Does Drake's Surprise Album Foretell Major Changes in His Future?

Friday, February 20, 2015 Accent on A&E C OnNoreth Dakotaof Museuma kinof Art debutsd conew Afllectionrican art exhibit Story and photos l Wade Rupard he North Dakota Museum When McNemar returned state- of Art unveiled its newest side, he opened a gallery in New exhibit Sunday, one of the York, then San Francisco, before most culturally significant settling in his hometown of Lexing- works of African art, said the muse- ton, Va. um’s director, Laurel Reuter. McNemar, a dealer whose cli- TThe collection is the most valu- ents included major European able ever to be acquired by the mu- and American art museums, soon seum, estimated to be worth more struck up a friendship with Barton than $712,000. Benes and Reuter. “This is terrific for the state of Over the years, the three of them North Dakota,” Reuter said. “This became friends, and both soon do- is one of the most important Afri- nated items to the museum. can art collections ever acquired.” Benes’ own collection, including The exhibit will be on display for over 50 African masks, now reside the next two months. Admission to on the top floor of the museum in view the exhibition is free, and it Barton’s Place, a recreation of his is open to the public. The museum art-filled New York apartment. is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Benes had traded his own art for weekdays and from 1 to 5 p.m. on McNemar’s African art, so it was weekends. only fitting that it all came back Reuter said the the museum was together to North Dakota, Reuter able to acquire the works through said. “friends of friends” over the course Reuter said the two of them were of several years. interested in bringing their collec- In December 2012, collector tions to a place such as North Da- Thomas McNemar, who spent 20 kota because people here are not years in West Africa amassing an as familiar with African culture. extensive collection of African art, “He wanted people to see it and The North Dakota Museum of Art debuted a new art exhibit Sunday. The exhibition, titled “An African donated 30 earthenware pots and a respect it for what it was,” Reuter Affair,” is one of the most extensive collections of African art ever assembled, said Laurel Reuter, few clay and wood sculptures to the said. “He would say, ‘If i give my director of the museum. museum. collection to the Smithsonian Mu- The following December, an- seum, it will go forever into storage. other gift from McNemar was If i give it to the North Dakota Mu- ple around here aren’t familiar African earthenware pots before seum’s gallery, Reuter said. given to the museum, including seum of Art, people will see it.’ ” with and don’t know anything the 1990s, when Douglas Dawson “I’m so happy to have this here at more than 120 sculptures, includ- This exhibition showcases more about” Reuter said. “So to have it introduced them through his Chi- the North Dakota Museum of Art,” ing carved storage boxes, chief’s than 150 pieces, each with cultural here is incredible.” cago art gallery as coveted works of she said. “Hopefully people can chairs, lidded wooden bowls and significance to the African people, For centuries, African women art. It’s speculated that within a few come by and learn something new many masks. Reuter said. The museum’s collec- had made earthenware pots from generations, these sorts of pots will about a culture they might not be McNemar traveled throughout tion comes from 50 cultures found local clay for ordinary purposes no longer be made. familiar with.” Africa acquiring these items, be- in 17 different west and central such as storage pots for grain, wa- This makes this exhibition Call Rupard at (701) 780-1122; (800) ginning with his first expedition to African countries. ter or cooking. among the best and most notewor- 477-6572, ext. 1122; or send email to the continent in 1966. “This art is art that a lot of peo- Collectors paid little attention to thy ones to ever come into the mu- [email protected]. Does Drake’s surprise album foretell major changes in his future? By Gerrick D. Kennedy “Views From the 6.” And low superstar Nicki Minaj. the ongoing drama, does this gifted to fans on a whim, it’s a It’s Too Late” isn’t much of a Los Angeles Times speculation of an imminent Late last month, Wayne’s album serve as his answer? full-fledged record on iTunes showcase of Drake’s vulnera- release intensified earlier beef with the label got seri- Its title and release model released under the Cash bility. This is a colder Drake, While the West Coast last week when he issued a ous and he hit the company are tough clues to ignore. Money label. Is this release, and it’s hard to blame him had long been tucked into stylish short film called “Jun- with a lawsuit to the tune Fans quickly started buzz- his fourth, the last of a con- given all the turmoil on the bed last Thursday, Drake gle” (a song on the album of $51 million. With Wayne ing over the cover art. The ti- tractual obligation to Cash home team and the so-called surprised fans by quietly bears the same title). loudly vocalizing his desire tle is crudely drawn in black Money? “stones” thrown at him over dropping an album. Without The release makes us won- to get out of Cash Money, one ink on a white background. We will wait and see, but the past year, as he refer- warning, a 17-song project der, however, is this his swan can only assume that the The font’s similarity to Chick- an early listen to the collec- ences on “You & The 6.” titled “If You’re Reading This song to Cash Money? talents he signed and guided fil-A’s instantly spawned tion of tracks reveals that But as the Internet contin- It’s Too Late” popped up on A little history. For months, to superstardom would jump an Internet meme and the this is Drake at his finest. He ues to chew over all the bars, iTunes. Sound familiar? Drake’s mentor Lil Wayne ship with him. Right? At least album’s menacing tone is dives between rapping and samples, disses and hooks There had long been has been embroiled in a bit- that’s the speculation further rumored to be aimed toward singing, injecting introspec- that Drake packed onto the rumors that the Canadian ter dispute with Cash Money, fueled by this surprise re- Cash Money head Bryan tion, regret and braggadocio album, we can’t shake the singer-rapper was planning the label that oversees the lease. “Birdman” Williams. over long, woozy, atmospheric feeling that we may have just on issuing a mixtape to tide Young Money imprint which While Drake has continued And then there is the roll- beats. witnessed his checkmate in a fans over for his next album, signed Drake along with fel- to remain mum throughout out. This isn’t a free offering “If You’re Reading This label war..

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