Cam Kirk

Last updated
Cam Kirk
Cam Kirk.jpg
Born (1989-02-27) February 27, 1989 (age 35)
Maryland
Alma materMorehouse College
Occupation(s)Photographer and videographer
Website thecamkirk.com

Cameron "Cam Kirk" Kirkland (born February 27, 1989) is a photographer and videographer. Cam Kirk has worked with and produced work for many hip hop artists and entertainers, including Young Jeezy, T.I., Monica, 2 Chainz, Mike Will Made It, Estelle, Schoolboy Q, Future, Gucci Mane, D.C. Young Fly, Young Dolph, Yo Gotti, and DJ Khaled. [1] [2]

Contents

Early life and education

Cam Kirk was born and raised in Prince George's County, Maryland with his three siblings and parents. There he attended Bishop McNamara High School. During his youth, Cam Kirk was inspired by his father's passion for photography as he allowed Kirk to assist him with his projects. After graduating high school in 2007, Cam Kirk moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Upon arriving to Atlanta, Cam Kirk attended Morehouse College where he majored in Business Marketing. While in Atlanta, Cam Kirk focused on his true passion, photography and videography. [3]

Career

Cam Kirk's work has been published in a variety of magazines which include: Billboard Magazine, XXL, The Source, The Fader Magazine, Spin Magazine, MTV, BuzzFeed, Complex Magazine, Pitchfork, Vice Magazine, Revolt TV, BET & More. [3] [1] [4] [5] Complex Magazine named Cam Kirk as one of 15 photographers that every rap fan should know. Hypebeast has also named him Hip Hop's Most Trusted Photographer. [6] In 2016, Atlanta's Largest Radio Station Hot 107.9 invited Cam Kirk as their first ever photographer to be featured and interviewed on the air. In 2017, Cam Kirk was also included in DeLeon Tequila's list of 100 Influencers Taking it to the Next Level.

Exhibitions

Trap God

In an effort to bridge the gap between Art and Hip Hop, Cam Kirk pioneered the first Trap House photography exhibit, entitled "Trap God". Trap God was a photography exhibit featuring never before seen photographs of rapper Gucci Mane. The exhibit took place in an abandoned church in East Atlanta Village and presented live aspects as a point of innovation and artistry in the exhibit. The live aspects were actual actors posed as Trap Girls, a Trap Queen, a gun & bible wielding Pastor, and much more. The exhibit concluded with rapper Young Thug shooting his music video for the song entitled "Again" at the event. The Trap God Exhibit received national attention and was featured in many major magazines. [7] [5]

Day 4 Billboard Exhibit

Cam Kirk's "Day 4 Exhibit" launched in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 19, 2016. The exhibit has been updated monthly with unreleased photos of influential artists. The exhibit began by being funded through a Kick Starter campaign giving fans of hip hop and photography alike the opportunity to contribute and be a part of the exhibit directly. The exhibit has spanned to various artists and locations, including Miami, FL.

The first billboard in the Day 4 Exhibit was dedicated to the late, Bankroll Fresh. Cam Kirk linked with friends and super producers Metro Boomin, Sonny Digital and Southside to dedicate a billboard to a fallen friend. Thus far, Cam Kirk has displayed Metro Boomin, 21 Savage, Sonny Digital, Lil Yachty, Rich The Kid, The Migos, Trouble, DC Young Fly, 6lack and displayed clothing of the London-based clothing brand Marbek.

Art Basel

Art Basel stages art shows for modern and contemporary art and is sited annually in Basel, Switzerland, Miami Beach, Florida and Hong Kong, Japan. Each show has participating galleries, exhibition sectors, artworks and parallel programming produced in collaboration with the host city's local institutions. [8] [9] December 2016, Cam Kirk participated in Art Basel Miami with a collaboration for an event entitled inFocus. Hip Hop Through The Lens of Photography event Curated by Billboard Magazine and 1800 Tequila, alongside a few other photographers. Cam Kirk also brought his Day 4 Billboard Exhibit to Miami displaying the Migos.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gucci Mane</span> American rapper (born 1980)

Radric Delantic Davis, known professionally as Gucci Mane, is an American rapper and record executive. He is credited, along with fellow Atlanta-based rappers T.I. and Jeezy, with pioneering the hip hop subgenre trap music for mainstream audiences into the 2000s. His debut studio album, Trap House (2005) was released by the independent label Big Cat Records and entered the Billboard 200; it was followed by Hard to Kill (2006), which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100 entry with its 2007 single, "Freaky Gurl". That same year, he released his third album, Trap-A-Thon before signing with Atlantic Records to release his fourth album, Back to the Trap House (2007).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Icy (Gucci Mane song)</span> 2005 single by Gucci Mane featuring Young Jeezy and Boo

