He’s been around a fair few decades, he’s worked as a busboy, bike messenger, substitute teacher, columnist, photographer, comic and dog walker. At age 48 Ricky Powell has definitely seen a lot of history and believes his ‘individuality’ is what he has to thank for his success so far. But in no way is this fast-living individual planning to slow down, he still counts himself as a bachelor… RWD caught up with the legendary photographer amd chronicler of hip hop in a club to discuss his ‘world famous slideshow’, real music and his new found love for Brighton… Interview by Kyomi Wade

So Ricky how you finding the UK?

I’m loving England right now… I just had an epiphany actually, it’s Brighton man, I want to buy a little spot and live in Brighton. I love it man, great conversation, and you know good people. Janine- the girl I’m with now hosted a house party last night and I’m telling you. It was just really intelligent people, intellectual conversation and music was dope, the best house party I’ve been to in decades.

Great, how was the slideshow?

Yeah man it was in this club, like downstairs, kinda raw dog and it was packed, jam packed, ‘bout 150 people. And you know I got juiced up, on couple Guinness’ first, broke the ice; and just got into it with these pictures, talking frankly. I was talking to people as you would talk to people on a street corner. They loved it, we had a standing ovation at the end; it was awesome dude.

So England’s been good to you then?

Incredible. I’m gonna write a little story about my trip to England. I loved it man it was a really uplifting experience.

Oh so what, was this your first time in England?

Well I haven’t been in England since ‘87, when I came with the Beastie Boys and Run DMC.

What have you been doing?

I’ve been to London, Bristol, Brighton; I’m going Ireland tomorrow to wrap up this mini-tour. I’m like on a mini-tour with this kid called Edan Portnoy. Me and him are a great combination. We’re like the odd couple but we work beautifully together. I do the visual and he does the music: He drops an instrumental while I’m doing my s*** and it’s a good pairing cause you know like, I’m kinda like from my era and he’s from his era, and we kinda like meet in the middle, and we have really good chemistry. He’s great, a very intelligent progressive artist. It’s good.

London, Brighton and Bristol; which was the best show?

I’d probably say Brighton, but London was good too. It’s a close call, but I gotta give it to Brighton. It was just a lot of people and everyone was just hanging on every word, cracking up, laughing. Great fun, great response, light hearted good s***: everyone appreciated how I delivered the anecdote. Also it’s just a beautiful town you know: funky, good vibes… I live in the city and it just gets to you sometimes; I like the slower pace…  It’s really good for me.

What are you wearing right now?

Right now I’m wearing adidas shells, with two tones; red and blue stripes. I’m wearing baby blue chinos, standard pants and also a t-shirt, that I put a 1975 sports illustrated cover on. I have Dr Dre on my t-shirt like Obama. A light blue hoody zipper and a black/brown jacket: all free gear. Nothing I’m wearing I bought. I don’t go shopping, I spend my money on …more intimate things….

Like?

You know wilding out.

Ok so tell us how you teaming up with Puma came about?

That came about cause there was this show with Bobitto The Barber on  ESPN2 called ‘it’s the shoes’, and I would have a segment each episode up in my house, which is mad cluttered. It can either be described as a ….hob hole, or a museum. And each show I’d say this is a picture of you know Jam Master Jay wearing shells toes, or this is so and so wearing Pumas. I juiced Puma a few times. So they were like ‘thanks for juicing us, yo can we do something nice for you?’ And I was like, ‘like what?’ and they were like ‘we’ll custom make some sneakers for you.’ I was like ‘word, can u make ‘em high tops with any colour combination, with my logo on them, my pictures on them and my horoscope on them?’ And they were like ‘whatever you want!’

What do you think has been your best achievement so far?

Uh… making it to this point. Nah actually just being able to help out younger artists come up like through my book Public Access. You know giving my photos to artist that weren’t well known, but then shined in my books. That’s rewarding you know, I like helping out young artist that deserve a break. Also theSlideshow I think is a great thing, showing my story, my thoughts on things. People get a charge out of it, I get a charge out of it! You know just trying to develop organically.

Any specific event you’ve been especially proud of so far?

The one last night, I’m telling you, really renaissancistic for me. A really special, amazing night for me. I just loved the people; they were interested in my pictures and stuff. You know I was around in the 80s and recorded it so I’m like a point of reference for them.

So what do you think of the English music scene?

I’m really not into any contemporary music at all, commercial s*** is wack today, that’s why I really like this kid Edan, cause he’s very progressive. I think rappers like Jay-Z are so overrated. I’m an adult now I can’t be listening to that. I find original rap music more authentic and genuine.  You know, I like blue note music, hip hop, I like the era that I was shooting in, mid to late 80s early 90s, I like early 80s too with Grand Master Flash. I don’t like a lot of these rappers though like Kanye, they’re just spoiled, and it’s boring. A lot of contemporary music rappers are posers. It’s so overdone and like shallow, its garbage, like ‘oh look what I got’. I like intelligent music – then I give it a look in.

What’s your favourite photograph you’ve taken?

Boy that a tough one, its a choice between Run DMC next to the Eiffel Tower, or a dog I used to walk Fly; this husky. Or you know a couple girls in my hotel room; I like girls that pose naked…

Ha ha, ok… so is there a Mrs Powell?

Hell no, not even close. I just have discreet encounters and just proceed with my own life. Until she comes, you know the one that’s gonna be my hangout partner I’ll be open. I Only really get a girlfriend like once a decade, for like one and a half years and then I’m single again. So yeah, I’m a swinging bachelor in the meantime…

What your favourite book out of the ones you’ve published?

Probably The Rickford Files: Classic New York City Photos and Public Access. It’s hard, they’re all my children, I love them all. They all have their good qualities. I tried publishing a book last year Italy Funkster, but it got sidetrack and derailed. But I’ll definitely consider bringing it back up again. Now I’m actually working on something new; I don’t wana jinx it, but it’s gonna be music hip hop related: I’m gonna write a book on a certain group’s album. I also do a radio show at the moment, but that’s only two hours a week. I would hate to just settle down on one thing. I gotta keep moving, I can’t stay in one place for too long. And also I got Tourettes; so if I get stressed I start shouting f*** s*** f***! It’s not a good look when you’re walking down the street.

What was your favourite interview?

That’s a good question… hmmm I like the one I did recently last year with George Kalinsky: the official photographer for Madison Square Gardens. I like interviewing old school photographers, I like giving props to them.

Ever been star struck?

Well yeah, Wall Fraser!  When I was interviewing Wall Fraser, I got a pair of Puma Clydes and he signed them and handed to me. I like almost passed out. If I like get invited on a TV talk show as a guest or something I’ll wear them. But right now I got them in my house, people look at them in my house and like bug out. I like have a Wall Fraser shrine set up in my house. Yeah I got a Wall Fraser shrine in my house; yeah you know Mr. Cool, but classy Mr. Cool; I love classics.

What would you say’s been your key to success?

Just sticking to my guns you know, not like following, just having you know me and myself and just sticking to it. And you know it’s had its ups and down but I’ve still got my integrity. And people like the way I do it. I’m lucky I like created my own ‘niche’. Create your own universe – is the only advice I can give. You know be yourself, create your own s***. It’s tough but that’s just how it has to be, nothing’s easy!

Well good luck with everything, thanks for the chat & have fun tonight

I will don’t you worry bout me! The pleasure was mine!

Tags: Hip Hop, Interviews, Ricky Powell