The first thing that shocks you about Derick G is how young he is, in relation to a lot of professional photographers—just 26 years old. His demeanor and his work both belie a much older, more experienced cat. But he’s as new-school as new-school gets.

“I’ve never even shot on film,” he says, laughing. “I’m the new breed. The last time I shot with film was in middle school.”

Despite his childhood fascination with the subject, the Miami-based G fell into the photography game by accident. “I have a car company called Reel Ridez, and we provide a lot of the cars for hip-hop videos,” he explains. “I was on set shooting my cars, and a couple of directors saw my work and liked it—and that was that.”

And “that” has included his acceptance into the Cash Money/Young Money crew as its go-to photographer. The gig has taken him all over the world, and that’s where his discretion was most evident. When a photographer’s on the road documenting hip-hop tours—and their accompanying excess—anything can, and usually does, happen.

“I went with the whole Young Money/Cash Money crew to Paris, and it was wild, man,” he laughs. “We were in a country where not everyone speaks English, and yet everyone was singing Wayne’s lyrics back to him word for word. I was sitting onstage taking pictures, watching the entire crowd rapping ‘Mr. Carter,’ and I was bugging out.”

Spend a few minutes looking through his portfolio and you’ll have the same reaction.

Originally Published in RESPECT Issue #5

Story Copyright Musinart LLC

All Photos Copyright Derick G