ArtClusive Series: Beats per Minute “Celebrating the Timeless Legacy of Tupac in Baltimore”

Thursday, September 7 | 6:30 pm 

Join the Reginald F. Lewis Museum and Beats per Minute as we reflect on Tupac Shakur’s hip hop legacy as a Baltimore teen on the anniversary of his death (September 7, 1996). Author and artist Darrin Keith Bastfield will discuss his artwork, Shakurspeare,  an original oil painting that includes the very first master audio recording of Tupac describing the late rapper’s dream of becoming a Shakespearean actor at age 15. Darrin will share young Tupac’s original Baltimore raps and winning poetry submissions presented throughout Bmore’s community. Interviews connected to Tupac’s time at  the Baltimore School of the Arts will be viewed from portions of Darrin’s working documentary, “Born Busy: Exploring Tupac Shakur and The Power of Arts and Culture.” Kenneth Bond will serve as moderator with a Q & A following.

Darrin Keith Bastfield is a visual artist, author, filmmaker, and President of BecomeAPatron.org, advocating for access to arts and culture for underserved youth. Bastfield graduated from the Baltimore School for the Arts in 1988 and attended the School of Visual Arts in New York. He authored Back in the Day: My Life and Times with Tupac Shakur, first published in 2002 chronicling their teenage years in Baltimore. As an art broker, Bastfield represents Dr. Samella Lewis’s private collection featuring works by Elizabeth Catlett, Jacob Lawrence, Romare Bearden, and Richmond Barthe’. His artwork has appeared in solo exhibitions, national television, publications Including the 10th anniversary edition of Michael Eric Dyson’s ‘Holla If You Hear Me.’

Kenneth Bond served 27 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. While in prison, he educated himself and became a mentor, spiritual leader,and positive influence. He continues today to spread positivity and purpose with his voice and words.

This program is museum general admission.