Cultural figure Sara Rosen has done her fair share of displaying the New York urban scene in its truest form, whether it’s through her art exhibits or published photography collections. Now, gaining access to legendary photographer Ricky Powell’s archives, Rosen will be releasing a new project that highlights the early years of Def Jam.

The Ricky Powell Def Jam Collection includes never-before seen photos of LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, and Run-DMC on tour, as well as label co-founders Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons. The book is scheduled for release later this year through Redux Pictures.

In other news, an Off Broadway play based in New York has steadily been gaining a large audience for its depiction of Hip Hop and inner-city issues.

Created by David Lamb and directed by Summer Hill Seven, “Platanos and Collard Greens” follows the life of two main characters, one African-American and the other Latino, who attempt to break racial stereotypes while still keeping their own cultural norms intact.

HipHopDX | Rap & Hip Hop News | Ad Placeholder
AD

AD LOADING...

AD

Described by the New York Times as a “modern day West Side Story,” the play has captured critical and fan acclaim alike. Having performed in over 100 colleges across the country, the company has plans to expand its reach to Florida’s diverse market.

For more information on their up-coming performances, visit [Ticketmaster.com] or [platanosandcollardgreens.com].