Wayne State University’s College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts is pleased to present a closing reception for the I Got Beats in These Fingertips exhibition at the Elaine L. Jacob Gallery on Friday, September 20 from 5-8PM.  The exhibition curators Zack Ostrowski and Tom Pyrzewski will be on-hand to host gallery walk-throughs during the reception.

Beats celebrates two uncompromising innovators of contemporary hip-hop music — James Yancey (J Dilla) of Detroit and Robert Earl Davis, Jr. (DJ Screw) of Houston. Despite their profound influence on popular culture, these regional hip-hop scenes are frequently marginalized in both mainstream and academic narratives of hip-hop history. Through music, artwork, equipment and ephemera, we uncover the distinctive traits and often overlooked connections between Detroit and Houston hip-hop.

This thoughtfully curated exhibition coincided with the J Dilla Music Tech Teaching Workshop — a multi-day experience, held in July, for Michigan public school teachers — hosted by WSU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Save The Music Foundation, and CFPCA’s Department of Music. The workshop introduced K-12 teachers to modern music production led by Wayne State music faculty, using software and equipment in the J Dilla Music Tech Grant.

 I Got Beats in These Fingertips runs through September 21st.

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