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The walls of Antonia Anderson’s apartment are lined with albums by Boogie Down Productions and Grandmaster Flash. Public Enemy and Death Row Records banners fill the space between the records.
We also have figurines of hip hop and related artists such as Tupac Shakur, Whitney Houston and Kendrick Lamar.
Her home near North 22nd Street and West Fond Du Lac Avenue houses thousands of records and hip-hop artifacts. And they’re not just for her enjoyment, they’re for the community.
Anderson’s hip-hop collection, which she named Antonia’s 365 Hip-Hop Museum, may be one of the largest hip-hop collections in Wisconsin. She hopes to share it and inspire others with hip-hop.
“A lot of people in the community have come in and really enjoyed seeing me come back here to a certain age, a certain time and a certain place,” Anderson said. “I know they have a hip-hop museum in Washington, D.C., and they’re building another in New York, and I think it’s great that it’s in Wisconsin.”
She alternates between a series of records, like the one featuring Sylvia Robinson, who was a singer-songwriter (“Pillow Talk”) and record producer.
Robinson then founded Sugar Hill Records with her husband and the Sugarhill Gang, creating the first commercially successful rap record (“Rapper’s Delight”). Anderson’s collection also includes about ten of her records from the group.
“As far as I’m concerned, they started the record with hip-hop, so it’s special to me,” said Anderson.
Hip-Hop Helps Milwaukee’s Youth
Anderson collects mostly pre-2000 records. During this period, he felt that hip-hop contained many messages about stopping violence and drug use.
The KRS-One had a big influence on her. KRS-One rapped independently, and the rapper served as one of her thirds on Boogie Down Productions, along with D-Nice and Scott La Rock.
After Scott LaRocci was murdered in gun violence, KRS-One launched the Stop the Violence movement, which inspired Anderson, who had witnessed the violence grow.
Anderson said, “It’s been encouraging to hear artists say that not only do artists who beat each other need to stop beating each other, but we need to encourage young people to stop doing so as well.” I did,” he said. “That’s why it stuck with me.”
Hip-hop helped Anderson keep her life on track after she dropped out of high school and dealt with drug addiction. I hope that I can inspire today’s students.
“I dropped out of high school in the ninth grade, but I know how you come to school when something is going on in your family and you can’t focus,” Anderson said. “Hip-hop helps with that. It helps with critical thinking, writing, and allowing kids to express themselves.”
When students visit Anderson’s museum, she shows hip-hop’s positive messages and guides them on how to write lyrics about life’s hardships.
She has a particular record player for her children to use and shares hip-hop books that encourage them to stay in school.
Adult visitors will be reminded of the historical records Anderson collected, from Marvin Gaye to Salt n Pepa.
And this collection makes Anderson feel nostalgic, too. After growing up listening to records with her uncle in Nashville as a child, she was inspired to collect them.
“They were playing Reel 2 Real, they had record players and cassettes. “Most of them have passed away, so I’m trying to bring it up because when they’re not here, your family’s Because nothing brings back good memories.
Anderson hopes to secure a permanent space for her collection and have a mobile collection to further spread positive hop hop music to the community. She is in the process of turning the museum into a non-profit organization.
Those interested in viewing the collection can email Anderson at: Antonia Anderson 44@gmail.com.
Jordyn Noennig covers Wisconsin culture and lifestyle. Follow her on her Instagram @JordynTaylor_n. find her on her twitter @jordynTNoenigCall 262-446-6601 or email Jordyn.Noennig@jrn.com.
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