Hip Hop Archival Collection
Over the last fifty years, the cultural expression known as hip hop has proliferated and grown in expansive and important ways. Hip hop continues to impact societies across the world, even -- and especially -- here in Houston.
The Center is engaged in various projects—from creating an archive to developing innovative courses (RELI157 & RELI157X)—in order to highlight and appreciate hip hop’s cultural and social impact on local and global communities. CERCL's Hip Hop Archival Collection is housed at the Woodson Research Center Special Collections and University Archives in Rice’s Fondren Library. Exhibits, panel discussions and lectures increase the spotlight on hip-hop, preserve its importance for future generations, and underscore hip-hop’s role as a space where community and intellectual leadership is generated and cultivated.
Houston Hip Hop Archives Network
A partnership developed by CERCL and the University of Houston Libraries for preserving the artifacts of Houston hip hop. The CERCL Hip Hop Archival Collection at the Woodson Research Center Special Collections and University Archives in Rice’s Fondren Library includes archival collections and oral history interviews from HaviKoro Crew, K-Rino, Mike Frost, Pimp C, Scotty ATL, SwishaHouse, Too $hort, and Will "Def Jam Blaster" Ross.
SLFEMP | Mike Frost Archive/Panel Discussion
In October 2017, Mike Frost (SLFEMP) joined CERCL's Hip Hop Archival Collection housed at the Woodson Research Center Special Collections and University Archives in Rice’s Fondren Library. The donation of his extensive catalog of work on album covers, photographs and posters documenting Houston's underground rap culture make these materials available for scholars and other interested parties for generations to come. An event to announce the archiveincluded a 1000 photo slideshow and panel discussion "SLFEMP 1999-2017".
SwishaHouse Archives/Panel Discussion
In March 2013, SwishaHouse joined CERCL's Hip Hop Archival Collection housed at the Woodson Research Center Special Collections and University Archives in Rice’s Fondren Library. This donation of materials, papers, platinum records, and many other artifacts make these materials available for scholars and other interested parties for generations to come. An event to announce the archive included a panel discussion "SwishaHouse: Leaders in Houston Hip Hop, Past and Present".
Pimp C Archives/Panel Discussion
Panel discussion to discuss the legacy of Chad "Pimp C" Butler and celebrate his participation in CERCL's Hip Hop Archival Collection housed at the Woodson Research Center Special Collections and University Archives in Rice’s Fondren Library. Pimp C was a founding member of UGK along with Bernard "Bun B" Freeman in Port Arthur, Texas.
HaviKoro Archives/Panel Discussion/Breaking Competition
A full weekend of events including a panel discussion, breaking competition and exhibit to celebrate HaviKoro's Anniversary, City of Houston Proclamation, and induction into CERCL's Hip Hop Archival Collection housed at the Woodson Research Center Special Collections and University Archives in Rice’s Fondren Library.
Awready! The Houston Hip Hop Conference
In March 2012, Awready! The Houston Hip Hop Conference was presented by the University of Houston Libraries, CERCL (formerly the HERE Project) at Rice University, African American Studies at the University of Houston, and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts at the University of Houston. The opening event celebrated Hip Hop's contemporary visual and performance art, UH sponsored a panel discussion on the life and work of Houston's DJ Screw, and opened an exhibit at the UH Library titled "DJ Screw & The Rise of Houston Hip Hop", finally a DJ Battle in honor of DJ Screw was held at Rice to close the conference. This event also introduced to the public to the "Houston Hip Hop Archives Network," a partnership developed by the CERCL and the University of Houston Libraries for preserving the artifacts of Houston hip hop