The Brief:
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A new exhibit in Madison highlights Wisconsin’s hidden hip-hop history.
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Curated by Gregory Doby and Menkhu Meri Maat, the exhibit runs through early September.
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The exhibit emphasizes community impact and youth outreach through hip-hop culture.
MADISON, Wis. — Hip-hop culture, born in the Bronx more than 50 years ago, has deep roots in Wisconsin that many people don’t know about.
A new exhibit opening Friday in downtown Madison aims to change that by showcasing the state’s hidden musical legacy and the pioneers who helped shape the genre.
The exhibit, curated by Madison natives Gregory Doby and executive director Menkhu Meri Maat, will run through early September at US Bank Plaza. The showcase highlights Wisconsin’s rich hip-hop history and the artists who have made significant contributions to the culture while giving back to their communities.
Visitors will experience hands-on elements including a turntable display and comprehensive informational materials about hip-hop’s history and cultural impact. The interactive components allow guests to explore the technical aspects of DJ-ing while learning about the genre’s evolution from its Bronx origins to its Wisconsin connections. Admission to the exhibit is free.
“It’s important to tell the story for having a voice, for the voiceless, and for representing the true essence of culture,” said one of the exhibit organizers,” said Menkhu Meri Maat.
“We have rich, pioneer and celebrities that no one knows about, and we need to tell that story,” said Gregory Doby.
One of those pioneers is Doby, who has produced music for rap legends, including Lloyd Banks and DMC from the iconic group Run-DMC. Doby established Regime Records, which he says is the first record label in Madison, bringing hip-hop culture to the Wisconsin capital.
“I started the first record label here, Regime Records. And so, through this, I have, you know, I’ve always had a passion for hip-hop, and I’ve always felt like I wanted to bring that culture here to Madison,” said Doby.
Wisconsin has also produced nationally recognized hip-hop artists, including members of the Grammy-winning group Arrested Development and rapper Coo Coo Cal. Arrested Development, which achieved mainstream success in the 1990s, has connections to both Milwaukee and Madison.
“We do have some artists, like Arrested Development. They were from Milwaukee and Madison. I went to school with one of the members of Arrested Development, Coo Coo Cal who had, you know, top 10 hit, and he’s from Milwaukee,” said Doby. “There’s a lot of gems that, you know, people just happened to overlook. But we’re here.”
The exhibit serves multiple purposes beyond showcasing musical achievements. The curators emphasize their role as advocates for Wisconsin’s hip-hop community and its impact on local youth development.
“We were there. So we’re telling our stories, but we’re also advocating for Wisconsin, for the community, for culture, and for the youth,” said Maat.
A central theme of the exhibit focuses on how Wisconsin hip-hop artists invest in their communities through education and youth outreach. The organizers stress that hip-hop culture promotes positive values that can guide young people toward constructive paths.
“It’s very important that the youth are involved in this culture. hip-hop culture is a culture of peace, love, unity and having fun. And so we want to keep the youth on the right path,” said one of the exhibit directors. “And so through education, through connecting with them and neighborhood centers, community centers, after school program, we can make a big change in our society.”
The summer-long exhibit represents an effort to bring Wisconsin’s hip-hop contributions into the spotlight while demonstrating the genre’s positive influence on local communities. By highlighting both established artists and emerging talent, the showcase aims to inspire the next generation of Wisconsin hip-hop artists.
For Wisconsin hip-hop enthusiasts and music history buffs, the exhibit offers a rare opportunity to discover the state’s significant but often overlooked contributions to one of America’s most influential cultural movements.
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