Event 5 (Extra Credit)

For event 5 I went to the exhibit called "Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop" at the Annenberg Space for Photography. It documented the rise of hip-hop and how it was able to spread through technology. The exhibit displayed old hip-hop photographers unedited contact sheets as well as photographs of hip-hop artists today. There was also a 30 minute documentary explaining how hip-hop disseminated. I was surprised to discover the impact that technology and art had upon hip-hop.


Hip-hop originated in the Bronx.  Without photography and digital technology, it would not have had the same influence. Before social media, in order to get people to listen to your music, you would need to have a vehicle to attract their attention, which were record covers. Young people would run to newsstands to view the artwork on the record albums. This was a way that they were first introduced to the artists. Subsequently, the images started circulating to other cities. Hip-hop eventually spread throughout the country and different cities started adding their own twist on hip-hop to make it more original. 

Over time Hip-hop music has established itself as a genre and now artists see the importance of imagery. Instagram is currently one of the most vital tools used to market artists. Without photography and now social media, hip-hop would not have globalized. The visual aspect of hip-hop is so crucial. Hip-hop is not just popular in the U.S., but is worldwide due to advancements in technology. 

Overall, I would highly suggest visiting this exhibit as it affords a completely new perspective on hip-hop. The gallery revealed many significant unknown facts as to how hip-hop popularized. Not only does the exhibit display many rare pictures, but is also very interactive and informative. I had no realization as to how important photography is in hip-hop, as well as the visual aspects behind it. I have now come to understand how technology and art  go hand in hand and play a major role in our everyday lives.

Sources:

“CONTACT HIGH: A Visual History of Hip-Hop.” Annenberg Space for Photography, www.annenbergphotospace.org/exhibits/contact-high/.

Fourquet, Laure. “Tracing Hip-Hop's Phenomenal Rise.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 23 July 2015, www.nytimes.com/2015/07/24/arts/international/tracing-hip-hops-phenomenal-rise.html.

Rowley, Glenn. “'Contact High' Photography Exhibit in LA to Showcase Intimate Visual History of Hip-Hop.” Billboard, 21 Mar. 2019, www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8503248/contact-high-photography-exhibit-la-visual-hip-hop-history.

Staff, DX. “Digitally Divided: Technology's Impact On Hip Hop Music & Culture.” HipHopDX, HipHopDX, 17 May 2013, hiphopdx.com/editorials/id.2109/title.digitally-divided-technologys-impact-on-hip-hop-music-culture.

“The Emergence of Hip-Hop.” The Paley Center for Media, www.paleycenter.org/the-emergence-of-hip-hop/.