6th Bronx Documentary Center Latin American Foto Festival

On View July 13, 2023 - July 31, 2023

In collaboration with the Bronx Documentary Center, and honoring Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary this year, NuevaYorkinos’ show centered Latinos and Caribbeans in Hip-Hop. The exhibition was on display on the corner of Melrose Avenue & E 150th Street, along the gates of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church.

“I am submitting three photos that we took in the Legendary Power Play Studios in Astoria, Queens. I would like to say they were take in 1996. I am in the white Timberland T-shirt and my partner in rhyme is in the red windbreaker. His name is Luis Roman. We were trying to make it in the rap game and access to this studio was one of our first steps into make our dreams a reality! We were able to make some demos in Power Play and later on were able to afford our own equipment and produce stuff at home. We were originally called the NxtMen and then added another member and went by C.L.S. (Collaborating Lyrical Skillz). We did shows all over NYC as well as PA. Although a recording contract never materialized, we had a blast creating, recording, performing and traveling all over due to our love of Hip-Hop!”

Power Play Studios. Astoria, Queens, 1996. Sergio Andrade and Luis Román. © Nuevayorkinos / Sergio Andrade.

Countries of Origin: Puerto Rico & Mexico

“My girl Daisy saw these fotos of me & my girls in my phone & said ‘you have to submit to Nuevayorkinos!’ This is us back in the mid ‘80’s, I would say between 1985-1989. We would go to Latin Quarters, every Friday (the original super club in midtown), Roseland, every Saturday & mix in other clubs like The Funhouse, Copacabana (again the original on East 60 something St off 5th Ave?) and other hip hop/ freestyle spots. We had so much fun mixing clubbing, dating, working & going to college! Those were the days!” 

Diane’s hallway, Copacabana, and Roseland, 1985-1989. Diane and her friends Janine, Maybelle, and Rae. © Nuevayorkinos / Diane Mella.

Countries of Origin: Puerto Rico & Chile

“Both my dad’s parents were born in Puerto Rico. My Grandma Lydia is from Santa Isabel, my Grandpa Miguel is from Santurce. Grandma Lydia raised my titi and my dad while my grandpa was on and off seas. My dad got into trouble as early as middle school, and ended up going to prison before I was born. He succumbed to substance abuse as well, but got clean to raise my sister and I. Doing so wasn’t easy for him, as well as other family members of mine with similar history. They’re all now decades clean. They tell me the craziest stories, including the fun block parties they used to throw by Sedgwick. They carry the Nuyorican pride always, and I’m proud to also do so.”

The Bronx, 1990s. Miguel II. © Nuevayorkinos / Ash Aguayo.

Country of Origin: Puerto Rico

“It feels like it was yesterday, the summer of 1992. This is when my parents decided it was time to move to New York City from the Dominican Republic. I was 14 years old. A bitter sweet and sad day, leaving all my friends that I grew up with behind. All the close by high schools were already Pack by the time we got here, so we had to go to Evander child high school, which was pretty far for us. We lived in Kingsbridge and Sedgwick Ave at the time. I remember feeling so scared when I got to school and slowly realized how many more kids were feeling the same because they had also just arrived from the Dominican Republic and other parts of the Caribbean. This group of girls ( there are a few more missing ) and the bx gave me a new home and a new community that now I can't picture my life without! The Bronx has been my home for the past 31 years, and there is no other place I would rather be!”

Webster Avenue and Gun Hill Road, The Bronx, 1993. Dorianne and her friends Heidi, Ingrid, Dora, and Rosanna waiting for the Bx41, on their way back home from Evander Child High School. © Nuevayorkinos / Dorianne Flores.

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic

“I am a manufactured product which all the original parts were all produced in a small Caribbean country that everyone knows as the Dominican Republic. And living in this wonderful country of ‘The Boogie Down Bronx’... yes, because ‘The Boogie Down Bronx’ is a country apart from the USA. It's the best thing that ever happened to me.”

The Bronx, 1988-1998. Isaac, his parents, family, and friends. © Nuevayorkinos / Isaac Flores.

