Mississippi Native: 5th Child

"Living in Mississippi has given me a chip on my shoulder and made me very defensive of underestimated populations."

What does it mean to call Mississippi home? Why do people choose to leave or live in this weird, wonderful, and sometimes infuriating place? Today we hear from hip hop artist and founder of the Briarwood Arts Center, Stephen Brown aka 5th Child.

Featured contributor Stephen Brown aka 5th Child. Photo by Dartagnan.

Where are you from?

Jackson, Mississippi

How long have you lived in Mississippi?

34 years. I was born in Redondo Beach, California, and my family moved to MS when I was 2 years old.

What does “home” mean to you? How does Mississippi fit into that definition?

Home means being free enough to express yourself without fear of being judged, but also having some responsibility to care for the space in which you exist as a perpetual work in progress. 

Living in Mississippi has given me a chip on my shoulder and made me very defensive of underestimated populations.

Left: the author performs in Jackson, MS. Photo by 242 Creative. Right: the author with Teneia Sanders and JSU's Sonic Boom of the South after filming the "City with Soul" music video in 2019.