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Scenes From The Hip-Hop Revolution

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Courtesy of Janette Beckman

By William Boot
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On April 1, the Museum of the City of New York opened its retrospective on hip-hop, which it calls “HIP-HOP REVOLUTION: Photographs by Janette Beckman, Joe Conzo, and Martha Cooper.” It's an exhibition showcasing the early days of hip-hop culture and music, which has its roots firmly in New York City. It also looks at how it became the worldwide phenomenon it is today.

 

The exhibit, which runs until September 13, presents more than 100 photographs taken between 1977 and 1990 by Beckman, Conzo, and Cooper—who documented hip-hop from its early days in the boroughs of NYC.

 

“Hip-hop is yet another incredibly vibrant example of how the world has been shaped by what started in New York,” said Susan Henshaw Jones, Ronay Menschel director of the museum. “You can see this dynamic and influential music and culture come to life in this exhibition through the powerful photographs of three wonderful photographers.”

 

Here's an early photo of Busta Rhymes, in 1990.

Courtesy of Janette Beckman

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LL Cool J, with Cut Creator, E Love and B-Rock, Manhattan, 1987

Courtesy of Janette Beckman

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High Times Crew breaking outside transit police station, Washington Heights, Manhattan, 1980

Courtesy of Martha Cooper

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JDL at Skatin’ Palace, 1981

Courtesy of Joe Conzo

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Courtesy of Martha Cooper

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JDL and Grandmaster Caz at Club Negril, 1981

Courtesy of Joe Conzo

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EPMD photographed in Babylon, Long Island, in 1989.

Courtesy of Janette Beckman

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Boogie Down Productions: KRS-One and Scott La Rock, 1987

Courtesy of Janette Beckman

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Little Crazy Legs strikes an impromptu pose during Wild Style shoot, Riverside Park, Manhattan, 1983

Courtesy of Janette Beckman

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Rakim and Eric B, NYC, 1987

Courtesy of Janette Beckman

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Salt N Pepa, 1987

Courtesy of Janette Beckman

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