Chi Modu, Legendary Hip-Hop Photographer, Dies at 54

Legendary photographer Chi Modu has passed away aged 54.

The news was revealed on Saturday afternoon via his official Instagram. The caption read “Our hearts are broken… We continue the fight,” the post read, “The family request privacy at this time.”

Chi Modu is responsible for crafting some of the most iconic images in hip-hop history. From colorful portraits of Notorious B.I.G. to intimate glimpses of Tupac Shakur, his legacy is woven into the fabric of the culture.

The Nigerian-American photographer’s imagery went beyond showing a lifestyle; it was about telling a unique story that brought the viewer closer to his subject’s truth. From photographing legendary artist like Nas to traveling the world and documenting the daily life of people in Yemen and India, Chi created a unique lane for himself with a body of work that put him in legendary status.