This self-entitled 2005 solo exhibition at Columbia College-Chicago addressed ideas of subjective and collective identities. As an artist, member of the hip hop generation, and academic, I sought to blur these identities in works that examine perception and expectation. Video, sound collage, silk-screen, ink jet print, and photo copy documentation made up this show.

ThugNiggaIntellectual is a concept created by scholar and cultural critic Mark Anthony Neal to describe a new wave of black male academics of the hip hop generation. Neal states that the spirit of this concept allows "young black men to re-imagine themselves within the context of the academy." In the self-portrait, ThugNiggaIntellectual, Ayanah Moor re-contextualizes this idea and asks what a gendered female equivalent might be. Through posturing and strategies of advertising Moor questions where female bodies, those equally inspired by hip hop culture and who navigate the academy, fit in. How do notions of hyper masculinity in academia and hip hop culture limit such access? Placing the term across her chest, Moor utilizes the layering of text and portraiture to address ideas of gender and agency.

This collaborative project with artist, Rick Gribenas, collaged analog and digital sounds to generate a sonic dialogue between gender/class politics and notions of urban music. The resultant installation was designed to mimic the creative process, a conversation between artists.

I used to carry around these little index type cards with questions on them. If I met someone interesting, I gave it to her or him. The cards quoted lyrics from popular female and male rap artists and highlighted specific slang terms. The card recipient was asked to define/translate the terms. I didn't really think of it as art. More importantly I was intrigued by the conversations the cards invited. Interestingly recipients never questioned my authority on the subject.

This six-minute documentary records the preparation of a blunt cigarette. However the subject matter of this video is the conversation that takes place between two women; one in front of and one behind the camera.

This work is a tribute to hip hop superstar Missy Elliot. Five silk-screen prints were installed at the height it would be if I gave Missy a high-five.