Opening Reception: Day One DNA
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Day One DNA: 50 Years in Hiphop Culture is an immersive multimedia exhibition celebrating 50 years of hiphop culture through the archives of hiphop icons and longtime collaborators Ice T and Afrika Islam. Their private collection has been assembled over decades and is one of the world's largest private repositories of hiphop ephemera and artifacts. Featuring more than 300 objects from that collection, Day One DNA is divided into thematic sessions, each offering a distinct perspective on the cultural, political, and economic influences that shaped Ice T and Afrika Islam's artistry through uncharted territory. The exhibition opens a personal lens on the early days and evolution of this genre that has become a dominant cultural vernacular in the U.S. and across the globe. Day One DNA celebrates Ice T and Afrika Islam's legacy while journeying through their creative process and sources of inspiration that fueled their music careers over the decades. The exhibition is on view from November 3, 2023 to May 31, 2024, at The Ethelbert Cooper Gallery and is curated by Laylah Amatullah Barrayn.