Loced Out at Warmoesstraat 67
Loced Out is, in essence, an exhibition and event that highlights the bridge between old-school and new-school Memphis Rap.
In the 90s, while hip-hop was tumultuously dominated by East Coast and West Coast sounds, Southern music was heading in a different direction. One of the most notable cities in this southern surge was Memphis. Commonly known as the birthplace of Rock ’n Roll and home to the Blues, Memphis was now fostering a new, underground form of music. This genre was supported by a tight-knit scene of fans, DJs, rappers, producers, and music groups, all characterized by a D.I.Y. approach and a mysterious, grimy sound—substantially different from what was happening on the East or West Coasts. This eeriness was not just reflected in the music but also in the album covers of the time, which carried the same dark undertones as the music. The visuals had to match the sound.
Memphis Rap’s fingerprints are all over pop culture, with artists like Beyoncé or Playboi Carti sampling the genre, Three 6 Mafia becoming the first hip-hop group to win an Academy Award, and TikTok being flooded with videos using ‘phonk’ beats - all stemming from Memphis Rap. Next to this direct impact, the drum patterns being used in present-day trap music can be directly traced back to the low bpm beats of Memphis in the eighties and nineties, leading to the conclusion they were ahead of their time by around 30 years.
During the exhibition, Loced Out pays homage to this unique subgenre by enlarging album covers to a near human scale, so they can be viewed not just as phone- or web-sized pictures accompanying an album, but as stand-alone works of art. To provide a full perspective, the corresponding album will play on headphones next to the covers, allowing visitors to immerse themselves completely.
To further emphasize the influence Memphis Rap has had on modern hip-hop, the event will also feature the release of a rare body of work compiled by artist Ray Fuego and producer Styn, consisting of songs from their 2016–2018 collaborations. These songs, which have never been released before, will only be available on cassette.
Join us October 19th, 2024 for an audio-visual dive into this influential genre, which has extended its arm into places you probably know. The event will include live DJs playing strictly Memphis Rap, a listening session for the Ray & Styn cassette release, and complimentary drinks on us.
