Sagan Lockhart’s ‘I Don’t Play’ Explores Odd Future’s Early Days

Hip-hop’s global importance is often talked about, but photography’s role in its rise and authenticity is sometimes overlooked. It’s hard for hip-hop to be completely co-opted because its evolution has been documented by those within it.

Take Sagan Lockhart, for example. He started as a modest apparel salesman in Los Angeles’ Fairfax district and eventually became the unofficial photographer for Odd Future as they ascended to fame, shaking up local skate shops and shocking parents. Now, Odd Future’s members have Grammys, and some, like Lionel Boyce, are even in contention for Emmys.

With all their success, there’s no better time to look back at their beginnings, which is precisely what Lockhart’s first book, I Don’t Play, aims to do. Following a bustling launch party sponsored by Zig-Zag rolling papers, Lockhart shared insights about his book, the LA underground’s skate shop scene, and capturing history in the making during a Zoom call with Uproxx.

What made you want to put out a photo book now, and what went into specifically using Odd Future stuff for it?

It was a project many had been asking for over the years. Some friends of mine started a publishing company, and their approach made it easy and seamless for me to finally complete it. Initially, I thought I would make just 10 copies, but it turned out to be much bigger than that.

I began taking photos around 2009, 2010, when I was working in Fairfax and capturing Odd Future. I didn’t intentionally set out to create an Odd Future book; most of my early photos from that period just happened to feature them. From 2010 to 2013, which is the bulk of the book, Odd Future was just a big part of my life. So naturally, a lot of those moments made it into the book.

What did you take away from the launch party?

If even one person comes to something I’m doing, it reminds me that I’m on a good path. But when hundreds show up, it’s overwhelming gratitude. The support from friends, new friends, the event space, and especially Zig-Zag made it incredible. I’m super thankful for how it turned out.

When did you get interested in photographing or documenting your experiences?

My interest in photography probably started with my godfather, who was a photographer for Hustler and similar publications. As a young skateboarder, I aspired to go pro, but as I got older, I realized that might not be possible. I became enthusiastic about working for streetwear and skate-adjacent brands. A friend gave me an old 35mm camera, encouraging me to play around with it—and that’s how it all began.

What timeframe were you in Fairfax?

Probably around the same time. I was more into getting streetwear like Hundred shirts rather than hanging out. I was more on Melrose than Fairfax, honestly. But during this period, Fairfax was somewhat of a secret. Union on La Brea was the spot we visited as kids, followed by Undefeated and Stussy. Supreme then began the new wave on Fairfax. It was all very pre-internet.

I worked full-time there, so I didn’t have to go out of my way to shoot Fairfax; I was there 40 hours a week. I’d started working at The Hundreds before I joined Diamond and met the Odd Future guys. Celebrities like Dom Kennedy, Nas, and Nipsey Hussle were frequent visitors. It felt natural to start photographing whoever was around me.

When you look at the photos from that time period and the present, what’s your overall impression?

I look back and think, “Damn, all these people went on to do really great things.” Their success makes the book impactful. I see Lionel, who we hung out with, now up for an Emmy. It’s surreal. Some photos show old Fairfax shops that no longer exist, while others look the same as today. I’m just thankful to be a part of this music history, even in a small way.

What do you want people to take away from the book?

For those who were there or fans watching closely at the time, I hope it brings back memories and positive feelings. For the younger crowd who missed out due to age, I hope it shows them what they missed. I get messages from teenagers who weren’t born when this stuff was first happening. Maybe the book shows them a vibrant time period they weren’t around for.

People can learn from this documentation. Pursue what seems crazy, even if everyone calls you crazy. Odd Future’s Tyler, despite being deemed annoying, was recognized for his brilliance. A personality that strong is necessary to shake things up worldwide. We didn’t need a humble individual back then; we needed someone intense to make worldwide waves.