"Icy" is the debut single by American rapper Gucci Mane, featuring fellow American rappers Young Jeezy and Boo of the group Boo & Gotti. The track was released on April 13, 2005, as the lead single from his debut studio album, Trap House. The track is credited as the breakout song for both Gucci Mane and Jeezy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gucci Mane discography</span> Hip hop recording artist discography

American rapper Gucci Mane has released 16 studio albums, 3 collaborative albums, 10 compilation albums, one soundtrack, 8 extended plays (EPs), 80 mixtapes and 100 singles and 16 promotional singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waka Flocka Flame</span> American rapper (born 1986)

Juaquin James Malphurs, known professionally as Waka Flocka Flame, is an American rapper from Atlanta, Georgia. He first became known for his 2009 single "O Let's Do It," which entered the Billboard Hot 100 and led him to sign with Gucci Mane's 1017 Records, an imprint of Warner Records that same year. His 2010 follow-up single, "No Hands" reached number 13 on the chart and received diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Both songs, along with "Hard in da Paint" and "Grove St. Party", preceded the release of his debut studio album Flockaveli (2010), which peaked at number six on the Billboard 200. His second studio album, Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family (2012) peaked at number ten on the chart and was supported by the singles "Round of Applause", "I Don't Really Care" and "Get Low".

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<i>Trap God</i> 2012 mixtape by Gucci Mane

Trap God is a mixtape by American rapper Gucci Mane, released on October 17, 2012. The mixtape was announced on July 31, 2012, with no release date notified. However, on August 8, Gucci announced that October 17, 2012, would be the date of the release. The mixtape features major guest appearances from Rick Ross, Waka Flocka Flame, Meek Mill, Future, T-Pain, Kevin McCall, Trae Tha Truth, Kirko Bangz, and Birdman, as well as up and coming rapper Young Scooter who is featured on 6 of the tracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Will Made It</span> American record producer (born 1989)

Michael Len Williams II, known professionally as Mike Will Made It or simply Mike Will, is an American record producer, rapper and songwriter. He is best known for producing trap beats for several Southern hip hop and pop artists on commercially successful singles. His credits include "Black Beatles" and "Powerglide" by Rae Sremmurd, "Mercy" by Kanye West, "No Lie" by 2 Chainz, "Bandz a Make Her Dance" by Juicy J, "Pour It Up" by Rihanna, "Love Me" by Lil Wayne, "Body Party" by Ciara, "We Can't Stop" by Miley Cyrus, "Formation" by Beyoncé, and "Humble" by Kendrick Lamar. He embarked on a career as a non-performing lead artist in 2013 with his debut single "23", which peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. His 2017 follow-up single, "Rake It Up" peaked at number eight on the chart. He has released six mixtapes and one solo studio album, Ransom 2 (2017).

Trap is a subgenre of hip hop music pioneered by Atlanta rappers T.I., Jeezy, and Gucci Mane, which originated in the Southern United States, with lyrical references to trap starting in 1991 but the modern sound of trap appearing in 1999. The genre gets its name from the Atlanta slang term "trap house", a house used exclusively to sell drugs. Trap music is known for its simple, rhythmic, minimalistic productions that uses synthesized drums, and is characterized by complex hi-hat patterns, snare drums, bass drums, some tuned with a long decay to emit a bass frequency, and lyrical content that often focuses on drug use and urban violence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southside (record producer)</span> American record producer, rapper and songwriter

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<i>Trap God 2</i> 2013 mixtape by Gucci Mane

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References

  1. 1 2 "Portfolio Review: Cam Kirk Captures Images of the Rap World" . Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  2. "Portfolio Review: Cam Kirk Captures Images of the Rap World - Gucci Mane Shooting" . Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  3. 1 2 "About" . Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  4. "Framing New Atlanta: Photographer Cam Kirk Captures the City's Rap Scene Before It Happens | NOISEY" . Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  5. 1 2 "Cam Kirk Captures The Spirit Of The Trap God With East Atlanta Exhibit For Gucci Mane | Vibe" . Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  6. "Cam Kirk Is Hip-Hop's Most Trusted Photographer, Now He's Teaching Everything He's Learned". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 2017-06-04.
  7. "Young Thug Visits 'Trap God' Exhibit to Shoot Gucci Mane-Assisted Cut "Again"". Boi-1da.net. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  8. "Art Basel 2014 Guide". Archived from the original on 2015-10-06. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  9. "Hip-Hop Through His Lens: Atlanta Photographer, Cam Kirk, Set To Release Photo Book [Details]". THATSENUFF.COM. Retrieved 2015-10-06.