Our Mission

The Hiphop Archive was officially established in 2002 under the direction of Marcyliena Morgan. Since the early 1970s, Hiphop has become the most influential artistic, educational and social movement for youth and young adults. From The Hiphop Archive's inception, students, faculty, artists, staff and other participants in Hiphop culture have been committed to supporting and establishing a new type of research and scholarship devoted to the knowledge, art, culture, materials, organizations, movements and institutions developed by those who support and follow Hiphop. In response to this movement The Hiphop Archive organizes and develops collections, initiates and participates in research activities, sponsors events and acquires material culture associated with Hiphop in the U.S. and throughout the world.

It is now 30 years since its entrance onto the urban landscape and Hiphop continues to be supported, protected and scrutinized by those who created it. In the process, it has become an uncompromising prism for critique, social and political analysis and representation of marginalized and underrepresented communities throughout the world. The Hiphop Archive curates all forms of Hiphop material culture including recordings, videos, web sites, films, original papers, works, references, productions, conferences, meetings, interviews, publications, research, formal proceedings, etc. Material is collected according to particular themes and research initiatives. While the Archive is a record of Hiphop activity locally, nationally and internationally, it also incorporates all of the activities that have developed within and in response to Hiphop. These include academic courses, arts and community organizations, underground performances and venues, spoken word, political organizations, religious programs and much more.

The Hiphop Archive's mission is to facilitate and encourage the pursuit of knowledge, art, culture and responsible leadership through Hiphop. We are uncompromising in our commitment to build and support intellectually challenging and innovative scholarship that both reflects the rigor and achievement of performance in Hiphop and transforms our thinking and our lives. Toward these goals, our Website: hiphoparchive.org provides information about all activities and projects and serves as a resource for those interested in knowing, developing, building, maintaining and representing Hiphop.

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