For those who don’t know prepared to be educated. Renna runs Brick City Boutique, a successful monthly night for those wanting to sell and buy their artwork with a street inspired style. The night is an amalgamation of the four elements of hip-hop culture: Djing, Emeceeing, Bboying and Graffiti. Since it is a female running the show, B*I*T*C*H*E*S had to meet up and find out more about this creative fem.
J*9: Describe BCB in three sentences?
Renna: BCB is a platform for up and coming street inspired artists it includes those form the Fashion, Art and Music worlds. The idea is to create a springboard for young people who are coming up in the scene to perform on the same stage as established artist on the hip-hop scene.
J*9: How did the idea come about?
Renna: Well, I have been running my own jewellery business for the past three years that is based around street art and my own graffiti and personalisation. When I first set it up, I find it quite difficult to find a market place for my product and to fit in any part of the sector. I thought wouldn’t it be great to have a market place with all elements of hip-hop happening under one roof. That is the ethos of BCB. To have a place for street inspired artist to sell their work to a like minded audience.
J*9: How did you set it up and get people involved?
Renna: I approached a couple of people in the hip-hop scene, and that was DJ Snuff from End of the Weak. I asked him and End of the Weak to be the stage host because I know they are prolific in the hip-hop scene and is an international collective. They also run an open mic night and I want that to be a part of BCB for young people to voice their skills. It seemed natural to go them because of what they do and he loved the idea. It also open up a lot of doors and through that channel I went to Sensei FM and then links were made with basement Sessions as to who I collaborate with as well. It came to life of its own.
J*9: When you had your first event, how were you feeling?
Renna: I was really nervous. I have done events before but more on the underground scene, but this was different I was opening up the stage and it was just a big responsibility but exciting t the same time.
J*9: So what is the secret to its success?
Renna: Everyone gets what it is about. With an event like that it is kind of unique in what it stands for. People on the hip-hop scene are open and supportive and they can see the potential of it. I have been approached by some important names in hip-hop and asked if they can perform at the next event. That is such a buzz.
J*9: (interrupts) Can you name drop?
Renna: (laughs) Not right know! Because nothing is set in stone yet. That is just such a boost. People are starting to come to you now and that makes it worth it.
J*9: BCB has a really relaxed and easy going energy, how do you create that?
Renna: The hip-hop scene that I know and love in the UK, in other places like Prague, Berlin in fact where ever you go, there is so much love involved in it and thinks that shines through. With an event that focuses on hip-ho p culture you are always going to get that love and unity and that is what I love about it.
J*9: BCB is really unique in what it does, how does that make you feel?
Renna: It makes me feel great. In a way I don’t see myself as a part of it as it has taken a life of its own. I like going to it just like everyone else. I am proud to be a part of the hip-hop scene it feels good.
J*9: Who is the BCB crowd?
Renna: The typical audience would be into anything hip-hop. So emceeing, break dancing, Djing, I get a lot of young emcees coming down because of the open mic opportunity and also to meet other artists. The general crowd of BCB are young enthusiasts who are artistic and expressive. They are the typical hip-hop-heads that you could spot, none of that fake gold chains stuff!
J*9: How do you know when nights have been successful?
Renna: I guess the looks on people faces when artists are performing on stage, the turn out and if people are up dancing, that’s how I generally gage it.
J*9: So apart from BCB, what else do you do?
Renna: As I mentioned before, I run a graffiti jewellery business and my collection is called ‘Ghetto Soul.’ The idea of Ghetto Soul is similar to the ethos of BCB and is about my dedication to hip-hop culture and the celebration of the four elements of hip-hop. On top of that I teach in a College on retail course and I teach on a fashion course run by DV8 Training.
J*9: Now that you mentioned your jewellery collection how did get started?
Renna: I studied a HND in Jewellery, my designs were started to collaborate with my graffiti. One day I was doodling away, I thought I wondered if could turn this into a ring. It seemed logical to mix my graffiti designs with my jewellery making and I gave it a shot and it work. I made a ring for boyfriend and everyone said I should follow it through and wanted pieces for themselves.
J*9: So how did the name ‘Pieceology‘come about?
Renna: When I was trying to think up of a name. I was studying jewellery and graffiti and thinking about how I could make these pieces work. The word ‘piece’ stems from master piece and ‘logy’ means the study of and it came to me.
J*9: What inspires you to make pieces to jewellery?
Renna: I would get an idea and I would just want to pay with it and experiment. I make things which appealed to me and what represent the hip-hop culture that I am emerged in.
J*9: So what got you into hip-hop, what was that song?
Renna: The first hook line was Wu Tan song it must have been when I was 15 years old and it took me with both hands. I loved everything hip-hop from that moment. Then all the important hip-hop groups that were out at the time and then there was no looking back.
