Hip hop photography icon exposes famous portraits in Heliopolis
Hip hop photography icon exposes famous portraits in Heliopolis
One of those responsible for rap image in the 1990s, Chi Modu returns to Brazil with the project Uncategorized
SAO PAULO: About five years ago, Chi Modu was not exactly a household name. “I thought everyone knew my pictures, but nobody knew who I was.”
The Nigerian photographer then decided to spread his portraits of famous rappers on billboards around New York. Then he made an Instagram account. "I wasn't looking for a job, I just wanted to mark my position." The project, “Uncategorized”, arrives in São Paulo this weekend, with free exposure and a meeting of Modu with children in Heliópolis.
“The idea is to bring my art directly to people. Skip the art directors. ”
The photographer realized that Brazil was the second country where he had more followers in the world. But the last few times he was here, he only exhibited in rich areas of the city. “I can do the galleries, but I'm more the street guy.”
Modu is one of those responsible for the American rap image of the 1990s. He has clicked on people like Tupac Shakur, Notorious BIG, Snoop Dogg for magazines, especially The Source, hip-hop only.
“That's when rapping gained global character,” he says. “A lot of people were waiting for the magazines to come out to see the pictures.”
The 1990s, says Modu, were "crazy but fun." He recalls encounters with intense figures like Tupac and how he did to convince MCs to buy their ideas.
“At the time, Snoop was being charged with murder,” he says, recalling a photo in which the rapper holds a 38 handgun. “I had those photos and I didn't release them. You have to give these characters protection. You can't get close, take the pictures and put people in danger. Only then can you take a picture of that one — because they let you get close enough. ”
While praising today's hip-hop — the genre most heard in the United States — Modu offers “gentle advice” to new generations. “MCs may have risen in their lives, but the people they rhyme have their lives as bad as their parents had,” he says. “Hip hop may have changed, but Heliopolis probably hasn't changed at all.”
By identifying with Brazil, Modu should come back more often. Today, with an established career, he is more concerned with influencing new generations than opening new exhibitions in any museum in Europe.
“In Dubai, a convention is going on with all the major clothing brands, Nike and Adidas and everything. At the same time, there is Art Basel in Miami, with all art buyers. Where am I? In Brazil, in Heliópolis. That is the message I want to convey. ”
UNCATEGORIZED
When from Fri. (6) the gift. (8)
Where CEU Heliópolis, r. Road of Tears, 2385
Price Free
Author Chi Modu