Sedgwick & Cedar

February 6th – Hip-Hop photographer Joe Conzo Jr. was born in The Bronx, New York, on this day in 1963.

Conzo, who studied photography from a young age and eventually at The School Of Visual Arts in New York City, grew up and went to school with some of the members of The Cold Crush Brothers and eventually became their official photographer and shot the pioneering rap group in the mid-1970`s and early 1980`s capturing the first historical moments of hip-hop.

Conzo would also go on to shoot The Treacherous 3, The Fearless Four and The Fantastic 5 in early historical venues such as The Roxy, Harlem World and Ecstasy Garage.
Conzo also shot historical photographs of Kurtis Blow, Afrika Bambaataa and hip-hop founder DJ Kool Herc.

Conzo’s father Joe Conzo Sr. was a close friend of Latin music legend Tito Puente, who Conzo also shot extensively as well.

Conzo’s photographs have appeared in films, books and in exhibits around the world, most notably at The Schomburg Center For Research In Black Culture in New York City.

Conzo continues to photograph hip-hop artists today and most recently shot pictures of the recent Occupy: Wall Street protest.

• Posted on: Feb 7, 2012

We celebrate the life of Don Cornelius a true pioneer, an innovator, and a trailblazer. He was the first African-American to create, produce, host and more importantly OWN his own television show. Cornelius who launched Soul Train in 1971 with his cool, mellow baritone voice, stylish suits, perfect afro, paved the way for singers, musicians and dancers, giving them the ultimate platform to showcase their talents when no one else would. Before MTV, before BET, there was ‘Soul Train. There were hardly any venues at that time, especially on TV, that would give African American artists any exposure, including ‘[American] Bandstand.

Don Cornelius was responsible for discovering and nurturing numerous R&B and soul performers and created a platform for young adult people to come together, dance and have good clean fun. With the inception of ‘Soul Train,’ a young, progressive brother set the pace and worldwide standard for young aspiring African American entrepreneurs in TV. He transcended cultural barriers among young adults. They became one.

Soul Train helped to reinforce to generations of black people – not just in America, but around the world – that we too were cool, talented, and worth emulating. We too, are beautiful.

Thank you Don Cornelius for Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America!

• Posted on: Feb 3, 2012