Hip-hop photographer recalls persuading rock-star duo and film mogul Harvey Weinstein to flash the Roc diamond, in Mixtape Daily.
By Jayson Rodriguez
<P><big><b>Celebrity Favorites: Johnny Nunez</b></big><br></P><P>In the playbook for rap stardom, few things are as essential as being photographed by Johnny Nunez.</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Hip-Hop Photographer Johnny Nunez Recalls Mick Jagger Throwing The Roc Sign" id="vid:614859" width="240" height="211"></div><p></P><P>The New York photog has snapped some of the most iconic images in hip-hop, from Jay-Z and Nas sharing a champagne toast to Mick Jagger, Sting and movie mogul Harvey Weinstein each flashing the Roc diamond in a picture together. For the latter, Nunez exhibited his trademark charm to pull off the feat (anyone in New York City social circles can attest to this), but he endured a hostile environment in the process.</P><P>Nunez has been reflecting on his career lately, with both a documentary on his life ("Shooting Stars") previewing on the festival circuit and a New Era cap collaboration (to benefit the Eye Can Foundation for the blind).</P><P>"A client of mine's friend said [to him], 'Why did you bring a photographer?' " Nunez told <i>Mixtape Daily</i> about snapping the Jagger, Sting and Weinstein pic that paid homage to Roc-A-Fella Records. "I looked back, and all I saw was all these ice grills [looking at me]. So I thought, 'Wow, what am I gonna do?' "</P><P>The event was a <i>Vanity Fair</i> party overseas, and Nunez had accompanied Damon Dash — he worked as the hip-hop mogul's personal photographer — and his entourage. Nunez saw the three powerhouse celebrities together in the distance and put his hustle to work.</P><P>"I said, 'Excuse me, could I get a photo?' And I heard the other photographers: 'What is he doing?' " Nunez recalled. "I could feel the security guards wanting to yank me."</P><P>Sting agreed, and Nunez asked the singer if he could put his hands together in the diamond symbol made popular by Jay-Z as recognition of his and Dash's label, Roc-A-Fella. Sting obliged but asked what the gesture meant. "It's a universal symbol of love," Nunez shot back.</P><P>Weinsten also agreed to toss up the Roc. The Rolling Stones frontman hesitated, but Sting nudged his peer and soon all three cooperated. "I went back to the same guys [who were hating on me], and they said, 'That's what I'm talking about,' " Nunez recalled.</P><P>"The moral of that story is, I try to do things at that very moment that either have never been done before or aren't generic," he added. "I try to be organic."</P><P><b>For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/topics/m/mixtape_mondays/index.jhtml">Mixtape Daily Headlines</a>.</b></p>
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