Dane Knudsen, the DUT graphic design Master of Technology student who recently flew to New York City, USA for a week-long mentorship with hip hop artist Talib Kweli, has only splendid memories to share.

“Stops”, as the graffiti artist’s moniker goes, won in the graffiti category of the 2012 Sprite Uncontainable Hip Hop Talent Search. He flew to the big apple last month (October 2012), together with the emcee and dance categories winners.

Apart from his elation to visit the birthplace of his hip hop idols, Knudsen said he chose not to have expectations going on this trip. In this way, the artist was able to completely enjoy the experience. It was all surreal, from his interaction with Talib Kweli and his manager Corey Smyth to touring through the Bronx, Brooklyn, Harlem and Queens, the places where hip hop music is most rife. Each moment was an opportunity to learn something new and left the trio “in awe”, Knudsen said.

“I (got) to see some extremely famous art, by artists that are studied in art history. The best for me was probably seeing a Klimt painting. It was also the first time I had ever seen artworks that are normally in books, so it was a bit of a goosebump moment,” he remembered.

The following experiences resonate within the artist’s mind: listening to Talib Kweli’s latest album (due to be released next year), boarding a yellow cab, the sounds of the subway from beneath the streets, pizza by the slice as well as the multitude of accents and languages. “I would go back (to New York), and yes I would live there,” Knudsen said.

As part of the competition, the three winners feature in a music video for emcee category winner Hydrochloric’s song. The video was filmed in the beginning of September, the day after the finals were held, Knudsen told.
After completing his Master’s degree, Knudsen intends to continue his part-time lecturing career, imparting his knowledge to the first-year drawing class at DUT.

–Naledi Hlefane
Caption: Dane Knudsen (Stops), the winner of the Sprite Uncontainable Hip Hop Talent Search who will fly to New York City soon. Behind him is a graffiti painting he did at the DUT City Campus.
Picture by: Tyler Dolan