Jamil GS

Wailing Soul

Ziggy Marley,
Kingston, Jamaica, 1995.🇯🇲

📸©️JAMIL GS 1995 - 2024
Styled by 
Grooming by  
📸Assisted by  
                                   

A great day in Harlem.

Early days.
D’Angelo by Jamil before Voodoo.

125th and Lex, Harlem, New York, 1995

Wishing him many more journeys around the sun. 🌞 and wishing for more musical blessings for us.

📸©️Jamil GS

#1995

D’Angelo before Voodoo.

Early days.

Scanned contact sheet from a great day in
Harlem, New York, 1995

Wishing him many more journeys around the sun. 🌞

📸©️Jamil GS

#1995

Not all Soul singers have soul.
This man does. 🙏🏽

D’Angelo, early days.
Scanned contact sheet from a great day in
Harlem, New York, 1995

Wishing him many more journeys around the sun. 🌞

📸©️Jamil GS

Usher before social media and the Superbowl.

Austin, Texas, 1997

Usher is only 18 years old and about to promote his Sophomore album “My way.”

He is one of the most professional artists that I’ve ever worked with. New Yorkers have an edge that can sometimes come off ruff, rugged and raw, while Usher had that Southern hospitality vibe. Also, his mother was his manager, so she must have schooled him early in etiquette while he was still on her watch. He was professional, courteous, and completely open. He didn’t have any demands.

The shoot took place in Austin, Texas where Usher was acting in The Faculty, his first feature film, directed by Robert Rodriguez. I was given the liberty to suggest where I wanted to shoot.

You can read more details about this in my previous post.

Following the shoot on Lake Austin where I asked him to try water skiing, we went golfing, and after that we proceeded with a human experiment.
The experiment was to show up at a local mall unannounced, and do a walk thru to see what might happen.

These are early days in Ushers career, and pre social media, so we rolled without security detail. Still homeboy hadn’t taken but 10 steps into the mall, and one teenage girl after the other started flocking like bees on flowers. Halfway thru we had to take refuge in a shop, where the only way out was to sign autographs.

It’s amazing to see how far he’s come as an artist and continues to evolve.

I think he killed it at Super Bowl halftime. Repping for A town and an era of music that doesn’t get any bigger and better.

📸 ©️Jamil GS 1994-2024

Usher before the Superbowl.

Austin, Texas, 1997

Usher is only 18 years old and about to promote his Sophomore album “My way.”

He is one of the most professional artists that I’ve ever worked with. New Yorkers have an edge that can sometimes come off ruff, rugged and raw, while Usher had that Southern hospitality vibe. Also, his mother was his manager, so she must have schooled him early in etiquette while he was still on her watch. He was professional, courteous, and completely open. He didn’t have any demands.

The shoot took place in Austin, Texas where Usher was acting in The Faculty, his first feature film, directed by Robert Rodriguez. I was given the liberty to suggest where I wanted to shoot. It was mid-summer, and hot as hell in Texas, so I was like, ‘Let’s go wherever there’s water, I don’t want to be sweating all day! I’ll get a small boat and let’s catch a breeze.’

This shoot is from Lake Austin where I suggested to shoot him water skiing, and he accepted the challenge. He had never done it before, and tried 100 times before he got up, and stayed up. He wouldn’t give up until we got the shot. He really had that humble fighter spirit of a champ. His do or die attitude meant epic shots, one after the next.

It’s amazing to see how far he’s come as an artist and continues to evolve.

I think he killed it at Super Bowl halftime. Repping for A town and an era of music that doesn’t get any bigger and better.

📸 ©️Jamil GS 1994-2024

Play ball.

Usher

Austin, Texas, 1997

Usher is only 21 years old and about to promote his Sophomore album “My way.”

He is one of the most professional artists that I’ve ever worked with. New Yorkers have an edge that can sometimes come off ruff, rugged and rude, but Usher had that Southern hospitality vibe. Also, his mother was his manager, so she must have schooled him early in etiquette while he was still on her watch. He was professional, courteous, and completely open. He didn’t have any demands.

The shoot took place in Austin, Texas where Usher was acting in The Faculty, his first feature film, directed by Robert Rodriguez. I was given the liberty to suggest where I wanted to shoot. It was mid-summer, and hot as hell in Texas, so I was like, ‘Let’s go wherever there’s water, I don’t want to be sweating all day! I’ll get a small boat and let’s catch a breeze.’

This shot is following a morning session on Lake Austin where I suggested to shoot him water skiing, and he accepted the challenge. He tried 100 times before he got up, and stayed up. He wouldn’t give up until we got the shot. He really had that humble fighter spirit of a champ. He had the same energy on the golf course... his do or die attitude meant epic shots, one after the next.

It’s amazing to see how far he’s come as an artist and continues to evolve.

I wish the best of luck at the Super Bowl halftime. It almost doesn’t get any bigger than this.

It all started with music.

before I was even born, my parents met at a jazz club and Copenhagen

So its safe to say that music is at the root of my inception, and being a son of a jazz musician, music has played a vital part in my life ever since.

