UWM Union Art Gallery: In Search of A Benevolent Kind of Blue

A solo exhibition commemorating Milwaukee's Bronzeville neighborhood. The Hip-Hop Cypher on 4th and Brown Street : In the spirit of celebrating real Hip-Hop emcees from MKE, I created a fictional scene on the corner of 4th and Brown in Milwaukee’s Bronzeville neighborhood, to feature some must see / must hear performances at night in front of St. Francis church. For those unfamiliar with the cypher, it is a space, an opportunity, where Hip-Hop emcees get together, a DJ sets up tables, and emcees take turns free-styling.

The battling, free-styling, storytelling, and expression used to be as essential to success as a singer and “rapper” as it was one of the ways artists got their names out there to develop a fan base, an important pillar of Hip-Hop culture, showcasing the lyrical ability, unique style of these talented artists.

Hip-Hop Cypher on 4th & Brown (Study) • Acrylic on paper • 12H x 16W