Inspired by paintings of Hindu Deity
from Hindu Temples, the painting presents the deceased rap icon, the Notorious
B.I.G. Bold and "in your face" the rapper is unapologetically
himself. He is rolling a marijuana cigar. This rapper is regarded as one of the
best rapper to have ever lived. Amongst certain
circles he is revered as a saint or godly figure. In such circles individuals
would quote his rap lyrics the same way someone may quote a verse from Holy Bible
or Quran. For instance one of his popular song is "The Ten Crack
Commandments" where he gives ten rules or commandments of how to sell
crack cocaine. The first rule is
“Rule Nombre
Uno, never let no one know
How much dough you hold cause you know
The cheddar breed jealousy 'specially
If that man fucked up, get yo' ass stuck upâ€
This means never tell anyone how much
money you have, or the can be deadly consequences due to jealousy. Within hip
hop circles if one was to ask another how much money the other has. He may just
respond with “Rule umber Uno†and the other individual would omit from asking
any further questions as he knows what the rule is from the lyrics of the Notorious
B.I.G.
Those who create this genre of music and live the hip hop lifestyle are generally the decedents of slaves. To be a slave is to have not history, culture, religion, or identity other than the one given to you by the slave master. The painting questions whether hip hop has taken the form of a new religion for the decedents of slaves.
