Thangs & Thangs: Top Shotta

An Interview with Jamil GS

NYC Dayscape - As appeared on El Michel's Affair, Sounding Out the City.

If you follow the work of luminary photographer, Jamil GS, then you are sure to have an eclectic collection of some of the finest publications in your possession. With a resume that reads like a CV of a summa cum laude student, Jamil has permeated the photographic world with a style all his own. Drawing on a myriad of influences and cultural references, his vision has assisted in creating synonymous imagery for some of the most prestigious and venerable brands, publications, and celebrities.Whether capturing multi-ethnic honeys, the unparalleled natural beauty of Jamaica, or the grimy streets of NYC and the people who stalk them, GS is bringing his definitive vision to the world at large.

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You’ve had the opportunity to work with and be responsible for shaping the aesthetic of some of the most respected and progressive brands and publications in the game. Is there a project or affiliation that you are most proud of having participated in and why? For the most part I’m grateful and proud of them all. Most of them have given me free reign to share my ideas and perspective on what was dope or how to make it dope. That dates back to the early shoots for the magazines I-D, The Face, Arena, True, Trace, Vibe, Visionaire, Purple, and Rolling Stone. After that I would say the next chapter was when in 2000, when I started my GS STICKUPS Calendars. Those were isolated high quality published matters with singular content. Big ups to Hysteric Glamour, Dune magazine, Supreme, Premium Goods and Made Publications.

Supreme Calendar

You’ve also worked a lot within the skateboard realm with your work gracing Stereo boards and creating the highly sought after Supreme calendar. More recently you spearheaded a movement to get skate gear to kids in Jamaica. How would you describe your connection to the skate world? I spent my early childhood years playing on Venice Beach where I was surrounded by it and I used to skate around on my one knee. I picked it up again as a teenager and it was some of the dopest shit I had come across - the challenge, the creativity, the speed, the danger. Pushing your self individually while having fun with your crew was dope. I stopped skating after twisting and breaking my ankles one too many times, but I never left the spirit. I think it has helped shape me in the way I approach creativity and to an extent, life. That’s why I promote it.

Jamaica seems like a place you’re enamored with. What draws you to the land of wood and water? The vibration. It’s the vibration man. Initially, I was in NY and felt the vibration in the music. I felt a connection in the harmony, and it grew on me. If you've ever heard a Rasta talk about reggae and the heart beat riddim, you may understand. The vibration of that particular music resonates on a certain level that penetrates the soul, its good for your nerves. Even dancehall carries that frequency. Going to Jamaica was like going outside on a sunny day after hibernating inside all winter, it was an awakening to splendor in the grass. The wood, the water and everything in between has a vibration. The place is unreal.

Jamaican culture is completely unique from any other in the world - from their music to their perspective on life to their style of dressing, and particularly how they express themselves through language. How has spending time in Jamaica affected your own personal outlook on life? It has only confirmed my outlook on life, that there is an infinite potential, and that in the face of adversity you can create something out of nothing, and remain original while doing so. Like Aidonia said, "we haffi set something for we self."

Strawberry Hills, high above Kingston, Jamaica.

You were recently commissioned to do some promotional work for the Jamaican Tourist Board too. Describe that experience. The JTB project was so far strictly still photography and it was great. I traveled the island thick and thin, up and down, over and around. I got to see many places i haven't been to, and enjoyed many surprises. It was an enriching experience. The video work (Jamaica Originates) was my own idea. You can call it the underground tourism campaign. It was executive produced by Chunnel.tv.

Recently, you’ve started Nectar Productions. What is the aim and vision with Nectar? Nectar is the honey of life, and I intend to keep it flowing.

You have a style that is instantly perceptible. Did you always have the style and vision that you are known for today? If you mean original, then yes. Otherwise I would ask you to be the judge of that. But I think that anyone with a keen eye can see it all comes from the same source.

For sure, it's absolutely original. I imagine you receive a lot of offers and opportunities to showcase your style and work. How do you decide which projects to participate in? It is a case by case basis. The projects that allow me to explore my originality have priority.

Reasonable Doubt era Jay.

Was there a defining moment when you knew photography was the path you needed to pursue? Fo sho. I was 16 and I was heavy into graffiti. I used to skate around with a backpack full of cans and markers. I wasn't a grand master, but I was on the go and used to get up alot. One day, I went to this exhibition with some of my heroes - Lee, Dondi, Futura, Zephyr, and Seen. I was like, it doesn't get much bigger than this. There was no way I could surpass this, they had all ready done it, so it got me thinking what else could I do? What was next? How could I express my self visually in a fly but new way, and I came up with photography. You use the same finger, and instead of spraying out, you let the spray in, and then you blast it back out onto prints, billboards, whatever. If your good, you can do six or more burners in one day. I've had my photos on billboards in Time Square, throughout the cities, in trains, magazines, books and now the web. It's not always personal art work, but there's an element of my flavor and it was about getting up.

You’ve lived in NY since 1990. NYC has changed a lot since then. How has this affected your outlook and your work? It's made me want to travel more again.

Raekwon the Chef and Ghostface.

You’ve entered the realm of video production and directing as well with Jamaica Originates. Was entering the film world a natural progression for you? Yes, I’ve toyed with it now and then since my first music video in 96, but I have taken my time knowing that the longer I wait, the more life experience I have to offer. It's a serious medium. It can be as destructive and counterproductive as it can be healing and constructive.

How do you enjoy video as compared to still photography? I enjoy it mostly because of the added element of sound and rhythm. It's a beautiful thing. You have more elements that you need to balance to create harmony, but when you do, it can be a bigger experience.