Rest In Power PnB Rock
In Winter 2016 RESPECT. magazine was invited by 300 Entertainment to get on-stage at the Knitting Factor in Brooklyn, NY to capture the Birth of a New Nation Tour, featuring rising stars Dae Dae, Shy Grizzy & PnB Rock.
PnB (Rakim Hasheem Allen December 9, 1991 – September 12, 2022) had just released a collaborative mixtape with Fetty Wap earlier that year, called Money Hoes and Flows. It featured guest verses from RESPECT. cover subject, Boogie Wit da Hoodie,and Fetty’s goto man, Monty.
As a rising star PnB released “My city need something.” A track depicting the high rate of violence and crime surrounding the city of Philadelphia. This prohpetic track sends chills up ones spine if you listen to the lyrics. Currently, with the highest rate of violence ever to hit Phila, one would have to say he was a preacher ahead of his time.
“I don’t know what’s going on
But I know that something’s wrong
And I know that lately
My city has been crazy
It’s like every day somebody gone
And every time I turn around I hear them gun sounds”
PnB Rock tore the house down that night in BK. His ability to captivate then hypnotize the audience was unique — with a level of maturity not typically seen in a developing talent.
Upon his untimely death, photographer Trevor Sage-El recalled the RESPECT. shoot and reached out suggesting we dig in the crates. Upon locating the images in the archive, we were immediately transported back in time. You can sense the electricity in these powerful shots, as though he’s still with us. Today, as his suspected killer was arrested, we send this message to PnB:
Rest In Power, King …
Venue: Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, November 22, 2016
Photographer: Trevor Sage-El
All Images ⓒ Musinart LLC
“I knew something was special about PnB when I was on stage at the show. Everyone with their ear to the streets knew eh was out of the ordinary. When I got home and reviewed the images of all next-gen artists I captured for RESPECT. that night, he truly stood out. While he may be gone … you can still feel his presence in these photos — and in the conscious of the culture. He was already an icon … just yet to be realized.” – Trevor Sage-El
