natalie Reid | IG: @thenataliejene / @nataliejenecustoms

Music Mix/Video Edits: Rahmar Duffy | IG: @djhoodbunnny

Graphic Design (Collage): Jade Burel | @jadethedesigner_