A new mural of hip hop legend Busta Rhymes was recently unveiled in Raleigh, NC. Dare Coulter, an acclaimed sculptor, artist, muralist, illustrator and native of Raleigh, was inspired by a viral image of the emcee dropping his son off for his first year of college at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.
In the original photo, the rapper is seen kissing his then-18-year-old son, Trillian, on the forehead as he prepared to leave him for his freshman year in 2017.
“Another young King of mine, off to begin the next chapter. Congrats @originaltrillian. The world is yours, young King. #LincolnUniversity,” Busta wrote in a social media caption at the time the photo was taken.
The mural is located outside of Irregardless, the oldest vegan restaurant in the city. Lee Robinson, proprietor of the restaurant and David Meeker, owner of the building, commissioned the mural.
Artist Dare Coulter. Image: Lauren Lindley Photography.
An acclaimed artist, known for her artistic representation “that reflects the fullness and vibrancy of the Black experience,” Coulter has illustrated nine children’s books, including An American Story by Kwame Alexander, a commissioned painting of Nina Simone for the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a fundraiser to restore the legendary singer’s childhood home in Tryon, NC; and a 200-foot mural in to pay tribute to Black cowboys in Greensboro, N.C.
“All of my work focuses on positive imagery of Black people—depictions of joy, depictions of family, depictions of love. For me, that photo [of Busta and son]is the epitome of that,” Coulter shares.
The acclaimed muralist hopes that the artwork will inspire the importance of Black families and the importance of Black father’s in their children’s life journey.
“It’s the depiction of the concept of being loved completely. And I know that there are a lot of people who grew up without a father. My father wasn’t in my household, but I was still in contact with him,” she continued.
