Leica interviews our man Jonathan Mannion. Great insight to who he is and what he does. Truly one of the best photographers of our generation, and of course, part of the LTD+ MGMT family. Full Interview: HERE

A Cleveland, Ohio native, Jonathan Mannion began capturing images of up-and-coming urban music superstars after working for a year with world-renowned photographer Richard Avedon. In 1996, he launched his professional career by shooting the photographs for the classic hip-hop album “Reasonable Doubt” by Jay-Z. In the years since, Jonathan’s photography has grown alongside the culture he so loves, helping to visually define an era of urban music. As DJ Quik once pointed out to him, the world sees hip-hop through his eyes. However, he is modestly circumspect about his role. “I’m just a messenger,” he observes, “and I’ve been given a talent to document an extremely important era of music history. I have a love for hip-hop that goes back to when I was a teenager, and I feel blessed to have had the chance to shoot the artists I’ve worked with. I’ve had the opportunity to grow with them and the photos I’ve shot over the years have become visual bullet points of their creative evolution and mine.”

Shot and Edited by Trevor Bayack
Video Assistant Brian Butnick

A day late, and ten dollars short, but there are still two more film screenings left to view from the good folks at Ego Trip. These documentaries are coupled with panel discussion after the screenings with an assortment of directors and artists involved with the films. Only a $10 suggested donation grants entry to view the films at the great home for independent films in Harlem: Maysles Cinema. Click here to buy tickets in advance. Bawnoists unite!

On this date back in 1993, a group hailing from Queens, NY, by the name of “A Tribe Called Quest”, dropped their 3rd project entitled “Midnight Marauders”. 17 Years later, this album has been one of the most, if not THE most, celebrated albums in our Hip Hop culture’s history. The coveted album artwork was one of its kind, designed by ZombArt JK, paying homage to many of the artists and DJ’s who provided inspiration and/or took part in creation of the album as well as issuing 3 different cover frames (Red, Black, and Green; Black being the most rare). Songs such as “Award Tour” and “Oh My God” reached a commercial plateau, while “Electric Relaxation” pushed even further to a television theme song for The Wayans Brothers from 1994 to 1996. Still to this day, many clothing & sneaker brands as well as artists, magazines and websites borrow pieces of the Midnight Marauder legacy to recreate their own rendition that’s also incorporated into their own work. Much respect due.

Here at LTD, we have a pretty well rounded staff when it comes to knowledge and appreciation of music, we’d figure to share our thoughts & memories on where the “Midnight Marauders Tour Guide” took and still take us:

Rob: “This album was very important as it expanded Tribe’s influence to icon status. Following ‘Low End Theory’ which has its own cult following would have been tough enough, but to follow it with another certified classic is crazy.”

Chuch: “OF course i was TWO years old when this came out (hold your comments please) The first time I heard ‘Award Tour’, I was like 11 and its what started me listening to old-school hip hop”

Rey: “A perfect album that will never be dated or become stale, it once sat in my car’s CD player for a good 6 months straight without being replaced, this is truly timeless music. ‘Midnight Marauders’is the intrinsic score to all conscious times “round about midnight”, word to Miles.”

Marcus: “Midnight Marauders” was the soundtrack to my final few hours as a high school student, waiting to hear my name called to solidify myself as a high school graduate. I kept “8 Million Stories” on repeat for as long as I could remember, consequently almost missing my name announced as the ‘Sucka N*gga’ hook flared through my cd player speakers. Front to back - easily one of the best albums ever made.

**Below are original photo proofs for the cover that include Too $hort, Ice-T, Doug E Fresh, Chi-Ali, Sean Combs & Pharoahe Monch. Source: Marisa Pizarro

A Tribe Called Quest ft. Busta Rhymes - “Oh My God”

2 New York Giants team up (No Meadowlands) as legendary hip-hop imprint Duck Down Records turns 15 and Black Rob re-emerges onto the hip-hop scene as the label’s newest signee. Looking forward to see what these two can create together. Check out this video of Black Rob’s Introduction at the Duck Down event given by the one and only, Buckshot and BR performs a classic.

City Of God’s Son, is the a new innonative hip opera project where the lives of NYC rappers, Nas, Jay-z and the late Notorious BIG are intertwined into a thrilling real life tale. Inspired from by the 90’s hip hop era, City Of God’s Son is the alternate reality where their lives become yours.

Coming out this summer City Of God’s Son is anticipated to be an epic play where even the blind can picture what really is to be the Son of God in the City.

Download the track “The Eulogoy” produced by Kenzo Digital where he has combined the words of artist Nas, Jay-z, and Biggie.

For more info on the project visit City of God’s Son.

Ego Trip, the creative directors behind the Vh1 hit shows, Miss Rap Supreme and The White Rapper Show, have partnered up with the Maysles Instittue cinema for a special viewing of Ego Trip’s favorite classic hip-hop films. “”80 Blocks from Tiffany’s” and “Shotgun” will be available to view at the Maysles Cinema on 343 Lenox Ave, New York, NY 10027 for an entrance fee of $10 this January 28th. Peep the flyer for more movie dates, and events.