Hebru Brantley spray paints a homage to the past at The Sound Table

Fly - a mural painted by Hebru Brantley      

Cars pulled in and out of the parking lot of  The Sound Table as passersby slowed down to catch a glimpse of what was happening on the wall of the popular nightspot. “10 Bands” by Drake played loud as art lovers drinking Heinekens watched internationally renowned artist Hebru Brantley spray paint a mural that pays homage to the past of Edgewood - a changing neighborhood.

“It’s about the idea of a first love or experiencing something for the first time. I use my characters, my medium and my voice to speak to people in the community. I feel like a lot of people who work here and live here think it’s great, but they don’t have a special connection with the history of the area and the people,” Brantley says. “I grew up down the street and a lot of the art doesn’t connect with us. It’s like that quote in the Spike Lee movie ‘How come there ain’t no brothers on the wall?’ I’m speaking for us and our neighborhood."

As an artist and visionary Hebru Brantley’s client list includes Jay-Z, LeBron James, Lil Wayne, Nike, Swizz Beats, Red Bull, Tyra Banks, Lollapalooza, Q-Tip, and Russell Simmons to name a few. His work is critically acclaimed and exhibited worldwide from the popular Art Basel show in Miami, Florida, to the Tim Yarger Gallery in Beverly Hills, and the American Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, but for the moment his attention is on the wall of The Sound Table. The coveted wall is more than just a brick canvas; it’s iconic to Atlanta and the residents of Edgewood. The first artist to paint on the wall was Radcliffe Bailey, then artist Greg Mike, and now Hebru Brantley. 

Each piece painted on the wall represented the local color of the East Atlanta neighborhood that is home to Café Circa, a restaurant whose Sunday brunches are popular among the young Black professionals, and Corner Tavern owned by two British boys who attract the rock n’ roll crowd. Today Edgewood is a cross section for urban life, but when Brantley attended Clark Atlanta University the view from the corner of Edgewood Ave and Boulevard Ave was different. Dj Ausar, host of the Kalakuta show on WRFG, recounted the history of the neighborhood as he watched Brantley paint the mural. 

“This was all projects, it was all Black. It’s still Black, but it’s changing.” He says pointing his finger behind The Sound Table. “That alley back there was like going to The Carter in New York City. You didn’t want to go back there. Now it’s being gentrified - at this corner is where the hipster, dope boy and white boy, who feels like he deserves to be here, meet.”

Hebru Brantley stands in front of his mural at The Sound Table

The Sound Table opened and raised the standard for music, nightlife and food in the area. Those in attendance of the block party waxed nostalgic over the days when the particular section of Edgewood was known as all Black. The conversations started at Grady Homes, a former housing project, and meandered to Sundays at the Underground Atlanta in the 90’s. Despite the happy memories of a distant past, no one could deny that change, even in the form of gentrification, isn’t the worst thing that could happen to the area. Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton, Creative Director of Allways Open Creative—the agency responsible for bringing Brantley to Atlanta—says the mural is symbolic in numerous ways. He explains that the pilot with the goggles is a shout out to the Tuskegee Airmen; the sketches in the background disclose different themes and people who have influenced Hebru along the way including the great local artist Fahamu Pecou. Ultimately, this is what the Old Fourth Ward community needed, and thanks to Heineken’s support, the Sound Table, Councilman Kwanza Hall and the Allways Open team Byron says it's finally here.

“Hebru is about our struggle and the strength of our people. It's also about unity. You see the vibrant characters and the mural says love, youthfulness, and following your dreams.” Byron continued, “Hebru is about positive imagery and he’s changing the vibe of what the murals have been in the past on this wall. You see a boy and girl chillin’ as they grow up to be leaders in the community; you can see the African inspiration behind it." 

               Fly - a mural painted by Hebru Brantley               

The head shops, upscale restaurants, clubs and salons are all a signs of what the future of Edgewood and Boulevard will become. The King Center and murals that decorate the neighborhood tell the story of the past, where the Chicago bred Brantley honed in on his skills and became a man. Looking at the change taking place in his old stomping grounds prompted Brantley to imprint his memories on a wall where new stories are being created.

“Atlanta has a rich culture. Edgewood being what it was back in the day and now there’s sort of a revitalization. There are so many interesting people coming to the area and recreating and renaming it." Brantley says. "I want to be a part of it and be able to lend my voice to it. I’ve known the area for a long time, so I’ve watched what it was, what it is and what it will be.”