I visited the Oakland Museum of California to check out their latest exhibit: “Respect: Hip-Hop Style & Wisdom.” I hadn’t visited in a number of years, but I remember really liking my last visit because they curate exhibits that speak to local experiences and they do a great job creating interactive experiences.

There was a lot of soul, storytelling, and local love in the Hip-Hop exhibit. They showcased Hip-Hop’s influence on fashion, art, and – crafts? For real, real –  look at this tapestry!

When you think of “Hip-Hop” you might only think “music” but Hip-Hop is also

…a platform

…a culture, an identity

…grafitti art

…a lifestyle

…all the Bs

…local

…creativity, talent

…healing

…knowing who you are and telling your story

…making an impact

Who knew you could dedicate a whole exhibit to Hip-Hop! PS, yes, they also had boom boxes and turn tables on display.

There was also an interactive element where you could dance, flow, and practice your DJ skills. (Which I totally would have done if I wasn’t a germaphobe – communal headphones, ah!) My favorite part was the video of Blackalicious performing “Alphabet Aerobics.” The words were shown on the adjacent screen so you could (try to) follow along.

Hip-Hop, don’t stop.