Local artist’s dreams come true on stage

A Goleta man’s dreams are coming true, thanks to a popular hip-hop artist.

Dwayne Farrar has muscular dystrophy and uses his computer to create art.

This time, Dwayne is taking center stage, alongside Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Public Enemy.

“Give a loud round of applause for Dwayne Farrar!” said Chuck D on stage at the Santa Barbara Bowl.

It was a surprise of a lifetime and a moment Dwayne will always remember.

“Oh, you didn’t know you were coming on stage? Oh we was getting ready to throw the mic to you in a minute,” said Chuck D of Public Enemy with a laugh.

Article continues below…

Slideshow: Local artist’s dreams come true on stage

A year before the concert, Dwayne’s friendship with Chuck D grew over sports teams and movies.

Dwyane has limited mobility but creates artwork on his computer. When Chuck D saw his work, he asked him to create the cover of Public Enemy’s latest single.

“The man that designed this cover, you might have seen the story on the news. Our good brother, Dwayne Farrar,” Chuck D said to the crowd during the Kings of the Mic Tour.

An hour before he was on stage, Dwayne along with a nurse and some friends, arrived at the Bowl for the concert. All-access passes were the first surprise of the night.

“I was like, ‘Where are the tickets?’ I didn’t know,” said Dwayne.

“That man, Chuck D, he’s a good guy. He’s got a good heart,” said Rene Ramos, Dwayne’s friend.

Once through the gate, Dwayne made his way to the stage, meeting some hip-hop artists along the way.

“Hopefully it will be a good show for your, bro,” said David Jude Jolicoeur of De La Soul.

“De La Soul. I love that song, Me, Myself and I,” said Dwayne.

“You gotta show love, especially for someone who loves hip hop, it’s what we do. You definitely got to show the love. It was nice to see him on the side of the stage hanging out,” said Jolicoeur.

Dwayne got one of the best seats in the house — a spot next to all the action.

“I don’t have very many words, but it’s awesome,” he said.

Dwayne was genuinely surprised when he got called out on stage to be recognized for his artwork.

“You my brother, epitomize what it’s about, the hip-hop spirit,” Chuck D said in front of the crowd.

Before the night was over, there was one last surprise for Dwayne — this time from rapper Ice Cube.

“Keep it 100 man, keep it 100,” said Ice Cube.

It was a night Dwayne will never forget.

“I wanted to give him the concert of his life,” said Chuck D.