Portfolio: 26 Musicians Who Shaped New York City
Isabella Floyd
Published Apr 03, 2026
As part of our look back at pop music in New York City over the past 100 years, New York/Magnum photographer Christopher Anderson shot these portraits of 26 musicians who shaped the sound of the five boroughs. Click through the gallery ahead to see Ronnie Spector, John Cale, Nas, Cat Power, and many more.
*This article appeared in the March 24, 2014 issue of New York Magazine.
Mary J. Blige, Singer
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum PhotosDavid Johansen, Singer, New York Dolls
Cyndi Lauper, Singer
John Cale, Musician-Composer, the Velvet Underground
Cat Power, Singer-Songwriter
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum PhotosDebbie Harry, Singer, Blondie
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum Photos/Christopher Anderson/ Magnum Photos50 Cent, Rapper
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum PhotosRonnie Spector, Singer, the Ronettes
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum PhotosGrandmaster Flash, DJ
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum PhotosEzra Koenig, Singer-Guitarist, Vampire Weekend
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum PhotosD.M.C., Rapper, Run-D.M.C.
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum PhotosNile Rodgers, Guitarist-Producer, Chic
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum PhotosMiho Hatori, Singer, and Yuka Honda, Instrumentalist, Cibo Matto
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum PhotosLL Cool J, Rapper
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum PhotosRick Rubin, Producer
Roberta Flack, Singer
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum PhotosLala Brooks, Singer, the Crystals
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum PhotosAfrika Bambaataa, DJ
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum PhotosRichard Hell, Bassist-Songwriter, Richard Hell and the Voidoids
Thurston Moore, Singer-Guitarist, Sonic Youth
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum PhotosSuzanne Vega, Singer-Songwriter
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum PhotosLaurie Anderson, Composer
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum PhotosArt Garfunkel, Singer, Simon & Garfunkel
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum PhotosNas, Rapper
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum PhotosAzealia Banks, Rapper
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum PhotosSonny Rollins, Saxophonist
Photo: Christopher Anderson/ Magnum Photos
