ABOUT US

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Who We Are

The Hip Hop Museum was founded by Rocky Bucano and a group of iconic entrepreneurs and artists including Kurtis Blow, Grandwizzard Theodore, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Joe Conzo Jr., and many others. They joined forces to create the world’s first Hip Hop museum in the Bronx.

Seven Values

Authenticity: We stay true to the roots of Hip Hop, ensuring that our culture’s powerful voice is preserved.

Inclusivity: We represent the diversity within Hip Hop, offering equal space to all voices regardless of race, gender, or background.

Education: We are the Official Record of Hip Hop, educating visitors about multifaceted aspects of our culture: DJ’ing, MC’ing, breaking, graffiti, knowledge and more.

Innovation: We embrace and incorporate new ideas and technologies that push the boundaries of Hip Hop culture, ensuring its relevance and dynamism.

Community: We maintain the bridge between Hip Hop’s pioneers and new generations, fostering community, united in our passion and respect for the culture.

Integrity: We prioritize cultural impact over financial gain, and advocate for fair industry practices.

Social Responsibility: We address and engage with social issues, continuing Hip Hop’s legacy of activism and advocacy for the disenfranchised.
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MEET OUR FOUNDING MEMBERS AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Rocky Bucano

Business Owner and Entertainment Manager

Kurtis Blow

Recording Superstar

Shawn LG Thomas

Music Producer & Host of the Black Spin

Mickey Bentson

Manager, Ice T

Grandwizzard Theodore

Inventor of the Scratch

Joe Conzo Jr.

Legendary Photographer

Grandmaster Melle Mel

Legendary MC

Nana Carmen Ashhurst

Chairwoman Emeritus

Kurtis Blow

Chairman Emeritus

Rocky Bucano

Executive Director

Adam Silverstein

Collector & Attorney

Peter Bittenbender

CEO, Mass Appeal

Bruce Jackson

Associate General Counsel, Microsoft

Ruben Diaz Jr.

The 13th Bronx Borough President

Faith Newman

EVP A&R and Catalog Development, Reservoir Media Management

Lu-Shawn M. Thompson

Entrepreneur

Sissi Johnson

Academic and Entrepreneur

MEET OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Nana Carmen Ashhurst

Chairwoman Emeritus

Kurtis Blow

Chairman Emeritus

Adam Silverstein

Collector & Attorney

Peter Bittenbender

CEO, Mass Appeal

Bruce Jackson

Associate General Counsel, Microsoft

Ruben Diaz Jr.

The 13th Bronx Borough President

Faith Newman

EVP A&R and Catalog Development, Reservoir Media Management

Lu-Shawn M. Thompson

Entrepreneur

Sissi Johnson

Academic and Entrepreneur

JULIAN K. PETTY

Executive Vice President, Head of Business and Legal Affairs, Warner Records.

Rocky Bucano

Executive Director

Rocky Bucano is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx, New York. His extensive experience across television engineering, music label management, digital entertainment distribution, and nonprofit governance has laid the foundation for this historic leadership role.
Bucano hails from the Bronx, where The Hip Hop Museum is slated to open in late 2025. The birth and rise of Hip Hop are weaved into Bucano’s professional DNA. And his dedication to this global genre is evident through his lifelong commitment to the love and preservation of this revolutionary culture.
Developing the structure for companies to thrive, building significant partnerships, and nurturing synergistic relationships have led Bucano to setting the stage for the inception of The Hip Hop Museum. His commitment to safeguard the artistic and cultural contributions of Hip Hop stems from a deep desire to sustain and honor the customs and traditions of the heritage. As a remarkable thought leader, Bucano is focused on the importance of Hip Hop’s legacy through strengthening the culture’s positive effect on community building, advocacy, and social justice and advancement. Bucano’s executive directorial experience has led him to raising substantial funding and notable brand partnerships throughout his career. His dedication to the community and Hip Hop culture has earned him recognition on the City & State’s Bronx Power 100 list in 2019, 2021, and 2024, as well as numerous accolades from city and state officials. This groundbreaking project will celebrate the history of Hip Hop and serve as a cultural landmark and community resource by providing educational programs and events that encapsulate the essence and evolution of Hip Hop culture. The museum boasts an impressive 55,000 square feet of dynamic space comprising immersive experiences, activities, and exhibitions which allow the public to engage and interact creatively with the phenomenal subject matter.
Under Bucano’s leadership, The Hip Hop Museum is poised to become a vital cultural institution, reflecting Bucano’s lifelong dedication to the art form and his commitment to preserve its legacy.
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Our Mission

The Hip Hop Museum preserves the past, celebrates the present and leads the global future of Hip Hop, inspiring, educating and empowering all.

Our Vision

A future where the world is inspired by Hip Hop’s authentic innovation
gifting respect, opportunity and peace to all people.
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990s

Click here to download the THHM 2019 990.
Click here to download the THHM 2020 990.
Click here to download the THHM 2021 990.
Click here to download the THHM 2022 990.
Click here to download the THHM 2023 990.

MEET OUR FOUNDING MEMBERS AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Rocky Bucano

Business Owner and Entertainment Manager

Kurtis Blow

Recording Superstar

Shawn LG Thomas

Music Producer & Host of the Black Spin

Mickey Bentson

Manager, Ice T

Grandwizzard Theodore

Inventor of the Scratch

Joe Conzo Jr.

Legendary Photographer

Grandmaster Melle Mel

Legendary MC

Meet Our Staff

Rocky Bucano

Executive Director

SenYon Kelly

Operations Manager

Donna Davis

Director of Development

Renee Foster

Director of Communications

Rubenstein Public Relations

Lance Pope

Membership Manager

Michael Ford

Architect Design Manager

David Miller

Proskauer Rose, LLP

Meet Our Advisors

Edward Young

Senior Advisor

Robert Reid

Senior Advisor

Harry Allen

Journalist

Mandy Aragones

Artist Management

Dallas Austin

Musician, Songwriter, & Producer

Will Billings

Financial Executive

Orrin Campbell

Artist/Crypto Advisor

Mike Carnevale

Technology Futurist at CARNEVALE

Meet Our Cultural Ambassadors

Awesome Two, Teddy Ted, & Special K

Big Daddy Kane

Bevi Smith

Chuck D

Crash

Christopher “Play” Martin

DJ Battlecat

DJ EFN

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Statement Regarding The THHM

The Hip Hop Museum (THHM) is making this statement to clarify the use of the adjective “universal” in its name. As used in the organization’s name, The Hip Hop Museum, “Universal” refers to the recognition of the global impact, the ethnically and culturally diverse nature, and the impact of Hip Hop over the past almost 50 years since its inception. The Hip Hop Museum has no corporate or organizational relationships with any organizations with “Universal” in their names. The THHM is a recognized 501(c)(3) organization and has no corporate or organizational relationships with Universal Records, Universal Pictures, the Universal Zulu Nation, or any other such named organization.

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