Artwork Description
I'm Sick Of That Fake Thug Dead Prez Silkscreen Print by Mark Drew Hand-Pulled on Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Artwork.
2019 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 200 Artwork Size 17x11 Silkscreen Print of Lucy van Pelt & Pig Pen Thinking "I'm Sick Of That Fake Thug RNB Rap Scenario"
Mark Drew's Street Pop Commentary through Peanuts and Dead Prez
Mark Drew’s 2019 silkscreen print titled I'm Sick Of That Fake Thug serves as a sharp and insightful fusion of music culture and nostalgic cartoon imagery. Known for his signature remixing of Peanuts characters with classic hip-hop lyrics, Drew pulls from the revolutionary voice of Dead Prez to create a vivid commentary on authenticity and street culture within the music industry. This hand-pulled silkscreen edition, limited to 200 signed and numbered pieces, measures 17 by 11 inches and utilizes bold visual contrast to reinforce its message. The print features Lucy van Pelt and Pig Pen in a stark black outline against a warm yellow-and-white backdrop, where Drew captures a moment of critique from Dead Prez's lyricism, visually anchoring it within the innocence of Schulz’s comic strip.
Stylistic Juxtaposition and Cultural Subversion
The work thrives on juxtaposition. The childlike familiarity of Peanuts is set against one of the most politically charged and socially aware hip-hop acts of the 2000s. Pig Pen, known for his disheveled appearance, is placed as the unexpected mouthpiece of frustration with inauthentic portrayals in the RNB and rap industry. This contradiction enhances the viewer’s engagement, forcing a reconsideration of cultural consumption. Drew’s consistent technique of overlaying vintage cartoon simplicity with potent hip-hop text transforms his prints into vehicles of cultural dialogue. This particular work uses its clean, silkscreened forms and expressive typography to deliver a punch of truth masked in humor and nostalgia.
Process and Limited Format in Street Pop Art
Executed as a traditional hand-pulled silkscreen print, Drew’s method aligns with the tactile history of street pop art and graffiti artwork. Each copy in this edition of 200 reflects the artist’s direct involvement and commitment to authenticity—ironically reinforcing the very critique embedded in the print’s message. The controlled color palette of black, yellow, and white gives the piece a visual rhythm that supports its lyrical source material while maintaining accessibility through recognizable characters. Drew’s prints are not mass-reproduced digital pieces but collectible fine art that maintains the rebellious soul of graffiti.
Mark Drew’s Ongoing Hip-Hop Narrative
Based in Tokyo, Mark Drew continues to elevate conversations around hip-hop, nostalgia, and cultural commentary through his street pop art works. His recontextualization of familiar American pop icons with global hip-hop culture continues to resonate across generations. By pairing Dead Prez’s critique with characters like Lucy and Pig Pen, Drew not only pays homage to lyricism and activism but also highlights how visual art can amplify the emotional and social truths found in music. Each print in this series carries not just artistic value, but a reflection of the ongoing dialogue between art, resistance, and authenticity.
