Ricky Powell Documentary

[coreyisking711]

Short documentary on Ricky Powell spotted on the rap blogs today.

"Now 50, Ricky’s lust for photography and music is still strong. Through his eccentricities such as his love for a transistor radio and feeding squirrels in the park, we gain an insight into his everyday life. Retrospective of New York City and how it has changed over his lifetime, he shows us around the city and contemplates what the future holds."

http://vimeo.com/47855054

[M|X|Y]

he always looks lonely and a bit down in the dumps.

i thought the bit about yauch was interesting.

[JasonP]

thoroughly enjoyed that. i'd like to know more about the falling out.

[MCA4ever]

I felt kind of sad for him. It seems all he has is his memories. Which I'm sure would be enough for some people. He actually sounded a little hurt when he spoke about whatever happened with Adam. But sounded like he still totally had much respect for him.

I'd like to know the rest of the Cindy Crawford thing. Didn't come up with much online. Was that bathroom incident prior to her becoming a super model?

[cj hood]

Ricky's a legend! Good flick...

[Sir SkratchaLot]

Ricky's cool. It's almost like he's the true License to Ill Beastie. I think he was the real deal from day one, whereas the Beasties were more playing a role back in the day. They were pretty affected back then but I don't think Ricky was. I mean, you can hold his illness against him and say he never grew up, but at the same time he's not faking the funk so can you blame him for that?

[Micodin]

I respect the dude.

But never was a fan.

He did get one of the best shout-outs of all time!

[M|X|Y]

Ricky's cool. It's almost like he's the true License to Ill Beastie. I think he was the real deal from day one, whereas the Beasties were more playing a role back in the day. They were pretty affected back then but I don't think Ricky was. I mean, you can hold his illness against him and say he never grew up, but at the same time he's not faking the funk so can you blame him for that?


astute

[Bernard Goetz]

I don't know the details behind the falling out between Ricky and the Beastie Boys, but since it seems to have started around the time the Boys started living on Serious Island 24/7 (1998ish), I imagine it has something to do with them being sick of his shit and him being like WTF happened to the fun? Too bad they didn't patch things up by the time Yauch passed away.

[Brass Monk]

I think he likes to hang out with the squirrels because they are the only beings that don't crack up laughing when he threatens to smack them.
The guy definitely has issues. His rants against the newer residents of his neighborhood seems a little lacking in rationale.

That said he is an important figure in Beastie lore.

[gumkojima]

Met him in Atlanta a couple of years ago. (Love that he's wearing his Criminal Records ATL t-shirt.) He took a photo of my friend and I using my camera that I'll always treasure. Later, he threw a drink at us, called us a couple of fags and said we we were interrupting his show. By the end of the night, he'd found everyone's last nerve. He kept yelling at a non-existent barkeep to shut up. He may not have evolved in the same ways, some of it may be performance, but either way I love him. He's a true artist. Quality.

[abbott]

ah yea

[Bernard Goetz]

His rants against the newer residents of his neighborhood seems a little lacking in rationale.

Reading this made me realize I hadn't seen a Ricky post in a while on my Facebook feed, so I just checked - and the bastard has unfriended me! Haha. Guess I pissed him off, or he did some trimming. Wish it'd have ended memorably like so many who post in his threads and he responds with "You gotta go, cornball" or something...

[JoLovesMCA]

I don't know the details behind the falling out between Ricky and the Beastie Boys, but since it seems to have started around the time the Boys started living on Serious Island 24/7 (1998ish), I imagine it has something to do with them being sick of his shit and him being like WTF happened to the fun? Too bad they didn't patch things up by the time Yauch passed away.

Let me post what I know or heard I should say. Don't hold me to any of this. Just passing on what I was told. I was told that he talked serious shit about Yauch, even while he was sick with cancer. Said he didn’t even care if he died. Their falling out supposedly over photos Yauch didn’t want to see the light of day. Can I confirm this as fact? NO!! But this is just what I was told by somebody who I know spent a lot of time with old Ricky last year. I don’t talk to her anymore so I don’t feel obligated to keep the information private. She could have exaggerated and could have been high when she told me that crap so maybe it was all lies. She's crazy anyway which is why I stopped talking to her. But we were really cool when she told me so....

