Expansive Warehouse Art Exhibit Honoring The Jacka in Oakland Goes Virtual
As Black History Month commences all over the country, an East Oakland, California creative space which once housed a cotton mill was last week’s backdrop for one of the Bay Area’s most celebrated generals in Hip Hop. The Loom warehouse complex was transformed into a celebration of culture and artistry as it delved into the life and career of Bay Area legend The Jacka in “The Jacka Art Experience”.
The Jacka’s 1971 Cutlass on display at the Jacka Art Experience.
Photo credit: Latiece Brown ©2024
--OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
As Black History Month commences all over the country, an East Oakland, California creative space which once housed a cotton mill was last week’s backdrop for one of the Bay Area’s most celebrated generals in Hip Hop. The Loom warehouse complex was transformed into a celebration of culture and artistry as it delved into the life and career of Bay Area legend The Jacka in “The Jacka Art Experience”.
On Wednesday, February 14th at 6PM PST, the Jacka Art Experience was made available virtually for the first time, in conjunction with the launch of the Jacka Art Experience 2nd Chance Art Auction. For thousands of The Jacka’s fans around the world, this is an opportunity to witness a touching tribute to an artist who is clearly still inspiring a great many people nearly a decade after his worldly departure, and to potentially take home one of the 20+ original pieces on auction until Sunday, February 18th.
The Jacka Art Experience was co-produced by D.R.E.A.M. Movie LLC and Endeavors Oakland. Between January 31st and February 3rd, the 20,000 square foot exhibit, curated by Andrew Espino of 1Culture Gallery, displayed the works of more than 30 participating canvas artists, muralists and photographers uniting for the sole purpose of honoring the life and Hip Hop career of Shaheed “The Jacka” Akbar. The Bay Area legend was gunned down in East Oakland in 2015 and has since been immortalized for his craft in this epic Art Experience. The Exhibit itself served as the precursor for the highly anticipated, independent Jacka Documentary produced by D.R.E.A.M. Movie LLC, that delves into Jacka’s complexities as a Sunni Muslim, who converted after serving time for an armed robbery conviction before embarking onto the rap scene during the peak of the Gangsta Rap era.
“94th & Jacka” diorama by P. LOCZ.
Photo credit: D-Ray ©2024
Husalah posing next to portrait of The Jacka.
Photo credit: D-Ray ©2024
Among the exhibition artists, many of them fondly recalled hanging out with and meeting The Jacka personally at various points during his twenty-year career, including members of Oakland’s legendary TDK Crew. Others simply identified on a deep level with his music and his messages, chief among them becoming strong enough to “see it through” when times are hard. This was the message that directly inspired a 15x12’ lyric wall by Apexer, a San Francisco native and world-renowned street artist whose distinctive handstyle greeted eventgoers at the very entrance of the long industrial hallway rechristened “Mural Alley”.
Apexer in front of his piece “See It Through”.
Photo credit: D.R.E.A.M. Movie LLC ©2024
D-Ray, the headlining photographer of the show, grew close to The Jacka after meeting him before his self-titled solo album debut. She knew him nearly as long as he rapped: she witnessed his growth as a man, father and artist firsthand, and was there to capture many of the moments that directly inspired the canvas art pieces in the Show. This exhibit marked the first time many of the photographs on display had ever been released to the public.
D-Ray standing by her work.
Photo credit: D-Moe ©2024
Canvas artists and muralists from across Northern California - Sacramento, Hayward, Pittsburg, San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco, etc. - depicted and referenced moments of The Jacka’s life and afterlife: one recurring motif was the corner of 94th and MacArthur, the same street corner where The Jacka lost his life in the early hours of February 2nd, 2015. Other pieces riffed on the #KingJacka social media hashtag that his community coined after his passing, including a huge, striking mural piece by Natty Rebel.
The Jacka Gallery.
Photo credit: Latiece Brown ©2024
In addition to the art on display, many attendees flocked at the chance to witness the exclusive premiere of the Jacka Documentary teaser. The directorial debut of upcoming Bay Area filmmaker Seretse Njemanze, he and the team of producers behind the documentary as well as the Jacka Art Experience event as a whole - Tim Slater, Tehan Davis and Devin Wessell - observed while the eventgoers sat in the dark, taking in the 13:30 minute taste of what’s to come.
Moviegoers watching the Jacka Documentary Teaser.
Photo credits: Kahlil Gray (@kahlilphotography) ©2024
For many who attended, the cherry-on-top of the entire event occurred on the night of the ninth anniversary of The Jacka’s untimely passing. Brett Badelle, Deputy Director of Congresswoman Barbara Lee, bestowed a Mayor’s Proclamation to The Jacka’s mother, Reatha Pitre, and other family members in front of an audience of 100 stunned attendees. Signed by the Mayor of Oakland, the certificate declares August 12th - The Jacka’s birthday - as “Jacka Day” in the city of Oakland.
“Jacka Day” announcement: family and peers rejoice.
Photo credit: Kahlil Gray (@kahlilphotography) ©2024
In the wake of Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary, an event of this nature celebrating one of the SF Bay Area’s most cherished artists seemed almost inevitable. And yet, a tangible aura of shock and awe persisted throughout the entirety of the show. One eventgoer - Alyssa Loren Brancombe, the 2023 Ms. Hawai’i winner - literally flew to Oakland with her daughter to see the Jacka Art Experience for herself. When asked if it lived up to her expectations, Ms. Brancombe stated, “It's an amazing experience… Beautiful venue, amazing artwork. I'm really glad I made it out here. It was definitely worth it.”
The Jacka’s longtime collaborators.
Photo credit: Kahlil Gray (@kahlilphotography) ©2024
Follow @thejackadocofficial on Instagram to keep updated with the progress of the documentary.