Respect The Shooter: Ajani Charles Speaks On Photographing Drake, Big Sean, Nas, & More

Rakim

“This was taken during my first year as a professional photographer. I shot this backstage at Rock The Bells after Rakim and I chatted over drinks and some food. I was surprisingly calm during the shoot, even though Rakim was and still is one of my favorite rappers, a pop culture icon and one of the most significant lyricists in hip hop history. Rakim was incredibly open to ideas and this image reflects my intimate style of shooting and the aging of hip hop’s culture.”