FIFTY24SF Gallery, in association with Upper Playground, are pleased
to announce West Coast Hip-Hop: A History in Pictures, a special
two-day exhibition and book signing featuring the iconic hip-hop
photos of Los Angeles photographer, Michael Miller. The exhibition
opens Friday, April 27, 2012, followed by a special book signing of
Miller’s West Coast Hip-Hop: A History in Pictures on Saturday, April
28 from 2—4pm.

Michael Miller’s photographs capture a unique era of West Coast
culture, combining the emerging genres of gangster rap, skateboard
culture, Los Angeles street culture, and the iconic personalities who
help turn West Coast rap into a global phenomenon. Capturing intimate
portraits of hip-hop legends 2pac, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Eazy-E,
Cypress Hill, as well as iconic advertising campaigns with street
fashion giant, Stussy, Michael Miller photographs hearken back to a
pivotal moment in history where he took rap, surf, skate, punk, and
street fashion fused into one image. The Los Angeles-based
photographer has worked in the entertainment and music industry for
over 25 years, with a portfolio of over 300 major record covers,
iconic supermodels of the ‘90s, and some of the biggest names in rap
and jazz.

Influenced by the techniques of Peter Lindberg, Paulo Roversi and
Javier Vallhonrat, Miller has developed a unique method of
cross-processing film and different chemical baths for his black and
white photographs. A graduate of UCLA with a B.A. in Film and
Television, Miller moved to Paris and met top agent Rene Bosne. With
Bosne’s mentorship, Miller began to shoot photographs, gradually
gaining jobs shooting models for John Casablancas’ agency. After
moving to Barcelona to shoot campaigns for Cacharel Paris, Miller
returned to Los Angeles in 1988 to shoot for Herb Ritts’ agency,
Visages. Gaining recognition within the fashion industry, the music
world took notice, and by the end of 1988, Miller photographed his
first rapper, Arabian Prince.

For West Coast Hip-Hop: A History in Pictures at FIFTY24SF Gallery,
Michael Miller will be presenting a series of his iconic early 1990’s
hip-hop photographs, including numerous photos of 2pac, Ice Cube,
Eazy-E, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, as well as photos of unique historical
perspectives on Los Angeles street culture. On Saturday, April 28,
from 2—4PM, Miller will be signing copies of his West Coast Hip-Hop: A
History in Pictures at our FIFTY24SF Gallery.

The exhibition will be on display from April 27—28. 2012, with a
special book signing event on Saturday, April 28 from 2—4 pm. The book
is Miller’s West Coast Hip-Hop: A History in Pictures collection.