The Cornell University Hip-Hop Collection Digitizes Bill Adler's Massive Def Jam Exhibit
The Cornell University Hip-Hop Collection is well known by now for its gargantuan collection of the culture's baby photos and first sounds. Comprised of contributions from Intergalactic Soul Brother No. 1 Afrika Bambaataa (a newly appointed visiting scholar for the institution) the collection's co-founder Johan Kugelberg and most recently, former Def Jam publicity director and current gallery owner Bill Adler.
The latter has submitted a massive compendium of ultra rare newspaper and magazine articles and 500 vinyl LPs, all of which the university has taken to great measure in protecting, literally locking them in a vault 150 feet underground. Adler's collection shines light on Def Jam's very first years, during which he was shopping LL Cool J's record around to local pop radio stations, hoping for a bite. But Adler's contribution was also geared towards making those rare articles of hip-hop history accessible to the masses and the next generation of hip-hop head.
So naturally, the entirety of his exhibit is now viewable online. I imagine they've still got a few of those articles to scan, but if you're itching for an exclusive look at the Def Jam and really, the culture's early years, you can hit the link below and let the history soak in with each click. Head over to NPR for the full scoop and a few word from Adler himself.
