Estevan Oriol is a photographer and director from Los Angeles, of Mexican-Italian descent. Best known for his distinct, gritty 35mm black and white work, documenting chicano, cholo culture (and Los Angeles gang culture at large), as well as celebrities within film and hip-hop, and lingerie work, his images have been featured in magazines, on album covers and in exhibitions across the world. [3] Oriol is also known for directing several music videos for the likes of Blink 182, D12, Cypress Hill and more, as well as for his partnerships with life-long friend and collaborator, Mister Cartoon for Joker Brand Clothing and Soul Assassins Studios, the latter of which the two opened together by way of Cypress Hill's producer, DJ Muggs.
Estevan Oriol | |
---|---|
Born | [1] | August 2, 1966
Other names | Scandalous[2] |
Occupation(s) | Photographer, music video director |
Years active | 1991–present |
Website | www |
He has photographed both gang members and celebrities alike, bringing notoriety to capturing photos of LA Fingers,[4] the main photo taken in 1995 was featured in several magazines and copied or bootlegged for tattoos and t-shirts.[1] His work has been featured in magazines such as Complex, FHM, GQ, Vibe, Rolling Stone, The Source and many more.
Career
editOriol was born in Santa Monica, California[5] to a father who was also a photographer.[1] Oriol moved to Hollywood at the age of 19[6] and was inspired by writer and artist Teen Angel (David Holland).[1] He started his career as a bouncer at hip-hop clubs before moving on to tour manage Cypress Hill and House of Pain. During that time he began documenting his life on the road.
The infamous L.A. fingers photo was taken in 1995.[1]
In 2004, he participated in the elaboration of the videogame GTA San Andreas. In 2008 he captured Snoop Dogg's Ego Trippin' album cover.[7]
Oriol has gone on to direct music videos for rock and hip-hop artists. He has also released books and calendars, including LA Woman, published in 2009 by Drago.[8]
In March 2018, Oriol was announced as the new Creative Director for media company BallerStatus.com. He has also become a partner.[9]
Oriol directed and was the focus of the 2020 Netflix documentary LA Originals, chronicling his and Mister Cartoon's lives as chicano creatives, ambassadors and trailblazers in art, hip-hop and counterculture worldwide. [6][10]
Books
editFilmography
edit- "Psycho City Blocks" by Psycho Realm
- "Stone Garden" by Psycho Realm
- "No Entiendes La Onda" (How I Could Just Kill A Man) by Cypress Hill
- "Red-Emption" by Big Red
- "Dr. Greenthumb" by Cypress Hill
- "Shit On You" by D12
- "Heart of a Rebel" by SX10
- "High Voltage" by Linkin Park
- "Real Life" by DJ Muggs feat Kool G Rap
- "When the Fat Lady Sings" by DJ Muggs feat GZA
- "Like It" by Screaming Soul Hill
- "Kemuri" by Screaming Soul Hill
- "Funky Beat" by Big Red
- "Not Now" by Blink 182
- "Violence" by Blink 182
- "Obvious" by Blink 182
- "Feeling This " by Blink 182
- "Stockholm Syndrome" by Blink 182
- "Ni De Aqui Ni De Alla" by Jae-P
- "Down" by Blink 182
- "Hold You Down" by The Alchemist
- "What I Can't Describe" by The Transplants
- "Gangsters & Thugs" by The Transplants
- "Swing Life Away" by Rise Against
- "Criminal Set" by Xzibit
- "Stronger" by TRUSTcompany
- "16 16 Six" by The Drips
- "Lights Out" by P.O.D.
- "Traffic" by the Reyes Bros
- "Break Em Off" by Paul Wall
- "La Manera" by Adassa
- "El Barrio" by DJ Muggs feat Sick Jacken
- "Hang With My Dogs" by Omar Cruz
- "Posted On The Block" by C-Murder
- "Like Yeah" by Tech N9ne
- "Do Something" by Dyme Def
- "The Problem Is" by Murs feat Sick Jacken & Uncle Chucc
- "Saturday Night" by Travis Barker
- "Fish" by Bambu
- "Snap Ya Neck Back" by DJ Muggs feat Dizzee Rascal & Bambu
- "Ikarus" by Kontra K
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Scott, Chadd (2024-07-14). "Estevan Oriol And Teen Angel Reveal Chicano Culture In Los Angeles". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ Newsome, Melba (2003-11-02). "Tattooist to the Stars". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
- ^ "Netflix's 'LA Originals' Chronicles the Careers of Mister Cartoon & Estevan Oriol". Hypebeast. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ Green, Patrick (25 October 2016). "Meet the Guy Who Made "L.A. Fingers" a Thing". Los Angeles. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ a b Stuart, Gwynedd (30 November 2018). "A Peek Inside This Is Los Angeles, Estevan's Oriol's Latest Photo Chronicle of L.A." Los Angeles. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ a b Hernandez, Daniel (2020-04-10). "L.A.'s 'cholo Da Vincis' brought Chicano culture to the boardroom. Now they have a Netflix doc". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ Debruge, Peter (2020-04-10). "'LA Originals' on Netflix: Film Review". Variety. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
- ^ Estevan Oriol Drops First Photography Book—Titled ‘L.A. Woman’. BallerStatus.com (Sept. 16, 2009).
- ^ "Estevan Oriol Joins BallerStatus.com as Partner & Creative Director". BallerStatus.com. March 6, 2018.
- ^ Stuart, Gwynedd (10 April 2020). "Estevan Oriol and Mister Cartoon, a Pair of L.A. Originals, Tell Their Story". Los Angeles. Retrieved 2020-08-25.