Blogging 4 the Public -Jay Rodriguez Photography & Graphics – Tips, Tricks and Inspiration.

6 Degrees of Communication via Social Media

I originally got this idea over at Zack Arias Blog and he labeled it "Let’s Test 6 Degrees :: Calling Coldplay & Diddy". I sat down and started to think about this idea… which is genius by the way (my hats off to Zack) and I started saying to myself “this can actually work” if it’s done right!

So how else can we execute this marvelous idea if it’s not involving the social networks like Facebook, Myspace and the ever so popular Twitter. No other way of course, cause then we’ll all end up broke!

So, this is how it goes, just like Zack but a little different…
They say that we are connected to everyone by 6 degrees of separation. I want to test this theory out and see how far I can take it. If I use the right keywords and hashtags (#hashtags) I should be able to either get some response by the actual account holder or someone that knows someone that knows the Twitter’er,Myspacer and/or Facebooker.

I would like to shoot a Portrait of my favorite two Hip Hop Artists. Living in New York and listening to their music almost my whole life I owe this to myself so I’m going to execute this. Zack, thanks for the encouragement bro!

I will like to shoot a portrait of my favorite hip hop legend LL Cool J. I grew up listening to his music since the mid 80’s. I always found his music to be not only inspiring but no matter what genre of music you threw this hip hop maven to he would always make it his territory and conquer it!

I purchase every album he release. I still have his first 2 albums on Vinyl. – Radio (1985) and Bigger and Deffer (1987). Back then it took and artist and producers several months sometimes years to release albums, but when it was time to drop the next album it was done 100% and in the studios with actual instruments and bands.

LL Cool J was born and raise in Hollis Queens New York. Word on the waves say that he still reside in his old neighborhood with his Family. I got a 50/50 chance on getting a response to this considering that he’s “semi retired” and is still in the area. You never know, If I do get a response we could maybe make it a family Portrait

Next hip hop artist is another favorite of mine since the mid 80’s also. This artists name is Rakim… yup you guessed it, he’s the rapper from Eric B & Rakim. “The Micrphone Fiend”. I remember watching and hearing my uncles scratch the records on the turn tables to this song, making unbelievable blends from one song to another for hours. I like Rakim’s music not only cause of his originality but he was also a lyricist no one wanted to step forward to… or as they say in the streets…”Battle”!

Rakim’s style in music opened up doors and opportunities for many others that followed his lead. He and his DJ were the hottest duo on the radio until the went their separate ways. After that Rakim made a comeback twice and did well in record sales as a solo artist. Rumors in the streets and radios say that he’s planning on a return again. I’m hoping that he’ll get together again with Eric B for one final album!
BTW: I also have all of Eric B & Rakim’s albums on cassette, and I also have the ones Rakim did as a solo artist as well.

Let me close this post off by saying that I am willing and able to travel with my gear to make this happen with either two artists. I hope that they both still reside in the tri-state area… that’ll be easier on my end!

I’m hoping that you guys/gals will help me out on the social networks. I encourage you to share this post on Facebook, make a bulletin on Myspace and ReTweet this on Twitter. I would highly thank you guys and gals for passing the word out for me.

Thanks to all my social networking pals
~Jay Rodriguez