In this installment of the Q5 series I had the pleasure to go back and forth with Trenton’s own Leon Rainbow. Leon’s art isn’t limited to city walls. His art has been presented in galleries, on cars, and on the best canvas of them all…..a women’s body!
Leon also serves as an Executive Director of Albus Cavus, a non-profit organization based in D.C., that utilizes the power of public art for community development and revitalization of public spaces. Annually, Leon curates two art festivals in New Jersey for area painters and the community as well as dedicating his civic duty to teaching several workshops for the Trenton After-School Program. Leon is definitely grinding daily! Okay, here we go.
What/Who inspired you to be an artist?
Like many graffiti artists I was first inspired by the movies Style Wars, Breakin, Wild Style and Beat Street.
Classic films right there! If you haven’t seen those, you need too!
Being an artist yourself, do you feel as if graf artists/muralists don’t get the shine they deserve? Do you feel like our current hip hop culture is losing touch with the art element of hip hop?
I feel as though graffiti and other forms of street art are moving past hip hop in some ways. I think that if people pay attention that this form of art is used in most commercial forms of art. This includes advertising, clothing, photo and video. As well as the fine art/ gallery realm. There is an event involving graffiti in one way or another happening every month if not every week in most major cities in America if not the world. Also This art form is the last living and breathing art movement. The typical next generation radio hip hop head may not be into graffiti and I’m OK with that.
Okay Leon, Here we go with the Quick 5.
Question #1
If I found your Ipod……….What would I be listening to?
Biggie, Tupac, Wutang Clan, Kanye west, Eminem, E-40, The Roots
Question # 2
What albums do you recall just messing your head up?
I guess I am an 90’s hip hop head I was in High School and a lot of dope hip hop came out in the 90’s. The first time I listened to Biggie “Ready to Die” and Wu tang’s “36 Chambers”.. I wore them tapes out..yeah I said tapes..and had to get new copies!
Those albums were mos definitely classics. Meth, was the only guest appearance on Ready to Die.
Question #3
If you could tag up any landmark in the world.what would it be?
I think it would be a tie between the Statue of Liberty and the Roman Coliseum. I would love to tag the Statue of Liberty because it represents freedom, liberty and America. The Colosseum because of all the gladiators and history. The battle. Plus The Colosseum has nice walls.
Question #4
In your opinion, what was the best year in hip hop?
I’d have to say 1993!
Question #5
If you could make your own super group(mc’s and a dj) Who would be in it?
Pac, Big, JayZ, and Nas and Jam Master Jay.The greatest.
I’d like to thank Leon for taking time out to do this interview. Check out his website at Leon Rainbow.com I’d also like to shout out Trenton and Philly! Be good to your family!
Stroydnaire
Go Eagles!
