The Stories Behind Mel D. Cole’s Images In RESPECT.

Lil Wayne. Giants Stadium 6.1.08

I took this one at Summer Jam in 08 I think. Maybe my 2nd time shooting him. This was right before Carter III dropped. When he dropped to the stage I knew I had my moment to capture a image of him unlike those that the other photogs were taking. Everything worked out perfect. Fuck luck, fuck chance. I was there for a reason.

Joe Budden. NYC SOBs 12.28.09

I have a few iconic images of Mouse. But this one is one of my favs. As normal I was just hanging out. Joe started getting himself primed up for his show. Push ups…oh word?! Prefect. Joe then went on stage and smoked cigs. Classic Joe Budden shit!

Just Blaze, Saigon & Jay Elec. Santos NYC 2009.

I shot this at ReOpened at Santos Party House in NYC. This was right around the time Exhibit C dropped and Jay Elec was going out a lot with that hat on and what you can’t see…bowling shoes. He is the world’s worst dressed rapper, but one of the nicest on and off the mic!

Lauryn Hill. Rock The Bells Governors Island 8.28.10

I have very few images of her, all of them coming on the same day. I took this one right before she walked on stage. I knew not to ask her to look at me for some reason. I wanted to capture her as natural as possible. So I got under her to get a very unique view of her against the sky.

Kanye West. Brooklyn Bowl Brooklyn, NY 10.23.10

Fool’s Gold 3rd anniversary, Sway ruined the surprise. Twitter was super buzzing that Ye was going to show up and rock the mic. And yup….he did. He smashed Brooklyn Bowl the fuck DOWN! I got kicked off stage after the 1st song. So, I pushed my way into the crowd and took the pic. #perfecttiming

T-Pain & Jay Z. Giants Stadium 6.7.09

This was THE MOMENT at Summer Jam 2009. The D.O.A moment. Need I say more?

Mos, Talib, Jay Elec & Diddy. Highline ballroom NYC 1.17.10

Classic moment! Being able to get those dudes to pose for me on stage during all the commotion going on was just simply… dope! Thanks guys!

Tribe. Knitting Factory Bk, NY 1.20.10

Tribe is one of my ALL TIME favorite groups..PERIOD! Tip is one of my favorite rappers. Cons & Ali are two of my favorite people in hip hop. I just met Phife that night (really nice dude). I took this right before they hit the stage. One of the few times I have “stan’d” out after taking a pic. I could not believe I got one of all of them together. Their music has helped mold my character. Buggin out!

Diddy. Beverly Hills. July 2009

I was Diddy’s personal photog for his 2009 version of The White Party. *sings @drakkardnoi* What am I doin’? What am I doin’?
Oh, yeah, that’s right, I’m doin’ me
I’m doin me
I’m livin’ life right now, mayne

And this what I’ma do ’til it’s over
‘Til it’s over
But it’s far from over…..

Yup…that’s how I felt! Nigga, I was Diddy’s personal fucking photog! hahaha MEEEEEEEE!

Questlove Highline Ballroom. NYC. 2007

I took this photo during the 1st year of documenting The Roots. Quest was getting ready his ‘fro right before a performance. I peeped my head in the bathroom and sung: Just let your soooouuuuul glow…
Just let it shine through….. He laughed. I snapped. We got a classic pic. We became friends. And since, I have shot The Roots at least 40-45 times. Love those dudes!

Kid Cudi NYC Prince St 9.22.08

Cudi called me up one day and asked if I could take photos of him for a magazine. Some fun shit. This was before his 1st LP came out. Cudi starts running down the street saying “come on Mel D. Cole…you gotta run with me” So I ran and got one of the more unique photos of Scott. The good old days.

Drake NYC SOBs 5.26.09

I showed up to Drake’s now famous 1st NYC show at SOBs not knowing a damn thing about him. Didn’t know a song, only seen him one time prior ( at Santos ). All I knew was, his show was going to go down in hip hop history and I had to be there for it. A million photogs were there, I wanted to capture a different look…Birds Eye. haha at my punchline flow.

via Highsnobiety