As you approach the art gallery in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, a graffiti mural on the right side of the wall features a Mt. Rushmore of late MC’s Ol’ Dirty Bastard, 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G., and Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes by artist RAIZE. Its at a prime location on a street corner behind the Museum of Graffiti (founded by Freidin and veteran artist Alan Ket) and Pharrell Williams’ Billionaire Boys Club. Inside the exhibit, fans will be greeted by a massive wall of boomboxes from over the past few decades, which iHeartMedia helped debut earlier this year at the pop-up gallery’s inaugural showing at SXSW back in March.
Rap enthusiasts will get to read about how DJ Kool Herc helped Hip-Hop take form at 1528 Sedgwick Ave in The Bronx, N.Y. and how the genre spread into the fashion world and Hollywood. The nostalgic path continues to show the first hip-hop club flyers, a mini movie theater showing Charlie Ahearn’s Wild Style, one-of-a-kind memorabilia, and rare pieces from iconic album cover and graffiti artists like Cey Adams, Eric Haze, Slick, Kaws and more. There’s also an incredible dedication to Hip-Hop jewelry from gold chains to shiny grills.
The walls in the back are covered with legendary images captured by celebrity photographers like Janette Beckman, Mike Miller, Henry Chalfant, Matt Doyle, Lisa Leone, Joe Conzo, Daniel Hastings and Jonathan Mannion. The journey ends with a dedication to Miami’s rap scene. Derick G, a famed photographer who’s shot behind-the-scenes footage for Dade County’s legendary artists, has his own corner with his iconic work on display along with fellow Miami shooter Esdras Thelusma.
“It’s a huge honor to be represented in my city next to huge names that helped build this genre we call Hip-Hop,” Derick tells iHeartRadio.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
