Chi Modu; [Ice-T]

The Estate of Chi Modu

From Ice-T’s photoshoot for the April 1996 cover of The Source.

Chi first picked up a camera while a student at Rutgers. After honing his skills at the International Center of Photography, he landed at The Source—the definitive magazine documenting hip hop culture. It was at Source that Chi developed relationships with Hip Hop's biggest icons before many of them were even famous, from Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. to Mary J. Blige and LL Cool J.

In addition to shooting over 30 cover photos at The Source, Chi was able to capture the musicians in candid, unexpected moments through his disarming manner and unique perspective. His photos include some of the most groundbreaking, memorable images of the era, including Tupac Shakur Smoking, 1994 and Notorious B.I.G. in front of the World Trade Towers, 1996. Now considered a global force in the world of photography, Chi not only chronicled and defined the most important phase of the Hip Hop movement, but he also was able to define the artists as individuals, emphasizing their real personalities over their often one-dimensional celebrity persons.