For research assistance, please contact University Archives and Special Collections at library.archives@umb.edu.
Screenshot from the documentary film, “Breakin’ Rappin’ Poppin’ and Graffin’” (1985).
In 2016, University Archives & Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston launched the Massachusetts Hip-Hop Archive with an initial donation by Pacey Foster of recordings from the Lecco's Lemma radio program, a local rap music show that was founded by Magnus Johnstone and ran from 1985 to 1988. The Lecco's Lemma collection contains nearly 300 demos by local artists that were given to Magnus, as well as nearly 200 recordings of the show made by Willie "Loco" Alexander.
As we continue to develop this new collection area, we welcome donations of archival materials from musicians, DJs, break dancers, graffiti artists, producers, promoters, and fans that will help us document the rich heritage and legacy of hip-hop culture in Boston and Massachusetts.
Click here to learn more about contributing materials to the collection.
Browse hip-hop-related articles on our online newsletter, Open Archives News. Subscribe to our newsletter here to receive notifications of newly-processed collections. Contact us at library.archives@umb.edu if you have hip-hop materials that you would like to donate to us.
We welcome guidance from community members regarding our acquisitions, collection-building, and programming. If you're interested in learning more, contact us.
Andrew Elder, University Archivist and Curator of Special Collections
Carolyn Goldstein, Public History and Community Archives Program Manager
Pacey Foster, Faculty Advisor and Community Liaison
Magnus Johnstone and Willie Alexander: Lecco’s Lemma collection, 1984-2014, bulk 1986-1988
Massachusetts Rock Against Racism records, 1979-1987, bulk 1982-1987
Explore all of our archival and manuscript collections that document the history of hip-hop in Boston.
To access collections held outside of UMass Boston, search ArchiveGrid, WorldCat, and the Digital Public Library of America. Search for "hip-hop" and related keywords.
Search UMBrella for books about hip-hop. Try searching for keywords like "hip-hop," "hip hop," etc.
Search and browse all of the Healey Library's newspaper databases.
Search these video databases for "hip-hop" and related keywords.
Mobile devices users MUST download free Kanopy app and create an account (with their UMB email)