Hip-Hop Hall of Fame Secures $10 Mil In Funding

By Nolan Strong

Representatives for the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame have announced they have secured $10 million dollars in funding for the new, Manhattan-based project.

The Hip-Hop Hall of Fame will feature artifacts from Hip-Hop’s rich history, exhibits, workshops and community outreach programs with the pioneers of rap, many of whom are on the museum's advisory board.

The Hip-Hop Hall of Fame was originally created in 1992 as an award show that aired on BET in 1995.

The concept was created by JT “J-Train” Thompson, a Brooklyn born Queens/Harlem raised Hip-Hop entrepreneur.

"After 26 months of talks and negotiations, that yielded a few false starts and stops along the way, has come to a suitable arrangement by matching funds that may be increased," said J.T. Thompson, the chairman and creator of the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame.

"We wanted to give the fans and the lovers of Hip Hop around the world an opportunity to give to the 'museum cause' and to have a 'pride of ownership stake and voice' in what we do at the HHHOF Museum Complex and in the communities we serve,” Thompson continued. “We have been often imitated but will never be duplicated, as Hip-Hop legends have paved the way, and our goal is to expand the culture, with 'barrier breaking' leadership and development internationally well into the 21st century.”

Members of the Museums Advisory Board include Kurtis Blow, Melle Mel, Kool Herc and a number of other Hip-Hop pioneers.

The Hip-Hop Hall of Fame Museum and Entertainment Complex slated to open in New York City in late 2010.

allhiphop.com