Vikki Tobak

Culture Journalist & Hip-Hop Visual Historian; Author of "Contact High" & "Ice Cold"; Curator of "Contact High" Exhibition; Contributor to Rolling Stone

Washington, DC, USA
Live Event: $5,000 - $10,000 Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info
Art & Design, Author, Journalist, Music, News & Media, Photography, Technology
Read More +
REQUEST BOOKING INFORMATION

Vikki Tobak Biography

Vikki Tobak is a culture journalist, author, and independent curator recognized for her contributions to the archival preservation of hip-hop's visual legacy. Born in Kazakhstan and raised in the United States, Tobak began her career in Detroit before moving to New York City. Early roles included working at the nightclub Nell's and joining Payday Records, a label associated with hip-hop artists such as Gang Starr, Guru, DJ Premier, Jeru the Damaja, and Mos Def. At Payday Records, Tobak advanced to marketing and public relations director, where she organized photography sessions for artists, gaining firsthand experience during a pivotal era in hip-hop history.

Tobak has built a career in journalism and media, serving as a producer and columnist for CBS MarketWatch, CNN, Bloomberg News, and TechTV. Her writing has appeared in Complex, Rolling Stone, The FADER, ESPN's The Undefeated, Mass Appeal, Paper, Vibe, i-D, Detroit News, and The Library of Congress. She has also worked as a culture editor for Paper magazine, focusing on the intersection of music, art, and culture.

Tobak is the author of the book "Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop," which features rare outtakes and contact sheets from more than 100 hip-hop photoshoots, documenting the evolution of rap music and its visual representation. The book includes a foreword by Questlove and highlights the work of photographers while emphasizing the cultural significance of hip-hop imagery. Tobak curated the "Contact High" exhibition at venues including Annenberg Space for Photography, International Center of Photography, Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi, and Museum of Pop Culture. The exhibition and Tobak were nominated for a Lucie Foundation Award for Curator/Exhibition of the Year.

Tobak is also the author of "Ice Cold: An Illustrated Oral History of Hip-Hop Jewelry," which explores the development of hip-hop jewelry from the 1980s onward through artifacts, photographs, and interviews with figures such as Slick Rick and André 3000. She co-authored "The Streets Win: 50 Years of Hip-Hop Greatness" with LL COOL J and Alec Banks, a comprehensive account of hip-hop's milestones and influence as a global cultural movement.

In addition to her publishing work, Tobak is an educator and speaker, lecturing on music photography and contemporary culture at institutions including American University, The Schomburg Center, The Kennedy Center, and Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. She is the founding curator of FotoDC's film program and has served as art commissioner and curator for the Palo Alto Public Art Commission in Silicon Valley. Through her books, exhibitions, and public programs, Tobak has contributed to the documentation and understanding of hip-hop's visual culture and its role in the broader context of art and photography.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Vikki Tobak and other top speakers and celebrities.

Read more +

BOOK Vikki Tobak

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 07/23/2026.
See All Videos »

LL COOL J Presents The Streets Win 50 Years of Hip-Hop Greatness
LL COOL J Presents The Streets Win 50 Years of Hip-Hop Greatness
Ice Cold A Hip-hop Jewelry History
Ice Cold A Hip-hop Jewelry History
Contact High A Visual History of Hip-Hop
Contact High A Visual History of Hip-Hop

  • How do I book Vikki Tobak to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Vikki Tobak for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Vikki Tobak, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Vikki Tobak or any other speaker of your choice.

  • What are the speaker fees for Vikki Tobak

    Speaking fees for Vikki Tobak, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Vikki Tobak are under $10,000 for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Vikki Tobak, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

  • What topics does Vikki Tobak speak about?

    Vikki Tobak is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Art & Design, Author, Journalist, Music, News & Media, Photography, Technology

  • Where does Vikki Tobak travel from?

    Vikki Tobak generally travels from Washington, DC, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

  • Who is Vikki Tobak’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Vikki Tobak for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Vikki Tobak for your next private or corporate function.

  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Vikki Tobak or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Vikki Tobak is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Vikki Tobak for your event is available upon request. Vikki Tobak generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Dima Khatib, Jason Schreier, Brian Krebs, Rose Eveleth and Maria A. Ressa. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Vikki Tobak for an upcoming live or virtual event.

BOOK Vikki Tobak

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.
Please Select Event Budget
Please enter your message
Please Enter Your Name
Please Enter Your Email

  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

Need Quick Answers?

We are happy to help! Call us to speak with a booking agent about your event or specific speaker request.

1.800.698.2536

Our celebrity booking agents can:

  • Gauge interest and check availability for speaking engagements, appearances or corporate events

  • Provide you with the speaking fee to book Vikki Tobak or other celebrity appearance fees

  • Give you personal recommendations for the best keynote speakers or celebrities

  • Assist you with any questions you have throughout the talent booking process

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

1.800.698.2536
Contact Us

TOP