Phat Phillie Presents: “Memory Lane” – 40 Years of Hip-Hop Exhibition

Phat Phillie Presents:

“Memory Lane” – 40 Years of Hip-Hop Exhibition

When passion for music meets collecting, and childhood dreams come true through various encounters and collaborations, the result is an exhibition like this. Filip Ivelja, better known in the music world as Phat Phillie, is the most prominent regional hip-hop activist and DJ. Over his 30-year career, he has brought more than 200 rap artists to Croatia. Now, he’s turning a new page in his illustrious career. For the first time, he will showcase his rich collection of memorabilia to the public in the exhibition “Memory Lane – 40 Years of Hip-Hop,” which will take place from February 25 to March 21, 2025 at the beautiful interior of the Liszt Institute (Hungarian Cultural Center) in Zagreb. Through personal stories, the exhibition will highlight four decades of this global phenomenon in this part of Europe. Invited are also special guest co-curators and collectors DJ GYöReMiX and Krisztian Kindler from Budapest, who will offer a unique insight into a lesser-known Hungarian hip-hop history. The exhibition will include various activities, special musical guests, and surprises. For almost a month, Zagreb will become the center of European and global hip-hop. On a symbolic level, it will reconnect with New York, the birthplace of hip-hop, through Budapest.

Phat Phillie’s Collection Showcase Video

A Unique Celebration of Hip-Hop History

Last year, the world celebrated 50 years of hip-hop, the most globally widespread music genre. Zagreb’s exhibition will showcase its importance in international hip-hop circles. The story began 40 years ago with the screening of iconic breakdance movies like “Breakin’” and “Beat Street.” That same year, the legendary radio host Slavin Balen launched the show “Electro-Funk Premiere” on Zagreb’s Radio 101. Even earlier, Yugoslav diplomat in New York, Mladen Mladenović (Milton Malden), co-founded the first hip-hop record label, Sugar Hill, introducing the first American rap records to Yugoslavia in 1981.

The 1990s saw Croatia’s “hip-hop rising,” led by the “Blackout” show on Radio 101, hosted by Phat Phillie and Frx, and the emergence of iconic acts like TBF, Bolesna Braća, Elemental, Edo Maajka, and more.

Through this exhibition, visitors will discover the connections between Public Enemy, Ice T, Big L, Wu-Tang… and Phat Phillie. Similar exhibitions across Europe, like Paris’ “Hip Hop 360,” Hamburg’s “Hamburg Graffiti History 1980-1999,” London’s “Beyond The Streets,” and Copenhagen’s “Dansk hip hop 40 år,” have attracted thousands of fans, and a similar turnout is expected in Zagreb. The exhibition’s visual identity is crafted by Stožer, a creative agency from Zagreb.

With so many reasons to visit, mark February 25 to March 21 in your calendar and head to the Hungarian Cultural Center “Franz Liszt” to experience this one-of-a-kind event.

For more details, check out the event’s Facebook page.