Updated: September 13, 2018

Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) set to open up Hip Hop inspired Art Gallery in the Bronx

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Yasiin Bey and Set Free join to open art gallery, The Compound

Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) is set to open up an Art Gallery in South Bronx. This venture is alongside advertising executive, Free Richardson (Set Free). The gallery, titled The Compound, is set to open in the South Bronx area. Its focus will be on the fusion of Art and Hip Hop . As Bey expressed to artnet, “The gallery will serve as a space for all mediums of art.” He will be taking on the role of curator while Richardson will be running the day to day operations.

It’s an interesting venture, considering that it will open in the Bronx due to its deep roots in the Hip Hop Culture. It has always been factually known that 1520 Sedgwick Avenue is the birthplace of Hip Hop.

Richardson states that this will be an opportunity for artists to get some attention that usually wouldn’t get much acceptance from the art establishment. “What often happens is that certain artists don’t get a fair chance, and a lot of galleries don’t accept certain artists. The whole blue-chip world isn’t fair because certain artists that are just as good will never be accepted” Richardson told the online publication. The goal of the gallery will be a focus on mixed programs that include visual arts, design and film. Its aim is to bridge that gap between Hip Hop and Art which is often overlooked in certain circles. Richardson hopes to find the next big artists in the same realm of KAWS, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring and Futura.

At the moment, the gallery will focus on mostly exhibitions and not any particular artists. The Gallery’s first show in Mid-August will be an exhibition of renowned artist Jonathan Mannion who most likely boasts the largest collection of portraits of Hip Hop legends such as Nas, Eminem, Jay-Z and Outkast.