Who we are
Curating the culturesince 2009.
Curators of Hip Hop (COHH) is a global movement dedicated to preserving hip hop culture through events, film, multimedia and technology, telling its story through the people who live it.
New York / New Jersey / Baltimore / Accra, Ghana
The origin
Born on campus. Built for the culture.
COHH started with two Florida A&M University students, Jermaine Fletcher and Jimmie Thomas, producing TV shows for FAMU's campus station. After graduation they took those production ideas further, and in 2009 Curators of Hip Hop was born.
The mission was simple: document hip hop as it really is, honor the people who built it, and connect the artists and activists carrying it forward, at home and around the world.
The founders
Two curators.
One mission.
Jermaine Fletcher
Co-Founder & DirectorA FAMU alum and the director behind COHH's film work, including The Curators Vol. 1. Jermaine has represented COHH internationally, including a sit-down with Taipei's BANG magazine.
Jimmie Thomas
Co-Founder & ProducerA Tallahassee native and FAMU alum, Jimmie co-produced The Curators Vol. 1 and has spoken on panels about hip hop, film and social activism, connecting artists and activists across cities.
The film
The Curators Vol. 1: Story of Independence
COHH's first documentary, four years in the making, follows aspiring MCs from coast to coast as they chase independent careers, making the case that hip hop isn't dead. It's thriving.
- ProducersJermaine Fletcher, A'sia Horne-Smith, Jimmie Thomas
- NarrationSK
- Screened atReginald F. Lewis Museum (Baltimore), Kuumba at Harbourfront Centre (Toronto), Enoch Pratt Free Library, and schools and libraries nationwide
Featuring
What's next
The Curators Vol. 2
We've recalibrated our approach. Instead of five feature films on the elements of hip hop, Vol. 2 becomes a growing series of short documentaries, each focused on an individual profile, personality or topic.
That means dozens of films instead of a handful, giving real time and attention to the people and subjects we meet on our journey.
Dozens
of films.
Short docs · Profiles · Personalities · Topics
The Timeline
COHH is founded
FAMU alums Jermaine Fletcher and Jimmie Thomas launch Curators of Hip Hop.
Baltimore screening at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum
A free community event with a panel discussion, performances from independent DMV artists, and a screening of The Curators.
Trailer premieres via The Source
The trailer for The Curators Vol. 1 debuts, featuring Logic and Dee-1.
Canadian premiere in Toronto
The Curators screens at Kuumba at Harbourfront Centre.
Hip hop & film panel, Richmond
Jimmie Thomas joins a panel on the history and future of hip hop film at Gallery 5.
Enoch Pratt Free Library screenings
The documentary screens at three Baltimore library branches.
Taipei: DSSENT 2nd Anniversary
Jermaine joins DSSENT's Taipei Chapter for a music-driven hip hop exchange, featured in BANG magazine.
Rooted in Accra, Ghana
Alongside New York, New Jersey and Baltimore, Ghana is a home base for COHH and a lasting presence for the movement in Africa.
The Curators Vol. 2
A new series of short documentary films profiling the people, personalities and topics that shape the culture.
Community
Rooted in the people.
COHH has worked alongside grassroots organizations, helping artists perform in new cities, joining panels on social activism, and producing a fundraiser show to help a local dance company secure new practice space.
As seen in