hip hop is undead – a one night event curated by phil “sike style” shafer – friday november 5, 6-10pm at la esquina

In neighborhoods from coast to coast, fallen rap heroes like Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G and Big Pun are immortalized in painted murals. Using visual arts to honor hip-hop’s dearly departed, Hip-Hop is Undead —a one night, free event on Friday November 5, 6-10pm at la Esquina, 1000 West 25th Street, KCMO—unites the feel of those organic, street-art tributes with a traditional, Dia de los Muertos-style celebration.

Hip-Hop is Undead, curated by Phil Shafer, aka Sike Style, will combine all four elements of hip-hop. Shafer has commissioned over a dozen Kansas City artists to contribute works in mediums from sculpture to spray paint. Featured will be pieces by Jason Sierra, James Ramirez, Amanda Zeitler, Jeremy Madl, Daniel “Lucid” Bartle, Phil “Sike Style” Shafer, Shannon Moore, Luke Rocha, and Two Tone Press. In addition, the event features DJ Ataxic on the turntables, a special performance by the Tiger Style b-boy crew, and an interactive graffiti wall. Viewers are invited to participate by lighting a candle or placing an offering on a memorial altar and, for those wishing to add to the ambiance, come dressed up as your favorite ghost of hip-hop’s past.

Read full press release.