That said. He did play an essential role to their career and he’s talented. I saw that he tributed Yauch after he died so maybe he feels bad, maybe he didn’t think he’d actually die.

[M|X|Y]

illness? he just seems like a guy who refuses to 'grow up'..

i think the way he lives is a fantasy for a lot of adolescents.

it seems complicated.

i like the guy, but i can see how they don't fit anymore.

[cj hood]

Around 2000 Ricky was doing a photo exhibit that had LTI era pics in it that the Beasties didn't want to be shown anymore. Ricky owns them...he showed them. Friendship over.

[M|X|Y]

which is weird because it doesn't seem like something they'd be that ashamed of anymore (i.e. how they started playing their LTI music again in more recently)

[Bernard Goetz]

We're talking 2000 though. Say, 2004, when they were fun again (minor political stance screeds aside), it would make less sense. But before that, going back to post-Hello Nasty...Serious Island (to me anyway).

[Brass Monk]

Ricky's cool. It's almost like he's the true License to Ill Beastie. I think he was the real deal from day one, whereas the Beasties were more playing a role back in the day. They were pretty affected back then but I don't think Ricky was. I mean, you can hold his illness against him and say he never grew up, but at the same time he's not faking the funk so can you blame him for that?

Roles in life often change. I've never doubted the genuiness of the BBoys from the beginning til the end. They were never "faking the funk" , they just evolved.

[gumkojima]

From what I understand, he made appologies long before Adam passed. He did the right thing. Ricky also talks a lot of shit. He's mostly just kidding.

Like any working artist, he goes through periods of work and recession. He had a good run of shows, clothing deals and documentaries over the past few years. I'm sure that pattern will continue for him.

Like many New Yorkers, he's not happy to see the city gentrify. I think many of us feel the same about our own cities.

Like most of us I'd heard his name and seen his work a long time ago, but I finally paid attention seeing his piece for Upper Playground's DITHERS. His interaction with his late cat Blackberry absolutely charmed me.

[M|X|Y]

they themselves have said that they were living a parody of themselves during those wild times. i think sirscratch was saying that he was actually wild - that no one would say he was living in any sort of parody. or maybe he chose to actually become it. either way, that sounds right to me.

it's true, that people change. and that's mostly a good thing - growth. i think he just refused to change, which is admirable in some way.

it doesn't always work out favorably.

[JoLovesMCA]

I remember Sunny Bak saying that she had Adam go through all of her photos before he died and played a big role in to which ones she would showcase on her Beastie exhibit tour. Ricky doesn’t want to do that. I guess he feels like since they are his he can do what they want with them. I think Yauch is the driving force behind the photo situation. I heard more but hate to sound all gossipy but so far no lawsuits have come his way from the Beastie camp so I guess all is okay for now.

PS- I don't like Ricky. Not just because he talks shit about the Beasties, but he just turned 50 and needs to grow the hell up or he's gonna be a Johnny Ryall one day.

[gumkojima]

Sounds like Sunny did great job of being particularly respectful. I have not seen any photo that Ricky uses that is out of line. I've also never read/heard him talk shit about them publicly. We all gripe off the record. I'm also not sure what growing up might look like for him. He seems to have an ongoing successful career, pays his bills, has friends and admirers, and looks well fed. Ricky is spicy, that's all. Nothing wrong with that.

[pm0ney]

We're talking 2000 though. Say, 2004, when they were fun again (minor political stance screeds aside), it would make less sense. But before that, going back to post-Hello Nasty...Serious Island (to me anyway).

Yeah, by FAR the lamest era of the Beastie Boys as a public entity. Serious Island is a great name to use to characterize that period of time.

And by the way, I agree with Ricky on the photo thing. If he owns the pictures thats pretty much the end of it. He can do whatever he wants with them. People do dumb shit when they are 18 years old. I dont know why any grown man would be ashamed or embarassed about it. The lives the Beastie Boys have led since that period of time would make even the harshest critic take any of those pictures with a grain of salt.

