
Auction Closed
September 16, 12:26 AM GMT
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
EGYPTIAN LOVER
UNTITLED INSTALLATION OF 4 ORIGINAL PEN-AND-INK DRAWINGS ON LP SLEEVES, VARIOUS DATES. ALL SIGNED "THE EGYPTIAN LOVER [PYRAMID]".
Black fine-tip marker on 4 glossy white LP sleeves, each 12 7/16 x 12 7/16 in., tiled together in a square forming a 24 11/16 x 24 11/16 in. installation. Each signed "The Egyptian Lover [pyramid]".
AN INCREDIBLY INTRICATE PIECE BY "THE KING OF 808"
The present work features an array of incredibly intricate, interlocking designs, with swirls, branches, tentacle-like appendages, spirals, and more, featuring Ancient Egyptian themes, aliens, turntables, a secret hieroglyphic-style language, with the design connecting through and across all four sleeves.
Hip Hop pioneer Egyptian Lover is an American musician, vocalist, producer, and DJ who was part of the L.A. dance music and rap scene in the early 1980s. Often referred to as "The King of 808", the TR-808 drum machine is his instrument of choice, and an extension of his persona.
Los Angeles native Egyptian Lover is internationally recognized as a pioneer of West Coast hip hop and helped bring electro rap to the masses, while influencing many DJs and MCs in his wake since the early ‘80s. The first West Coast rapper/producer to achieve international success, Egyptian Lover paved the way for the early West Coast hip hop pioneers like Dr Dre, Eazy E, Rodney O, Snoop Dogg, King Tee among others.
Egyptian Lover got his start compiling electro mixes – Kraftwerk, Prince, Rick James, Zapp – including his own instrumental beats created on the Roland 808 drum machine. The club-ready cassette tape mixes were selling in the thousands.
With his star status rising higher, Egyptian Lover joined hip-hop crew Uncle Jamm’s Army, moving crowds of 10,000 at the LA Sports Arena. In the mid ‘80s, L.A. was the electro rap capital and Egyptian Lover was at the forefront of this new West Coast sound, not only as a performer, but also as label owner of Egyptian Empire Records. His 12” singles sold in the hundreds of thousands around the world – “Egypt/Egypt”, “Dial-A-Freak”, “Girls”, “Freak-A-Holic”.
Since 1984, Egyptian Lover has remained true to his sound by recording on analog equipment, which creates his signature sound. Egyptian Lover’s influence cannot be overstated – not only did he change the face of West Coast hip hop, but also greatly influenced electronic, techno, R&B and pop music to this day.
PROVENANCE:
Courtesy Egyptian Lover