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic

“My name is Norine Torres: the youngest out of my siblings, born and raised in Park Slope, Brooklyn. In the 1980’s-2000’s back when Parkslope was actually hood, the complete opposite of the newly gentrified neighborhood. We had a huge “Crack is Wack” sign on our corner because it was ruining our people. This was a neighborhood inhabited exclusively by Hispanic families, mostly Puerto Rican, as well as black and other people of color. As kids on the block aka La Primera, for 1st Street we played stickball, manhunt, spin the bottle, hopscotch, steal the bacon and catch and kiss. When I was a kid and curfew hit I remember going home so mad and would lay on my bed to listen to the wild sounds of the streets. Music, the icecream truck, people yelling at each other …wishing I could go back outside and be in the mix.  It was the best childhood a kid can ask for.  Around the age of 5 my brother played cassettes on the radio. This was when I was introduced to Hip Hop like EPMD, Eric B. & Rakim, BDP, L.L and Public Enemy. As I grew older fashion meant everything and we were influenced by Hip Hop culture and the swag that dripped off of those Brooklyn streets. Even if we couldn’t afford it, the local boosters made it happen for us. We were raised in the culture. The major fashion trendsetters were artists like Grand Puba, Wutang Clan, Mary J. Blige, Biggie, Jay-Z, Kwame, Special Ed, Onyx and so many more.”

Sunset Park, Brooklyn. 2000s. Norine rocking her “Rocawear suit, white Nike her, add Mami to the cypher” suit, a la Jay-Z.© Nuevayorkinos / Norine Torres.

Country of Origin: Puerto Rico

“In this photo it’s me and my friend, Omayra. The year was 1996 or ‘97, fresh off the iron horse headed to Brighton Beach, Bay 6 specifically, which was the place to be on the beach at that time. Then having fun on the sand we would walk over to Coney Island. There’s always music on the boardwalk and especially by the old Himilayan ride in C.I. which was infamous for having super loud hip-hop & reggae playing all the good shit. I have the shades on my head, with the Polo tank top and jean shorts. I’m carrying a boombox and a water spray bottle to cool ourselves off on the beach. My friend, Omayra has on the white bucket hat, A/X tee (I think) and cut off shorts. I remember this day was another wild one because we got flashed by a drive-by beater. A dirty man in a white van. Another man was  driving the white van while the other pig slid open the door to show us he was wacking off as if we would want to jump in the van with him. Instead we cursed him out so loud and screamed out ‘ewwwwww you disgusting piece of –,’ and threw whatever we could at him in that split second….just like our Titi’s taught us! They sped off, we laughed but were so grossed out. Unfortunately it happened many more times, especially in the city! (Manhattan).”

Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, 1996-7. Norine, boombox and spray bottle in tow, and her friend Omayra in the white bucket hat. © Nuevayorkinos / Norine Torres.

Country of Origin: Puerto Rico

Jamaica, Queens and the legendary practice area of "King Uprocks Spot" in Ridgewood, Queens. 2001-2003. Photos by New York Boricua photographer and former b-boy. © Nuevayorkinos / John Michael “JM” Arcella.

Country of Origin: Puerto Rico

"My dads style was influenced by Hip Hop in the 90's. It's funny, because he's a very traditional Dominican Dad. He doesn't speak English, he mostly listened to salsa and oldies like Barry White, but somehow, he felt more represented by Hip Hop artists and their culture and clothing. By what he saw in the streets and TV. He expressed himself through the way he dressed. He was fly. He was BX. And in some ways, he too, was Hip Hop."

The Bronx, late 1990s-early 2000s. Sonyi’s dad and friends. © Nuevayorkinos / Sonyi López.

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic

“Here’s a polaroid picture of myself, about 15 years old in the ‘90s. I’m headed to a hooky party, wearing my bright orange beeper which I was.. oh so proud of , sunglasses on my head, Downtown Fulton gold earrings, purple Guess jeans, Tommy Hilfiger striped shirt and purple Jansport book bag. If you didn’t have a Jansport you were a nobody!”

Park Slope, Brooklyn, 1990s. Norine playing hooky. © Nuevayorkinos / Norine Torres.

