NMAAHC Collections Search

Female Rappers, Class of '88

Photograph by: Beckman, Janette, English
Subject of: Sparky D, American; Sweet Tee, American; MC Peaches, American; Yvette Money, American; Ms. Melodie, American, 1969 - 2012; Synquis, American; Jackson, Millie, American, born 1944; Unidentified Woman or Women; Shanté, Roxanne, American, born 1969; MC Lyte, American, born 1971; Finesse, American

Medium: dye and photographic gelatin on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions: H x W: 15 7/8 × 19 7/8 in. (40.3 × 50.5 cm)

Type: chromogenic color prints; portraits; laser prints

Date: 1988; printed 2004

Description: A color photograph of eleven female rappers posed together on a wooden stage in front of a brick wall. In the back row, standing or crouching (left to right): Sparky D, Sweet Tee, MC Peaches, Yvette Money, Ms. Melodie, Synquis. In the middle is the singer Millie Jackson. Sitting along the bottom row with their legs crossed (left to right): (unidentified, wearing jewelry reading [PAM]), Roxanne Shante, MC Lyte, Finesse. All of the women are looking towards the camera, with the exception of Jackson, who looks down while raising both her fists. An inscription on the back gives the title and copyright.

Topic: African American; Fashion; Gesture; Hip hop (Music); Musicians; Photography; United States--History--1969-2001; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2015.132.65

Restrictions & Rights: © Janette Beckman

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography
Exhibition: Represent: Hip Hop Photography
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Second Floor, 2 050

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph of C

Photograph by: Boyd, Raymond, American, born 1958
Subject of: Run-D.M.C., American, 1981 - 2002; Adler, Bill, American, born 1951; McDaniels, Darryl Matthews, American, born 1964; Rev. Run, American, born 1964

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Sheet): 13 15/16 × 9 3/4 in. (35.4 × 24.8 cm); H x W (Image): 13 × 8 3/4 in. (33 × 22.2 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints

Place captured: Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America

Date: August 1984; printed later

Description: A black and white photograph of DMC and Run reading Rock and Soul Magazine backstage at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. DMC wears a leather jacket and holds the magazine; Run wears an argyle sweater with his hands in his pockets. Both wear dark-colored fedoras. On the back of the photograph is the subject and photographer's name written by Bill Adler.

Topic: African American; Education; Hip hop (Music); Mass media; Musicians; Photography; United States--History--1969-2001

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2015.132.166

Restrictions & Rights: © Raymond Boyd

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph of Mista Lawnge and Dres of Black Sheep in front of WTC towers

Photograph by: Pereira, Al, American, born 1963
Subject of: Mista Lawnge, American; Dres, American, born 1967; Black Sheep, American, founded 1989; New York Mets, American, founded 1962
Printed by: Adler, Bill, American, born 1951

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Sheet): 13 15/16 × 10 15/16 in. (35.4 × 27.8 cm); H x W (Image): 13 1/16 × 8 11/16 in. (33.2 × 22.1 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints

Place captured: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1992; printed 2003

Description: A black and white photograph of Black Sheep.; Mista Lawnge is on the proper right side. He is wearing a black leather jacket, a New York Mets baseball cap and a necklace. He is leaning on something and his proper right hand is in his jacket pocket. He has a mustache. Dres is on the proper left side. He is wearing a jacket with a hood and a plaid cap. He has a mustache. He is leaning forward with his arms crossed in front of his chest. They are standing in front of water and there is a silhouette of the skyline in the background with the World Trade Center towers in the middle of the image.; There is a white border around the image. It is thicker on the two sides and thinner on the top and bottom. The back of the photograph is white. There are tears at the top from where pieces of tape used to be. There are two inscriptions handwritten by Bill Adler in black ink. There is also an inscription in the center, handwritten in graphite.

