‘Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop’ is a Must-See Exhibition

‘Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop’ is a super cool exhibition to explore in Abu Dhabi. It’s on now at arts hub Manarat Al Saadiyat. It’s the first time the photography exhibition has travelled outside of the USA.

The highly acclaimed exhibition spans four decades of photographs, albums, magazine covers and memorabilia documenting hip-hop culture. It features some of hip-hop’s biggest names among the 150 images taken by more than 60 photographers. There’s shots of Kanye West, Cardi B, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Aaliyah and A$AP Rocky. You’ll also discover Tyler the Creator, Queen Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa and the legendary Notorious B.I.G.

On display alongside the photographs, the original contact sheets provide an intimate look into the photographer’s journey during each shoot. The contact sheets also give a glimpse into the artist’s personality – their style, swagger and playful side.

Global Stage

‘Contact High’ is curated by journalist Vikki Tobak, author of the bestselling book of the same name. Hip-hop visual artist and filmmaker Fab 5 Freddy is creative director, with Joseph Patel filling the role of producer. We have the Sole team to thank for bringing the exhibition to the UAE, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

“Hip-hop is a uniquely American cultural force that grew out of black and brown communities to have a long and lasting impact on people all over the world,” said Vikki. “This first opportunity to bring these photographs chronicling hip-hop history to the global stage is an important one.”

The ‘Contact High’ exhibition is on at Manarat Al Saadiyat until 31^st May. Tickets, priced AED30, are available through Virgin Megastore Ticketing. Staging the exhibition in Abu Dhabi also reflects the importance of hip-hop culture to those living in the UAE.

Optimism

“For those of us who grew up with hip-hop, seeing a museum level retrospective come to life is a dream come true,” said Sole’s Joshua Cox. “The artists we listened to had a profound impact on our lives and it’s through the foresight of our featured photographers that we get a view into that world. The images in this show not only invoke nostalgia but also inspire optimism for the future of the genre. We are truly grateful to Vikki Tobak for trusting us to bring her vision to Abu Dhabi.”

Due to the pandemic, this year’s Sole DXB event was cancelled. The annual festival celebrates hip-hop culture through film, fashion, art, music and sport. We’re sure the Sole team will deliver an extra special event next year.

Photos: Farel Bisotto