Have you ever felt the power of freely expressing yourself, united with others through your shared voices and struggles? This is the essence of hip hop; a transformative force that has reshaped communities and empowered individuals across the globe. From the early crews to today’s great artists, no one is untouched by the sheer force of this movement.

On 20 September 2024, Fotografiska Berlin opened the exhibition Hip Hop: Conscious, Unconscious. We invite you to explore how collective expression connects to empowerment, captured by the many photographers who were – and still are - right in the middle of the action.

This retrospective delves deep into the heart of hip hop, tracing over 50 years of its history from its roots in the Bronx during the 1970s to its evolution into a global billion-dollar industry. Featuring 200 striking photographs by more than 50 renowned artists such as Martha Cooper, Jonathan Mannion, Janette Beckman, and Campbell Addy, the exhibition highlights iconic figures of the hip hop scene, including The Beastie Boys, Lauryn Hill, Tupac Shakur, Erykah Badu and Kendrick Lamar.

The exhibition spans multiple chapters of hip hop history, starting from the pivotal moment on 11 August 1973 when DJ Kool Herc's party in the Bronx laid the foundation for the genre. At the core is a story of how hip hop has united people, provided a platform for marginalized voices and catalyzed social and political change by confronting oppression. The photographs go beyond a chronological account, showcasing how hip hop has served as a revolutionary tool for empowerment, and how it became a conscious movement.

Having previously showed at Fotografiska New York, Hip Hop: Conscious, Unconscious will gain a unique dimension in Berlin with the exclusive “Hip Hop in Deutschland”. This segment shows the development of German rap, charting its evolution through five distinct phases. From the early hip hop jams of the 1980s and the golden era of the late 1990s, to the early 2000s and the innovative and diverse scene of today, this extension combines documentary photography, portraits and interactive elements. It offers a fresh take on the cultural and political impact of rap in Germany.

In addition to iconic images, Hip Hop: Conscious, Unconscious presents rare and lesser-known moments that capture the evolutionary journey and enduring influence of hip hop as one of the most impactful pop culture movements of our time. We invite you to experience the transformative power of this exhibition, honoring the artists who have shaped the history of hip hop – and wider history with it.