Be at the frequencies from the music itself, or the visuals chosen to represent it, the input has inspired and helped shape my own artistic expression.

My first self-published project that I ever did was in collaboration with Nobu Kitamura, from Hysteric Glamour and Charlie Fumihiro Hayashi (RIP) from Dune Magazine Japan. This project was in part inspired by 12 inch vinyl record covers, to the point that the actual format measured 12 by 12 inches.

The final product was a 12 month pinup calendar titled GS-Stickups for the year 2000.

As each page represented a month, my aim was that each image could stand alone with impact. Just like a vinyl record album cover.

You will find more BTS on this topic on my website Jamilgs.com - Link in bio

As time passed, I began collecting vinyl records myself, including 7 inch reggae and dancehall singles that I would eventually share while occasionally DJ’ing around downtown Manhattan.

As an homage to my appreciation for this vinyl format. I created an edition of limited 7 by 7 inch Fine Art photographic prints, featuring portraits I photographed of artists and people that resonate with me. And to tie it all nicely together, the editing of the seven inch prints are limited to 45 of each photo.

Photo featured : Jay-Z, New York City, 1995.

📸©️ Jamil GS

For more info - L.ink b.io 🙏🏽🫵🏽

It all started with music.

before I was even born, my parents met at a jazz club and Copenhagen

So its safe to say that music is at the root of my inception, and being a son of a jazz musician, music has played a vital part in my life ever since.

Be at the frequencies from the music itself, or the visuals chosen to represent it, the input has inspired and helped shape my own artistic expression.

My first self-published project that I ever did was in collaboration with Nobu Kitamura, from Hysteric Glamour and Charlie Fumihiro Hayashi (RIP) from Dune Magazine Japan. This project was in part inspired by 12 inch vinyl record covers, to the point that the actual format measured 12 by 12 inches.

The final product was a 12 month pinup calendar titled GS-Stickups for the year 2000.

As each page represented a month, my aim was that each image could stand alone with impact. Just like a vinyl record album cover.

You will find more BTS on this topic on my website Jamilgs.com - Link in bio

As time passed, I began collecting vinyl records myself, including 7 inch reggae and dancehall singles that I would eventually share while occasionally DJ’ing around downtown Manhattan.

As an homage to my appreciation for this vinyl format. I created an edition of limited 7 by 7 inch Fine Art photographic prints, featuring portraits I photographed of artists and people that resonate with me. And to tie it all nicely together, the editing of the seven inch prints are limited to 45 of each photo.

Additional Info and specs can be found on the gallery page of the dope Hip Hop shop - link in bio

Photo featured : OutKast, Atlanta, Georgia, 2001.

📸©️ Jamil GS

Feel free to enjoy while supplies last. 🙏🏽🫵🏽

It all started with music.

before I was even born, my parents met at a jazz club and Copenhagen

So its safe to say that music is at the root of my inception, and being a son of a jazz musician, music has played a vital part in my life ever since.

Be at the frequencies from the music itself, or the visuals chosen to represent it, the input has inspired and helped shape my own artistic expression.

My first self-published project that I ever did was in collaboration with Nobu Kitamura, from Hysteric Glamour and Charlie Fumihiro Hayashi (RIP) from Dune Magazine Japan. This project was in part inspired by 12 inch vinyl record covers, to the point that the actual format measured 12 by 12 inches.

The final product was a 12 month pinup calendar titled GS-Stickups for the year 2000.

As each page represented a month, my aim was that each image could stand alone with impact. Just like a vinyl record album cover.

You will find more BTS on this topic on my website Jamilgs.com - Link in bio

As time passed, I began collecting vinyl records myself, including 7 inch reggae and dancehall singles that I would eventually share while occasionally DJ’ing around downtown Manhattan.

As an homage to my appreciation for this vinyl format. I created an edition of limited 7 by 7 inch Fine Art photographic prints, featuring portraits I photographed of artists and people that resonate with me. And to tie it all nicely together, the editing of the seven inch prints are limited to 45 of each photo.

Additional Info and specs can be found on the gallery page of the dope Hip Hop shop - link in bio

Photo featured : D’Angelo, Harlem, New York, 1995.

📸©️ Jamil GS

Feel free to enjoy while supplies last. 🙏🏽🫵🏽

Inspired by beauty.

Melida, New York City, 1998

7 x 7 “ print release. L.ink in b.io

📸©️Jamil GS

Makeup:
Stylist:

It all started with music.

before I was even born, my parents met at a jazz club and Copenhagen

So its safe to say that music is at the root of my inception, and being a son of a jazz musician, music has played a vital part in my life ever since.

Be at the frequencies from the music itself, or the visuals chosen to represent it, the input has inspired and helped shape my own artistic expression.

My first self-published project was in collaboration with Nobu Kitamura, from Hysteric Glamour and Charlie Fumihiro Hayashi (RIP) from Dune Magazine Japan. This project was in part inspired by 12 inch vinyl record covers. To the point that the actual printed format measured 12 by 12 inches.

