When I discovered this mural of DJ Premier and The Guru was being created in my hometown of New York, I knew I had to make the trip to see what turned out to be a nice work of street art proudly displayed in a borough of New York which remains true to it's traditional elements.

On my arrival at the 174th St. station of the Bronx, I was happy to discover a part of the community that has remained more socially and economically unchanged over time than my own neighborhood of Harlem which is undergoing large changes by corporate America. To witness a Gangstarr mural in the heart of the Bronx also brought back a sense of reality to where I was standing, this is the home of Hip Hop and a place like none other which for the most part still belongs to the people. I can only hope this mural which serves as a true symbol of Hip Hop remains untouched by outside corporate forces who threaten to exploit inner city culture rather than support, which is similar to how I feel about the treatment of Hip Hop in mass media.

After walking awhile through the neighborhood I finally arrived between Webster and Park in The Bronx to find the mural located in a small, non-commercial area between 2 buildings near the underpass of a highway known as the Cross-Bronx Expressway. It was unexpected to find it in such a secluded spot but I guess as a graf artist this is an ideal place to concentrate on creating a work of art without distractions. As a huge Gangstarr fan I was hoping it would be more exposed to the public view like a number of other murals dedicated to Hip Hop I've witnessed over the years. The artists did a good job in capturing the likenesses of Premier and Guru, the color scheme of purple and the accuracy of the famous chain & star logo is well done.

As I made my way back home on that hot day I caught a vibrant sunset towards the west which was nice. The experience was memorable in visiting a part of The Bronx I hadn't before, seeing some great art and getting a sense of the thriving community who created a culture which DJ Premier and The Guru represent to the fullest.