In celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary this year, the critically acclaimed fusion band Phony Ppl will perform its first immersive virtual concert through Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Art, Beats + Lyrics exhibition (AB+L).
AB+L is a traveling art and music exhibition that has showcased works by local BIPOC artists for twenty years and featured performances by hip-hop legends in various major cities. This year, the program is expanding to new heights and frontiers with its first-ever immersive virtual reality experience, The Verse. According to the press release, The Verse is an Afrofuturism-inspired world that will showcase the works of celebrated Black and diverse artists and creators while exploring the intersection of hip-hop and innovation. The Verse will also provide visitors with interactive attractions, including Phony Ppl’s exclusive virtual performance, one of the first to use markerless motion capture through AI technology.
Other features The Verse will include:
· Exclusive fan meet-and-greet and virtual fireside chat with Phony Ppl (Sept. 28)
· Virtual panel on hip-hop’s 50th anniversary and its tech-led future organized by HipHopForChange (October)
· An homage to 1520 Sedgwick Ave. in the Bronx, the birthplace of hip-hop
· A space elevator that skyrockets visitors from Earth to outer space
· A nightlife-inspired Honey Lounge for guests to network and socialize
· Flying through zero-gravity tubes
Phony Ppl expressed their excitement about being a part of this unique experience,
“We are thrilled to present this revolutionary experience to our audience,” and added, “By fusing the worlds of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, music, and technology, we are bringing an unparalleled platform for our fans to connect, celebrate, and experience our first-ever virtual concert!”
