Villa Albertine Resident Artist Talk

Join in welcoming back Villa Albertine Atlanta as they kick off the Villa’s 2025 season of residencies with this event featuring writer and publisher Walid Hajar Rachedi!

"Since its beginnings, rap has continuously invoked literature. Whether it’s through claimed lineage, tribute, or a strong nod, the words of so-called legitimate culture permeate the works of all generations of rappers. While the influence of literature on rap is often discussed, the reverse is less common. Confined to the role of counter-culture, or even ‘sub-culture,’ relegated to the margins of literary studies, rap, however, inspires the new French literary scene: many writers grew up with this music, cite rap albums among their major references, and have drawn inspiration from it to approach language and the world in their first manuscripts. How does this influence manifest? What bridges are formed between these two art forms? What does it reveal about the impact of rap on literature and culture?" (Walid Hajar Rachedi)