Budweiser will be teaming up with legendary Nigerian-American Hip-Hop Photographer and Documentarian Chi Modu under their BUD X platform to produce a 2-day photo exhibition, party and workshop in Lagos, Nigeria on December 1st and 2nd. Continuing Chi Modu’s “Uncategorized” photo exhibition tour, this will mark Chi’s homecoming exhibition in Nigeria and the first time he will exhibit his work on the continent.
BUD X celebrates music and youth culture around the world and champions artists who are pushing boundaries and shaping the future of the industry. In collaboration with media platform Melanin Unscripted, the workshop will serve as an opportunity for young creatives to gain exposure on the power of storytelling and preserving creative commodities in the digital age. Through dialogue on music, visual art and connecting through community and technology, attendees will get an opportunity to learn, exchange and build on new ideas through photos, panel discussions, a keynote conversation and music performances.
Who is Chi Modu?
Nigerian-American photographer Chi Modu first picked up a camera while a student at Rutgers. After honing his skills at the International Center of Photography, he landed a job at The Source- the definitive magazine of hip hop culture. Here, Chi developed relationships with icons of the hip hop movement, like: Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and LL Cool J while they were in the early stages of their careers.
In addition to shooting over 30 cover photos for The Source as their Director of Photography, Chi was able to capture the musicians in candid, unexpected moments, due to his disarming manner and unique perspective. His photos include some of the most groundbreaking, memorable images of that era, including personal portraits of Tupac and Biggie at the World Trade Towers and Nas in his bedroom in Queens Bridge at 17. He not only chronicled and defined the most important phase of the hip hop movement, but now a global force, he also was able to define the artists and show them as real people, rather than one-dimensional celebrities. Decades later, Chi is still sharing the magic of storytelling with the world and has exhibited his work in places like South Korea, Berlin and Brazil amongst others.