ADVERTISEMENT From Eminem getting tattooed during his Slim Shady era to a blinged-out Mike Tyson living it up on a lavish Vegas trip, a new photography exhibition opening at London’s Saatchi Gallery pays tribute to hip hop in all its vibrant forms.
Having already made waves in Cologne, the Hip Hop: Living A Dream show brings together the work of three celebrated American photographers – Jamel Shabazz, Joseph Rodriguez, and Gregory Bojorquez – to offer a visual journey across the East Coast, West Coast, and beyond.
The music, the fashion, the attitude, the lifestyle – it’s all on display across two large spaces in the prestigious London gallery.
Here we can see the culture’s early roots – what began as a niche movement in 1970s New York, and has since exploded into the world’s dominant genre, reshaping global music and pop culture.
At the show’s opening Bojorquez shared with Euronews Culture: “I started out at underground hip hop shows – small places where I didn’t need a press pass. There weren’t a lot of people photographing back then, so I started getting calls from record labels, magazines, and artists themselves. I just tried to do the best job I could, every time.”
Reflecting on his remarkable career he added: “These artists, now global icons, were still part of a subculture. I could hear the raw talent even then – it just took the world some time to catch up.”
Bene Taschen, the gallery owner, emphasises the global impact of hip hop: “Hip hop started over 50 years ago, and its influence is truly worldwide. It’s not just music – it’s fashion, lifestyle, and art. It has inspired millions, probably billions, across generations.”
Walking through the exhibition, you’ll see wonderfully intimate portraits of some of the most iconic figures in hip hop history – Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Outkast, DMX and 50 Cent – alongside everyday fans whose passion helped make the beloved genre what it is today.
And best of all, admission to the exhibition is completely free. It runs until 10 September 2025 and is well worth a visit.
Check out the video above to see inside the exhibition and hear some of the incredible stories behind Gregory Bojorquez’s most iconic photographs.
