The grandeur of hip hop, with its dazzling tapestry of culture, rhythm, and soul, has lived on for five decades, proving its timeless magic. This September, the essence of this music genre mingles with the artistic brilliance of Jean-Michel Basquiat at the King Pleasure© exhibition, which celebrates both the golden jubilee of hip hop and Basquiat’s invaluable contributions to it.

Photo:Kurt Iswarienko

Key Events:

Wednesday, September 6: The Preface
A literary symphony awaits at the King Pleasure Emporium at 5 PM, with a book signing ceremony graced by DJ Mona-Lisa. This soirée is a platform to grab a signed copy of the Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure book, a literary masterpiece penned by Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Heriveaux, and published by Rizzoli.

Thursday, September 7: Beat Bop: Basquiat & Hip Hop
Zipper Concert Hall at Colburn School will echo with the insights and anecdotes of some hip hop stalwarts and Basquiat aficionados. Starting with an intimate exhibition viewing at 5:30 PM, the main event commences at 7 PM, moderated by the insightful Ari Melber of MSNBC. The audience will be treated to the perspectives of renowned personalities like Yo-Yo, Rapsody, and the maestro photographer Johnny Nunez. As the sun sets, the atmosphere is bound to get electrifying with an after-party at The Grand LA courtyard, soundtracked by the legendary DJ Just Blaze, with refreshments by Bombay Sapphire.

Monday, September 11: The Surreal Blues of aja monet
Dive deep into the enchanting world of surrealist blues poet aja monet. With an exhibition viewing at 6 PM, followed by a heartwarming performance by aja monet herself, the evening promises to be a mesmerizing experience. A candid talk with the curator Mashonda Tifrere, Jeanine Heriveaux, Lisane Basquiat, and aja monet caps off the evening.

About the Exhibition:

Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure© unfolds in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles at The Grand LA, with its doors open till October 15th. It beckons art and music enthusiasts to take a transformative journey through Basquiat’s life, showcasing almost 200 artworks, ephemera, and artifacts that have seldom met the public eye. These masterpieces hail directly from the family’s estate, allowing visitors a genuine glimpse into the artist’s world, including an immaculate recreation of his NYC artist studio and the family home.

This monumental event is helmed by The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Serving as the executive producers and curators are Jean-Michel’s sisters, Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Heriveaux, in collaboration with Ileen Gallagher and ISG Productions Ltd.

Official Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure© Site
Instagram
TikTok
Threads
Facebook
Twitter
Facebook Group

The exhibition debuted in NYC, gathering a staggering 210,000 visitors and garnering acclaim from renowned media outlets such as The New York Times, Vogue, and Rolling Stone, to name a few. This laudable venture is accompanied by a book, available at King Pleasure Emporium online and the physical store.

It’s not just an exhibition; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime communion of art, history, and music. An event that promises to resonate with our souls, reminding us of the timeless beauty of hip hop and the genius of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Don’t miss it.