The Rockefeller Pose

with LL Cool J and Richard Ormond

The sitter was rapper LL Cool J. The artist was Kehinde Wiley, who's made a name for himself by portraying African American men and women in regal poses culled from art history. (He also painted Barack Obama’s presidential portrait.)

In this episode, LL recounts what happened when they met, and why he turned to a 100-year-old masterpiece of the richest person in modern history-- John D. Rockefeller Sr.-- for his power pose. He also discusses how portraits can help build new paradigms in the face of systemic racism.

In addition, art historian Richard Ormond draws a line from a guilded age of luxury and elegance to a celebration of hip hop royalty.

young Black man and an older white man

LL Cool J., Getty Images | Richard Ormond, Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery

Additional reading:

Christine Emba, "A Monumental Shift," The Washington Post, June 7, 2020.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/opinions/confederate-statues-monuments/.

Michael Paul Williams, "400 years of history doesn't sweep away with 'Rumors of War' unveiling in Richmond, but it's a start.," Richmond Times-Dispatch, Dec., 10, 2019
https://www.richmond.com/news/local/williams-400-years-of-history-doesnt-sweep-away-with-rumors-of-war-unveiling-in-richmond/article_06db8228-8f3c-5dec-ac76-991f6661af39.html