Hip Hop Museum Tour In Charlotte This Weekend

If you're a hip-hop head or a fan of the culture, then you are sure to enjoy this. As the celebration of Hip Hop's 50th anniversary continues, "The Hip Hop Museum Tour" will make its way to Charlotte on Saturday, November 18.

It's a touring exhibit that tells the story of those who helped birth hip-hop and how they did it. Media companies Mass Appeal, Hip Hop 50, the Universal Hip Hop Museum, and Ciroq are behind bringing the traveling exhibit to multiple cities, including Charlotte.

The tour serves as a preview to a massive 52,000 square-foot Hip Hop museum that is scheduled to open in South Bronx in 2025. It will be strategically located (610 Exterior Street) not far from where hip-hop was born. The museum will serve as a place to document, preserve, and celebrate the culture of hip-hop.

According to the Universal Hip Hop Museum, before the museum opens, the touring exhibit will give visitors a peek at early hip-hop artifacts, and highlights of moments in hip-hop history and open the door to conversation on the cultural and social impact of hip-hop. Leadership at the museum says the primary goal of the tour is to shine a light on the culture's influences, creators, and communities that have supported and uplifted hip hop.

In case you're wondering, Mass Appeal is the company that has led the Hip Hop 50 initiative that honors the birth and rise of hip-hop. Mass Appeal also hosted the Hip Hop 50 Live concert in June at Yankee Stadium.

You can catch The Hip Hop Museum Tour stop Saturday, November 18, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Norfolk Hall (Southend), 2905 Griffith Street in Charlotte.  Get your FREE TICKETS HERE.

Hip-hop culture goes way beyond the music. It includes various elements, from footwear choices shaping fashion trends to graffiti and breakdancing. Hip-hop has significantly impacted culture and continues to play a substantial role.

Examples include the popularity of Tommy Hilfiger monograms worn by figures like Aaliyah and the trend of baggy overalls that dominated the late 1980s and early 1990s. Hip-hop artists had a defining influence on the fashion of that era.

Footwear has always held a special place in hip-hop culture, and sneaker culture has become closely intertwined with music and style. The Adidas Superstar, introduced in 1970 as a basketball shoe, has experienced various waves of popularity. It was embraced by hip-hop artists, notably highlighted by Run DMC, who incorporated the Superstar into their identity, particularly with their track "My Adidas."

Air Force 1s have consistently been a staple in hip-hop's choice of footwear. Similarly to Run DMC's impact with "My Adidas," hip-hop artist Nelly contributed to one of the prominent sneaker anthems of the early 2000s with his song "Air Force Ones." The Air Force 1 remains a classic option for sneaker enthusiasts.

Another iconic sneaker is the Air Jordan 1. It marked the initial collaboration between Michael Jordan and Nike, representing a basketball shoe and a status symbol. Its influence extended beyond the basketball court, becoming an iconic urban fashion sneaker. The story of this show was recently told in the Ben Affleck-directed film, Air.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Timberland boot became a preferred choice of hip-hop artists. Personalities like Kanye West, the Notorious B.I.G., and Tupac frequently wore the 6" Timberland boots. Originally designed for laborers, they were adopted by New York City residents for their durability and weather resistance.

K Swiss also found a place within hip-hop culture, highlighted by the documentary "K-Swiss California Love" following Snoop Dogg and Tupac's involvement with the brand.

People have eagerly lined up outside physical stores for new sneaker releases for decades. This enthusiasm for sneakers remains strong today, with many artists and celebrities collaborating with beloved brands, continuing the evolution of sneaker culture.

Check out some of the top sneaker collaborations.

Cardi B's partnership with Reebok came to an end last year according to reports. To mark the final phase, the rapper introduced the Farewell Collection, titled "Let Me Be…Next Level Energy" Part Two. Cardi had collaborated with the athletic company since 2018, participating in advertising campaigns and venturing into her first design collaboration in 2020. The first part of the collection introduced two footwear silhouettes: the Club C Cardi V2 and Cardi Slide.

Kendrick Lamar introduced a version of the Nike Cortez sneakers. Taking the timeless Nike Cortez shoe as its foundation, Lamar's initial design showcases a white premium leather upper accompanied by red contrast stitching and a black nylon tongue. The "Cortez Kenny" footwear additionally pays homage to the rapper's album, DAMN., through the utilization of Nike's Futura typeface on the shoe's tongue.

Nike has collaborated with Travis Scott to infuse his unique style into various shoe models, including Air Force 1s and Air Jordan 6s. A new release from Scott is on the horizon, featuring the "Cactus Jack" logo embroidered on the shoe's spine in a neutral hue. The woven label and "NIKE" branding maintain the visual continuity with the original design. The Travis Scott x Nike Mac Attack is currently scheduled for a December 2 release.

The collaboration between Eminem's Shady Records and Nike resulted in a limited-edition pair of Air Max 97 shoes, initially launched in 2006 as part of a charity initiative. According to Hypebeast, only eight pairs were manufactured. The shoe boasts a color combination of brown, orange, and blue, with a message across the toe-box that reads "D-12 and Big Proof 4 ever." The sneaker is finished off with a Shady Records logo on its lateral side and is accompanied by its original tags.

As part of Puma's 50th anniversary collection, in 2018, they teamed up with brand ambassador Big Sean to release an updated version of the Suede model. This collaboration presented the Big Sean x PUMA Suede 50th, featuring a premium "White Whisper" suede upper with perforations. The sides showcase the Detroit rapper's branding, and a heel tab in green, white, and blue accents. The model also includes matching white laces and a clean white sole with a bootie-style addition.

Tyler The Creator and his label Golf le Fleur collaborated with Converse. The rapper's brand shared the collection on July 17 via Instagram, revealing the styles through a series of images. The iconic Chuck Taylor silhouette has been revamped with wider laces and is available in four different color options, all showcasing a leopard camo design.

Kanye West and Adidas had a long partnership and a very public breakup. This split occurred in October due to offensive remarks made by Ye online and in interviews, which left Adidas with unsold Yeezys worth around 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion), according to AP. They are now working on finding a responsible way to deal with these surplus sneakers.

Several Air Jordans are designed in OVO's signature black, white, and gold colors. Some pairs like the pink snakeskin mudguard Air Jordan 11s or the Air Jordan 8s honoring Charles Oakley have not yet been released publicly. Since April, Drake has been teasing a new Nike sneaker influenced by the Air Zoom Flight '95, which is now known as the Nike NOCTA Glide.