Growing up around music, Kylerr Bucano has had a front-row seat to The Hip Hop Museum’s progress. His father, Rocky Bucano, is one of The Museum’s co-founders. Calling himself the “utility man” of The Museum, we connect with Kylerr about his role with The Hip Hop Museum, growing The Museum’s social following, and his favorite MCs.

Adam Aziz: First, can you introduce yourself and tell us what you do at The Museum?

Kylerr Bucano: My name is Kylerr Bucano, and you can say I’m a utility man. I wear many hats. Currently, I’m the Social Media Manager. I’ve been doing that for quite some time. I was also one of the main docents at the [R]Evolution of Hip Hop exhibit. Rocky Bucano’s right-hand man because I’m Rocky’s son.

I also recently helped with the My Camera Is My Weapon program.

AA: Given that you’re Rocky, the co-founder of The Hip Hop Museum’s son, what has it been like being around for the evolution of The Museum over the years?

KB: It has been a 14-year dream of my father. I was in high school when the idea came about. I knew what he was doing but didn’t think too much of it because I was focused on school. I knew it was a dope idea. Once I got into college and was about to graduate, I got more intrigued about the project and what he was doing. My father was doing everything at the time – social media and media outreach. Everything. There was a lack of staff and funding at the time. I looked at the social media and knew it wasn’t doing too well. I asked him to let me take it over.

Since I took over the social media, we started at maybe 3000 followers on Instagram and we’re over 140k now. X and Facebook have grown a lot as well.

AA: Given what you’re doing for The Museum, I’m sure you’ve come across many cool moments. Does anything stand out for you?

KB: I’m always on my phone, and every time you see a new follower from a Hip-Hop artist or celebrity, it’s like, wow, they are following after what I just posted.

One cool story is I was getting my Masters at NYU in social work around 2018. I don’t remember exactly what happened, but I think Nas saw something we posted and reshared it. After posting, I put my phone back in my pocket. All of a sudden, my phone just keeps buzzing. I was at a bar with my friends, and I was thinking, why is my phone going crazy like that? I looked at it, and I had thousands of notifications, and we were getting so many new followers. It was cool to see that Nas appreciated what we were doing.

AA: What are you most looking forward to seeing in The Museum?

KB: I’m most excited for people to see what we’ve been trying to do for the past fourteen years. It’s such an important thing to happen, and it’s amazing to see people starting to say that they can’t wait to see it, asking if it can open next week. I want people to see how important the culture is. It’s a Museum that represents people of color, it represents us. The person who is running it is a person of color. It’s time for everybody, celebs, millionaires, and billionaires, to support the person who’s doing this. It’s not some random person, it’s someone of Hip Hop culture.

AA: What’s your favorite Hip Hop album of all time?

KB: Eric B. and Rakim’s ‘Paid In Full’ album transformed the landscape for MCs and encouraged better lyricism. Growing up, I was a huge Fabolous fan, so I love all his ‘S.O.U.L. Tapes.’ I wouldn’t say I have a specific album that’s my favorite.

AA: Do you have a top three MCs list?

KB: Some of my favorite MCs are Rakim, Fabolous. Kendrick Lamar. I’ll throw 2Pac in there. I like the hard-hitting, lyrical artists.

Follow Kylerr Bucano @bxmillenialprophet and @hiphopresurgence