Our folks over at Hip Hop Weekly has just released a special treat for fans of the hip hop culture. “Portraits of Hip Hop” displays the work of some of the most respected photographers of hip hop spanning 30 years. There are images of Grand Master Flash, Notorious BIG, Tupac Shukur, Missy Elliot, Queen Latifah and many others. Veteran photographer Ernie Paniccioli is one of the photographer’s whose work will be gracing the pages in HHW upcoming issue. Ernie has covered the culture hip hop for well over 30 years and has been published in every major hip hop magazine around the world. Click here to meet Mr. Paniccioli:
ERNIE PANICCIOLI
Ernie Paniccioli started photographing Hip Hop culture in the mid 1970s. His initial focus was aerosol art. He also documented other aspects of Hip Hop culture including MCing (rapping), B-Boying (Break Dancing), DJing, and fashion.
Paniccioli holds a unique place among aerosol art photographers. While many photographers focused primarily on the paintings done on the subway, Paniccioli ventured directly into the communities that gave birth to Hip Hop. Traditionally many aerosol artists first tested their skills by painting on walls before subway cars. Paniccioli documented work by many artists in their transitional phases; as well as many other talented artists that did not make the step to subway painting.
Paniccioli probably has the most comprehensive collection of works by 1980’s New York City “Street Writers” in the world. His commitment to documenting Hip Hop led to a position as Chief Photographer with Word Up Magazine at its launch in 1987. His work has been published in The New York Times, Life Magazine, Time, Vibe, Rolling Stone, The Source and many other publications. His photographs have been displayed at The Brooklyn Museum of Art and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has photographed countless Hip Hop icons including Public Enemy, and the late Big Pun
Paniccioli’s work appears in the Harper Collins book titled Who Shot Ya?
Other notable photographers featured are Chi Modu and Jay Lash
