Inspired by NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, “Tiny DAP Concerts,” an intimate, virtual showcase, will highlight Greater Boston artists who are rising in the ranks in New England Hip Hop as it makes its debut this week through the Dorchester Art Project.

Season One of the series will kick off on Thursday (June 17) with a performance by DJ WhySham on the Boston Compass’s YouTube channel. The series, which is funded by The Boston Foundation, will also feature five artists from the DAP Open Mic. Community partners for the series include LFOD Radio and Spark FM Radio.

Led by creative director Jay Hunt of Smokehouse Media, one of the area’s most sought-after filmmakers and producers, the series will offer professionally produced, pre-recorded performances that put the spotlight on local artists.

The program comes after DAP’s popular monthly Open Mic sessions were put on hold due to the pandemic. DAP founder Sam Potrykus sees the series as a way to unify the city and elevate local artists to a global audience, saying, “After Covid took away our premier monthly showcase, the only way to bounce back is to go big.”