To be associate editor of SLAM magazine at age 23 was one thing — an incredible thrill and a job I felt lucky to have (thank you, DP and Tony G.!), but one that I also felt I’d worked toward, having treated basketball fandom as a part-time job since I was 10 years old and having been paid to cover the sport for several years already. I’d also read SLAM since its very first issue dropped in 1994. But to inherit the same title at XXL — a rising hip-hop publication suddenly led by a gifted leader in the space, Sheena Lester — felt like a true gift. I was a basketball journalist but still very much a hip-hop fan. In a way, though, one prepared me for the other. As the XXL staff prepared for the Great Day and began to track who was going to show up on 126th Street, excitement mounted. Slick Rick is going to be there? Scarface?! Tribe?! The freakin’ Wu-Tang Clan?! I was going to be in the presence of artists I’d bumped in dorm rooms and cars, seen in concerts but never been, you know, face to face with. But I had my SLAM experience to lean on. SLAM had already sent me to numerous games to do countless interviews — I had even been in the Chicago Bulls’ locker room during the ’98 NBA Finals a couple months earlier. So I had learned … no autographs. No geeking out. Keep it professional! So when September 29 rolled around, and interacting with these amazing rappers face to face was my job — literally, Datwon Thomas and I were tasked with shooting Polaroids and getting signed releases from every single artist who came through — I was able to keep my cool. Except when Rakim showed up..

—Ben Osborne

Photos by Ben Osborne © iD8 Studios

More From Ben Osborne:

“I found these negatives of these photos years after taking them and barely remember just how vibrant the colors were that afternoon. Of course I remember the day, and I know I played a big role — that day and especially producing the issue — but to see this personal photo I took when my work was done, years after the fact, is an incredibly strong reminder that I was right there. Gives me goosebumps, to be honest.” 

–Ben Osborne

The post Hip-Hop’s Greatest Day — In Living Color by Ben Osborne appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Please join XXL veteran journalists and contributors on May 9, 2023 — Sheena Lester, Datwon Thomas, Bonsu Thompson, Larry H

Almost 25 years ago, on September 29, 1998, I placed my Rolleiflex camera in my shoulder bag and took the train up to 126th Street to meet Gordon Parks on the block where he would capture history for XXL — a magazine I helped launch in ’97. I spent the day with Mr. Parks for what would become one of my greatest life moments.  

I was always drawn to journalists and photographers. In my era, they were the documentarians of the golden age of hip-hop journalism: The Source, Vibe, Rap Pages, Ego Trip, On the Go, Stress, 4080 and, of course, XXL … those were the days, man. Although one of the greatest photographers to ever live, Parks had never documented hip-hop culture, and he was about to make some noise.

17 East 126th Street had already made history in 1958 with Art Kane’s original shoot for Esquire, coined “A Great Day in Harlem,” in which he captured 57 legendary jazz musicians. It was a powerful and cerebral moment watching the sun attempt to shut down the shoot of close to 200 rap legends as Parks was waiting to press the shutter-release button. He got the shot and history was made. As the dozens of rap artists dispersed, I took out my camera going through 10 rolls of film. I made it a mission to identify other folks who were snapping photos that day and developed the largest archive of behind-the-scenes photos of that “great day.”  

I am honored to receive the invitation from Fotografiska to moderate a discussion about the legendary photoshoots from ’58 and ’98. iD8 Entertainment has published a special-edition journal for the evening, in which I edited, entitled “Hip-Hop’s Greatest Day” — giving a glimpse of some of the day’s images that were captured by Parks’ protégé Johanna Fiore, former SLAM editor Ben Osborne and myself. (Shout out to Paul Scirecalabrisotto for the masterful design work).  

Tickets on sale here

It is incredible witnessing Kane’s photo continuing to reunite people 25 years later.  I’ve learned firsthand: Most great work is that which stands the test of time — which can only be realized later in one’s life when least expected.  

With the soon-to-be-released, five-episode podcast series on Audible (in which I am Executive Producer) entitled “The Greatest Day”, about Sheena Lester’s story of making the impossible happen, it is truly an honor to continue to strive to make sure this day is never forgotten and recognized as the greatest day in hip-hop history.

