Spirit Behind the Lens

The collected photographic works of Eddie Otchere, Britain's foremost chronicler of Black youth culture.

Spirit Behind the Lens takes the reader into the visual world of one of hip-hop’s most enigmatic photographers: Eddie Otchere.

Hailing from the epicentre of London’s jungle scene, this book documents how Otchere crafted the visual identities of house, garage, jungle, drum n bass and hip-hop, working with artists including Biggie Smalls, Wu-Tang Clan, Lil Louis, So Solid Crew, Kemet Crew, Goldie and Black Star.

Accompanied by a written memoir in which Otchere outlines his practice, influence and personal history, Spirit Behind the Lens is not only a history of Black culture told through the work of its greatest and most influential photographer, but a manual on how to navigate the emotional aspects of being creative and an exploration of the romance of photography itself.