Music Show At Bandshell An Extension of Hip-Hop Artist’s Wynwood MuseZeum

When Grammy-winning producer Salaam Remi retired from producing, he started on his next chapter, a Wynwood gallery space named the MuseZeum. (Photo courtesy of the MuseZeum)

Most people will know Salaam Remi for his Grammy-winning musical career having produced hit records for Nas, Amy Winehouse, Doja Cat and others, but few will know his visual artwork.  He first started creating visual art during the pandemic. When he retired from producing on his 50th birthday in 2022, his next chapter was one that united hip-hop culture, visual art and artist empowerment in a unique Wynwood gallery space, named the MuseZeum.

“When I would walk around Art Basel, I didn’t see things that were culturally relevant to myself. So, I did shows in 2018 and 2019 where I brought my personal art collection out and some personal stuff. So now that I’ve started venturing into different art, we not only have art that I’ve worked on, but art that I’m sure many people, I think, that individuals would be happy to see, and I would just make it happen the same way,” says Remi.

Salaam Remi and Busta Rhymes outside of the NYC MuseZeum pop up (Photo courtesy of the MuseZeum)

Beyond being a way to showcase his own work, the MuseZeum (2032 NW 2nd Ave., Miami) is an ecosystem that nurtures artists, embraces technology and offers them opportunities to monetize their art. Remi uses his name brand and fame to make sure the MuseZeum opens doors for other artists and uses a revenue split model for sales more common in the music world than in the visual art world.

“I know that I may get notoriety for doing visual art, even though I’ve only done it for a certain amount of time, so what I wanted to do was to create an ecosystem to where now the opportunities that I might get, I’m now passing those on to people who are full-time visual artists and as well utilizing my influence to help people now gain income.”

He says his idea comes down to this.

“There’s no reason for me not to share with people who are not necessarily going to benefit from someone else’s work. My thing is how can I maximize my own value and how can I help people that create value for themselves maximize their IP.”

Salaam Remi and rapper Busta Rhymes tour the NY MuseZeum pop up (Photo courtesy: of the MuseZeum)

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of hip-hop or someone looking for a unique artistic experience, the Wynwood-based museum is worth a visit. It’s open on Friday and Saturday from noon to midnight.  In celebration of Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary this year, pop-up locations have sprung up in New York and Washington, D.C.

“We got to take stuff to Gracie Mansion, to the mayor’s house,” says Remi. “You got a chance to really have a lot more of the hip-hop community pass by in the main area and see it. And then the same thing in D.C. we have for the month of October, leading into Howard Homecoming, there’s once again a lot of the artists and people who will get to see stuff in person.”

Expanding its reach further, in April 2023 the MuseZeum launched a live concert series, dubbed Midnight at the MuseZeum featuring hip-hop greats like Rakim and Big Daddy Kane.

Big Daddy Kane performs at Midnight at the MuseZeum concert series (Photo courtesy of the MuseZeum)

On Saturday, Oct. 28, legendary tapper Slick Rick will perform at the Miami Beach Bandshell.

“He’s my favorite rapper.  Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, they’re the most influential rappers of the era, which is when I grew up. The concerts are a dream come true and being able to do them in Miami really gets artists down here who don’t usually come,” says Remi.

Slick Rick will be joined by Miami’s JT Money and the Poison Clan. The event will also include a costume contest with a $500 prize in what Remi describes as “Just more unadulterated hip-hop fun.”

WHAT: Midnight at MuseZeum concert series featuring Slick Rick 

WHERE:  Miami Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave, Miami Beach

WHEN:  8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28

COST:   $32, $250 VIP 

INFORMATION:  midnighatmusezeum

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