Washingtonians will get to experience the world’s largest collection of authentic Hip-Hop artifacts and memorabilia when The Source magazine founder and D.C. native, Dave Mays, brings “The Hip-Hop Museum Pop-Up Experience” to the District this summer with the help of title partner Hennessy.
The new pop-up exhibit will celebrate its official grand opening on Thursday, July 11 at D.C.’s Union District Oyster Bar & Lounge. The Lounge is located at 501 Morse Street NE) in the Union Market District. The five-week pop-up, ending on Thursday, August 15, will introduce the first-of-its-kind upscale Hip-Hop theme restaurant, bar and lounge concept.
At the pop-up, guests will enjoy a daily “Hip-Hop Happy Hour,” weekly “Throwback Thursdays” parties, an exclusive weekly livestreamed podcast and appearances by several Hip-Hop icons. Hennessy cocktails, like the summer-inspired “Rapper’s Delight,” will flow throughout the pop-up’s duration. Cocktails will perfectly complement menu items like Tupac’s Thai Chili Jerk Wings, Wu-Tang Clan’s Crab Fried Rice and Salt-N-Pepa’s Seafood Mac & Cheese.
“We are bringing fans of the music and culture a Hip-Hop version of the Hard Rock Café,” says Mays, co-founder of The Hip-Hop Museum Pop-Up Experience and CEO of Dave Mays Media. “We are creating an environment that is unique and special in the way that it will feel inspiring and welcoming for anyone who loves Hip-Hop.”
“Hip-Hop fans will be able to enjoy our amazing art collection, panel discussions, music and special events, while connecting with like-minded folks and sampling our delicious food and special drinks,” adds Jeremy Beaver, co-founder of The Hip-Hop Museum Pop-Up Experience.
“The Hip-Hop Museum Pop-Up Experience” grand opening celebration on July 11 will include:
● Sneaker customization session: As a salute to legendary music producer, DJ and sneakerhead Clark Kent, renowned sneaker customizer and DMV resident David “DEZ” Zambrano of DEZ Customz will be custom painting a pair of Clark Kent-designed Nike Air Force 1 sneakers live onsite.
● Live podcast + panel discussion: In partnership with leading sneaker retailer DTLR, The Hip-Hop Museum will produce a live podcast and panel discussion entitled “The Love Affair Between Hip-Hop & Sneakers.” Charting the parallel rise of Hip-Hop culture and the modern sneaker industry from the early 1970s on, this discussion will focus on how the multi-billion dollar global industries of sneakers and Hip-Hop are intertwined in 2019.
Additional special events will take place each Thursday as part of the Museum’s “Throwback Thursdays,” including soon-to-be-announced appearances by Brand Nubian, DJ Doo Wop, DJ Kool, DJ Cash Money, Sugarhill Gang and more.
About “The Hip-Hop Museum Pop-Up Experience”
The Hip-Hop Museum Pop-Up Experience was created to accurately and authentically document and preserve the history of Hip-Hop, while providing recognition to those individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to it. Some of the highlights of the museum’s collection include the boxing glove from the music video “Mama Said Knock You Out” signed by LL Cool J, a brick from Eminem’s childhood home on 8 Mile Road, the leather vest worn by Grandmaster Caz in the classic 1982 Hip-Hop film “Wild Style,” and the world’s largest collections of Hip-Hop sneakers and autographed vinyl. The collection consists of more than 500 rare and vintage items documenting Hip-Hop’s history from the late 1970’s through the late 1990’s.
