Art of Hip Hop: Community Event at the AKAG Lives On!

Despite the hard times that have hit most of us, one very popular Albright-Knox Art Gallery event lives on.   

The "Art of Hip Hop," lost funding for this year, but the successful and popular event will now carry on with the help and support of the community and various cooperative marketing partnerships.

This will be the 4th year for the Art of Hip Hop at the Albright-Knox, taking place on Friday, August 28th from 4 PM-9 PM as it continues to honor the history, creativity and culture of Hip Hop.  The Hip Hop celebration will feature some of Buffalo's most promising artists and performers, including the host, Billy Drease Williams who was recently awarded Best Hip Hop Act and Best Solo Act by the Artvoice and Buffalo Spree respectively.  In addition to hosting, Williams will perform songs from his highly anticipated full-length album "Good Morning Amy".

Joining Williams for the event will be DJ Lo Pro, DJ Cutler, B-Boy Depree and the DFC, Stockbridge and Pseudo Intellectuals.  Local artists will contribute to the event as well by creating large graffiti pieces on site.  Other community events will be presented on the complete schedule that will carry out throughout the weekend as the "Art of Hip Hop Festival."

Starting and ending with the tough economic times, the community event would not have been possible, nor be free to the public, if it were not for support and generosity from many sponsors.  Making this important and favorite event in the community possible were DTR45, New Era, UB Student Association, Buffalo First, The African American Cultural Center, Homespace, Sakrua Art Supplies, Councilman Demone Smith, Dude Nice Shirt and Tomatoes Pizza.