Photographer Ismail “Calligrafist” Sayeed. Photo Credit: Eric Salvary/Get Fit Radio TV

Photographer, Ismail “Calligrafist” Sayeed checked in with Scoop B Radio podcast’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Press Play Below To Listen!

If you read articles on the internet then you’ve seen his work. Photographer Ismail “Calligrafist” Sayeed has photographed the latest and greatest.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama, Dwyane Wade, Jay-Z, Fabolous, DJ Khaled, P.Diddy and many more have been photographed under the keen lens of Calligrafist.

His photography is a bridge between fashion, lifestyle, hip hop and culture.

He’s everywhere!  Literally!

Homeboy’s work has appeared in reputable publications such as Billboard, ESPN, Bleacher Report, HBO, CBS Sports, Complex, Catch Restaurant, Reebok, Nike, Adidas, New York Fashion Week, DJ USA, Hot 97, Power 105.1, S.O.B.’s, Tidal, BET, VIBE, Mass Appeal, The Shade Room, Hype Beast, The Source Magazine, REVOLT, RESPECT Magazine, Bleu Magazine and Elliot Wilson and Brian ‘B.Dot” Miller’s Rap Radar.

All of that said…guess what? He’s not comfortable! 

“The kind of person that I am, I just want to do more,” Calligraist told RESPECT Magazine today by phone.

“This is just the beginning.” 

Forever Uptown… it’s a Harlem Thing. | #CalligrafistChronicles | www.CalligrafistPhotography.com

A post shared by Ismail اسما عيل Calligrafist™ (@calligrafist) on Dec 15, 2017 at 7:12pm PST

Harlem, NY bred and globally influenced, Calligrafist actually didn’t aspire to be a photographer. In fact, he fell in love with the art of graffiti and calligraphy; hence the nickname, ‘Calligrafist.’

A man of faith, the devout Muslim is college educated at Jamia Madinatul Uloom University in Trinidad & Tobago, where he studied Quranic Studies and Arabic reading and writing.

Calligrafist acknowledges seasoned hip hop photographers like Johnny Nunez and Jonathan Mannion  who have undoubtedly paved the way for on-the rise photographers such as himself. Calligrafist emphasizes that he’s glad to sit at the table with them and eat, while also gaining their respect for his skin in the game. “It’s genuinely cool to have intimate conversations with them,” he said.

“It’s more humbling that I am able to have direct access to people that I look up to like them and someone like Lenny S., DJ Clark Kent, Emory Jones, that have a name in the industry, people that have a place in the culture, for people to acknowledge me for more my work; that’s an honor. That’s more humbling. But it moves me to want to do more.”

For more information on Calligrafist and his photographic/art movement, visit www.calligrafistphotography.com and scroll up and press play to listen to our chat on Scoop B Radio! 

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The post Scoop B: Photographer Ismail “Calligrafist” Sayeed is a rising star who has stayed true to both his Islamic faith & his craft appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Watch the majority of Broccoli City Fest in under one minute. Broccoli City is becoming a staple musical experience in D.C., and this year’s lineup of BJ The Chicago Kid, Anderson .Paak, Jhene Aiko, and Future, (two of whom aren’t shown because of the untimely removal of all press from the photo pit, sorry, I digress) the organically-friendly, cleaner lifestyle-centric celebration of music, brands, food, and ultimately people, grows exponentially year to year. Two stages, food trucks, pop-up thrift shops, live art, (one of which was a tribute mural of Prince that was beautifully done on location) and seemingly an amalgam of activities are all elements of what make BC great. Broccoli City is a much an eye-opening social gathering of like minded, individually passionate people as it is a music fest. An exciting landscape that affords people the outlet to let loose, all while bringing attention to small business, up and coming creatives, and the promotion of a more pure lifestyle. All while bringing awareness to food insecurity across the country. While the video only captures performances from BJ The Chicago Kid and Anderson .Paak, (two of the more talented crooners and entertainers alike, and like I previously mentioned, we were moved from the photo pit) the true experience seemed to be in the collective group and tangible surroundings; a vast market of innovation, creativity, and positivity rolled into one. Guests like Sway Calloway, Elliot Wilson, and others brought fan fare to the event, demonstrating it’s ever-evolving presence as a major production year after year. Each time around the festival seems to eclipse it’s numbers from the previous times. As the lineup’s get stronger and stronger, Broccoli City Fest is a solace for personal interaction, a warming vibe, and some of the best music in existence. Watch above as we take you through some of the higher points of BC in just under a minute. That’s right, one minute.

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The post The Majority Of Broccoli City Fest In Under One Minute appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

In an effort to the spread word and build excitement for his upcoming album DS2 (Dirty Sprite 2), rapper Future is releasing a documentary chronicling his journey called Like I Never Left.  In the first installment of the documentary, the lyricist speaks to hip hop journalism GOAT Elliott Wilson about various topics. From what happened with the disappointing release of Honest to what occurred between himself and Ciara, Future gives a candid look into his career and life. Peep the video below and check out DS2 on it’s July 17 release.

The post Watch: Future- ‘Like I Never Left’ Documentary Part One appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

With a new movie and album coming out, Harlem rapper A$AP Rocky has stepped back into the forefront contrary to his previously MIA status. At a recent Tribeca Film Festival event, the A$AP artist took part in the Elliot Wilson-hosted #CRWN series. Touching on various topics, Rocky talked about getting permission from Mos Def for his newest alias, where he gets his fake gold chains, and more. Towards the end of the interview, the rapper even brought up fellow A$AP Mob members A$AP Nast and A$AP Twelvy on stage to speak on the passing of A$AP Yams. The Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2 artist releases his new album, A.L.L.A (At.Long.Last.A$AP) May 12th.

Check out part 1 and 2 of A$AP Rocky’s interview with Elliot Wilson as part of the #CRWN series below:

The post A$AP Rocky Talks with Elliot Wilson on #CRWN appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Drake put aside his ego and materialistic raps for the dark and introspective short film, “Jungle.” The film begins with Drake dodging flashing lights by hopping into a chauffeured Rolls Royce and venting to his driver about balancing fame and the fast life with his “sanity.” The rest of the film is open to interpretation, especially the end, which leaves the viewer to make his or her own conclusions as the final cut leaves Drake engulfed in smoke and red lights.

Could this be the sneak preview to new music dropping soon? According to hip-hop journalist Elliot Wilson, Drake might be dropping some new tracks today to go along with the two featured in “Jungle.” Stay tuned and check out “Jungle” below in the meanwhile.

DRAKE ~ JUNGLE from OctobersVeryOwn on Vimeo.

The post Drake Drops Two New Tracks With Short Film, “Jungle” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Joe Budden spoke out on Molly a few months ago, but maybe you didn’t feel his sincerity. Accordingly, we thought it might be useful to peek back to a time when Joe was sitting at the crossroads between his well-too-known past and his unknown future. Straight from the pages of the print magazine, here’s our interview with the troubled rapper.

Header photo by Loni Schick. Words by our Editor-in-Chief, Elliot Wilson, and images by photographer Ysa Perez. Click to zoom.

The post RESPECT. The Archive: Joe Budden in RESPECT. Issue 10 appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

A few nights ago our esteemed Editor-in-Chief and Laugh-of-the-Year winner Elliot Wilson sat down with Tyler, the Creator and they got their Oprah on. Moments like this are what keep the game pure.

See the image in action after the jump.

The post Photo of the Day: Elliot Wilson Has an Oprah Moment With Tyler, the Creator appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.