Fresh off a Grammy nomination for his children’s album “Black to the Future,” Durham hip-hop artist Pierce Freelon stopped by 97.9 The Hill this week for “Live and Local.”

“Black to the Future” is Freelon’s second children’s album, following 2020’s “D.A.D.” – and he’s also written a children’s book, “Daddy Daughter Day,” due out next year. That’s only the beginning of his resume, though: Freelon has been a major figure in the local hip-hop scene for over a decade; he co-created a PBS web series called “Beat Making Lab” that won an Emmy; and most recently he served a stint on the Durham City Council.

And Freelon is not the only Grammy nominee in his family: his mother Nnenna (already a five-time nominee) also earned a nomination this year for Best Jazz Vocal Album.

Pierce Freelon stopped by 97.9 The Hill to chat about “Black to the Future” and play a few songs off the album. Listen now:


Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.