Famous People from the Projects

Jay Z: Shawn Corey Carter, more famously known for his stage name Jay Z, is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists in America.Born in Brookyln, New York, Shawn is one of many rappers who grew up in the projects, he was raised in the Marcy Houses. Jay Z commonly tells us about his childhood through his lyrics, especially in his second album In My Lifetime; Vol 1.

Wu- Tang Clan: The Wu Tang Clan is an American hip hop group from New York City. One of it's founding members Russell Tyrone Jones, stage name Ol' Dirty Bastard, grew up in the Walt Whitman housing projects alongside cousins RZA and GZA, co- founders of the Wu Tang Clan. In 1997, the Wu Tang Clan released their second album "Wu Tang Forever", one of the songs on this album was entirely dedicated to their youth, entitled "The Projects". Wu Tang Clan- The Projects








 Jay Z during his youth.

Where did the Projects begin?

Public housing is common worldwide and many families have turned to public housing in recent times, due to an increase in their country's debt. However, public housing has been around in the United States since the nineteenth and early twentieth century. New York's first city houses were established in 1935, they were initially largely slum clearance, with a requirement by private builders that for every unit of public housing constructed, a unit of private housing would be demolished. Many Americans think of the Projects as high rise buildings overlooking New York, however during World War II the buildings were low rise suburban settlements, built to accommodate the overflow of middle class people at the time. These days the Projects have developed a reputation for violence, drug use and prostitution. Many American based rappers who grew up in the Projects base their lyrics around their life growing up and their daily struggles.

 “I see no changes, wake up in the morning and I ask myself:
‘Is life worth living? Should I blast myself?’
I’m tired of being poor and, even worse, I’m black
My stomach hurts so I’m looking for a purse to snatch
Cops give a damn about a negro
Pull the trigger, kill a n***a, he’s a hero
“Give the crack to the kids: who the hell cares?
One less hungry mouth on the welfare"

Tupac.

The Projects-Introduction

2.

North Americana government-subsidized housing development with relatively low rents.

"her family still lives in the projects" - Oxford Dictionary.

My name is Kate and I am going to be writing a blog on The Projects situated in America, more specifically New Wilmington Arms, situated in Compton, California. Notorious for it's high crime levels and heavy narcotics influence, Compton has gained publicity since it went up for sale in the 1990's. This blog will explore the geography of the housing project, it's members and what it's like to live here.