event coverage Article:
Dear Dapper"
by Dr. P Natema Bey
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| Many comrades of dapper, like minded underdogs Cultural phenomenons, the unique gifted We're in attendance |
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| In this picture I'm with event producer and dapper comrade, illmatic scream, who is working on a documentary film about the designer, dancer, vocalist. Whose face adorns the poster behind us. |
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| I had just shared with this sister before this impromptu photo shoot, that the skirt I'm wearing is inspired in part by Dapper Africa as I would not have worn it otherwise, as concervative as I had been lately. I wore it to push the fashion envelope in Dappers Name. I had on a pair of fresh Nike with it. Which reminded me of him. (Toast to the ones here today) |
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| (Toast to the ones we lost on the way) |
Keep on keeping at what you love
You'll find that someday soon enough
You will rise up, rise up,…"
"Lyrics to Alicia Keys
Underdog"
Alicia keys effortlessly does it again with her anthem ode to the underdog there are a select few that fit that title In and around the Community, neighborhoods, our families there are those that beat By their own drum you can't quite figure them out and you can't quite count them out they live life Live and in Technicolor.
Dapper Africa was one of those beings. I watched the music video for the underdog and the artist in the music video is dancing with a homeless creative.
I can't help but think of my friend who no longer remains in physical form yet his influences in art and culture are appreciated and admired and explored daily... this reset, this article goes out to a true underdog, Dapper Africa.
This pre-c gathering gave me hope for the future of creatives who suffer from lack of support. There was years of obscurity before any real recognition for his art. I saw his light burst thru the cracks of the industry... than he was no more. Before his work here was done he saw success by mild standards. these artists, group of magic makers who were left behind to grind gave my heart solitude in the absence of Dappers. It was surreal to attend because I could only reference our conversations in my mind while In attendance unable to grasp his lack of presence.
Everyone present held a gentle relationship with the guest of honor. His mother was in attendance and shared a moving story about dapper going to a party and being able to socialize with some of the top talent of the time and how this was his gift since he was young. Our host and event coordinator, Illmatic Scream was filming for a documentary on our comrade and also was the mc for the affair.
Beautiful larger than life posters of the creative and his work adorned the interior of the Chelsea Music Hall for attendees to admire as I did the dancers who moved like the lights that we're coordinating across the floor. It was an epic evening with memorable magicians of culture and muse movements that inspire verse rhythm and rhyme.
The affair was filled with the appreciation for dapper Africa, who would dress the movement of activists, hobo creatives and muses in handmade honey that drips of rise and resistance.
Dapper and I would speak of our experience in waiting for the reveal. Sharing and shedding the disappearing acts of our sudo supporters who glean from our coat tails just to snatch the coat leaving us naked to crochet a new gown of grown and on our own style sadated enough to work again. The encouragement we gave one another made way for our individual resurgence yet (((We))) had not gotten the opportunity to work with one another again before this reset.
He was an dancer, singer, stylist, jewelry designer, conceptual artist and friend to many. It was than watching the dancing on the dance floor I recognized what Maya angelo said was every so true. "When your gone they may not remember what you said yet they will remember how you made them feel"
Dapper was a person to celebrate your individual qualities to make the portrait of you dynamic and moving and I remember how he made us feel. We felt like Outrageous underdogs wagging our tails at the system that eventually changed.
The Dance Floor was Lit
Just like Dapper Would
have appreciated
Author of "Dana Dances on Paper"
Darcel Turner
close friend of Dappers
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