Take it to the Max with The Ascension Years at the Black Cultural Archives

Nas, Beyoncé, the Notorious BIG, the photographer who met his hip-hop heroes and captured them in their prime is having an exhibition, writes Claudia Lee.

Tee Max, 51, from Orpington, is showing The Ascension Years, at the Black Cultural Archives in Windrush Square, Brixton.

Mr Max said: “Originally I was just taking pictures for fun, then a friend of mine got me to publish in some magazines.”

When he was 17, Mr Max photos were published in Touch magazine after he took a picture of American rappers Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, who were touring in London at the time.

From that moment, Mr Max said he started getting sent out on assignments for portraits and live shots of artists by the magazine.

He said: “I was a fan of the culture and a big fan of rap and hip-hop but I couldn’t rap, DJ or breakdance so this was my way of accessing that culture.

“By working with the magazine I could meet people I was listening to on the radio.”

By 1994, Mr Max was mixing with some of the greats including Notorious BIG who was in London for his second UK tour.

Mr Max said: “He was an amazing person to meet, such a friendly genuine human being, very forthright about his thoughts on music and making sure the people he grew up with would get a chance to get out of difficult situations at home.”

One of the photographer’s stand out moments was meeting the rapper NAS.

Rooted in East Coast hip-hop, NAS is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time.

His debut album, Illmatic, received universal acclaim upon release in 1994, and is considered to be one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever made.

Mr Max said: “When I saw him live, it was the first time he had ever performed Live At The BBQ which had one of the craziest verses anyone had ever heard.

“It was ground-breaking and seismic, then when I met him to take his picture it really made me understand that people are people.

“People think they have an understanding of these figures because they are famous but when he was being interviewed I was struck by how thoughtful and considerate he was.

“He was so young but so poised and introspective

“The shot I have of him in the current exhibition shows him exactly how I saw him. It’s very evocative of the impression he left on me as a person.”

But Mr Max said his The Ascension Years weren’t an easy ride.

He said: “I didn’t have great success when I was coming up. I ended up stepping away for 10 years.

“This exhibition was a long time coming, I kept making excuses for why things couldn’t happen and that was the first hurdle.
“But I see this as a great opportunity to reflect – look at the work I have made and be comfortable with what I’m seeing.

“It’s also a great opportunity to come back on the scene and talk to young black photographers – to champion them and give them an understanding of what it means to be a practicing photographer.

“It’s not what sports brand you work for, you don’t have to be in Vogue, you can do so many different things.”

This exhibition is not the end for Mr Max. Since 2014 he has been working on a personal project documenting the black experience in Barbados and Colombia.

He said: “My mum is from Barbados – when I went to visit family it became a personal crusade.

“Barbados is a very small place – there are people who have never been to the top of the island

“There are amazing stories to be told – people are using their past in an effective way to make sure their culture is passed on.”

The Ascension Years, at the Black Cultural Archives in Windrush Square, Brixton will be open until September 11.

Website: www.bcaexhibits.org/exhibits/the-ascension-years

 

 

Pictures: Coolio, Beyonce, Notorious BIG Pictures: Tee Max