Bronx-born photographer Lisa Leone grew up in the golden era of hip hop. During the 80s and 90s she developed an interest in photography. She explored that interest by photographing the up-and-coming rappers in her neighborhood. Little did she know these photos captured some of the most iconic moments in hip hop. Leone photographed a fresh-faced Snoop Dogg while he was making his first music video, and Nas while he was recording his first album, Illmatic amongst others. Publishing platform Minor Matters has recently released a photobook of her classic images entitled Here I Am. Check out some pictures below and those who can’t get enough of it, cop the book here.

(Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill during the shooting of the ‘Vocab’ video. New York – 1990)

(Mary J. Blige at MCA Records. New York – 1991)

(Grandmaster Flash at Rock Steady Park. New York – 1991)

(Nas in the studio during recording sessions for his first album, ‘Illmatic’. New York – 1994)

(Snoop Dogg on the set of his first video, ‘Who Am I?’ Long Beach, California -1993)