[Back in the Days] [By: Shabazz, Jamel] [December, 2001]

by Jamel Shabazz

Back in the Days documents the emerging hip-hop scene from 1980-1989--before it became what is today's billion-dollar international industry. Back in the days, the streets--not the media--set the standards for style & Jamel Shabazz was on the scene, photographing everyday people. Working the streets of New York like the runways of Paris, Shabazz's subjects strike poses that flaunt their Kangol caps & Gazelle glasses, shell-top Adidas & suede Pumas complete with fat laces, shearling coats & leather jackets, gold rope chains, door-knocker earrings, name belts, boomboxes, & other assorted designer finery.

Genres: Photography, Hip Hop, Music, Art, Nonfiction, Fashion, History

Unknown Binding

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Jamel Shabazz (1960) is best known for his iconic photographs of New York City during the 1980s. A documentary, fashion, and street photographer, he has authored 12 monographs and contributed to over three dozen other photography related books. His photographs have been exhibited worldwide and his work is housed within the permanent collections of The Whitney Museum, The Studio Museum in Harlem, The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, The Fashion Institute of Technology, The Art Institute of Chicago and the Getty Museum.

Over the years, Shabazz has instructed young students at the Studio Museum in Harlem’s “Expanding the Walls” project, The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture “Teen Curator’s” program, and the Bronx Museum’s “Teen Council.” He is also the 2018 recipient of the Gordon Parks award for excellence in the arts and humanitarianism and the 2022 awardee of the Gordon Parks Foundation/Steidl book prize. Jamel is also a member of the photo collective Kamoinge, and a board member of En Foco, another photo collective. His goal as an artist is to contribute to the preservation of world history and culture.

Reviews

[Diz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book features photographs of urban youth in New York City in the formative days of hip-hop. It feels like a time capsule. I'd recommend it for anyone who is interested in hip-hop culture or fashion.

[Sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has the top shelf photos of NYC in the nascent era of hip-hop, it's short on prose, long on pose...

There are not enough words of respect I have for the photographer/author for the documentation of such a fresh and authentic era of time, caught before this movement had a chance to get self-reflective and editorial about what was just happening as life.

This book was a super dope gift from Rudy, and I will keep it in my personal library and share it with my daughter when she starts asking about hip-hop in the future.

[Winter Sophia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Photography & Art! I Truly Loved It!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure how this came to my attention (maybe in that Bibliophile book I read last year and it just took over a month to get to me from Fresno State?) but I am so happy it did. I love this kind of photography - the kind where the photographer is so very in touch with the people and places they're photographing that you can practically feel the soul shining through. Beautiful.

And, of course, all the accoutrements of the 80s are also pretty awesome. The clothing! The accessories! The glasses were sooo big! Did people really wear that many hats of such fantastic types?? I certainly wasn't in New York in the 80s, so I can't say for sure, but I was around and some of the things I saw really took me back. Mmmmm!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of Shabazz's photography is a must see for anyone interested in the development of "urban" culture, hip hop and swagger in Brooklyn circa the 1980's. If you need more convincing, check out the galleries on his website: http://jamelshabazz.com/js_bitd.html

You should also do yourself a solid and google "boys wearing new wave sunglasses"(especially if you're the kind of nerd who likes things related to Geordi La Forge and Next Gen).

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

these pictures are really cute. apparently, back in the days, couples were into holding hands and wearing matching outfits and accessories. i could get into the late 80's hand holding and public cuddle, definitely. but i dunno about matching eyewear.

[Aja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminded me of elements of my childhood. Black joy is SO very important. A must have.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful photos that represent the hip-hop scene in the 80s. Beautiful.

[Bac À Composte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Témoignage magnifique de l'avènement de la culture Hip-hop au milieu des années 80. Un livre d'histoire qui révèle la vie des afro-américains de New York à travers ces portraits de rue.

[Hamad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great photographs. Shows some of the last non-consumerist, unconventional movements in Black fashion concerned with Black pride and empowerment. Read Hebdige's 'Subculture' to get a more textual explanation behind the pictures.

[Frederic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of photographs by Jamel Shabazz from NY, documenting in the 1980s the roots of hip-hop culture. Nice introduction by Fab 5 Freddy and afterword by Shabazz, but the bulk of the book is full-page photographs (some double-page spreads) in color and B&W.

[Arespo · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this book. great photos

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an photography collection of hip hop, graffiti culture from 1980-1989. Loved it.

[Stephen Matlock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book of photos of the 70s and 80s of NYC. Fashion and style and "cool" -- lots of fun.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super dope.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The opposite of candid, it turns out, is fascinating. All these people-tableaus. All this arm folding. And so many exquisitely choreographed page-spreads.

[Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

love love love these photos!

[Twyla · Rating 4 out of 5]

great photos. lots that you've seen before. I've bought this book 3 times and it keeps getting 'borrowed'. keep this one somewhere safe!

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

"New York City ... where else could I get away with this shit..."