For the first time in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame’s history, a hip-hop exhibit is revealed for display. The museum opened the exhibit Aug. 28.

The exhibit features 20 Alabama rappers, producers, dancers and various items such as apparel and magazines, according to al.com.

Codie G, the manager for Huntsville record label Slow Motion Soundz said the most difficult part of the process was gathering tangible pieces for the exhibit.

“ A lot of Alabama hip hop was developed over the decades, but with the digital age, physical products kind of went away, beyond the mixtape circuit,” Codie said. “We are still trying to get some pieces from Gucci Mane and others for future expansion.”

He said it’s hard to gauge how much of a national impact the new addition has made thus far, but within the state, an energy is moving.

“There is officially no genre of music not represented in those walls,” Codie said.

Andrea Hunt, assistant professor of sociology, said Codie G has worked tirelessly on making the exhibit possible.

“This exhibit has been in the making for a while and I was thrilled to see it finally unveiled,” Hunt said. “The project is the first of its kind in the Hall of Fame, and its’s one that truly reflects Alabama hip hop.”

Hunt said most people will equate Southern hip-hop with Atlanta, but the exhibit is more important than just southern hip-hop and Atlanta. She said the “deep musical tradition” of Alabama hip-hop should be a part of that narrative.

“This exhibit also legitimizes the lived experiences of artists and the communities they come from across the state,” Hunt said.

Hip-Hop might not have originated in the South, but Codie said it is a direct descendant of the South. He said he is excited for the exhibit to act as a marker in history to show people what Alabama hip-hop has been and is currently about.

Codie is working on a project known as the 7-2. He said the project is a music business incubator that will tie together the hip hop narrative of North Alabama along U.S. Highway 72.

“This will be ushered in with the development of a Live, Work, Play development know as Mid City Huntsville,” Codie said. “There are some major resources in this area so we want to build upon the given infrastructure. Artists I’m working with are Wade Brown, Quantaphonics and Melik Watts.”

Hunt said she encourages people to seek out local music and support artists in their community.

“This means going to live shows and creating spaces to showcase the wealth of talent that we have right here in the Shoals,” Hunt said.