Rapper Chuck D has an art exhibit at Adelphi

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Through March 5, you can catch the first solo art exhibit of Carlton Douglas Ridenhour – aka Chuck D, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame rapper and native of Roosevelt who went on to become the leader of hip-hop band Public Enemy.

The exhibit is at Adelphi University’s Adele and Herbert J. Klapper Art Gallery. It features 31 portraits, is a celebration of Chuck D’s musical influences that showcases an eclectic swath of American musical history including rap, R&B, reggae, rock, pop and folk.

On Tuesday, February 22, Chuck D will discuss his show, “Most of My Heroes Don’t Appear on No Stamps,” at a registration-required event at Adelphi beginning at 4 p.m., followed by a gallery reception.

Chuck D has deep ties to Adelphi University. It’s where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1984.He worked at WBAU, Adelphi’s radio station, which according to the university “was becoming a hub for the early expansion of the hip-hop movement. At the time, Chuck D wrote music and deejayed a program that featured the artists who would later go on to form Public Enemy. The hip-hop group went on to earn the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.

A best-selling author and media commentator, Chuck D has served as a national spokesperson for Rock the Vote, the National Urban League and the National Alliance of African American Athletes. He appeared in public service announcements for HBO’s campaign for national peace and for the Partnership at Drugfree.org (formerly the Partnership for a Drug-Free America). Through his work, he aims to encourage young people to remember the value of education and share their learning with their families and communities.

In his book “Chuck D Presents This Day in Rap and Hip-Hop History,” he writes about various musical figures who influenced his work – including Bob Marley, whose portrait is featured in this Adelphi show.

“I usually describe 1984-1986 as my ‘punk rock orthodoxy phase’ where I refused to listen to anything else, though I did discover and love Bob Marley,” Chuck D said in a statement. “I was open to Marley and loved his messages against oppression.”

In 2014, Chuck D started a global art ad agency called mADurgency dedicated to serving the entertainment industry and hip-hop culture. The virtual collective showcases graphic artists, illustrators and painters from around the world.

The Adelphi exhibit is free and open to all. The artist talk and gallery reception are also free but require advanced registration. Learn more here.