A hip-hop flow (for a good cause) precedes Miami’s cultural highpoint
The Mana Wynwood production village in Miami is covered in graffiti murals made by some of the best street artists in the world. On December 6th, the interior walls will light up with video screens displaying some of those very creatives in action. On the floor, 150 yoga mats—some particularly colorful ones designed by The Bushwick Collective—will be laid out in neat rows. Hip-hop music—spun by DJ Irie—will fill the room as Equionx ambassadors Kay Kay Clivio, Gab Cohen, and Steven Herbst lead a yoga class.
This is where the largest ever iteration of OM THIS WAY will take place, in celebration of Art Basel Miami, which runs from December 7th through 10th. Besides delivering a cool fitness-meets-culture experience to art-seekers in town for the festival, OM THIS WAY has a deeper mission. The event series, founded by Equinox, partners with The Felix Organization. Started by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and Sheila Jaffe, an Emmy-winning casting director for The Sopranos and Entourage,the organization provides opportunities and experiences to children in the foster care system.
“We found a creative way to combine hip-hop and yoga for a powerful and positive result,” says DMC. “When hip-hop was first created, it was to educate and empower each other. We want to transform the lives of these young kids.”
He’s not alone. DJ Irie’s Irie Foundation (which empowers at-risk youth via educational programs, mentorship opportunities, and more) will also benefit from funds raised by the event.
Also on the celebrity guest list is Broadway actor Donald Webber, Jr., currently in the cast of Hamilton. Webber and DMC will both perform after the yoga class at the December 6th event. “Hamilton is unbelievable to be a part of, and at the same time you still feel like you can reach a little more to grasp something new,” says Webber. “That’s why I’m really excited to go do OM THIS WAY. It’s something else I can lend my voice to and be a part of.”
Here, DMC and Webber talk more about why this event is so meaningful, plus art, yoga, and Miami.