Joe Conzo

I first met Joe Conzo at Magic a few years back.  He was there doing what he does best, capturing the moment.  A couple of kids had stopped by the Manifest booth to pose with the boombox we had on display and Joe appeared at just the right time to click off a few shots.  He introduced himself to me and told me who he was even though I already knew his photos.  Joe is the real deal and what you see is what you get.  A true legend in the game and we’re all lucky to have someone like him who has documented such great times in the birth of Hip-Hop.  Thank you Joe.

Back in the 70’s, Joe Conzo’s pictures were part of Hip-Hop. 30 years later, his pictures are part of Hip-Hop history. Born February 6, 1963 and raised on the tough streets of the South Bronx, Joe was definitely at the right place at the right time. Strapped with a camera 24/7 during the late 70′s and early 80′s, he intimately captured the birth of Hip-Hop music and a culture that would forever change the world.

Having attended school with some of the pillars of Hip-Hop, such as The Cold Crush Brothers, Joe was never too far from a classic shot. He would go on to be the Crush’s exclusive photographer and record some of the most candid and exhilarating moments of the pioneering rap group to date. With the help of True School flyer king Buddy Esquire, those photos and many others would soon grace party flyers and event posters and act as the earliest forms of Hip-Hop marketing and promotion.

In addition to the Cold Crush Brothers, he documented other legendary Hip-Hop groups like the Treacherous 3, Fearless 4 and Fantastic 5 in famed venues such as The T-Connection, Harlem World, Ecstasy Garage and The Roxy. Many luminaries, like Kool Moe Dee of the Treacherous 3 and Rahiem of the Furious 5 consider Joe to be “one of the first Hip-Hop photographers”. Conzo also photographed some of the most influential Latin musicians of the same era such as the late greats, Tito Puente and Celia Cruz.

Today Conzo’s photography has been featured in VH1 specials, and in magazines such as The Source, among other publications. The 16-year veteran of the New York City Fire Dept’s EMS Div. photographs are featured in “hiphoproots: origins and impact.”

1. What do you do and where do you do it?
I where 2 hats. I’ve been documenting thru photography The culture of Hip Hop in the Bronx and across the world for many years and I’m a Paramedic with the New York City Fire Dept for 16 years.

2. Name a defining moment in your career.
When my book Born in The Bronx was published and 9/11

3. What is your biggest inspiration and who/what inspires you today?
My biggest inspiration is preserving the culture of Hip Hop thru my photography and Afrika Bambaataa inspire me.

4. What have been your biggest struggles?
One of my biggest struggles have been with substance abuse. I’ve been clean and sober now for 16 years now.

5. Sum up your style in 3 words.
Honest, Real and in your face!

6. What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
To be honest I cant think of one. Ive been blessed with a career in FDNY to The army…even growing up i had some decent jobs.

7. Name 3 things you can’t live without?
My Camera, My Music My Family.

8. What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?  And where?
Luther Vandross and SADE at the Jones Beach amphitheater.

9. Name your top 5 favorite hip hop albums of all time?
Anything by Public Enemy, Common,Slick Rick, Rakim and Bambaataa.

10. Tell us what you’re working on next?
My next book with my Latin Legend photos.

11. Do you have any last words for anyone who wants to do what you do?
Be honest with yourself and keep the faith.

List any websites we can find out more about you and what you do.
www.joeconzo.com or www.myspace.com/joeconzo

List any other upcoming events you’d like to share.
Cornell University has just started to archive my photos in their rare books and manuscript division. Joe Conzo photos are on the same shelf as The Gettysburg address!

And last but not least, any good words for the Manifest crew?
To Derek and the rest of the crew Bless you guys for keeping it real!!!