There’s no doubt that the words “legend”, “guru”, “influencer” are beginning to lose the strength in meaning in this day and age where there are a plethora of novices seemingly self-appointing themselves titles with every FB update, Tweet, and blog entry. (To be honest, when snake oil salesmen approach me and tell me what they do (and do for me/my clients), I simply say “let me look at the work”, which is usually followed by a blank stare…) There are times, however, where the reputation and résumé of an individual not only precede them, but also shine through.

Such is the case with Daniel Hastings.

He’s shot the covers for some of the most influential hip-hop albums of my time, including Return to the 36 Chambers, I Am…, Doe or Die, Capital Punishment, and Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… In addition, he’s responsible for immortalizing the legends of today in their infancy, including Jay-Z (for his first ever magazine cover, Stress, in 1996), Eminem, Tony Touch, GangStarr, EPMD, and more. There are very few people who’ve amassed such a vast wealth of work within such a short amount of time, and yet he remains a quiet assassin… the name of the game is show and prove folks, show and prove.

Last week, he held a small reception in Tribeca to preview the release of his 2010 calendar (which will be available soon), and some of the images took me back. Wayyyyy back.

More pics after the jump (taken on my iPhone).

SUITS!