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2016: A Year In Iconic Music Photography

Complex UK looks back on the year's finest music photography.

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A stellar year of music shows, interviews, and features has ultimately brought about a batch of stunning images, some shot by renowned photographers and others that have quickly built a respected reputation behind the lens. Tasked with keeping our eyes peeled across the entire spectrum of music journalism, where words might sometimes fail, images strike right across any barrier of language or prose, and their valued significance in all forms of media will long continue. From live grime shows to indie kid cover stories, we've witnessed an iconic twelve months in music photography. 2016 is a year that has truly gifted the world with some memorable moments to look back on and smile at in many years to come. With that being said, here's a selection of Complex UK's favourite music snaps from 2016.

A stellar year of music shows, interviews, and features has ultimately brought about a batch of stunning images, some shot by renowned photographers and others that have quickly built a respected reputation behind the lens. Tasked with keeping our eyes peeled across the entire spectrum of music journalism, where words might sometimes fail, images strike right across any barrier of language or prose, and their valued significance in all forms of media will long continue. From live grime shows to indie kid cover stories, we've witnessed an iconic twelve months in music photography. 2016 is a year that has truly gifted the world with some memorable moments to look back on and smile at in many years to come. With that being said, here's a selection of Complex UK's favourite music snaps from 2016.

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Archy 'King Krule' Marshall (The Observer)

Photographer: Katherine Anne Rose.


Peep the full feature here.

Drake (Live At Section Boyz Show)

Photographer: Ashley Verse.

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Section Boyz (The FADER)

Photographer: Francesca Allen.


Peep the full feature here.

Abra (Complex Magazine)

Photographer: Diwang Valdez.


Peep the full feature here.

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DJ Shadow (HUCK Magazine)

Photographer: Derick Daily.


Peep the full feature here.

Thom Yorke (DIY Magazine)

Photographer: Emma Swann.


Peep the full feature here.

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P Money (FACT Magazine)

Photographer: Vicky Grout.

Peep the full feature here.

Future (Rolling Stone)

Photographer: Theo Wenner.


Peep the full feature here.

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Sampha (The FADER)

Photographer: Francesco Nazardo.


Peep the full feature here.

Novelist (Complex Magazine)

Photographer: Laura 'Hyperfrank' Brosnan.


​Peep the full feature here.

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Jorja Smith (Complex Magazine)

Photographer: Ashley Verse.


Peep the full feature here.

Skepta (i-D)

Photographer: Laura 'Hyperfrank' Brosnan.


​Peep the full feature here.

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Stormzy (i-D)

Photographer: Oliver Hadlee Pearch.


Peep the full feature here.

Kendrick Lamar, Rick Rubin (GQ Style)

Photographer: Alan Gwizdowski.


Peep the full feature here.

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Skepta (Live At Alexandra Palace)

Photographer: Ashley Verse.

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