The Smithsonian Goes Hip-Hop

Museum Confidential

The long-awaited Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap just dropped. The set includes 129 tracks on 9 discs and a hefty 300–page book with original design by Cey Adams, acclaimed artist and founding creative director of Def Jam Recordings. From his early subway graffiti days alongside Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat to designing classic albums for Beastie Boys and LL Cool J, Adams has been at the epicenter of hip-hop culture. He spoke to us from his studio in New York City.