Our culture’s timeline will soon be officially chronicled. A Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap is in the works.
Curated by Chuck D., 9th Wonder, MC Lyte, Questlove, acclaimed journalist Bill Adler and other noted contributors, the project aims to properly document Hip-Hop’s influence socially since its’ inception.
The box set will include over 120 songs via a seven CD set and a 300-page book. It will include anecdotal accounts from artists, producers, DJ’s and music executives and more. Additionally it will feature never published essays and photography from the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). Smithsonian Folkways Recordings will produce and release the set.
Today (October 17) a Kickstarter campaign was announced to bring the anthology to fruition. In a formal press statement Lonnie G. Bunch III, founding director of the NMAAHC, detailed why this initiative deserves the culture’s attention. “Hip-Hop is a musical revolution that embodies the voice of an entire generation. That’s why it’s important for the museum to partner with the Hip-Hop community and Folkways Recordings to tell this story. Hip-hop helps us to understand the power of black music and the impact of African American culture on the world.”
The goal is $250,000 and fans who donate to the fund will receive the finished project before it is available for sale. This endeavor will join very elite company as The Anthology of American Folk Music and Jazz: The Smithsonian Anthology the only two anthology entries at The Smithsonian. The deadline to contribute is November 15.
More information on the Kickstarter campaign can be found here.
Photo: Jati Lindsay
