Kids on the street breakdancing on cardboard surrounded by a crowd, larger than life boom boxes, DJ battles, artists Run DMC, LL Cool J, Salt n Pepa, and The Beastie Boys- these are just a few examples that come to mind when thinking about the early days of hip hop. The Hip Hop revolution may be a worldwide phenomenon, but it began in the 1970s, on the streets of New York City.
The exhibit Hip-Hop Revolution, now on at Museum of the City of New York, presents more than 100 photographs taken between 1977 and 1990 by three preeminent New York-based photographers—Janette Beckman, Joe Conzo, and Martha Cooper—who documented hip hop from its pioneering days through its emergence into mainstream popular culture.
Queen Latifah. Photo: Janette Beckman
The exhibition showcases the experiences of each photographer during these seminal years, as DJs, MCs, and b-boys (breakdancers) were continually innovating, developing new forms of self-expression. The subjects of these photographers—featuring early New York based artists such as figures as DJ Afrika Bambaataa, LL Cool J, Run DMC and the Cold Crush Brothers, are often photographed in their element (or cite their neighborhood in their lyrics), at New York City train stations, schools, streets and clubs.
From Queens, NY, LL Cool J (Ladies Love Cool James) Photo: Janette Beckman
In addition to the photographs, the exhibit features numerous listening stations featuring the music of the performers in the exhibition, as well as newspapers clippings, magazines, books and other artifacts from the era.
On Wednesdays throughout the summer, checkout Uptown Bounce: Summer Nights at 104th and Fifth. Created in conjunction with Museo del Barrio, each Wed. night from 6pm-9pm, visitors can enjoy a variety of different music, gallery talks, art workshops, breakdancing, summer drinks, and local food. The first event takes place July 22. Additional family events are scheduled.
Hip Hop Revolution runs through Sept. 13. For more information, visit mcny.org
(Cover photo: Salt n Pepa, by Janette Beckman)