1 luv,

JONATHAN RHEINGOLD, RESPECT. Founder

Gordon Parks prior to capturing Hip-Hop’s Geratest Day. Photo: © Johanna Fiore

What also turn out to be … Hip-Hop’s “greatest” block party! Photo: © Johanna Fiore

The post A Great Night In Hip-Hop. Paying Tribute to Hip-Hop’s Most Iconic Photo at Fotografiska NY appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

If you hear by word-of-mouth that there’s a hot new website for the Culture, it’s likely met with skepticism.

Enter Level Mag, which will surely change that perception. One of the hottest channels on Medium now has its own platform. Run by veteran critically acclaimed journalists, Jermaine Hall and Jon Kennedy (yea you read that name correctly), Level Mag’s credo is to be “a community for Black Men offering the best in commentary on race, identity, culture, and everything you need to become the best version of you.”

Here’s a flavorful piece they just did as a tribute to the Greatest Day In Hip-Hop History featuring rare images that were unearthed from 1998 in Harlem, NY.

Check Level Mag on IG

Slick Rick Photo: Copyright J®

The post Level Mag Celebrates Greatest Day In Hip-Hop Revealing Rare Images Featuring Legend Slick Rick and More.. appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo Credit: Walter Brady

In this new interview, rising artist, Veronica Cooper talks about how Slick Rick inspired her single, “Thug Story,” being compared to Lizzo, and her wanting to work with Eve.

“Currently, I am working on staying safe during this Covid-19 pandemic. I am spending time with family, working on my home studio, finishing off some features, and promoting “Thug Story” as well my other singles “Queens” and “About Last Night, You Were Great.”

Photo Credit: Walter Brady

The post Veronica Cooper Talks How Slick Rick Inspired Her Single ‘Thug Story,’ Being Compared To Lizzo, And Her Wanting To Work With Eve appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

By: Lil Richye

Rapper and author Lil Richye has returned with the visual for his hit single “I Want The Bag“.  At just age 15-years-old, the Charlotte, NC native is already a performance veteran with over a decade of experience under his belt, having been an entertainer since the age of 3. As an artist, songwriter, entertainer, author, influencer and fashion trendsetter, he has taking his level of creativity to new heights.

Produced by mega hit producer Zaytoven, this release is his biggest and best to date. Being heavily rooted in church and singing in the choir, he and the hit maker connect on many levels outside of rap music. In January of 2019, Lil Richye starred in Lifetime’s The Rap Game hosted by Jermaine Dupri, who dubbed his little brother’s PB3 collective as “the next Kris Kross” when they met. This experience led to him working with Zatytoven, and the rest is history.

On this video you will see the North Carolina native hard at work. One moment he is cutting hair in the barbershop, and the next he is washing the tires on a Mercedes Benz. As he goes hard in the booth to prove his worth and determination to make it big, he links up with Zaytoven and they prepare to take the music world by storm.With authentic storytelling and raw swagger, he draws musical influence from Tupac, Slick Rick and KRS ONE, J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar. Lil Richye is on his way to becoming the hottest millennial rapper in the game.

Be sure to press play below to stream his newest visual “I Want The Bag” produces by Zaytoven.

The post Lil Richye & Zaytoven Link Up For The “I Want The Bag” Video appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The past several months have seen British/American legend Slick Rick providing assists to the likes of French Montana and the Black Eyed Peas (not to mention, an unreleased cut surfacing last year), but it’s dope to finally hear some new music of his own.

Over the weekend, Slick Rick dropped off not one, but two singles — “Midas Touch” and “Can’t Dance To A Track That Ain’t Got No Soul” — along with a matching visual and encompasses both. MC Lyte, Yo-Yo, French and more make cameos as well.

Check it out below, and pick up Slick Rick’s new singles here.

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The post Slick Rick Returns with “Can’t Dance To A Track That Ain’t Got No Soul” & “Midas Touch” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: Def Jam

Another amazing milestone in Hip-Hop: Slick Rick has approached the 30th anniversary of his classic debut, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick. To celebrate, the British-American legend delivers an unreleased cut titled “Snakes Of The World Today,” which has been added to a Deluxe edition of the aforementioned debut that also sees a new track “Can’t Dance To A Track That Ain’t Got No Soul” and some demo cuts of hit singles.

You can pick up the Deluxe Edition (available through different bundles) here; “Snakes” can be streamed below.

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French Montana, Drake & Slick Rick Star in “No Stylist” Visual

Slick Rick Granted U.S. Citizenship After Two Decades

The post Slick Rick Liberates Unreleased Track, “Snakes Of The World Today” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.