Chapter 43: Bug Out!

New York is brimming with creative characters, but few have the history or style of Ricky Powell. The self-described “bummy sophisticate” is best known as a NYC-born photographer with a passion for people, animals, sports, and the city that raised him.

Ricky’s interest in photography started in the mid-’80s, right around the time he connected with an up-and-coming hip-hop trio called the Beastie Boys. Before long, he become known as the "Fourth Beastie Boy.” Twenty-five years later, “the Oscar Madison of Hip-Hop” has published four photo collections, hosted his own local-access TV show (Rappin’ with the Rickster), co-hosted the Chances with Wolves radioshow, shot for countless magazines and newspapers, and contributed his work to several apparel lines. Converse and Puma have even produced a shoe with Ricky.

Frank Book Chapter 43: Ricky Powell: Bugout! is just that. Ricky has hand selected a cast of contributors that are as prolific and eccentric as the man himself. This installment features an intimate look into the Rickster’s famed Greenwich Village home, as well as conversations with photographer Roberta Bayley, the Funky Uncle Ralph McDaniels, EDAN (who Ricky has dubbed “The Jewish Big Daddy Kane”), and many others. Other Chapter 43 highlights are photo/art collaborations between Ricky and a collection of artists—both established and new to the scene—and a fashion shoot featuring iconic NYC awnings.