Local man's hip hop connections

Public Enemy album cover was designed by Paul Stone

When you think of international hip hop stars, you wouldn't necessarily connect them to an artist from Somerset.

But Paul Stone from Bridgwater has designed two album covers for hip hop pioneers Public Enemy.

The artwork for the 'How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul?' and 'New Whirl Odor' albums was created by Paul at his home studio.

The designs feature original portraits of some of the world's foremost hip hop and rap stars.

IN PICTURES: HIP HOP STARS See examples of Paul's work here

"It was a personal goal of mine (to work with Public Enemy) and I have met a lot of good people and inspiring people through the group and that's been the best thing.

"It was hard to create something that was a lifelong dream the size of a CD cover which kind of limits you a lot. I wanted to create something on a larger scale so it was difficult."

The pictures take a pain-staking several months to complete and are created using pencil, pen, ink gouache and acrylic.

"I've tried to add a lot of emotion into the work, as well as attempt something that is a design that works as a whole. I'm trying to create a composition of someone's lyrical content in a poetry form and trying to understand the point of view that these artists are coming from."

'It's just art'

Chuck D became aware of Paul's artwork initially as they both contributed to the publication Hip-Hop Connection, a UK based rap monthly.

They then met face-to-face backstage at a Public Enemy gig in Bristol.

"He liked the fact that I put a lot of soul into the work and that's something he'd recognised so that's a nice thing as that's something I recognised in his work so there was that parallel," said Paul.

Public Enemy come from Long Island, New York

"It was hard because I love the group and there was that extra pressure of designing something to mark their 20th anniversary."

As rappers notoriously talk about what life is like in urban, high crime areas of America, did Paul - coming from rural Somerset - have a problem connecting with Chuck?

"It's just art. Some of the content I can't relate to at all, but I can relate to the artistic ability and just enjoying art really. It doesn't matter what art it is - you don't have to be from that area to appreciate it. It's a worldwide thing.

"I guess because it's a youth music there's a lot of frustration in the world. A lot of rappers try to right the wrongs and in your youth you try to do the same thing; to be quite rebellious and compared to a lot of pop music, there're parallels in your own life."

Paul has had his work shown at Bridgwater Arts Centre, and hopes to take the exhibition to Bristol or London.

Charlie Dearden, Arts Centre director, said: "There are many talented artists in Bridgwater, but the discovery that an artist of international repute lives and works in the town is particularly gratifying.

"[The] pursuit of an artistic career can start and continue here in Somerset provided that artists work with energy, integrity and talent inspired by something that they really care about."

Dave Templeman, a mentor for young people visiting the exhibition with teenager Bill, said he brought him along to inspire him, as he had never been to an art exhibition before.

"Bridgwater needs to do more of this sort of thing as children are the future," he said.