Sam Norval immortalizes Atlanta rappers

 

                Rapper T.I wrapped in the American flag                 

Photographer Sam Norval, from Capetown, South Africa was solely responsible for shooting photos of all the rappers during interviews for the documentary “ATL: The Untold Story of Atlanta’s Rise in the Rap Game.” Norval captured the images of more than 30 Atlanta rappers in the exhibition ATL Rise creating a body of work that immortalizes those responsible for the rise of Atlanta rap. His exhibit features many of the rappers such as T.I. and Killer Mike with a black and white American Flag. Norval says the flag is symbolic of  freedom and many other characteristics unique to America and Atlanta hip hop.

“Let’s get into the Black and white. There’s so much history here that has shaped Atlanta and America.  It’s one of the things I found troubling, interesting and unique to Atlanta. Out of all the people interviewed no one was white,” Norval recalls. “I have worked with the West Coast rap scene and East Coast rap scene and you have at least one white character, but there is still such a great divide here.”

Norval says though apartheid South Africa was fraught with racial tension, race relations are openly talked about out. He feels the racial tensions that influenced many of the rappers are still prevalent in Atlanta. He recalls going to a steakhouse and not seeing any Black people dining. Juxtaposing his

Rapper Pastor Troy 

experiences in the Atlanta community and shooting millionaire rappers who overcame adversity to forge a new path was a dynamic theme Norval used in his work.

“I wanted to represent their persona and who they are as individuals. I gave them the scarf of the American flag and said do what you want,” Norval explains. “All 13 people did something completely different. All of them were instrumental in bringing the spotlight to Atlanta.”

The photos in the exhibit express the personas of many of the rappers who participated in the shoot. Norval shot everyone form Waka Flocka and T.I. to Mc Shy D and King Edward James. He says he learned a lot from every one he worked with and wanted to accurately portray the in the photos. Using props like the Skull & Bone and the American flag scarf he says he was able to capture the essence  of each rapper.

   Photos of Atlanta rappers 

“I primarily used the skull & bone for the bad ass muthafuckers in Atlanta. Waka Flocka is a bad ass I really tried to represent his personality,” Norval explains. “Dj Greg Street is behind the mic and there is nothing there but him.”

The shoot also included civic leaders like Mayor Kasim Reed, who attended the opening of the exhibit and Ambassador Andrew Young. Mayor Reed and Young are photographed in front of a dark blue back drop in bright white light. The images are symbolic of their leadership and presence in the Black community .

“It takes a bit of trust to represent everyone in the photographs,” Norval says pointing to a photo of Andrew Young smiling. “Andrew Young is amazing. How could you not listen to what he has to say?”