Grandmaster Flash to headline Basquiat bash at AGO

Excitement is high for the AGO's upcoming Jean-Michel Basquiat exhibit, the first large-scale retrospective of the legendary '80s graffiti artist and painter ever held in Canada and one of this season's most hyped art shows. That anticipation just got bumped up a notch with the announcement of the lineup for the AGO'S First Thursdays party set to coincide with the exhibit's launch.

On February 5 (two days before Jean-Michel Basquiat: Now's the Time officially opens), groundbreaking DJ Grandmaster Flash, who pioneered hip-hop cutting and mixing and brought emerging techniques like scratching to new heights, will deliver a headlining DJ set - a perfect complement for an artist who also made waves in the emerging hip-hop culture of New York in the early '80s.

In an effort to fold Basquiat's themes of race, social forces and identity into the celebration, they've also brought in local dancehall duo Bonjay, as well as a panel discussion of Toronto-based black artists and creators. Tickets will be available on the AGO site January 8 at 8am.

Photo from Grandmaster Flash's Facebook page