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photography by Jamel Shabazz, text by Ernie Paniccioli
"One can probably overplay the mysterious workings of that strung out spirit of the age, the zeitgeist. But occasionally a book or a movie or a song comes along whose influence springs up simultaneously in all kinds of unexpected places. 'Back in the Days' is that book." —Guy Trebay, The New York Times "Sunday Styles"
"The Arts: Jamel Shabazz. Back in the Days is a landmark photo book, all the more disarming for its unpretentiousness....Shabazz has captured urban culture, especially hip hop's infancy, at its most stylishly assured. His guileless subjects strut as upon a stage, light years from the self-important, and more materialistic, present. Keep it real." —Vibe, Hot 100 Issue
"'I didn't know the majority of the people I shot, but when I started, I was taking photos of everyone I knew. When I began to venture out of my neighborhood to other boroughs where I didn't know anyone. I saw the uniqueness in people. I pretty much studied their body language and I would compliment them and say, "I see greatness in you." Then I would show them my portfolio and they were open. It was just taking a picture and that's it; I made a point to stress the importance of education, staying off drugs and planning for the future. When I look at my book, I remember conversations with every one of them. I always left with something positive.'" —Jamel Shabazz tells The Source
"Biting, intensely sensual, and concerned, Shabazz invests his documentary work with a deeply ingrained conviction and affection for the diverse lifestyles of his community." —George Pitts, Vibe
"For those who got into hip-hop late in the game or who want to remind themselves of what their scene was like...Shabazz's work proves to be a previous resource." —Claude Grunitzky, Trace
"A singular voice in the tradition of American documentary photography, Jamel Shabazz' intimate, personal portraits record not just the faces of young African Americans growing up in New York, but also document the advent of the most influential American cultural phenomenon of the twentieth century. Jamel Shabazz' decisive moment was the birth of hip-hop culture." —Eddie Brannan, The Fader
"One of the country's most important hip-hop photographers doesn't take pictures of rappers. Since 1980, Jamel Shabazz has been capturing people in the act of reinventing themselves. In Shabazz's lens, the hip-hop revolution of the 1980s is a riot of new clothes, new styles, new ideas. His subjects look straight at the camera, striking poses—chin up, elbows out—that turn sidewalks into catwalks." —Kelefah Sanneh, Transition
"Back in the Days is just beautiful. The kids in it look cool in their satin jackets and matching puffy laces; they look really cool in that way kids today hardly ever do..." —Vogue
"Shabazz's book of photos, 'Back in the Days' has become a cult favorite of the nostalgic for the fashion innovation that preceded today's wholesale 'bling-bling' world." —Los Angeles Times, Style Section
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