By: UFIRST Art Production
In New York City, art is rarely separated from identity. It lives in the music echoing through subway tunnels, in the murals painted across downtown walls, and in the rhythm of neighborhoods that shaped entire generations of culture. For Dr. Hakim Dubois, creativity was never simply a profession, it was part of his upbringing, his environment, and ultimately his purpose.
Artist, curator, creative visionary, and founder of DEKĀD Lifestyle, Dr. Hakim Dubois represents a rare kind of cultural figure, someone who understands both the roots of hip-hop and the importance of preserving its legacy for future generations. His story is deeply connected to some of the most iconic names in music history, but what makes his journey compelling is not only who surrounded him, it is what he chose to build from those experiences.
Growing up in New York City, Hakim witnessed firsthand the rise of hip-hop culture from its earliest foundations. His uncle was the legendary Earl “E-LOVE” Mathias, a respected figure connected to the rise of Def Jam Recordings. E-LOVE was also the longtime producer and creative partner of LL Cool J and is widely recognized as the silhouette featured in the iconic Public Enemy logo. His godfather was none other than LL Cool J himself. For most people, these names belong to documentaries and music history. For Hakim, they were family.
As a child, he watched these pioneers shape culture in real time. He saw how Def Jam evolved into one of the most influential labels in music history, helping launch artists such as Public Enemy, JAY-Z, Rihanna, and Kanye West. Watching that transformation from close proximity left a permanent imprint on him.
But Dr. Hakim Dubois did not simply observe the culture, he became part of it.
Like many children raised in New York City during hip-hop’s golden era, his creativity first appeared through graffiti. He began drawing and tagging on school desks, trains, and bathroom walls, fascinated by the visual language and rebellion of street art. Over time, that passion expanded into poetry, music, DJing, fashion, and creative direction, allowing him to immerse himself in every dimension of hip-hop culture.
For Hakim, hip-hop was never just music. It was a complete artistic ecosystem, one that combined storytelling, style, entrepreneurship, and self-expression. That philosophy later inspired him to launch DEKĀD Lifestyle, a platform that began as a magazine before evolving into a full creative agency.
Today, DEKĀD Lifestyle exists at the intersection of art, fashion, music, branding, and culture. Behind the creative work is something deeper, a desire to preserve authenticity in a world increasingly driven by trends and short attention spans.
That mission became even more personal in January 2026, when Hakim’s uncle, Earl “E-LOVE” Mathias, suddenly passed away in Las Vegas. The loss deeply affected the hip-hop community. Tributes poured across social media and music publications as artists and fans reflected on E-LOVE’s impact on culture and his contribution to one of the most influential eras in music history.
For Hakim, the moment became transformational.
Rather than allowing grief to remain private, he chose to channel it into something meaningful, a large-scale memorial exhibition dedicated to honoring E-LOVE’s cultural legacy while uplifting contemporary artists connected to the spirit of hip-hop and street culture.
The upcoming exhibition in the Hamptons is envisioned as more than a traditional gallery show. It will serve as an immersive cultural experience bringing together generations of artists shaped by New York City street culture. Featured names include Shirt King Phade from the legendary Shirt Kings collective, whose work helped define New York graffiti and streetwear culture beginning in the 1970s. Additional participating artists include Vera Twins, Mdot, K Craft, and DEF SONIX, among others.
The event, taking place during the Hamptons Private Art Experience on June 7, 2026, in Southampton, New York, is being produced by Jason Perez and UFIRST Art Production. Designed as an intimate, collector-focused experience, the exhibition reflects a growing movement dedicated to preserving the legacy of hip-hop, graffiti, and urban art through meaningful cultural spaces.
What makes the project especially significant is its intention. This is not nostalgia packaged for aesthetics. Dr. Hakim Dubois is creating a living tribute, one that honors the pioneers while also investing in the future of emerging creatives.
Part of the exhibition’s proceeds will support the development of E-LOVE’s planned 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a multidisciplinary arts initiative intended to provide opportunities for aspiring low-income artists in New York City. The vision includes creative workspaces, recording studios, visual arts facilities, fashion ateliers, and professional photo and video production environments accessible to young creatives.
In many ways, the project reflects Hakim’s belief that hip-hop was always bigger than entertainment. The culture was built on community, opportunity, reinvention, and giving marginalized voices a platform to be heard.
That same philosophy continues to guide his work today.
In an era where much of modern culture moves at algorithmic speed, Dr. Hakim Dubois represents something increasingly rare. He brings authenticity rooted in lived experience. His work carries the energy of old New York while remaining deeply relevant to the present moment. He understands the commercial world of branding and creative production, yet remains connected to the artistic foundations that shaped him.
More importantly, he recognizes that preserving culture is itself a form of art.
For many creatives, legacy is something discussed at the end of a career. For Dr. Hakim Dubois, legacy is actively built in real time through exhibitions, mentorship, storytelling, community spaces, and cultural preservation.
The upcoming Hamptons exhibition may be dedicated to E-LOVE, but it also symbolizes something larger: the continuation of a movement that began decades ago on New York streets and continues inspiring artists around the world today.
And through that work, Dr. Hakim Dubois is ensuring that the spirit of hip-hop does not remain trapped in history; it continues to evolve, create, and speak to the next generation.
