Hip hop photography book: "Beyond South Central": Rap legends N.W.A. as seen thru the lens of Ithaka Darin Pappas (1988-1990)

 

Beyond South Central: Rap legends N.W.A. as seen thru the lens of Ithaka Darin Pappas (1988-1990) 

The second edition of the 2016 photography book Beyond South Central (Sweatlodge Publishing) is now available on amazon.com. The book is the result of the three years Ithaka Darin Pappas freelanced for Priority Records, capturing the primary imagery of N.W.A., documenting almost the entire lifespan of the group, from their obscure South Central beginnings to their meteoric rise to controversial super-stardom. This publication includes iconic images such as The Miracle Mile Shot, The Bleacher Shot, Backstage In Phoenix and also rarely seen candid images of Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Eazy E, MC Ren, DJ Yella and The D.O.C.

Ithaka Darin Pappas began experimenting with his father's 35mm and medium-format film cameras as early as age 5. He started assisting professional photographers immediately after high school, and within a year, began publishing much of his own work. Perhaps the most published (and republished) commercial photographic works by IDP are his early archival images of the influential LA Gangsta rap group NWA. Pappas worked for the West Coast record label Priority Records between 1988 and 1991 and documented almost the entire lifespan of the group, from their obscure South Central beginnings to their meteoric rise to controversial super-stardom.

Indian-American Oscar Winner, Joseph Patel, To Direct "Contact High" Documentary

Patel in 2019, shown with the image "Skate Outta Compton" (Eazy E photographed by Ithaka Darin Pappas in 1989 from the book, Contact High: A Visual History Of Hip Hop). Indian-American Oscar Winner, Joseph Patel (producer of Best Documentary project Summer Of Soul, To Direct Contact High Documentary Popular book “Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop” is headed to the screen as a documentary. Universal Music Group’s Mercury Studios and Republic Records’ Federal Films, along with Jupiter Entertainment, are behind the adaptation. Joseph Patel is tapped to direct; Jupiter’s Patrick Reardon, Federal Films’ Chris Blackwell and Dana Sano, and Barak Moffitt and Daniel Seliger of Mercury Studios, along with “Contact High” author Vikki Tobak, will executive produce, along with Fred Brathwaite (aka Fab 5 Freddy). The 2018 photo book chronicles the rise of hip-hop from the music of the streets to commercial success through outtakes from more than 100 photo shoots. Likewise the doc will utilize contact sheets, stylized set pieces and archival interviews in telling the story visually. SOURCE VARIETY: https://variety.com/2021/film/news/contact-high-hip-hop-book-documentary-1235049534/

Eazy E: "King Of West Coast Rap" Tee (Target). Photo by Ithaka Darin Pappas

Pay tribute to the king of West Coast rap with the Men's Eazy-E Short Sleeve T-Shirt. This white cotton short sleeve tee featuring the historic 1988 photograph "Eazy On The Mic" by Ithaka Darin Pappas has a regular crew neck and a print of the legend in black & white. Made of cotton, you can wear it any time of the year, just pair it with a jacket during winters so you can show off to everyone what real rap is. NOW AVAILABLE AT TARGET! https://www.target.com/p/men-s-eazy-e-short-sleeve-t-shirt-white/-/A-80825028

"Eazy On The Mic" 1988 Portrait of Eazy E by Ithaka Darin Pappas

"Eazy On The Mic" 1988 Portrait of Eazy E by Ithaka Darin Pappas

Infamous Eazy-E Skate Shot by Ithaka Darin Pappas featured in HYPEBEAST (Contact High exhibit at The Annenberg)

https://hypebeast.com/2019/5/contact-high-a-visual-history-of-hip-hop-exhibition

Eazy-E, el primer rapero de skate en la historia.

Inspirado en el venerado libro del mismo nombre, "CONTACT HIGH: A Visual History" es una exposición fotográfica masiva que destaca 140 obras raras de 60 aclamados fotógrafos en la industria de la música curada por Vikki Tobak.

En una exhibición en el Espacio de Fotografía de Annenberg, la extensa presentación celebra el trabajo de fotógrafos de hip-hop como Barron Claiborne, Brian “B +” Cross, Eric Coleman, Estevan Oriol, Janette Beckman, Ithaka Darin Pappas entre otros. Los aspectos más destacados incluyen el icónico Notorious B.I.G. de Barron Claiborne. retratos e instantáneas de retrocesos de Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar y Kanye West antes de que se convirtieran en grandes nombres; Las fotos de Janette Beckman de Salt-N-Pepa; así como los conocimientos sobre el enfoque documental de Jamel Shabazz y Gordon Parks para fotografiar la cultura hip-hop.

