I met Kasseem, also known as Swizz Beatz through a mutual friend DJ-NOE in 2017. This photograph was taken inside Mr. Dean’s “NoCommission” Art Show. It was held in the South Bronx along the piers edge at a secret location.
At this time the idea of a pandemic was of no more consideration than the country being out of work and the world as a whole coming to a stand still.
These sort of catastrophic events like Covid-19, George Floyd’s Life, and the 2020 Election bring humanity to a stop.
Rich, poor and all those in between were called on to be our best for us all. Super stars who made an effort to remain present with their inspirational social media messages are especially commendable.
Exemplified in a genius way by Swizz Beatz and Timberland creators of the VERZUZ Battles.
The issues in 2020 concerning world state of affairs heated the streets to a boiling point.THE VERZUZ Battles grounded a great deal of otherwise unrelentless bad vibes while making a manageable entertainment of quarantining.
Swizz was an inspiration for me as a Bronx native as well. But it was the Fine Art World behind this motivational meeting. I was able to create a couple of art works for Mr. Dean and his equally inspirational wife. The photo was taken at the exact moment our eyes made four, for that unmistakeable piece between stars.
Both of us are Bronx born and raised. The city style and hip hop culture foundation of being heavy originators in the world of cities with soul and venues historically known to produce trend setters who go the extra 100 miles to freedom. Without that power, love and support Swizz Beatz found in the Bronx we may have never had the Verzuz Battles.
Mentioning the Art Show would be wrong with out the details, so here is a bit about the show and myself.
In 2014 I began my apprenticeship in the fine art world at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City, New Jersey. If you ever wanted to visit an art space that has a real life to it, Mana Contemporary is the place.
Since my start there I have accomplished many upward career moves.
To stick with the matter of Swizz Beatz being an inspiration and motivation there was also a Portrait Painting Contest he hosted virtually through his Instagram account for The Dean Collection. The Dean Collection is the professional name for Swizz Beatz works in the fine art business.
To keep a long store short, I came in third and happily so considering the contest was open to the world and not just the nation.
Later on that year I placed the artwork in collection at the Eileen S. Kaminsky Family Foundation in Mana Contemporary. ESKFF is an Artist Residency program I completed in 2017 and maintain relationship as freelance designer and curator. Swizz Beatz complimented my work once more when he visited Mana Contemporary to visit a photographer by the name of Sante. Fortunately my painting of his grand father was on display for him to have the moment to experience another product of his virtual inspiration in person. The Don of Don’s is the name of the Art Work.
Now I am in the fine art world exclusively know as screen-printing professional.
REAL is the brand I label on most my art. I design street wear fashion and will soon receive another commendation from the PARSON’s street wear essentials class being offered through the Yellow Brick Street Wear Program. This is also something people like Kasseem Dean inspired me to do. He went back to school and kept improving himself.
Kindest Compliments,
Andre’ Russell
@OnlyTheArts_
A.R.T.S.
Arts Really Take Shape.
www.OnlyTheArts.com
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