Written by | Ray Cornelius
“Love and Hip Hop Atlanta” stars Rasheeda and Kirk Frost were saluted Friday night at the 2016 Live and Die for Hip Hop Blackout Gala. The private event took place at the new Gallery 874 in the West Midtown district of Atlanta and was presented by Leigh Wise. This year’s theme was “Hip Hop is Art” and recognized entertainers who used hip hop as a creative outlet to express their truths and to educate future generations.
Rasheeda and Kirk Frost
Wise created the event in 2014 in memory of her first cousin and rap icon Chris Kelly (Kris Kross), who died in 2013. The event was also a fundraiser for Atlanta’s famed Tri-Cities High School Performance Arts Program and featured the stunning, original art work of former LaFace Records Art Director—DL Warfield.
DJ Nabs and Kelly’s mother Ms. Donna Kelly-Pratte
Also picking up an award was Atlanta favorite—DJ Nabs. He was Jermaine Dupri‘s exclusive DJ who backed up many of So So Def’s artists like Kriss Kross, Da Brat, Xscape, and Bow Wow. He also joined Kelly on Michael Jackson‘s historic 1992 Dangerous World Tour and has worked with other major music stars such as Mariah Carey, Ludacris, and Ciara. His influence in helping to establish southern hip hop was chronicled in the 2014 Vh1 Rock Doc: ATL: The Untold Story of Atlanta’s Rise in the Rap Game.
DL Warfield art work featuring President Barack Obama and Public Enemy
“Live and Die” was hosted once again by reality star and celebrity stylist Dwight Eubanks and was attended by Kelly’s mother Donna Kelly-Pratte, his aunt and uncle Robert and Delani Barber, and former Atlanta Falcon star Bob Whitfield. It was also attended by a number of Kelly’s friends as well as a host of hip hop and art enthusiasts.
Check out more photos below:
DL Warfield artwork
Leigh Wise with honorees Rasheeda and Kirk Frost and DJ Nabs
DL Warfield artwork featuring Kurt Cobain and Rihanna
DL Warfield with Kwanza Hall, Sean Anderson, and guest
Host Dwight Eubanks
Leigh Wise is the first cousin of Chris Kelly
Rasheeda, Kirk Frost, and DJ Nabs thanking everyone for their awards
Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall bringing greetings from Mayor’s Office
Leigh Wise and DJ Nabs holding his award
Leigh Wise with Rasheeda holding her award
Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com