Hip-Hop Museums Opening In Harlem & Times Square

by CHRISTOPHER HARRIS

The museum's organizer says "This will be the home of Hip Hop history."

The Hip Hop Hall of Fame is halfway to its goal of establishing a Hip Hop museum in Harlem, New York.

Plans to develop the Hip Hop museum and a coinciding youth media education academy are already underway.

The Hip Hop Hall of Fame has already secured a location in Harlem on the historic 125th St., according to the non-profit's website.

In a recent interview with the NY Daily News, the museum's organizer, JT Thompson detailed the organization's expansion.

“This will be the home of Hip Hop history,” he says. “People need to understand theimportance of Hip Hop, the elements, the deejays, the B-boys and B-girls and the graffiti writers.”

More than 100 donated artifacts, memorabilia and distinguished collections from artists such as 2 Pac, The Zulu Nation, the Notorious B.I.G., Run-DMC, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and more will be showcased. The aim of each exhibit is to provide an educational, enlightening experience for visitors.

In addition to the Hip Hop Hall of Fame Museum, the 12,000 square foot space is set to hold a gift shop, a coffee and juice bar and a TV studio. Its youth media education academy is slated to enroll and train nearly 50 students.

A larger midtown Manhattan location is also in the works.

While the total project costs nearly $80 million, Thompson told the Daily News that "close to $50 million has already been funded."

The Hip Hop Hall of Fame organization has launched an indiegogo campaign to raise $500,000 to go towards the facility's design, construction, equipment, staffing and two years of operation.

Organizers hope to begin construction next summer and open the museum to the public in 2017. The Harlem location is expected to open in April.