Latest news with #BlackStarLine
Gulf Weekly
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
Musical introspection
American artist Chancelor Johnathan Bennett aka Chance the Rapper drops his long-awaited album Star Line tomorrow. The project tackles personal change and life lessons and marks the artist's return since his debut release The Big Day (2019), themed on his wedding that year. It drew harsh criticism from fans on social media, who considered it a downgrade from its preceding mixtapes. The artist has since divorced his wife and Internet personality Kirsten Corley. In an interview, Chance said the new album is inspired by his trips to Jamaica and Ghana and attending various art fairs around the world. 'Going to Ghana, reconnecting with a lot of my family, going through relationships changing, getting divorced – there are a lot of things that happened between my last project and this day,' he said. 'I think the sounds, production-wise, if they're not super experimental, they're based on some of the Black music that was influential to me throughout my childhood or through my travels.' According to the artist, he was also inspired by Black Star Line, a shipping and passenger company that was started in 1919 by Jamaican activist Marcus Garvey for people of African descent. 'I was really inspired by his work and some of the ideas and opinions that he had, on us all being one people. So when I came to Ghana for the first time in January, I was already inspired by Marcus Garvey and Garveyism. I learned a little bit of family history regarding Garveyism and how it connected to their faith,' Chance added. 'Garveyism' refers to the body of thought and organisational activities associated with the namesake activist. The album also marks a reunion between Chance and illustrator Brandon Breaux, who has created artworks for all of his other projects (except The Big Day).
Business Journals
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Journals
Events DC presents Art at The Center featuring 130-piece art collection
One of the best kept secrets in Washington, D.C., is that the Walter E. Washington Convention Center has one of the largest art collections outside of a museum in the District. Events DC, the official convention and sports authority of Washington, DC will present its final tour as part of Art at the Center series in November. The series allows visitors to enjoy select artwork throughout the Walter E. Washington Convention for free every quarter. The final tour of the year will be held on November 12 at 6:30 p.m. The Walter E. Washington Convention Center's collection features local, national and international artists representing the distinct qualities of the communities in the District of Columbia, as well as several large-scale works created specifically for the building's unique spaces. The paintings, photographs, sculptures and other artistic work support the local artistic community, as well as beautifying the halls and inspiring those who visit the Convention Center. "Since celebrating our 20th anniversary in 2023, we have hosted quarterly Art at the Center tours in Downtown D.C. that attract art enthusiasts from near and far,' said Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates. "These tours provide an excellent opportunity for Events DC to showcase the vibrancy of our remarkable 130-piece collection, while supporting the creative community." Art at the Center features a guided tour by Curator Robin Moore that highlights various art pieces, including Rik Friedman's 'Shaw Rhythms' and Lisa Scheer's 'Rapunzel.' "The Convention Center's collection is truly world class — its selection committee included curators from our area's outstanding museums as well as community members and other stakeholders,' Moore said. 'The more than 100 works of art represent contributions by many of the region's finest artists, including Sam Gilliam, Jim Sanborn and Yuriko Yamaguchi, as well as national and international names such as Sol LeWitt, Carrie Mae Weems, and Radcliffe Bailey. A special section, known as the Shaw Wall, features reminiscences and dreams of the neighborhood that houses the Center." Radcliffe Bailey's 'Black Star Line,' Sam Gilliam's 'Many Things' and Sol Lewitt's 'Wall Drawing #1103' are among the many other works in the 130-piece collection. Nearly half of the collection is made up of artists from the D.C. area. There also are works by Native American artists, such as the three pieces: 'Tribal Map' by Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, 'The Armstrong Triptych with Bugle Boys (from the Hampton Project)' by Carrie Mae Weems and 'Lingua' by Jim Sanborn. Registration is required for tours. More information is available at
