Jamel Shabazz: Street Photographer Charlie Ahearn’s new film retraces a moment in New York style
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    Culture & Lifestyles

    Jamel Shabazz: Street Photographer

    Charlie Ahearn’s new film retraces a moment in New York style

    As a teenage photographer in early 80s East Flatbush, Brooklyn, Jamel Shabazz set out to document the then nascent movement of hip-hop. Through the iconic style of his MCs, neighborhood kids and gang members, the unequivocal attitude of New York’s youth was recognized as the calling card of the city’s creative renaissance. Published in 2001, Shabazz’ first book Back In The Days was celebrated as an exhilarating snapshot of the times, and his visual flair has been brought to life in a new documentary by the legendary hip-hop historian and director, Charlie Ahearn, previewed in today’s exclusive clip. “On the cover of Jamel’s book were two young men on 42nd Street. They were captured posing in such strong form as a kind of respectful bulwark against all the chaos that you see around them on ‘The Deuce,’” explains Ahearn, the notable filmmaker also responsible for the classic old-school movie, Wild Style. “I immediately knew that here was an original artist for our time.” Co-produced by Kenzo Digital and enjoying its world premiere in Brooklyn this weekend before traveling to Portland, Seattle and San Francisco next month, Jamel Shabazz Street Photographer is both a trip down memory lane featuring NYC luminaries Fab Five Freddy and Bobbito Garcia, and a discovery of the inspirations and craft behind the titular influencer's urban lens.

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    Jamel Shabazz: Street Photographer

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