Mural under a Brixton arch honours hip-hop artist Ty

The powerful painting at Valencia Place by artists Bunny Bread and Jason Caballero of Create Not Destroy, under an arch in  Brixton, is taken from an iconic photo by Benji Reid.

It was organised by newly formed charity Pass the Torch Music Foundation, set up to support independent Black music artists with annual bursaries in Ty’s name.

The charity’s founder, Cyndi Anafo said: “We wanted to make sure there was a permanent piece in Brixton honouring Ty that would be here for a considerable time.”

The mural of the Mercury Prize-nominated rapper in his home town was unveiled on what would have been his 48th birthday, August 17.

Ty released five albums – his last being A Work of Heart released with Jazz re:freshed in 2018. He created a string of formidable collaborations with international acts including De La Soul, Talib Kweli, Tony Allen and Damon Albarn.

Benedict “Ty” Chijioke was fondly known as the unofficial Mayor of Brixton as he touched and supported many people’s lives in the local area.

The mural project was supported by The Brixton Project and sponsored by his label Jazz re:freshed, who recently won Best Independent Label category at this years AIM Awards 2020.