HGw19th: The Birthplace of a Vision
In the late 2000s, New York City was entering a new creative cycle—artists, designers, and independent voices were beginning to reclaim space in a city that had always thrived on cultural disruption. For $TYLJA, also known as Daraja Hakizimana, this moment wasn’t just a wave to ride—it was the spark that ignited a movement.
Where It All Started: West 19th Street
Between 2009 and 2010, Daraja stepped into Heidi Powell Prera’s HG Gallery, a creative hub known for its eclectic mix of visual artists, sculptors, painters, and experimental creators. Located in the Heights in Houston, Texas on West 19th Street. The gallery served as a magnet for independent talent, and Heidi’s vision was expanding fast.
Daraja quickly became an important part of that expansion—assisting with new artists, helping organize creative initiatives, and contributing to the gallery’s push into new cultural lanes. But he also saw something else: a lane that wasn’t being fully represented yet within the gallery’s walls.
A lane called Hip-Hop.
The Creation of HGw19th
In recognizing the influence and power of Hip-Hop culture, Daraja established Hgw19th, the official Hip-Hop department under the HG Gallery brand. It wasn’t just a title—it was a platform.
Hgw19th became a creative space where: underground talent could be seen and heard,
Hip-Hop visuals and storytelling could coexist with fine art, new voices could build, collaborate, and be promoted through a credible gallery-backed movement.
For Daraja, HGw19th was more than a project—it was a declaration that Hip-Hop deserved a seat at the same table as contemporary art.
Evolution Beyond the Gallery eventually...
Heidi’s HG Gallery relocated & rebranded, but Hgw19th didn’t slow down. The relocation became the catalyst for expansion. Instead of staying confined to a physical location, Hgw19th took on a broader media form.
From a Department to a Full Media Movement
Hgw19thVideo was born—capturing the energy of Hip-Hop through interviews, performances, behind-the-scenes content, and cultural storytelling.
Hgw19thRadio followed—giving artists, DJs, and personalities a platform to be heard.
Together, these branches shaped Hgw19th into a multimedia force, drawing inspiration from platforms that defined Hip-Hop for generations:
Yo! MTV Raps
Word Up! Magazine
BET’s Rap City
Vibe Magazine
Hgw19th wasn’t copying their style—it was continuing their legacy for a new era of independent artistry in a new digital age. A Vision That Never Left 19th Street.
Even as the original gallery space changed, the spirit of W. 19th Street remains woven into every step of Hgw19th. It’s the birthplace of an idea that grew into a brand, a platform, and a cultural archive.
Today, Hgw19th stands as:
a creative movement, a Hip-Hop media outlet, a community bridge between art and music, and a testament to what can happen when vision meets opportunity.
From a gallery hallway to a full-blown media identity, Hgw19th proves that true ideas don’t fade—they evolve.
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