Kurtis Blow and Troy Harewood reveal plans for The UK Hip Hop Museum
The museum looks to celebrate hip hop's journey from the Bronx to the UK
US hip hop pioneer Kurtis Blow (pictured left) and the UK break-dancing icon Troy Harewood (pictured right) are working together to try and establish The UK Hip Hop Museum.
This planned immersive museum aims to celebrate the history of hip hop culture in the UK as well as the journey it made from the US to the UK.
As explained in a press release, the museum, “seeks to foster cultural appreciation and social empowerment, with a strong commitment to education and a mission to drive economic growth, diversity, and creativity through the unifying power”.
The history of UK hip hop plans to be told via DJing, MCing, graffiti, breakdancing and more, at a location in the heart of London.
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"Our mission at The UK Hip Hop Museum revolves around three core principles: PRESERVATION, INSPIRATION, and EDUCATION. These principles underpin our efforts to provide an immersive platform that entertains, educates, and empowers communities across the United Kingdom," says Troy Harewood.
Kurtis Blow explains: "We will be more than a museum; we will be a cultural hub that transcends conventional boundaries, attracting tourists and enthusiasts while pioneering innovative approaches to education through the universal language and power of Hip Hop.”
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This year, hip hop is celebrating 50 years since the genre’s origins. It is said on August 11 1973, DJ Kool Herc debuted a new music technique to a roomful of teenagers in the Bronx - extending an intrsumental beat on a turntable by scratching, or 'breaking', to let people dance longer (break-dancing) and MCing over the music - sparking the birth of hip hop.
No opening date or exact location has been revealed as of yet. Currently, The UK Hip Hop Museum is looking for sponsors, advisors, volunteers, listeners, archivists and fans. Get in touch with the museum here if you think you can help.
To listen to this audio clip, view the full mobile website.
Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Multimedia Editor, follow her on Twitter