Four years ago, the Hip Hop world lost one of its most vital visual historians with the passing of legendary photographer Chi Modu. He was 54 years old.
The news of Modu’s death was confirmed on May 22, 2021, through a statement posted on his official social media accounts. The post read: “Our hearts are broken… We continue the fight. © The family requests privacy at this time,” accompanied by a photo of the photographer and the years of his life: 1966–2021. At the time, no cause of death was publicly disclosed.
Born in Nigeria and raised in New Jersey, Modu’s journey into photojournalism began after graduating from Rutgers University. He later honed his craft at the prestigious International Center of Photography in New York City. His career took shape at the Harlem-based Amsterdam News, but it was his role as Director of Photography at The Source Magazine that truly cemented his place in Hip Hop history.
Chi Modu’s lens captured the soul of a culture. His work helped define the visual identity of 1990s Hip Hop, producing some of its most enduring images—from Mobb Deep’s The Infamous album cover to Tupac Shakur’s iconic bandana portraits, and the unforgettable shot of The Notorious B.I.G. standing in front of the World Trade Center.
More than just pictures, his photographs became cultural artifacts—raw, honest, and deeply human reflections of a genre and a generation. Modu’s work offered both insiders and outsiders a powerful glimpse into the heart of Hip Hop at its most transformative moments.
The Source co-founder Jon Shecter paid tribute to Modu shortly after his passing, writing: “Rest peacefully Chi, your warm heart and your artistic gifts will thrive in this sphere forever. Love you brother.”
Today, The Source Magazine remembers Chi Modu not only as a friend and colleague but as a visionary whose legacy lives on through the images that continue to speak louder than words.