The world that prolific New York City photographer Ricky Powell has inhabited over the years is unlike any world we've ever encountered. Sitting at the intersection of the birth of hip-hop, punk, graffiti, pop art, fashion, and New York's unique underground culture, Powell captured some of the most iconic photographs of some of our most beloved tastemakers from behind his film camera.
In his new book, The Indivisualist, which was released back in September, Powell shares dozens of never-before-seen photos of everyone from the Beastie Boys, RUN DMC, and LL Cool J, to Andy Warhol, Basquiat, and Keith Haring. But the vast collection includes much more than just the celebrity names he's rubbed elbows with throughout his career. There's an astonishing range and mix of people captured by Ricky: musicians, actors, artists, comedians, athletes and homeless folks. Boldface names and everyday people.
"His portfolio embraces humans of every race, gender and age, all of them drawn to New York, NY because it has always been— and remains—the world capital of individualism; a city of maximum freedom and opportunity, equal parts glamour and grit," says Powell's colleague Bill Adler.
