Cosmo Baker’s Book Club at 48 Record Bar

The newest creative gathering to hit Philadelphia, Cosmo Baker’s Book Club, will debut at 48 Record Bar on Wednesday, April 30, igniting the intersection of music, literature, and cultural commentary. This inaugural event spotlights Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop, the celebrated work by author and curator Vikki Tobak, whose career includes tenures at Paper magazine and Payday Records, as well as producing and curating widely regarded hip-hop exhibitions across the globe. Joining her for a riveting discussion will be Academy Award–winning filmmaker Joseph Patel, best known for his work on Summer of Soul. Following their dialogue, Cosmo Baker will take over the turntables for a vinyl session themed around the book’s extraordinary snapshots of hip-hop icons.

Cosmo Baker’s Book Club Inaugural Guest, Vikki Tobak

Cosmo Baker’s Book Club emerges as a fresh initiative from 48 Record Bar, combining the soulful energy of vinyl DJ sets with the intellectual depth of author-centric talks. On April 30, Vikki Tobak will delve into the behind-the-scenes creation of Contact High, a curated journey into the photographic heritage of hip-hop spanning decades. While Tobak’s background includes working with luminaries such as Gang Starr and Jay-Z, her most recent honors highlight her traveling exhibitions at the Annenberg Space for Photography, the International Center of Photography, MoPOP, and more. You can expect a candid, behind-the-scenes look at how these legendary images shaped hip-hop’s identity—and the role photography plays in chronicling cultural movements.

Joseph Patel Enters the Chat

In conversation with Vikki Tobak is Joseph Patel, an Academy Award, Grammy, and BAFTA-winning producer whose film “Summer of Soul” garnered widespread critical acclaim. Currently directing a documentary on the late J Dilla, Patel brings firsthand experience of blending music and storytelling across multiple mediums. His insights should prove particularly enlightening for aspiring creatives interested in exploring the synergy between visual documentation and hip-hop’s expansive narrative. Once the conversation wraps, he’ll hand the reins over to Cosmo Baker, who will orchestrate a vinyl set reflecting the rich images and themes found in Contact High.

Cosmo Baker’s Book Club Basics

As Creative Director Joey Sweeney explains, Cosmo Baker’s Book Club aims to forge connections between the listener, the text, and the broader cultural scene. With Tobak on hand to sign copies of Contact High—available thanks to local indie bookstore Headhouse Books—and a series of curated prints on display, the evening blends interactive experience and cultural scholarship in one unique event. Looking ahead, Cosmo Baker’s Book Club will spotlight additional authors and thought leaders, including Adam Mansbach on May 7 and John Morrison on May 22. Each installation in this new monthly series highlights 48 Record Bar’s mission to celebrate the creative pulse of Philadelphia while providing a platform for music, words, and community to centralize.

Tickets for Cosmo Baker’s Book Club can be purchased here.

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