Noisey Atlanta

"When a rapper's rapping, you should be able to smell the dope cooking." In the first episode of our new 10-part series on Atlanta, host Thomas Morton meets longtime stick-up boy Curtis Snow (Snow On Da Bluff) while explaining what Atlanta means and why it's become the center of drug trafficking and rap music. Later, we find ourselves in iconic Patchwerk Studios with Black Mafia Family's Bleu Davinci. He explains the rise and fall of BMF, the city's scene over the last decade, and what he thinks it takes to make it today. After a game of pool, we head to the strip club to meet Migos. Noisey Atlanta is a 10-part series documenting unprecedented access into the city's rap scene. Hosted by VICE / HBO / Noisey’s Thomas Morton and directed by Andy Capper—the makers of Noisey Chiraq—the series stars artists like 2 Chainz, Gucci Mane, Migos, Rich Homie Quan, Young Thug, Jeezy, iLoveMakonnen, and also spends time with the new wave of super-producers like Mike Will Made-It, Metro Boomin, and 808 Mafia.

Thomas meets Migos during a video shoot at Magic City, Atlanta's most famous strip club. Following their hit "Versace" in 2013, Gucci Mane took the group under his wing. They signed with his manager Coach K and went on to work with the super producer Zaytoven, crafting some of the most entertaining and innovative new music from the city. Now all they've gotta do is stay out of trouble.

Thomas continues his conversation with Coach K about the origin of trap music, beginning with Young Jeezy's 2004 mixtape, Tha Streets Iz Watchin (according to Coach). Both Coach and super producer Zaytoven—who rose to prominence alongside Gucci Mane—explain the explosion of the genre and eventual beef between Young Jeezy and Gucci Mane. We quickly learn that Gucci Mane has not only become one of the most significant rappers in the Atlanta scene, but has so much leverage that his opinion can essentially decide the career trajectory of any new rapper trying to make it. What's perhaps most impressive is that Gucci's influence is still just as prominent as ever—even though he's currently locked up until 2016.

Thomas enters the strange world of the ATL Twins, the brothers that live a life that’s akin to a Shakespearean farce costumed by streetwear. They talk about Gucci Mane, who they met through Harmony Korine, during the making of Spring Breakers. We also meet an artist known as The Devil. He takes Thomas across town to a fully-working trap house, to meet the rapper Trouble and his crew, Duct Tape Entertainment.

Thomas rides along with a police officer through East Atlanta's Zone 6 and we learn about the complicated sprawling neighborhoods of the city and what the cops think of Gucci. Still stoned from his previous meeting with Trouble, he links with rapper Young Scooter in an area of Zone 6 known as Little Mexico. During the conversation, Scooter gets a message that somebody has been shot.

In episode six of Noisey Atlanta, Thomas enters the world of 2 Chainz, one of the biggest rappers alive. Known for a bizarrely brilliant blend of goofiness and arrogance, the artist formerly known as Tity Boi shows us his man-cave before heading to the club for a show and then an after-party. And for the record, only 2 Chainz rides in the Maybach.

The new wave of Atlanta stretches beyond the reach of Gucci Mane. The last year has seen the rise of a more alternative and bizarre sound, led the likes of Awful Records with a guy named iLoveMakonnen at the forefront. His smash single “Club Goin’ Up on a Tuesday” was remixed by Drake after its release last summer, and went on to be nominated for a Grammy. Since, he’s released songs with Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Gucci Mane, and more. In episode seven of Noisey Atlanta, Thomas enters Makonnen’s strange world, which is driven by peace, love, and mushrooms.

In episode eight of Noisey Atlanta, we examine just how quickly the ups and downs can happen in the trap world. In short, the scene moves fast. To start things off, we meet Bankroll Fresh at a barbershop and talk about the rise of his late summer 2014 hit “Hot Boy.” Then we find ourselves in the studio with the elusive Young Thug before linking with Rich Homie Quan, who tells stories of getting out of jail and eventually forming Rich Gang with Birdman and Thugger (fun fact: RHQ and Young Thug apparently went to middle school together). Later, we catch up with Trinidad Jame$ over a year after the explosion of “All Gold Everything,” showing what can possibly happen to a hyped up rapper after the machine spits ‘em out.

How does a song become popular? In episode nine of Noisey Atlanta, we look at the backbone of the trap scene: the producers. We sit down with an elite squad of the most significant names in the scene now—Zaytoven, Mike Will Made It, Sonny Digital, Metro Boomin’, Southside, TM88, and Houston’s Travi$ Scott —as they explain the process of how a track moves from being created in the studio to becoming a hit. No A&Rs are needed. No major labels are needed. The city breaks the mold. What's the main reason? The key to success in Atlanta is simple: the nightlife.

In the season finale of Noisey Atlanta, Thomas travels to the house where Peewee Longway and Young Thug shot the video to "Loaded". He hangs with Metro Boomin while Travi$ Scott parties in the living room. Soon, some promethazine surfaces, a bullet hole appears in the dishwasher and Peewee drives Thomas, downtown to a niteclub performance. Warning: Features graphic use of LSD space weed.