Hip Hop Museum opens in Cape Town

A new warehouse-style museum housing vinyl records, old speakers, graffiti and pictures from the 1980s has opened in Cape Town. The museum is intended to be a place where people can reflect on and learn about the past, as well as a place where new talent can be discovered and nurtured.

The opening night - as reported on the museum’s website

What a feeling! Restless crowd lined-up outside, last minute prep and finishing touches, and by 19h:30, voila! we officially opened, The Museum of South African Hip Hop.

The logo proudly perched across the main wall as you walk in has four of the five elements of hip hop displayed on chrome pillars i. Breaking (Adidas sneaker), MC (Mic), DJ (Wooden turntable), and Graf (Spraycan). The fifth element Knowledge, is right next to the logo represented by sketch of some books!

In room 1 ( as you enter) you find a collage of who’s who is hip hop now (mainly Cape Town, as a start). Also a large life size blow-up of the hottest BGirl, Bianca “Snow” Rinquest representing today’s generation. In room 2, or rather wall 2, a picture of DJ Superfly, the legendary king of the decks in 80 and 90s and a classic black and white of Club Casablanca in Woodstock where some of the hip hop was played. Room 3, is dark, and sprayed up with old school graf, and show cases some hip hop from other parts of Africa (Like Zimbabwe Legit) and a wall dedicated to Prophets of the City (SA’s first rap crew). Also available the original African Hip Hop Movement membership card, various pics from pre-‘94 hip hop hang-out The Base and vinyls (lots of vinyls). Linking the pics were certain well placed old school production equipment, from an eight track player, to cassette mixing desks, classic samplers, MC 50 manual, to the first Apple Mac. Just as one figures you’ve seen it all, you find ( in the back ) a full rehearsal and teaching space and a music production studio. Kids rushed to explore these facilities and even practiced there moves before heading to perform on the stage.

In between the eye candy and glaring nostalgia, The Beatbangaz dj crew (three of them on the decks) were pumping vibes and while some people cried when they saw old Base pictures, others chit-chatted and took in the view of Table Mountain from the balcony. The buzz was electric as young and old hip hop fans, artists, new journos, parents and the like, strutted around proud as peacocks. The air was filled with a sense of “This is our place! Finally!”

On stage, Omar, Ill-Literate-Skillz, Grand Alliance, Surburn Menace, Hand-Break Turn/Project Eerste River, Who-sane, and Base Maniacs wowed the crowed with their lyrical and dance acrobatics. The night was interrupted briefly by complaints of noise pollution ( from up-class neighbours) and a brief (albeit civil) appearance by police.

“A dream come true”, says DJ Azuhl from the BeatBangaz. In the end, a real hip hop night to remember.

http://samuseum.africanhiphop.com/

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