I had the honor of photographing Jermaine Dupri’s first-ever cover for VIBE Magazine, celebrating 30 years of VIBE and 30 years of So So Def — two pillars that helped shape hip-hop and R&B culture.

This portrait was about honoring a legacy in real time. The goal was to capture Jermaine Dupri not just as a hitmaker, but as an architect — someone whose influence spans generations, soundtracks, and cultural moments. The imagery reflects confidence, longevity, and ownership, pairing timeless styling with a bold, modern editorial approach.

Being trusted to visually document this milestone for both an icon and one of hip-hop’s most influential publications stands as one of the most meaningful cultural moments of my career.