This project is a series of 5 editorial illustrations about the origins of Hip Hop. The illustrations will examine multiple different events, peoples, and ideas that detail the humble beginnings of what is now a worldwide phenomenon. The project is not meant to serve as a definitive Hip Hop timeline, but rather as a brief overview of what I believe to be the most important topics and events from the infancy of Hip Hop culture.

Each image is accompanied by short text describing the event or person pulled from the writings of Jeff Chang, Jim Fricke, Charlie Ahearn, and Nelson George and discuss both the flashpoints and the lesser known influences on the formation of the new art form. An important aspect of this series is that each image works well as a series, but can also function independently.

In this thesis, we discuss some of the early history of Hip Hop, and some of the nessasary things to know surrounding its culture. From there, we examine my History with Hip Hop and what lead to my continued interest with Hip Hop Culture, largley steaming from history as a son of Mexican Immigrants,

A discussion is brought about Afika Bambaataa and his role in Hop Hop. Furthermore, we examine his legacy with the new information of hi alliged sexual abuse of the young boys who were under his tutelage. We also look at the story of the Sugarhill Gang, and the role of bringing hip hop to a bigger stage despite the unease of the Hip Hop Comminity at the time.

Because this project is a visual essay, it lives in a strange place on the cultural marketplace. Ultimatly it’s most likly home is online, being openly accessible to all audiences that wish to engage with it.