I came of age during the rise of Three 6 Mafia, Yo Gotti, La Chat, Project Pat and Playa Fly, so I am very familiar with these artists and their songs. They are included on the soundtrack of my adolescent years.

As government leaders advocate for the building of a Memphis hip-hop museum, my initial thoughts — thoughts framed by my seven years as a public-safety professional in Memphis — were, “Why would we celebrate this music when our city continues to be plagued with, and known for, violence, drugs and poverty?”

However, advocates for the museum said it could be interactive and educational. As I ruminated on the idea, it came to me that there is in fact a way that we could pay tribute to Memphis hip-hop that would be both reflective of the music and responsible to the community.

And so I have a few ideas for exhibits the museum could consider. These exhibits that would truly be reflective of the genre and the culture surrounding it as they connect the artists and the music with real-time public service announcements and education.

Memphis hip-hop museum planners sample thoughts on genre, locations

One of our most famous — if not the most famous Memphis hip-hop artist — goes by the stage name Yo Gotti. I envision Yo Gotti’s exhibit showcasing his rise from the Ridgecrest Apartments to becoming the multi-faceted business executive he is now. He has his own recording label and lineup of artists, and has become a mogul in his own right.

Nevertheless, Yo Gotti has rapped about selling drugs his entire career. Given that Yo Gotti’s knowledge of handling cocaine has been the subject of dozens of his songs, what if the museum included an interactive segment featuring scales and “bricks?” With Yo Gotti’s music bumping in the background, guests could be invited to “mix up” substitute substances given formulas provided in the songs. There would be ingredients, measuring cups, scales and packaging.

You must maintain the visual. Schools might even have field trips to the interactive museum, where Gotti’s exhibit could count as a science and math lesson. For civics, there could be a touch screen filled with the laws on drug distribution with links to recent drug cases and sentencing. The police department might be invited to feature a slideshow of recent drug-related arrests. There could even be a miniature 3D rendering of the Ridgecrest Apartments where visitors can click on news stories highlighting at and near that apartment complex.

The Tear Da Club up exhibit could be an extra charge feature that resembles a “rage room,” perhaps designed to pay homage to the old Denim and Diamonds club. Guests would have the opportunity to dance to old Three 6 Mafia songs that got the crowd “crunk” (rowdy) back in the day. Think “Weak a$* B*t**” and “If You Ain’t From My Hood.”

The educational component would allow guests to imagine being the club owner and simulate filing a business insurance claim for losses from damaged furniture after a riot. Guests could have the opportunity to participate in simulated depositions involving claims of negligence after sustaining injuries during a massive fight in the club.

Memphis Music Hall of Fame announces new inductees

The interactive and educational exhibit featuring Project Pat would be centered around one of his most famous songs, “Gorilla Pimp,” which is a song about female exploitation and domestic violence, along with themes of workplace violence. Project Pat tells of the dangers his female counterpart faces if she does not have “his money.” Because of its national attention, Three 6 Mafia’s Oscar-winning song, “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” (made famous by the movie “Hustle & Flow”) would definitely play at this exhibit.

An appropriate interactive feature in this exhibit would highlight valuable resources such as the Family Safety Center, which offers help for survivors of domestic violence and for those who would like to leave a life of sex work.

The Just Say No exhibit would feature Three 6 Mafia and Playa Fly. They rap openly about drug use — not only marijuana, but also cocaine. Background music would include Three 6 Mafia’s “Half on a Sack” and “Sipping on Some Syrup” and Playa Fly’s “Funk N Buck.” On the display screen, a montage paying tribute to Gangsta Boo would be visible, since she reportedly passed away of a drug overdose at the age of 43.

There would be resources available for those who are struggling with addiction. An interactive segment could feature a demonstration on how to properly administer Narcan as well as information on when and where Narcan is given out free of charge. The health department might want to put a tracker at this exhibit that show how many people have died of drug overdoses year to date. This would be beneficial, maybe even educational, for the community.

The Memphis Women of Hip-Hop exhibit would include Gangsta Boo, La Chat, Jessica Dime and GloRilla. GloRilla’s exhibit would feature a nice car that the museum guests would be able to dance in and around, as seen in her “FNF” video, which has amassed 83 million view on YouTube. This would be a good time to insert a public service announcement stressing that while this may be appropriate at home and in club settings, it is not appropriate to do in traffic (despite it happening during “unauthorized” side shows).

Of course, we would also showcase photos from her donation to her Frayser high school. It is important to show that our artists remember where they came from.

Twerking could be a stand-alone exhibit. Maybe there could be a video tutorial for those guests who want to improve their skills. Or there could be a contest at the end of the tour for the “best twerk.” The soundtrack to this exhibit could include Blac Youngsta’s “Booty” and Jucee Froot’s “Shake Dat.”

