By: Sam Fatula | a&e editor
The innovator of pop art, Andy Warhol, was enamored by a modernist lifestyle that affected not only his paintings and artistic style in general, but had a massive impact on music as well. Because of this, and to give local and traveling musicians a platform to perform, The Andy Warhol Museum has been showcasing what is now referred to as Sound Series.
The Series, which has been a rising phenomenon since its emergence in 2004, continuously delivers with artists from various music genres and local DJs to warm up the crowd. The audience takes a seat inside the Warhol theater, which seats approximately 100 people. It has also hosted bands like Neutral Milk Hotel, Sahara Desert group Tinariwen and Cyro Baptista.
Last Saturday, a rapper from Nashville, who conveniently goes by the name of Chancellor Warhol, performed with Pittsburgh local DJ Soy Sos for a night that consisted of electronic remixes and hip-hop.
Chancellor, who recently received recognition for playing venues like Coachella and has shared the same stage with Kendrick Lamar, draws heavy influence from artistic culture and it shows heavily in his lyrics.
Before Warhol graced the stage, Soy Sos opened up the night with an hour mix of mainstream hip hop to grant some excitement.
Throughout various tracks off of his 2014 LP, Paris is Burning, there are numerous mentions of The Andy Warhol Museum, classic literature from Ernest Hemingway and references to Edgar Allen Poe. Although his artistic inspirations are spread through different cultures and locations, Pittsburgh still holds a place close to Chancellor.
“This is actually my fist time in Pittsburgh,” Warhol said after performing his first song of the set titled “Collapse.” “And I just immediately felt a connection with this city.”
Warhol continued on through the rest of Paris is Burning, interacting with the crowd to no end. Halfway through his set, he decided to sit down with some of the audience to get them going. The stage was accompanied by a series of lights attached to the backdrop that were synchronized with the beats, which made for a stunning display.
In between the breaks of some of his tracks, Warhol would share a brief story about his youth and where he was raised, immediately addressing the fact that he is a hip-hop artist in a country music haven.
“Just because I’m from Nashville doesn’t mean that I don’t know how to get down,” Warhol said. “We can make good music besides country, I promise y’all.”
Although Warhol’s set was comprised of a mere 40 minutes compared to the hour long opener from Soy Sos, Warhol went through almost the entirety of Paris is Burning, and even debuted a new song titled “Otherside.”
Warhol ended his set with as much charisma and tenacity as when he started. He finished his set with the final track from Paris is Burning, “Medicine for Melancholy.” After completion, Warhol stayed around the museum to meet and greet a number of fans in the audience.
“Pittsburgh is simply incredible,” Warhol said. “I don’t want to ever leave.”
