“Professor Marcyliena Morgan teaches a class at the Hip Hop Archive and Research Institute at Harvard University on Wednesday, September 11, 2013. The Nasir Jones Hip Hop Fellowship is a new addition to the archive.”
Renowned scholar and cultural historian Marcyliena Morgan, founder of Harvard University’s Hip Hop Archive and Research Institute, has passed away at the age of 75 due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Born in 1950 and raised in Chicago, Morgan was widely regarded as a leading voice in the study of language, identity, and the influence of popular culture on social discourse.
After joining Harvard’s faculty, Morgan founded the Hip Hop Archive and Research Institute in 2007, recognizing the genre’s profound intellectual and cultural significance at a time when few in academia acknowledged its importance.
Professor Marcyliena Morgan teaches a class in the Hiphop Archive and Research Institute, at Harvard University, on Wednesday, September 11, 2013. The Nasir Jones Hiphop Fellowship is new at the archive.
Initially skeptical of rap’s educational potential, she came to see hip-hop as a vital space for expression, creativity, and community. As she wrote in her 2009 book The Real Hip Hop, according to The Wall Street Journal,
“I developed a respect for hip-hop culture because, in spite of all its excesses and some of its deserved criticism from society, it remains a rare place where young Black and Brown people are valued and recognized by their peers.”
“They are treated as gods and goddesses and put on pedestals for searching for and ‘representing’ truth and knowledge and recognizing and being proud of who they are and where they come from.”
“The Hutchins Center at Harvard confirmed her passing in an Instagram post, announcing that earlier this month, the Archive had been renamed the Marcyliena H. Morgan Hip Hop Archive & Research Institute.
“Professor Morgan created the world’s first, largest, and most comprehensive archive dedicated to documenting the ongoing cultural phenomenon of hip-hop music, art, and culture. The Hutchins Center is committed to continuing the study of this vital and global art form in her name.”
“In so many ways, Marcy Morgan was the heart and soul of the Hutchins Center and the AAAS communities here at Harvard, and she will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with her beloved husband, Professor Lawrence Bobo, her family, and all who loved her.”
“Harvard Professor Marcyliena Morgan. When news of Harvard denying her tenure was covered in the media, many stories suggested that hip-hop still lacked respect within the upper echelons of academia. Some academics believe this perception is accurate, while others criticize Morgan, claiming she lacked genuine hip-hop authenticity and viewed her involvement as jumping on the bandwagon. This controversy arose on the eve of her planned move to a tenured position at Stanford.”
“The Harvard Gazette is preparing a feature on Professor Morgan’s distinguished career and lasting impact, set to be released soon. Her legacy continues to resonate across various disciplines and generations, much like the art form she passionately defended and celebrated.”
“Good News Flow extends our heartfelt condolences to the family of Marcyliena Morgan.”
“Below, you can see the Hutchins Center’s tribute post honoring Professor Morgan.”
https://www.instagram.com/hutchinscenter/?utm_source=ig_embed
