Photo credits.

Every photograph and video on this site, who took it, its licence and where it came from, grouped by page. Photographs are shown in grayscale with a colour tint and a halftone screen; portraits are labelled with the year they were taken. Know one of these photos, or the person in it? Tell us.

The six-decade history on the timeline was researched and written by Malachi Atkinson of MAVE Design, from the sources listed at the end of each chapter.

Homepage

Beanie Sigel, 2002 Photo: User:Mika-photography, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Beanie Sigel, 2002 (opens in a new tab)
Lil Uzi Vert, 2018 Photo: Icebox, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Lil Uzi Vert, 2018 (opens in a new tab)
Malika Love's jacket, 2026 Photo courtesy of Malika Love and the Hip Hop Library.

About

A boy at a written-up wall, North Philadelphia, 1973 Photo: Dick Swanson, DOCUMERICA, U.S. National Archives, public domain. Source for A boy at a written-up wall, North Philadelphia, 1973 (opens in a new tab)
The Roots Picnic crowd, 2025 Photo: Hexatekin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for The Roots Picnic crowd, 2025 (opens in a new tab)
The Ridgway Library on South Broad, CAPA's home since 1997 (Historic American Buildings Survey) Photo: Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), Library of Congress, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for The Ridgway Library on South Broad, CAPA's home since 1997 (Historic American Buildings Survey) (opens in a new tab)
Malika Love, 2026 Photo courtesy of Malika Love and the Hip Hop Library.
Malika Love on the Roots Picnic main stage, 2026 Photo courtesy of Malika Love and the Hip Hop Library.
Malika Love on stage with DJ Jazzy Jeff, Roots Picnic, 2026 (video) Video courtesy of Malika Love and the Hip Hop Library.
Malika Love in rehearsal on the Roots Picnic stage, 2026 (video) Video courtesy of Malika Love and the Hip Hop Library.

Programs & Events

The Ridgway Library on South Broad, CAPA's home since 1997 (Historic American Buildings Survey) Photo: Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), Library of Congress, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for The Ridgway Library on South Broad, CAPA's home since 1997 (Historic American Buildings Survey) (opens in a new tab)
Hip Hop Storytime, 2023 Photo courtesy of Malika Love and the Hip Hop Library.
The Hip Hop Library table at a Free Library of Philadelphia block party Photo courtesy of Malika Love and the Hip Hop Library.

The Timeline

A young man in front of wall writing, North Philadelphia, 1973 Photo: Dick Swanson, DOCUMERICA, U.S. National Archives, public domain. Source for A young man in front of wall writing, North Philadelphia, 1973 (opens in a new tab)
The Roots, 1999 Photo: Mika Väisänen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for The Roots, 1999 (opens in a new tab)
Beanie Sigel, 2002 Photo: User:Mika-photography, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Beanie Sigel, 2002 (opens in a new tab)
Meek Mill, 2017 Photo: Papamitrou, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Meek Mill, 2017 (opens in a new tab)
The Roots performing 'Do You Want More?!!!??!' in full at the 2025 Roots Picnic Photo: Hexatekin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for The Roots performing 'Do You Want More?!!!??!' in full at the 2025 Roots Picnic (opens in a new tab)

1970s · First Words

A boy at a written-up wall, North Philadelphia, 1973 Photo: Dick Swanson, DOCUMERICA, U.S. National Archives, public domain. Source for A boy at a written-up wall, North Philadelphia, 1973 (opens in a new tab)
A young man in front of wall writing, North Philadelphia, 1973 Photo: Dick Swanson, DOCUMERICA, U.S. National Archives, public domain. Source for A young man in front of wall writing, North Philadelphia, 1973 (opens in a new tab)
Friends on a stoop by tagged boards, North Philadelphia, 1973 Photo: Dick Swanson, DOCUMERICA, U.S. National Archives, public domain. Source for Friends on a stoop by tagged boards, North Philadelphia, 1973 (opens in a new tab)
The O'Jays, 1974 Press photo, 1974, Edward Windsor Wright Corp., public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for The O'Jays, 1974 (opens in a new tab)
Arch and 12th Streets, 1978 Photo: Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Arch and 12th Streets, 1978 (opens in a new tab)
Center City at sunset, 1973 Photo: Dick Swanson, DOCUMERICA, U.S. National Archives, public domain. Source for Center City at sunset, 1973 (opens in a new tab)
Center City from above, 1973 Photo: Dick Swanson, DOCUMERICA, U.S. National Archives, public domain. Source for Center City from above, 1973 (opens in a new tab)
The Three Degrees, Amsterdam, 1974 Photo: Anefo / Nationaal Archief, CC0. Source for The Three Degrees, Amsterdam, 1974 (opens in a new tab)
LOVE Park and City Hall at night, 1978 Photo: Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for LOVE Park and City Hall at night, 1978 (opens in a new tab)
A North Philadelphia street, 1973 Photo: Dick Swanson, DOCUMERICA, U.S. National Archives, public domain. Source for A North Philadelphia street, 1973 (opens in a new tab)
Teddy Pendergrass, 1979 Photo: Bernard Gotfryd, Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, no known restrictions. Source for Teddy Pendergrass, 1979 (opens in a new tab)
North 15th Street at night, 1978 Photo: Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for North 15th Street at night, 1978 (opens in a new tab)
Lady B on stage, May 2026 (video) Video courtesy of Malika Love and the Hip Hop Library.

