DAY ONE DNA, curated by Laylah Amatullah Barrayn, is an immersive multimedia exhibition that explores the intersections of artistry, race, masculinity, and reinvention through the archives of hip-hop icons and longtime collaborators Ice T and DJ Afrika Islam. More than a retrospective on hip-hop’s origins, DAY ONE DNA offers a deeper narrative, revealing the complexities of Black male identity, the power of cultural storytelling, and the evolving landscape of Black expression through music.

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Their private collection, assembled over five decades, is the world’s largest private repository of hip-hop ephemera and artifacts. DAY ONE DNA features more than 400 items from that collection and is divided into thematic sessions. Each item offers a distinct perspective on the cultural, political, and economic influences that shaped Ice T and DJ Afrika Islam’s artistry, taking them into uncharted territory and spawning a global phenomenon.