Mon Sep 23 15:06:04 UTC 2024: ## Halifax Hip-Hop Scene Gets its Due in New Exhibition

**Halifax, NS** – While cities like Memphis and Atlanta are often synonymous with hip-hop, a new exhibition at Mount Saint Vincent University is showcasing the rich history of the genre in Atlantic Canada.

“East of East Atlantic Hip-Hop Archive,” curated by multi-disciplinary artist and rapper Michael McGuire (also known as Hermit of the Woods), features over 2,000 recordings, hundreds of posters and other artifacts documenting the scene’s evolution over decades.

McGuire, who started collecting hip-hop materials as a child, says the archive reveals the impact of early influences from New York, where family members brought back recordings. “We had a pipeline direct from New York, giving us really interesting new hip-hop music,” he explains. However, Atlantic Canada’s unique isolation also fostered a distinct local sound.

“People started making it themselves,” says McGuire, citing the example of “King Bun” (Manny Bundy), who was already rhyming and storytelling in the 1980s, foreshadowing the hip-hop scene to come.

The exhibition also highlights the work of local artist Seth Glasgow (Vadell Gabriel), whose name appears on a timeline showcasing the region’s diverse talent. Fellow artist Mark V. Campbell, founder of the Northside Hip Hop Archive, contributes “Still Tho,” an exhibit emphasizing the resilience and creativity of artists who faced barriers and challenged artistic boundaries.

The exhibition serves as a reminder that hip-hop’s influence transcends geographical boundaries, and that Atlantic Canada has been an active and vibrant part of its history. “East of East Atlantic Hip-Hop Archive” runs until November 23rd at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax.

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