Philadelphia-born music photographer Sam Conant, known as Cones, is set to release his debut hardcover photography book, Happy To Be Here, available for purchase on November 8. This 328-page anthology showcases a decade of Cones’ most compelling work (2014-2023), documenting the meteoric rise of a new generation of hip-hop artists who now fill arenas and top the charts.
In Happy To Be Here, Cones captures hip-hop heavyweights like Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti, Lil Tecca, A$AP Rocky, Metro Boomin, Post Malone, and Offset. Through these iconic images, he tells the story of contemporary hip-hop culture, blending intimate storytelling with striking visuals. Cones offers readers a look into his creative process, from impromptu portraits to meticulously crafted shoots, providing a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on some of the industry’s biggest names.
More than just a photo collection, Happy To Be Here tells Cones’ personal story, from sneaking into Philly’s Theatre of Living Arts as a young teen to capturing today’s top artists at global concerts and festivals. Cones aims to inspire upcoming creatives, encouraging young dreamers to follow their passion. “This book is really meant to inspire the next generation of creatives,” Cones shares. “I want to provide hope and maybe even a path to follow for the kids at home reading this, wondering how they can make their dreams a reality.”
The book’s release will be celebrated with Cones’ first-ever gallery event from November 8-10 at KidSuper Studios in Brooklyn, NY. Free to the public, the event will include a Friday night launch party featuring guest DJs, performances, and exclusive signed copies of the book. Fans will also get the chance to view original and unseen prints from the collection.
Fans eager to own Happy To Be Here can pre-order at happytobeherebook.com and follow @shotbycones on Instagram for updates on the book and gallery event.
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