Coffee & Conversations: The Hip Hop Scene in Central Florida

The Orange County Regional History Center is hosting a discussion and tour to coincide with their new exhibition, Figurehead: Music & Mayhem in Orlando’s Underground. Exhibition curator Jeremy Hileman and Israel Vasquetelle will lead a special tour of this latest exhibition, drawing on themes in the exhibition to delve into the history of the hip hop scene in Central Florida and beyond.

Vasquetelle’s experience in media spans more than two decades and includes various facets of the entertainment industry. He has produced music-related projects, directed documentaries, and founded Insomniac Magazine, which has covered hip hop music and culture since 1996. He has also hosted a podcast that featured in-depth discussions with impactful up-and-coming industry players and hip hop legends.

As the host of a radio show that spanned the better part of the 1990s, a journalist in print and online, and a veteran educator, Vasquetelle has interviewed hundreds of prominent industry insiders, including multiplatinum artists, executives, and music icons. His creative work has been featured in a variety of publications, including Rolling Stone and Spin and quoted by business publications such as Billboard Books.

Admission is free, but registration is required. This program is funded in part through a Florida Humanities Community Project Grant in partnership with the Historical Society of Central Florida.