Photographer Danny Hasting reflects on working with a young Em.
Anybody who owns a physical copy Eminem‘s The Slim Shady LP, or has otherwise scoured the internet for a peek at the liner notes, likely recognizes the work photographer Danny Hastings. The back the leaflet is particularly memorable, in which Em rocks a blood-spattered white tee shirt, standing excited beside a cartoonish windowsill. The pictures helped bring Em’s zany, maniacal vision to life, capturing the spirit an unhinged yet childlike genius. Now, with Em’s #SSLP20 campaign in full promotional swing, Danny Hastings has fered a few words on his experiences working with an emerging Eminem.
“Up until then, the majority rappers I felt were very self conscious,” he explains, Em’s website. “There were certain things a rapper would not do for the camera in the 90’s. They never made fun themselves. Em was not afraid looking silly for visual support his music. He got serious when he needed to get serious and fun when he needed to get fun… He was young and new to the game and because I shot a bunch his heroes, he was willing to try anything for the shot. I was like: “put this light on your head, trust me it’s gonna be dope”, and Em was like “lets do it”. Em was a blank canvas, I got to create some great imagery with him.”
When asked about his inspiration for his photoshoot, Hastings recalls drawing from Em’s own twisted storytelling. “His lyrics. His lyrics inspired the photography techniques I used,” he reveals. “I wanted to do something different. I wanted to show the fans that we were inside the mind a lyrical maniacal genius.” He also shares some the similarities and differences with working with Em today. “It’s waaaaayyyyy different now, and rightfully so. He is one the most important music artist the century. He put in the work and came on top. When I shot the first album he just showed up with Paul, I think they cabbed it to the studio. Today it’s a big production. Creatively he is always open, he is a lot fun to work with.”
Check out the full interview right here, featuring some exclusive behind the scenes pictures. Have you bumped Slim Shady LP in a minute? Which tracks were the highlights?
