In the first episode of Season 2, host Amina Desselle interviews writer and visual artist Horton Humble. Born and raised in New Orleans, Horton’s frequent travels have influenced his art and practice. Horton founded the Level Arts Collective in New Orleans, and his work highlights the importance of creative community. The conversation explores art as personal ritual, accountability as a form of self-care, and the relationship between grief on creativity. 

Recorded live in New Orleans on September 29, 2024.

Photo credit: Matthew Draughter, Saturn Return Studios

All images used with permission from the artist.
© 2024 Shotgun Griot

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Producer and rapper Ze11a discusses his creative motivations and his forthcoming album, 4what4u. Recorded live in New Orleans on December 19, 2017.Ze11a is a music producer and rapper born and raised in New Orleans, LA.  Growing up in a Pan-African household in the 11th ward, Ze11a was exposed to the broad range of musical styles that co-exist in New Orleans. He has studied percussion and played with West African drum ensembles for years, including a performance at the New Orleans Jazz Fest with Percussion Incorporated. In 2007, Ze11a produced the Hurricane Katrina protest song "Freedomland," featuring New Orleans heavy-hitters Raw Dizzy, Dee-1, Kidd Kidd, and Raj Smoove. He went on to co-found Flight School Productions, a production team that has collaborated with Mannie Fresh on several hit tracks. Ze11a's forthcoming album "4What4U" showcases an evolved sound that incorporates the cultural history of the city. The music is rooted in the sounds of record labels No Limit and Cash Money, major forces in bringing New Orleans hip hop into the mainstream. 4What4U is synthesis of diverse musical influences, characterized by polyrhythmic beats, guitar riffs and live samples, and a trap vibe. Features on the album include musical visionaries Anderson .Paak, Mannie Fresh, Dee-1, Pell, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Dani Kartel, and more.

Subscribe to Shotgun Griot and visit www.shotgungriot.com for more. All music and images used with permission from the artists. © 2017 Shotgun Griot

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In this episode, music producer Jneiro Jarel and actress/musician Indigo discuss collaborating to create Viberian Experience, their shared appreciation of nature, and their love of New Orleans.

Intro Music: N.A.S.A. Instrumental, Jneiro Jarel
Outro Music: Microclimate (My Mind), Jneiro Jarel ft. Amatus, Dex Gilmore, and Indigo

Subscribe to Shotgun Griot and visit the website at www.shotungriot.com for more. All music used with permission of the artists. © 2017 Shotgun Griot

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In this live episode, curator Fari Nzinga and artists Nik Richard and Chriselda Pacheco talk about representation and creative community. Recorded at the Exchange Centre Gallery in New Orleans, LA. Art by Nik Richard. Special thanks to Deep South By Suroeste, The Color Bloc, Arts Council of New Orleans, and Exchange Centre Gallery. 

Subscribe to the Shotgun Griot and visit shotgungriot.com for more. All images used with permission from the artists. © 2017 Shotgun Griot

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Musicians Dexter Gilmore and Gabrielle Washington of "Sexy Dex and the Fresh" talk about making a life from their art. 

Music: "My BAE-B," Sexy Dex and the Fresh
Photo Credit: Rolando Palacios 

Subscribe to Shotgun Griot and visit www.shotgungriot.com for more. All music and images used with permission from the artists. © 2017 Shotgun Griot

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In this episode of Shotgun Griot, mixed-media visual artist Carl Joe Williams shares his creative vision and talks about the challenges of navigating a changing art world in New Orleans.

Photo Credit: Steven Baily

Subscribe to Shotgun Griot o and visit www.shotgungriot.com for more. All images used with permission from the artist. © 2017 Shotgun Griot

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In the first live episode of Shotgun Griot, filmmaker Angela Tucker shares stories about working in the film industry with honesty and humor. Episode produced in collaboration with Afrofuture Society. Recorded in Three Keys at Ace Hotel, New Orleans on October 1, 2016. 

Photo Credit: Mariana Sheppard

Subscribe to Shotgun Griot and visit www.shotgungriot.com for more. All music and images used with permission from the artists. © 2017 Shotgun Griot

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In this episode of Shotgun Griot, we visit sculptor Lorna Williams to discuss the deeply personal process of creating work. Lorna intuitively arranges natural and man-made materials to create striking pieces that confront questions of identity and the human body. 

Photo Credit: Tiona M.

Subscribe to Shotgun Griot and visit www.shotgungriot.com for more. All music and images used with permission from the artists. © 2016 Shotgun Griot

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In this episode of Shotgun Griot, composer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dominic Minix speaks about his development as a musician and shares his unique vision for his sound. 

Music: "Figure of Speech (Numb Me Now)," Dominic Minix Quartet
Photo Credit: Jonathan Jackson

Subscribe to Shotgun Griot and visit www.shotgungriot.com for more. All music and images used with permission from the artists. © 2016 Shotgun Griot

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In this episode of Shotgun Griot, beat maker AF THE NAYSAYER tells stories about discovering video game soundtracks, creating the Dolo Jazz Suite, and why he loves to teach. 

Music: “Sunday,” AF THE NAYSAYER - The Autodidact Instrumentals Vol. 1, Self-Educated Vinyl
Photo Credit: Chad Whited

Subscribe to Shotgun Griot and visit www.shotgungriot.com for more. All music and images used with permission from the artists. © 2016 Shotgun Griot

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