Public Enemy lyricist and Hip-Hop icon Chuck D has been named chairman of the celebrity board for the Universal Hip Hop Museum (UHHM), Billboard has learned in exclusive interview. His appointment is the latest step forward as the museum prepares to break ground in the Bronx in December 2019 and open its doors in 2022.
Citing Chuck D’s legacy as one of the “well-respected MC’s in the culture of hip-hop,” Universal Hip Hop Museum chairman of the board Kurtis Blow adds, “The credibility he brings to our team is mammoth. He also understands the importance of the UHHM and vows to let the world know via a star-studded celebrity board in the near future. Flame on!”
Blow and Universal Hip Hop Museum director Rocky Bucano also note that the museum has recently secured $20 million in initial funding and is beginning its next phase of critical fund raising. The 50,000-square foot venue will be housed in a 25-floor high-rise at the new Bronx Point development (69 East 149th Street in the South Bronx), walking distance from Yankee Stadium. Ralph Appelbaum Associates —which designed the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture —has been commissioned as the UHHM’s interpretive design team. Mike Ford and Hamilton Anderson Associates (Motown Historical Museum) have been enlisted as the architectural designers.
Dedicated to preserving and celebrating rap/hip-hop’s global history, present and future, the UHHM will offer visitors a curated immersive experience encompassing the culture’s five elements: DJ’ing, emceeing, breaking, visual arts and knowledge. In addition to digital collections and virtual exhibits, the museum plans to present interview sessions, pop-up experiences, award shows and various educational programs and activities. Helping Blow, Chuck D and Bucano spread the word is a crew of UHHM cultural ambassadors that includes Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, Grandmaster Flash and Fab Five Freddy.
A recent press release announced the future arrival of a neighboring project, the Hip Hop Hall of Fame Museum & Hotel, in Harlem, New York. It’s slated to break ground and open in 2020-21. Notes Bucano, “We wish everyone trying to expand the evolution of hip-hop the best. We just know that we’re focused on what we can do.”
Power moves!
The Universal Hip Hop Museum is proud 2 announce that Chuck D will serve as the Chairman of the UHHM's Celebrity Board. “The credibility he brings to our team is mammoth”-@KurtisBlow1, 12/19/18, @HipHopDX. #HipHop #UHHM #UniversalHipHopMuseum #PublicEnemy https://t.co/UIpLQYv6mA pic.twitter.com/jxy5nViAlJ
— The Universal Hip Hop Museum (@uhhmuseum) December 20, 2018
"The year 2019 is going to be special for the @uhhmuseum. But before we get to the end of the year, lease make a tax deductible donation to museum. Here is a link to our End Of Year Appeal."https://t.co/dIdsbPXiZj pic.twitter.com/GbVcEJA8pY
— Harry Allen (@harryallen) December 19, 2018
