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.

Philadelphia-based VOLARE France’s big and tall line has been feature in NYFW. Photo Credit: Instagram

Heralded as “the new wave,” by VIBE Magazine, VOLARE,  is an upscale streetwear brand for the Big & Tall fashion enthusiast.

The brand was cultivated through the fashion lens of its “Big Guy” curator, Troy Adkins. Adkins, a well dressed boardroom hustler, took a conscious and innovative approach to the practically non-existing Big & Tall fashion industry.

“I got started because one of my friends who passed away not too long ago, he was a big guy,” Troy Adkins told RESPECT Mag managing editor, Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson,  a brand ambassador of VOLARE on a recent episode of Scoop B Radio.

Check out Troy Adkins discussing the science behind putting out a line for big and tall men on Scoop B Radio.

“And he was one of my supporters, like big supporters. So I just went forward with doing the big and tall line, you know; because it’s hard for big guys to find clothes and even to have swag and confidence.”

The aesthetic of the brand is clean-cut silhouettes, with the influence of the streets; serving up a healthy mix of tailored trendy pieces with a classic T-shirt and snapback look.

For more information on everything Volare, visit: http://www.volarebrand.com/

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The post Troy Adkins & Philadelphia-based VOLARE, Making Waves In Big & Tall Clothing appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Abra Kadabra came to Central City looking for some of Earth 1’s technology. Gypsy was not far behind him. In his first act on Earth 1 Abra Kadabra trapped and killed two security guards via drowning, in order to take some of the unused technology.

The Flash quickly caught up to Abra Kadabra after he broke into another tech facility and learned that Abra Kadabra is from the future. When Barry arrived Abra Kadabra knew exactly who he was and knew about the Savitar/Iris situation Barry is facing. Unfortunately Abra Kadabra was able to escape from Barry and Gypsy using a card trick.

Gypsy and Barry return to the lab and there she informs the team that Abra Kadabra uses Nanotechnology to perform his tricks. The team is then able to use their own technology to track Abra Kadabra or so they thought. Kadabra used a hologram to trick The Flash, Kid Flash, Vibe and Gypsy into leaving the lab. He then attacked STAR labs where Caitlin, Julian and Joe were. Luckily Barry was able to get to them in time and put him in handcuffs.

Abra Kadabra then tried to negotiate his release by offering up Savitar’s real name to Barry and the team. He also tells Barry that he does eventually beat Savitar but only after Iris dies. They place Abra Kadabra in a cell and Iris tells Barry that she does not want him to set a murderer free just to save her life. He agrees but Joe has other ideas. He lets Abra Kadabra go and just as he is about to get information on Savitar Gypsy appears and Kadabra takes off after he steals technology from Wells.

Kadabra then blows up a portion of STAR labs and Caitlin got impaled in the crossfire. Caitlin then stayed awake during her surgery to give Julian instructions on how to save her life. The surgery is successful thanks to Julian and a little help from Iris.

During Caitlin’s surgery Gypsy discovered why Abra Kadabra came to this Earth. He is building a time machine and needed Wells power source in order to get back to the future. Once again Vibe, Gypsy, Kid Flash and The Flash team up to capture Abra Kadabra. Barry snagged the villain by phasing through the time machine and taking Kadabra back through with him. Barry then tried to get Kadabra to tell him about Savitar but he refused. He told Barry that they are enemies in the future and have been for a long time. Gypsy then escorted the criminal and man who killed her former partner/lover, to his execution. As for Cisco and Gypsy’s romance… it seems these two won’t be able to work it out.

Unlike Cisco and Gypsy, Julian and Caitlin rekindled their romance after Caitlin’s successful surgery. They even sealed it with a kiss. Unfortunately it is short lived as Caitlin goes into shock and dies. However, Julian in a last attempt to keep his newfound love alive, ripped off Caitlin’s necklace (the only thing keeping her powers at bay) and her body began to regenerate. Killer Frost was then unleashed. The frosty villain fired ice at her friends and escaped from STAR labs.

At the end of the episode Barry decided that he must head back into the future and learn everything he can. That is the only way he can save Iris.

NEXT EPISODE (APRIL 25^th):

Barry heads back into the future

Killer Frost is running rampant

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The post ‘The Flash’ Recap: “Abra Kadabra” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The latest installment of ‘The Flash’ had Barry and Kara aka Supergirl teaming up to escape from their musical dream-like state. “Duet” was chock full of special appearances from John Barrowman (Malcolm Merlin), Victor Garber (Martin Stein), and Jeremy Jordan (Winn Schott). It also featured Chris Wood (Mon-El), David Harewood (Hank Henshaw/Martin Manhunter), Darren Criss (Music Meister) and Michelle Harrison (Nora Allen), along with series regulars performing songs as well.

