Geto Boys member Bushwick
Bill will be featured as a celebrity guest model at the First Annual Makaveli
Branded Fashion Show, the clothing line launched by Tupac Shakur’s mother,
Afeni Shakur.
“It is significant
that this event is being held in Los Angeles on New Years,” Bushwick Bill
said. “This day represents the birth of a new year, and this clothing
line, owned by his mother, Afeni, is one more way of representing the streets
and the realism of his life and hip-hop style. Through his clothing, we are
sending a reminder of Tupac’s words and messages.”
Bushwick Bill and Tupac
Shakur were personal friends, introduced to each other by Naughty by Nature
rapper Treach.
In addition to admiring
each others art, the two also shared a mutual appreciation for music.
“Pac had just finished
filming Juice, and he told me he always loved the Geto Boys and the intelligence
I expressed in interviews,” Bushwick Bill continued. “His whole
energy of how he felt about my music told me that he was a fan of the music,
and not just an artist. That gave me an insight as to how I should feel as an
artist about the music. To him, music was oxygen.”
The event is also a celebration
of Shakur’s latest chart topping album, Loyal to the Game.
“For those of us who
were personal friends of Tupac, the clothing line has a special meaning,”
Bushwick explained. “Because Tupac has always expressed his life experiences
through hiphop music, and because those of us who have traveled these roads
know the truth, I feel blessed to stand up for something that is right and that
is true, and in this case, the clothes are the extension of the man."
Other guests to the fashion
show include Lisa Raye, Jon B., The Outlawz, Warren G., Cedric The Entertainer,
Eazy E’s son Lil’ E, who will debut his new single that features
Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. and others.
The show takes place at
Los Angeles’ famed Century Club and will also feature several DJ’s
spinning tributes to Shakur.
In related news, Bushwick
will be drop a solo album, Gutta Mixx, on Adex Records on March 8.