Hip-Hop’s First Wave
When a significant cultural innovation occurs, it’s usually surrounded by a myriad of influential factors. They can be creative, sociological, political and even meteorological. It’s been said that necessity is the mother of invention. I would add that passion gets the job done, along with a bit of serendipity. Such is the case with the first wave of Hip-Hop. What began in 1970’s Bronx with a neighborhood of passionate and determined teenagers has become a global phenomenon.
Curtis Sherrod made his bones as Mexi Ray, one of the Nice & Nasty 3. He was at ground zero of a cultural explosion, fueled by passion that combined Grafitti, DJing, MCing, B-boying and Beatboxing that set the world afire. During that era, Curtis collected Hip-Hop party and event fliers of the day. He now owns the largest Hip-Hop flier collection in the world. That collection eventually caught the attention of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and became a traveling exhibit.
The Hip-Hop Culture Center In Harlem
The Hip-Hop flier exhibit became part of the Converse Sneaker Battle Tour, an event that Curtis produced and hosted. The tour also included dancers, MCs, grafitti artists, beatboxers and more. In 2006, Curtis opened the Hip-Hop Culture Center In Harlem. That venue hosted the first 24-hour Rapathon, an event that made the Guiness Book Of World Records. Other events included youth education programs, workshops, showcases and Hip-Hop church with Kurtis Blow. Celebrities who have come through the center include Kool Herc, Melle Mel, Buddy Esquire, Ice-T and Magic Johnson.
About Curtis Sherrod
Curtis is an MC, entrepreneur, producer, event organizer, community leader and the host of the television show, “Curtis Sherrod’s Top 3.” He is also the subject of the documentary film, “Curtis Sherrod.”
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