~.THE.DoT.
Photograph by Dae Howerton
Makeup by Constance Foe. Hair by ~THE.DoT. Styling by Neiman Tate. Shot in Burbank, CA, February 2023

Women in Hip Hop history and culture rarely get their due. Among the things, and people, to which The Hip Hop Museum is dedicated to are the accomplishments of women who work front of house and behind the scenes in the world’s most popular music genre. 

Joining us in this effort is emerging visual artist ~.THE.DoT., who donated six of the portraitures from her Hip Hop Flowers collection to us. She presented this original, exclusive artwork – honoring Sylvia Robinson, MC Sha-Rock, Cindy Campbell, Lady Pink, Sparky D, and Roxanne Shanté – to us at the [R]Evolution of Hip Hop on March 8^th, International Women’s Day. 

We were thrilled to interview her on site during “Women in Hip Hop,” an event that was covered by PIX11’s Ayana Harry and broadcast by the network. Hip Hop Appreciation Week is an ideal time to share this feature.

“Sylvia Robinson”
Sugar Hill Records founder, empire creator, and the first label runner to release Hip Hop on vinyl
Acrylics, Sequins, Glass, Enamel, Swarovski Crystals, Metal, and Lace 
on 24-inch round wood created by ~.THE.DoT.

~THE.DoT. was intentional when she chose her subjects for The Hip Hop Flowers: “I focus on Black women, women of color, and usually don’t make a point of painting famous people.” Because her focus is on the achievements, and not the Hollywood-adored struggle and trauma of Black women especially, the result is a visual personification of people who are “accomplished, educated, successful, and happy.”

“Cindy Campbell”
The First Lady and Mother of Hip Hop
Acrylics, Sequins, Glass, Enamel, Swarovski Crystals, Metal, African Wax Cloth, and Paper
on 24-inch round wood created by ~.THE.DoT.

The collection, from which her donated pieces came, are specific to Hip Hop’s female founders. To evoke happiness in tangible ways, after she drew and painted a portrait sketch, ~THE.DoT. applied crushed glass, fire glass, leather, sequins, crystals to “embellish.” She has been painting for six years. When asked what it means to use mixed media, in addition to paint, ink, and pencil, the artist answered, “It’s all about texture.” 

She went on to declare, “The 99-cent bamboo earrings were a staple I added to my early paintings. I knew I wanted to include them in this collection. They are a true representation of what the original female MCs were rocking: NYC-born fashion staples. They are featured consistently in my art.” Beginning with the bamboo earrings was not only an insightful pick up of a longstanding trend, it was a tangible way “to present what is an ethnic woman.”

“Roxanne Shanté” 
The first female battle rapper 
Acrylics, Sequins, Glass, Enamel, Swarovski Crystals, Metal, Leather, and 24K Gold Leaf on
24-inch round wood created by ~.THE.DoT.

Who an ethnic woman is, via her chosen apparel, headwear, jewelry, and hair styles, displays an ongoing commitment for ~THE.DoT. “My paintings will come out at you, and as much as that makes some people touch them,” she told me with a wry smile, “that provides an even deeper way to interact with the work.” As a businesswoman whose roles include being a visual artist and a songwriter, ~THE.DoT. has created and found several artistic outlets.

“MC SHA-ROCK” 
The first woman to rap on national television
Acrylics, Sequins, Glass, Enamel, Swarovski Crystals, Metal, and Leather
on 24-inch round wood created by ~.THE.DoT.

What moved ~.THE.DoT. to make art as she does – tangible in its visual appearance and to its touch – was, simply, a feeling. Painting and embellishing these works allow for “another way to create with feeling.” Returning to her rare portraits of icons and celebrities, she finds people who not only evoke happiness, they make people smile and want to learn from the subjects. “The collection I made for the museum is of women who need their due,” and artists known for performance as well as production reflect that. We discussed how the front of house needs those who are behind the scenes, which is part of the definition of Hip Hop. The community is wide and it is deep. 

“Sparky Dee”
Iconic female battle rapper
Acrylics, Sequins, Glass, Enamel, Swarovski Crystals, and Leather
on 24-inch round wood created by ~.THE.DoT.

The work that will be exhibited at THHM is in good standing. Audiences have seen the artist’s work on STARZ’s “Survivor’s Remorse” seasons 3 and 4. Pieces were leased for BET’s “Being Mary Jane” series finale, and items have been commissioned Tyler Perry Studios’ Vice President Mark E. Swinton (who produces all the studio’s major television shows, feature films, and stage plays). 

Music and sounds surround her during time in studio. While designing and painting, ~.THE.DoT. listens mostly to music and occasionally, stand-up comedy, “literally [she is] smiling and laughing while creating.” The playlists include “true school” Hip Hop by Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, and Grandmaster Caz, and old school R&B by Mariah Carey.

“Lady Pink”
Legendary female graffiti artist
Acrylics, Sequins, Glass, Enamel, Swarovski Crystals, Metal, Felt, and Paper
on 24-inch round wood created by ~.THE.DoT.

We are indebted to ~THE.DoT. for her generosity and her application of the diaspora with intention and impact. You can commission her work (chat live with her here), see “The Hip Hop Flowers” works here and, soon, at The Hip Hop Museum. 

by Kate Harvie, Contributing Writer for The Hip Hop Museum (originally published May 2023)