Just over two years ago, photographer Michelle Grace Hunder began the concept of her Australian hip hop coffee table book ‘Rise’.
Through the unprecedented support of both artists and fans via a Pozible campaign, Michelle’s dream of creating the first book dedicated to portraying musicians within the Australian hip hop community is now a long-awaited reality.
Where did you learn photography?
I was given a DSLR for Christmas from my husband four years ago; I literally started shooting from that day forth. I’m self-taught, but I’ve had a few photographer friends who’ve been there for solid mentoring along the way. I’ve been fortunate enough to develop my own style pretty quickly.
What made you want to photograph hip hop artists in particular?
I’ve always been a huge fan of hip hop since I was around 12 or 13 years old. I remember listening to Snopp Dogg’s ‘Doggy Style’ on tape back in ’94, and Tupac’s ‘Me Against The World’ — that music shaped my teenage years. I didn’t listen to a lot of hip hop from Australia until I reconnected with an old Shepparton friend, Briggs, a few years ago. He played me some of his stuff and I was blown away! After that, I started shooting at his gigs and I met a few people and completely fell in love with the Melbourne hip hop scene. I started what was then a ‘portrait series’ on artists I wanted to work with and that turned into what is now the coffee table book ‘Rise’ with 118 portraits of 182 artists across Australia.
Do you have a favourite photo from ‘Rise’?
It’s really hard to pick a favourite, I have so many for different reasons. Noteworthy are probably Brad Strut, Thundamentals, Bliss N Eso, A-Love, Diafrix. There are so many photos I love and am really proud of; they’re all pretty special to me I guess! Each photo has a story, which I love.
 © Michelle Grace Hunder — M-Phazes |  © Michelle Grace Hunder — Urthboy |
What is the ‘Rise’ tour?
It’s essentially six hip hop shows to celebrate the launch of my book. Rather than doing a boring book signing or something similar, I’m taking a bunch of my rapper friends on tour to really celebrate hip hop in this country. Each artist on the ‘Rise’ tour is really diverse and the tour will show off the array of talent we have in this country. People will still be able to buy the book at the shows though! Plus, people get to see amazing artists that actually feature in the book performing right in front of them. Super cool!
Do you know all the artists on the tour personally?
Yes. Other than shooting them all for the book, they are all close personal friends that I have got to know during my few years in the scene. But I also highly respect them as artists; they might be my friends but they are also really dope rappers and performers!
Rise tour with Remi, Briggs, Mantra & others
Thu Aug 21 - The Espy (Melbourne)Fri Aug 22 - Oxford Art Factory (Sydney)
Sat Aug 23 - New Globe Theatre (Brisbane)
Thu Aug 28 - Karova Lounge (Ballarat)
Fri Aug 29 - Rosemount Hotel (Perth)
Sat Aug 30 - Rocket Bar (Adelaide)
