WHO WE BE
In November 2017, Spotify was gearing up for its first ever live music event in the UK, Who We Be, at London’s Alexandra Palace. An avid collector of figurative artist Emma Grzonkowski’s work, Spotify’s senior editor, Austin Daboh, was quick to reach out to discuss commissioning a piece to mark the occasion. The commission saw Emma apply her signature style to depict the show’s headline acts: urban artists Bugzy Malone, Dizzee Rascal, Cardi B, Giggs, J Hus and Stefflon Don. The piece was unveiled at the sell-out event, which was an incredible talent-filled night. The painting was then whisked off to Spotify’s HQ, where it took pride of place before it was gifted to Bugzy Malone to put in his home. Emma said: “It was such an honour to create a painting for Spotify to celebrate its first live event. “Listening to the Who We Be playlist really helped with my creative process and allowed me to get inside each musician’s character and persona, and I’m over the moon that Bugzy Malone himself has the piece hanging on his wall!”
FINE ART COLLECTOR SPRING 2018 39
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