André LeRoy Davis – Artist Extraordinaire

As The Museum Of UnCut Funk is rooted in 1970’s Black culture, and that era was all about making a statement, we love art that is bold and takes a stand, particularly a political one. André LeRoy Davis’ art fits that bill. We hope you like A.L.Dré’s work.

Artist Statement:

My work is Hip-Hop politically infused art. I put nothing out there for the masses to see unless I believe in it and unless I am proud of it, because my name is attached to it. With each new piece that I create I’m building upon my legacy, because I feel that it’s very important not to just rest on your laurels. You have to remain creative, be bold, spread the word, make a statement, speak your mind via illustration and in the midst of politics whenever possible, be political. “I can draw anything, but I’m a Hip-Hop artist, I document Hip-Hop.”

Artist BIO:  André LeRoy Davis … Artist extraordinaire

A.L.Dré … Storyteller

WHO IS HE? WHO ARE THEY? Legendary Hip-Hop photographer, elder and motivational speaker Ernie Paniccioli, the author of the book “Who Shot Ya?,” dubbed André LeRoy Davis as, “Hip-Hop’s official Cartoonist.”

Mr. Davis on the other hand sees himself more as, “The Al Hirschfeld of Hip-Hop.” Like an Illustrative-documentary or like an illustrative Hip-Hop Historian through the use of Illustrative Art, André has provided a visual record of the world of Hip-Hop entertainment and it’s entertainers for the last twenty-seven years.

A.L.Dré has written, stories, conducted interviews and structured music reviews for the likes of HipHopDX, Vibe, Rappages, XXL, Smooth Magazines and The Source since 1994.

After earning his BFA from The School of Visual Arts College in New York City, André has been pimpin’ his pencil as a freelance artist and a true Renaissance man. He has worked to supply caricatures, illustrations and humorous illustrations for an array of magazines, entertainment venues and record companies the likes of Bad Boy Entertainment, Def-Jam, Mad Magazine, Mtv Networks and The TOPPS Company, Inc.

André LeRoy Davis wrote and illustrated The Last Word column on the last page in what was the preeminent Hip-Hop magazine, The Source from the September 1990 issue up until the January 2007 issue. He has also helped to create logos, album covers, mix-tape art and a wide range of graphic designs for a diverse clientele through the company that he co-founded, Melanin Inc.

André is an artist, a writer, a poet, an M.C, a journalist and a Teacher. Most recently he has been sharing his wealth of knowledge by teaching his craft to those from the age of six to ninety-six. Whether it be at the elementary school level, the High School level or with Senior citizens, André has been educating budding artists to all aspects of drawing, illustration, painting, cartooning and caricature by opening the door for them to be creative using visual Arts.

André can always remember writing poetry in elementary school and that evolved into writing and creating his own humorous versions of memorable and hot records back in his High School days. A.L.Dré officially started rapping at the age of 19 and after years of recording demos and performing he has never lost his passion for M.C’ing. Now just for his sheer love of Hip-Hop, A.L.Dré currently teaches a conglomerate class of Rap, Poetry and The Spoken Word which he simply calls “Storybook” at Spoke The Hub and with Counseling in Schools. It’s a creative method for students to release their personal views, explore conflicts and ask questions. Each creative form offers an expressive outlet of communicating using language, story telling and story writing. Within that outlet comes an increase in self-confidence and self esteem through the usage of manners, respect, risk taking and creativity within the work. In the midst of improving their writing and communication skills students become complete and better creative artists and communicators. His objective is to get the participants excited and open to explore and try something new.

Known worldwide Mr. Davis’ artwork has been featured in the 2003 motion picture, Tupac: Resurrection “In His Own Words” as well as inside the pages of “DEFinition: The Art and Design of Hip Hop” a 2008 book by Cey Adams and Bill Adler. His original illustrations have been on display at a number of different venues. The Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco, Laffapalooza! Americas Urban International Comedy Arts Festival in Atlanta Georgia and at The Brooklyn Museum of Art, in Brooklyn, New York are just a few of the venues.

Mr. Davis proudly proclaims, “I can draw anything, but I’m a Hip-Hop artist, I document Hip-Hop.”

Special Note: André LeRoy Davis wrote and illustrated The Last Word column on the last page in what was the preeminent Hip-Hop magazine, The Source from the September 1990 issue up until the January 2007 issue.

For more information on André LeRoy Davis please visit:
AndreLeRoyDavis.com
TheLastWordinHipHop.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Art-of-Andre-LeRoy-Davis-aka-AL-Dre/108057843696