New York City Council is planning a $1.5m hip hop museum in the Bronx, which is believed to be the first museum dedicated to rap music and its culture.
"This is where it all started on the streets of the Bronx. It's an urban creation," council member Larry Seabrook says.
"Only two forms of music are uniquely American, jazz and hip-hop. This will be an opportunity for people to learn about it, to view it and to listen to it."
However, debate has been sparked over what the museum will include. But Seabrook says it will celebrate real hip hop and its pioneers, not modern rap artists, like 50 Cent, whose music has become associated with violence and sexism.
"We're not talking about gangsta rap," says Seabrook. "We're talking about hip-hop."
The museum is planned to open in the in late 2008 or early 2009.