1980s · City of DJs

Boombox on the shoulder, Chicago, 1985 Photo: Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for 1980s boombox carried on the shoulder (opens in a new tab)
SEPTA trolley, 1980 Photo: Drew Jacksich, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for SEPTA trolley, 1980 (opens in a new tab)
Parkside Avenue / Parkside Historic District, 2010 Photo: Smallbones, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Parkside Avenue / Parkside Historic District (opens in a new tab)
The Spectrum arena, 2009 Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for The Spectrum arena (opens in a new tab)
B-boys in St. Louis, July 4, 1984 Photo: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Archives (U.S. National Park Service), public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for 1980s breakdancers (St. Louis, July 4th 1984) (opens in a new tab)
Turntables and DJ mixer, 2019 Photo: Toglenn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Turntables and DJ mixer (opens in a new tab)
Philadelphia skyline at dusk Photo: Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, public domain. Source for Philadelphia skyline at dusk (opens in a new tab)
Roxanne Shante, 2016 Photo: fuseboxradio (Flickr), CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Roxanne Shante (opens in a new tab)
Schoolly D, 2012 Photo: swimfinfan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Schoolly D (opens in a new tab)
DJ Jazzy Jeff, 2011 Photo: Dopefish, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for DJ Jazzy Jeff (opens in a new tab)
Will Smith, 1993 Photo: Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Will Smith (Fresh Prince era) (opens in a new tab)
Belmont Plateau, Fairmount Park West Photo: Frederikto, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Belmont Plateau, Fairmount Park West (opens in a new tab)
52nd Street, West Philadelphia (El station), 2007 Photo: Mtruch, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for 52nd Street, West Philadelphia (El station) (opens in a new tab)
Lady B on stage, May 2026 (video) Video courtesy of Malika Love and the Hip Hop Library.
A Grammy trophy being hand-polished at Billings ArtWorks, Ridgway, Colorado Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Gates Frontiers Fund Colorado Collection, Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, public domain. Source for A Grammy trophy being hand-polished at Billings ArtWorks, Ridgway, Colorado (opens in a new tab)

1990s · The Live Element

Center City from above, 1990s Photo: Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division (public domain). Source for Center City from above, 1990s (opens in a new tab)
Will Smith at the Emmys, 1993 Photo: Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Will Smith at the Emmys, 1993 (opens in a new tab)
Center City from above, 1990s Photo: Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division (public domain). Source for Center City from above, 1990s (opens in a new tab)
Boyz II Men at Earth Day, Washington, D.C., 1995 Photo: John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Boyz II Men at Earth Day, Washington, D.C., 1995 (opens in a new tab)
South Street, the Theatre of Living Arts, 2009 Photo: Wiki Takes Philadelphia participant (team AMP), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for South Street, the Theatre of Living Arts, 2009 (opens in a new tab)
Ursula Rucker, 2008 Photo: User:angelika maria boes, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Ursula Rucker, 2008 (opens in a new tab)
South Street, the Theatre of Living Arts, 2020 Photo: Morris Levin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for South Street, the Theatre of Living Arts, 2020 (opens in a new tab)
Rahzel, 2002 Photo: MikaV, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Rahzel, 2002 (opens in a new tab)
The CoreStates Center (now the Wells Fargo Center), 2007 Photo: Phillyfan0419 at en.wikipedia, Public domain (released by the author), via Wikimedia Commons. Source for The CoreStates Center (now the Wells Fargo Center), 2007 (opens in a new tab)
Bahamadia in Hamburg, 2001 Photo: Mika Väisänen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Bahamadia in Hamburg, 2001 (opens in a new tab)
Jill Scott at a Black Lily festival, 2007 Photo: Simba Madziva, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Jill Scott at a Black Lily festival, 2007 (opens in a new tab)
The Ridgway Library, CAPA's home from 1997 (Historic American Buildings Survey) Photo: Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), Library of Congress, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for The Ridgway Library, CAPA's home from 1997 (Historic American Buildings Survey) (opens in a new tab)
Beanie Sigel in Cologne, Germany, 2002 Photo: User:Mika-photography, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Beanie Sigel in Cologne, Germany, 2002 (opens in a new tab)
Center City from above, 1990s Photo: Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division (public domain). Source for Center City from above, 1990s (opens in a new tab)
Eve in Hamburg, 2003 Photo: Mika Väisänen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Eve in Hamburg, 2003 (opens in a new tab)
Black Thought with the Roots in Hamburg, 1999 Photo: Mika Väisänen, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Black Thought with the Roots in Hamburg, 1999 (opens in a new tab)
The Roots in Hamburg, Germany, 1999 Photo: Mika Väisänen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for The Roots in Hamburg, Germany, 1999 (opens in a new tab)

