Smithsonian Institute announces 300-page Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap

This is a journey into sound.

The Smithsonian Institute’s record label, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, is partnering with the National Museum of African American History and Culture to raise money for a new 300-page book and 9CD set.

Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap “will be the third in a series from Smithsonian Folkway Recordings that tells the story of a defining era the story of a defining era of music ‘of, by and for the people,’ following the Anthology of American Folk Music and Jazz: The Smithsonian Anthology,” says the museum.

The project “will illustrate different social and political trends within the genre, such as police brutality, feminism, and Afrocentrism. It will explore these themes through music from old school pioneers like the Sugarhill Gang and Roxanne Shanté to artists of today like Kanye West — and four decades’ worth of essential names in between.”

Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap is being spearheaded by an advisory board that includes musicians MC Lite, Chuck D, ?uestlove, and 9th Wonder, Def Jam execs Bill Adler and Bill Stephney, with design by artist and founding creative director of Def Jam Cey Adams.

Head here for more info on the Kickstarter offers, and check out the video below.