Motown Records is gearing up to release a new collaborative album to commemorate the1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
TitledFire in Little Africa,the hip-hop collection will feature 21 songs from Oklahoma artists and is scheduled to drop on May 28, three days before the riot’s 100th anniversary.
Accordingto a release,Fire in Little Africa"gets to the truth of what happened on May 31 and June 1, 1921 when a white mob descended on the streets of Greenwood — then a prosperous Tulsa neighborhood known as Black Wall Street — and burned down the business district, destroying roughly 1,500 homes, killing hundreds and leaving thousands of Black Tulsans homeless."
Ethiopia Habtemariam, chairman and CEO of Motown Records, says in the release that the forthcoming album “is a powerful and timely project that provides a platform and outlet for the incredibly talented and thriving music community of Tulsa, Oklahoma.”
“Carrying the legacy of the Black Wall Street community,Fire in Little Africais a body of work filled with purpose and prolific storytelling,” Habtemariam adds. “I am honored and feel privileged to have Motown Records/Black Forum partner with Dr. View, theBob Dylan Centerand[Woody] Guthrie Centerto release this impactful hip-hop album.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.Everett/Shutterstock
Woody Guthrie Center/Bob Dylan Center’sStevie “Dr. View” Johnson, Ph.D., who executive produced the album, says in the release thatFire in Little Africa"has evolved into a communal hip-hop movement, and we’re excited that we get to share the flavor, history and legacy of Black Wall Street with the world, in collaboration with the amazing leadership of the Motown/Black Forum family."
Beginning on May 31, 1921, and lasting until June 1, the Tulsa Race Massacre is said to be the “single worst incident of racial violence in American history,” according to theOklahoma Historical Society.
It began after a young black man named Dick Rowland rode alone in an elevator with a white woman named Sarah Page on May 30 of that year. Rowland was arrested the following day and allegedly accused of sexually assaulting Page, and a white mob demanded he be turned over to them.
The 1921 Tulsa Massacre.Oklahoma Historical Society/Getty
RELATED VIDEO:Taylor SwiftHonors Pride Month with a Special Performance at Historic LGBT Bar Stonewall Inn
Nearly1,500 armed white men faced off against about 75 black menoutside the courthouse. Shots were fired and the violence ensued, the historical society said.
The city was placed under martial law and the National Guard was brought in to halt the violence. At the end of the carnage, 35 city blocks were in ruins while over 800 people were being treated for injuries. It was reported that 36 died in the riot,but historians now believe thatnumber may actually be in the hundreds.
Fire in Little Africawill be released on May 28.
source: people.com
