Appalachian Hip Hop: Deadline Extended for Dear West V Cypher Through May 1

A lyrical love letter to the 35th state is putting West Virginia hip hop in its rightful spotlight

By Leeshia Lee

Dear West V. A Love Letter to the 35th State.

As the self-proclaimed hip hop photojournalist of West Virginia and BBGs Culture Editor, I wanted to create a platform where artists could tell the stories of life in these mountains themselves.

Hip hop has always been a tool the streets use to document culture.

But Appalachian hip hop? It’s been overlooked. Ignored by mainstream media. To folks outside these hills, it barely exists. And that’s disheartening — because the talent here is abundant.

In a state that ranks near the bottom in so many categories, we at least deserve to be first in telling our own stories. Authentically. Not the version you see on the news or in movies.

West Virginia has history. Community. And the ability to capture attention.

And for Black West Virginians — a small, often overlooked population — that storytelling matters even more. Every day comes with barriers in opportunity, resources, and representation. Still, we push through.

I wanted West Virginia artists to tell their stories — so I put out a challenge: a statewide hip hop cipher called Dear West V: A Love Letter to the 35th State, hosted by Black By God: The West Virginian.

This is part of an all-hands-on-deck moment to bring BBG to a new audience — using music, culture, and community to expand how we tell our stories. Because the truth is, BBG doesn’t grow without the people.

Artists were invited to create original songs about West Virginia.

And in true West V fashion, they answered with passion and charisma.

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BBG X Leeshia Lee teamed up with Myles Treaton Satterfield, aka Myles T, a West Virginia native who has worked with industry heavyweights like Wiz Khalifa and Big Sean, to bring the perfect combination of talent and insight.

His experience in the music industry gives rare access in West Virginia — where few artists reach national recognition, and collaborations like this carry real cultural weight.

The contest goal was simple:

Bridge West Virginia’s hidden talent with the broader sound of hip hop — and prove that voices from here belong in the conversation while we build a wider BBG audience. 

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From my earlier years as a radio personality and promoter, I’ve seen artists with so much talent they could stand toe-to-toe with headliners.

I watched the scene flourish — CDs pressed, shows packed, videos dropping consistently.

We just never got the look we needed to take it further.

In a small state where everybody knows everybody, it’s hard to fake a story. Everything can be fact-checked. So I wanted to create space for something real — raw, relentless, and ready.

A movement.

Something that lets artists show the hunger in these hills.

When Black By God issued the challenge — a lyrical love letter to where we’re from, the 35th state — Dear West V — the response was immediate.

Artists started creating an original song over a Myles T beat, telling their version of West Virginia.

Entries didn’t just show up — they showed out.

Each submission required a visual component, because I wanted people to see and feel what West Virginia really looks like — not the stereotype.

And the community showed up too:

Views. Likes. Comments. Shares.

Proof that there is support for real talent here.

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I’ve learned something along the way: If people won’t give you a seat at the table, get your own grill out and start flaming. And when they come back around, tell them to let you cook. 

Respectfully.

Each artist brought a plate to the cookout — seasoned, original, and distinct — and we ate collectively.

These lyrical love letters say it best:

“We done lose so many. You can get lost in ya own memory…” – Book
“They say it’s Almost Heaven so don’t wake me…” – Coco Nicole
“All these black roads that lead…” – DJ Lauryn Trill
“Slow grind, elbow grease thick as coal dust…” – H Boog

These lyrical love letters have proven that West Virginia talent is radioactive. Someone might need to get Erin Brokovich on the line and let her know we are creating our own Hip Hop Environmental Protection Act.

Authenticly. 

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How to Enter the Dear West Virginia Love Letter Hip Hop Cypher

1. Create Your Track
Write and record an original song using the official Myles T beat.

2. Make It Visual
Submit your entry in video format — it doesn’t have to be professionally shot, just real, creative, and authentic.

3. Submit Your Entry
Send your video to:
📧 leeshialeebooks@gmail.com
or submit via Black By God Facebook

4. Meet the Deadline
🗓 Deadline Extended: May 1

Follow along on the Black by God | The West Virginian Facebook page.