Chi Modu: The Man Behind Hip-Hop's Most Iconic Photos

For anyone familiar with the golden era of 1990s hip-hop, certain images are instantly recognizable: The Notorious B.I.G., commanding and calm with the Twin Towers in the background. Tupac Shakur, arms raised, eyes shut, smoke curling upward. Eazy-E, posed like a king atop his lowrider. These iconic moments, along with countless others, were captured by Chi Modu—a photographer who brought the soul of hip-hop to life through his lens.

Born in Nigeria in 1966 and raised in New Jersey, he developed his passion for photography during college. A gifted storyteller, he combined his education in agribusiness economics with a certificate in photojournalism from the International Center of Photography, ultimately finding his calling in documenting hip-hop culture.

Modu joined The Source magazine in the early 1990s, just as hip-hop was transitioning from a grassroots movement to a global force. For many artists, Modu was the first professional photographer they encountered, and his approach was grounded in trust and collaboration.

“My mission was always to ensure that someone from the hip-hop community was documenting it,” Modu said in an interview. His focus on authenticity gave rise to some of the most defining images of the era, from album covers like Mobb Deep’s The Infamous… to promotional campaigns like Bad Boy Records’ iconic “B.I.G. Mack.”

Chi Modu’s work went beyond traditional photojournalism. In the 2010s, he spearheaded public art projects like the “Uncategorized” billboard series, bringing his hip-hop photography to audiences around the world. This initiative reflected his belief that art should be accessible to everyone, not just confined to galleries.

Modu also retained the rights to his work, ensuring his photographs would remain under his control. Through collaborations with brands and exhibitions, he introduced his iconic images to new generations.

Chi Modu passed away from cancer in 2021, at the age of 54.

©HI - All images © Chi Modu

All images are copyrighted by Chi Modu. Rights are owned and controlled by the estate of Chi Modu