Topic: African American; Architecture; Hip hop (Music); Musicians; Photography; United States--History--1969-2001; Urban life

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2015.132.270

Restrictions & Rights: © Al Pereira

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph of Eazy-E in Union Square, NYC

Photograph by: Pereira, Al, American, born 1963
Subject of: Eazy-E, American, 1963 - 1995
Printed by: Adler, Bill, American, born 1951

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Sheet): 13 15/16 × 10 15/16 in. (35.4 × 27.8 cm); H x W (Image): 13 × 9 1/2 in. (33 × 24.2 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints

Place captured: Union Square, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: March 1, 1990; printed 2003

Description: A black-and-white photograph of the rapper Eazy-E, wearing a leather jacket and a black baseball cap that reads [Compton]. He holds a pair of sunglasses in his right hand and wears a diamond pink ring. He is looking away from the camera and leaning against the railing of a subway entrance. Trees and city buildings are visible behind him. On the back are inscriptions by Bill Adler identifying the subject, photographer, location and date.

Topic: African American; Hip hop (Music); Musicians; Photography; United States--History--1969-2001; Urban life

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2015.132.277

Restrictions & Rights: © Al Pereira

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph of Grandmaster Flash at the Chrysler Building, NYC

Photograph by: Pereira, Al, American, born 1963
Subject of: Grandmaster Flash, American, born 1958
Printed by: Adler, Bill, American, born 1951

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Sheet): 13 15/16 × 10 7/8 in. (35.4 × 27.6 cm); H x W (Image): 13 × 8 11/16 in. (33 × 22.1 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints

Place captured: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: August 27, 1991; printed 2003

Description: A black-and-white photograph of Grandmaster Flash pointing at the Chrysler Building. Flash wears a white t-shirt, white hat, and dark jeans. He looks at the camera and raises his right hand to point at the Chrysler building in the background. His left hand rest on a balcony railing. On the back are inscriptions by Bill Adler identifying the subject, photographer, location and date.

Topic: African American; Architecture; Hip hop (Music); Musicians; Photography; United States--History--1969-2001; Urban life

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2015.132.280

Restrictions & Rights: © Al Pereira

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph of MC Lyte on Manhattan's Lower East Side

Photograph by: Pereira, Al, American, born 1963
Subject of: MC Lyte, American, born 1971
Printed by: Adler, Bill, American, born 1951

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Sheet): 13 15/16 × 10 15/16 in. (35.4 × 27.8 cm); H x W (Image): 13 × 9 9/16 in. (33 × 24.3 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints

Place captured: Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: August 6, 1991; printed 2003

Description: A black-and-white photograph of MC Lyte outside in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Lyte wears a white tee shirt and dark-colored hat and is leaning with both elbows on a metal railing. She looks away from the camera. On the back of the photograph are inscriptions by Bill Adler identifying the photographer, subject, location, and date.

Topic: African American; Hip hop (Music); Musicians; Photography; United States--History--1969-2001; Urban life

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2015.132.322

Restrictions & Rights: © Al Pereira

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph of the Tupac memorial mural on Houston Street in NYC

Photograph by: Pereira, Al, American, born 1963
Subject of: Shakur, Tupac Amaru, American, 1971 - 1996
Printed by: Adler, Bill, American, born 1951

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Sheet): 10 15/16 × 13 15/16 in. (27.8 × 35.4 cm); H x W (Image): 8 11/16 × 12 7/8 in. (22.1 × 32.7 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints

Place captured: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: February 1997; printed 2003

Description: A black and white photograph of a grafitti mural memorializing Tupac Shakur on Houston Street in New York City. The mural is spray-painted on a metal security gate inset into a brick wall. in the center is a portrait of Shakur. Above and below him are the words [LIVE BY THE GUN DIE BY THE GUN]. Pedestrians pass by on either side of the image. On the back are inscriptions by Bill Adler identifying the photographer, subject, location, and date.

