Week-long mural festival Below The Stacks, took place in REO Town Lansing, MI September 15 – 21, 2019. Presented by Muralmatics and All of the Above HipHop Academy, one year later there’s still plenty left from the event to talk about and celebrate.
I spent most of that first day, a kickoff event called “Art Attack”, standing on a stage in the square with two of my AOTA Creative brothers, Ess Be and Y’z council.
The three of us had the task of entertaining the event visitors, me with words and them with music. And they created a soundtrack of hip-hop and soul music that kept people engaged, smiling, and dancing throughout.
The pair of producers/DJs have a musical chemistry that had me, for most of our several hours together, awestruck.
I had the privilege of being the MC for the day, but at times I was silent. It wasn’t because I didn’t have anything to say. Believe me, with everything going on throughout REO Town that day and the city all week, I had an abundance of talking points.
I was just so impressed by the diverse, in-the-moment soundtrack Y’z and Ess Be created for everyone to enjoy.
The irony of their tandem brilliance on that stage is they, at times, weren’t saying anything either. |THIS.
All of the Above HipHop Academy is a 501(c)3 organization of artists and educators using the elements of Hip-Hop culture to mentor youth, support their artistic expression, build their confidence, and nurture their development into community leaders. Our program teaches writing, breaking, music production, and street art, meeting the needs of the youth across Lansing, MI
[By Mr. Joe Walker | Photo by Kendall D. Lartigue]
We go “Above & Beyond” every Wednesday at 8:00 AM!
