Paul Deo, a visionary artist and a Hurricane Katrina evacuee from New Orleans, relocated to Harlem, NYC, with his family in 2006. Six years later, in 2012, Deo won a mural design competition for the wall of the Corner Social restaurant located on 126th St and Malcolm X Blvd. This marked the inception of his famous mural, Planet Harlem.

Planet Harlem is a self-financed mixed media mural tribute to the Harlem community. It is strategically located on the northwest corner of Malcolm X Blvd and 126th street. The mural serves as a vehicle for narrating and sharing the stories of Harlem, acting as a potent and much-needed educational tool in the quest for empowerment.

Deo's artistic journey began at the tender age of five under the tutelage of his aunt, artist Auressa Moore. She introduced him to the world of art and the Apollo theater, where he was captivated by soulful superstars like James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and the Jackson 5. Watching these icons perform multiple times a day instilled in young Paul a sense of possibility and vision for his life.

Planet Harlem has since gained significant recognition. In 2018, New York Magazine selected the mural as one of New York City’s Best Places to Visit. The mural, located at the corner of 126th St. and Lenox Avenue, has become a mainstay of Harlem, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. It has also been incorporated into elementary to college level school curriculums and history classes, serving as a source of inspiration for Harlem residents by reminding them of the great and spiritual icons who once walked the same streets.

From 2012 to 2022, the mural underwent creation, upgrade, adornment with Swarovski crystals, mirrors, 24k gold leaf, precious stones. Deo, deeply inspired by the creative spirit and history of Harlem, designed the mural as a mixed media collage in solidarity with Harlem's genius collagist, Romare BeaThe mural opened many opportunities for Deo, including an Artist in Residence at Harvard University. Here, he learned Mixed Reality technologies and is currently developing Harlem Anime, a digital informative component featuring 3D life-size avatars of the mural’s icons, each telling their own stories.

Elementary to High Schools as well as colleges have made Planet Harlem a part of their class curriculums.

Countless celebrations, music videos, books, graduations, parties, TV show, films etc have used the backdrop of Planet Harlem in their productions.

Planet Harlem draws from a timeless constellation of black innovators who manifested their greatness while living in Harlem. The mural combines the collective power of their creative genius into one impactful presence, capable of moving individuals and groups in that same community to a deeper realization of their own potential for greatness.