On Record: A Legacy of Hip Hop at Columbia College Chicago   

A Multi-Media Group Exhibition Curated by Gallery Management practicum, The Chicago Hip Hop Heritage Museum, and CCC Hip Hop Faculty 

This exhibition celebrates Columbia College Chicago’s pivotal role in shaping Chicago's Hip Hop culture. Starting in the 1980’s, student programming became a vibrant nucleus for emerging artists, cultural movements, and groundbreaking events. With its inclusive environment- the Columbia community has fostered peace, love, unity, and having fun at the heart of the culture. This legacy still lives on today.  

"On Record" highlights the impact the Columbia community had on the Chicago Hip Hop cultural landscape. The exhibition honors the legends—artists, musicians, DJs, dancers, fashion designers, and entrepreneurs—who not only contributed to the evolution of Hip Hop, but also helped shape the identity of the college as a space where Hip Hop became an integral part of academic life. This includes the establishment of the Hip Hop minor, which continues to serve as a bridge between academic scholarship and cultural practice.   

By weaving together multiple generations of artists, creatives, and students, this exhibition underscores the importance of inclusivity, collaboration, and self-expression that has defined Columbia’s Hip Hop legacy. Because of the community it fostered, Columbia’s contribution to the cultural fabric of Chicago—and to the Hip Hop community—is undeniable.   

Join us as we explore the diverse voices, art forms, and histories that have made Columbia College Chicago a nucleus for the Hip Hop community. This exhibition invites viewers to reflect on how past innovators have shaped the present, while also

We would like to thank you the Chicago Hip Hop Heritage Museum and the Columbia College Chicago Hip Hop Faculty and the Columbia Archives and Special Collections for your help to put this exhibition together.