Johnson's inspiration for the project came partly from his own dissertation work while completing his doctoral program at the University of Oklahoma.
"[4] The Fire in Little Africa album was recorded over five days and five nights at both the Greenwood Cultural Center in the heart of historic Black Wall Street and a downtown Tulsa mansion formerly owned by Tulsa Race Massacre mastermind and Ku Klux Klan leader Tate Brady.
The home is now called Skyline Mansion and has been repurposed as an event space by its current owner, former NFL player and Tulsa native Felix Jones.
[5] A documentary chronicling the creation of the project and retracing the origins of Tulsa's historic hip-hop community is due for release following the album's debut.
[9] Motown Records Chairman & CEO Ethiopia Habtemariam said she was honored to have Fire in Little Africa on the label and called the album "a powerful and timely project that provides a platform and outlet for the incredibly talented and thriving music community of Tulsa, Oklahoma.