Country of Origin: Puerto Rico

“My dad’s name is Jesus Cambrelen a.k.a. Boobie. A Dominican & Puerto Rican hot-tempered OG from Soundview. These photos were taken in his beloved hood’ from 1989-1994. His crew was Sex Squad or Bolton Boys, depending on the day. He’s the most well-rounded person I know. Generous , loyal, loving and protective. But also fierce and impulsive. He’s proud of being raised in The Golden Era of Hip-Hop, and spread his knowledge to both my sister and I. The first video I remember watching was Busta Rhymes’ ‘Put All Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See.’ The first song I remember singing was Bombs over Baghdad by Outkast. While some people grew up on typical nursery rhymes, mine were the sounds of Biggie and KRS-One, all thanks to him. He always taught us about our intricate history, as Caribbeans and never filtered us from the realities of racism. He made sure we knew our family has always been advocates for justice and liberation (The Cambrelen’s were actively apart of The Young Lords and Puerto Rican Student Alliance in the 1960’s & 70’s). I don’t know anyone who has overcome as many obstacles and persevered like he has. At 52, he’s now retired from skateboarding and instead is focused on being a Papa to his first grandson.”

Soundview, The Bronx, 1989-1994. Jesus “Boobie” Cambrelen and his crew, the Sex Squad/Bolton Boys. © Nuevayorkinos / Tana Cambrelen.

Countries of Origin: Dominican Republic & Puerto Rico

“I began my career in the Fashion Industries. I first worked as a Childrenswear Designer than as market changed I became a Technical Designer traveling to the Far East. I was overseeing production for Rockerwear children’s for Jay-Z. In the 1980’s I was requested to design the breakwear outfits for a breakdance crew called the United States Breakers from the Bronx. [The second piece is]  a graffiti Art piece designed by my son Michael Amaro . In the early 1980’s was apart of a team that he did Graffiti Art on T- Shirts / Denim jeans and jackets. This was done for the “ Rock Steady Crew” break dancers. Also did Graffiti Art for the “ Devils Nest Club” in the Bronx, and also LL Cool J.”

United States Breakers in Anna’s designs. © Nuevayorkinos / Anna Pesante.

Country of Origin: Puerto Rico

“Foxy Brown grew up not too far from our Park Slope neighborhood and her performing with Dru Hill at the beautiful Grand Prospect Hall down the block from our home was really cool. The best part was how it brought all the kids from the block together. That’s what hip hop does, whether it was a block party or a music video, it got people vibing together. Also, RIP to Grand Prospect Hall, a historic Brooklyn building demolished for condos yet thankfully leaving behind great memories.”

Grand Prospect Hall, Prospect Ave. between 5th & 6th Avenues, South Slope, Brooklyn, 1997. Gina (Brett Favre jersey) with her brothers Marcos in blue, Giovani in red, and teens from the block gathered around Sisqo (red plaid). Music video set for Big Bad Mama, Dru Hill & Foxy Brown. © Nuevayorkinos / Gina.

Country of Origin: Ecuador

“A quick photo with Raekwon in Club ESSOS, one of the best hip-hop clubs in NY in the 1990’s. Me and my girls were up in there, religiously. I’m in the front with the black top and big cheesy smile because I loved Wu-Tang and Raekwon was nice enough to get in the pic. This night was special. Lots of artists were there, Biggie and the entire Junior Mafia, Mary J. Blige, Lil’ Kim who was apart of the Junior Mafia, some members of Wutang and more. I loved Biggie and MJB. I was brave enough to ask Biggie for a pic this night. He was so nice and graciously told me he would love to but if he took a pic with us then he would have to take a pic with everyone else who wanted one. I completely understood and expressed my gratitude for being so kind about it.  I told him I loved his music and thanked him for repping Brooklyn. He said no doubt and I kept it moving and never forgot that moment.”

Club ESSO, Manhattan, 1990s. Norine and her friends with Raekwon. © Nuevayorkinos / Norine Torres.

Country of Origin: Puerto Rico

IMAGE 1:

“This used to be our playground! Our building 1860 Billingsley Terrace, between Phelan Place and Sedgwick Ave, aka Hip Hop Blvd. It was my bedroom window view from the 3rd floor. Let’s just say I enjoyed hearing all the loud music. Hip-Hop from the parties.”
Billingsley Terrace. Morris Heights, The Bronx, 1980s.© Nuevayorkinos / Johanna “La Puchi” Velez.

IMAGE 2: The Bronx, 1990s. Ace and Steven Carrasquilla, “Wolverine 333”. © Nuevayorkinos / Johanna “La Puchi” Velez.

IMAGE 3: Morris Heights, The Bronx, 1990s. La Puchi and her husband, Ace. Roberto Clemente State Park. © Nuevayorkinos / Johanna “La Puchi” Velez.

Country of Origin: Puerto Rico