Local emcee and cultural archivist Lyrikill is spotlighting the city’s independent hip-hop community with We Never Close, a new compilation rooted in the sounds, spaces, and spirit of pre-Katrina New Orleans.

Named after the city’s once-ubiquitous 24-hour po-boy shops—late-night gathering spots that blurred the lines between music, food, and nightlife—the project draws from an era when the underground rap scene thrived alongside neighborhood institutions that quite literally “never closed.” The compilation brings together a range of local emcees and producers who have shaped New Orleans hip-hop over the years, emphasizing continuity in a scene that has often operated outside the mainstream spotlight.

Lyrikill has built his reputation as a landmark in the Southern hip-hop community.  Through his audio, performance and journalistic contributions to the music community, he has made it a goal to provide opportunities for regional talent while cementing himself as one of the region’s top lyricists.

“Everything I ever tried to build, was to make life easier for the next generation of artists coming from through,” says the emcee who started as an intern for locally based magazine Da R.U.D.E.  He eventually created his own magazine and through partnerships with other companies provided media coverage, performance opportunities, studio time and mentorship for young artists

Released via Bandcamp, We Never Close leans into a DIY ethos that mirrors the independence of the artists it features. The lead single, “Geaux Inn,” is available now on major streaming platforms.