Fire in Little Africa artists pictured in front of the Skyline Mansion, a now Black-owned venue originally built by a KKK leader who helped orchestrate the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. This photo is inspired by a group photo of original Black Wall Street business owners from before 1921.
A collective of Oklahoma hip-hop artists have recorded 21 songs to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre that
Motown Records/
Black Forum will release 5/28 in partnership with Tulsa’s
Bob Dylan Center and
Woody Guthrie Center.
Fire in Little Africa gets to the truth of what happened on 5/31/1921 and 6/1/1921 when a white mob descended on the streets of Greenwood—then a prosperous Tulsa neighborhood known as Black Wall Street—and burned down the business district, destroying roughly 1,500 homes, killing hundreds and leaving thousands of Black Tulsans homeless.
“
Fire in Little Africa is a powerful and timely project that provides a platform and outlet for the incredibly talented and thriving music community of Tulsa, Okla.,” said Motown Records Chairman & CEO
Ethiopia Habtemariam. “Carrying the legacy of the Black Wall Street community,
Fire in Little Africa is a body of work filled with purpose and prolific storytelling. I am honored and feel privileged to have Motown Records/Black Forum partner with Dr. View, the Bob Dylan Center and Guthrie Center to release this impactful hip-hop album.”
Fire in Little Africa is the first new material released by Black Forum since the label’s relaunch earlier this year. The album was recorded in Greenwood over a five-day period in March 2020. Studios were set up at the
Greenwood Cultural Center and other locations, including the former home of 1921 massacre mastermind/KKK leader
Tate Brady. The house is now owned by former NFL running back and Tulsa native
Felix Jones.
Photo Credit: Ryan Cass
