Hip-hop history is getting its due in Oakland, California. Last Friday, the African American Museum and Library at Oakland unveiled an archival collection that pays tribute to Bay Area hip-hop people and places, a first of its kind. It's open to the public as a "white glove" collection which simply means an appointment is necessary and visitors must wear protective gloves to "maintain the physical integrity of the archive."
The Oaklandside was at the opening ceremony and reports:
Leading the archiving effort is Torman Jahi, an artist, exhibit curator, and the founder of Microphone Mechanics. He told The Oaklandside prior to the ceremony that the project's mission is not only to archive historical artifacts but "to preserve, protect, and highlight the Bay Area artists, activists, educators, and culture-keepers who have made a significant contribution to the Bay Area."
The event inducted the following 15 honorees. The Oaklandside:
'90s hip-hop photographer Traci Bartlow; DJ D Sharp; journalist and DJ Davey D; DJ Kevy Kev; The Click's Suga T; editor, writer, and commercial voice actor Thembisa Mshaka; San Francisco rapper Paris; Hodari Davis; Phesto Dee of Souls of Mischief; Aima The Dreamer; Grammy-nominated Digital Underground member and educator Mystic; muralist Refa One; '90's-era San Francisco hip-hop venue, The Upper Room; event production company Ankh Marketing; and a posthumous induction for longtime DJ of The Coup, Pam The Funkstress
Read more: Bay Area Hip-Hop Archive is the first of its kind
