DJ Spinderella Is Lending Her Talents To Curate A Museum 'Music Room'

Dj Spinderella has lent her talents to curate a Museum 'Music Room' that will showcase the sounds that have emerged from public housing projects. It will feature songs by renowned artists from these neighborhoods, such as Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley and Curtis Mayfield.

Deidra Roper, better known by her stage name DJ Spinderella, grew up in a three-bedroom apartment near Brooklyn's Pink Houses with her parents and five siblings. Music has always played an integral role in both her life and memories.

The National Public Housing Museum

Spinderella, one of the most influential female DJs in hip-hop music and member of pioneering female rap group Salt-N-Pepa (1987-2019), has generously donated her skills to curate a museum 'Music Room' at the National Public Housing Museum. This gallery will showcase diverse sounds that originated from public housing projects with works from Jay-Z, Nas, Kenny Rogers, Barbra Streisand and Curtis Mayfield among others.

The National Public Housing Museum, a cultural institution dedicated to telling America's public housing story, is currently under construction at Jane Addams Homes on Chicago's Near West Side. This new home will include interpretive apartment recreations, art galleries and installations, oral history archives as well as spaces for community activism.

Through these initiatives, the National Public Housing Museum aims to dispel myths and alter the conversation around public housing. Furthermore, they aim to create a more balanced representation of public housing that accurately reflects its wider societal effects.

NPHM's collection of stories showcases the personal possessions, oral histories and artwork created by public housing residents across America. Each item is displayed with poignant captions that capture its significance. Our goal is to honor those who lived in public housing while dispelling lingering misconceptions about this era in American history.

As the nation's first cultural institution dedicated to understanding public housing, NPHM was formed through years of collaboration and input from housing residents nationwide, as well as civic leaders, preservationists and experts. Their mission is simple: all people have a right to a home and should be treated with dignity, respect and civility - according to their press release.

At NPHM's new home, three apartments will be restored with historic artifacts to depict life for three families: a Jewish family during public housing's early days; an Italian, Puerto Rican and Polish family adapting to changing neighborhoods; and a Black family during Civil Rights era struggles. According to Lee, these living-room-style displays will highlight the struggles and perseverance of people who have come from the slums to achieve success in their lives.

The Music Room

When it comes to music, the National Public Housing Museum (NPHM) has found the ideal collaborator in DJ Spinderella. The legendary female hip-hop DJ is lending her expertise to curate a museum 'Music Room' that will highlight how music has enriched the lives of those living in public housing.

According to Chicago Sun-Times, NPHM will be the first and only museum to showcase music created by people living in public housing. This exhibit, set for opening early 2024, will include works from various genres such as jazz, country, hip-hop and pop.

The Music Room will host concerts and events to honor the music created in public housing. Additionally, it boasts cutting-edge technology for an immersive experience for visitors.

With a custom-designed sound system surrounding a 20' x 12' stage, the venue will offer patrons an unforgettable experience. The live sound system was engineered to give both artists and audience members an eargasmic auditory delight that will truly make this event one-of-a-kind.

For those interested in learning how to play the piano, The Music Room offers private lessons for all ages. Their studio encourages students to develop an effective musical technique and stimulate creativity when exploring repertoire.

The 'Music Room' also houses an art gallery that showcases some of the greatest photos and paintings by internationally acclaimed artists. These images will be draped throughout the space, providing patrons with a captivating visual landscape to take in.

Spinderella, a member of the iconic female hip-hop trio Salt-N-Pepa, has had an immense impact on music history. Her career spanning three decades has earned her numerous accolades and she's hosted several popular radio shows as well as performing at major events like Espy Awards, Academy Awards, Kentucky Derby, NBA All-Star Game after parties and more.

DJ Spinderella is an accomplished and creative performer whose career in hip-hop began back in 1987 when she joined Salt-N-Pepa. Her flawless turntable skills have been instrumental to their success, and now she plans on bringing that expertise to NPHM as curator of The Music Room.

The Soundtrack of America

Spinderella, born Deidra Roper on 3rd August 1970 in Brooklyn, New York City, is an acclaimed DJ who rose to prominence as one-third of groundbreaking female hip hop group Salt-N-Pepa. She's renowned for both her skill as a DJ and knack for getting people up on the dance floor.

Her work in music and art has earned her numerous honors and awards, such as three GRAMMY nominations for her solo work and an esteemed Edison Award. Additionally, she serves as curator at various musical institutions and is the author of two books.

Spinderella, a native of New York City, began her career as a DJ at age 15 and quickly rose to prominence within the hip-hop community. Her first gigs included performances for various local groups before she joined iconic rock band Salt-N-Pepa in 1987.

Since then, she has gained notoriety within the music industry as both a renowned DJ and music expert, as well as an accomplished visual artist. Her artwork has been showcased in numerous prestigious museums and galleries around the world.

She is a GRAMMY-nominated artist and the recipient of numerous other accolades, inspiring generations of musicians around the world. Additionally, she is an outspoken champion for social justice issues and women's rights in the music industry.

Growing up in Manhattan's public housing district, she is intimately familiar with the struggles that residents of this community face. Now as curator of 'Music Room' at Chicago's National Public Housing Museum, she wants to explore the relationship between public housing and music by researching its history together.

This music room will celebrate the vibrant and varied sounds of American culture, particularly those born within public housing communities. From Jazz to Country to Hip-Hop and Latin Rock, these living arrangements have produced a range of popular genres that have helped shape, expand and challenge our ideas about American culture.

The 'Music Room' will be the only museum in America dedicated to exploring the long-term connection between public housing and American music. Visitors will have an unparalleled opportunity to view this vibrant history through artifacts, photos and videos displayed throughout.

The Impact of Public Housing on Music

It is impossible to comprehend the American musical landscape without acknowledging and exploring the role public housing played in its development.

Public housing was first created as a jobs program and slums-clearing initiative during the New Deal era, yet has long been associated with crumbling apartment towers filled with crime and poverty. Despite persistent attempts to denigrate it and portray it as an expensive waste of taxpayer money, many residents say that public housing provides vital safety net for low-income Americans.

Social justice advocates have long championed public housing as a powerful tool to help poor people rise through the middle class and create affordable homes in low-income neighborhoods. Unfortunately, its reliance on government funding and an alarmingly large number of people living in unsanitary or unsafe housing have made this policy controversial.

As the National Preservation Museum's music room will demonstrate, public housing has been an instrumental force in the growth of music from various genres across America. From Country to Hip-Hop and Jazz to Latin Rock, what has come out of these buildings represents a vibrant cultural legacy.

This is especially evident in New Orleans, where its vibrant music scene has been rejuvenated after Hurricane Katrina. Yet like much of America, New Orleans also faces an affordable housing crisis.

One reason is that public housing projects tend to be located in poor neighborhoods and may not be accessible for families with children or seniors who require extra space or help with transportation. In many places, families must pay higher rent than what families would pay in more desirable neighborhoods in order to afford a home.

Some cities have taken steps to aid musicians in finding housing by creating special housing options for them. For instance, Austin has an organization called HOME that helps musicians and artists locate and keep homes within the city.

Another housing option available in cities is cultural reservation, which offers tax breaks to property owners who rent to artists. This program has become particularly popular in places like Los Angeles where several multi-unit apartment buildings have been set aside for musicians.