Richmond group pushes for Virginia's place in hip-hop history

State of play: The foundation, which launched last month, grew from Johnson's idea for an exhibit of legendary Virginia hip-hop duo Clipse at a Richmond museum.

• When he pitched it, the museum — which Johnson won't name until their official announcement in January — proposed a statewide hip-hop exhibition in 2030.
• But some exhibits will start next year in Richmond, Johnson tells Axios.
• One in March will focus on Virginia women in hip-hop, and another in May will look at Asian Virginians' impact on hip-hop culture.

Zoom in: The foundation's leaders include Richmond rapper Chance Fischer, marketer Vaughan Moss, and Ricky Parker, who founded the hip-hop studies program at Virginia Union University.

• Johnson was the executive director of VUU's program before it temporarily closed earlier this year, and he has also worked with Pusha T — who grew up in Virginia Beach and was discovered by Pharrell Williams in the 1990s.

Zoom out: "We're always in the game," Johnson says of how Virginia shaped the culture. "We're always part of the conversation."

• For example, three of the producers on Jay Z's "Blueprint" album were from Virginia. Suffolk native Lex Luger has produced tracks for everyone from Rick Ross and Snoop Dogg to Juicy J and Joey Bada$$.
• Clipse's most recent album is expected to be in the running for album of the year at the Grammy's in 2026.
• And that's not counting Missy Elliott, Timbaland and The Neptunes.

Yes, but: Johnson notes the foundation also wants to celebrate the present, which includes Richmond artists like Noah-O and Luh Kiddo.

The bottom line: "We have such a story to tell," Johnson says.