An Evening with Earl Sweatshirt

On September 13, 2013 my brother, Luke, sent me an Earl Sweatshirt song (Molasses ft. RZA) while he was living in Yemen working as a photojournalist during the Arab Spring.  I loved the song after the first listen and virtually became a big fan of Earl’s overnight.  Although Luke was thousands of miles away, he still had a wonderful grasp on the Western hip-hop scene, and he’d always make a point to keep me apprised of noteworthy songs and artists on the rise.

What I didn’t anticipate is that this would be the last email I would receive from my brother.  He was abducted four days later on September 17. And after 15 painstaking months of working with a negligent U.S. government to secure Luke’s release, he was shot and killed in a purported rescue attempt by the U.S. military on December 6. 2014.

Since losing my brother - my best friend and stand-in father figure of sorts - I have been working to pick up all the pieces and live a bonafide life worth living in his honor and my own.  Not surprisingly, I have become enveloped in the photo-taking and storytelling sphere as both a passion and career, bridging a cathartic, latent artform with deep, meaningful connections with individuals and communities alike.

Last week, I had the privilege of taking photos of Earl Sweatshirt (and legend, The Alchemist), as well as hanging with him and his crew backstage.  I even got to tell him about Luke, if ever so briefly, and express the profundity of my and his presence there on that night.

So, this post is for you, Bruv; for the beautiful experiences that continue to present themselves amid the journey in the deep well of grief.  Thank you for propelling me to do what I love both in life and in death.  I love you.

P.S. It was a damn good show.