The episode kicked off with a young Barry watching Singin’ in the Rain with his mother Nora and then transitioned into Barry watching the same movie at Cisco’s place. They then got an alert to return STAR Labs where they were greeted an unconscious Kara, Mon-El and Hank Henshaw who entered through a breach. Barry was then greeted by Music Meister and put in a coma along with Kara.

When he wakes up he is inside a musical watching Kara sing. The two are trapped in a world within their own minds. In this world they were singers in a club run by Malcolm Merlin who is called Cutter in this world. The two are then greeted by Cisco (Pablo in this universe) and Winn (Grady in this universe). Meister then reappeared to let the two know that they have no powers and that the only way they can escape is to stick to the musical’s script.

Kara and Barry are then kidnapped by a gangster Martin Stein who brings the two back to Joe who is also a gangster and Martin’s partner. The two ask for Barry and Kara’s help in finding their daughter Milly aka Iris who was last seen at the club that Barry and Kara sing at. The duo find Milly/Iris and discover her with Tommy aka Mon-El. They are star-crossed lovers from two rival gangs in this musical.

Back in Central City Caitlin discovered that the Meister was draining Barry and Kara’s powers and stealing them for himself. This caused Martin Manhunter aka Henshaw, Kid Flash and Vibe to team up and take down Music Meister. Cisco created an airstrike using Henshaw and a breach and Wally took care of the ground strike. They then brought the unconscious Meister back to STAR Labs and put him in a cell.

While this was going on Barry and Kara finally convinced Tommy and Milly to tell their parents about their relationship. Seeing Tommy and Milly together made Barry and Kara realize the mistakes they made with their loves back in reality (Iris and Mon-El).  Unfortunately Tommy and Milly’s happiness didn’t last long as their parent’s still chose to go to war despite their children being in love. There was a brief break in the drama where Kara and Barry sang Super Friend and tap danced while making fun of Superman. All seemed well until the bullets started flying. Both Kara and Barry were shot in the cross fire and as the Meister said if you die in here you die out there.

Luckily for our two supes Cisco was able to vibe Mon-El and Iris into the musical and they saved their loves with a kiss. Everyone then returned to the real world and Meister congratulated them after he easily broke out of his cell. He then tells Barry and Kara the reason he did what he did was to teach them a lesson; he believes in the good guys and wanted to teach them a lesson about letting themselves be saved every once in a while. Mon-El and Kara then get back together and return home along with Henshaw.

Iris and Barry then return to their apartment where Barry serenaded Iris with Runnin’ Home to You. He then re-proposed and she said yes!

NEXT WEEK:

Abra Kadabra arrives from the future and has information on how to save Iris

Gypsy also returns

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The post A Musical Episode of ‘The Flash’ – Recap: “Duet” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

This week’s episode of ‘The Flash’ was centered on Grodd and Gorilla City. The episode kicked off with Earth 2 Harrison Wells being chased by Grodd. Harrison and 10 crew members (who are now all dead) went out on an expedition to Gorilla City after Wells received a message from the gorilla’s asking to meet him. Gorilla City’s occupants are all telepathic gorillas like Grodd.

The team, including Julian, packs up and heads to Gorilla City to save Wells. Wally and Jessie stay behind to look after Central City while they are gone. Minutes after the team arrives through Cisco’s breach they are trapped and tranquilized by Grodd. The tranquilizer had the ability to dampen both Barry and Cisco’s powers. Grodd then uses Wells to speak to the team. He tells The Flash that he needs his help. That the gorilla king Solovar is forcing him to do this and that he wants to unleash an attack on Central City. Grodd tells Barry he needs to kill Solovar in the arena. Then he will be able to take his place and keep the gorillas in Gorilla City.

Barry agrees to fight Solovar but only him. He makes a deal with him; if he defeats Solovar then his friends go free, if not well then they all die. Solovar agrees and they begin their battle. In battle Solovar uses Barry’s abilities against him thus forcing Barry to pull a page out of Reverse Flash’s playbook. Using a phase punch he is able to knock down Solovar but refuses to kill him. He wants to prove to the gorillas that not all humans are evil and out to hurt them. Unfortunately it falls upon deaf ears and Barry is once again tranquilized.

