The hype surrounding Art Basel 2016 has built up significantly within the last few weeks. Visual art connoisseurs and musicians alike are expected to flock down to Miami for a weekend filled with unique exhibitions and exclusive galleries like Kendrick Lamar’s “Music Meets Art” exhibition.
In recent years, hip-hop artists like Swizz Beats and Mack Wilds have discovered the colorful soul of creativity that dwells at the core of the week-long event dedicated to embracing every aspect of art. In 2016, rappers like Rae Sremmurd, Curren$y, and Gucci Mane will hit up Dade county to partake in all the fun festivities.
READ: 10 Latino Artists Who Stole The Show At Art Basel Miami
Art lovers of all colors and creeds are encouraged to invade Wynwood and Miami Beach to attend an overwhelming amount of art exhibitions, galleries, and live performances. While an abundance of commercialized events on the schedule may become overcrowded, there are a handful of unique events that perfectly blend music and art together — as well as numerous shows and performances inspired by Art Basel.
If you’re going to be in Miami for the epic weekend filled with art, music and culture, be sure to check out these 13 unique events featuring some of your favorite rappers from around the country.
-
-
Play Clothes x Genius POP UP w/ Pusha T
Image Credit: Getty Images Where: APPT ONLY
When: Dec. 2nd 2:00-8:00PMAPPT ONLY in Wynwood is set to host a slew of events throughout the week of Art Basel. Each day will have something special to offer the public like a live painting session from Ron Bass, numerous raffles and giveaways, and a huge BBQ to close out the week. Along with Ciroc’s “Hustle Hour” going down every day of Basel, the exclusive clothing store will also have Pusha T come through to host Play Clothes x Genius’ pop-up on Friday, Dec. 2. For more info, contact APPT ONLY via their website here.
-
DOPE Basel w/ Playboi Carti, Wifisfuneral & More
Where: Heart Nightclub 50 NE 11th St, Miami, FL
When: Dec 1-4Dope ENT has lined up a series of eclectic performances in honor of Art Basel weekend. Dope Basel is set to feature four artists as they headline their own events each night at Heart Nightclub in Downtown Miami. Tennessee rapper Chris Travis will open Dope Basel followed by Palm Beach native Wifisfuneral on Friday and Playboi Carti on Saturday. Ugly God will close out the weekend on Sunday. Weekend passes, which cover entrance into all four events, are available online now.
-
Scratch Academy’s “Wide” Block Party w/ DJ Tony Touch
Image Credit: Instagram Where: 450 NW 28th Ave
When: Dec. 2 2-8PMScratch Academy Miami, in association with Park Jams Florida, Novation and Becks beer, plans to embrace their creative attributes during the Art Basel Edition of their annual “WIDE” Block Party. Legendary DJ Tony Touch will be in town to bless the one’s & two’s while other top-notch Miami DJ’s like DJ Heron, Jubilee, and the Scratch Academy family will also provide dope mixes throughout the afternoon. With a soundtrack of eclectic tunes in the background, speed painter Salvador Live will put on a special performance to flex his artistic skills for the community.
-
YesJulz’ #1AMVibes Ft. Gucci Mane, 070 Shake, & More
Image Credit: Instagram Where: Cafeina Wynwood When: Dec. 2nd 11PM-5AM
Fans of YesJulz know her parties are full of surprises, and they can expect plenty of them at her next major soirée. The Miami influencer recently announced that Gucci Mane, 070 Shake, Theophilus London, Speakerfoxxx, Austin Millz and more are expected to perform. 1AM Vibes will also feature art work from the infamous Sickamore and Mark Anthony Green. Tickets are on sale now but, judging by the insane lineup, they won’t last for long. -
Bushwick Collective Presents: House Party w/ Pete Rock & C.L Smooth, Meyham Lauren & More
Image Credit: Instagram Where: The Juxtapoz Clubhouse 537 NW 24th St. Miami
When: Dec. 2, 7:00PM-3:00AMThe Bushwick Collective is throwing a huge event with the legendary Pete Rock & C.L Smooth. With partners like Fool’s Gold and Mana Wynwood, these icons in hip-hop will be joined by artists like Theophilus London, Meyham Lauren, Statik Selektah and more. The free event will have open bar from 7:00- 9:00PM followed by performances from the featured guests.
-
Swerve Basel w/ Ye Ali & Friends
Image Credit: Instagram Where: Miami Live, Miami Beach
When: Friday, Dec. 2 8PM-12AMYe Ali is set to bring his West Coast swag to Dade County during “Swerve Basel.” The LA-based singer, rapper, and producer has teamed up with local acts Sam Stan and Twelve’len to host a night of artistic expression through music and fashion. With DJ Sean Bang as the official host of the evening, Ali invites everyone to turn up with him and his crew and take advantage of Vintage Stereon’s exclusive pop-up shop.
