Meet Hamza Hassan | Photographer & Musical Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hamza Hassan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hamza, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
I live by the South African ethnophilosophy of Ubuntu; which in Nguni Bantu translates to “I am because we are” or in Xhosa means “the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity.” This philosophy and quote is dear to me, not only because it is the philosophy I live by but also, because it is a quote that intrinsically reflects the ways in which the Black African diaspora live in their communities and shared spaces across the world. It is what I try my best to capture in my photography; the joy, play, expression and togetherness you find in Black spaces. It’s not only guided my camera lens, but also my life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The road that lead me here was definitely a tribulate one. There was a long time that I stepped away from the creative scene. With many factors guiding my decision such as trauma around poverty in my youth, the incarceration of an important family member and my own lack of confidence, I decided to take the safe route and pursue post-secondary education to ensure a safety net for myself. It wasn’t until after I graduated that a friend of mine told me that I was actually his inspiration for going into the creative scene and that I should also pursue my own path into it because I “have a good eye and ear for composition.” This greatly boosted my confidence because this came from someone who I wasn’t only a friend to, but also a fan of their music and photography. The lessons I gained from this are to never stunt your growth out of fear and that it is never too late to pursue anything you want to set your heart to.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is a great question because I recently had a friend visit from England who I had to give a similar experience to. I definitely suggest checking out Atlanta’s Breakfast Club Chicken & Waffles for your breakfast/brunch, the vibe and staff are amazing. Gilly’s in Stone Mountain is a Black owned coffee spot that has some of the best drinks I’ve had. I like hanging out in spaces like Little 5 Points whenever I need a place to just work from. If you’re visiting Atlanta and are here to try our world famous wings, I highly suggest not going to any “bougie” or “uppity” businesses and take your chances with the wing spots that look a little more dingy, the difference in taste is worth it.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shoutout the local rap collective out of Stone Mountain, GA known as NEDLOG. They are a group of talented individuals who have always shown support and guidance when it came to my craft. Their music has also inspired me in many ways. Check out their latest project, “Ako”, as well as their newest single “Spin (Za Block).”

Website: https://shotxbuddies.com/

Instagram: instagram.com/nomadikcam

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamza-hassan-b91140160/

Image Credits
Image of myself (Hamza Hassan) taken by Jason “JSN” Washington Jr; IG: JsnCamera