Cey Adams

This next man up to answer the 11 Questions is the legendary Cey Adams.  If you don’t know his name, then you for sure know his work.  This man has been involved with some of the best albums in hip hop history.  Cey is a legend in his field and has worked with legends.  Getting in contact with someone who has been such a huge impact in the game is an honor for me.  Game recognize game.

I have been a fan of Cey (yes rhymes with say) Adams for years and years and never knew it.  I came across his website a year or so ago and finally put the puzzle pieces together that he’s been involved with all of these logos or album covers i’ve been a fan of for so long.  It’s always great for me to finally put a face with with the art.  A few months ago i finally got my copy of DEFintion – The Art and Design of Hip Hop and it is a must have for any hip hop fan, artist, anyone and everyone.  This book is out now and you must go and buy it.  You won’t be disappointed.  So much good art represented here, a true must have.

For those who might need a quick lesson, let’s start from the beginning…  In the early 80s, he worked and exhibited alongside such influential artists as the late Jean Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring.  Shortly after that he worked with Rush artist management.  While there he created logos, tour merchandising, billboards and advertising campaigns for some of the most influential artist in rap music, including Beastie Boys, Run DMC, De La Soul and LL Cool J.  (Sounds like a dream job to me)  Then in the late 80′s Cey co-founded the Drawing Board – Def Jam Recordings in house visual design firm which was instrumental in setting the aesthetic tone and direction of not only Def Jam’s impressive roster (i.e. Public Enemy, Redman, Jay-Z, DMX) but other artists signed to MCA, Universal, Warner Brothers, Bad Boy and BMG as well (such as Mary J Bilge, Notorious B.I.G, Faith Evans, Ice Cube, R Kelly).  Cey’s most recent work includes being hired by Dave Chapelle to create the eye catching and prominently featured logo for the hugely successful Chapelle’s Show.  He’s also been busy doing album design (i.e. Maroon 5’s 2005 Grammy winning Songs About Jane), tour photography, stage wardrobe and tour merchandising design for multi platinum artists Beastie Boys, Stevie Nicks, Don Henley, Enimem and Foo Fighters.  Not a bad resume huh?  Now on with the questions…

1. What do you do and where do you do it?
I’m an artist and graphic designer.

2. Name a defining moment in your career.
When I met Russell Simmons in the early 80′s.

3. What is your biggest inspiration and who/what inspires you today?
My biggest inspirations are Hip Hop culture, Run DMC and Beastie Boys.

4. What have been your biggest struggles?
My biggest struggle would be getting corporations and Madison Avenue to understand the power and value of the Hip Hop community. There’s always someone that thinks because they own a few Rap CD’s they truly understand the culture. You have to feel it from inside. 

5. Sum up your style in 3 words.
in the 80′s it was…FRESH, the 90′s…CLEAN, today…CLASSIC.

6. What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
I’ve never had a real job, like working in a store. I guess i’ve been blessed.

7. Name 3 things you can’t live without?
Apple products, Paints, NY Mets.

8. What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?  And where?
Run DMC / Beastie Boys (Together Forever Tour) 1988, Paris.

9. Name your top 5 favorite hip hop albums of all time.
RUN DMC / RUN DMC, BEASTIE BOYS / HELLO NASTY, PUBLIC ENEMY / YO BUM RUSH THE SHOW, DR DRE / THE CHRONIC, ERIC B + RAKIM / PAID IN FULL.

10. Tell us what you’re working on next?
I’m just starting a coffee table book about the art and design of DEF JAM.

11. Do you have any last words for anyone who wants to do what you do?
For anyone that wants to make it as an artist or designer…1) Always remember you have to really love the work first, not the perks. 2) Always do the best job you can every single time…you never know where a design will end up, or who’s watching you. 3) Never copy another artist or designer, if you can help it.

List any websites we can find out more about you and what you do.
ceyadams.com
defbook.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw5JzvHNOuE&eurl=http://www.defbook.com/

List any other upcoming events you’d like to share.
“DEFinition” a lecture with Cey Adams and Bill Adler
Rush Arts Gallery
526 West 26th Street
Suite 311 NYC 10001
Thursday Feb 26, 2009
6-8pm

And last but not least, any good words for the Manifest crew?
Thank you for including my work and words on your site. I love what you’re doing for the unschooled…
Peace – Cey