In every local music scene, there are artists who don’t just participate, they help shape the culture. For the Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County Hip Hop scene, Prol’e is one of those artists. Born Tony Thompson, Prol’e’s journey in music started early. Born in Detroit with a strong musical background in his family, stepping into music wasn’t a question, it was a calling.

Detroit just offered a glimpse of what long-term investment in music culture can look like. This week, Usher and Big Sean announced a $1 million investment toward a new entertainment incubator in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan. The new space officially opened on Feb. 3 inside Michigan Central.