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Christopher Chijioke "Chi" Modu was a Nigerian-born American photographer known for his photos of various pioneering hip-hop music entertainers which helped set the visual template for dozens of 90's hip-hop stars such as 2pac, Notorious BIG, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Wu-Tang Clan, Dr Dre, Eazy E, Mobb Deep, etc.

Chi Modu was born in Arondizuogu in Imo State, his parents had been part of the first wave of immigrants who moved due to a nearly two-year long Nigeria vs Biafra civil war that almost tore the country apart in the late 60s. As fate would have it, the rise of hip-hop came in the 80s and Modu was a twenty-something-year-old photographer who found himself surrounded by artists set to define hip-hop (probably unknown to him at the time). His greatest legacy till date is how he set out to capture the musicians in candid moments, revealing them as real persons instead of the one-dimensional celebrities.

After the civil war, Modu had to decide at a young age whether to return with his parents to Nigeria or stay behind at a boarding school. He chose the boarding school, and found himself at Lawrenceville, the prestigious prep school attended by the likes of Michael Eisner and Malcolm Forbes. With his parents on the other side of the world, Chi developed a strong independent streak, which later would manifest itself in his work.

He died of cancer on May 19 2021 at 54.
Below are few of his iconic Hip-hop photos of rap legends.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/29/arts/music/chi-modu-dead.html

No wonder igbos had access to the freshest pictures dey printed on calendars distributed nationally back then.

Tupac and Chi Modu

"I’ve spent my entire career three feet away from fame. I’m there with the star, but my perspective is from behind the camera, not in front. I’ve seen what it’s like to be loved and adored by the public, as well as all the perils, responsibilities, and loneliness that can come with that love. I’ve always had the utmost respect for my subjects and what they have to go through to maintain their fame.

It’s always sad when people die young, but if you leave behind the kind of legacy that Tupac did, you never actually die. You remain forever in the hearts and minds of people for generations to come. I knew that about him when we first spent time together in Atlanta, Georgia back in 1994. We both knew the importance of images and we set out to do a thorough job, not knowing what the future would hold. He died two years after that meeting in Atlanta, but his words and these images are all part of his lasting legacy."

- Chi Modu

https://2pac.fandom.com/wiki/Chi_Modu

Interesting topic. Please if you can get a verifiable source, add it to authenticate your post.


Proud to be Igbo any day, any time

We're igbos! No matter what, i will never deny my identity! Fulani call us odogwu igbo.

Interesting topic but please add sources to make it make more sense.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chi_Modu

Sauce make I add salt and pepper?

Nigga was a legend

More iconic 90's hip-hop photo shot by the legend Chi Modu

franchasng:
Interesting topic. Please if you can get a verifiable source, add it to authenticate your post.


Proud to be Igbo any day, any time

Source added, thanks..
The igbos undeniably contributes alot in shaping up the world..

Igbo's sef, when you think you have known them, another one shows up to prove you wrong. Never heard of this guy before, thought the news was fake until I consulted sources and confirmed it.

Who ever took Tupac's pics was really good, the pictures always look fresh

Fantastic
Seriously

Greatly appreciated

Wonderful

Melonsmasher:
Christopher Chijioke "Chi" Modu was a Nigerian-born American photographer known for his photos of various pioneering hip-hop music entertainers which helped set the visual template for dozens of 90's hip-hop stars such as 2pac, Notorious BIG, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Wu-Tang Clan, Dr Dre, Eazy E, Mobb Deep, etc.

Chi Modu was born in Arondizuogu in Imo State, his parents had been part of the first wave of immigrants who moved due to a nearly two-year long Nigeria vs Biafra civil war that almost tore the country apart in the late 60s. As fate would have it, the rise of hip-hop came in the 80s and Modu was a twenty-something-year-old photographer who found himself surrounded by artists set to define hip-hop (probably unknown to him at the time). His greatest legacy till date is how he set out to capture the musicians in candid moments, revealing them as real persons instead of the one-dimensional celebrities.

After the civil war, Modu had to decide at a young age whether to return with his parents to Nigeria or stay behind at a boarding school. He chose the boarding school, and found himself at Lawrenceville, the prestigious prep school attended by the likes of Michael Eisner and Malcolm Forbes. With his parents on the other side of the world, Chi developed a strong independent streak, which later would manifest itself in his work.

He died of cancer on May 19 2021 at 54.
Below are few of his iconic Hip-hop photos of rap legends.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/29/arts/music/chi-modu-dead.html

If na criminality nah... Dem go say everybody is a Nigerian...

To personal hail una brother nah, you say the igbo man behind.... You cannot say the Nigerian behind.....

How many times have you seen any other tribe coming to identify personal success by tribe...? As in the Hausa man behind the Toyota design, or the Bini boy behind the luxury wristwatch, or the Yoruba man who successfully performed a historical surgery on mother and fetus....?

PlayerMeji:
If na criminality nah... Dem go say everybody is a Nigerian...

To personal hail una brother nah, you say the igbo man behind.... You cannot say the Nigerian behind.....

How many times have you seen any other tribe coming to identify personal success by tribe...? As in the Hausa man behind the Toyota design, or the Bini boy behind the luxury wristwatch, or the Yoruba man who successfully performed a historical surgery on mother and fetus....?

Calm down bro I see no issue here.. What do you have to say about the ones who consistently make posts in crime section to ridicule the Igbos. With a post like this it's a fact that not all Igbos are into crime

Bump.. Let's celebrate this legend as we know it, we are proud of who we are