Acompañan las fotografías videos de archivo, recuerdos y música para demostrar "cómo la documentación de un fenómeno cultural afecta la política, la cultura y los movimientos sociales en todo el mundo", según el instituto. Por no mencionar, una tienda de discos emergente que vende discos de vinilo raros también forma parte del escaparate.

Vea los trabajos seleccionados arriba y luego visite el sitio web oficial de Annenberg Space for Photography para obtener más información. La exposición estará abierta hasta el 18 de agosto.

El espacio de Annenberg para la fotografía
2000 avenida de las estrellas
Los Angeles, CA 90067

Fab 5 Freddy Talks Eazy E Skateboarding in '89 and Ithaka's pics in the exhibit Contact High Exhibit (VLADTV)

See Video Here: Fab 5 Freddy (VLADTV) 

Talks Eazy E Skateboarding 

in Venice and Ithaka pics in Contact High Exhibit

On May 15th the legendary Fab 5 Freddy spoke to DJ Vlad (VLADTV) about the early days of YO! MTV Raps, his NetFlix documentary The Grass Is Greener and about Ithaka Darin Pappas' historic images of Eazy E, being hip hop's very first skateboarder being shown at the exhibit Contact High: A Visual History of Hip Hop (Curated by: Vikki Tobak) 

Full Interview at these links:

            Part 1 (Fab 5 on VladTV): youtube.com/watch?v=0ztlV...

   Part 2 (Fab 5 on VladTV): youtu.be/MCtqoFYBym0

Part 3(Fab 5 on VladTV): youtu.be/dXK4m4xaIhs

Part 4(Fab 5 on VladTV): youtu.be/8Wa-xktCN34

Part 5(Fab 5 on VladTV): youtu.be/2J0-3iVwJEM

  Part 6(Fab 5 on VladTV): youtu.be/uZw4bn_n1MU

EAZY E - Five Pictures That Transformed The Demographic Of Both Of Both Hip Hip and Skateboarding - Photos: Ithaka Darin Pappas

Eazy E - SKATE OUTTA COMPTON - Hip Hop's First Skateboarder, Venice Beach 1989 / photographed by Ithaka Darin Pappas @_ithaka_  [][] Book: Contact High A Visual History Of Hip Hop.EXTREMELY RARE These are the only photos in existence of Eazy E skate boarding https://www.amazon.com/Contact-High-Visual-History-Hip-Hop/dp/0525573887
https://www.complex.com/sports/2013/08/history-rappers-skateboard/murs
https://studio.youtube.com/video/6BA4MOlA2BU/edit

Eric "Eazy-E" Wright was a hip-hop visionary who never got the credit he deserved for turning rap into an international phenomenon (though 2015's Straight Outta Compton biopic went a long way toward rehabilitating his legacy). Well, he was a visionary in other ways, too. Decades before it became commonplace for every rapper to have a skateboard or two in his closet, Eazy was practicing kickflips with his young son on the streets of Compton.

At a time when skateboarding was dominated by white kids listening to punk - and the hip hop community disregarded anything related to skate or surf, Eazy E paved the way.

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/miranda/la-et-cam-datebook-contact-high-annenberg-story.html

Extremely Rare Photo of Eazy E Skateboarding by Ithaka Darin Pappas now on Exhibit at "Contact High" hosted by The Annenberg Space For Photography
“Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop,” at the Annenberg Space for Photography. A new group show organized by author Vikki Tobak looks at the work of photographers who chronicled the rise of hip-hop, with famous prints (like the iconic portrait of Biggie Smalls in a crown by Barron Claiborne) as well as unedited contact sheets and other images of key musical figures from the genre, including Eazy-E, Jay-Z and Salt-N-Pepa. Tobak is the author of the bestselling book on which the exhibit is based. Opens Friday and runs through Aug. 18. 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Century City, AnnenbergPhotoSpace.org.

