Ty – a tribute on a wall in Brixton  (Picture credit Eva Palazetti).

A new Brixton mural pays homage to hip-hop artist Ty, who passed away in May due to complications related to COVID-19.  The rather fitting and hopefully perminant mural was unveiled today at Valencia Place in Brixton by artists Bunny Bread and Jason Caballero of Create Not Destroy & Jazz re:freshed.

Located under an arch, by Brixton Street Gym, Somerleyton Road, Brixton, SW9, the “larger-than-life piece replicates an iconic photographic image by award-winning photographer Benji Reid. The mural was organised by newly-formed charity Pass the Torch Music Foundation, which has been set up to support independent Black music artists with annual bursaries in Ty’s name.

The charities founder, Cyndi Anafo said: “we wanted to make sure that there was a permanent legacy piece in Brixton honouring Ty, that would be here for a considerable amount of time” Supported by The Brixton Project and sponsored by music arts organisation Jazz re:freshed who recently won Best Independent Label category at this years AIM Awards 2020, the mural commemorates the Mercury Prize nominated rapper in his home town of Brixton, on what would have been his 48th birthday. He was born 17 August, 1972. The acclaimed and revered artist released 5 albums – his last being ‘A Work of Heart’ released with Jazz re:freshed in 2018 – and a string of formidable collaborations with international acts including De La Soul, Talib Kweli, Tony Allen and Damon Albarn. Benedict ‘Ty’ Chijioke was fondly known as the unofficial Mayor of Brixton, as he touched and supported many people’s lives in the local area.”

Links

Ty – official website
Pass The Torch Music Foundation
Create Not Destroy
Jazz re:freshed
The Brixton Project
Benji Reid

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