‘Fourth’ Beastie Boy Ricky Powell dies aged 59: Hip-hop photographer who worked with band passes away from heart failure
Photographer Ricky Powell, who was often referred to as the ‘fourth Beastie Boy’ has died at the age of 59.
Powell passed away from heart failure, with a statement released by his management on Tuesday confirming the sad news.
His manager and business partner Tono Radvany told Pitchfork: ‘I just want to let everybody know he was a very special man, and he will be sorely missed.’
Loss: Photographer Ricky Powell, who was often referred to as the ‘fourth Beastie Boy’ has died at the age of 59 from heart failure
During his career, Powell photographed the likes of Run-DMC, Chuck D and LL COOL J.
As well as hip-hop artists, he also photographed the biggest stars of the era including Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Sofia Coppola and Laurence Fishburne.
The multi-talented star also hosted a TV show, Rappin With the Rickster, for six years during the 1990s.
Born in New York in 1961, Powell got his big break in 1986 by going on tour with the Beastie Boys and Run-DMC, having previously attended high school with Beastie Boys member Ad-Rock.
Close: LL Cool J was among the first to pay tribute, saying Powell ‘captured the culture’
He was immortalised in the lyrics for Beastie Boys song Car Thief, with the line: ‘Homeboy, throw in the towel / Your girl got d**ked by Ricky Powell’.
LL Cool J was among the first to pay tribute, saying Powell ‘captured the culture’, while Rev Run of Run-DMC wrote in an Instagram post:
‘RIP Ricky Powel Took some of the greatest photos of Run DMC and a good dude.’
Powell held degrees from LaGuardia Community College and Hunter College, but took up photography out of spite after finding a camera left behind by an ex-girlfriend.
According to reports he decided to make something of himself in photography to show his exwhat she missed out on.
Tribute: Rev Run of Run-DMC wrote in an Instagram post: ‘RIP Ricky Powel Took some of the greatest photos of Run DMC and a good dude.’