A new permanent Brixton mural paying homage to UK hip-hop artist Ty, who passed away in May due to complications related to Covid-19, was revealed today (15 August) in Valentia Place.
Artists Bunny Bread and Jason Caballero of Create Not Destroy created the larger than life piece under an arch, It replicates an iconic photographic image by Benji Reid.
The creation was organised by a newly formed charity, Pass the Torch Music Foundation, which has been set up to support independent Black music artists with annual bursaries in Ty’s name.
The charity’s founder, Cyndi Anafo, said: “we wanted to make sure that there was a permanent legacy piece in Brixton honouring Ty that would be here for a considerable amount of time”
Support came from the The Brixton Project and sponsorship from music arts organisation Jazz re:freshed, which recently won Best Independent Label category at this year’s AIM Awards 2020.
The mural commemorates the Mercury Prize nominated rapper in his home town of Brixton on what would have been his 48th birthday; he was born on 17 August, 1972.
Benedict “Ty” Chijioke was fondly known as the unofficial Mayor of Brixton as he touched and supported many people’s lives in the local area.
The acclaimed and revered artist released five albums – his last being A Work of Heart released with Jazz re:freshed in 2018 – and a string of formidable collaborations with international acts including De La Soul, Talib Kweli, Tony Allen and Damon Albarn.
