The Defining Years

A documentary that delves into the artists and culture that has turned hip-hop into a multi-billion dollar industry. The documentary narrated by Chi Modu®️ is a retrospective of the images and experiences he had documenting hip-hop culture from 1990 to 2000. It is a sure bet that if you meant anything in hip-hop culture, Chi was taking a picture of you. Shooting 25 covers of The Source, Chi’s raw imagery reminds us of the growth of hip-hop culture and his intimate relationship with it.

The Defining Years is a look back at when the culture was still being shaped and molded, and the images presented by Chi presented that concept. It combines a mixture of images, music, and stories told from a perspective never before heard and seen. It also provides the audience with a look inside, not the surface that is documented in many hip-hop films to date.

The documentary is not only a look behind the lens, it is a look inside the stories of the streets of Queensbridge and Nas, Compton and Snoop, and the many images that depicted Tupac and his controversial rise and fall.

Millions and millions now understand and know hip-hop culture, but who defined it, which are the roots that allowed the multi-million dollar record contracts and clothing lines.

The Defining Years was not defined by thousand-dollar photo studios and stylists, the imagery depicted in The Defining Years, is the TRUTH, the raw essence of hip-hop photography and lifestyle that defined an era and defined an overall lifestyle.

The Defining Years is a culmination of Chi Modu’s photography and his stories of a culture that defined an era.