Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Martha Cooper has the reputation of beeing the first and foremost photographer of emering Hip Hop culture in New York City. Her book, HIP HOP FILES - Photographs 1979-1984, makes a significant part of her extensive and unique archive accessible for the first time. The book documents the beginning of the phenomenon, now known as Hip Hop. The publication of many of her photos in the early 80s, disseminated the culture both at home and abroad. Along with the photos are quotes and statements from the people appearing in them. The book celebrates its 10th birthday in 2014 and was published in three different languages: german, english and french. The book includes a thoughtful introduction by ZEPHYR as well as essays by CHARLIE AHEARN; PATTI ASTOR and POPMASTER FABEL, participants in the early Hip Hop scene.
Synopsis
Martha Cooper is best known as the preeminent photographer of Hip Hop culture and graffiti art in New York City in the 1970s and 80s. A photojournalist for the New York Post, she began documenting the emerging scene in Brooklyn in the early 70s and eventually amassed an outstanding and original collection of photographs documenting the rise of both East Coast Hip Hop and the distinctive New York Graf Style.
Her book, Hip Hop Files: Photographs 1979-1984, opens a significant part of her extensive archive for the first time. The book documents the earliest beginnings of what would later be a defining American cultural force right on the precipice of mainstream success. As they began to see increased distribution, her photographs became emblematic of the burgeoning scene, both at home and abroad.
In addition to the remarkable photojournalism, Cooper includes quotes, brief interviews, and essays by the individuals featured, from ordinary folk caught up in the scene, to early tastemakers, including CHARLIE AHEARN, PATTI ASTOR, and POPMASTER FABEL.
This is the 10th anniversary of this seminal piece of hip hop history and this edition features a thoughtful introduction by ZEPHYR, one of the earliest NYC street artists and creator of the WildStyle graffiti alphabet.