Topic: African American; Art; Hip hop (Music); Musicians; Photography; United States--History--1969-2001; Urban life; Violence

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2015.132.323

Restrictions & Rights: © Al Pereira

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography
Exhibition: Represent: Hip Hop Photography
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Second Floor, 2 050

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

D.M.C. - Hollis, Queens '87

Photograph by: Powell, Ricky, American, born 1961
Subject of: McDaniels, Darryl Matthews, American, born 1964; Adidas AG, German, founded 1948

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Sheet): 10 15/16 × 13 7/8 in. (27.8 × 35.2 cm); H x W (Image): 8 × 12 in. (20.3 × 30.5 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints

Place captured: Hollis, Queens, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1987; printed 2003

Description: A black-and-white photograph of D.M.C. (Darryl McDaniels) riding in an ice cream truck in Hollis, Queens. McDaniels is pictured crouching in the open doorway of the truck, wearing a white paper hat and white jacket over an Adidas track jacket. He also wears sunglasses and white Adidas shoes. He is smiling and holding a cigarette in his left hand. The photographer has inscribed and signed the photograph just below the image.

Topic: African American; Cooking and dining; Hip hop (Music); Musicians; Photography; United States--History--1969-2001; Urban life

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2015.132.338

Restrictions & Rights: © Ricky Powell

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph of Run-D.M.C. on the rooftop of Russell Simmons's apartment

Photograph by: Powell, Ricky, American, born 1961
Subject of: Run-D.M.C., American, 1981 - 2002; Rev. Run, American, born 1964; McDaniels, Darryl Matthews, American, born 1964; Jam Master Jay, American, 1965 - 2002; Simmons, Russell Wendell, American, born 1957; New York Giants, American, founded 1925

Medium: dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Sheet): 11 × 14 in. (27.9 × 35.6 cm)

Type: chromogenic color prints

Place captured: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: ca. 1990; printed 2004

Description: A color photograph of Run-D.M.C. on the rooftop veranda of Russell Simmons's apt. on E.4th St. The trio is pictured leaning against the white railing with a view of the city behind them. Jam Master Jay, at left, wears light-colored denim pants and shirt, a heavy gold chain with a large medallion, and a red and blue New York Giants stocking cap. D.M.C., center, wears a black hat, sunglasses, and turtle neck, with a necklace with a medallion in the shape of a head. Run (Russell Simmons), to the right, wears a black sweatshirt and a blue New York Giants baseball cap. The photograph is signed byt he photographer on the front. There are no inscriptions on the back.

Topic: African American; Fashion; Hip hop (Music); Musicians; Photography; United States--History--1969-2001; Urban life

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2015.132.368

Restrictions & Rights: © Ricky Powell

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph of Run DMC and Jam Master Jay

Photograph by: Hamilton, James, American, founded 1946
Subject of: Run-D.M.C., American, 1981 - 2002; Jam Master Jay, American, 1965 - 2002; McDaniels, Darryl Matthews, American, born 1964; Rev. Run, American, born 1964; Kangol, British, founded 1938; Adidas AG, German, founded 1948

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Sheet): 10 15/16 × 14 in. (27.8 × 35.6 cm); H x W (Image): 8 11/16 × 12 15/16 in. (22.1 × 32.9 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints

Description: A black-and-white photograph of Jam Master Jay, DMC, and Run, pictured from left to right. DMC is pictured in the middle, wearing an Adidas track suit jacket, a Kangol bucket hat, and glasses. He looks straight at the camera. Jay and Run are pictured in profile on either side of him, both wearing fedoras. There are no inscriptions, front or back.

Topic: African American; Fashion; Hip hop (Music); Musicians; Photography

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2015.132.223

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph of Fab 5 Freddy in NYC

Photograph by: Leone, Lisa, American, born 1966
Subject of: Fab 5 Freddy, American, born 1959

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Sheet): 13 7/8 × 10 7/8 in. (35.2 × 27.6 cm); H x W (Image): 11 × 7 15/16 in. (27.9 × 20.2 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints

Place captured: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: early 1990s

Description: A black and white portrait photograph of Fab 5 Freddy.; He is turned towards the proper left side of the image. He is wearing a straw brimmed hat with a black ribbon around it. He is also wearing a button down short-sleeve shirt and a chain bracelet on his right wrist. He has a pair of glasses and a mustache. He right arm is raised in front of his face and he appears to be holding onto his tongue with his right hand.; The image has an even white border around it. The back of the photograph is white. There are tears are the top where pieces of tape used to be, and a few tiny pieces of the white tape remain.There is an inscription and a signature on the back.

