Manchester Hip Hop Archive Exhibition

Spotlighting the impact of the genre on the region’s community with a free exhibition of Hip Hop memorabilia and materials from the 1980s to present day, marking over 40 years of Hip Hop lifestyle and culture in the city.

Made up of clothing, photographs, cassettes, records, graffiti sketchbooks, posters, flyers and oral histories documenting the historical journey and growth of the youth movement, the exhibition digs deep into sub genres and time-lining the scene changes, weaving the rich tapestry of Manchester’s underground story the project tells a story; of a disillusioned yet resolute youth that strived for something beyond the grey skies and gloom of post-industrial decline and the economic depression of the early 1980’s.

The unique collection is quickly growing to showcase Manchester’s position in the history of UK Hip Hop – from the early days of pioneer breakdance crew’s, Broken Glass & Street Machine, dancing to the sounds of electro funk and breaks from the boom boxes or import record store, ‘Spin Inn’ Top 10’ weekly feature on Stu Allen’s seminal Hip Hop radio show on Piccadilly 261. From inception and til this day, Manchester’s home-grown talent and its new wave of shining stars remain at the forefront of UK Rap. Artists such as Aitch, Bugzy Malone and Children of Zeus are firmly carrying the torch that was once lit by the youth of the 80s in parks and city clubs such as, Legends and The Bistro. This exhibition showcases the journey and gives an insight into the 5 elements of Hip Hop culture and the impact it’s had on Manchester and today’s society.