Danny Hastings Shares How Fab 5 Freddy’s Support Launched His Career in Hip Hop and Latin Music Visuals

Danny Hastings (left), Fab 5 Freddy.
Credit :

Danny Hastings/instagram; Rita Barros/Getty

Need to Know

• Danny Hastings’s photography career began with the recognition of Fab 5 Freddy
• The photographer discusses a pivotal moment that changed his trajectory and emphasizes his dedication to supporting other creatives
• Legendario, Act I: Rough, Rugged and Raw, the first in a three-part photographic retrospective, is now available

Danny Hastings has forged a remarkable career in photography, prompted by his fascination with hip-hop culture and the arts. He arrived in New York as a teenager, moving in with his mother and siblings in Queens. After some years, when his mother returned to Panama, Hastings and his brother chose to remain in the city, determined to carve their own path.

“We stayed and figured out life, basically. By the age of 20, I already had a camera. I was shooting constantly,” Hastings recalled. He soon became immersed in the craft, desperately trying to understand how photographers were making a living, despite feeling unsure about the path ahead.

His interest in photography intensified as he began studying album covers and liner notes, realizing their significance. “I started looking at album covers and wow, some of the new records I was buying – Boogie Down Productions, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, all that late ’80s stuff – led to an epiphany,” he said. “I realized there were names and addresses on those albums, and I was in New York, so why not pursue it?”

Hastings educated himself about photography while exploring the city. “I started showing up as a young Latino who barely spoke English, knocking on doors with a portfolio of friends I had photographed,” he recounted. Though intimidating, his determination fueled his efforts.

His persistence paid off when he secured a job in a photo lab, where he swiftly taught himself the art of printing. “Before you know it, in two years, I was an avid printer. A lot of people don’t know what that’s like,” Hastings remarked. This role provided him invaluable access to the field, despite concerns from family about his career choice.

“My mom was worried I couldn’t survive with photography, but I knew it had to work,” he said. “I ignored all the naysayers, including people that I loved.” Encouraged by the lab owner to display his work, Hastings faced an unexpected accolade when hip-hop legend Fab 5 Freddy noticed his photographs.

“He came to the lab looking for me. I was starstruck when he took the time to look at my portfolio. That was a significant moment for me, and we became friends forever,” he shared.

Now, Hastings is committed to helping others achieve similar breakthroughs. “When young artists or photographers, especially Latinos and Latinas, show me their work, I take the time to provide advice. It’s important to support those who are just starting,” he emphasized.

Reflecting on his journey, Hastings highlighted determination over luck. He recalled his first music video project at age 23 for Atlantic Records featuring Prince Royce, a major Latino artist at the time. “It’s all about preparation and determination,” he stated. “If I didn’t plant that seed, I would have never had that moment with Fab 5 Freddy.”

Hastings’s work, now iconic in the world of music photography, underscores the importance of passion. “I don’t do anything I don’t like. If creative work is approached solely for money, it will not endure,” he said.

His portfolio includes classic covers, such as Wu-Tang Clan’s 36 Chambers and Marc Anthony’s Todo a Su Tiempo. Currently, he is revisiting the beginnings of his career in his retrospective, Legendario, Act I: Rough, Rugged and Raw, while remaining as dedicated to his craft as ever.

“It sustains my family and provides for us. If you love the art, stay the course. It can be tough, but it’s a beautiful career,” Hastings concluded.

Legendario, Act I: Rough, Rugged and Raw is now available for purchase.