The Architects Of “Illmatic”: Danny Clinch

Photographer Danny Clinch sits down with Mass Appeal.

The day of Nas’ “Illmatic” shoot, photographer Danny Clinch was given a simple run of show by the teenage emcee. “Let’s just walk around my neighborhood. My friends are gonna be there. We’re gonna sit in the park, drink gin and juice and smoke blunts. And you’ll photograph it.” The resulting images are nearly as iconic as the music itself. As #IllmaticXXV approaches, Clinch himself recalls the moment.