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East Tennessee State University and the Langston Centre are thrilled to announce an engaging event that celebrates the vibrant fusion of hip-hop culture and Appalachian heritage.

 “Celebration of Hip-Hop in Appalachia” is set for Thursday, Feb. 29, from 6-8 p.m. at the Langston Centre, located at 315 Elm Street in Johnson City. The event will be broadcast simultaneously via Facebook Live.

 This event, free and open to the public, promises to be an unforgettable evening of music, culture and community engagement. The performers will include three acclaimed hip-hop artists from Appalachia: geonovah, Kareem Ledell and Ishmael Nehemiah. 

 The celebration is held in conjunction with the official release of “No Options: Hip-Hop in Appalachia,” an album from June Appal Recordings featuring approximately 20 different hip-hop artists from across Appalachia. The first album to explore the diversity of hip-hop music from the region, “No Options” was co-produced and co-curated by ETSU’s Dr. Ted Olson with Dr. William H. Turner and Jomo “JK” Turner, in partnership with Eastern Kentucky’s Appalshop.

 This album represents a significant milestone in the recognition and celebration of hip-hop’s influence and presence within the Appalachian region, showcasing the unique voices and stories that emerge from this dynamic cultural intersection.

 “This ‘Celebration of Hip-Hop in Appalachia’ is not just an event. It is a recognition of the evolving narrative of Appalachian music and culture. Hip-hop, with its rich storytelling and expressive power, is a vital part of our region’s musical landscape,” said Dr. Olson, a professor of Appalachian Studies and Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music Studies.

 Attendees are encouraged to RSVP as space is limited. For those who cannot attend in person, the event will be simultaneously broadcast via Facebook Live on Appalshop’s Facebook page.

 Copies of the new album on CD, with mastering by Will Cassell, design work by Bryce Oquaye, and liner notes by Jomo “JK” Turner and Dr. Olson, can be ordered directly from Appalshop’s June Appal Recordings.

 For more information and to secure your spot to attend this pioneering event in person, please call (423) 434-5785.