There’s an opportunity to encourage healthy, intimate relationships and family planning. To the tune of Three 6 Mafia’s “Baby Mama” and Project Pat’s “Chicken Head,” there could be resources informing the guests of free relationship counseling available in the city. Included could be addresses and phone numbers for local or state health clinics, Planned Parenthood and faith-based help facilities.

In addition, there would be an interactive child-support calculator where guests can input their income and days parenting. People would be able to simulate child support deductions on their pay stub and receive a printout as a souvenir. This would be fun!

The Paper Route exhibit would pay tribute and serve as a memorial to Young Dolph. Would it be insensitive to have his song “100 Shots” playing in the background considering the way he died? Although his songs are filled with vivid descriptions of acts such as selling drugs, using drugs and gunning others down, we will focus the Dolph exhibit on how city leaders portrayed him when he died.

Five must-see July concerts include a citywide talent show

“A community-minded man” is how our then-mayor described Young Dolph at the time of his death. There was a street dedicated in his honor by the Memphis City Council. His former high school celebrates “Dolph Day” every year. Makeda’ s cookies will be available for purchase at this exhibit. Photos would show his consistent community service. After all, he sponsored a turkey giveaway every Thanksgiving. Again, we must show these artists as contributors to their community.

Someone said, “Hip-hop isn’t just music — it’s fashion and it’s dance.” True. So, are you going to include the fashion of scantily clad clothing and sagging pants with underwear showing? Are you going to include dancing in clubs that turns into fights and the dancing on the cars at red lights while normal citizens are just trying to make it safely from point A to point B?

Memphis is in a cultural crisis. Our city will not benefit from leaders who focus on what’s cool and what’s expedient over what is right, what is safe and what moves progress.

Yo Gotti, Three Six Mafia, Rick Ross, Drake and Wale all already have keys to the city. Young Dolph has a street named in his honor. If a hip-hop museum becomes a reality and it is heralded by well-respected leaders, it should not be an experience for entertainment or celebration — but rather a cautionary tale.

Anyone trying to romanticize Memphis hip-hop can be described as nothing short of delusional. While writing this, I listened to hours of past and present Memphis hip-hop. Not just the songs I wrote about, but also Tela, 8Ball & MJG, Crunchy Black, Pastor Troy. Because I am a millennial and grew up on this music, I danced and sang along with a lot of the lyrics from the ’90s and 2000s.

1990s boy band coming to Memphis area

It was nostalgic. However, as a public-safety professional, I cannot reconcile my nostalgic feelings with the cries I hear from Memphians when they call 911 in distress. Because then the lyrics come to life.

 “My child just overdosed.”

“I can’t get to work because they are blocking traffic. They have guns and I am scared.”

“I am 6 months pregnant, and my baby’s daddy just kicked me in the stomach.”

“I just got carjacked by three male blacks all armed with long rifles.”

Brother of rapper Yo Gotti killed, MPD confirms

“My brother just got shot.”

The first song from hip-hop mogul Master P (from New Orleans) was “Mr. Ice Cream Man.” It is a song about selling drugs and it’s a part of his rise as a rap artist. In 2022, his 25-year-old daughter passed away from a drug overdose. That’s a full-circle moment. And while the music brings a small segment of the population riches and fame, the reality of lyrics causes millions more to mourn.

Watch the NLE Choppa “Beat Box” video to see him brandishing guns while he raps about killing people, using drugs and discarding women. Also included in his exhibit would be his entry into politics showing the video of him endorsing a local mayoral candidate. We can’t have it both ways. Now is the time to choose sides and take a stand. You can’t be for NLE Choppa and be for a safer, more prosperous and healthier city.

Obviously, in many parts of this column I am being facetious. There’s no way would I want my 8-year-old son to pretend he was “moving bricks,” administering Narcan, or engaging in vandalism.

Let the Memphis artists put their heads together and spend their efforts and their funds on a celebratory hip-hop museum. But that should not be a priority for government leaders.

Memphis youth poet laureate, contests, open mic nights creating a ‘poetry resurgence’

The U.S. surgeon general has declared gun violence a public-health crisis. These songs are a reflection of that crisis, as they are centered around robbing, drugs, killing, sawed-off shotguns, Glocks and automatic rifles. Our community sees this playing out in the street every day. The lyrics of these songs have become our reality.

Visiting a hip-hop museum is different than going to the National Civil Rights Museum. We no longer have to go to the back of the bus or fight for the right to vote. When we visit the Civil Rights museum, it is a look into the past and a reminder of how far we have come as a country.

The cultural impact of hip-hop is our past, it is unfortunately our present, and if we continue to embrace and celebrate it, it will regrettably be our future. What a sad song.