ATL: The Untold Story of Atlanta’s Rise in the Rap Game is a 90-minute documentary set to premiere on VH1 on September 2nd, 2014 as part of the network’s award-winning documentary series, VH1 Rock Docs. The ATL investigates the rich, complex and untold story behind Atlanta’s fascinating ride to the top of the rap game, pioneering a seismic shift in American music. The film explores how the decisions of the city’s forefathers in post-civil rights Atlanta created a foundation that allowed African-Americans to thrive, creating a fertile breeding ground of black arts and culture that would ultimately maneuver hip-hop southward.
However, Atlanta’s modern day rap dominance was anything but a sure bet. Nor was it easy. A-Town’s fight for respect from the genre’s originators “up top” was a decades-long struggle that encompassed the collective talents and efforts of a variety of colorful characters, most of whom are interviewed in the special. In addition to mega-stars such as a Ludacris, Usher, Jeezy, Future and Jermaine Dupri, The ATL also shines a worthy yet heretofore elusive national spotlight on Atlanta’s rap pioneers. Local legends such as Kilo Ali, Raheem The Dream, Mojo and MC Shy D, the Bronx-born cousin of Afrika Bambaataa, share vibrant anecdotes about the ATL’s early rap days, while the producers of Organized Noise detail how they discovered two 17-year old kids who went by the name Outkast. The special also includes interviews with former Atlanta Hawk and NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta’s current mayor Kasim Reed, in addition to civil rights pioneer and former Atlanta mayor, Ambassador Andrew Young.
