Ep 25: Jamel Shabazz (Photographer) featuring Karim Brown

Ep 25: Jamel Shabazz (Photographer) featuring Karim Brown

At a time when they are trying to erase black history education in this country, I have the honor of sharing a podcast episode of one of the greatest living photographers of the past 100 years, Jamel Shabazz. We will be focusing on his new book (among others things) "Albums" which if you haven’t gotten it, please do. It’s $50 and well worth it. No matter what they do in terms of trying to erase black stories and black history, they’ll never be able to erase the work and important archive of Jamel Shabazz! His book "Albums" is literally a Black History Textbook in a huge sense. This book features selections from over a dozen albums, many previously unseen, and includes his earliest photographs as well as images taken inside Rikers Island, all accompanied by essays that situate Shabazz’s work within the broader history of photography. Last thing I’ll say is that Jamel is honestly one of the most compassionate, spiritual, intelligent, authentic, kind, and passionate human beings I have ever met. Please get this book and all his past books. I want to thank Daniel Power and Sophie Nunnally for helping arrange this interview through Powerhouse Books who had put out Jamel’s books. Please support them if you buy his books, and in general. They put out such amazing and diverse books.  

Please also get Leonard Freed’s “Black and White in America 1963-1965” at $28 dollars as a re-issue. Leonard's book and work has ben the main influence of Jamel's work and career.

I also want to thank Karim Brown for being part of this episode. His work was being shown in the African American History museum in Philadelphia where Jamel did a lecture called “Love is The Message” a couple of months ago, and I got to see his amazing work. He is a younger photographer, and as a tribute to Jamel, who mentors and supports so many younger photographers, I wanted to include the amazing work, insight, and work. Karim's work has also been greatly influenced by Jamel, they both work in the same spirit of documenting their communities, and creating a historical archive for future generations to enjoy. Karim is also a teacher and archivist, and we talk with him about that, and his connection to Jamel! Lastly I have to say that getting to talk to Jamel has definitely been one of the highlights of my life, so I offer this as a gift to others to experiece it. Hope you enjoy it!

 

We start with Karim's (30 min.) then into Jamel's. Please listen to both episodes if you can.

Jamel Shabazz 

https://www.instagram.com/jamelshabazz

About Jamel Shabazz

https://aperture.org/editorial/why-jamel-shabazz-is-new-yorks-most-vital-street-photographer

“Jamel Shabazz Albums” Book $49.23 (available everywhere) 

https://steidl.de/Books/Albums-0120242856.html

“A Time Before Crack” $39.95 (please buy from the publisher)

https://powerhousebooks.com/books/35128/

“Back in The Days” $39.95  (please buy from the publisher)

https://powerhousebooks.com/books/back-in-the-days/

Website 

https://powerhousebooks.com

Karim Brown 

Karim Brown is a documentary photographer living and working in North Philadelphia. 

Keeping the Black Philadelphia community and its people at the forefront of h