Black History

Hip-Hop Museum Preserves Rap Music History in D.C.

THE AFRO — Forty years ago the music world was caught off guard by a genre’ that would change the industry forever.

Published

7 years ago

January 13, 2019

By Mark F. Gray

Forty years ago, near the end of the Jimmy Carter administration, when the Baltimore Orioles were making a run to the World Series, the music world was caught off guard by a genre’ that would change the industry forever. When the Sugar Hill Gang sampled a hook from Chic’s disco hit Good Times and created lyrics that flowed over the beats to create the iconic hit single Rappers Delight, Hip-Hop music was born.

Jeremy Beaver, owner of Listen Vision Studios in Northwest D.C., has been captivated his entire life by the evolution of what was initially known as rap music. His passion for the music and its cultural impact led to opening a studio across the street from Howard University’s business school on Georgia Ave. Northwest, in a three story brownstone providing artists with a place to record and produce music giving them a chance to break into the business.

Beaver has moved his “Vision” to the next level by creating the Hip-Hop Museum Pop Up Experience which debuts Jan. 18 and runs through Feb. 18 at the Culture House in Southwest, D.C. The interactive experience is expected to give fans an opportunity to understand how the music of urban culture has impacted the world.

“Hip-Hop has moved from the streets of the Bronx in the 1970s to every household in the world 40 years later, and that’s a fascinating phenomenon,” said Beaver. “By creating the Hip-Hop Museum D.C. collection, we hope to contribute to the preservation of Hip-Hop history and culture.”

The month long celebration of Hip-Hop begins with live performances by the Sugarhill Gang, Melle Mel, and Grandmaster Caz, accompanied by D.C.’s legendary go-go band Trouble Funk, who were all signed to Sugarhill Records in the early 1980s. Beaver says this performance will correct a 40-year oversight in Hip-Hop history.

Sugarhill Gang member Big Bank Hank (who died in 2014) used Caz’s lyrics on “Rapper’s Delight,” but Caz was never acknowledged nor paid. When the song was released Caz was the lead member of the Cold Crush Brothers and considered one of the then-underground genre’s most talented lyricists. The debate over rapper’s using “ghostwriters” continues in recent battles between Drake and Meek Mill and Nicki Minaj and Cardi B.

“Caz was one of the original combination of rappers and DJs who was an inspiration to the artists who followed him,” Beaver said. “He’s never gotten credit for the most significant breakthrough commercially successful record to hit billboard’s top 100.”

Opening night also features a live streaming talk show hosted by D.C. native and founder of Source Magazine and the Source Music Awards Dave Mays. Source magazine has long been considered the industry standard publication for Hip-Hop culture. Mays is scheduled to interview the performers and selected guests about the significance of Rapper’s Delight and how it changed the landscape of the music industry 40 years ago.

“It’s important that we recognize and learn more about Hip-Hop’s rich history at a time when the genre has become not only the most popular music on the planet, but a multi-billion dollar global cultural and entertainment force,” said Mays.

Beaver has more than 500 vintage items that comprise the exhibit. The artifacts include boxing gloves from the music video “Mama Said Knock You Out” signed by LL Cool J, a brick from Eminem’s childhood home on 8 Mile Road in Michigan, the leather vest worn by Grandmaster Caz in the classic 1982 Hip-Hop film Wild Style, and what Beaver claims is the world’s largest collection of Hip-Hop sneakers and autographed vinyl record albums and singles.

This article originally appeared in The Afro.

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Oakland Post: Week of February 11 = 17, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – February 11 – 17, 2026

Published

5 days ago

February 16, 2026

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COMMENTARY: The National Protest Must Be Accompanied with Our Votes

Just as Trump is gathering election data like having the FBI take all the election data in Georgia from the 2020 election, so must we organize in preparation for the coming primary season to have the right people on ballots in each Republican district, so that we can regain control of the House of Representatives and by doing so, restore the separation of powers and balance that our democracy is being deprived of.

Published

2 weeks ago

February 10, 2026

Oakland Post

Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper. File photo..

By Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper

As thousands of Americans march every week in cities across this great nation, it must be remembered that the protest without the vote is of no concern to Donald Trump and his administration.

In every city, there is a personal connection to the U.S. Congress. In too many cases, the member of Congress representing the people of that city and the congressional district in which it sits, is a Republican. It is the Republicans who are giving silent support to the destructive actions of those persons like the U.S. Attorney General, the Director of Homeland Security, and the National Intelligence Director, who are carrying out the revenge campaign of the President rather than upholding the oath of office each of them took “to Defend The Constitution of the United States.”

In California, the primary comes in June 2026. The congressional races must be a priority just as much as the local election of people has been so important in keeping ICE from acquiring facilities to build more prisons around the country.

“We the People” are winning this battle, even though it might not look like it. Each of us must get involved now, right where we are.

In this Black History month, it is important to remember that all we have accomplished in this nation has been “in spite of” and not “because of.” Frederick Douglas said, “Power concedes nothing without a struggle.”

Today, the struggle is to maintain our very institutions and history. Our strength in this struggle rests in our “collectiveness.” Our newspapers and journalists are at the greatest risk. We must not personally add to the attack by ignoring those who have been our very foundation, our Black press.

Are you spending your dollars this Black History Month with those who salute and honor contributions by supporting those who tell our stories? Remember that silence is the same as consent and support for the opposition. Where do you stand and where will your dollars go?

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Congresswoman Simon Votes Against Department of Homeland Security, ICE Funding

“They need accountability. Republicans already gave these agencies an unprecedented $170 billion for immigration enforcement, funding they have used to conduct raids at schools, separate families, and deploy a masked paramilitary who refuse to identify themselves on American streets. This bill gives them more funding without a single reform to stop unconstitutional, immoral abuses,” she said.

Published

2 weeks ago

February 10, 2026

Oakland Post

Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12). File photo.

By Post Staff

Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) released a statement after voting against legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which supports Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB).

“Today, I voted NO on legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security through Feb. 13, 2026.

“ICE and CBP do not need more funding to terrorize communities or kill more people,” she said in the media release.

“They need accountability. Republicans already gave these agencies an unprecedented $170 billion for immigration enforcement, funding they have used to conduct raids at schools, separate families, and deploy a masked paramilitary who refuse to identify themselves on American streets. This bill gives them more funding without a single reform to stop unconstitutional, immoral abuses,” she said.

“The American people are demanding change. Poll after poll of Americans’ opinions show overwhelming support for requiring ICE agents to wear body cameras and prohibiting them from hiding their faces during enforcement actions. This is the bare minimum transparency standard, and this funding legislation does not even meet this low bar,” Simon said.

“Republicans in Congress are not serious about reining in these lawless agencies. Their refusal to make meaningful changes to the DHS funding bill has consequences that go beyond immigration enforcement. TSA agents who keep our airports safe and FEMA workers who help our communities recover from disasters are stuck in limbo due to Republican inaction.

“The Constitution does not have an exception for immigrants. Every person on American soil has rights, and federal agencies must respect them. The East Bay has made clear at the Alameda County and city level that we will hold the line against a violent ICE force and support our immigrant communities – I will continue to hold the line and our values with my votes in Congress.”