My Kanye West story

Dear World,

Kanye West announced that he was “walking for President” and I spit out my coffee.

I have one Kanye West story. It doesn’t involve politics, Donald Trump or Jesus but it does involve Brad Pitt, a big bodyguard, and Seal.

It’s 2012 and the recovery of New Orleans is in full swing. Hundreds of millions of philanthropic dollars have been invested in the recovery and Brad Pitt is currently th city’s most famous resident. He’s hatched an ambitious plan to rebuild the Lower 9th ward with sleek, modern houses.

And what does it take to make these houses?

Cash. Lots of it. And how do famous people raise money? They ask their other famous friends to do favors for them.

So, imagine a party thrown by Brad Pitt.

You get $1,000 a ticket party where Kanye, Seal, Rihanna and others are playing--the AFTER PARTY.

Dear World is having a little bit of its own moment in New Orleans. I knew the organizers of the party and they said, hey, do you want to come do your pictures? At the time, I’m pretty much hawking and hustling to anyone who will have me so I say, “heck yeah!”

So here’s where it gets good y’all.

The after party is at the glitzy new Hyatt near the Superdome and my contact tells me that I can set up anytime that afternoon.

I set up my area and I peak my head in the ballroom. The sound guys are doing some work and there's a few hotel workers hustling about. But there, right in the center of the room are two men sitting on two chairs.

And who are these men?

Seal and Kanye.

Now, if you know me, I got the Irish gift of gab. And especially back then. I’ll go up to anyone and shamelessly plug, prod, beg.

As soon as I see them, my brain starts scheming. How am I gonna do it? My photo area is already set up! I gotta get Kanye to do Dear World! I gotta get Seal to do Dear World!

I start humming Kiss from a Rose. What do I open with? Hi Mr. Seal? Wait, is his name actually Seal? I google “What’s Seal’s real name.” (It's Henry).

I pace for a minute, I get a dumb idea. And the dumb idea? To ask permission from what surely seems like Kanye’s publicist who's hovering about 10 feet from the men. She’s also standing next to a dude that definitely could play defensive tackle for the Saints. I’m talking 6’5 / 300 easy.

Why did I ask for permission? God, I’ll never know.

But that’s what I do. I walk up to her, introduce myself and show here some photos. Explain that I’d love to have Kanye West come out the foyer (which is 30 feet away) and take a Dear World portrait.

And her response?

You can imagine her response. Her job is to say no. She also makes it known in a way that I’m not to talk to him.

My dreams are dashed.

I go back out to the foyer and I plot and plan another way. I’m not giving up.

My mind: “She didn’t say anything about Seal, besides she can’t tell you not to talk to him and if Kanye happens to get the same question since he’s sitting next to him, what can you do about that?”

This is my great idea.

And I decide to go for it.

So, I take some deep breaths, I plan for the best and I walk up confidently to the men, Ipad in hand.

“Hey, fellas,” I say, casually acting like I deserve to interrupt them. The both look at me and do the human thing, which is to acknowledge me and say what’s up back.

My moment has arrived. I ask Seal first but with Kanye also in on the conversation. “I started this thing called Dear World, it actually started here in New Orleans and I’m gonna be photographing the attendees tonight, “ I said. “My booth is right outside and look at all these cool photos I got already of cool people.” (I show Ipad photos of Drew Brees, Dr. John etc).

Y’all I’m crushing.

They’re nodding, saying cool, cool.

And guess what happens next?

I feel a hand on my shoulder.

A VERY large hand.

I turn around and the bodyguard says, “I thought we told you not to talk to Mr. West.”

And I turn back slightly and say, “But I started talking to Seal.”

I know I have about 15 seconds before things get super awkward. So, I go for the ask. Would y’all come and do it? Seal says, “Yeah man.” Kanye says some version of “cool, man I”ll try.”

I make my exit, hoping they’re going to go out and see me.

About 20 minutes later who walks out?

Seal!

His accent is legitimately cool and he seems actually excited to take his portrait. He starts telling me about all his cameras and I just nod and act like I know what he’s talking about.

I’ve never been a gear head photographer and I legitimately have no idea what camera he's referencing.

He tells me what he wants to write and he says, “Endurance.” I don’t know why or how this happened, but he ends up writing it on himself and it looks like “End-ura-nce.”

We exchange emails and he tells me to hit him up sometime if I ever want tickets.

Seal is a badass.

Kanye never came.

Sincerely,

RX