Kennesaw State Assistant Professor of English and African Diaspora Studies Regina Bradley hosts a podcast titled “Bottom of the Map,” which was ranked No. 1 on Apple music podcasts two weeks after launching.
A recent talking point was the 40th anniversary of the Atlanta Child Murders, in which many black children were horrifically and mysteriously murdered between July 1979 and May 1981.
“We had to discuss hip-hop’s role in remembering the murders and their lasting impact on many of the artists who were children during that same time,” Bradley said.
The goal of the podcast is to critically engage and pay homage to southern hip-hop culture through the tagline “Taking hip-hop conversations in a new direction.”
Bradley and journalist co-host Christina Lee view this statement as a reflection of their goal for women of colors’ voices to be heard in society — especially in the discussion of hip-hop.
Many prominent musical artists have impacted Bradley, and their influence is reflected in the podcast as well. Bradley cited Scarface for his storytelling, T.I. for his community-humanization efforts, Missy Elliot’s world-building skills and her personal favorite — the hip hop duo OutKast.
“Outkast is my favorite group ever, hands down,” Bradley said. “Their versatility and willingness to continue to evolve in how they see themselves and the world around them as southerners is inspiring.”
Bradley’s passion for OutKast is so extensive that she created an academic course titled, “Chronicling Stankonia: OutKast and the Rise of the Hip-Hop South.” This course analyzes how the group’s music both chronicles the past, yet they continue to shape the future of hip hop. Regarding this, the class went viral several years ago for its creative approach to musical analysis.
In addition to the OutKast course, Bradley teaches an African-American literature survey course. She believes that students aid in her efforts since they give her access to new perspectives and helped conquer her fear — to start podcasting.
Similarly, “Bottom of the Map” improved Bradley’s lecturing skills which allows her to be her unique, humorous self.
Bradley also has many academic influences that have inspired her. She noted Kiese Laymon, Jesmyn Ward, Dr. Mark Anthony Neal, Dr. Imani Perry, Dr. Guthrie Ramsey and Dr. Portia Maultsby.
“They made it cool to be southern. Their writing makes me feel seen in ways that encourage me to create and center my experiences as a southern black woman,” Bradley said.
Moreover, “Bottom of the Map” and her teaching career are just the beginning of Bradley’s repertoire. As she prepares for season two of the podcast, Bradley continues to update her “OutKasted Conversations” archive. This website is dedicated to highlighting and archiving criticism on southern hip-hop.
Bradley has a collection of short stories titled “Boondock Kollage” that is commercially available, another horror-focused collection in the works and a novel in development. Bradley is spotlighting OutKast through an essay collection that is being edited by the University of Georgia Press.
She is also writing an academic book with the same title as her OutKast class called “Chronicling Stankonia: OutKast and the Rise of the Hip-Hop South.”
For more information on Bradley, visit the Red Clay Scholar’s website.
