The New York Times weighs in on hip-hop’s recent infatuation with the late Jean-Michel Basquiat, an artist who got his start in SAMO, a graffiti collective in Manhattan’s early-’80s downtown scene before becoming a famed painter. In the last two years Basquiat has been name-checked by the likes of Jay-Z, Nas, Kanye West, Swizz Beatz and Rick Ross, bringing his story and work to the attention of a new generation. Some choice quotes follow:

Fred Brathwaite, a k a Fab 5 Freddy, the longtime hip-hop impresario and former friend of the artist’s, said Basquiat’s sudden exposure on hip-hop airwaves coincided directly with the 2010 release of a Basquiat documentary. In addition to exposing the artist’s story to a larger audience, the film established a connection between Basquiat and hip-hop, by way of their friendship. “It made people in the hip-hop community realize we were tight,” Mr. Brathwaite said.

“Jean-Michel lived as the only black person in the room,” he said. “A Jay-Z or Swizz Beatz can relate to that as record executives.”

But references like that on the 2010 track “Most Kingz” describe a deeper connection.

Jay-Z begins a verse in the song with the couplet “Inspired by Basquiat, my chariot’s on fire /Everybody took shots, hit my body up, I’m tired,” and in later verses makes reference to the pressures of escaping the ghetto but not its stigma, something Mr. Sirmans says Basquiat, whose work was often regarded by critics as “primitive,” faced.

Read the full article here.

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Post tags: jean michel basquiat, Music, new york times

Ligne Blanche continues to present artist designed scented candles. Their latest one features the art of Jean-Michel Basquiat. The amber wood theme candle is now availabel from colette.

© 2010 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: candles, jean michel basquiat, ligne blanche

LTD Tee and David Flores honor the legacy of Jean-Michel Basquiat with a box set that includes either a men’s or women’s shirt and a 8″ x 10″ art print. For those interested, LTD Tee is offering a small discount to anyone using the code “curatedmag” through July 25, 2010.

Many more images of the box set follow at Curated.

© 2010 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: Pete Williams | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: Art, david flores, jean michel basquiat, t-shirts

Click here to view the embedded video.

We present you the trailer of the new documentary Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child. Directed by Tamra Davis, the documentary features never-before seen footage of the prolific artist painting, talking about his art, and existing in the two years prior to his death in 1988. The documentary was released February 21st.

© 2010 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: Art, documentary, jean michel basquiat

The Inoue Brothers worked with photographer Nicholas Taylor on an exclusive clothing range of discharge printed t-shirts, Lacoste polos, Ralph Lauren Polo sweats, Pendleton Woolen Mills shirts and Levi’s and Wrangler denim jackets all adorned with never before seen photos of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

“In New York 1970 musician and photographer Nicholas Taylor meets Jean-Michel Basquiat who invited Nicholas and Vincent Gallo to join his band band Gray. Andy Warhol calls them “possibly the best band on the planet”. Nick photographs Basquiat during their crazy years in NY…”

Each garment also has a written message originally drawn from Nick’s diary during his time with Basquiat. This collection is available exclusively at Dover Street Market from October 10th, 2009.

More looks at the The Inoue Brothers x Nicholas Taylor “Jean-Michel Basquiat” Collection after the click.

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© 2009 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: Pete Williams | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: dover street market, jean michel basquiat, Nicholas Taylor, photography, the inoue brothers

Nicholas Taylor documented Jean Michel Basquiat, Band Gray and the 80’s NY Club Scene as a photographer. He made some t-shirts in Japan, that carry some of his most iconic images. Garbstore in London now has them in stock!

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Post tags: garbstore, highsnobiety, jean michel basquiat, nicolas taylor, ny club scene, photographer, t-shirts, tees