Photographer Jonathan Mannion Debuts Lil' Wayne's Upcoming 'Rebirth' Album Cover And More At Milk Studios, NYC
Jonathan Mannion, recently thrust into the spotlight after shooting the iconic cover to rapper Lil' Wayne's Tha Carter III, just threw a star-studded reception to celebrate the opening of his exhibit at Milk Studios in New York City. Musictoob checked it out and let Mannion take us on the "journey" of respect and friendship that's culminated in some of the most arresting imagery of contemporary hip-hop to date.
A casual look around at the reception showed portraits of Lil' Wayne, Jay-Z, and Ice Cube alongside basketball star LeBron James and cyclist Lance Armstrong -and we caught Fat Joe (pictured) coming by to show some love!
For Jonathan, creating a really great photograph comes down to the details. The artwork for Lil' Wayne's upcoming album, Rebirth, found both he and Lil' Wayne sparing no expense to create the perfect "rocker" look.
Mannion explained that he's been working with Lil' Wayne since he took group shots of the New Orleans-based Hot Boys in 1998. One photo in the exhibit shows Juvenile, B.G., Lil' Wayne, and Turk posing on a bike.
"Lil' Weezy, Cash Money [Records]--simple simple chains, but held with such pride," beamed Mannion.
Continuing the journey, Mannion connected the "waiting, calculating" young Lil' Wayne of the Hot Boys with the royal rocker in the Rebirth cover.
"His swag is incredible. We were on some rock n' roll sh*t," said Mannion of the shoot.
"We did a lot of research. We really tried to get old Rolling Stones pictures...I mean, this was a collaborative effort. He really let us go on the journey--we got the ratty couch with the bottle of Dom P, the guitar case with the Gibson guitar, the wolf mask with the Marshall stacks, a chalice, dude--tell me we're not paying attention to detail!"
"That's what makes the difference between a mediocre picture and an incredible one, is the attention to detail," Mannion explained. "Even if it's as simple as a guy standing on a white background."
Rebirth, featuring Lil' Wayne's single "Prom Queen," will be released August 18, 2009.
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