Fab 5 Freddy at White Castle (1982). Photo by Sophie Bramly. (‘Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop, MoPOP)
The Museum of Pop Culture’s newest exhibition, Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop, explores how artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Aaliyah, Wu-Tang Clan, Sir Mix-A-Lot, and so many more defined themselves to the public.
At Contact High, immerse yourself in four decades of hip-hop throughout the United States, including the regional cultures that flourished in different parts of the US documenting a revolution not just in music, but in politics, race relations, fashion, and culture.
Through more than 170 iconic images of hip-hop’s most influential artists (Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Queen Latifah, Tupac, and more) — including contact sheets that give us a rare glimpse into the creative process of a photo session — Contact High examines the evolution of hip-hop, connecting us with the experiences, identities, and places that have shaped the world’s most popular music genre.
In addition to photographs, experience artifacts from MoPOP’s permanent collection such as early rap battle fliers, Tupac Shakur manuscripts, Flavor magazines, and costumes from Sha-Rock, The Notorious B.I.G., and MF DOOM add to our understanding of hip-hop culture.
To ready yourself for an intimate glimpse into hip-hop’s history, check out this playlist curated by Contact High’s creative director, hip-hop pioneer, and the original host of Yo! MTV Raps, Fab 5 Freddy.
Learn more about ‘Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop‘ + for contests, the latest news, and behind-the-scenes content, be sure to follow us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
If you like what you see, support our work by making a donation or planning a visit to MoPOP today!
