Ricky Powell

Ricky Powell (November 20, 1961 – February 1, 2021) was an American photographer who documented popular culture including hip hop, punk rock, graffiti, and pop art.

In the show, he interviewed Russell Simmons, Doug E Fresh, Harold Hunter, Kool Keith, Rahzel, Laurence Fishburne, and Cypress Hill.

[14] He became the face of New York City's downtown party scene, connected to both musical and visual artists such as Sonic Youth, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Russell Simmons, Harold Hunter, Dondi White, and Sofia Coppola.

[6] He gave insights into the artistic phenomena of the day, with a combination of candid footage, impromptu interviews, and a vision of Powell's New York City.

[18] Frozade Moments: Classic Street Photography of Ricky Powell (2004) was a book of postcards consisting of candid snapshots of celebrities, local luminaries, and low-lifes that offer a view of New York City.

The celebrities featured included Madonna, Jam Master Jay, KRS-One, Frankie Crocker, Andy Warhol and Flavor Flav.

[19] Public Access: Ricky Powell Photographs 1985–2005 (2005) included two decades of documenting much of the early era of hip-hop and presenting the actors, musicians, performers, and artists that inspired him, including Method Man, Doze Green, Bill Adler, Slick Rick, Run-DMC, Eric B & Rakim, Keith Haring, Steven Tyler, Barbara Walters, Cindy Crawford, Eazy-E, and Fab Five Freddy.

Powell attempted to bring in a nostalgic feel to New York City with appearances from Zephyr, Charlie Ahearn, Glenn O'Brien, and Zoe Cassavetes.

[3] Frozade Moments, 1985–2003 ran at Bill Adler's Eyejammie Fine Arts Gallery in New York City from July through September 2003.

was shown at Sacred Gallery New York City in December 2010, along with Powell's guest curation of Frank Chapter 43: Bug Out!, which highlights his photographs and interviews with street artists.

[31] Later in life, he was more likely to "photograph strangers in his Greenwich Village neighborhood than multi platinum hip-hop acts and Downtown art stars".

Powell (center) with two of the three Beastie Boys, MCA (left) and Mike D (right)
Powell and paparazzo Ron Galella in 2010