SOPHIE BRAMLY (B. 1959)

Yo! 10 Ultrasmooth Prints

ultrasmooth prints

each: 7⅛ x 5¼ inches (18.1 x 13.3 cm)

box: 10 x 7 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches (25.4 x 19.1 x 6.4 cm)

Executed on August 3, 2020. This work is number 3 from an edition of 3.

PROVENANCE: 

Sophie Bramly, Paris

NOTES: 

This set of ten ultrasmooth photographic prints is produced in Paris at the Laboratoire Fotodart under the supervision of the artist. Featuring ten original photographs taken by Sophie Bramly documenting the burgeoning American Hip Hop scene of 1983. Subjects include seminal figures such as Futura, Keith Haring, Grandmaster Flash, Rahiem, DJ D.St., Kool Herc, and the Beastie Boys. 

Sophie Bramly (b. 1959) is a French photographer, creative director, and media pioneer whose work has played a pivotal role in chronicling and shaping the early global narrative of hip-hop culture. Born in Tunisia and raised in Paris, Bramly moved to New York in 1981, where she embedded herself in the emerging hip-hop scene as both witness and documentarian. Over the next three years, she captured the culture’s underground vibrancy with unprecedented intimacy. Her photographs, taken in clubs, bedrooms, subway stations, and recording studios, remain among the most definitive visual records of hip-hop’s formative years.

Returning to France in 1984, Bramly became the artistic director of H.i.p.H.o.p., the first television show devoted entirely to hip-hop and later joined MTV Europe as part of its founding team. There, she created and hosted Yo!, the first English-language hip-hop TV program in Europe, a concept that was soon adapted by MTV U.S. as Yo! MTV Raps. Throughout her career, Bramly has continued to work across photography, publishing, and broadcasting, always at the intersection of music, culture, and media.

Full listing:  

1. D.ST literally cutting a record, 1983

2. Futura in the subway, July 1983

3. Beastie Boys backstage after a gig, August 1983

4. Crowd at Bronx River Center, 1983

5. Futura jumping turnstyle, July 1983

6. Grand Mixer D.ST on turntables, Donald D on the mic, DJ Kool Herc in hat and shades, Bronx River Center, November 12, 1983

7. D.ST working in his bedroom with his friend Troy, 1983

8. Grandmaster Flash, Rahiem and friends, 1983

9. Disco Fever, Bronx, 1983

10. Futura on his opening night at Fun Gallery with Keith Haring, 1983

Details of the 10 prints will be available upon request. Accompanied by signed certificate of authenticity.