In 1993, Darryl “Jasz” Smith opened EarWax Records in Midtown Atlanta with the goal of making hard-to-find music easily available. Credited as the first Atlanta retailer to carry an extensive selection of hip-hop music, EarWax’s prime location (Peachtree St.) made it a popular public meeting place as well as a destination for DJs, artists, producers, promoters, athletes and celebrities.  EarWax hosted media events, live performances, listening sessions and the iconic rap duo OutKast in-store. 

The “You Don’t Got Dis” exhibition will make you feel like you have just entered EarWax back in ’93 by highlighting Smith’s unique hip-hop collections, as well as those of other notable collectors, producers, and DJs, to showcase the vast archival legacy of hip hop. The exhibit features never before seen photographs and flyers (from concerts and events), rare mixtapes, cassette and vinyl installments, magazine collections, a graffiti exhibit, and an EarWax Records pop-up store filled with vinyl! 

 As we celebrate hip hop’s 50th anniversary, it is important to acknowledge that Atlanta serves as a nexus where the past, present, and the future of hip hop collides and should be amplified. This exhibit demonstrates this moment, but also presents a charge to the rest of the city: This 50th hip hop celebration should not be fleeting, but rather the start of a concerted effort to document and preserve this great history!