Grodd becomes the ruler of Gorilla City and we learn that everything that happened was a part of his plan. He needs Cisco to open a breach to Central City for them. Cisco says he would rather die than do that. He tells Caitlin to kill him but Julian won’t let her do that. Harrison finally comes to and the team comes up with a plan to kill Barry, temporarily. Caitlin freezes Barry and makes Grodd believe that he is dead. Grodd then pulls Barry out of his cell and leaves. Barry unfreezes himself by vibrating and unlocks the rest of the team. They make a run for it and are able to escape via Cisco’s breach.

Back on Earth 1, Wally and Jessie had been having issues of their own. Wally hasn’t really kept in touch since he got his powers and Jessie is afraid that he is now complete and doesn’t need her. However, Wally tells Jessie that he’s not complete without her and finally gets her to agree to move to Earth 1 and be with him.

When Julian and Caitlin return to STAR Labs Julian comes clean about only coming on the trip to Gorilla City to protect her. Caitlin thinks it’s sweet but tells him to be afraid of her. She doesn’t want to hurt him and wants him to keep his distance. He agrees to “fear” her but only if she will join him at dinner. These two are adorable! #snowbert

Back in Gorilla City Grodd initiates his backup plan. He has Gypsy open a breach to Central City. Girl, why are you helping him?

Next Week:

Grodd and his army of gorillas invade Central City

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The post Grodd Returns – ‘The Flash’ Recap: “Attack on Gorilla City” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

It was Vibe versus Vibe in this week’s episode of The Flash. Gypsy arrived in Central City to reclaim a fugitive from Earth 19. The fugitive being H.R. Wells.

Gypsy arrived at Star Labs to gather H.R., shooting him with a futuristic stun gun and then proceeded to use her vibing abilities to knock Cisco over. Cisco returned fire and simultaneously asks her out on a date. Wally then joined the group and attempted to use his superspeed to his advantage but Gypsy was able to freeze him in his tracks, literally. Gypsy then went on to reveal to Team Flash that H.R. is being sought after because he broke their non-authorized breach law which on Earth 19 is punishable by death.

Unfortunately for H.R. the only way he can stay on this Earth is if he challenges Gypsy to a trial by combat. Fortunately Cisco is up for the task once he learns that H.R. came to their Earth because he wanted to rewrite his story. H.R. was a powerful and wealthy man but when it came down to it he knew he was a fraud who didn’t matter and he wanted to change that. This was enough for Cisco to want to invest in him and their budding friendship.

Julian and his lousy interpersonal skills get him into hot water in this episode. Especially when he tells Barry that he isn’t fast enough and most likely won’t ever be fast enough to change the future and save Iris.

Iris herself had a death wish in this episode. She decided now would be a good time to start that brother/sister crime fighting duo with Wally. Wanting to take down the arms dealer infecting Central City, Iris had Wally snag CCPD’s file on the criminals in order to get her a story for work. She nearly gave Joe a heart attack when she distracts him by telling him that Barry and her are thinking of expanding their family…. with a pet. We all thought she was going a different route with that one.

Barry and H.R. also tried a different route with Gypsy. Hoping to ambush her, Barry got handcuffed instead. She saw the entire thing coming and decided to take H.R. as insurance that the battle between her and Cisco would commence. Thankfully for Cisco, Julian figured out Gypsy’s weakness; she comes off the ground for a split second when she exists her breach during her breach-blast signature move. This is a huge advantage for Cisco who is basically just learning to combat his powers.

During battle Gypsy took Cisco to Earth 2 via breach. He returned the favor by taking her to Kara’s Earth and then she pulled him into another breach that brings them to a volcano where the two flirt once more. Gypsy then brought Cisco back to his Earth and told him that his fear and insecurity are holding him back. He is just as powerful as she is; they vibe at the same frequency.

That is when Cisco decided to use Julian’s inside knowledge and knocks her off her feet. He wins the battle, gains H.R.’s freedom and the life of Gypsy. Fortunately for Gypsy Cisco doesn’t play that game and let her live. Gypsy returned to Earth 19 (exiting just before kissing Cisco) with word that H.R. has been killed by her. Unfortunately this means that H.R. can never return home.

Iris also returned home safely thanks to Wally who saved her from being shot by the arms dealer after she was caught snooping around. She almost cost CCPD their case but was able to get her front page article. After talking to Barry we discover that Iris was reckless because she is afraid she won’t leave something behind; she wants to become a great reporter before Savitar kills her.

Fortunately Barry has a new found plan that will hopefully change the future and save Iris. That plan involves Wally saving his sister. Although Barry has ceased to gain speed, Wally is gaining it at an alarmingly fast rate. He will have to be the one to save Iris, not Barry.

Next Week:

Wally trains with Barry

Iris gets attacked by a meta because Wally wasn’t fast enough to save her

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