Hip-Hop (R)Evolutions

Hip-Hop (R)Evolutions is an extension of the museum's ongoing work to collect, converse, and collaborate with members of the hip-hop community.

With its work rooted in collections, research, and exhibitions, and building on the release of the Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap in 2021, the museum is continuing its commitment to presenting the voices, memories, and belongings of the fans, critics, and communities that create and challenge this ever-growing musical form.

Photograph of Run DMC and Jam Master Jay

Collecting Hip-Hop History

On October 17, 2017, the Museum held a special tour showcasing the stories of hip-hop to announce the Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap, a landmark collection of music, stunning visuals, and powerful stories.

Hip-Hop in the Bronx

In the 1970s, New York City’s northernmost borough fostered the newly emerging hip-hop music and cultural scene.

"Represent: Hip-Hop Photography." The Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection

Photographing Hip-Hop Culture

The Museum acquired Bill Adler’s Eyejammie Hip-Hop Photography Collection in 2015 providing the impetus to create the recent exhibition, "Represent: Hip-Hop Photography."

Mark Morales, Damon Wimbley, and Darren Robinson at the 30th Grammy Awards, 1988.

NMAAHC Hip-Hop Block Party

The Hip-Hop Block Party returns to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, celebrating the culture and music that has been originated and shaped by Black America for decades. This year’s celebration will honor 50 years of hip-hop’s artistry, innovation, and global transcendence.  

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It Was All a Dream Biggie and the World That Made Him Cover Justin Tinsley.jpeg

NMAAHC Hip-Hop Reading List

Checkout our list of hip-hop books available for sale onsite in the museum store!

See the Full List

four people standing and hugging in NMAAHC Book Store

Two women onstage at the NMAAHC Hip-Hop Block Party.

A DJ holding a microphone and spinning records

Picture of the crowd at NMAAHC Hip-Hop Block Party with Washington Monument shown in background.

Hip-hop and rap voice[s] the concerns and aspirations of Black communities and other across America, bridging the gaps between our past and our present, between generations, regions, and culture. Lonnie G. Bunch, III Secretary of the Smithsonian and Founding Director, National Museum of African American History and Culture

Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap

The Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap explores hip-hop’s widespread cultural impact over the last 45 years.

Michael Holman's Donor Story — Part I

Michael Holman is an integral figure in hip-hop culture. His multifaceted career includes contributions as a dancer, artist, musician, filmmaker, producer, manager, and writer. He has also been at the forefront of the movement to preserve, teach, and share hip-hop’s history, evidenced by his role as a donor to the Museum.

Something about the topic – and the poignant way it’s addressed in the song’s lyrics – has resonated for decades. Bill Adler on Whodini's "Friends", 2021 From the Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap

A flier for an event celebrating Grand Master Dee’s birthday. The flier is in portrait orientation and printed on yellow paper with black text. — Flier for "The Biggest Hip Hop Birthday Party of the Year” for Grand Master Dee of Whodini.

In collaboration with the release of the “Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap,” NMAAHC’s Curator of Religion Teddy Reeves sits down for dinner with hip-hop artists and scholars to discuss the relationship between hip-hop music and culture and Black expressions of faith and spirituality. Panelist Includes: Big Freedia (Hip-Hop Artist) Dee-1 (Hip-Hop Artist) Neelam Hakim (Hip-Hop Artist) Sa-Roc (Hip-Hop Artist) Brandon BMike Odums (Visual Artist) Rev. Michael Wortham (Minister & Educator) Rev. Erika Gault, Ph.D. (University of Arizona) Su’ad Abdul Khabeer (University of Michigan) Rev. Emmett Price III, Ph.D. (Berklee College of Music) Dwandalyn Reece, Ph.D. (NMAAHC) Besheer Mohamed, Ph.D. (Pew Research Center) gOD-Talk: A Black Millennials and Faith Conversation is an award-winning web-series that explores the dynamic ways that Black Millennials—of varying beliefs and faith practices—are choosing to engage with faith in the 21st century. The series is presented by the Center for the Study of African American Religious Life at NMAAHC in association with the Pew Research Center. #BlackFaith #SmithsonianHipHop #APeoplesJourney #BlackMillennials

The music and culture of hip-hop and rap continue to shape our experiences and understanding of each other in profound ways. This anthology is one snapshot of that story. Dr. Dwandalyn Reece, 2021 National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Sequence

Whodini’s Jalil and Ecstacy at New York City’s The Ritz nightclub.

Whodini at the Ritz

Flier for NYC Fresh Fest IV in Buffalo NY w/ headliners the Fat Boys.

Flier for NYC Fresh Fest IV in Buffalo NY with the Fat Boys

Public Enemy necklace with logo medallion

Biz Markie sitting at a piano at the offices of Cold Chillin' Records

Craig Mack, wearing studio headphones and rapping into a microphone.

