Thanks to Nathan Lee for inviting AOE’s marquee lyricists to the Cipher being hold on 4/20/2012 at IAO Gallery ( ‎706 West Sheridan Avenue in downtown OKC) 6pm. Blaze Beatz, Gadah and Big Ced have a serious series of words for the OKC Hip Hop scene. They want the city to remember them and relish the opportunity to return for a complete show.

CIPHER is not a graffiti show

CIPHER is not a rap concert

CIPHER is not the expected

What is CIPHER?

The concept of CIPHER is putting words into the third dimension. It is lyrical cubism. If spoken words cannot be understood, they evolve into the written. If writings cannot be deciphered, they are explored through paintings. If paint cannot create understanding, it transforms to film and if that form of communication fails, it becomes an installation where the environment becomes the final evolution of the spoken word. CIPHER is the constant transformation  of words in motion through art.”

Nathan Lee, Curator

CIPHER is an exploration of lyricism and urban poetry as conveyed through the visual arts. CIPHER is not confined to a genre, it is an amalgam of them. The art of CIPHER spans many mediums and forms of creative expression. Visual artists and performing artists weave an exhibition that defies convention. CIPHER is also a tool of communication and education. There is a misconception of what hip hop is. Even more, there are detractors of the music who believe it to not be viable as a serious art form. What doe the lyrics of rap say today? Is the music still relevant? Can it convey the human experience or has it become a series of broken phrases whose only purpose is to celebrate materialism?

CIPHER addresses these questions in resounding fashion!

CIPHER: Hip Hop and Art Collide

CIPHER is an exciting and unique group art show organized by Inclusion In Art, an Oklahoma non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting racial diversity in Oklahoma’s visual arts community through workshops, exhibitions, and special events.

Special opening night reception Friday, April 20, 2012 at 6-9 pm.
::: meet & greet the artists, see the amazing artwork for sale, and enjoy live performances and music

Individual Artists of Oklahoma/IAO Gallery
706 W. Sheridan OKC, OK 73146

CIPHER will feature new works by artists from Oklahoma and nationwide, and is an exploration of lyricism and urban poetry as conveyed through the visual arts.

CIPHER is not confined to one genre, it is an exploration of multiple styles. The art of CIPHER spans many forms of creative expression; both visual and performing artists will weave an exhibition that defies convention.

CIPHER is also a tool of communication and education. Our goals are to clear up misconceptions of what Hip-Hop is, to push Hip-Hop as a viable and serious art form, and to display the talented variety of artists that claim the music as a primary influence. CIPHER will address these ideas and will spark creative conversations, all in a gorgeous gallery setting!

We hope to see you on opening night April 20!

www.inclusioninart.org

( UPDATED) Less than one year after its launch, Billboard this week announced that: “Billboard Pro has been discontinued, effective March 1, 2012. We will be moving our DIY and indie artist-focused content to a new section on Billboard.biz in the coming weeks, and the Uncharted Chart will continue to operate on Billboard.com.”

Up and coming singer Frank Ocean may be learning the hard way that the flattery of imitation doesn’t get you everywhere in the music industry. Ocean’s song, “American Wedding” off his free mixtape nostalgia, ULTRA is a reworking of The Eagles’ 1977 song “Hotel California,” and Warner Music Group isn’t too happy about the unlicensed re-appropriation.

According to Ocean’s tumblr, he was told he would be sued if he ever performed the song live again.(CAUTION: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE):

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