Subscribe
The Daily Grind Video
CLOSE

When Swizz Beatz said recently that he was 110% committed to helping promote arts programs for children, he meant it.

We had a chance to make it down to the red carpet at 1Oak NYC for the Bronx Charter School for the Art’s 4th Annual Art Auction and witnessed not only a great fundraiser for the children, but also an off the hook concert that kept guests and press dancing well into the night.

Beautiful artistic pieces created by students were on display and sold for hundreds of dollars in an incredibly successful auction emceed by Swizz himself. We even had a chance to meet 6th Grader Brandon Marmol (who appeared with Swizz Beatz on “Good Day NY” on Monday 5/16) and his mother, Francys Rodriguez, and chat about his love of art.

“Every single time when I’m in arts class something just happens to me, something good, for some reason,” said Brandon. “I just become an artist. When I used to draw at home when I was smaller nothing came out like that [motioning to his painting]. Then one day, at class, it came out like that.”

[pagebreak]

 

Along with the childrens’ works of art, Swizz auctioned off basketball gear autographed by New York Knick and hometown hero Carmelo Anthony, as well as the autographed full CD catalogues of both Beyonce and Jay-Z. Swizz was in full hustle mode, auctioning off the items and entertaining the crowd with his great sense of humor.

[pagebreak]

At the auction’s conclusion, Swizz stepped behind the turntables for a few minutes then Estelle kicked off a concert of epic proportions on the 1Oak stage. Both performers brought the energy and kept the party bouncing for everyone in attendance.

On his inspiration to help the Bronx Charter School for Arts:

“My inspiration for helping out the school is being able to take a God-given talent and help all the students, taking my blessings and passing it along and sharing it and just spreading art and spreading the culture. You can’t take everything with you. You receive to give, and I’ve had my share of receiving so it’s important for me to give back.”

[pagebreak]

 

On if teachers helped him become successful:

“No teachers just my experiences in life and the streets being my teacher. Knowing that you’re blessed with something you have to share it. Those kids that we’re giving back to, they’re the next generation. We have to empower them. We have to give them the tools to progress to the next level. If we can’t do that then we’re all wasting our time.”

On when he realized he was musically gifted:

“When [“Ruff Ryders’ Anthem”] came out in 1998.

[pagebreak]

Wow, Swizz was twenty years old when he realized he was gifted? Imagine if he had known when he was still in grade school …

We wish Swizz the best in his quest to keep school arts programs funded and accessible and really admire what he’s doing. Keep grindin’!

[pagebreak]

 

Swizz Beatz and Estelle perform at the Bronx Charter School for the Art’s 4th Annual Art Auction at 1Oak NYC.

[pagebreak]

Estelle performs at the Bronx Charter School for the Art’s 4th Annual Art Auction at 1Oak NYC.

[pagebreak]

Actress Tika Sumpter

[pagebreak]

Estelle and Shontelle

[pagebreak]

Swizz Beatz emceeing the auction.

[pagebreak]

Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest on the red carpet.

[pagebreak]

Swizz Beatz on the red carpet.

[pagebreak]

Swizz Beatz and Estelle hug after their performance at the Bronx Charter School for the Art’s 4th Annual Art Auction at 1Oak NYC.