As a huge fan of hip hop in the '80s and '90s, the scene profoundly influenced how I saw life, how I dressed and it deepened my appreciation for the contributions of black culture to the world. Growing up in the UK, I was drawn to subculture shows like The Word and especially Dance Energy hosted by Normski, which gave a platform to hip hop and alternative music that mainstream entertainment overlooked or ignored. These shows gave a platform for both British and American hip hop and dance acts that were shaping our culture. So, it was a true honour to host an event at Wimbledon Library celebrating Normski’s latest book, The Man with the Golden Shutter. This incredible photography book by Normski’s captures and documents the rise of British black culture and the music scene in the '80s and '90s. Through his lens, he immortalised some iconic moments with acts like Public Enemy, Demon Boyz, Ice Cube and Goldie. I could even go as far to say that Normski probably was the only photographer to document London's hip-hop/soul scene.
It was a pleasure to host and interview my friend Normski, but most importantly to hear the stories behind his photos and to be inspired by his passion and love for photography and music. You can buy the book here: The Man with the Golden Shutter.
Normski's The Man with the Golden Shutter: Saturday 3rd August 2024 at Wimbledon Library (Merton Arts Space) from 6:30pm - 9:30pm.
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