Topic: African American; Hip hop (Music); Musicians; Photography; United States--History--1969-2001

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2015.132.242

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph of Big Boi of Outkast

Photograph by: Beckman, Janette, English
Subject of: Big Boi, American, born 1975; Outkast, American, founded 1992

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Sheet): 14 × 11 in. (35.6 × 27.9 cm); H x W (Image): 12 3/4 × 10 3/8 in. (32.4 × 26.4 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints; portraits

Date: 2003

Description: A black-and-white photograph of the hip hop artist, Big Boi (Antwan André Patton), of Outkast. Big Boi, pictured center, is posing facing the viewer. He is wearing a Fila track suit, a necklace with a large pendant, and a baseball cap with a depiction of a Native American on the front panel. Big Boi’s proper left hand is held at his side, while his proper right hand is raised, with his thumb and index fingers pinching the visor of his cap. On the back is an inscription written by Bill Adler with the subject and photographer's name.

Topic: African American; Fashion; Gesture; Hip hop (Music); Musicians; Photography; United States--History--2001-

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2015.132.61

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Nas, Queensborough Bridge 1993

Photograph by: Clinch, Danny, American, born 1964
Subject of: Nas, American, born 1973

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Sheet): 14 × 10 15/16 in. (35.5 × 27.8 cm); H x W (Image): 12 13/16 × 8 9/16 in. (32.6 × 21.7 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints

Place captured: Queens, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1993, printed 2004

Description: A black and white photograph of the rapper NAS below the Queensborough Bridge in New York City. Nas is pictured in the bottom right corner of the frame, with the underside of the bridge at an angle in the background. He wears a jacket with the collar turned up and a necklace with a cross medallion. The title and date are handwritten at the bottom of the photograph along with the photographer's signature. The photographer's copyright is stamped on the back.

Topic: African American; Architecture; Hip hop (Music); Musicians; Photography; United States--History--1969-2001; Urban life

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2015.132.178

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography
Exhibition: Represent: Hip Hop Photography
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Second Floor, 2 050

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Nicodemus on the Mike, U-Brown on the Spliff

Photograph by: Lesser, Beth, Canadian
Subject of: King Sturmar Roots, Jamaican; Nicodemus, Jamaican, 1957 - 1996; U-Brown, Jamaican, born 1956; Tenor Saw, Jamaican, 1966 - 1988; Manjor Manzie, Jamaican; General Jah Mikey, Jamaican

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W (Sheet): 11 × 14 in. (28 × 35.5 cm); H x W (Image): 8 11/16 × 12 7/8 in. (22 × 32.7 cm)

Type: inkjet prints

Place captured: Kingston, Jamaica, Caribbean, North and Central America

Date: 1987; printed 2004

Description: A color photograph of the dancehall sound system King Sturmar Roots in Kingston, Jamaica. Nicodemus, who is wearing a red sweater vest and performing with a microphone, is pictured in the center. To his right, U-Brown is smoking, while Major Manzie, in a camouflage print shirt, looks on; two Heineken beers are on top of the turntable case in front of them. General Jah mikey is in the background,w earing a white hat. To the left of Nicodemus, a man in a pink and white striped shirt appears to be focusing on a turntable just out of frame, whileTenor Saw, standing behind them, looks to the camera. On the back is the photographer's signature and date along with an inscription by Bill Adler identifying the subjects and place.

Topic: African American; African diaspora; Musicians; Photography; Reggae (Music); United States--History--1969-2001

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2015.132.245

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

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