GRILLS

Words by Shantrelle P. Lewis and Fletcher Williams III | Images by Fletcher Williams III

I was introduced to the work of Sir Williams during a call for submissions I sent out when I curated “H(A)UNTED,” an exhibition for the Caribbean Cultural Center African Dias- pora Institute (CCCADI) in response to the murder of Trayvon Martin. I wanted to explore the historical criminalization and stereotyping of Black men and boys. Fletcher submitted several of his grills for consideration and I was blown away, immediately.

Fletcher explores various intersections of masculinity, bling, street consumerism and stereotyping. He questions whether or not hip hop and its stars are products of their environment or producers of such. In essence, what comes first: the chicken or the egg? His work also critiques whether or not the lives of young Black men are self-fulfilling prophecies.

The formal, academic meticulousness and craftsmanship with which Mr. Williams approaches his subject matter excites me. Considering the fact that he’s so young and new to the game, I’m anxious to observe exactly how this emerging artist’s career will unfold. I wonder if his analysis and commentary on his genera- tion will impact the lives of the people in our society that look like him – young, male and Black. There’s an African Proverb that says “Until lions have their own historians, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” What’s left to be seen is how this visual griot will use his work to write the contemporary an- nals of history. Will his documentation and critique empathize with the lions or support the their hunters?

Here’s what Fletcher has to say:

I’m watching a crowd of several hundred teenagers droppin’ it low and throwing their hands high to THE best of Southern Rap. Every Friday, the National Guard Armory at Cross Country Road in Charleston, S.C. hosts Teen Night, which brings out the city’s youngest and most opulent. Brightly colored weaves, shiny gold chains and gold grills stack the entry line; candy-painted Crown Victorias and sparkling rims flood the parking lot. There is nothing grander happening anywhere else in the city.

During the party, l always wait for that one song that will set the already raging crowd ablaze. And midway through the night, it strikes. A sharp tapping snare, piercing synth and heavy bass shoots from the speakers. It’s “Gold Grill” by the legendary UGK.

Everyone wearing a gold grill, one tooth or all thirty-two, follows Pimp C’s command : “Show ya golds if ya bold.’’ All the gold grills -- diamond cuts and open faces -- glisten in the dark warehouse. I wonder who is actually bold enough to set it off. Minutes later, boldness strikes and the inevitable brawl breaks out. The music comes to a halt and the crowd is directed into the parking lot, where chaos continues.

Girls and guys swing for the fences. Shiny gold chains fly aimlessly through the air. Purple and green weaves are uprooted and shirts ripped from bodies. But as soon as Five-O rolls into the parking lot with sirens belting and lights flashing, the crowd scatters. I hop in my car and head home, trying to digest it all. I don’t know whether to celebrate the splendor or criticize the buffoonery.

Since leaving Charleston to study art at The Cooper Union in New York City, hip hop continues to fascinate me with its flashy, tenacious, illustrious style. But I stand in a different position than I did during those Teen Nights. I used to consider myself a loyal member of the hip hop movement, showing my gold grill and two- steppin’ to heavy bass. But I have since stepped out of the circle and shed my gold. It is from my new vantage point that I question the authenticity of these mythic and God-like hip hop artists and the masses they command. This body of work is reflective of my continued uncertainty. Each piece sways between obsession and revulsion, adoration and censure.

To see more work by Shantrelle P. Lewis and Fletcher Williams III, visit Shantrelle's blog, Shantology, and Fletcher's Tumblr site, The Source | Fletcher Williams IIl and check him out in our video below.