Hip hop photographer Ricky Powell has died at the age of 59, his management has confirmed.
The famous face – who was often referred to as the “fourth Beastie Boy” – died of heart failure.
Ricky’s manager and business partner Tono Radvany told Pitchfork: “I just want to let everybody know he was a very special man, and he will be sorely missed.”
The celebrity photographer worked with a number of A-list stars throughout his career, including Madonna and iconic artist Andy Warhol.
But he was best known for working with the Beastie Boys, and he became very good friends with the group and appeared in a number of their tours and music videos.
Ricky Powell is said to have become a photographer to show an ex what she was missing (Image: WireImage)
Tributes have been pouring in for the popular photographer, with rapper LL Cool J among the first to share a touching statement.
Sharing a photo of the two of them together, the musician wrote: “Your [camera emoji] captured the culture. Rest in power.”
And Questlove, of Roots, shared a tribute, quoting a lyric from Beastie Boys song Car Thief in which Powell is mentioned.
Ricky Powell worked with icons such as Madonna and Andy Warhol (Image: Ron Galella Collection via Getty)
In the song Car Thief, he’s referenced in the lyric: “Homeboy throw in the towel / Your girl got d***ed by Ricky Powell.”
And Canadian DJ A-Trak tweeted: “Man. RIP Ricky Powell, my favourite hip hop photographer ever. A year and a half ago I bought a few photo prints of his for my crib. He signed everything and was so cool about it. He always had so much flavour.
“He even threw in this extra pic of me and him with a nice note. RIP Ricky Powell, this sucks.”
Ricky Powell was referenced in the Beastie Boys song Car Thief (Image: WireImage)
It’s thought that the New York City photographer went down his chosen career path after an ex-girlfriend left her camera at his home.
It’s said he decided to make something of himself so he could show her what she’d missed out on by breaking up with him.
He got his big break when he joined the Beastie Boys and Run DMC on a tour, as he had gone to high school with Ad-Rock of Beastie Boys.
Powell must have impressed though, as he was offered a job by the label Def Jam, where he shot stars such as LL Cool J, Public Enemy and Eric B & Rakim.
As well as his photography, Powell wrote four books and hosted a show called Rappin With the Rickster and was the subject of a 2020 documentary called Ricky Powell: The Individualist.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
