Graphic artists Slim The Phenomenon (@therealslimbaby) of Slim, Baby! Graphics is set to release his new design series titled Faces of Hip Hop beginning in Summer 2011 that will feature artwork showcasing the many artists and pioneers that have contributed to the Hip Hop music genre. Hip Hop is a multifaceted, multicultural music genre that has had an unprecedented impact on the World as well as our society.

The entertainment industry is proof of this as Hip Hop music constantly appears in ads, sporting events, television, movies, etc. and has now for several years. Many talented DJ's, artists, self made executives and pioneers have helped to bring this influential form of music to the forefront. This is exactly why Slim was inspired to create this series so that younger generations and those that are involved in the Hip Hop music industry can remember and learn from those that came before us.

Slim The Phenomenon is also a Hip Hop artist and producer who has been a student of the Hip Hop genre since it's initial mainstream explosion in the early 90's. He recently released his first publicly showcased design series for Black History Month in February 2011. You can view it below:

Gallery Update:

My #BlackHistoryMonth Tribute series is in the Gallery. Click here to see all of the entries:



Entries to date:
1) Oprah: A True Inspiration
2) Jackie Robinson
3) Harriet Tubman: A True Leader
4) Legendary Michael Jordan
5) Jesse Owens: Olympic Legend
6) Michael Jackson: The King Of Pop
7) Malcolm X
8) The Great Quincy Jones
9) There's Nothing Like A Spike Lee Joint
10) Colin Powell
11) Bob Marley: For The Love
12) Rosa Parks
13) Benjamin O. Davis, Sr.
14) Billie Holiday
15) Frederick Douglass
16) Muddy Waters
17) Muhammad Ali: The Greatest Of All Time
18) President Barack Obama
19) W.E.B. Du Bois
20) Huey P Newton
21) Joe Louis: The Brown Bomber
22) B.B. King: The King Of The Blues
23) Etta James
24) Earl Manigault: The Goat
25) Maya Angelou
26) Ella Fitzgerald
27) Carter G. Woodson
28) Jam Master Jay

MUSIC : Fresh Heat: Slate Stone

MUSIC : Slate Stone

“A few people asked me what the meaning behind Built 4 Business was. I always thought that it was a pretty straight forward title since at the time I was holding down a “regular” job while being co-host of the number one rated show on one of only two urban radio stations in my city, the go to guy for graphics and promotional materials in my city, a national and global competitor in the graphic arts industry, etc. etc...but then I started to really think about why somebody would ask me that. It actually hit me today when I was trying to come up with a banner design for this site...I gotta be honest and say that when I'm trying to design a piece of artwork for myself I have a hard time. “What graphic would portray ME?”, I thought. But then I snap out of it and quit thinking about it so much and just do it. That's kinda my “process”. I just zone out and create the first thing I see. Most of the time people like my vision and sometimes they don't (shrugs), but I digress...I started to realize that the people who had asked me about the title's meaning had actually heard some of the songs. Then I thought about the songs...”Aiight, bet.”, I thought, let's clear this up:

Although the songs on the street album “Built 4 Business” are of a more 'personal' nature, meaning that they are more about me as a person and my thoughts and opinions than me as a 'business man', there is a correlation. I learned at an early age that in business people most often use the phrase “nothing personal, just business” as a cover up to do some very personal shit (i.e. not giving somebody a loan, passing somebody deserving of a higher position over so you can hire your less deserving, less qualified homie, etc. etc.). I've been involved in some kind of business or another since I was very young , so I've seen a lot of the shady stuff people do and the motives behind why they do it. So miss me with the “nothing personal, just business”. “Built 4 Business” is more about me as a person, ironically. I feel that the environment(s) that I grew up in prepared me perfectly for a career in business. I learned about deceit, undercutting, backstabbing, ulterior motives, etc. etc. You know, how most people do business. So, as a result I developed a set of tactics to defend myself as much as possible from these kinds of people while maintaining the ability to handle business. Hence the name: Built 4 Business.

Now as far as the artwork goes, there is some symbolism in it. If you look on the concrete pillars in the background you will see my signature on each one. The pillars represent different accomplishments that have helped to build the foundation for other goals to be reached in the near future. The whole construction theme is a metaphor for my movement and my brand(s) being “under construction”. The cranes are actually working on the top of a large building which is why the sky is all that can be seen in the background. That symbolizes the “we've come a long way, but we still have work to do” mindset. Also, if you look in the background on the left hand side of the cover you can see a silhouette of me in my “thinkin of a master plan” pose.”