Chicago’s Hip Hop Haven

Dr. Mila K. Marshall CNW Staff Writer

Brian Gorman narrates the genesis story of Chicago’s Hip Hop Heritage Museum (4505 S. Indiana Ave.) and hints at the bigger picture beyond the archives and collections. Co-founders Darrell Artistic Roberts and Carrico “Kingdom” Sanders round out the curation crew of the museum. With its home in the Grand Boulevard community, the Greystone walkup has a low-key vibe on the outside that shifts to electric upon entering. Photos, fliers, pluggers, parties and memories. The walls commemorate the legacies of legends. It is a house of history makers and an homage to hip-hop culture and lifestyle. There is nothing like hearing the rhythm in Gorman’s storytelling of how Black Chicago blues turned into hot beats, clever bars, and local stars. It’s much more than a museum, the way Gorman tells it…it’s a movement.

“In the late eighties, Kingdom would throw these hip hop events in Hyde Park at a spot called The Blue Gargoyle and paved the way for a lot of Chicago artists. He was the first one to put Cavalier on stage but the world knows him as Twista” shared Gorman. Kingdom is a renowned promoter and founder of the Ill State Assassins and “paved the way” for many local artists according to Gorman. Artistic is an early member and President of Chi-ROCK Nation; a community of innovators, creators, MCs, breakers, promoters and graffiti artists who continue to lead the charge decades later. Chi-ROCK is Chicago’s hip-hop culture keeper with a mission of celebrating and preserving the legacy of local and global artists. Brian Gorman serves as President of Custom Resources and publisher of the Chicago Community Activism Magazine.

“Everything I’ve done over the years, I’ve kept a little of this, a little of that, and next thing you know I had suitcases full of stuff. We all collect, keep and archive. Artistic had a treasure trove because of his work with Chi-ROCK and Kingdom, even though he lost some pieces in a fire, still had a decent amount of memorabilia and things to kick off the inaugural collection.”

– Gorman

The first installment was in 2020. History decked the walls and doors opened for visitors to travel down memory lane or explore new avenues by peering into the past. With two floors and four rooms, there is so much to see. Personal collections from the founding curators bring the space to life. The rotation of the collection is supplemented by donated items from the public and other creatives along with financial support from visitors and other visionaries. Chicago hip-hop creatives refuse to be forgotten but hip-hop culture isn’t just photos of parties and peace signs, history is still being made.

“Museums are all about preservation. Chicago’s musical history is vast. We want to see the museum grow and outgrow this space and have no doubt that we will. It’s cool people want to see themselves on the walls and even come in and see and support. But we know that with community financial support and operational funds, there is so much more service this museum can provide for the southside of Chicago and specifically Black communities.” - Gorman

Gorman’s idea is fuel for a cultural economic engine. Black Chicago continues to struggle with low-wage employment, vacant infrastructure, lack of neighbor relations and most importantly, sparse cultural pillars and artistic anchors. Gorman envisions and welcomes the expansion of the Hip Hop Heritage Museum.

“We utilized hip-hop to get away from violence. Chicago in the 90s was wild and hiphop saved people’s lives. This culture has the potential to impact, move and change people and communities even. Our long-term plans are to protect the integrity of our vision and story. Growing the museum has to come from the hip-hop community. We can get money but if it strips away our power to operate how we see fit, it isn’t worth it and it isn’t really by the people for the people.” - Gorman

Guided tour donations start off at $12 and guests are welcome to plan their visit through the website www. chhhm.com. You can also join the listserv to stay up to date on 2023 activities like celebrating Hip Hop Heritage Month kicking off July 1st this summer.