The National Public Housing Museum is under construction its permanent home in the last remaining building of the historic Jane Addams Homes in Chicago. Just one part of the museum, the music room will explore the vast soundtrack that has emerged from public housing projects.
National Public Housing Museum The National Public Housing Museum is under construction its permanent home in the last remaining building of the historic Jane Addams Homes in Chicago. Just one part of the museum, the music room will explore the vast soundtrack that has emerged from public housing projects.

Before becoming known as DJ Spinderella, Deidra “Dee Dee” Roper grew up in a three-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn’s Pink Houses public housing development surrounded by her parents, five siblings, and a closet full of records.

One of hip-hop’s most influential female DJs is entering new territory by joining the National Public Housing Museum (NPHM) as curator of its music room, which will celebrate the role public housing plays in the development of the American musical landscape.

"The story of public housing's influence on American musical tradition and culture is largely untold," said Spinderella in a statement. "The National Public Housing Museum will finally tell this story, which is deeply personal to me. This history is also crucial to understanding how American music as a whole, from country to rock, soul to hip-hop, evolved and grew out of the close-knit communities within public housing. Music tells us about our history, helps us survive the present, and inspires us to imagine the future."

The permanent home of the NPHM is under construction in a building at the historic Jane Addams Homes in Chicago and is set to open to the public in early 2024.