While the fledgling hip hop culture was still in its infancy during the 1970s, few knew it would become the global phenomenon it eventually morphed into during the succeeding decades. One Bronx-native just happened to be in tune, and began visually documenting its artistic aspects simply for the love, unknowingly also capturing its history. While doing so, Joe Conzo, 61, has become recognized as one of the genre’s premier photographers.
“I didn’t do it on purpose,” he tells the AmNews. “It happened organically. I love taking pictures of my neighborhood.”
His stepfather gave him his first camera at around 10 years old, which sparked his interest, as he flicked away at family functions. “Thankfully my parents supported my love for photography,” he says.
Coming of age during the 1970s at the South Bronx’s Jackson Houses and Michelangelo Apartments, he was right in the hub where it was bubbling, with “true skool” artists DJ AJ and Phase 2 residing there, as well as Mean Machine from nearby Patterson Projects.
While attending South Bronx High School in the late 70s, he formed alliances with DJ Toney Tone & Easy A.D. as they were establishing the almighty Cold Crush Brothers, and became an honorary member of the legendary MC crew, whom he still tours with til this day. He began capturing their local festivities and was meeting “all the bricklayers of hip hop culture.”
He’d attend various block parties, park and street jams, as well as events at school gymnasiums and playgrounds. Additionally, he began covering the Zulu Nation anniversaries. He was capturing the music, b-boys dancing, and graffiti in the streets before corporate America got involved.
“It wasn’t in the clubs yet,” he recalled. “It was still in the park and community centers.”
Slowly, artists began performing at venues such as Danceteria, Negril’s, the Roxy, the Garage, and Disco Fever. The first major events he covered were the Cold Crash Brothers at the T Connection in 1979, and their legendary 1981 battle versus the Fantastic Five at Harlem World.
He’s photographed “The Soul Sonic Force, Funky Four +1, Fearless Four, Kool Herc, all the founding fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters of Hip Hop culture.”
His first published photo appeared in the New York Post, of actor Paul Newman on the set of filming “Fort Apache The Bronx” in 1981. He began receiving requests to cover various events from his unique street perspective. His flicks were featured in many European magazines, which were mesmerized with the sublevel culture.
He’s documented numerous concerts and events like LL Cool J’s Rock The Bells and SummerStage, as well as movies and video shoots, and his work has been featured in countless magazines and more than 100 books.
“I didn’t have anyone to look up to,” he said. “I’ve been all over the world. All just because I took pictures.”
Hip hop historian Bill Adler said, “Joe Conzo is the greatest hip hop photographer of all because he came from within the culture.”
Along with his lens-men brethren, Ernie Panicolli and Jamel Shabazz, they have helped bring street culture to the general public.
“We all travel and do exhibitions together. We’re a tight group of friends,” Conzo says. “Without our photographs there would be no history of the early days of the culture.”
As technology advanced and film became obsolete, he also went digital. “You gotta adapt with the times.” He released his book “Born in the Bronx: A Visual Record of the Early Days of Hip Hop” in 2005, and is still doing exhibitions.
“Hip hop is a culture, a way of living I love and subscribe to everyday,” he concludes. “I’m grateful to what I contributed and people respect my work. If people loved the culture how I do, the world would be a better place. “
For more on Conzo’s work, follow @joeconzo on all social media platforms.
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