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- Cécile Fromont Appointed as new HAA Professor and as First Faculty Director of the Cooper Gallery of African and African American Art at the Hutchins Center
- Bay State Banner, 'A deep dive into the archives of Ice T and Afrika Islam at Harvard'
- 7 News Boston, 'New exhibit at Harvard celebrates Ice-T, 50 years of hip-hop'
The Ethelbert Cooper Gallery of African & African American Art
102 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
The Hutchins Center for African & African American Research
Harvard University
Tel 617-496-5777
thecoopergallery@fas.harvard.edu
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Day One DNA: 50 Years in Hiphop Culture
from the private collection of Ice T & DJ Afrika Islam
Curated by Laylah Amatullah Barrayn
On view from November 3, 2023, to May 31, 2024
Day One DNA: 50 Years in Hiphop Culture is an immersive multimedia exhibition celebrating 50 years of hiphop culture through the archives of hiphop icons and longtime collaborators Ice T and DJ Afrika Islam. Their collection has been assembled over decades and is one of the world's largest private repositories of hiphop ephemera and artifacts.
Presenting over 200 objects from their holdings, Day One DNA is divided into thematic sessions, each offering a distinct perspective on the cultural, political, and economic influences that shaped Ice T and DJ Afrika Islam's artistry through uncharted territory. On view are items such as tour laminates, studio reels, archival photographs, party fliers, magazines, custom-made garments, jewelry, musical instruments, and recording equipment. The exhibition opens a personal lens on the early days and evolution of this genre that has become a dominant cultural vernacular in the U.S. and across the globe. Day One DNA celebrates Ice T and DJ Afrika Islam's legacy while journeying through their creative process and influences that sustained their careers.
Day One DNA is on view from November 3, 2023, to May 31, 2024, at The Ethelbert Cooper Gallery and is curated by Laylah Amatullah Barrayn.
Photo by Jeff Oto, courtesy of the Ice T Afrika Islam Private Collection at HipHop-History.com