By Tiana Kennell
Wave your hands in the air. Drape yourself in their clothing lines. Kneel as they lead you in prayer. And admire them as they sit upon their canvas thrones on the walls of the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD).
Acclaimed Russian artist Alex Melamid has unveiled his “Holy Hip-Hop!” collection of life-size oil paintings of 12 influential and accomplished men. They include 50 Cent, Common, Kanye West, Reverend Run and Russell Simmons.
Melamid personally studied the modern moguls for two years to capture their true personas in their natural environments and everyday clothing. He painted them in the “old master” style commonly used between the 17th and 19th centuries to paint royalty.
“In Melamid’s mind, hip-hop art is very important to the hip-hop culture,” says MOCAD Acting Director Marsha Miro. “They are today’s royalty and in some ways respected more than political leaders.”
Collectively, the subjects have produced clothing lines, record labels, chart-topping albums, books, non-profit organizations and other products and projects. They have served as spiritual advisors, motivational speakers and entrepreneurs.
Despite the controversial lyrics and negative behaviors of some of these figures, for better or worse, their accomplishments relegate them to the status of leaders and role models to the young and old.
“Having had the opportunity to travel to Europe and Australia, I’ve seen first-hand how hip-hop artists are received as royalty,” says Khalid el-Hakim, midwest regional director of the Hip Hop Congress, an organization that challenges social and political injustices.
“Hip-hop has impacted the world because it is the voice of the underclass,” he says. “In countries such as France, Palestine, Brazil, Cuba and Kenya, hip-hop is being used by the artist to bring attention to the oppression the youth are experiencing.”
After Melamid’s introduction to the hip-hop industry by his music video director son, Dan “The Man” Melamid, he felt inspired by the culture and its power. According to Miro, because of Melamid’s awareness of Detroit’s influence on hip-hop culture, he had a strong desire to open his exhibit at MOCAD.
Detroit is the first city to host the show. “He wanted an urban museum where people would understand the exhibit,” Miro says. “This is a city that would enjoy this and understand that these musicians are artists and relevant in today’s world.”
On April 20, the last day of the Melamid exhibit, another hip-hop show will roll through. The Black History 101 Mobile Museum, a trailer filled with more than 1,500 memorabilia items, will visit MOCAD for its monthly, free-admission Family Day.
The Mobile Museum, created by el-Hakim, provides visitors with an opportunity to see rare hip-hop photographs, clothing, albums, poetry and other items. Families can also participate in the interactive graffiti art, DJ, MC and breakdancing workshops.
“This experience will be a great introduction to the elements of hip-hop by being exposed to artifacts that reflect the depth of the culture,” says el-Hakim, who is also a Detroit Public Schools teacher and vice president of Iron Fist Records.
He adds, “More importantly, the Family Day will be an opportunity for the generational gap to be closed a little bit because children as well as parents will be able to fully participate in the activities.”
SIDEBAR
Holy Hip-Hop!- Now through April 20
Black History 101 Mobile Museum-April 20 Only
Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
4454 Woodward Avenue, Detroit
Hours: Wednesday and Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
(313) 832-6622
www.mocadetroit.com
African American Family Magazine April 2008
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