Meet Madi

I first seen Madi's work on one of my followers IG story, it was a repost of Madi's famous oil based painting, of a classic photo of the infamous trio Hov, Dame, and Biggs. An iconic photo of the untouchable dynasty, I would assume it was taken around the time of Hov's first classic album reasonable Doubt. My first thought was, "this is fucking fire" followed by a second thought, "who the fuck has a good enough eye and understanding of the culture that they chose this picture to paint?"... I began clicking for answers and found Madi's page. It was line after line of iconic rappers and scenes from movies... I reached out to Madi and soon setup a date to interview and shoot.

When I arrived at her home she walked out on to the lawn with the biggest smile, which made me even more curious as to how this young women became engulfed and so in tune with 90's/2000's hip-hop culture that she is able to select these definitive moments. I had to find out..

What's up Madi? How are you?

I'm great. Happy to be doing this interview with you. This is actually my first interview.

Really? Even after the success of the Roc-A-Fella painting? How did that happen?

Yea, somehow, Biggs seen the Roc-A-Fella painting and his people reached out to me. They asked if I would want to feature the painting in the Roc-A-Fella Art Show. I was like "hell yea," lol. So I featured that one and a few others of Jay, Bleek, Jim Jones and Cam.

Tough!.. So, tell the people about yourself. What's your name? Where you from? How old are you?

Lol. Everyone calls me Madi, but my real name is Madison Hood. I'm 20, turning 21 in a couple months. I'm from Elmsford, NY. And I'm a junior in college.

When's your birthday? September 12. Are you a virgo!?!

Haha. Yea, mine is the 13. Ahhh I knew it, virgo gang! lol.

Lol. How long have you been painting?

I've been painting for almost 6 years now. I started my Sophomore or Junior year in high school and I've been doing it ever since.

Where do you get most of your inspiration from?

Ahh.. My inspiration definitely comes from music and those that inspire me. You can see it in my paintings. Like everything is about the music... it's those, who's sound, make me feel good and I just want to translate that onto the canvas.

What are you currently listening to?

(Big Smile).. I've been listening to a lot of The LOX lately. Lol. The LOX? (shocked me) Lol. Yea.. I've been listening to the Belly soundtrack obviously because I'm painting the Belly series. Lil Kim, Redman. Lol, yea that's it for now.

What's your go-to song right now?

The LOX - F%ck You. Lol. Excuse my language.

Lol, Who turned you on to this type of music?

My dad definitely. He had this tall CD case in the living-room and I remember, like I was younger, and I saw the Hardcore album cover (Lil Kim first album). And I was like Who is this? What is this?(Big Smile) And I would go with him to the CD store in Greenburg. And then, yea I just been listening to that.. And I really got into a few years ago. Thats pretty much all I listen to now.

Movie wise.. What's your favorite movie right now?

Uuumm, right now Carlitos Way (Big Smile). That's one of my favorites. I've been watching that, Casino, aaannnddd Belly.

What inspired you to paint the Roc-A-Fella painting?

I love JayZ, but I wanted to go back to the beginning and see where he started. So when I saw this picture, I thought that it would be perfect. And then we were doing the Roc-A-Fella Art Show, so of course it would be perfect to capture the three of them, but it just takes you back to where it all started from.

Whats your favorite Jay-z album?

Reasonable Doubt. Of course. My favorite is Dead Presidents 2. I like that one better than the first. But the 2nd verse in the first one is like...the best. You know. But definitely Reasonable Doubt.

How does the verse go?

LOL... "I want money like Cosby, who wouldn't? This the kind of talk that make think you aint got no pudding... lolol"

Whats next for you?

I'm gonna finish up this belly series. I believe I have 7 more to do. And once thats done, I think I might do Paid In Full next. Not sure. But umm.. I'm just taking it day-by-day, project-by-project.

Do you want to sell your own work.. ooorrr?

Yea, for sure. I don't really like the idea of working for someone else. I just want to do it all myself because I know I can.

Artist: Madi

Instagram: @1.madi