Powell's career began in 1985, when armed only with instamatic camera and his unparalleled wit, he smooth talked his way into a spot on the Raising Hell Tour bus with neighborhood up-and-comers The Beastie Boys and Run-DMC. His outstanding work du...ring that period allowed him unlimited access to every notable name in the early hip-hop scene and opened the door for him to join notable tours such as License to Ill in ‘87, Together Forever, Check Your Head in '92, and Lollapalooza '94. The images he captured while on the road and back at home, as Def Jam's official unofficial lensman, are today instantly recognizable and can only be described as iconic within the genre.
Ricky Powell has photographed some of the best known rap and hip hop artists of all time. From old school rappers Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Run DMC and LL Cool J to some of the biggest stars today including Madonna.
Born and raised in New York City, his work has been published in The New York Times, the New York Post, the Daily News, The Village Voice, Mass Appeal, Time, Wax Poetics, Newsweek, VIBE, The Source, Rolling Stone, Grand Royal and many other publications.. Powell was recently the guest editor of Chapter 43 for the Frank 151 Book Series & his work is currently featured at Rock Paper Photo dot com.
