Photographer Janette Beckman shoots for clients like Esquire and Sony, and has been exhibited internationally (we also took a look at some of her other work over here), but we’re happily fixated on her powerful portraits of pioneering hip hop artists like Afrika Bambaataa, A Tribe Called Quest, and many more. The award-winning artist hails from London and currently works in New York — where she moved in 1982 and was instantly drawn to the underground hip hop scene. Her work has been integral in documenting the roots of the genre from its earliest days, perfectly capturing the attitude and style of the times. Please visit her blog to keep up to date with her current work — which is equally impressive — and visit our gallery past the break for a closer look.
Image credit: Janette Beckman
LL Cool J
Image credit: Janette Beckman
Eazy-E
Image credit: Janette Beckman
Slick Rick
Image credit: Janette Beckman
EPMD
Image credit: Janette Beckman
A Tribe Called Quest
Image credit: Janette Beckman
Run–D.M.C.
Image credit: Janette Beckman
KRS-One and Scott La Rock
Image credit: Janette Beckman
Afrika Bambaataa