For over a decade, Justin Bua has been making a mark on popular culture with his unique style of distorted urban realism, single-handedly spearheading a new genre of art. Only a handful of artists have truly captured the essence of hip hop in their work, and Bua is undoubtedly one of the most recognized in the world.

There's a hardness to urban art. I think it really echoes the architecture of New York City, all of the really harsh gates, undulating terra-cotta of New York. The square, the cement, the projects, the fences, the basketball courts — it's got a very similar rhythm. It's a concrete city. — Justin Bua

Born and raised by a single-mom in NYC’s untamed Upper West Side, Justin Bua was fascinated by the raw, visceral Manhattan street life and found himself absorbing the essence of the burgeoning culture at places like Rock Steady Park and the Douglas Projects. Bua studied visual art at the High School of Music and Performing Arts, made world-famous in the TV series "Fame," and complemented his education on the streets by writing graffiti and performing worldwide with breakdancing crews such as The New York Express and The Dynamic Breakers. At 16, Bua performed with The New York Express in a show created by famous choreographer Julie Arenal. The show toured all over the world including the Spoleto Festivals in Charleston, South Carolina and Spoleto, Italy where he performed with Rudolf Nureyev. After high school, Bua went on to the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California where he earned a BFA in Illustration. There, he learned the technical skills that allowed him to unleash his creativity. Bua started his career doing slick bottom paintings for the skateboard industry. He came out with a line of fine art posters and quickly made his way into the commercial freelance world. He created numerous CD covers for major labels, as well as advertising work for clients like Nike. Then, in a process that took over two years, Bua conceived, created and wrote “Urbania”, an animation series for Comedy Central.

Street art is a way to pose and gesticulate that you are art, and no matter what is going on around you, you're standing strong. And you know, even though I'm poor, I'm proud. — Justin Bua

Bua went on to develop the characters and backgrounds for the EA Sports video game, “NBA Street.” He then created the world for Slum Village’s award winning music video, “Tainted”. Bua recently teamed up with EA Sports again as the visual consultant for their new best-selling game, “NFL Street”. Bua’s latest collaboration with PF Flyers brought art onto the streets with his limited edition shoe line released in May 2004. The shoe line sold out within hours of its release. Bua also teaches Figure Drawing in the Fine Arts Department at the University of Southern California. Hip hop has clearly become one of the most prevalent cultural movements of our era as it permeates all facets of global culture from media, music, and fashion to the language we use. Bua’s understanding of the origin and evolution of hip hop makes him the urban art icon he has become. As Crazy Legs says: “Bua’s art is representative of today’s ethnically diverse urban culture. He has a complete grasp of all the elements of hip hop and the inner feeling of its music. Bua truly represents the hip hop movement: the most popular culture of our era.” Bua’s audience is a diverse group that ranges from street kids to former US Presidents, graffiti writers to fine art connoisseurs, rap fans to jazz aficionados. His line of poster is a best-seller in the US college market.

I grew up during the birth of the hip hop movement, when it was a renaissance time. The book talks about the social and political climate of the time. It was just a really interesting era and I capture that era. Every great artist would like to think that they document a moment of time. — Justin Bua

The Beat of Urban Art: The Art of Justin Bua For over a decade, Justin Bua has been making a mark on popular culture with his unique style of distorted urban realism, single-handedly spearheading a new genre of art. Only a handful of artists have truly captured the essence of hip hop in their work, and Bua is undoubtedly one of the most recognized in the world. "Bua’s stylish renderings jump right at you, hit you between the eyes with their energy." — Elmore Leonard. "Whether celebrating hip hop’s underground or reinterpreting cultural imagery, Bua’s work challenges the mainstream art world’s images." — Vibe. Available to buy from amazon.com and amazon.co.uk

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Street Scene: How to Draw Graffiti-Style Create your own graffiti-style artwork beginning with traditional mannequin outlines and shapes and building up to completed, colorful scenes. With step-by-step instruction, Street Scene makes it possible to learn to draw and color everything from faces, figures and clothes to abstract and wild backgrounds. Whether you're an aspiring comic-artist or you just wanna have fun drawing, this book shows you how to rock it out in your own gritty, graffiti-influenced style. Start with simple shapes and stick figures and build up to full, fleshed-out dudes and babes with serious attitude! Available to buy from amazon.com and amazon.co.uk

LL Cool J works out hard and it shows. Most of his fans believe the veteran MC looks better today than he ever did. Now, James Todd Smith and his personal trainer are providing the general public with the blueprint on how to get in pristine shape with their new fitness book, LL Cool J’s Platinum Workout. LL Cool J's Platinum Workout

You may have heard of a controversial series of DVDs called The Truth Behind Hip Hop. These are produced by G Craige Lewis of EX Ministries, and are proving to be remarkably popular with young people. However, many take issue with Lewis's claims. The Truth Behind Hip Hop Exposed

In 1993 a young unknown gospel musician released his debut album — it went on to spend 100 weeks at the top of the Billboard gospel charts, while also crossing over to the R&B side, and becoming in the process the first gospel album ever to sell over a million units. Kirk Franklin

"Versatile is who I am," the ever-amped and spirited rapper shouts! "I make music for everybody — stuff for the West Coast gangsters and lowriders, and joints that East Coast cats can appreciate lyrically with beats that can still get the South crunk. T-Bone

Is it possible to have holy hip hop? According to G Craige Lewis of The Truth Behind Hip Hop the answer is no. He claims that hip-hop is not music, but a religion. However, many take a different view, believing that the church can use rap music to reach out to young people. Holy Hip Hop