Art + Rap: A Conversation with Aquil “AQ” Charlton & Open Mike Eagle | July 15, 2016
Art + Rap: A Conversation with Aquil “AQ” Charlton & Open Mike Eagle with special guest DJ Psalm One
Friday, July 15, 6-8pm
Arts Incubator, 301 E Garfield Blvd
This conversation features 2015-16 APL/CSRPC Artist-in-Residence Aquil “AQ” Charlton, rapper Open Mike Eagle, and special guest DJ Psalm One. Hosted by J. Bambii and moderated by What Is A Rayot, this conversation will bring together three artists whose DIY-approach to hip-hop has generated broad conceptual practices that encompass music, activism, lyricism, and visual art, falling somewhere in between.
Aquil Charlton is a teaching artist and consultant who applies his youth development experience & creative practice as a musician, writer, DJ & visual artist toward his vision for a more just society. He recently served as an artist-in-residence at the University of Chicago; one of the first class of Citizen Artist Fellows hosted by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; and a teaching artist with Urban Gateways and Chicago Public Schools. Aquil, known as "AQ," also performs electronic music with his experimental group, Wheat Paste Viaducts; and hip hop with his band, Simpson X. Learn more about his work at mraquil.com.
Open Mike Eagle is an LA-based indie rapper known for his work with local collective Project Blowed, as well as his unique style of “art rap”. He has released 4 full-length solo albums, as well as several EPs and collaborative projects, including his recent album "Time and Materials", a concept album made with close friend Serengeti. Mike is currently signed to Mello Music Group, and runs two podcasts, Conversation Parade, an Adventure Time discussion show, and Secret Skin, an interview based podcast where he speaks with fellow musicians such as Nick Diamonds from Islands, and Aesop Rock. Learn more about this work at mikeeagle.net.
Cristalle Bowen, professionally known as Psalm One, has been consistently named one of the nation's Best Artists by the Chicago Tribune, and in 2011 made her national television debut on on MTV's Emmy-winning series, MADE. She is a native Chicagoan, and released her debut CD, Bio:Chemistry, while studying chemistry at the University of Illinois in 2002. In 2006 Psalm One became only woman signed to the prestigious, fiercely independent record label Rhymesayers Entertainment after leaving her job as a chemist and releasing her commercial debut, The Death of Frequent Flyer. Since then she has toured the US, Canada and Europe, and has shared the stage with everyone from MF Doom to 50 Cent to Kendrick Lamar. In 2012 she released a children's album, aptly titled "Child Support" in conjunction with ASCAP and America SCORES, a non-profit after school program. She most recently released "Free Hugs", an EP under her Hologram Kizzie pseudonym, and was named Best Local Hip Hop Artist 2013 (runner up) by the Chicago Reader. Learn more about her work at psalmone.bandcamp.com.
Jasmine Barber, also known as J. Bambii, is an artist, educator, tarot reader, and cartoon lover from the Southside of Chicago. She has performed work for Steppenwolf, Common, Second City, and Angela Davis, in addition to becoming the Louder than A Bomb 2013 Indy College Slam Champ. Jasmine is currently working on a children's book and rap tape entitled "Tea Time With Dragons".
Rayot Graham (What Is A Rayot) is a South Side native media creator, comedian and organizer. Utilizing her background as a community organizer, Rayot focuses on extending the opportunities and spaces for young creatives to indulge and share their talents, interests and skills. With a foundation in African American history and culture she strives to merge the gaps between main stream media and underground artist.
Presented by Arts + Public Life and the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture at the University of Chicago.
This event is wheelchair accessible. Persons with disabilities who need an accommodation in order to participate in this event should contact Arts + Public Life for assistance at 773.702.9724.
RELATED PROGRAMMING
Aquil “AQ” Charlton & Open Mike Eagle at the 13th Annual Silver Room Sound System Block Party: “Freedom Love Joy Peace"
Saturday, July 16, 3.30pm
The Promontory, 5311 S Lake Park Ave
The Silver Room Sound System Block Party, launched in 2002, celebrates cultural diversity through expression, music and art, and is a free event organized by The Silver Room and owner, Eric Williams along with Ron Trent. Once a quaint affair for friends and family of The Silver Room, the event has grown into a vibrant and diverse, all-ages, neighborhood gathering and continues to be a platform for famed and up-and-coming artists from the Chicago-land area.