Cornell Library’s Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections was recently gifted a large collection of early hip-hop memorabilia from avid music collector, Johan Kugelberg. You can get a peek on the official website but you might also consider attending the inaugral conference, which will include a roundtable and performances from the likes of Afrika Bambaataa, Jeff Chang, Joe Conzo and others. It will be taking place from October 31st to November 1st. You can also listen to an interview with Kugelberg here.
The collection includes nearly one thousand sound recordings, the photographic archive of Bronx photographer Joe Conzo, Jr., textile art, books and magazines, and a collection of more than five hundred original flyers designed by Buddy Esquire and others.
The collection aims to document the origins of hip hop as culture and community, and its influence on the history of music, art, performance, and activism in America during the final third of the 20th century and beyond. Building upon the Division’s substantial collections documenting 19th and 20th century American life, the hip hop archive provides original research materials for students and scholars in the fields of music, American studies, urban studies, theater, film & dance, art history, African American studies, government, literature, and history.