#eazye #hiphop #skateboarding #ithakadarinpappas #NWA

General Admission Magazine:
Tell us about the cover photo and how you got to that point with N.W.A?
Ithaka Darin Pappas: At the time I was working for Priority Records. I was their main freelance photographer during this period and I had photographed N.W.A. probably more than any other photographer. This particular day was a shoot for MTV and they were doing a little culture clash unite between this pop group Kris Kross and N.W.A. Kris Kross came down and we all met in Venice. Fab 5 Freddy did the interview, an old-school artist and hip-hopper from New York. After the Kris Kross bailed we all walked down to the skate area down there on the beach at Venice. Eazy grabbed some kid's skateboard and took off. I'd already been working with this crew for probably almost two years and I'd never even heard the word skate board came out of anybody's mouth, or surfing, or anything like that. It was a shock to me, and he'd obviously spent some time on a skateboard because he knew what he was doing.

General Admission Magazine: He could skate?
Ithaka Darin Pappas: Yes. He was confident on it. One thing we've learned from this photo is Eazy is a goofyfooter. (Ed’s note: Goofyfoot is the type of stance a surfer or skater is defined by)

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/ithaka/69363540
https://store.cdbaby.com/artist/Ithaka2
https://www.instagram.com/_ithaka_/?hl=en
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5225987/
https://thehundreds.com/blogs/content/ithaka-interview
https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ithaka
http://upmagazine-tap.com/en/pt_artigos/ithaka-2/

Eazy E "Skate Outta Compton" (The only Photos of Eazy E Actually Skateboarding In Existence!) Photos: Ithaka Darin Pappas

Eazy E "Skate Out Of Compton" 

(The only photographs of Eazy E skateboarding in existence!) Photos by: Ithaka Darin Pappas 

As they appear in the book: 

Contact High: A Visual History Of Hip Hop by Vikki Tobak

Extremely Rare Eazy E Photograph By Ithaka Darin Pappas Exhibited At 2017 Photoville

[Contact High: Hip-Hop’s Iconic Photographs and Visual Culture]

Rapper, Eazy E skateboarding in Venice Beach, California Feb. 24th 1989 - photographed by:Ithaka Darin Pappas

Presented by
Contact High with support from Mass Appeal and Invictus Black

Curated by
Vikki Tobak; Associate curator: Syreeta Gates

“Contact High” spotlights the photographers who have played critical roles in bringing hip-hop and music culture imagery onto the global stage. Photographers share their era-defining stories’ iconic images, what legendary street photographer Henri Cartier Bresson called ‘The Decisive Moment’. “Contact High” offers a rare glimpse into the creative process and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the imagery that shaped hip-hop and music visual culture. Getting access to the original and unedited contact sheets, we see the ‘big picture’ visual legacy being created. Contact sheets let you look directly through the photographer’s lens and observe all of the other shots taken during these legendary moments.
Hip-hop and rebel cultures have always been about self-definition, especially when it comes to visuals and style. For artists, that one iconic pose, press shot or album cover would play a major role in shaping them into icons by any means necessary—skills, style, swagger, bravado and visuals. Today, the way we digest and create cultural imagery has radically changed. Today’s visual landscape is haphazardly shaped from every direction. The contact sheets reveal how photographers shaped the evolution of a visual cultural phenomenon.
Let’s get analogue for a minute. Contrary to the iPhone’s dominance, film is not dead. In fact, there’s a whole movement of analogue film photographers hashtag bragging: #FilmIsNotDead #35mm #ishootfilm #analogphotography #analogvibes… the list goes on. In this digital age of Instagram and Photoshop, it’s easy to hide imperfections. Analog film reveals beauty and individuality by exposing imperfection and process. There is individualism and eccentricity in every shot, like the dust and grooves of vinyl records. Photographers typically don’t show their contact sheets. It’s their visual diary. Not every shot worked, in fact, most didn’t. Back when every photo was methodically shot on analog film, the negatives on a roll of film would be contact printed on photographic paper allowing you to see the full range of images that would eventually develop into the ‘money shot’.

ORGANIZATION BIO

“Contact High: Hip-Hop’s Iconic Photographs and Visual Culture” spotlights the photographers who have played critical roles in bringing hip-hop and music culture imagery onto the global stage.
The exhibition encompass more than 40 years of history and celebrates what and how photographers saw as hip-hop evolved into a global force. Coinciding with the publication of “Contact High: Hip-Hop’s Iconic Photographs and Visual Culture” (Clarkson Potter/Penguin Random House) to be published fall 2018.

Source: http://photoville.com/contact-high-hip-hops-iconic-photographs-visual-culture/