In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, Bay Area Hip Hop artist Jahi and his company, Microphone Mechanics, in collaboration with The African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO) have established the first-ever Bay Area Hip-Hop Archive.

According to a press release, the Archive will feature artists, activists, and educators who've made "significant contributions to Hip-Hop culture in the Bay Area" and the special collections will include never before heard sound recordings, interviews, research notes, photos, posters, booking contracts, tour routes, memorabilia designed by artists, and more.

Veteran Bay Area artists including Digital Underground's Mystic, The Click's Suga T, Pam the Funkstress (posthumously), Phesto Dee of Souls of Mischief, DJ D Sharp, Davey D, Thembisa Mshaka, Traci Bartlow, Paris, The Upper Room and more will be inducted into the inaugural class in August.

“AAMLO is the Smithsonian of Oakland. To be able to partner with them to archive the history of Bay Area Hip Hop culture is a continuation of my legacy work for the overall preservation of Hip Hop culture” said Jahi, curator, and CEO of Microphone Mechanics.

The event will launch on February 3 at The African American Museum and Library at Oakland.