[MCA4ever]

Most born and bred city guys have that really rough, badass attitude. That's rarely who they really are. If he has these pics, it does t appear that he has done anything with them to date. Maybe he just likes holding on to the idea that they are his, to do with as he pleases. It doesn't seem that he has much left. Other than one awesome sneaker collection :)

[M|X|Y]

Most born and bred city guys have that really rough, badass attitude.

source?

[MCA4ever]

source?

Family, friends. More specific, my husband.

[M|X|Y]

hmm, i dunno..

[MCA4ever]

hmm, i dunno..

What is it that you "dunno?"

[Brass Monk]

Like many New Yorkers, he's not happy to see the city gentrify. I think many of us feel the same about our own cities.



Yeah but the west village has always been a wealthy neighborhood. Its less Bohemian yeah, but the way Ricky is framing his argument is a little disingenuous. He's acting like he's from Hell's Kitchen or something.

[gumkojima]

Yeah but the west village has always been a wealthy neighborhood. Its less Bohemian yeah, but the way Ricky is framing his argument is a little disingenuous. He's acting like he's from Hell's Kitchen or something.

:) yup. got to give him a little wiggle room though. ;)

[cAm]

it was fun back then, not now..
ricky needs to get his shit together

[MCA4ever]

Rappin with the Rickster

At the end he adds "his" tribute to Adam. Kind of sweet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAVyPt_rMLo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Brass Monk]

Rappin with the Rickster

At the end he adds "his" tribute to Adam. Kind of sweet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAVyPt_rMLo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

thx, I enjoyed that.

[cj hood]

Rick's legit. Heads need to recognize!

[FLO MASTER]

Met him in Atlanta a couple of years ago. (Love that he's wearing his Criminal Records ATL t-shirt.) He took a photo of my friend and I using my camera that I'll always treasure. Later, he threw a drink at us, called us a couple of fags and said we we were interrupting his show. By the end of the night, he'd found everyone's last nerve. He kept yelling at a non-existent barkeep to shut up. He may not have evolved in the same ways, some of it may be performance, but either way I love him. He's a true artist. Quality.

criminal records?

http://www.recordsale.de/cdpix/f/ffwd_-baby_dont_go_baby_no_te_vayas.jpg

[FLO MASTER]

Around 2000 Ricky was doing a photo exhibit that had LTI era pics in it that the Beasties didn't want to be shown anymore. Ricky owns them...he showed them. Friendship over.

was that the one we were at?

[FLO MASTER]

source?


he said "most" not all!

[cj hood]

was that the one we were at?

i think...

[gumkojima]

criminal records?

http://www.recordsale.de/cdpix/f/ffwd_-baby_dont_go_baby_no_te_vayas.jpg

Yes sir, I believe you are correct. (y)

On a different note, remember, you can't plant the peas where the corn wan fi grow.

[3stooges]

Ricky's cool....he's just jealous of the Beasties. I think anybody who worked with them who never achieved their level of success would be. I mean if you're still living in a little apartment, and your peers are rich and famous buying big houses, you will be jealous. There's no two ways about it. Some people are just better at hiding it than others.

I don't really understand why he hasn't been more successful financially. With his photography experience and crazy connections, I would think he could have been a music video director or something. I guess he just refuses to play other people's games. Which in a way is admirable....but I think he could have found a way to do his own thing and make money (more money) at the same time.

[cj hood]

They should buy all of Ricky's footage. Then he's financially secure and the Beasties don't have to worry about anything being released.

[3stooges]

They should buy all of Ricky's footage. Then he's financially secure and the Beasties don't have to worry about anything being released.

That's an interesting idea. I don't know what they'd be willing to give him though. And plus, would he even consider it ? It's his life's work and artistic legacy. You might have to offer him a boatload of money, more than you are able to. It's like how he put in the video about Yauch, "your spirit lives on". That shows how he feels about these things. He might be the type that says no way, it's not for sale at any price. Some people, when faced with that choice, insist that their artistic legacy remain pure, rather than have money and comfort in day to day life.

