East Orange, November 7, 2019: In conjunction with Mayor Ted R. Green and the East Orange City Council, the Arts Council of East Orange will open its newest exhibition featuring the work of homegrown self-taught artist Kojo “Drift” Aidoo on Wednesday, November 13 between 6pm-8pm at Gallery Under the Stairs located on the lower level of City Hall Plaza. 

Born to West African immigrant parents from Ghana, Aidoo is a lifelong East Orange resident, father, rapper, actor and artist. He has been an artist/cartoonist since the tender age of five and was always an avid lover of music who began rapping at age nine. Kojo first gained nationwide notoriety in 2002 when he won multiple rap battles on BET’s popular show “106 & Park.” He later signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. and released a hit record in 2004 entitled “Don’t Call Me” and his debut album “Ribs is Touching” featuring Remy Ma and the legendary Smif N’ Wessun.

In 2007, after the birth of his son Kamal, Aidoo took a hiatus from music and joined the “9 to 5” workforce. However, under the advice of his mother Joana, Kojo recently picked back up his paint and paint brush and began to once again share his art with the world. Aidoo’s work is an eclectic mix of pop art, nature art and portraiture, which include tributes to public figures such as Bob Marley, Muhammad Ali and Tupac Shakur, and others like Jean Michel Basquiat, who piqued his interest in art.

The event is free and open to the public. 

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