Ep. 50 - Chi DNA: Participatory Filmmaking & Gender Performance within Hip-Hop ft. Tweak’G

BrownTown chills out with Tweak'G, Chicago rapper, activist, and Chi DNA feature documentary subject. In Tweak's two-year anniversary in BrownTown (see episode 15), the fam discusses ethics and relationship-building in documentary filmmaking and deconstructs gender roles and sexuality within contemporary hip-hop as well as their everyday lives. Tweak talks about new developments in her personal and professional life as BrownTown details their "on set" and behind-the-scenes experiences getting to know Tweak through creating the Chi DNA feature and beyond. Tweak deconstructs stereotypes about masculine-presenting Lesbians in hip-hop as well as the everyday, while critiquing heteronormative hierarchies within the Lesbian and queer community. Her and BrownTown continue to chop it up about everything from learned behavior in children playground games to the military-industrial complex.Full Transcriptions Here!GUESTTweak’G is a rapper and activist who has been on the front lines of the two successful grassroots campaigns in Chicago--#ByeAnita and #TraumaCenterNow at the U of Chicago. Born and raised in Chicago, Tweak spent 6-years in the military and now simultaneously traverses Chicago’s activist and underground rap scene as an unapologetic Black Lesbian ready for her next project. Most recently, she is working on her newest music compilation Vulnerability, is a founding member of Dissenters, a youth-led anti-militarism grassroots organization, and is the primary subject in SoapBox's upcoming Chi DNA feature documentary.CHI DNAThis is the eighth Chicago Drill and Activism (AKA "Chi DNA") installment of Bourbon ’n BrownTown. Chi DNA is an ongoing documentary and multimedia project, which also features interviews, micro-documentaries, and editorial pieces on drill rap and the activist resurgence in Chicago.--Follow Tweak'G on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Listen to her on Soundcloud and YouTube.--CREDITS: Intro/outro song Gold by Tweak'G. Audio engineered by Genta Tamashiro. Episode photo by Sean Kelly.--Chicago Drill and ActivismSite | Twitter | Micro-Docs | SupportBourbon ’n BrownTownFacebook | Twitter | Instagram | Site | PatreonSoapBox Productions and Organizing, 501(c)3Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Site | Support