Craig Mack recording "Flava in your ear"

Mastering notes for the album Things Fall Apart.

Mastering notes for the Root's album, Things Fall Apart

Three 6 Mafia

Hip-hop certainly wasn’t over when it came to the Smithsonian and our work to document, preserve, and share it with the world will continue. Timothy Anne Burnside, 2021 National Museum of African American History and Culture

DOOM performs on day one of 'I'll Be Your Mirror' at Alexandra Palace on July 23, 2011 in London, England.

Explore Hip-Hop in the Searchable Museum

Musical language evolves as artists find new ways to express themselves. The variety of different devices, from effects pedals, synthesizers, and other technological accessories, give musicians new artistic and linguistic tools to create new sounds – and new meanings. This combination of lyrical and technological exploration can be heard throughout hip-hop’s history.

Outkast with the award for Digital Track of the Year at the 2003 Billboard Music Awards.

Five Things to See: The Fashion of Hip-Hop

From the leather and feather of early MCs, to the classic New York City streetwear of 90s, to the revival of Afrocentric garb, to the big brand clothing line of moguls, fashion has been central to hip-hop identity.

A color photograph of eleven female rappers posed together on a wooden stage in front of a brick wall.

Fashioning Power and Gender in Hip-Hop

The 1970s witnessed the rise of streetwear, from denim to tennis shoes to casual dresses, all in reaction to the Black Power Movement. When hip-hop emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the already present emphasis on the vernacular style of Black urban life was refined into the iconic looks we know today.

Rapper Flavor Flav and DJ Terminator X of Public Enemy performs at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, Illinois in December 1990

Five Things to See: The Technology of Hip-Hop

Whether it’s the synthesizer sounds of the 80s, cross-genre MP3 mashups of the 90s, or the popularization of autotune in the 2000s, technology has always been a driving force behind hip-hop music.

J Dilla's Distinctive Sound

Revered by fans and critics for his contributions to hip-hop and r&b, J Dilla's cult status remains strong and his music continues to be celebrated throughout the world.

The Learning Continues

Explore online resources, videos, podcasts, scholarly articles and more.

Hip-Hop from Across the Smithsonian

All Music is Black Music Ep. 5, “The Year André 3000 with Vic Mensa"

Hear how an examination of André 3000’s boa cape opens up broader conversations in hip-hop history.

Behind the scenes of American History's Hip-Hop Collection

Go behind the scenes at the National Museum of American History for a glimpse of hip-hop history.

Hip-Hop and Rap Across the Smithsonian

Explore how hip-hop is celebrated across the Smithsonian.

Hip-Hop Origins: East Coast vs. West Coast

Explore Smithsonian's Learning Lab resources and dive into hip-hop’s regional styles.

Tell Us About J Dilla’s Instruments

Learn more about J Dilla and the stories his gear preserves about his instrumental practices.

Hip-Hop Community Resources

Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, the Hip-Hop Producer who Reinvented Rhythm

Learn about producer J Dilla in this groundbreaking new publication from Dan Charna exploring the artist’s work and cultural impact.

Louder than a Riot

Listen to NPR’s investigative reporting on of hip-hop’s difficult relationship with law enforcement.

Tulane University’s New Orleans Hip Hop and Bounce Archive

Listen to oral history interviews with leaders in New Orleans’s hip-hop community.
Tulane University Digital Library.

“Can It Be Bigger Than Hip Hop?: From Global Hip Hop Studies to Hip Hop”

Learn about the emergence and evolution of academic scholarship of hip-hop.
The Journal of Hip Hop Studies 6, no. 2 (2019).

“Misogyny in Hip Hop”

Ellen Chamberlain break down how misogyny appears in hip-hop’s history.

While the vibe maybe culturally understood, it is important for artists to voice the story in their own words, to express what it is and what it’s going to be, to ensure there is a baton to pass to future generations. Chuck D, 2021

Colorful letters over a white background

Represent

In honor of the publication of The Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap and African American Music Appreciation Month in June, the museum decided to remix and re-release the show Represent: Hip-Hop Photography. Don’t miss your second chance to discover distinct visual pairings that will change the way you think about the roots of the art form.

Black and white image of James Brown combing his hair in a grey suit and black tie.

All Music Is Black Music

The award-winning original podcast All Music Is Black Music explores how African American music and culture play a central role in the history of American music as told to listeners through artifacts housed within the museum's collection.

Musical Crossroads

African American musical creativity has generated and enriched a vast array of musical styles, from folk and blues, to classical and spiritual, to jazz and hip-hop. These musical creations are a soundtrack to stories of African American history, culture, and community.

Power of Place

African American communities have formed in all corners of the country and influenced the regions around them. Their stories reflect the resiliency of African Americans in making places for themselves and overcoming the challenges they faced.

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