2000s · State Property

The skyline from Belmont Plateau, 2009 Photo: michaelwm25, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for The skyline from Belmont Plateau, 2009 (opens in a new tab)
Beanie Sigel, 2002 Photo: User:Mika-photography, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Beanie Sigel, 2002 (opens in a new tab)
West Philadelphia rowhouses, 2007 Photo: Axcordion, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for West Philadelphia rowhouses, 2007 (opens in a new tab)
Eve in Hamburg, Germany, 2003 Photo: Mika Väisänen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Eve in Hamburg, Germany, 2003 (opens in a new tab)
The Broad Street Line at City Hall, 2006 Photo: Dream out loud, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for The Broad Street Line at City Hall, 2006 (opens in a new tab)
Black Thought, 1999 Photo: Mika Väisänen, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Black Thought, 1999 (opens in a new tab)
North Broad Street, 2008 Photo: Derek Yu, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for North Broad Street, 2008 (opens in a new tab)
Freeway in Wilmington, Delaware, 2008 Photo: Saquan Stimpson from Newark, DE, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Freeway in Wilmington, Delaware, 2008 (opens in a new tab)
Kindred the Family Soul at the Black Lily festival, 2007 Photo: Simba Madziva, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Kindred the Family Soul at the Black Lily festival, 2007 (opens in a new tab)
Live 8 on the Parkway, 2005 Photo: Jessica Rossi from Philadelphia, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Live 8 on the Parkway, 2005 (opens in a new tab)
Cassidy, 2005 Photo: Timothy M. Moore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Cassidy, 2005 (opens in a new tab)
The Comcast Center under construction, 2007 Photo: Paul, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for The Comcast Center under construction, 2007 (opens in a new tab)
Jill Scott at the Black Lily festival, 2007 Photo: Simba Madziva, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Jill Scott at the Black Lily festival, 2007 (opens in a new tab)
A rally on the Parkway, October 2008 Photo: chrisinphilly5448 from San Diego, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for A rally on the Parkway, October 2008 (opens in a new tab)
Jazmine Sullivan, 2009 Photo: monstershaq2000 (Flickr), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Jazmine Sullivan, 2009 (opens in a new tab)
The Market-Frankford El, 2005 Photo: Lucius Kwok, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for The Market-Frankford El, 2005 (opens in a new tab)
Freeway in Wilmington, Delaware, 2008 (State Property) Photo: Saquan Stimpson from Newark, DE, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Freeway in Wilmington, Delaware, 2008 (State Property) (opens in a new tab)

