What the doc ordered

The inaugural exhibition at Dave Stewart's recently-opened cultural arts centre The Hospital, Yes Yes Y'all is so much more than a collection of photographs.

This is a narrative exhibition charting the rise of hip hop in overwhelming detail from the early 1970s until the mid-1980s, and its subsequent appropriation as a global culture, that puts hip hop's emergence in a wider context.

So, in 1973, when Britain joined the EEC, Bruce Lee died and Marvin Gaye released Let's Get It On, hip hop was stirring in the South Bronx. Fired by Kool Herc's importing of outdoor sound system culture, toasting (later to become rapping) and bass-heavy sounds from Jamaica, it became entertainment and escape for residents of a marginalised ghetto.

The rise of associated hip hop culture such as scratching, b-boying and graffiti (a life-size subway carriage covered in street art forms part of the exhibition) is also charted, with quotes from key players.

There are striking photographs, too, of the real heroes of hip hop (the unknowns who created the culture but got no credit or money), including breakdance crew Fantastic Five practising in their front room or Busy Bee rapping against a cold black backdrop.

With an array of memorabilia (hand-drawn flyers from 1977, the set-up for a park jam - two turntables, an amp and a ghetto blaster - Run DMC's clothes and record sleeves) this is an enthralling and comprehensive hip hop history lesson.

Until Jan 23, The Hospital, 24 Endell Street WC2, Mon to Sat 10am to 10pm, Sun midday to 8pm, £5, £3 concs.

Tel: 020 7170 9100. www.thehospital.co.uk Tube: Covent Garden