I met Ricky Powell last year shortly after moving to New York and had no clue who he was.

I guess I was never in the right scene to be super familiar with his work, but I can know respect him as a pioneer in his field.

Before hip-hop became mainstream and more or less a caricature of itself, street photographer Ricky Powell, was the independent. He was a major player in documenting the rise of hip-hop culture (think the mid-80s New York of Run DMC and the Beastie Boys). Powell still keeps busy shooting artists, events and ad campaigns, hosting a public access show, publishing photography books, and writing a column for Mass Appeal. He has done some collaborations with clothing companies like Converse, and has even been immortalized in the Beastie Boys song “Car Thief.”

Tomorrow night, the Rickster invites you to view his private work that chronicles decades of works. His Apt. A collection, which will run for the next two months, features Powell’s shots of legendary artists at a pivotal time in New York street culture.

Signed pieces will be available through SHQ.

Apt. A also marks the beginning of the Rick Powell World Tour 2009.