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Islanders will be able to research stories from the lesser-known 'elementz' of the island's music scene thanks to a new hip-hop collection deposited at the Jersey Archive.
Titled the ‘United Elementz Jersey Collection’, the deposit includes 18 digital images of people selected for the United Elementz 2022 Hip-Hop Hall of Fame, along with information about notable people within the Jersey hip-hop scene.
United Elementz was established in 2014 by Jersey residents, Matt 'Bean' Lebouc and Vince 'SAO2971' as a local group for members of the hip-hop community within the Channel Islands.
The group shares ideas with each other to help both the scene and culture grow, as well as support MCs, DJs, breakdancers and graffiti artists.
Pictured: The collection contains 18 digital images of people included in the United Elementz Hip-Hop Hall of Fame in 2022.
The new archive deposit follows an earlier one last year related to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement when Jersey Archive was offered a digital recording of a radio show produced by Matt.
The show was broadcast on radio WIGWAM as part of 'Speak Up Thursday' organised by Love Music Hate Racism.
Roland Quintaine, Archivist at Jersey Archive, said: “We have quite a lot of material about other styles of music in Jersey, much of which was offered by Ernie Mallet and Chas Larbalestier, as well as other individuals involved in music in the island.
"We also have programmes and posters relating to other forms of performance and culture, such as amateur dramatics, but this is the first time we have received anything relating to the hip-hop scene and related culture in Jersey.
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“We are always looking at ways to tell the lesser-known elements of the island’s story and this new deposit is a fantastic opportunity to expand our collection to represent the breadth of music created in Jersey.
"This is especially important at a time when music is largely distributed online and the preservation of music feels more precarious than in the days when a demo tape could have been passed on.”
Matt said he was 'beyond proud' that United Elementz now has its own section within the archives.
"The local music scene in the Channel Islands has a long rich history but hip-hop had never been represented in any way and we felt that both the scene, and culture, had a deep enough history to be given a place within Jersey Heritage," he said.
Pictured: United Elementz has established relationships with brands from around the world, but says it has always had its roots firmly within the Channel Islands.
"We are extremely blessed that Jersey Heritage not only wanted hip-hop to be highlighted, within their amazing local archives, but to be given its own collection to showcase it on its own."
"Hip-hop, within the islands, has such a phenomenal pool of individuals who push it forward every time they put something out, whether it's music or an event, that it's great to know that their hard work with forever be out there for generations to come."
Black Lives Matter signs added to historic archive
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