Pyramidal Productions, a Madison-based media and arts organization dedicated to uplifting underrepresented voices through film, music, and cultural initiatives, is partnering with the Wisconsin Historical Society to host the grand opening of “The Lead Between the Rhymes – Wisconsin Hip–Hop Cultural Exhibit” on Friday, May 30, 4 to 6 p.m. at US Bank Plaza in downtown Madison.
The new pop-up exhibit, which runs through Friday, Sept. 19, explores Wisconsin’s dynamic hip–hop culture, illustrated by stories, artifacts and displays. Spanning over 50 years of music, dance, art, and activism, the exhibit puts a spotlight on Madison’s vibrant but often overlooked hip–hop legacy and its influence across the state.
“This project is more than music — it’s memory, movement, and legacy,” said Greg Doby, executive producer of the exhibit, in a press release announcing the event.
The exhibit honors the contributions of deejays, emcees, dancers, graffiti artists, producers and cultural leaders who have shaped the identity of hip–hop in Wisconsin, according to a news release.
Exhibit highlights include:
- Interactive displays exploring the five foundational elements of hip–hop: DJing, MCing, breakdancing, graffiti art and knowledge.
- A rare and curated collection of artifacts, memorabilia, and visuals chronicling the growth of Wisconsin’s hip–hop scene.
- Educational installations and recorded oral histories from pioneering local artists, promoters and cultural influencers.
- The unveiling of “Madtown Marauders” — a one-of-a-kind 3D lenticular art installation inspired by A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders album cover, featuring iconic figures from Madison’s hip–hop community.
