“It was all a dream…” - The Notorious B.I.G.
Notorious B.I.G. is one of the greatest lyricists of all time. He’s often compared and contrasted to 2Pac as the best rapper ever. Biggie’s lyrics are very vivid and paint a picture in your mind. “Juicy” was an idea to do a whole shoot revolving around Biggie’s song of the same name, breaking down each line and bringing them to life as props and items in a single bedroom.
Juicy speaks volumes to people as the ultimate rags to riches story. We couldn’t skimp out on anything, especially try to do an homage to someone as legendary as Biggie Smalls. Some of the items were straightforward (“hanging pictures on my wall” – various posters tacked up on the wall, including a Notorious B.I.G. one) and some were inspired (“I’m the rappin’ Duke, duh-ha, duh-ha” – John Wayne a.k.a. “The Duke” VHS video tapes, “born sinner, opposite of winner” – “Se7en” movie VHS & Martin’s basketball trophy). Additionally, we added our own mementos and touches from each of us and some SICK STAR memorabilia to make it feel like it was Dianna’s room – the Pochacco and Hello Kitty dolls are hers and mini figure skates are found in the room and PhotoHuynh’s photos from old shoots and events are found on the wall. A lot of the stuff was originally mine growing up, that I gathered from my parents’ house back home in Las Vegas. We printed 18×24 posters featuring images from the shoot.
“Juicy” featuring Dianna Lushus, photography by PhotoHuynh. Special Thanks to Martin Ramos.
"I let my tape rock 'til my tape pop"
"Girls used to diss me, now they write letters 'cause they miss me"
"When I was dead broke, man I couldn't picture this"
"Now honies play me close like butter played toast"
"Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner"
"The Moet and Alize keep me pissy"
"Peace to Ron G, Brucey B, Kid Capri, Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky"
"Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl"
"Smokin' weed and Bambu, sippin' on private stock"
"Born sinner, the opposite of a winner"... "Remember Rappin' Duke, duh-ha, duh-ha"
"Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack"
"Call the crib, same number same hood"... "To up close and personal with Robin Leach"... "And I'm far from cheap, I smoke skunk with my peeps all day"
"And she loves to show me off of course. Smiles every time my face is up in The Source." We feature The Source Issue #228.
"Hangin' pictures on my wall"
"Salt'n'Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine"… "Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade"... "Puttin' 5 karats in my baby girl's ear"
"Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis". For our shoot, "Rap Jam: Volume One" for the Super Nintendo plays on the television. The game featured rap and Hip-Hop artists playing street basketball.
"You had a goal, but not that many 'cause you're the only one I'll give you good and plenty"