Inside Carolina Space Kids: Creativity, Collaboration, and the Black Hippie Festival
The diverse collective, Carolina Space Kids, joined us for our “On The Block” Interview Series to discuss the origin of their group, their creative process, internal support, the Black Hippie Festival, and more.
Carolina Space Kids is a multifaceted collective of artists, producers, clothing designers, photographers, videographers, and other creatives. Initially starting as a producer group focused on growth and development, each member worked with their own artists, eventually evolving into the robust collective it is today. Over time, the group experienced several changes in membership but has since solidified its core base.
Support within the collective is exceptionally strong. The artists collaborate on numerous projects, with all members providing feedback on songs, beats, clothing designs, and other creative endeavors. NMB Ceez mentioned that when any artist performs, the collective members are always there to hype them up. DJ DeDe and others emphasized the importance of communication within the group. Fresco From34 highlighted the collective's relentless drive, noting that being surrounded by hard-working individuals inspires everyone to push themselves further.
Collectively, Carolina Space Kids have garnered around 17,000 streams on Apple Music, though this number doesn't fully capture the contributions of each individual artist and producer. The group boasts a range of creative styles, with members capable of switching up their approach as needed.
The group's chemistry is a key strength. Fresco From34 pointed out that DJ DeDe has a knack for crafting beats that resonate with an artist's current life experiences, helping to bring out their best work. Other members echoed how easy it is to create music together due to their strong chemistry.
A significant project from the group is the Black Hippie Festival. Named after DJ DeDe's clothing brand, Black Hippie, the festival was conceived when DJ DeDe saw an opportunity to improve upon existing artist showcases. Initially tied to an album release for the clothing brand, the festival has become a tradition, featuring local and upcoming artists, vendors, and more.
The next Black Hippie Festival is scheduled for June 19th, 2024. For tickets, visit @djdede1997 or @_blackhippie97 on Instagram. For the full “On The Block” interview, head over to our On The Block Interviews page.
