State Champ Radio Jonathan Mannion
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Source: Patrick McMullan / Getty
On Tuesday, April 2, legendary skater turned actor Harold Hunter would’ve turned 50-years-old. Although he’s not here to celebrate such a milestone with us, famed photographer Jonathan Mannion is ensuring his legacy continues on.
According to Hypebeast, Mannion took to the streets of New York City to plaster the likeness of Hunter throughout Downtown Manhattan using never-before-seen photos he took with Hunter during their skate sessions back in 1997. While many of today’s youth may be unfamiliar with the Kids actor (classic film), Mannion included a QR code that would inform onlookers of his legacy and how he utilized skateboarding to positively impact his community.
For better or worse you have to appreciate technology these days.
Per Hypebeast:
Outside his celebrated history with Zoo York, Hunter was cherished for his exuberant and welcoming personality that transcended the world of skateboarding, leading to a number of modeling and acting roles during the ’90s, including campaigns with Tommy Hilfiger and Larry Clark’s seminal film, Kids(1995). “Harold’s skateboard was just a vehicle,” said actor Rosario Dawson, who grew up in the same neighborhood as the skater, in a past interview. “He became famous for his personality and his spirit. If anybody came to New York, he would take them in and show them the city.” Hunter was tragically found dead in the Manhattan housing project he grew up in on February 17, 2006, from a heart attack. He was 31.
“It is for all of these insights gained that day about Harold’s spirit that I have chosen to hold him as high as possible on what would have been his 50th Birthday, in order to begin to share deeper layers of his humanity,” said Mannion in a release regarding the partnership. “Crying tears from infectious laughter, calmer introspective moments, pure connection with community as he interacted with anyone who he encountered… they don’t make them like Harold anymore,” Mannion added.
Here’s to hoping that Mannion’s tribute to Hunter inspires a few souls to follow suit one way or another. According to Mannion, the Harold Hunter Foundation helped make his tribute possible.
What are your memories of Harold Hunter? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Source: Jim Spellman / Getty / Jonathan Mannion
After shocking the Hip-Hop world when he sued Jonathan Mannion, the photographer who took the iconic Reasonable Doubt cover art, JAY-Z and Mannion have come to an agreement on the matter.
In June 2021, Jigga slapped Mannion with an unexpected lawsuit for selling photographs, specifically the ones he shot for the Reasonable Doubt cover art, without his consent.
The Brooklyn rapper/mogul demanded Mannion fork over millions of dollars after asking Mannion to cease his sale of the merch featuring the photos. The two men tried to settle in January 2022 but failed and were set to battle it out in court in March, but a resolution in the matter has been met.
According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, JAY-Z and Jonathan Mannion were working diligently to reach a settlement asking the judge to vacate the trial, implying that cooler heads have prevailed.
Crisis Averted
They have until February 17 to file the necessary paperwork. According to the documents, the “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.”
At the time of the lawsuit’s announcement, Jonathan Mannion’s attorney said, “Mr. Mannion has created iconic images of Mr. Carter over the years, and is proud that these images have helped to define the artist that Jay-Z is today. Mr. Mannion has the utmost respect for Mr. Carter and his body of work, and expects that Mr. Carter would similarly respect the rights of artists and creators who have helped him achieve the heights to which he has ascended. We are confident that the First Amendment protects Mr. Mannion’s right to sell fine art prints of his copyrighted works, and will review the complaint and respond in due course.”
We’re happy to see the two legends in their respective crafts have worked things out.
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Photo: Jim Spellman / Getty
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