-
1800 Tequila x Billboard “IN FOCUS” Photography Exhibition w/ Rae Sremmurd
Image Credit: Getty Images Where: Nautilus Beach Tent, SIXTY Hotel 1825 Collins Ave
When: Dec. 2nd 8 PM (Invite Only)1800 Tequila and Billboard Magazine have teamed up for their exclusive “IN FOCUS” Photography exhibition on South Beach. The exhibition aims to showcase original photographs from renown hip-hop photographers Cam Kirk, Gunner Stahl and Places + Faces. Each gallery will include original portraits and images from their personal collections of photos which capture abstract moments in hip-hop. Collectively, these three famed photographers have snapped powerful images of rappers like Young Jeez, T.I. Bun B, Schoolboy Q, Chance the Rapper, Young Thug, Travis Scott, Mac Miller, and plenty more. Following the exhibition, the “Up & Down” after party will go down at the pop-up club located at the Nautilus Beach Tent near the SIXTY hotel on South Beach with a special performance from Rae Sremmurd.
-
Denzel Curry Presents The Vortex: Miami Art Week Edition
Image Credit: Instagram Where: The Parisian 1510 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
When: Dec 2nd & 3rd 6PMCarol City spitter Denzel Curry will be performing at two shows during Art Basel for the Satellite Art Show as a part of his signature party series The Vortex. The Imperial rapper and his crew of emcees like Ski Mask The Slump God, Nell, and Sdotbraddy will gather at the Parisian on Dec. 2 and 3. Friday’s event is expected to have appearances from artists like Show Me The Body, Allan Kingdom, Lajan Slim, Zoey Dollaz and more.
-
The Hookup with Curren$y, Smoke DZA & Malc Stewy
Where: 8&9 Showroom 7814 NE 4th Ct, Miami, FL When: Dec 3rd 4PM- 10PM
Curren$y, Smoke DZA and Florida rapper Malc Stewy are holding their own day party in honor of Art Basel. 8&9 Showroom, which is homebase for DJ EFN & N.O.R.E.’s “Drink Champs” podcast, has been chosen to be the epic setting for “The Hook Up.” DC Young Fly is set to host the 420-friendly event with sounds from a band of DJ’s. Hopefully Smoke DZA sent the invite to Pete Rock to give Miami a live rendition of their new album Don’t Smoke Rock. Cop your tickets here. -
Thirstin Howl The 3rd Presents “Skillmatic”
Image Credit: Instagram Where: “Grandma’s House” 84 NW 26th St Wynwood
When: Sunday, Dec. 4th 6PM-?Amongst all the shenanigans going down in Wynwood, Lo Life General Thirstin Howl The 3rd plans to end Basel weekend the right way with an event hip-hop fans of all calibers would love and appreciate. “Skillmatics” will allow visual artists, DJ’s an MC’s to bring their art to the masses with a major BBQ going down at “Grandma’s House” in Wynwood. There will be art galleries galore, pop-up shops, and an open mic event with live sets of DJ’s like A Fly Guy, DJ Heron, and more.
-
The Melting Pot w/ Prez P, Big NICS, Sin & More
Image Credit: Instagram Where: The Electric Pickle
When: Sun. Dec 4 6:00PM-2:00AMThe Foulhundreds and Unfold Records will bring hip-hop and visual art together on the last night of Art Basel. “The Melting Pot” at The Electric Pickle will feature a slew of visual artists from South Florida from Rob Regis to Gismo. Later on, the eclectic crowd of art lovers and rap fans will get to see live performances from rising rappers and Miami natives Prez P, Big NICS, Sin and more.
-
DJ Khaled Birthday Celebration At LIV: Art Basel Edition
Image Credit: Instagram Where: LIV at the Fountainbleau
When: Dec 4. 11PMDJ Khaled’s birthday passed over the weekend, but that doesn’t stop him from celebrating it during Art Basel. The Snapchat King, in association with Headliner Market Group, will be taking over LIV on the last day of Basel to turn up for his birthday once again with DJ’s Stevie J and Don P spinning all night. There will be plenty of celebrities in town for the major event, so there’s no telling who will walk through the doors of the lavish club inside the Fountainbleau.
-
The Culture Exposure Festival w/ Smif-N-Wessun, Buckshot, Statik Selektah & more
Image Credit: Instagram Where: The Bridge Miami
When: Sunday, Dec. 4thFor those who are looking to get away from the high-end hype of Basel, Brooklyn’s own Smif-N-Wessun have the perfect place to soak in the culture. The Culture Exposure” Festival will provide the community with a day full of artistic expression at The Bridge outside of Wynwood. Tek and Steele of Smif-N-Wessun will headline the event following performances from local artists and lives sets from veteran DJ’s like Statik Selektah and Tony Touch. Tickets are available here.