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Hailed as a “music guru” by Rolling Stone and called “the most creative mixtape producer of all time” by music icon, Questlove, J.Period is a storyteller whose work connects cultures, eras, and styles, and is language is music. As a DJ and producer, J.Period creates live mixtapes, performed and recorded live on stage in one take.  

What to Look and Listen for:

• the people who have inspired J.Period’s work
• the role that research plays in musical storytelling
• J.Period’s mixtapes as they’re referenced throughout the video, including “Story To Tell,” “The Hamilton Mixtape,” and “Rise Up”
• terms that music and storytelling share, like “arc” or “climax.” How does our language indicate that storytelling and making music are closely connected?
• the role that collaboration plays in J.Period’s work. How does J.Period “choose” his collaborators and how do they help shape the final story?
• how J.Period balances the creative work of a DJ and the logistical work of a producer. How does he use cues and a framework in working with other artists to create a live mixtape?

Think About:

• How does J.Period describe DJing as an act of storytelling? What do you think music can do that other types of storytelling cannot?
• When describing his process, J.Period says, “If it moves me, then I know I’m going to be able to create a version of it that moves other people.” What moves you? How do you share your passions with others?

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Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

Gifts and grants to educational programs at the Kennedy Center are provided by The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Bank of America; Capital One; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Carnegie Corporation of New York; The Ednah Root Foundation; Harman Family Foundation; William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust; the Kimsey Endowment; The Kiplinger Foundation; Laird Norton Family Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; The Markow Totevy Foundation; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Morningstar Foundation; Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund; The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives;

Prince Charitable Trusts; Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A. J. Stolwijk; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; Volkswagen Group of America; Jackie Washington; GRoW @ Annenberg and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family; Wells Fargo; and generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts..

The content of these programs may have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.