It's a funny thing. Everybody knows John Lennon would never want his picture on a corporate Apple ad. And Yoko Ono is supposed to be this hardcore avant-garde artist. I guess they made her an offer she couldn't refuse.

[Brass Monk]

That's an interesting idea. I don't know what they'd be willing to give him though. And plus, would he even consider it ? It's his life's work and artistic legacy. You might have to offer him a boatload of money, more than you are able to. It's like how he put in the video about Yauch, "your spirit lives on". That shows how he feels about these things. He might be the type that says no way, it's not for sale at any price. Some people, when faced with that choice, insist that their artistic legacy remain pure, rather than have money and comfort in day to day life.

It's a funny thing. Everybody knows John Lennon would never want his picture on a corporate Apple ad. And Yoko Ono is supposed to be this hardcore avant-garde artist. I guess they made her an offer she couldn't refuse.

These are photos, not music. I think he's a good photographer who was lucky enough to get into the right place at the right time during Hip Hop's Golden Era. But IMO you are inflating his credentials as an "artist" to levels far beyond what he actually is.

[FLO MASTER]

Yes sir, I believe you are correct. (y)

On a different note, remember, you can't plant the peas where the corn wan fi grow.


wow.....thats impressive! a couple of friends of mine released singles on that label and I never knew the label was that big because thier songs were so underground.

[gumkojima]

wow.....thats impressive! a couple of friends of mine released singles on that label and I never knew the label was that big because thier songs were so underground.

I'm sorry. I was being silly. (I thought you were, too.)

I meant the record / comic shop here:

http://criminalatl.com/Home

[M|X|Y]

he said "most" not all!

yeah but new york has changed A LOT in the last few years.
i'd say some or "a lot" is more accurate, "most" is still a stereotype/generalization.

i agree with cj hood and 3stooges. i agree with brass monk in a way, but so much about life is "right place, right time".

[MCA4ever]

yeah but new york has changed A LOT in the last few years.
i'd say some or "a lot" is more accurate, "most" is still a stereotype/generalization.

Wow! :rolleyes:

Edit: just because a handful of areas have had developers come in and do some cleaning up doesnt mean the neighborhoods and way of life has changed at all. No, I did not just watch The Warriors or Saturday Night Fever, my source is first hand knowledge so I am not stereotyping anything. :)

[MCA4ever]

Ricky, Cey, Adam, & Ione from 1990

http://camewiththeframe.tumblr.com/post/29990064798/part-ii-ricky-gets-racist-and-then-macks-on

[WhoMoi?]

Ricky, Cey, Adam, & Ione from 1990

http://camewiththeframe.tumblr.com/post/29990064798/part-ii-ricky-gets-racist-and-then-macks-on

Nice find!

[beasties#1fan]

I know I'm late, but Ricky's documentary was defiantly interesting,:cool:

[3stooges]

These are photos, not music. I think he's a good photographer who was lucky enough to get into the right place at the right time during Hip Hop's Golden Era. But IMO you are inflating his credentials as an "artist" to levels far beyond what he actually is.

I probably am...

I just see someone with some talent, an aesthetic sense.....and the connections........you know what they say, it's not what you know, it's who you know......I just think he could have done more....

I don't really understand what you mean about photos/music. They're both art to me...

[pesto pizza]

Rappin with the Rickster

At the end he adds "his" tribute to Adam. Kind of sweet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAVyPt_rMLo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Orange Adidas Campus on yauch in the "ill communication" era,nice!

[LilTreyR]

These are photos, not music. I think he's a good photographer who was lucky enough to get into the right place at the right time during Hip Hop's Golden Era. But IMO you are inflating his credentials as an "artist" to levels far beyond what he actually is.

I think it is a bit disingenuous on your part to suggest that photography is not a form of art, just as is music. If you want to make your argument based on Ricky's talent as an "artist" is one thing, but to state that his work is not "art" is flatly incorrect. I think Ricky is a fine artist/photographer and has rightfully earned his place in beastie history, IMO. Just thought that needed to be said.

