Christopher Chijioke "Chi" Modu was a Nigerian-born American photographer known for his photos of various pioneering hip-hop music entertainers which helped set the visual template for dozens of 90's hip-hop stars such as 2pac, Notorious BIG, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Wu-Tang Clan, Dr Dre, Eazy E, Mobb Deep, etc.

Chi Modu was born in Arondizuogu in Imo State, his parents had been part of the first wave of immigrants who moved due to a nearly two-year long Nigeria vs Biafra civil war that almost tore the country apart in the late 60s. As fate would have it, the rise of hip-hop came in the 80s and Modu was a twenty-something-year-old photographer who found himself surrounded by artists set to define hip-hop (probably unknown to him at the time). His greatest legacy till date is how he set out to capture the musicians in candid moments, revealing them as real persons instead of the one-dimensional celebrities.

After the civil war, Modu had to decide at a young age whether to return with his parents to Nigeria or stay behind at a boarding school. He chose the boarding school, and found himself at Lawrenceville, the prestigious prep school attended by the likes of Michael Eisner and Malcolm Forbes. With his parents on the other side of the world, Chi developed a strong independent streak, which later would manifest itself in his work.

He died of cancer on May 19 2021 at 54.
Below are few of his iconic Hip-hop photos of rap legends.