MARCUS SMITH REFERENCES ICONIC HIP-HOP FILM FOR ESPN COVER

When ESPN The Magazine asked Marcus to shoot Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings for the cover, he wanted to find a way to connect the two legends, who were coming together for the first time.  

"I referenced the 1998 film ‘Belly,’ by hip-hop’s most groundbreaking director, Hype Williams. In the iconic intro, the film’s stars, Nas and DMX, enter a club under blacklight that transforms their skin into the most beautiful shade of blue. Eyes glowing, they looked like wolves stalking their prey. At the same time, in Minnesota, there were two guys making their own iconic intros in their respective sports: Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Randy Moss of the Minnesota Vikings. They posed for the cover of Sport magazine wearing each other's jerseys. 

Now, more than 20 years later, I wanted to reference 'Belly' as a re-interpretation of the past through Justin and Anthony: two separate eras impacted by the same cultural influences.”

The issue won the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) 2025 Readers' Choice Award for Best Entertainment and Celebrity Cover.