[Brass Monk]

I think it is a bit disingenuous on your part to suggest that photography is not a form of art, just as is music. If you want to make your argument based on Ricky's talent as an "artist" is one thing, but to state that his work is not "art" is flatly incorrect. I think Ricky is a fine artist/photographer and has rightfully earned his place in beastie history, IMO. Just thought that needed to be said.

I'm not sure what you are reacting to, as far as my comment is concerned. As I already said before in a previous comment, Ricky has an important place in Beastie Lore.
I never said Ricky's photos aren't art (although I did imply that what he does mostly doesn't require artistic talent).
I bought "Oh Snap" back in the day and still have it, still flip through it from time to time. Great book, but 99% of the work is simply being there to snap the pic (this is not the case with all forms of photography, but is mostly such when photographing famous people)
Perhaps you go to celebrity photography school and are offended by this notion. So be it.

[Kid Presentable]

I think it is a bit disingenuous on your part to suggest that photography is not a form of art, just as is music. If you want to make your argument based on Ricky's talent as an "artist" is one thing, but to state that his work is not "art" is flatly incorrect. I think Ricky is a fine artist/photographer and has rightfully earned his place in beastie history, IMO. Just thought that needed to be said.

(y)

[LilTreyR]

I'm not sure what you are reacting to, as far as my comment is concerned. As I already said before in a previous comment, Ricky has an important place in Beastie Lore.
I never said Ricky's photos aren't art (although I did imply that what he does mostly doesn't require artistic talent).
I bought "Oh Snap" back in the day and still have it, still flip through it from time to time. Great book, but 99% of the work is simply being there to snap the pic (this is not the case with all forms of photography, but is mostly such when photographing famous people)
Perhaps you go to celebrity photography school and are offended by this notion. So be it.

Man someone doesn't agree with you and you have to personally insult them? It's cool for you to give others your 2 cents but not so cool when given to you?

BTW, my apologies dude for not hanging on your every word and missing your throwing Ricky a bone on being part of beastie "lore"

[gumkojima]

Weigh this piece of evidence:

https://vimeo.com/33169350

[fonky pizza]

I got OH SNAP! Rap photography by Ricky Powell book, cool.

[Brass Monk]

Man someone doesn't agree with you and you have to personally insult them? It's cool for you to give others your 2 cents but not so cool when given to you?

BTW, my apologies dude for not hanging on your every word and missing your throwing Ricky a bone on being part of beastie "lore"

Somebody's a little sensitive. You're perceiving critical analysis as insults.
If I disagree with you (particularly when you are twisting my initial words and statements) and respond with another comment, that doesn't mean I'm saying you can't have your 2 cents. Its just clarification from my end.

But whatever, if you think Ricky is some supposed super-talented, misunderstood, genius, artiste than that's cool. I think he's a cool but marginally talented little footnote on the Beastie Boys' epic resume. We can just agree to disagree than, because 1000 comments ain't gonna get us to agree on something like this.

[LilTreyR]

Somebody's a little sensitive. You're perceiving critical analysis as insults.
If I disagree with you (particularly when you are twisting my initial words and statements) and respond with another comment, that doesn't mean I'm saying you can't have your 2 cents. Its just clarification from my end.

But whatever, if you think Ricky is some supposed super-talented, misunderstood, genius, artiste than that's cool. I think he's a cool but marginally talented little footnote on the Beastie Boys' epic resume. We can just agree to disagree than, because 1000 comments ain't gonna get us to agree on something like this.

Is that what you call your dogmatic assertions, "critical analysis?" You said "these are photos, not music" implying that there is a difference. Then you insinuate that I am enrolled in some phantom course of study and tough shit what I think? Ima join in with what others have coincided when it comes to conversing with you "you win" moving on...

[Brass Monk]

Is that what you call your dogmatic assertions, "critical analysis?" You said "these are photos, not music" implying that there is a difference. Then you insinuate that I am enrolled in some phantom course of study and tough shit what I think? Ima join in with what others have coincided when it comes to conversing with you "you win" moving on...

Whatever pal