Yo! The Early Days of Hip Hop 1982–84: Photography by Sophie Bramly

by Sophie Bramly

The birth of hip hop in New rare images of the bands, the MCs and DJs, the artists and the fans, from Afrika Bambaataa and Run-DMC to Keith Haring and the Rock Steady Crew This book features more than 150 rarely seen images documenting the rise of hip hop in the early 1980s, taken by French photographer Sophie Bramly. Bramly lived in New York during this period and became firmly embedded in the emergent scene. The book features many stunning, intimate images of a star-studded roll call of legendary hip hop figures, all of whom were only just getting known or in their ascendency. These include Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmixer DST, Jazzy Jay, Red Alert, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Kurtis Blow, Lisa Lee, the Fat Boys, Run-DMC, Beastie Boys and many more.

Bramly knew that hip hop was becoming a cultural force rather than just a musical fashion, and spent many hours photographing the four essential elements of this new the emcees, the deejays, the graffiti artists and the break dancers. Here you will see legendary graffiti artists captured at work and play, such as Keith Haring, Dondi, Futura, Phase One, Zephyr and Lady Pink, and break dancers including members of Magnificent Force, Dynamic Breakers and the Rock Steady Crew.

Bramly’s photographs also chronicle the desolate cityscapes from which hip hop emerged; the energy of the fans who first embraced hip hop; and the crucial players behind the scenes (Bill Laswell, Bernard Zekri, Rick Rubin, Fun Gallery co-owner Patti Astor).

Finally, this book also includes a bonus section documenting the rise of hip hop in Europe. Bramly returned to France in 1984 to find herself once again at the center of a new cultural phenomenon, helping bring the first US hip hop artists to Europe, including Fab Five Freddy, Futura 2000, Rocksteady Crew and many more.

Genres: Music, Photography

208 pages, Paperback

Published January 4, 2022

Reviews

[Sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy my library had this collection of photos from the early 80s era of hip-hop.

Bramly was right in the midst of the scene, her involvement with the players of this historical time allowed access to spaces and candor I have not seen in many other photographs. Her recollection/anecdotes of the folks who were her subjects were really insightful and told as much story the photography.

If you wanted to SEE more of hip hop history this is a great place to start.

Also, best part was learning about the origin story of "break of dawn" as a catchphrase...
but yer gonna have to get the Bramly book to learn too...
hehehe.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photography of Sophie Bramly from her time in New York and Europe documenting the rise of hip hop in the early 80s.

Did you know she started what became To! MTV Raps?

The photos are great and the text is nice to read and learn a few things.

[Ulf Jørgensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great photographs. I loved this book. A lot of history of the early years of hip-hop