VIDEO: The Other Side of Hip Hop - Ernie Paniccioli

Photographer Ernie P., one of those enduring icons of hip hop culture that is a little bit below the radar while at the same time being above the radar, has finally been captured for the big screen. The Documentary, The Other Side of Hip Hop, covering his life in hip hop since its beginnings, won Best Documentary 2007 at the Big Apple Film Festival this past November.  Anyone who has worked in the industry of hip hop knows Ernie - they also know that underneath his effervescent over the top persona lies a heart of gold. Representing for the indigenous people of North America, Ernie’s Native American roots continue to create a fertile foundation from which he has documented a once ignored cultural phenomenon - hip hop - for over 30 years. In that same time frame he has stayed true to hip-hop’s core values - peace, unity and having fun - which have gotten lost in the fray at times, by lecturing at colleges and universities across the country, and on panels for Rap Sessions.  Visually his work has been on view all over the country and in print in his latest book Who Shot Ya?.  Who, What, Where: Latifah, B.I.G., The Source, Vibe, VH-1, MTV, Tupac, Jimmy Carter, Andy Warhol, The Dalai Lama, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Brooklyn Museum, Public Enemy, The Rock Steady Crew, The New York Times…and the list goes on…

(Afrika Bambaataa & Ernie P. circa 1989 photo by Ernie P.) 

There will be a free screening of The Other Side of Hip Hop during the first week of March, 2008 at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn. Watch the Trailer!