Walk this Way
Before the US civil rights movement went into decline and the economic crisis of the 1970s set in, Hip-Hop made an appearance on the streets of the Bronx as an expression of resistance to the marginalisation of the African American population. Rap, DJing, graffiti, breakdance and the like developed as young people in the big cities began to appropriate the urban space. Their sagging trousers, colourful clothing, bandanas and trainers showed that they were part of a subculture whose music, dance and fashion spoke of the reality of their lives.
Hip-Hop has now spread far beyond the Bronx to become a global movement that connects people all over the world. In many parts of the globe, young people are using Hip-Hop to express themselves, tell their stories and position themselves against inequality and discrimination. Hip-Hop culture has established itself as a universal language that breaks through social barriers and helps foster community and encourages political engagement.
In 2019 BlackMass Publishing was founded in New York by Yusuf Hassan and Kwamé Sorrell with the idea of creating more visibility for Black artists. Their short-run, handmade zines circulate outside of the traditional publishing networks and extend the music scene’s concept of sampling. Sounds, images and video fragments become part of a dialogue that opens up new ideas about authorship, originality and different forms of archiving.
Based on the zines, that have been part of the Museum Folkwang's photographic collection since 2024, the works presented in the exhibition map out the global impact of Hip-Hop culture and present the visual products of a history that moves between self-empowerment and resistance.
Works by BlackMass Publishing, Hans Eijkelboom & Imruh Asha, Paul Grund, Adam Lach / A-P-P, Dana Lixenberg and Beat Streuli.
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