Get crunk for brunch at Serving the Culture’s next pop-up meal in Charlotte
White tees that stretched to the knee. Gold grills on teeth and cars. And accents slathered with so much sauce they forced the words to shapeshift. The crunk era of hip-hop took Andre 3000’s prophetic line, “The South got something to say,” and ran it to the furthermost point.
This month, the popular Serving the Culture dinner group, known for curating lavish culinary experiences with a hip-hop vibe, celebrates this excess with its Get Crunk brunch, featuring “the dirtiest dirty menu ever.” The four-hour event will feature eight courses and various craft cocktails inspired by iconic Crunk songs and artists.
“I wanted to combine the love of hip-hop with the love of food,” Serving the Culture founder Shelton Starks said.
Celebrated chefs, including Whitney Thomas, who led some of Charlotte’s top kitchens before helming several Atlanta concepts, will introduce each of the courses and libations. A live DJ will spin music to keep guests bouncing in their seats. Starks says it’s one of his group’s missions to give established and upcoming Black chefs a space to showcase their creativity.
It’s a unique time; at once upscale (tickets typically run $125-$150) and informal at the same time. Guests perform challenges and rap along to the lyrics in the lively, banquet-style environment.
It may strike the uninitiated as strange, combining hip-hop with high culinary art at this price point. But Starks says it’s a natural union.
“Hip-hop at its core is grandeur, opulence, exaggeration — just like fine dining. Despite meager beginnings, breakdancing on cardboard boxes, as soon as rappers get money the opulence begins: Dapper Dan, gold rope chains, Luis Vuitton and Gucci. Looking fly is part of our true selves, even going back [historically] to Africa, where we adorned ourselves in gold,” he said. “With Serving the Culture, we’re providing a fine dining experience in an environment that’s culturally relevant, comfortable and already familiar.”
Previous themes include Jay-Z, Outkast, Missy Elliott vs. Mary J. Blige, Wu-Tang and other luminaries.
The events sell out quickly, but organizers are releasing a few more tickets Friday, so check back if interested.
Serving the Culture presents … Get Crunk!
Location: Lenny Boy Brewing Co. 3000 South Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28217
When: Sunday, June 25 1-5 p.m.
Instagram: @servintheculture
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