Above the Rim With St Paul Slim

They say baseball is America’s past time when it comes to traditional professional sports, but that started back in the 19th century. 

Since the first black player, Chuck Cooper, was inducted into the National Basketball League in 1950 and the emergence of black players by the 1960s, the NBA game was stylistically being played faster and above the rim. Many of the league's great players were black. This was the birth of another one of America’s favorite past times. Currently, with the highest percentage of black players of any major professional sports leagues in the US, and 47% black viewership, the National Basketball League is now the only top North American sport that does not have a white majority audience. 

In 1994, the original hit movie “Above the Rim” starring TuPac Shakur was one of the first major motion pictures to combine hip hop, rap, and basketball culture. This exhibit, in part, borrows its name from that movie due to that.

In 2020 at Modus Locus, we bring you a blend of Hip Hop and Hoop that goes hand in hand, the old and new school, in the new exhibit, “Above the Rim With St Paul Slim.” This unique exhibit showcases the artistic talents of the Rapper/MC/Visual Artist/Fashion Designer, St Paul Slim, with his 15 new works with a central theme on basketball culture and its audience. Throughout his work is woven classic styles of hip hop, graffiti on canvas and clothing, fashion, basketball culture, and political statements. Slim will be bringing to life his high-level street credibility, and letting his vision speak loudly, proudly, and vibrantly. Throughout this exhibit there will be an array of different events that showcase the proud voice of St Paul Slim. Be immersed into his very own artistic and layered invention opening.

Having done a multitude of showcases and performances throughout his career - the loud and very powerful St Paul Slim began his career as a member of the hip hop duo - Guardians of Balance - and through the years has found himself featured on albums alongside the like of Atmosphere, Prof, Lizzie and Yelawolf - Slim also had the opportunities to show his techniques on a more national stage next to KRS 1 - MCLyte - WuTang Clan & Wiz Khalifa.