Michael Miller At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12

Lock

Michael Miller At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12

Michael Miller At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12

1 of 20
  • Michael Miller At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12
  • Photo Of Tupac At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12
  • West Coast Hip Hop At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12
  • Photo Of Ice Cube At West Coast Hip Hop: A History In Pictures At Known Gallery
  • Kat Von D At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12
  • West Coast Hip Hop At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12
  • West Coast Hip Hop At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12
  • West Coast Hip Hop At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12
  • West Coast Hip Hop At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12
  • Photo Of 2Pac At At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12
  • West Coast Hip Hop At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12
  • Photo Of Eazy-E At At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12
  • Michael Miller At At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12
  • West Coast Hip Hop At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12
  • West Coast Hip Hop At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12
  • Photo Of Eazy-E At At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12
  • West Coast Hip Hop At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12
  • Steve Olson At At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12
  • West Coast Hip Hop At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12
  • West Coast Hip Hop At Known Gallery In Los Angeles, CA On 02/04/12

ARTS GALLERY: MICHAEL MILLER - "WEST COAST HIP HOP" AT KNOWN GALLERY

"A History in Pictures" Opening in Los Angeles, CA on 02/04/12

By: Seth Shellhouse
February 5, 2012

From Saturday, February 4th to Sunday, February 5, 2012, photographer Michael Miller exhibited a number of his previously unseen images of iconic West Coast rappers at Known Gallery in Los Angeles. The two-day show, entitled "West Coast Hip Hop: A History in Pictures," coincided with the release of a book of Miller's photos bearing the same title. 

 

The Saturday opening of West Coast Hip Hop brought out a massive crowd that spanned the strata of Los Angeles society. Ranging in age from toddlers to senior citizens, and repping nearly every neighborhood in the greater Los Angeles area, the crowd itself stood testament to the sincerity and relatability of Miller's work in an industry where sincerity and relatability have sometimes become rare commodities. Comprised of intimate black and white images of figures as elusive as 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, WC, and Cypress Hill, the photos in this exhibition shed a uniquely human light on somewhat superhuman entities.

 

Humanization is the rarest of qualities in celebrity photography, and this quality points to Miller's most unique skill as a photographer. Beyond possessing a classically trained eye and solid technical skills, the man has credibility. At a time when high fashion was far more exclusive than it is today, and when the figureheads of hip hop were far more guarded than they are today, Michael Miller was able to move seamlessly between the worlds of couture and hardcore rap (that's what we used to say before the phrase gangsta rap was coined) without ever having to shift gears. At a time when Los Angeles was legitimately segmented, he was able to fit in everywhere, to be trusted in untrusting circles, without ever having to pretend.

 

Beyond spawning a phenomenal body of work, Miller's career in hip hop should serve as a lesson for young photographers. In this highly media savvy Internet age, when everyone wants the candid shot, it would serve us all to remember that you can't get the candid shot if you're suspect. They will know you by your stripes. Be real.  

 

"West Coast Hip Hip: A History in Pictures" is currently available from Over The Edge Books.