Straight Flexin', No Plexin': A Hip Hop Exhibit

07/05/2024

On View Now

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Lester Roy, Blindside, Chamillionaire, Archie Lee, Paul Wall, Michael "5000" Watts, Lil Ron, and Le Marcus. Image courtesy of Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University. | Big Pokey, Paul Wall, and Big Hawk at the Sittin' Sideways video shoot. Image courtesy of Mike Frost.

June 1 - July 25, 2024

Vinson Neighborhood Library

Once considered a fad by early detractors, hip hop honored its 50th anniversary on August 11, 2023. Promoters, historians, fans, libraries, and media outlets across the United States sponsored celebrations, events, and concerts to pay homage to the art form. However, the global impact of hip hop is undeniable and worthy of celebration beyond this milestone.

Straight Flexin’, No Plexin’: A Hip Hop Exhibit, on view at Vinson Neighborhood Library, includes memorabilia, artwork, and photos of hip hop artists and creatives from Houston, Atlanta, New York, and California (Bay Area). The items on display are from the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL) Hip Hop Archival Collection, housed at Rice University's Woodson Research Center at Fondren Library, and from private collectors.

Although 2023 marked the 50th birthday of hip hop, the growing music genre is still young and has more milestones to reach. This exhibit serves as a reminder that as the culture continues to evolve and influence the world, it will be showcased and celebrated. Yes, yes y’all.

SUGGESTED READING AND MEDIA

Faniel, Maco L., Hip-Hop in Houston: The Origin and the Legacy

Serrano, Shea, The Rap Year Book

Walker, Lance Scott, DJ Screw: A Life in Slow Revolution

Walker, Lance Scott, Houston Rap Tapes: An Oral History of Bayou City Hip-Hop

Westhoff, Ben, Dirty South: Outkast, Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy, and the Southern Rappers Who Reinvented Hip-Hop

Wilkins, Langston Collin, Welcome 2 Houston: Hip Hop Heritage in Hustle Town

Don't forget that you can check out music!

CERCL Archival Collection, Hip Hop Archival Collection

Exhibit Director: Dr. Anthony Pinn

Curators: Chinara Butler, Corey ‘Co’ Garrett, Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL), Woodson Research Center at Fondren Library

Strategic Panel: Dr. Portia Hopkins, Maya Reine, Corey ‘Co’ Garrett

Collaborating Organizations: CCM Foundation

Special thanks to CERCL Hip Hop Archive members: HaviKoro Crew, Swishahouse, Pimp C, Mike Frost, K-Rino, Scotty ATL, Damon ‘Dame’ Dash, KRS-ONE

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Straight Flexin', No Plexin': A Hip Hop Exhibit

Lester Roy, Blindside, Chamillionaire, Archie Lee, Paul Wall, Michael "5000" Watts, Lil Ron, and Le Marcus. Image courtesy of Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University. | Big Pokey, Paul Wall, and Big Hawk at the Sittin' Sideways video shoot. Image courtesy of Mike Frost. June 1 - July 25, 2024Vinson Neighborhood Library Once considered a fad by early detractors, hip hop honored its 50th anniversary on August 11, 2023. Promoters, historians, fans, libraries, and media outlets across the United States sponsored celebrations, events, and concerts to pay homage to the art form. However, the global impact of hip hop is undeniable and worthy of celebration beyond this milestone. Straight Flexin’, No Plexin’: A Hip Hop Exhibit, on view at Vinson Neighborhood Library, includes memorabilia, artwork, and photos of hip hop artists and creatives from Houston, Atlanta, New York, and California (Bay Area). The items on display are from the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL) Hip Hop Archival Collection, housed at Rice University's Woodson Research Center at Fondren Library, and from private collectors. Although 2023 marked the 50th birthday of hip hop, the growing music genre is still young and has more milestones to reach. This exhibit serves as a reminder that as the culture continues to evolve and influence the world, it will be showcased and celebrated. Yes, yes y’all. SUGGESTED READING AND MEDIAFaniel, Maco L., Hip-Hop in Houston: The Origin and the LegacySerrano, Shea, The Rap Year BookWalker, Lance Scott, DJ Screw: A Life in Slow RevolutionWalker, Lance Scott, Houston Rap Tapes: An Oral History of Bayou City Hip-HopWesthoff, Ben, Dirty South: Outkast, Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy, and the Southern Rappers Who Reinvented Hip-HopWilkins, Langston Collin, Welcome 2 Houston: Hip Hop Heritage in Hustle Town Don't forget that you can check out music! CERCL Archival Collection, Hip Hop Archival Collection Exhibit Director: Dr. Anthony Pinn Curators: Chinara Butler, Corey ‘Co’ Garrett, Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL), Woodson Research Center at Fondren Library Strategic Panel: Dr. Portia Hopkins, Maya Reine, Corey ‘Co’ Garrett Collaborating Organizations: CCM Foundation Special thanks to CERCL Hip Hop Archive members: HaviKoro Crew, Swishahouse, Pimp C, Mike Frost, K-Rino, Scotty ATL, Damon ‘Dame’ Dash, KRS-ONE...

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