Keith Haring | [Afrika Islam] | Emanon

PRODUCER AFRIKA ISLAM'S PERSONAL COPY OF THE BABY BEAT BOX , SIGNED AND INSCRIBED TO HIM BY KEITH HARING, WITH ORIGINAL DRAWINGS BY HIM INCLUDING HIS ICONIC "RUSSIAN DOLL" AND "RUNNING MAN" FIGURES

Produced, mixed, and arranged by Islam, The Baby Beat Box was described as "one of the most consistently entertaining and listenable rap productions ever" by Billboard magazine in their December 6th, 1986 issue. Raised in Harlem and a protegee of Doug E. Fresh—the "Human Beat Box" himself—Emanon is said to have landed his first record deal at seven years old and became known for his impressive beat boxing and vocal impersonation skills honed by his time and training with Fresh.

The Baby Beat Box was released by Pow Wow Records, run by the late Mark Kamins, a renowned DJ at Danceteria, where Haring had been a busboy around 1979. The seven tracks feature collaborations with Hip Hop stars Lady L, Melle Mel and Ice T, and projected a bright and muscular tone as Haring so aptly illustrated on the album's cover showing an orange boombox with vibrating arms and legs against a turquoise background. Haring, who by 1986 was already widely celebrated and globally recognizable artist, had designed earlier album covers for other notable musicians such as David Bowie, Sylvester, Malcolm McLaren, and the NYC Peech Boys.

Provenance:

From the personal collection of Afrika Islam

Condition Report:

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