On February 11, 2011 in Los Angeles CA (USA), an image Huey in a rattan chair was tattoed by Jun Cha on the back of hip hop artist Freddie Gibbs.
“This backpiece of Huey P. Newton, founder of the Afro-American Association and co-founder the Black Panther Party, tattooed on hip hop artist Freddie Gibbs by LA’s Jun Cha.
Jun says of the work: It’s a reflection of youth and independent thought. It’s a symbol for the freedom of ideas and expression. The Panthers were a group that thought for themselves. It goes hand-in-hand with the young hustlers’ generation today. Most art culture–whether it’s hip-hop, art and design, or tattooing–has had its struggle to be accepted into the larger context of society. And this tattoo is the liberation of that.”
Source: needlesandsins.com
From a press release found on www.missinfo.tv
RENOWNED ARTIST JUN CHA TATTOOS RAPPER FREDDIE GIBBS
WITH A PIECE OF HISTORY
When Huey Newton sat in that iconic wicker chair, grasping both spear and rifle amongst the chaos of 1967, something truly revolutionary was in the air.
Forty-three years later when rapper Freddie Gibbs sat in a chair to have the Black Panther’s most famous image tattooed onto his back by acclaimed artist Jun Cha, an all-together different kind of revolution was brewing. Perhaps it’s only natural that one of hip-hop’s most promising young talents was getting such a meaningful piece by LA’s fastest rising painter, illustrator and tattoo artist.
“It’s a reflection of youth and independent thought,” Jun Cha says from Los Angeles. “It’s a symbol for the freedom of ideas and expression. The Panthers were a group that thought for themselves. It goes hand-in-hand with the young hustlers’ generation today. Most art culture—whether it’s hip-hop, art and design, or tattooing—has had its struggle to be accepted into the larger context of society. And this tattoo is the liberation of that.”
At just 21 years of age, Cha’s ascent to one of tattooing’s most revered talents has been rapid. He has already collaborated with iconic lifestyle brands The Hundreds and C1RCA, while getting props from Jermaine Dupri, NBA star Amir Johnson, TI’s wife Tiny, and Fantasy Factory’s Drama. Just like Gibbs and hip-hop, the design and tattoo worlds are focused intently on the career trajectory of Cha.
Gibbs and Cha bonded over the imagery of the tattoo, as they both understand the history behind them and the unique futures they’re building, as the revolutionary symbolism of Huey Newton’s photograph is important to the disparate.
