‘Living A Dream’: Saatchi Gallery celebrates hip hop with joyful new images exhibition

From Eminem getting tattooed throughout his Slim Shady period to a blinged-out Mike Tyson residing it up on a lavish Vegas journey, a brand new images exhibition opening at London’s Saatchi Gallery pays tribute to hip hop in all its vibrant varieties.

Having already made waves in Cologne, the Hip Hop: Living A Dream present brings collectively the work of three celebrated American photographers – Jamel Shabazz, Joseph Rodriguez, and Gregory Bojorquez – to supply a visible journey throughout the East Coast, West Coast, and past.

The music, the style, the angle, the approach to life – it’s all on show throughout two giant areas within the prestigious London gallery.

Here we are able to see the tradition’s early roots – what started as a distinct segment motion in Nineteen Seventies New York, and has since exploded into the world’s dominant style, reshaping international music and popular culture.

At the present’s opening Bojorquez shared with Euronews Culture: “I began out at underground hip hop reveals – small locations the place I didn’t want a press cross. There weren’t lots of people photographing again then, so I began getting calls from file labels, magazines, and artists themselves. I simply tried to do one of the best job I may, each time.”

Reflecting on his exceptional profession he added: “These artists, now global icons, were still part of a subculture. I could hear the raw talent even then – it just took the world some time to catch up.”

Bene Taschen, the gallery proprietor, emphasises the worldwide affect of hip hop: “Hip hop started over 50 years ago, and its influence is truly worldwide. It’s not just music – it’s fashion, lifestyle, and art. It has inspired millions, probably billions, across generations.”

Walking by way of the exhibition, you may see splendidly intimate portraits of a number of the most iconic figures in hip hop historical past – Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Outkast, DMX and 50 Cent – alongside on a regular basis followers whose ardour helped make the beloved style what it’s right now.

And better of all, admission to the exhibition is totally free. It runs till 10 September 2025 and is properly value a go to.

Check out the video above to see contained in the exhibition and listen to a number of the unimaginable tales behind Gregory Bojorquez’s most iconic pictures.