Contact High: A Visual History of Hip Hop

MAS and Sole present “Contact High”, – a visual exhibition of hip-hop culture and history, starting on December 15 onwards, at Manarat Al Saadiyat.

“Contact High: A Visual History of Hip Hop” is a new photography exhibition expressing the power of hip-hop. It gives fans of this genre an inside look at the work of big-name hip hop photographers as told through albums, photographs, magazine covers, and memorabilia ranging over 4 decades.

The photographs will be displayed alongside original contact sheets, which will give an intimate look that is rarely seen by the public. It will help to immerse into photographers’ journey and see the artists in front of the camera alike.

Contact High: a Visual History of Hip Hop features:

• 200+ images of hip-hop’s biggest names;
• Rare outtakes from 100+ photoshoots alongside interviews and essays;
• Photocards of Kanye West, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Megan Thee Stallion, MF Doom, Cardi B, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, Queen Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa, and the legendary American rapper Notorious B.I.G.

This is Contact High‘s first global stop outside the United States and now it is reimagined for the UAE. The exhibition aims to celebrate the prominence of the genre. Over 60 photographers including Janette Beckman, Barron Claiborne, and Jorge Peniche have exhibited their work. The creative director of the project is Fab 5 Freddy, the American visual artist behind some of the 90s best music videos for artists like Nas and Snoop Dog.

Contact High: A Visual History of Hip Hop Details

Dates: 15 December 2020 – 31 May 2021
Admission: 10:00 AM – 08:00 PM
Venue: Manarat Al Saadiyat
Ticket price: AED 30
Organized by: Sole; Manarat Al Saadiyat