Jonathan Mannion

Slick Rick Is Working On A New Album: Report

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According to photographer Jonathan Mannion, Slick Rick could be dropping a new album in the near future. Mannion recently opened up about working with Slick Rick, claiming that the rapper told him about his upcoming project. The LP would be the UK-born performer’s first new album in more than two decades. Mannion shared the news on Instagram, alongside a photo of himself sitting with Slick Rick and sipping on some champagne.

“REASONING. This man has lived a helluva life to reach this current calm,” the photographer began his caption. “Blessed to have received the call that the new album was on the way… a fresh new approach to tunes, now with newly created legendary photos to match. We collaborate well.” He went on to detail his experience photographing the acclaimed storyteller, and how he got the bling he’s shown wearing around his neck.

Read More: Slick Rick’s “The Art of Storytelling” Turns 24

Slick Rick Reportedly Dropping First New Album In Over Two Decades

“As I did the first time that I ever photographed the incomparable @therulernyc in 1998, I brought champagne to toast him,” he continued. “@moetchandon always flowing. I was also ‘knighted’ again… a renewal of vows, of sorts… with nearly every piece of his legendary gold, platinum, diamond encrusted heavy metal available weighing down my neck. Beyond honored!” Judging by the comments section, fans can’t wait to hear the 58-year-old’s next project.

If Mannion’s account proves to be true, the new album will follow Slick Rick’s 1999 full-length album, The Art of Storytelling. That album houses famous tracks like “Street Talkin’” featuring OutKast, “Memories,” “I Run This,” and more. The album turned 24 back in May, after hitting No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop chart upon its release. Praised for his authenticity, Slick Rick shared his vision with The Guardian in 2016. “I think what I brought to hip-hop was a visual, storybook-type of a style,” he explained. “Like reading a children’s book, but in rap form.” Keep an eye on HNHH for more updates on Slick Rick.

Read More: Who Is Slick Rick? Get To Know Hip Hop’s Greatest Storyteller

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The post Slick Rick Is Working On A New Album: Report appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Jay-Z Settles “Reasonable Doubt” Lawsuit With Photographer

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Jay-Z’s found himself in some major lawsuits in recent times. Last year, he and Barcardi became involved in a highly contentious legal battle. Later on, he made headlines due to his high-profile legal battle with Parlux. However, he’s also had to deal with a courtroom spat with Jonathan Mannion, the legendary photographer behind some of Jay’s most iconic album artworks.

Hov sued Mannion for using his image, name and likeness without permission. The rapper claimed that Mannion and his company Jonathan Mannion Photography LLC sold prints of Jay for thousands of dollars on his website. However, Jay’s attorneys approached him in an attempt to stop the sales, Mannion demanded millions of dollars.

Jay-Z at Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs’ birthday party, New York, November 4, 1998. (Photo by Steve Eichner/Getty Images)

According to All Hip Hop, the two reached an agreement ahead of the March trial date. In court documents, the two parties said are working “diligently” to finalize the agreement. Now, they’ll have until Feb. 17th to submit it to court. 

“Parties have engaged in settlement discussions and agreed in principle on the terms of the settlement, which includes a stipulated dismissal of this action, subject to execution of a long-form settlement agreement,” the document reads.

NEW YORK, NY – CIRCA 1998: American rapper, songwriter, record executive, entrepreneur, and media proprietor Jay-Z, poses for a portrait during a Def Jam Island Records party circa 1998 in New York, New York. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images)

In the initial complaint, Jay said that Mannion acted as if he could sell photos of Jay-Z freely. “It is ironic that a photographer would treat the image of a formerly-unknown Black teenager, now wildly successful, as a piece of property to be squeezed for every dollar it can produce. It stops today,” the court doc read. However, Mannion later responded with on a more positive note.

At this point, there aren’t any specifics surrounding the settlements. However, we’ll keep you posted on anymore updates surrounding the case.

[Via]

Jay-Z And The Photographer Who Shot The ‘Reasonable Doubt’ Cover Will Bring Their Lawsuit To Trial

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Last summer, Jay-Z filed a lawsuit against photographer Jonathan Mannion and his company Jonathan Mannion Photographer LLC for using Jay-Z’s name and image without his consent. Mannion shot the cover for Jay-Z’s classic 1996 debut album Reasonable Doubt and the rapper claims that he’s been using the photos to make “thousands of dollars” selling prints and merchandise over the years. When Jay asked Mannion to stop, the photographer requested “tens of millions of dollars,” prompting the lawsuit. The two attempted to reach a settlement, but neither party was able to reach an agreement. Now the lawsuit will go to trial.

“Plaintiff Shawn Carter and Defendants Jonathan Mannion and Jonathan Mannion Photography LLC participated in a mediation before the Honorable Terry Friedman (Ret.) on January 5, 2022,” court documents obtained in the lawsuit read, according to HipHop-N-More (via AllHipHop). “The parties were unable to reach an agreement to resolve this case.” As a result, a trial date for July 22, 2022 has been set in order to bring the matter to court.

This comes after he, Big Sean, Fat Joe, Killer Mike, Meek Mill, Yo Gotti, and more rallied in support of a proposed New York State bill that would prohibit rap lyrics from being used in criminal trials. Bill S.7527/A.8681 — “Rap Music on Trial” — was proposed in November and it passed through the Senate earlier this week.

Meek Mill is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.