Virginia Folklife is proud to have three past collaborators featured on “32 Blocks of Music,” this week’s episode of With Good Reason produced by Jamal Millner!
Hear from CJ Colston, a millennial pastor and gospel singer interviewed by Josh Outsey of Appalshop for Virginia Folklife. Hip hop artist geonovah, part of our Central Appalachian Living Traditions project in Bristol and a 2023 Richmond Folk Festival performer, is also featured.
32 Blocks of Music
Learn more about the great, internationally recognized musicians that grew up in Virginia.
geonovah recorded a testimony that is a kind of love letter to his hometown, Big Stone Gap, Southwest Virginia, and Appalachia. He reflects on the people and traditions that inspire him, and inspire him to make his own style of music and shine a light on the talent of his friends and community:
“People are here creating art despite all of the hardships that are living in Appalachia or living in Southwest Virginia. That inspires me more than anything, you know, just living life and seeing people live and love through it all.”
geonovah
geonovah and Josh are featured on “No Options: Hip-Hop in Appalachia,” an album produced by June Appal Recordings of Appalshop and released in August 2024.
