Nelson George Will Never Let Go Of Brooklyn

The famous phrase, "spread love, it's the Brooklyn way" was coined by the late, great Notorious BIG, but author/filmmaker/director Nelson George proves the statement to be true in his latest film, Brooklyn Boheme.

In the documentary, co-directed by Diane Paragas, the Brooklynite explores the creative past of Brooklyn's newly trendy Fort Green and the neighboring Clinton Hill.

We take a journey back into time with Chris Rock, Talib Kweli, Rosie Perez, poet Saul Williams, Toure, the very compelling Spike Lee and we even caught a glimpse of our very own Russell Simmons.

The Brooklynites sit back and reminisce on Wesley Snipes' infamous house parties, the eruption of spoken word, their favorite spots to eat and more.

We got a chance to catch up with Nelson at the first screening of Brooklyn Boheme and we learned about his thoughts on gentrification, his fave places to eat in Brooklyn and just why he'll stay true to his Brooklyn roots.

GlobalGrind: What is the story behind your love affair with Brooklyn?

Nelson George: Well I’ve grown up there my whole life, it's where I’m from. It’s been amazing, it’s nurtured me, it has evolved so much over the last 15 years, than probably in the last 20, 25. It has become a hip area. When I grew up in Brooklyn, white people were running away from Brooklyn as fast as they could go and then this change happened. It started with Williamsburg in a way, making Brooklyn hip for white people again and now it's spread out to that whole part of Brooklyn. I mean Bushwick, people go to Bushwick to hang out. What?!