Arts·Q with Tom Power

Patrick Nichols on his photographs of Toronto's hip-hop scene

The photographer has been capturing Toronto's hip-hop artists for decades. His images can be seen in a new exhibit at the AGO, The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century.

Nichols's images can be seen in a new exhibit at the AGO now until April 6

Headshot of Patrick Nichols wearing over-ear headphones and sitting in front of a studio microphone.
Patrick Nichols in the Q studio in Toronto. (Amelia Eqbal/CBC)

For decades, Patrick Nichols has been photographing Toronto hip-hop artists like Michie Mee and Dream Warriors. His latest photo, A Great Day in Toronto Hip Hop, features 103 key players from the scene captured all in one place. It's just been put on display in the Art Gallery of Ontario's new exhibit, The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century. Nichols sits down with Tom Power to talk about the photograph, trading in a turntable for a camera, and his life in photography and hip-hop.

The full interview with Patrick Nichols is available on our podcast, Q with Tom Power. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.


Interview with Patrick Nichols produced by Ben Edwards.