East Harlem-native Kenneth “C.J.” Bazemore has been visually capturing Harlem and hip-hophistory for a number of many years. He has been instrumental in photographing the native New York hip-hop music scene, and documenting the style extra broadly.
“I all the time wished to be a photographer,” he stated. “God put the digicam in my hand to get off the streets. Pictures saved my life.”
He purchased his first digicam, a Canon 81, out of a neighborhood pawn store in the course of the early Nineties, and hasn’t stopped since. He developed his craft as a method to keep away from the numerous pitfalls which surrounded him, and simply began taking images of his neighbors in Wagner Homes and charging $2 per flick.“Not for the cash, simply to develop the photographs,” he defined. He grew to become well-known regionally and shortly was requested to cowl occasions like weddings, and Candy 16s. His photographer good friend, T.C., from close by Lincoln Homes began bringing him to the Apollo Theater to take photos of celebrities. Bernard labored on the Apollo and gave us entry,”Bazemore added. And when Spike Lee was filming “Malcolm X” Third Ave. within the early Nineties, Bazemore began to seize a number of the actors, and develop his craft.Quickly thereafter, he started heading to varied video shoots along with his digicam to flex his lens, and make contacts. A video shoot for a tune off Jay Z’s debut album, Affordable Doubt, and Massive Pun’s funeral have been memorable moments for him.“I’d go and take photos of the bodyguards with the celebrities and inform them it’s for his or her portfolios,” Bazemore explains.“Then I’d give them the photographs and they might grant me entry to occasions.”A number of of his images from Puns funeral have been prominently featured in The Supply Journal the next subject, opening many doorways for him. Bazemore’s images have additionally been featured in F.E.D.S. Journal, Felon Journal, and Excessive Instances, and the and Amsterdam Information. Bazemore recalled bumping into the long-lasting lens man, Gordon Parks, early in his profession and asking him for some recommendation.“He stated, ‘Simply shoot what you like,’”Bazemore started.“At first I didn’t get it, however as time went on I understood what he meant.”His finger bought set off comfortable and he started taking pictures many distinguished artists of that period onward. “Title them and I bought them:Jay Z,Busta Rhymes,Black Rob,Kanye,Grandmaster Caz,DJ Hollywood,Crash Crew,Rakim, Cam’ron, Ma$e Dip Set, Puffy,Biggie,Pink Alert. I bought all of them!”Bazemore additionally talked about lately doing a shoot with Grandmaster Melle Mel, the significance of inspiring youthful generations, and by no means forgetting the place you got here from.“It’s not even work. It’s a chance to have enjoyable,”Bazemore stated “The digicam took me to locations I by no means thought I’d be. Hip-hop ought to be documented cuz it modified lots of people’s lives.We have been capable of inform our story and it’s essential to doc it. I give again with pictures.”
