ATHfactor-Liberty Entertainment has curated a Black History Month celebration, Hip-Hop Canvas, showcasing the diverse spectrum of Black creativity and culture in Athens. On Saturday, Feb. 8 at Ciné, the event will feature a rich variety of musical genres, dance performances, poetry, live art and fashion.
“It’s about highlighting Black excellence. Each artist brings a unique attitude and flavor, showcasing different sectors of Blackness, from hip hop and reggae dancehall to poetry, visual art and soulful singing,” says Montu Miller, chief operating officer of ATHfactor-Liberty Entertainment.
With Miller at the helm hosting and DJ Chief Rocka setting the vibe—both duties that are cultural elements of hip hop—doors will open to The Lab at 9 p.m. The night will begin with live art by Broderick Flanigan and performances by Devas Tigerettes and The League of Step. Painter and muralist Flanigan is known for blending art with community building. He often involves residents in the design and creation of murals that tell local stories, and his portrait work honors neighbors and family.
Devas Tigerettes is a majorette competition dance team whose members are given the tools and resources for success beyond the dance floor, and The League of Step promotes the art of stepping while also emphasizing personal growth, community service and mentorship. Both youth programs focus on a holistic idea of development. Members of Devas Tigerettes and The League of Step are under the age of 18, and entry for the event is open to all ages.
The music and poetry segment will begin at 10 p.m. Athens Poet Laureate Mikhayla Robinson Smith strives to make poetry more accessible to the people of Athens, and is also an educator in the community. Headliner Farin is a hip-hop and reggae dancehall artist, and he’ll be performing with featured hip-hop artists L.B., Frank the Eagle, 96Vizion, Sho and It’s Izu. These musicians exemplify the diversity of the hip-hop genre, demonstrating the different styles of rap and beyond. For a different pace, also on the bill is songstress Stella Groove and R&B artist IAMTIKICA, both of whom are multi-talented in their creative and business endeavors.
“Farin, the feature of the show, represents the energy and power of the hip-hop community; Stella Groove and IAMTIKICA bring the soul of the Black voice through singing. We also wanted to spotlight visual art, so Broderick Flanigan and his visual style were a must to be involved. Athens Poet Laureate Mikhayla Robinson-Smith will add layers of cultural depth and pride. Together, these artists reflect the richness of Black culture in Athens, offering a high-caliber celebration of Black creativity,” says Miller.
While the official observance of Black History month in 1976 was an important step toward recognizing the achievements and role in U.S. history of African Americans, an emphasis on visibility year-round has become the next step in the last couple of decades. Discussing greater visibility and community engagement, at least at the local level, Miller says most artists and communities know what they should be doing at this point, so the importance now is taking action. For musicians, he says this looks like developing partnerships with venues, fostering relationships with media outlets and doing all the boots-on-the-ground work.
“Events like Hip-Hop Canvas can serve as a blueprint for engaging the broader community by blending various artistic disciplines to appeal to diverse audiences. We have to constantly be working to build our audience and build up our market,” says Miller. “I also believe educational outreach, collaborations with schools and community workshops can promote a greater understanding and appreciation of Black culture year-round. Visibility has grown and will continue to grow as we create spaces where the community feels welcome to experience, learn and celebrate each other.”
Hip-Hop Canvas is a thoughtful sample platter of Black creativity within Athens for those who may not be familiar or are only aware of one piece of the much bigger, colorful tapestry.
WHO: Hip-Hop Canvas
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 8, 9 p.m. (doors)
WHERE: Ciné
HOW MUCH: $10
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