“The wisdom of hip-hop gets respect in a new museum exhibit” -- PBS NewsHour, 2018, 7:45 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm4-pY1sJd0

Museums are typically in the business of preserving “high culture” which reflects the history, tastes, and interests of the upper classes. Recently, however, the museum format is being increasingly extended to lower-cultural elements (i.e., popular culture) as evidenced in this video on the hip hop museum. Is the material culture of rap and hip-hop worthy of the museum treatment? If not, why then are there rock and country museums? How does race and social class factor into our view on what is museum-worthy?  There is certainly an argument that hip hop has affected our society as much (if not more) than more respected genres of music. Another good discussion can be had on what other subcultures are left out of museums, galleries, and exhibits. This video also contains a discussion on gender and sexism in the hip hop community.
On a related note, I once had the privilege of visiting the Museum of Sex in New York City. The exhibit that has stuck with me the most was their collection of pornography throughout history. Truly fascinating stuff! Anyhow, ever since I have been more appreciative of museums which exhibit taboo cultural elements.

From the video’s description: At the Oakland Museum of California, a new exhibit traces decades of history of hip-hop, an industry and culture that's both mainstream and underground, global but rooted in the local. Jeffrey Brown reports.