The street jam was already planned. Hip-hop artists were going to perform, and be filmed for a documentary, to commemorate the “Black Rock Star Super Hero” mural completed earlier this year at the corner of 14th and Randolph streets NW.

But when the organizers learned this morning that former mayor Marion Barry had passed away, they decided to add a fresh element. Spraypaint artist Pahel Brunis got back on his ladder, busted out his cans of paint, and added Barry’s face to the wall.

“It’s the right thing to do today,” says Head-Roc, the organizer of the project (and an occasional Washington City Paper contributor).

Photos by Aaron Wiener