2010s · Dream Chasers

SEPTA Broad Street Line, Girard station, 2010 Photo: Davidt8, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for SEPTA Broad Street Line, Girard station, 2010 (opens in a new tab)
Questlove, 2011 Photo: Brennan Schnell, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Questlove, 2011 (opens in a new tab)
North Broad Street, 2016 Photo: Eddieliebs, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for North Broad Street, 2016 (opens in a new tab)
Meek Mill at Made in America, 2015 Photo: Chris Sikich from Philadelphia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Meek Mill at Made in America, 2015 (opens in a new tab)
Mural on South Street, 2019 Photo: Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Source for Mural on South Street, 2019 (opens in a new tab)
Chynna, 2014 Photo: Noflexzone, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Chynna, 2014 (opens in a new tab)
Philadelphia skyline from the South Street Bridge, 2015 Photo: Mefman00, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Philadelphia skyline from the South Street Bridge, 2015 (opens in a new tab)
Don Cannon, 2011 Photo: Cannonmusic, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Don Cannon, 2011 (opens in a new tab)
Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch Street, Chinatown, 2016 Photo: Morris Levin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch Street, Chinatown, 2016 (opens in a new tab)
Lil Uzi Vert, 2016 Photo: glenjamn3, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Lil Uzi Vert, 2016 (opens in a new tab)
The Criminal Justice Center, 2013 Photo: John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for The Criminal Justice Center, 2013 (opens in a new tab)
The Fillmore Philadelphia interior, Fishtown, 2017 Photo: Teddy2Gloves, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for The Fillmore Philadelphia interior, Fishtown, 2017 (opens in a new tab)
Lil Uzi Vert, 2017 Photo: Frank Morales, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Lil Uzi Vert, 2017 (opens in a new tab)
The Eagles parade on Broad Street, February 2018 Photo: Governor Tom Wolf from Harrisburg, PA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for The Eagles parade on Broad Street, February 2018 (opens in a new tab)
Tierra Whack, 2018 Photo: Diandra Patrick from Brooklyn, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Tierra Whack, 2018 (opens in a new tab)
Wells Fargo Center, South Philadelphia, 2019 Photo: Wildcat7176, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Wells Fargo Center, South Philadelphia, 2019 (opens in a new tab)
PnB Rock, 2016 Photo: Eliasinhere, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for PnB Rock, 2016 (opens in a new tab)
Union Transfer, 2024 Photo: The Midnite Wolf, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Union Transfer, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
Meek Mill, 2017 Photo: Papamitrou, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Meek Mill, 2017 (opens in a new tab)

2020s · The New Wave

Peaceful protesters during the George Floyd protests, Philadelphia, June 1, 2020 Photo: .RGB., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Peaceful protesters during the George Floyd protests, Philadelphia, June 1, 2020 (opens in a new tab)
Lil Uzi Vert, 2018 Photo: Icebox, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Lil Uzi Vert, 2018 (opens in a new tab)
Philadelphia skyline from Belmont Plateau, 2009 Photo: michaelwm25, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Philadelphia skyline from Belmont Plateau, 2009 (opens in a new tab)
Jazmine Sullivan, 2015 Photo: Toglenn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Jazmine Sullivan, 2015 (opens in a new tab)
Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave, Fairmount Park (Roots Picnic home 2019–2025), 2010 Photo: Davidt8, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave, Fairmount Park (Roots Picnic home 2019–2025), 2010 (opens in a new tab)
Armani White, 2022 Photo: 96.5 TDY, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Armani White, 2022 (opens in a new tab)
Metropolitan Opera House, 858 N. Broad St (before its 2018 restoration as The Met Philadelphia), 2010 Photo: Smallbones, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Metropolitan Opera House, 858 N. Broad St (before its 2018 restoration as The Met Philadelphia), 2010 (opens in a new tab)
2Rare, 2022 Photo: Talk of the Town, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for 2Rare, 2022 (opens in a new tab)
Philadelphia skyline, 2023 Photo: Justin5117, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Philadelphia skyline, 2023 (opens in a new tab)
Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St, 2024 Photo: The Midnite Wolf, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
Tierra Whack performing at MoMA PS1 Warm Up, New York, 2018 Photo: Diandra Patrick from Brooklyn, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Tierra Whack performing at MoMA PS1 Warm Up, New York, 2018 (opens in a new tab)
Roots Picnic 2025, festival grounds at the Mann Center, Fairmount Park Photo: Hexatekin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Roots Picnic 2025, festival grounds at the Mann Center, Fairmount Park (opens in a new tab)
Schoolly D, 2012 Photo: swimfinfan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Schoolly D, 2012 (opens in a new tab)
Fashion District Philadelphia, 9th & Market Photo: Dough4872, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Fashion District Philadelphia, 9th & Market (opens in a new tab)
Belmont Plateau, Fairmount Park West Photo: Frederikto, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Belmont Plateau, Fairmount Park West (opens in a new tab)
Black Thought (Tariq Trotter) performing during France v Paraguay, 2026 FIFA World Cup, Philadelphia Photo: Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for Black Thought (Tariq Trotter) performing during France v Paraguay, 2026 FIFA World Cup, Philadelphia (opens in a new tab)
The Roots performing 'Do You Want More?!!!??!' in full at the 2025 Roots Picnic Photo: Hexatekin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source for The Roots performing 'Do You Want More?!!!??!' in full at the 2025 Roots Picnic (opens in a new tab)