Back in the mid-1980s, when the world was just beginning to recognize rap music as an art form. Hip-hop, which long ago kicked open the door of big business, is about to climb into another ivory tower. On September 15, 2020, Sotheby’s, the venerable auction house established in 1744, will conduct its first-ever hip-hop auction. Among the items are two lots of previously unseen photographs — 42 images in all — by AIC Professor John Nordell, MEd, who documented the grassroots Boston hip-hop scene. For Nordell, it’s an honor to have his unheralded work included in a high-stakes auction. To read The full story of Professor Nordell's photography is in The Boston Globe and on MSN Entertainment. This story received additional coverage on MassLive, BusinessWest, and The Artery on WBUR Boston Public Radio.