photo essay: sounds from echo park: dtla’s underground hip-hop scene

I moved to Southern California in hopes of not only benefitting from but contributing to its rich art scene, predominantly through photography. Northridge doesn’t offer many interesting events or subjects to shoot, so I’m sure to bring my equipment whenever I visit places like Hollywood or Santa Monica Pier. This particular venue was located in Echo Park near Downtown Los Angeles. I’d never been there before but fell in love with the place within seconds of exiting the freeway. Nearly every building the Uber driver passed was hidden behind the hues of some intricate mural reflecting the triumphs, struggles, and history of the inner-city.

By Jacques Guidry, AFROPUNK contributor

As I paid my $10 and stepped inside one of these decorated buildings I was immediately immersed in smoke, sound, and color. This compact “grunge-esque” warehouse setting was flooded with college aged kids anxious to turn up alongside their favorite underground hip-hop artists whose age didn’t deviate far from their own. The show was put on and headlined by 18 year old Camacho, and among those performing were CODY, Sampson Beats, Hersoul, Proel, Smooth, and Jon Prob. I got a personal invite from Hersoul, as we both attend CSU Northridge and perform at the same open mics. This was the first show preceding the release of her EP and I offered to take photos of the event for a small fee. She said she wanted me to enjoy myself and not feel like I was going to work, which was somewhat a relief. I was also anxious to experience the show without feeling trapped in my photographic duties, but I brought my equipment anyway.

The majority of these shots embody the pure essence of young black female sophistication, while others exhibit the eccentricity, eclectic energy, and creativity of LA’s underground culture.

Photos: Jacques Guidry

Portfolio: Flickr.com/jmguidry
Instagram: @souleaux_digital
Twitter: @souleaux
Email: jmguidryjr@gmail.com