The document discusses urban art and artists in Charlotte, North Carolina. It describes how urban artists use music, poetry, painting and other art forms to express themselves and their experiences living in the "concrete jungle" of the city. It profiles two local artists, Antonio Smith and Randy Johnson, who find release and meaning through music and painting. It also highlights the perspectives of Professor Janaka Lewis and student Remy Simpson who appreciate urban art and feel it is underrecognized in Charlotte. In conclusion, it states that a renaissance of urban art in Charlotte is emerging, and its impact will be seen.

1. The Charlotte Renaissance
BY: JUSTINMURRAY
We are all familiar with the term “concrete jungle”. It originally
derived from Bob Marley’s song, “Concrete Jungle” where Marley talks
about living in the ghettos of Jamaica. The song incidentally made its way to
the US and became a popular phrase, used to describe urban city life. More
specifically the African American experience within a given city. Stemming
from the streets of New York City and Chicago, the term “concrete jungle”
also applies to the city of Charlotte.
Throughout our very own Queen City there is an overwhelming amount of
urban talent. Raw and without form just like the beginning of our planet
earth, this talent has yet to be truly explored. Urban artists have utilized the
arts to mirror their experience and to choreograph their daily lives. This
form of art is original in its nature because of the rich creativity and
deliverance it brings forth.
With the use of music, poetry and art the urban culture would cease to
exist. Through music urban artist are able to find rhythmic patterns and
create beats that flow like a native drum. The tone used in urban music
brings forth a soulful melody that has the ability to enchant even the
hardest of hearts. Likewise, urban poetry often utilizes expressive dialects
to visualize the inner self of the urban artist. In an attempt to reach another
level of self consciousness urban poets strive to release their emotional
energy with scripted expression. One of the most influential and vibrant
forms of expression for an urban artist is through painting. Whether it be a
canvas, a wall, or an abandoned street corner building, the urban artist is
able to capture their surroundings using the tools that have been given to
them by the concrete jungle.

2. Taken by Justin Murray
When surrounded in a community whose culture seems to be filled
with violent lyrics and negative stereotypes; Antonio Smith, a local artist
finds his release through music. Going by the stage name, “Sincerely”;
Smith has created a style based on poetic principles. While he strives to
create thought provoking verses that sync with harmonic melodies. His
touch with realism is something uncharacteristic of the new age music
artist. Smith’s goal is to inspire and encourage everyone that listens to him.
A self-taught musician, Smith plays the piano and writes his own songs,
pulling from his past experiences for material. Smith’s passion for music
comes from an internal fire that smolders quietly inside his body. As he
releases his music with fervent passion and a vivid anointing, Smith brings
energy to the urban artistry. Smith’s motto, which he uses as guidance when
creating music is as genius as his music. “Everything I touch might not turn
gold but everything I touch will have soul”.

3. Taken by Justin Murray
There are hundreds of artist like Smith, who strive for internal
expression while attempting to capture the world around them. One of those
artist goes by the name of “Rando Bando”, formally known as Randy
Johnson. With the stroke of a brush, Johnson finds himself painting
contemporary scenes and figures at a whim. His motivation for art began as
a child but did not flourish until he turned 17. Johnson’s expertise exists
somewhere between the grounded and the uplifted. Working within his own
framework of urban beauty, Johnson strives to create images that visualize
the urban soul. Johnson’s artwork is nothing short of triumph. His views
toward the arts are what drive him towards meaningful expression. “The
need for expression through the arts is what really drives me” Johnson says,
“art is passion, it’s love, it’s everything. Without art, you don’t have soul,
and soul is essential to life”. The different pathways that unify different
forms of urban art are not smooth and steady, in fact, they are the contrary.
These pathways are long and narrow. Filled with misguided hope,
disappointment, and often misfortune. The urban artist can not truly

4. express themselves until they walk down this path, taking one step at a
time.
Though this road may be one of solidarity it can also present
encouragement from outside forces along the way. At the University of
North Carolina, Janaka Lewis; an English Studies professor, appreciates the
importance of urban art. “When I was growing up I was introduced to Nikki
Giovanni and after reading her work it opened my eyes to poetry”. Urban
art in its truest form has the ability to bring social concerns out of the
shadows and into the light. Often with urban art, there is a direct
reflectance of social issues that are exposed by urban art. According to
Professor Lewis, “Art is essential to survival”. Without the influence of art,
urban artist would not be able to release their conflicts peacefully. Through
poetic liberation Professor Lewis was able to put her mind on paper. Being a
former artist herself she believes, “The biggest challenge all urban artist
will face is the ability to control their performance without giving to much
away”.
Professor Lewis finds importance in the need for art and believes that
it should be appreciated more than what it is. Much like her, University of
North Carolina Student, Remy Simpson; believes that art is a special talent
that is not acknowledged nearly enough. “I’ve been at UNCC for three years
now and I’ve seen a large amount of artistry on campus. You don’t get that
everywhere you go. But at the same time much of the art I’ve seen, I have no
idea who created it.” The urban artist seems to be a dying breed because of
the lack of recognition they receive but that is not the case. Art is
flourishing in Charlotte. Its waiting under the covers like a small child who
is afraid of the monster under the bed but like the old saying goes, “what is
done in the dark, must come to the light”. Art will make an everlasting
impact some day soon. When it does, it will make a resurgence in the minds
of its viewers.
To the urban artist, the ugly is the beautiful, the pain is the healing,
the struggle is the victory. The artist who lives within complexity will strive
the furthest. Existing in uncertainty builds character and forges
determination. These characteristics are what construct the urban artist and
makes them unique. The Charlotte Renaissance is upon us; all we have to do
is just watch.