As the hip hop culture diversifies and expands, it is important to expose ourselves to other elements other than the four main sub-cultures we concentrate on today. A local photographer in Toronto caught my eye last year when I attended GIFTED: The Hip Hop Holiday Art Party and witnessed some of the most compelling portraits I have ever come across.

This year is the year for Che Kothari, where he plans to spend his entire being dedicated to his work not only as a photographer but also a filmmaker, managing editor, project manager, event producer and humanitarian. “No sleep and no play until 2008. My work is my play though, it’s all just life…and I love every minute of it.” His passion developed since his infancy in Guelph, Ontario through the life experiences he endured. At the age of 17, he moved to Toronto to attend Ryerson University majoring in Photography completing the four-year program.

Kothari’s work focuses mainly on portraits where he captures a story for all his projects rooted from his ‘nosy’ personality. “I like to get into people’s lives. As a portrait photographer, it gives me very intimate moments with people. I take from each session that person’s essence and try to work and feel with that.” His talent and skills has brought Kothari portrait sessions with celebrities including Buju Banton, Llyod Banks, TI, Common Sense, Faith Evans, K-OS, and Talib Kweli. Although, he emphasizes he does not only focus on celebrities. “I also love to shoot real people, street people, party people, anything real…I just love people.”

Currently, Kothari is affiliated with many projects including Earwaks.com, a showcase to promote lifestyle, art, and music with high end content, photo, and videos; Hightop Studio, a creative services company offering photography, design, web, marketing and event production; and Manifesto, an organization for youth community building through the hip hop culture. This summer Manifesto will be organizing a complete summer events program, concluding with a festival in September.

You can reach Che Kothari through his website http://www.chekothari.com

This Friday, check out Bles-sed, one of my favourite dancers and dj’s in Vancity.