Way down in the jungle deep, the G-Men stepped on the signifying tiger’s feet. Once you exit off I-20, there is only one way out and Grambling alumni roll deep. GSU Homecoming 2019, when you stomp out the competition 55-20, there may not be much left to see. That is until Cbabi Bayoc arrives on the scene.
Clifford Miskell, Jr. roamed the streets of Grambling, Louisiana as an art student from 1992-1995. During that tenure, his pure artistry amazed artists and non-artists alike. Even though he kept a backpack and sketchpad on him, he never really said a lot. He allowed his art to speak for him which spoke volumes. During his time at Grambling State University, Clifford adopted the name CBABI (Creative-Black-Artist-Battling- Ignorance) BAYOC (Blessed-African-Youth-Of-Creativity).
Cbabi Bayoc is an internationally-known visual artist and illustrator with art work in the visual productions of greats such as Erykah Badu, a personal artist for iconic Prince with rotating pieces hanging in Paisley Park, cover artist for the Violator Compilation, Vol.1 album, featuring the likenesses of Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, Foxy Brown, Q-Tip, LL Cool J, Mobb Deep, Fat Joe and Big Pun.
The staff chatted with Mr. Bayoc during his mural release at Black to the Basics during the GSU Homecoming weekend. This cat so humble. When told about two grown men fighting over his art work as a student, he put his head down. Back up and repeat, Prince, Mr. Purple Rain, was a personal collector of Bayoc’s work and even featured his art on a few of his album covers. We could stop right there but let us proceed. “Reine Keis Quintet” was the cover art for the 23rd studio album of Prince, The Rainbow Children. The artwork was also the centerpiece of Prince’s first Celebration event held at his Paisley Park complex celebrating The Rainbow Children album release and the re-claiming of his name after the expiration of his Warner Brothers contract.
Some notable clientele include Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, New Line Cinema, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and MCA Records, among others. Through all the fame, his heart project was the 365 Days with Dad series. His resolution was to paint a positive image of black fatherhood each day for the entire year which resulted in a journey that was inspiring and ultimately resulting in the sharing of many stories and hopeful experiences of dads throughout all life stages.
As GSU wrapped up Homecoming 2019, the entire city was honored to have Bayoc leave his print on Tigerland. Gram·ish: for the culture! Need press coverage for your homecoming or big event, drop an email to lavibe.mag@gmail.com.
"It's a VIBE."
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