Inside “Contact High – A visual history of hip-hop”

2 minutes read

What is hip-hop? Throwback to the early stage of a cultural and artistic movement born in the South Bronx. Discover how, in the early 70s, photographers captured this new genre to make it a global phenomenon.

Here is a look at “Contact High” by Vikki Tobak and Fab 5 Freddy.

Hip-hop: sound, style, and culture

Hip-hop emerged from different cities across the United States in the 70s. Each regional individuality shaped this cultural movement. From music, dance to graffiti artist, hip hop was the self-expression from the street. It also impacted fashion with some emblematic items like athletic jersey, Nike air force 1, sneakers, skateboarding fashion, etc.

IMG_20190622_132804m — **Janette Beckman**, Salt-N-Pepa, New York City, 1987

**Barron Claiborne**, Biggie, *King of New York*, 1997.

Photographer and beyond

Photographers were the first to immortalize this movement. They shaped a specific image of artists to communicate and market them to the world.

The selection of images and contact sheet are a testimony of their work. Most of them are now iconic for hip-hop culture.

IMG_20190622_134257 — **Clay Patrick Mcbride**, Kanye West and Jay-Z, New York, 2005

Estevan Oriol, 50 Cent at Mister Cartoon’s Tattoo shop, Los Angeles, 2004

Armen Djerrahian

Mike Miler, Ice Cube and Westside Connection, Bow Down, Los Angeles, 1996

IMG_20190622_134509 — **Michael Lavine**, OutKast, *Stankonia*, Atlanta, 2000

IMG_20190622_134628 — **Phil Knott**, A$AP Rocky, *LONG.LIVE.A$AP*, Harlem, 2012.

Highlights

Women in hip-hop

Hip-hop music was a male drive industry when some women stood upon the scene. Thanks to their unique voices, storytelling, style, and lyrics, they have established their position in hip-hop’s world. Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliot, Queen Latifah, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B are among these influent women.

Al Pereira, Queen Latifah, New York City, 1991

Eric Johnson, Aaliyah, Manhattan, 2001

IMG_4524a$ — **Mark Baptiste**,Erykah Badu, *Baduizm*, 1997.

The “class photo”: A great day in hip-hop

If we can select only one picture to highlight hip hop, a “great day in hip hop” would be the one. For XXL Magazine, Gordon Parks photographed 2OO hip-hop artists in Harlem. It was in 1998 when hip hop was already a worldwide phenomenon.

IMG_20190622_134042m — **Gordon Parks,** “a great day in hip hop”, 1998.

Plan your visit:

Exhibit on view from April 26^TH through August 18^th.
Location: 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067.
Hours: Wed-Sun 11AM-6PM.
Admission: Free
Duration: I spent 1h30 hour to discover it.
Audio guide available and guided tour on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm.
Parking: $1.50 with validation
More information available at https://www.annenbergphotospace.org/