T.I. Brings Trap Music and Atlanta Storytelling to the BronzeLens Film Festival

Atlanta hip-hop icon T.I. took center stage at the 17th Annual BronzeLens Film Festival with a special Grand Hustle Films screening featuring two projects close to his Atlanta roots: The Birth of Trap Music and Da’Partments 2. The festival officially featured T.I. as both a featured artist and filmmaker. 

The Birth of Trap Music, directed by Christopher Scholar and executive produced by T.I. and Drumma Boy, explores the origins and evolution of trap music and Atlanta’s role in turning the sound into a worldwide cultural movement. The documentary looks beyond the music, touching on the neighborhoods, struggles, creativity and personalities that helped shape the genre. 

The evening continued with Da’Partments 2, directed by T.I., giving audiences another look at his creative talents behind the camera. The project uses humor, characters and situations rooted in Atlanta culture and demonstrates how the influence of Atlanta hip-hop extends into film and entertainment. 

Overall, the BronzeLens screening was a celebration of Atlanta culture, trap music and independent filmmaking, while giving T.I. an opportunity to showcase the evolution of his career from one of Atlanta’s most influential rappers to a filmmaker and storyteller. It was a fitting presentation for BronzeLens, a festival dedicated to showcasing films and filmmakers of color and strengthening Atlanta’s position as a major center for Black cinema. 

The evening also included a special honor for T.I., who was presented with the BronzeLens Cultural Icon Award. The recognition celebrated his far-reaching contributions to African American culture and his impact across music, film, television and entertainment. The award was a fitting tribute to an Atlanta native who has continued to expand his creative influence beyond music and use his platform to tell stories that reflect the culture and experiences that shaped him.