Hip Hop Museum Unveils 18-Foot ‘Rappin’ Max Robot’ Sculpture In Bronx

Sunday, August 11, 2024

The Hip Hop Museum is set to celebrate Hip Hop culture and its origins with an early unveiling of “Rappin’ Max Robot,” a monumental sculpture originally designed by the legendary hip-hop artist Eric Orr.

Standing 18 feet tall and weighing 7,000 pounds, this steel sculpture, symbolizing the evolution and enduring legacy of hip-hop, was constructed by Welder Underground—an apprenticeship program that fosters future metalworkers through collaboration with established artists.

The sculpture will be temporarily displayed at The Bronx Point, the future site of The Hip Hop Museum, scheduled to open in late 2025. After a few months, it will be gifted to Paris, where it will reside permanently at the Place de la Bataille-de-Stalingrad.

This unveiling coincides with the debut of ‘Breaking’ at the Games in Paris, further highlighting Hip Hop’s global influence as an art form. Originating in the Bronx in the 1970s, ‘Breaking,’ or breakdancing, is a dynamic urban dance style known for its acrobatic moves and stylized footwork. Join us in celebrating Hip Hop’s past, present, and future at this significant event.

The event will take place on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 11:00 AM ET at The Hip Hop Museum, located at 585 Exterior Street, Bronx, NY 10451. The ceremony will feature prominent guests, including Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, Welder Underground founders Adina and Marc Levin, Hip Hop Museum Co-Curator Pete Nice, and Eric Orr.

“As we celebrate the birth of hip-hop this weekend, we are also ushering in a new era with the unveiling of the Rappin’ Max Robot sculpture,” said Rocky Bucano, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Hip Hop Museum. “This iconic piece symbolizes the enduring spirit of innovation and creativity in Hip Hop culture. On the same historic day that Breaking debuts in the Paris Games, let this sculpture remind us of our roots and inspire future generations to push boundaries and elevate the art form and culture of Hip Hop.”

“Rappin’ Max Robot” pays tribute to the first Hip Hop comic book character, created by Orr in 1986 with the help of renowned New York City artist Keith Haring. The character honors the robot dance move, a personal favorite of Orr’s, which became a cultural icon in the graffiti art world.

After its display at the museum, the sculpture will be permanently installed at Place de la Bataille-de-Stalingrad in Paris.