Exploring Hip Hop and Legacy: ‘Pac & Biggie Are Dead’ by Lower Bottom Playaz and The Trauma of Caste

KPFA - Hard Knock Radio

**The Trauma of Caste: A Dalit Feminist Meditation on Survivorship, Healing, and Abolition**

On Hard Knock Radio, host Anita Johnson spoke with Dalit American activist Thenmozhi Soundararajan about her The Trauma of Caste. Caste—one of the oldest systems of exclusion in the world—is thriving. Despite the ban on Untouchability 70 years ago, caste impacts 1.9 billion people in the world. Every 15 minutes, a crime is perpetrated against a Dalit person. The average age of death for Dalit women is just 39. And the wreckages of caste are replicated here in the U.S., too—erupting online with rape and death threats, showing up at work, and forcing countless Dalits to live in fear of being outed.

Dalit American activist Thenmozhi Soundararajan puts forth a call to awaken and act, not just for readers in South Asia, but all around the world. She ties Dalit oppression to fights for liberation among Black, Indigenous, Latinx, femme, and Queer communities, examining caste from a feminist, abolitionist, and Dalit Buddhist perspective–and laying bare the grief, trauma, rage, and stolen futures enacted by Brahminical social structures on the caste-oppressed. Incisive and urgent, “The Trauma of Caste” is an activating beacon of healing and liberation, written by one of the world’s most needed voices in the fight to end caste apartheid. Special Thank You to Making Contact for producing this interview.

Later host Davey D engaged with actors from Lower Bottom Playaz about their upcoming play, *Pac & Biggie Are Dead*. The discussion, featuring Dr. Ayodele Nzinga, Koran Street, Biko Eisen-Martin, and Stanley Hunt, highlighted the play’s unique blend of hip hop and theater. The production, directed by Nzinga, is a centerpiece for LBP’s 25th season, running from June 7 to June 30, 2024, at BAM House.

*Pac & Biggie Are Dead* presents a provocative exploration of Tupac Shakur and Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace, two towering figures in hip hop. Drawing inspiration from Tom Stoppard’s absurdist play *Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead*, the narrative situates Pac and Biggie in a metaphysical space, navigating between “ghetto heaven” and hell. Through interactions with historical figures and music moguls, the play delves into their beliefs, legacies, and enduring cultural impact.

Nzinga, Oakland’s first Poet Laureate and the founding artistic director of LBP, described the play as a meditation on the relationship between art and spectacle. She emphasized that the production examines the societal expectations placed on hip hop icons and the abstraction of their work. Nzinga noted, “This work interrogates our relationship with spectacle—the space conjured by creatives who live off our adoration as their work shapes and is shaped by our expectations and limitations.”

Eisen-Martin, portraying key characters, described the play as an “existential romp through Hip Hop and history.” He highlighted its poetic structure, focusing more on thematic resonance than a linear biography. This approach allows audiences to experience the legacies of Pac and Biggie in a multifaceted light, blending humor and politics in ways that resonate deeply with Oakland’s cultural landscape.

Koran Street, a musician and actor, discussed his approach to embodying multiple roles, emphasizing the importance of fully inhabiting each character. He reflected on the challenge of portraying iconic figures with authenticity and nuance. Stanley Hunt shared insights into the emotional and technical demands of the production, likening character preparation to the meticulous practice required for walking a tightrope.

The ensemble acknowledged the play’s significance in American theater and performance, particularly its reflection on the broader cultural impact of Tupac and Biggie. They urged the community to support this innovative production, which not only honors the legacies of these hip hop legends but also celebrates Lower Bottom Playaz’s quarter-century contribution to black theater in Oakland.

Performances are at BAM House, 1540 Broadway, with tickets available at lowerbottomplayaz.com. BAM House will also host exhibits, panels, and dialogues during the play’s run, enriching the cultural experience. For more details, visit the Black Arts Movement Business District Community Development Corporation’s website.

In the Hard Knock Radio conversation between host Davey D and Ayanna Davis of Healthy Black Families and Michael Trujillo of the East Bay Community Law Center, the focus was on the displacement of Black communities in Berkeley due to historical and contemporary housing issues.

### **Displacement and Economic Impact**

The 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the Black community in the Bay Area, leading to a dramatic loss of wealth and the forced displacement of many residents. Ayanna Davis and Michael Trujillo elaborated on the profound economic impact and rising housing costs that have particularly hit the working-class Black community in Berkeley. They highlighted the historical context of housing policies that have contributed to this displacement.

### **Exclusive Zoning Policies**

Michael discussed the deliberate use of single-family zoning policies to create exclusive neighborhoods, effectively limiting housing opportunities for many, especially Black families. This zoning, combined with redlining, channeled resources to certain neighborhoods while denying them to others, reinforcing economic and racial disparities. Davey D pointed out that these policies have long-term effects, including preventing homeownership and generational wealth accumulation.

### **Challenges with Historic Homes and Affordable Housing**

Michael expressed concerns over the challenges in maintaining historic family homes and the lack of flexible financing options. He commended local community efforts and the East Bay Community Law Center’s support for homeowners dealing with city regulations. The conversation also addressed issues like redlining, predatory lending, and the need for affordable housing solutions to support Black families in Berkeley.

### **Demographic Shifts and Community Impact**

The conversation touched on the demographic changes in Berkeley, with the Black community experiencing a 10% population loss in each census, while other racial groups either increased or remained stable. This trend, coupled with factors like the crack epidemic and predatory lending, has led to significant devaluation and disinvestment in Black neighborhoods, impacting mental health and community resources.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

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