Minnesota hip-hop artist Nur-D, one of the Twin Cities’ most recognizable independent performers, is rallying the community to help save Fair Play Entertainment, the recording studio he co-founded with longtime collaborator DJ Hayes. The South Minneapolis space has become a creative home for local musicians, first-time artists, and community storytellers—but now faces possible closure unless $8,000 is raised by January 2026.
Nur-D, who burst onto the scene after winning City Pages’ “Pick to Click” in 2019, said Fair Play was built from a simple vision: to make music production accessible to everyone. “We wanted to create a place where artists and producers both feel respected and encouraged to create without financial barriers,” he said.
Built quite literally by hand—with help from DJ Hayes’ father—the studio quickly became a hub for emerging voices in Minnesota’s music scene. Since opening, it has welcomed rappers, singers, voice actors, and commercial clients. It’s also where Nur-D recorded his most recent album, Chunkadelic.
Despite the studio’s growing reputation, rising costs have made operations difficult to sustain. “While this year has been amazing, that doesn’t always translate to the bank account,” Nur-D shared. “Either I can pay my rent, or we can keep the doors open.”
A Studio for the People
Fair Play Entertainment has earned praise for its affordability and community-centered mission. Studio rates start at $20 an hour for self-recording sessions and $40 an hour with an engineer—well below industry averages. That accessibility has turned the studio into a launchpad for new voices.
Local artist Kalina, for example, recorded her first-ever song entirely in Hmong at the studio—a milestone DJ Hayes described as “a full-circle example of what Fair Play is all about.”
The space has also hosted Minnesota acts like Lt. Sunny and MPLS Drew, providing both new and experienced artists with a space to create freely and without judgment.
“Music should be a right, not a privilege,” Nur-D said. “When people have space to create, they find their voice—and that’s something our community needs more of, not less.”
Raising $8,000 to Keep the Dream Alive
Nur-D and DJ Hayes are asking supporters to help raise $8,000 to cover rent and operating costs through the winter. Nur-D has already reinvested much of his own income into keeping the studio afloat, but now hopes the same community that inspired Fair Play will step in to sustain it.
“If even half of our followers gave $2, we’d be good,” he said. “Sometimes what feels impossible just needs enough people believing in it together.”
Fans and supporters can help in several ways:
- Book studio time: Visit fairplayentertainment.org to schedule sessions.
- Join Nur-D’s Patreon: Starting at $2 per month, members receive exclusive music and behind-the-scenes content.
- Shop the merch store: Proceeds from limited-edition apparel help fund studio operations.
- Donate directly: Contributions can be made via PayPal, Venmo, or CashApp through Fair Play’s official social pages.
For Nur-D, Fair Play Entertainment represents more than a studio—it’s a symbol of accessibility and community power.
“I’d rather hear a thousand songs from people who could only afford $20 than one song that cost $500 an hour,” he said. “Because then you’re hearing real stories from real people.”
As Minnesota continues to nurture its legacy of musical innovation—from Prince to Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis—Nur-D sees Fair Play as part of that lineage. “We want to make sure the next generation has a space to create, grow, and be heard,” he said. “This is a studio for the community. And with your help, it will stay that way.”