Black Metropolis: Improvisations on Paint Factory

Mann Center for the Performing Arts

Darin Atwater introduces his "Black Metropolis" at the Mann Center. — Darin Atwater introduces his *Black Metropolis*, 2023, Mann Center for the Performing Arts. Photo by Skylar Watkins.

Rapper Chill Moody performs with The Philadelphia Orchestra for Darin Atwater’s Black Metropolis. — Rapper Chill Moody performs with The Philadelphia Orchestra for Darin Atwater’s *Black Metropolis*, 2023, Mann Center for the Performing Arts. Photo by Skylar Watkins.

Rapper Chill Moody performs with The Philadelphia Orchestra for Darin Atwater’s "Black Metropolis" at the Mann Center. — Rapper Chill Moody performs with The Philadelphia Orchestra for Darin Atwater’s *Black Metropolis*, 2023, Mann Center for the Performing Arts. Photo by Skylar Watkins.

Recipient

Grant Year 2022

Grant Amount $360,000

Status Completed

Updated December 15, 2023

A newly adapted version of Darin Atwater’s Paint Factory—an orchestral work of classical music, hip-hop, spoken word, and dance—marks hip-hop’s 50th anniversary and reflects on how culture and racial justice movements have advanced since the piece premiered in 2007. As the Mann Center’s artist-in-residence, West Philadelphia-based hip-hop artist Chill Moody collaborates with Atwater on the new iteration of the 14-movement composition, performed by The Philadelphia Orchestra. The artists’ collaborative adaptation of the work produces an entirely new score, composition, and lyrics. Video documentation follows the creative process and Chill Moody’s residency experience at the Mann, with videos made available through the online “Mann Music Room” portal.

The total grant amount represents project funding plus an additional 20% in unrestricted general operating support.

Primary EventsEvents & Exhibitions

Paint Factory performed by Darin Atwater and his Soulful Symphony, 2019, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Baltimore, MD. Photo by Stephen Cherry.

Black Metropolis: Improvisations on Paint Factory World Premiere

Jul 19, 2023
8:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.
Mann Center for the Performing Arts 5201 Parkside Avenue Fairmount Park Philadelphia, PA 19131

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Recipient

Mann Center for the Performing Arts

As one of the country's largest non-profit open-air music centers, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts has presented world-class performing artists of diverse musical genres in Fairmount Park since 1930. The Mann hosts more than 300,000 visitors each year and offers educational programs.

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