The Society’s largest museum project to that point was A Hip Hop Journey: 50 Years of Kulture, held at Leeds City Museum from 28 July 2023 to 24 March 2024.
The exhibition was co-curated by Leeds Museums and Galleries and the Hip Hop Historian Society.
The exhibition placed particular emphasis on the development of Hip Hop in Leeds and Yorkshire.
Leeds Museums and Galleries described the exhibition as one of its largest co-curated undertakings, involving more than 30 lenders and more than 800 objects. Material came from local artists, record shops and communities across Leeds and Yorkshire.
The exhibition included installations representing aspects of Hip Hop history, including a recreation of a 1980s New York subway carriage, a record shop and a 1990s bedroom studio.
Video courtesy of Antony Newby
2024 Museums + Heritage Award
In May 2024, A Hip Hop Journey: 50 Years of Kulture won the Museums + Heritage Award for Temporary or Touring Exhibition of the Year – budget under £80,000.
The award was received jointly by Leeds Museums and Galleries and the Hip Hop Historian Society.
The judges highlighted the exhibition’s community co-curation, authenticity, community response and the scale of the project in relation to its budget.
The exhibition placed particular emphasis on the development of Hip Hop in Leeds and Yorkshire.
Leeds Museums and Galleries described the exhibition as one of its largest co-curated undertakings, involving more than 30 lenders and more than 800 objects. Material came from local artists, record shops and communities across Leeds and Yorkshire.
The exhibition included installations representing aspects of Hip Hop history, including a recreation of a 1980s New York subway carriage, a record shop and a 1990s bedroom studio.
Artists and practitioners represented included figures associated with Leeds Hip Hop such as:
LSK | Nightmares on Wax / George Evelyn | MC Daddy Speedo | Testament | Jehst | Skinnyman | Braintax | Tommy Evans | Kidkanevil | D3 | Part2ism | New Flesh
The exhibition also explored connections between Hip Hop and the wider musical history of Leeds.
Marcia Brown curated the Reggae section, continuing her involvement in Leeds music heritage projects dating back to the earlier museum work.
Exhibition Press Links
‘What you rapping all Yorkshire for?’ How Leeds defied the doubters to become a hip-hop haven – The Guardian
Meet King Monk – the man on a mission turning street culture into museum history for Leeds’ hip hop legacy – Yorkshire Evening Post
Hip Hop Historian Society and Leeds City Museum Win Prestigious Award – Leeds Livin
Leeds groundbreaking Hip Hop exhibition claims global award – Leeds City Council
A Hip Hop Journey: 50 Years of Kulture – Event Flyers
