A note from the photographer

Six months ago I was on location in Birmingham, Alabama, shooting a promotional music video for the hip-hop group Them Gators. Since this was a new group, I wanted to give the video the feel of a documentary so that the audience would have more of a chance to get to know the actual individuals behind the music. Each member was incredibly unique and contributed their own distinctive voice to each of their songs and the finished video. I shot their stills during our downtime and when I could get a chance during production. I also documented their close and extended family as well as some interactions with their community. In the essay excerpted here, I present Them Gators and the personalities that contribute to "dirty South hip hop."

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