Post supplied courtesy of Roots Manuva at rootsmanuva.co.uk
On Sunday, 25 October 2026, SQUISH Media brought together British music pioneer Roots Manuva and acclaimed photographer Tee Max for a special photoshoot celebrating creativity, individuality and the enduring influence of hip-hop culture.
The session had two purposes: to capture a fresh collection of portraits of Rodney for his photographic archive and to create an opportunity to collaborate with a photographer whose work has documented some of hip-hop’s most influential figures.
Behind the Lens: Tee Max
Photography has always played an important role in documenting music history. From iconic magazine portaiture to candid backstage moments, the images captured by photographers often become as memorable as the music itself. Tee Max has photographed some of hip-hop’s most recognisable names, including The Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls) and Busta Rhymes.
Bringing Tee Max and Roots Manuva together felt like a natural meeting of creative minds, each with a distinctive contribution to the culture. For Rodney, whose unmistakable voice, lyrical originality and genre-defying sound have helped shape British hip-hop, the shoot was an opportunity to create a new visual chapter in an already remarkable musical journey.
A Little Brixton Style: Uptown Yardie
No great photoshoot is complete without a little style.
Adding a distinctive touch to the session was a hat generously loaned by Uptown Yardie, the independent fashion brand and retailer based at 34 Market Row, Brixton Market, London.
Known for its distinctive approach to fashion and cultural identity, Uptown Yardie brought a little extra character to the shoot. It‘s collaborations like these that highlight the creative connections between music, photography, fashion and the independent businesses that contribute to London’s cultural landscape. A special thank you to Uptown Yardie for the loan.
Preserving the Past, Capturing the Present
For SQUISH Media, the shoot was about more than simply taking new photographs.
An artist’s archive is a living record of their creative journey. As time moves forward, it’s important to document not only the music but also the person behind it.
Roots Manuva’s contribution to British music is significant, and capturing contemporary images of Rodney is part of preserving that story for the future. Working with Tee Max made the experience particularly special, bringing together two creatives whose respective journeys have intersected with hip-hop history in different ways.
More to Come…
We’re happy to be sharing some of the images from the session. In the meantime, a big thank you to Tee Max, Uptown Yardie and everyone involved in bringing the shoot together. Look out on all Roots Manuva socials.
Artist: Roots Manuva @rootmanuvabrandnewofficial
Photography: Tee Max – @teedilla71
Creative collaboration: SQUISH Media
Styling contribution: Hat – Uptown Yardie – @uptownyardie, 34 Market Row, Brixton Market, London. Glasses – YouSooShady
