The Wisconsin Historical Museum’s Maker Space recently opened up a new exhibit dedicated to the history of hip-hop in the state.
Titled “50 Years of Hip-Hop in Wisconsin: Lead Between the Rhymes,” the exhibit is set to run until Sept 19. Curated by Greg Doby and Menkhu Ara Maat, the display features historical records, such as photos and videos, as well as memorabilia that focuses on DJing, breakdancing, emceeing and street art in Wisconsin.
After the pop-up’s run in the Wisconsin Historical Museum’s Maker Space, “Lead Between the Rhymes” is set to move to the Wisconsin Historical Society Headquarters.
Amongst the artists featured in the exhibit are Clyde Stubblefield and Skylar Grey. While Grey has made a name for herself with her features on hip hop tracks, Stubblefield is considered one of the greatest drummers of all time. His breaks, particularly in the 1970 track “Funky Drummer,” are among the most sampled drum parts to be used in hip-hop.
“The list goes on and on and on of these untold stories of some of the greatest hip hop songs and producers and artists that you don’t think of, but they’re all right here in Wisconsin,” said Doby per Spectrum News. “They started here in Wisconsin.”
Wisconsin has a rich history in hip-hop culture, particularly when it comes to the development of Milwaukee hip-hop.
Considered a subgenre of Midwestern hip-hop, the branch of hip-hop first emerged in 1981 with the release of “Class A” by The Majestics. Although primarily considered a funk and R&B band, the Majestics’ track drew from the disco rap-influenced tracks that were developing in the early 1980s, displaying the city’s early investment in the budding hip-hop genre.
The influence of hip-hop on the state’s music continued with the release of A-Tak’s 1985 release “A-Tax On The Wax,” which blended hip-hop with rock elements.
In 2001, Milwaukee artist Coo Coo Cal released the biggest song to come out of the Milwaukee hip-hop scene. Released as the lead single from his album “Disturbed,” “My Projects” peaked at Number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Number 22 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Through the new exhibit, Dobby and Maat hope that it will inspire future artists to help build on the state’s history.
“We can create something that they can take and maybe do even more than we’re doing; that’s what we’re hoping the future for Madison hip-hop is more unity, more leadership, and more innovation and more culture,” said Maat.
