Reimagining Blackness By Revisiting The Golden Age of Rap

When looking at Hip-Hop and Rap in relation to the social constructions of Blackness, we see that rap was born in light of of blatant injustices and racism. Specifically, rap in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, described as the Golden Age of Rap, gave rise to music with elements of Hip-Hop culture: Political Consciousness, Afrocentrism, and Black Liberation. With the goal of fighting oppressive forces and empowering Black people to reclaim their Blackness, rappers in this era used their music to better Black communities. Unfortunately, with a deviation from hip-chop culture, rap took a turn for the worse and strengthened ideas of Black inferiority on national level. Even though, Hip-Hop culture has slowly crept back to rap, much of it has been lost today. Therefore, this digital exhibition specifically hones in on both the Golden Age of Rap and the present day nature of rap in relation to Hip Hop culture. It will explore how both time periods have encouraged Black people to take control in reshaping their identity. In exploring rap through Hip Hop culture, this exhibition creates positive associations of Blackness, sheds light on the authentic Black experience, and Empowers Black people to reclaim their Blackness.