MH the Verb created the magic… I painted a picture to represent his creation. Introducing the cover of AFRONAUT — MH’s latest album… which, friends, is a banger.
As a nuanced creative collaboration of the most exciting variety, I’ve weaved a Q&A with MH throughout the process photos below.
And feel the POWER… in the exclusive time lapse and video release for MH’s 1st single.
Beginning on a black ground, painted by hand with black gesso… jumped right into the letters, and began drawing the sky. Pencil on a dark ground is kind of magical.
(B) WHAT IS AFRONAUT?
(MH) Afronaut is a conceptual, multi-media project developed by myself, MH the Verb and my team of artists, musicians, and creators known as, ArtHouse95. Over the past year, we’ve created various forms of art and media including, new music, videos, events, and visuals that promote empowerment and diversity.
The sky is a galaxy of blues, mixed with a touch of orange, to create a dreamy landscape.
(MH) The concept originally began as a narrative, featuring a futuristic protagonist, who travels back to this complicated moment in time, to inspire and empower today’s artists and youth. Developing that idea, spawned the Afronaut… a symbol of power, progress and a theme for our work. We aren’t rocket scientists, but we believe we can fix problems and create a better world. We haven’t walked on the moon, but we remember the dreams of our youth and still gaze at the stars in wonderment, believing that great distances are reachable. We aren’t aliens, but we celebrate our differences, realizing that diversity is beautiful and equality is possible. We believe that the art will lift people up beyond all the dark clouds. If we can create heroes, we can become heroes.
Adding the shore line… a shadow cast beneath our hero, and some glowing tubes in the text.
(MH) In 2013, I linked with Borbay at a DailyMotion mixer in Brooklyn. We were introduced by my friend and consultant at the time, Rachel Wells — and we immediately connected over drinks and mutual appreciation for our respective works. After collaborating on a few loose projects, I had the idea I wanted him to create the masterful and vibrant artwork for my subway themed concept album, “The Balloon Guide“. The project started when we sat down over beers in the East Village and came to an agreement of services – Borbay would create an amazing painting for my album cover and I would write and record a song for his beautiful first born baby daughter, Coraline.
The highlight came when Complex magazine featured the collaboration and the album was released to acclaim, celebrating our creative partnership.
In the time since, our catalog of work together has grown, and so has Borbay’s family. So, I naturally turned to my friend with a familiar idea for my upcoming release. Using inspiration from my “Traffic” music video and photos taken by director, MB Nealy, Borbay has stylized the album art for my new multi-media project, Afronaut. In exchange, I am writing a new song dedicated to his second born daughter, Vega, which will be released on her 3rd birthday.
The glow begins to radiate from the text down to the Afronaut…
(MH) We are launching a pre-sale (through Bandcamp) for the album on my website, www.MHtheVerb.com. The album officially releases on Fri 11/10 to all digital platforms (including iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, etc) thru our label ArtHouse95/ Four Finger Distro.
Getting closer… bringing in the white of the helmet and shoes… all that remains are a few blue reflections.
(MH) This album is a game changer for me. It marks a new focus and exploration into new subject matters, while defining the sound of our collective. Accompanied by various media installations, the Afronaut project is truly our most vibrant and socially important work to date. I seriously believe my team and I have really tapped into our voices to present a new world order of Hip Hop.
And so, friends, fans, family and wonderful people of the world — it is my distinct honor to share this painting… the album is amazing! Grab a copy, listen, let me know what you think… MH, always, always a pleasure working with you dear friend…
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