The Culture: Hip-Hop & Contemporary Art in the 21st Century

Hip-Hop made it from the Bronx to The Baltimore Museum of Art

Marlena Neal & Michael Sercey in front of the sign for "The Culture" exhibit at The Baltimore Museum of Art.

Hip Hop started out in the park...That park was in Bronx New York and the grand architect was nonother than DJ Kool Herc creating a foundation for what would become the most influential music on the planet. Today Hip Hop has brought me to the quiet precious stone-lined corridors of The Baltimore Museum of Art for the opening of "The Culture" exhibit showcasing art and urban fashion pertaining to hip-hop spanning the last 50 years.

DJ Kool Herc & Michael Sercey shaking hands in The Baltimore Museum of Art.

I felt mixed feelings while being escorted to a separate area where only the press and members of the museum were allowed. On one hand, I'm walking past actual clothes and props from the artist and videos that influenced my younger self. The fact that I'm seeing this beside art pieces in such a prestigious place brought me the biggest sense of pride that I have felt since my son told me that he wants to help the youth and counsel them as a career choice. The prideful feeling soon started to be replaced with an emotional sadness as the thought crossed my mind of how unwelcome most of us hip-hop heads were at one time, especially in places society deemed as places of culture or affluence.

Artist: Aaron Fowler (born St. Louis, MO 1988) Live Culture Force 1's 2022 Car parts and mixed media Each Shoe: 60 × 96 × 48 in. (152.4 × 243.8 × 121.9 cm.) Courtesy of the artist.

The curators of the exhibit did an excellent job of putting together pieces that represented the elements of hip-hop. As I walked around looking at the diverse art a soundtrack of old-school veterans like Mc Lite, The God MC Rakim, & Biggie filled the air. Speaking of MCs, how many of y'all know about The Father MC Coke La Rock? This man is credited with being the first battle rhymer acknowledged as the best of his craft, spitting fiyah if you know what I mean. Graffiti is part of several pieces that line the walls. The vibrant hues and creative mix that graffiti artists use to convey their messages are prevalent in this exhibit's art. DJ Kool Herc & DJ Fly Guy have been delivering the soundtrack of the culture longer than a lot of the culture has been alive.

Left to Right: DJ Fly Guy, DJ Kool Herc, Cindy Campbell, Coke La Rock, Lucky Bling Above: Mrs. Fly, Clash the Bling King- Photographer Michael Sercey

A very important person in the movement that we can't say enough about is Cindy Campbell. Like Herc & Rock is to the foundation of the artistic side of hip-hop, Cindy Campbell is to the business side of hip-hop. The culture calls her the first lady because without her the art may not have touched the masses or gotten the financial compensation we get without using the business practices that she used. So my #gogetitfamily when y'all sit down in the studio and do your thing or when you have that team member that gives their all to help build your career remember the foundation of this movement we call hip-hop. One last thing to my #gogetitfamily if you do have that team member or team period take care of them, cherish them, and treat them right because no matter how high you get, there's more out there.

Marlena Niel & Cindy Campbell at Baltimore Museum of Art

The exhibit is now open and will stay open to the public until July 16, 2023. The exhibit will then move to the St. Louis Art Museum until next year. You owe yourself and the movement a few moments of your time to see hip-hop up close and I promise you won't be disappointed.

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