The non-descript building that is home to Patchwerk Recording Studios has an established history with some of Atlanta’s most notable hip-hop luminaries.
From the mid-'90s to early-2000s, before it was relocated to the Hemphill Avenue location where three men were ambushed overnight Tuesday (two were shot multiple times, one was stabbed), Patchwerk welcomed artists ranging from Outkast to T.I. to Charlie Wilson to Ludacris.
Following its move from West Midtown to the Hemphill spot, Patchwerk retained its clientele that relied heavily on the artists involved with Organized Noize (producers Rico Wade, Ray Murray and Sleepy Brown) and La Face Records, which was based in Atlanta until it was shuttered in 2011 and boasted a roster including Toni Braxton, TLC, Usher and Pink.
Here are a few things to know about the studio:
- Patchwerk Recording Studios moved to the 10,000-square-foot Hemphill Avenue location in 2000. The studio was originally founded as a record label in California in 1993 by former Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Bob Whitfield.
- The Hemphill Avenue base was originally a convenience store that had been refurbished into a photo studio for The Coca-Cola Company.
- Some of the hits recorded there between from 2000-2010 include “Can’t Take Me Home” (Pink); “Ms. Jackson” (Outkast); “Southern Hospitality” (Ludacris); “Stillmatic” (Nas); and “Voyage to India” (India.Arie).
- In 2013, Goodie Mob held a listening party at the studio for “Age Against the Machine,” the group’s first studio album in nearly 15 years. The location was chosen specifically because Cee Lo Green, Khujo, Big Gipp and T-Mo recorded parts of their 1995 debut, “Soul Food,” at Patchwerk.
- More recently, artists including Future, Gucci Mane, B.o.B. and YG have recorded there.
- In addition to its use as a recording studio, Patchwerk offers vocal lessons and coaching and hosts “Weekend Werkshops” with topics including entertainment law, mixing and mastering recordings and public relations.
RELATED: 4 Atlanta recording studios where you could meet (or become) a star
About the Author
