I’ll be in Atlanta for the next couple of days kicking it with the big homie Rob Brown, going to see my beloved alma mater take on the Ramblin’ Wreck, hitting up Jus Nice‘s mixtape release party, seeing the homies from The Process, and finally visiting the Graveyard Tavern. That just what I have PLANNED to do who knows what I’ll fall into when I actually touch down.

Atlanta has been on my mind for a while and not just because of this hopefully fun filled weekend. A thorough conversations with my good friend Taji (a recent transplant to Atlanta from Charleston by way of Baltimore) has left me with an unshakable belief that Atlanta is the New York City of the South as the quote “If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere” seems just as appropriate for Hotlanta as it does for the Big Apple. Everything a Southerner could want is within reach in Atlanta and no matter what your industry, you could probably find a home in the A.

With music being such a formidable force in Atlanta, along with professional sports, a redic’ nightlife, and streetwear on the super come-up it’s no wonder people would feel that way. I have no immediate intentions of moving but if I did it would be for these reasons:

1) Atlanta Falcons- It’s no secret that Southerners love their football and although I’m a Carolina Panthers fan, something about NOT having to sit in the elements seems quite lovely to me. I’ve played football my entire life so believe me when I say: Football weather is overrated.

2) Underground hip-hop scene- God I love hip-hop! I remarked on Twitter yesterday that South Carolina’s hip-hop scene needed an Ombudsman. That statement could hold true for North Carolina as well. There is no “scene” to speak of and all the dudes “in charge” are seemingly more interested in getting money out of sucka MCs that believe they can be taken to the promise land via a co-sign than to actually develop the landscape into anything meaningful. The demand is there it just has to be serviced properly. No one is doing that down here. But Atlanta is strapped. Maybe too strapped. But it’s been developed, marketed, and sold and it doesn’t look like it’s stopping anytime soon. Jealous much? Yeah, I am.

3) Marta- I’ve had dreams in consecutive nights about my car being taken away from me. Truth is subconsciously, I don’t even want a car but because of the life I lead right now I need one. I’d really like to lead a car-independent-lifestyle and living in a big city made to move people by any means necessary would be a better choice for such “radical” way of living. Think about how much money we spend maintaining our metallic boxes (gas, keeping it clean, insurance, taxes, etc.), now think about how much it would cost to just walk, ride a bike, catch a bus, or get on the subway. Not only would I save money I’d probably loose this gut too. Win-win in my book. Just as long as I don’t run into Soulja Girl.

4) Non-stop flights- Since I do wish I could lead a life in which I wasn’t so dependent on my motor vehicle, it is important that I be able to get outta dodge when I need too. I could take a bus to New York City but that would totally suck so flying is the best option in my opinion. Sheeeit, flying is a gift from the Lord himself if you ask me and yeah it cost a bit more but if I could afford to fly to Charlotte (45 minute flight) instead of drive (3 hours) I would do it every time. While I love my hometown to death, I don’t like that EVERY FLIGHT I TAKE has a layover in either Charlotte or Atlanta. So a bonus to living in the Peach State’s capital city is being able fly straight to where ever I need to be. I’m sure it’d be less expensive too.

5) Close to everybody- Two hours from Tennessee, two hours from South Carolina, three hours from North Carolina, an hour and a half from Alabama–if I had to drive I wouldn’t be too far from anyone down South would I?

6)  Southern streetwear Mecca- Streetwear is finally making some major waves in the South and I’ll be damned if Atlanta isn’t at the heart of that growth. With stores like Wish, Standard, Sole, and Vinnie’s making moves on the retail front and brands like Fli-Pelican, Chilly-O, The Process, Sole Munki, and Esperanza doing things on the clothing side–it’s a wonder why it’s taken this long for the movement to crank up. I wouldn’t be shocked if Stussy opened a chapter in Atlanta within the next couple of years, it’s really becoming that big of a deal. If I moved, this would be the primary reason. To be at the center of the Southern streetwear world and be able to cover the people, places, and events that propel this culture forward.

As I said, I love my hometown and I’m not planning on leaving but Taji does have a point when he said that Atlanta = New York of the South. These are just the first things that came to my mind but I’m sure if I sat down I could squeeze some more out. I’m not leaving because I have a plan that I’d like to see carried out before I make moves anywhere but as you can see, with the reasons I outlined, I don’t think a reasonable person would fault me for going.

So would that make Miami the Southern equivalent of Vegas?

P.S. – If you like the foam finger cop one from the homies at Esperanza Atlanta for only $5 while supplies last.