I WAS THE WEIRDO
I WAS THE WEIRDO
Written and Directed by: Larry Ware II Cinematographer and Editor: Craig Kilgore
The feature documentary ‘I Was the Weirdo’ uses the story of pioneering underground rapper Priest Da Nomad to shed light on the little known U street hip hop and arts subculture in the nation's capital of Washington D.C., and how it was affected by politics, crime, black prominence, and D.C.'s own brand of live music known as Go-Go. It also shows how this very transient and historical city, which in many ways is the center of the world, has produced and connected so many prominent artists, journalists, film makers, and political figures!
Director's Statement
I Was the Weirdo’ was born from my personal connection to hip-hop’s outsider status in Washington D.C. and the whole DMV, where Go-Go music has long been the heart of Black cultural identity for generations. Though I love Go-Go, hip-hop’s core elements of djing, mcing, b-boying/b-girling, and graffiti writing spoke to me—and to a whole community of kids who were often seen as different because of it. We embraced the “weird,” and through a mix of cultural forces—college transplants, street life, politics, and D.C.’s Black legacy—we helped shape a movement that still resonates today. In a time when individuality is celebrated, this film honors those who
carved a path for the vibrant creativity we see now.
