In “My City,” Henry channels the street level energy of Treme Brass Band and Rebirth Brass Band into a bass heavy blend of second line rhythms, hip hop flows and blistering trombone solos. Though Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet spent the last year touring everywhere from Switzerland to Senegal, the song remains rooted in New Orleans brass band culture — particularly the sound of Treme streets, Sunday second lines and late nights at Vaughan’s Lounge.
A longtime philanthropist, Corey Henry won the Spirit of Satchmo Music Award for his commitment to honoring Louis Armstrong’s legacy. This summer, he continues his mission of mentoring New Orleans youth in music at the North Rampart Community Center, and bringing second line culture to the people with his annual NOLA Footwork Festival. Giving back comes from the heart, as New Orleans itself was Henry’s musical classroom, with mentors from Tuba Fats to Kermit Ruffins.
“Where I grew up in Treme, it was a vibrant area with social aid and pleasure clubs and brass bands,” Henry said. “I used to go and stand outside the walls and follow the second line around the block. Me and Uncle Benny Jones (Treme Brass Band for 50 years), my grandfather (Preservation Hall), and my dad (Grand Marshal with the Treme Brass Band) — it’s in the blood.”
Listening to “My City,” it’s not hard to hear the connection the artist makes between his life, his art and his love for New Orleans. The sleek production invites the audience to see the city not just through the lens of the past but in the present.
“Every day is a party in the city…get your drinks up baby girl come party with me,” he raps. “You rocking with the lyrical black spiritual unequivocal black miracle in the physical…This is not a copy of this original…this is not analog this digital might see me with my Homie he a Seminole man them haters be mad mad mad subliminal.”
For Henry, New Orleans is more than a backdrop — it’s a living rhythm woven into his identity. “My City” feels both like a hometown tribute and a declaration that the culture of New Orleans continues to evolve while staying rooted in tradition. Over booming production and second line influenced grooves, Henry balances swagger with deep cultural pride, blending modern hip hop sensibilities with the unmistakable pulse of New Orleans brass band music.
Check out “My City” below. For more information on Corey Henry, click here.
