Considered one of the capitals of rap, hip-hop, R&B, and gospel, Atlanta is a major player in the music industry. The Georgia city is also an emerging epicenter of country and pop music, and enjoys close ties with the indie scene in Athens, about 70 miles away. It is home to the Dungeon Family, a popular musical collective that specializes in Southern hip-hop with funk and soul influences. LaFace Records, and its parent company, Arista Records—along with many recording studios—also have set up shop.
The Atlanta Ballet and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra are cornerstones of the city’s culture, as are glo (an organization that takes civic action through performance art) and Dance Canvas (a career development organization for emerging professional choreographers and youth).
In addition, the city has become known as the Hollywood of the South, with tax incentives that have lured television programs, including 24: Legacy, The Walking Dead, and Stranger Things, to name a few. Alumni who flock to Atlanta have the advantage of a cheaper cost of living compared with many entertainment industry hubs, and proximity to many studios.