The final product was a 12 month pinup calendar titled GS-Stickups for the year 2000.

As each page represented a month, my aim was to let each image could stand alone with impact. Just like a vinyl record album cover.

You will find more BTS on this topic on my website Jamilgs.com - Link in bio

As time passed, I began collecting vinyl records myself, including 7 inch reggae and dancehall singles that I would eventually share while occasionally DJ’ing around downtown Manhattan.

As an homage to my appreciation for this vinyl format. I created an edition of limited 7 x 7 inch Fine Art photographic prints, featuring portraits I photographed of artists and people that resonate with me. And to tie it all together, the editing of the seven inch prints are limited to 45 of each photo.

Additional Info and specs can be found on the gallery page of the dope Hip Hop shop - link in bio

Check it out while supplies last.

54 more
🎂

Bobby Digital 25
🎂
Salut!

Mary J - all day.

New print 8x10 and 20x24 edition added.

Link in bio.

Damn it feels good to be a G.

New archive works. Framed and unframed.
Link in Bio.

Invest in art and get a return later. did.

Archive print sale in effect.
Link in bio

- Cash in cash out.

Archive sale in effect. New print added for 24 hours.
Steals and deals.
Link in bio.

Archive print sale has started.
Select items available at easy prices for only 24 hours. New items added daily for the next 6 days.

Nas QB Medallion by Jamil GS — . Fine art photo by Jamil GS featuring the famed Nas QB medallion as worn by the rapper and entrepreneur.

This ⭐️ has been in the Music hall of fame since she came in the scene in the 70’s.
Not sure what took so many years, yet she deserves all the 🌺 she can get. I love her voice and her talent 🙏🏽

🕯️
Albert “Prodigy” Johnson, New York City, 2015.

📸 ©️Jamil GS
Styled by

Slide 2: Bud Johnson (Prodigy’s grandfather) and Quincy Jones, photographed by my father Sahib Shihab while in tour in Scandinavia, 1961.

I always shot film I never shot gunz.

Check out some of my work spanning decades at “Hip Hop Conscious-Unconscious opening at Fotografiska in Stockholm this week. It’s gonna be epic!

25 years ago .. we were given new reasons to come the show..

This is an appreciation post.

Already a fan of Yasiin, who then went by Mos def, and the name Black Star resonated with me because of the visionary Marcus Garvey and his vital emancipating teachings.
Teaming up w Talib Kweli was such an epic elevation for Hip Hop.
1, 2 3 ….
🙏🏽🫵🏽

Southern hospitality

🎂

ATliens

OutKast, Atlanta, Georgia, 2001.

📸©️Jamil GS

Pretty Tony aka Ghostdini & Aisha,

Cover shoot for Trace magazine, New York City, 1998

📸 ©️Jamil GS
Styled by :
Makeup:
Turban:

I love Hip Hop.

Part 2

God bless the ancestors

God bless the pioneers.

“Pioneers are the first to see and the last to be seen”

When celebrating something big and someting of value created by many, there will often be a discrepancy about the exact origins, and Hip Hop is no exception.

“Manhattan keeps on makin it, Brooklyn keeps on takin it
Bronx keeps creatin' it, and Queens keeps on fakin' it” - The bridge is over - ✊🏽BDP.

No doubt Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash deserve their accolades, flowers and eternal gratitute, and so does Grandmaster Flowers, Bam - the peace maker, Lovebug Starsky - the Name maker, Cold Crush Brothers and Grandmaster Caz to name but a few.

I honor them and the entire Hip Hop movement.

I also like to dig a little deeper and recognize the seeds/imprints that were planted and the environment that allowed those seeds to flourish.

On December 7, 1971, there was a Peace meeting on Hoe Avenue in the Bronx,
where a truce between Bronx gangs was called after Cornell “Black Benji” Benjamin, peace keeper
the Ghetto Brothers, was murdered while trying to stop a fight between rival gangs.
The peace treaty had a positive impact, that gave way for parties to come outside.

Observing nature we know that without peace and a little harmony nothing can flourish…

End of the day, Hip Hop comes from source, and those “invisible” elements of potential are important to remember as they work their magic “underground”

I love Hip Hop.

Part 1

God bless the ancestors

God bless the pioneers.

As we celebrate Hip Hop’s big round birthday, let’s make sure to
celebrate all the elements of Hip Hop and everyone who has and continues to contribute to the Hip Hop Nation.

From the moment I could it has been my mission to elevate the culture and to give people of the movement a space for self expression in areas where there were none.
I’ve made sure to shine a light on our beauty and power to help further the understanding, appreciation and respect for Hip Hop.

I am grateful to see how the nation has grown to transcend continents and the confinements of skin color,
Race and traditional mindsets.

It’s always interesting to understand and talk about origins, and I will get into that later.

For now I am sharing the first selection of works I created with some of my favorite Hip Hop artists, Dj’s, Producers, Mc’s and masterminds.