Michael Miller Photography / Los Angeles / Tupac Shakur Photography / Story

Michael Miller, the famed music photographer who captured iconic photos of Eazy-E, Tupac, Snoop Dogg, NWA, and some of the most iconic Stussy advertising campaigns of the late 1980s and '90s, will 
be exhibiting West Coast Hip-Hop: A History in Pictures at FIFTY24SF Gallery in San Francisco this weekend, April 27—28. The show coincides with Miller signing copies of his new book, West Coast Hip-Hop: A History in Pictures at the gallery on Saturday, April 2
From the gallery:
FIFTY24SF Gallery, in association with Upper Playground, are pleased to announce West Coast Hip-Hop: A History in Pictures, a special two-day exhibition and book signing featuring the iconic hip-hop photos of Los Angeles photographer, Michael Miller. 
The exhibition opens Friday, April 27, 2012, followed by a special book signing of Miller’s West Coast Hip-Hop: A History in Pictures on Saturday, April 28 from 2—4pm.


Michael Miller’s photographs capture a unique era of West Coast culture, combining the emerging genres of gangster rap, skateboard culture, Los Angeles street culture, and the iconic 
personalities who help turn West Coast rap into a global phenomenon. Capturing intimate portraits of hip-hop legends 2pac, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Eazy-E, Cypress Hill, as well as iconic advertising 
campaigns with street fashion giant, Stussy, Michael Miller photographs hearken back to a pivotal moment in history where he took rap, surf, skate, punk, and street fashion fused into one image. 
The Los Angeles-based photographer has worked in the entertainment and music industry for over 25 years, with a portfolio of over 300 major record covers, iconic supermodels of the ‘90s, and some of the biggest names in rap and jazz.


Influenced by the techniques of Peter Lindberg, Paulo Roversi and Javier Vallhonrat, Miller has developed a unique method of cross-processing film and different chemical baths for his black and
white photographs. A graduate of UCLA with a B.A. in Film and Television, Miller moved to Paris and met top agent Rene Bosne. With Bosne’s mentorship, Miller began to shoot photographs, gradually
gaining jobs shooting models for John Casablancas’ agency. After moving to Barcelona to shoot campaigns fro Cacharel Paris, Miller returned to Los Angeles in 1988 to shoot for Herb Ritts’ agency,
Visages. Gaining recognition within the fashion industry, the music world took notice, and by the end of 1988, Miller photographed his first rapper, Arabian Prince.
For West Coast Hip-Hop: A History in Pictures at FIFTY24SF Gallery, Michael Miller will be presenting a series of his iconic early 1990?s hip-hop photographs, including numerous
photos of 2pac, Ice Cube, Eazy-E, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, as well as photos of unique historical perspectives on Los Angeles street culture. Coinciding with Miller’s exhibition, we will have famed
San Francisco musicians, Tommy Guerrero and ORB DJing the opening on Friday, April 27, 2012. On Saturday, April 28, from 2—4PM, Miller will be signing copies of his West Coast Hip-Hop: A History in Pictures at our FIFTY24SF Gallery.