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2025-05-09 17:00:00
2025-05-09 17:00:00
America/New_YorkHip Hop & Hi-VisA free event hosted in conjunction with and in celebration of the museum’s Hi-Vis exhibition and public art’s strong thematic connections to Hip-Hop. The night will feature a sampling of Buffalo Hip-Hop practitioners from the music, art, dance, and fashion sectors.
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2025-05-09 17:00:00
2025-05-09 21:00:00
America/New_YorkHip Hop & Hi-VisA free event hosted in conjunction with and in celebration of the museum’s Hi-Vis exhibition and public art’s strong thematic connections to Hip-Hop. The night will feature a sampling of Buffalo Hip-Hop practitioners from the music, art, dance, and fashion sectors.
FREE Wilson Town Square and Lipsey Auditorium, Knox Building
A free event hosted in conjunction with and in celebration of the museum’s Hi-Vis exhibition and public art’s strong thematic connections to Hip-Hop. The night will feature a sampling of Buffalo Hip-Hop practitioners from the music, art, dance, and fashion sectors.
Hosted by Edreys Wajed, Billie Essco, and Toneyboi.
Image courtesy of the artist
Edreys Wajed is a catalyst of inspiration and a walking enterprise of all things creative. The Buffalo native boasts a toolbox chock-full of talents and experiences ranging from a visual artist, jewelry designer, musical entertainer, educator, and entrepreneur with notable recognitions in each. His approach in each endeavor is soundly unique, high quality, and signature in presentation, having found his course as a creator early in life.
When Edreys was 14, he taught himself the trade of barbering when his mother could no longer afford his haircuts. He began making money for himself in the basement of his childhood home and also began growing a client base and reputation for customized hats and clothes as well as logo design by hand, long before learning graphics in college. His creativity, craftsmanship, and passion to inspire people are what drive his spirit of entrepreneurship.
From touring nationally and internationally as a hip-hop artist to writing a play based off his poetry; Edreys is exceptionally diverse with his avenues of expression, including the fine craft of jewelry making, passed down from his father and master craftsman. Edreys is most recently recognized locally for his contribution as an artist on the Freedom Wall which features 28 civil rights dignitaries, seven of whom he painted with his unique style and use of line.
Billie Essco is a visionary creative director, genre-defying musician, and art enthusiast hailing from Buffalo, NY. Internationally known for his dynamic presence across music, fashion, and visual art, Essco has become a cultural conduit and one of the leading voices in Buffalo’s artistic renaissance over the past decade.
With a sound that blends soul, style, and storytelling, and a design sensibility that bridges streetwear and fine art, Essco embodies the spirit of a new creative class—effortlessly moving between disciplines while staying rooted in authenticity. Dubbed “the man of many names,” his work carries the fingerprints of collaboration with some of the most respected names in art and fashion, including the late Virgil Abloh, former artistic director of Louis Vuitton, and Buffalo’s own hip-hop collective Griselda Records.
Through music, fashion, and curated experiences, Billie Essco isn’t just shaping culture—he’s redefining it. Every move is intentional. Every project, a portal. And through it all, he remains an unwavering advocate for the city that raised him.
Buffalo’s hip-hop scene has a heartbeat, and its name is ToneyBoi—also known as Bryant Toney. Raised in the vibrant streets of Buffalo, New York, ToneyBoi is more than just an artist; he’s a cultural force. With roots in church music and a love for instrumental sounds, his journey into hip-hop is as dynamic as his beats. A former member of Koolie High, a collective that shook Buffalo’s underground music scene, ToneyBoi made waves with his mixtape series "R.A.K.S." and hit singles like "Toney Flacko" and "Grrd." His talent earned him a deal with Nickel City Records in 2013, and he hasn’t looked back since. Sharing stages with legends like French Montana, Raekwon, and Curren$y, ToneyBoi has cemented his place as a household name in underground hip-hop.
But ToneyBoi isn’t just about the mic—he’s a certified sound engineer, a respected DJ, and a producer who’s been shaping Western New York’s music scene for over a decade. His artistry is a testament to Buffalo’s resilience and creativity, proving that the city’s voice is as powerful as its history. ToneyBoi’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and an unyielding love for music. Whether he’s behind the turntables or in the studio, he’s not just making tracks—he’s making history. Keep an ear out, because ToneyBoi is a name that echoes far beyond Buffalo.
