Just Blaze Hosts VIP Preview of ‘Albee Square 87 Presents: Memory Lane in Medina’

Albee Square 87, named after the now closed Brooklyn mall is a popular hip hop archive that has long stored photographs of hip hop’s greatest milestones and travesties. What started out as humble Instagram account soon gained a massive cult following, culminating in Albee Square 87’s first solo photography exhibition. “Memory Lane in Medina” brings to life the culture and history of pre-gentrified Brooklyn and New York’s other boroughs during the 80s and 90s. The exhibition consists of low resolution photographs which capture the heart and soul of the hip hop movement and its motifs like gangs, street wear, customized cars, drugs, jewelry, violence and loyalty. Comprised of over 30 photographs, film and memorabilia, “Memory Lane in Medina” sheds light on the soci-economic and political factors contributing to the inspiration behind hip hop’s many dialogues. The exhibition also highlights the crack epidemic and its influence on families and mass incarceration.

Albee Square 87 founder Professor Q. curated the VIP opening of “Memory Lane in Medina” and participated in a Q&A hosted by Just Blaze. The two discussed Professor Q.’s surprise at the popularity of his Instagram account, partnering up with Rhett Butler, maintaining a pre-gentrified lifestyle and looking to family rather than rappers to gain a better understanding of the old school hip hop era. The intimate gathering allowed viewers to connect with the pieces and focus their attention on the dialogue of pre-gentrified New York. We caught up with Professor Q. to get his thoughts on the exhibition.

This unique exhibit highlights the old school culture of Brooklyn, touching on a few key figures growing up on the streets of Brooklyn as well as the hip hop element, the fashion element. With the little popularity I got on my Instagram page I was like ‘let’s take it up a notch and expand on different spectrums of the media.’

There’s a Lo-Lifes pic that resonates most with me with my man Joey and Uncle Disco, that one is a very special one. There’s a couple pics in there of Albee Square Mall, which is a legendary landmark in Brooklyn. There’s too many to pick one.