Image via Complex Original
Our Portfolio Review series features a lot of artists who photograph, paint, or otherwise reinterpret the creators they admire. 18-year-old artist Alexis Seeney, better known as HypeForever, has been killing it with her vector paintings of the art and hip-hop worlds. The Durham, NC-based artist has already worked with artist Soulja Boy, started a clothing line, and created numerous portraits of her favorite rap and hip-hop artists from Joey Bada$$ to Kanye West and Pharrell Williams, to name a few.
Enjoy this Portfolio Review: HypeForever Shares Her Paintings of Art and Hip-Hop Greats.
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Yeezus
"I created this in honor of Kanye's sixth studio album. The painting is a manipulation of Kanye West and Jesus."
Vashtie Kola
"Vashtie represents everything I aspire to be. She is a media mogul and one of the few females with a signature Air Jordan sneaker."
Spike Lee
"Spike Lee helped pave the way for black filmmakers. His films present social issues within the black community."
Lauryn Hill
"Poet first, musician second. Her music represents black females in a positive way."
Kendrick Lamar
"Kendrick Lamar is not a rapper, he is a poet. Music is a form of poetry, and unlike most rappers today, his lyrics are poetry."
Kanye West
"I'm more interested in Kanye West as an individual rather than Kanye West the rapper. His free-spirited attitude makes him the embodiment of what an artist in any category—performance and visual—should be: free."
Joey Bada$$
"Joey Bada$$ is part of the reason why hip-hop still has a pulse in today's industry. His music isn't focused towards drugs, money, or sex. Bada$$ is a musician who I can actually consider an artist."
Eazy-E
"If Eazy was alive today, he'd still be one of the best rappers in the game. NWA's music publicized issues within the black community that the media did not. They helped open America's eyes to what was really going on in LA."
Jean-Michel Basquiat
"'I don't listen to what art critics say. I don't know anybody who needs a critic to find out what art is.' Basquiat is my idol; he is the definition of an artist. A painting, or any other form of art, is a visual illustration of one's mind."
Ab-Soul
"Off the bat, TDE is one of the best entertainment groups in the industry. Ab-Soul is one of my favorite artists right now. My favorite song of his is 'Illuminate.'"
