Hakeem Khaaliq (also Hakeem Abdul-Khaaliq) is an American cinematographer, film director, television producer, photographer, multi-media activist, graphic design artist, and visual anthropologist. Beginning his career in the 1990s as a music producer and publisher with the founding of Radio Bums, Khaaliq transitioned into filmmaking, directing his debut documentary Bigg Snoop Dogg: Raw 'N Uncut in 2003, featuring Snoop Dogg and Sean Combs. He has since helmed notable projects such as the award-winning short film #Bars4Justice (2015) and the feature documentary Comin' Up Short (2023). In 2010, he co-founded Nation19 magazine with longtime collaborator Queen Muhammad Ali, focusing on photojournalism, anthropology and activism. Khaaliq’s work often addresses social justice, indigenous cultures, and hip-hop culture, earning him recognition including an Arizona Arts Commission grant and a widely viewed TEDx Talk.
Hakeem Khaaliq was born and raised in South Central, Los Angeles, California, a community known for its rich cultural heritage and socio-economic challenges, which shaped his later focus on activism and storytelling. His father worked as a stuntman, contributing to films such as The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1973), providing Khaaliq early exposure to the entertainment industry. He is also the great-nephew of Addison N. Scurlock, a prominent African American photographer known for documenting Black life in Washington, D.C., a connection that influenced Khaaliq’s interest in visual storytelling.[1] Khaaliq credits family friend Howard Bingham and mentor Jamel Shabazz as additional inspirations for his photography career.[citation needed]
In the early 1990s, Khaaliq entered the music industry as a producer, publisher, supervisor, and radio personality. In 1995, he established Radio Bums, a music publishing and production company, collaborating with hip-hop artists and building a reputation in the West Coast scene.[2][3] By the late 1990s, he began exploring filmmaking, culminating in his directorial debut with Bigg Snoop Dogg: Raw 'N Uncut in 2003, a documentary film featuring prominent hip-hop figures. This marked his shift toward documentary filmmaking, where he later focused on global social issues and cultural narratives.[citation needed]
Filmography
Year
Film and television
Director
Producer
Writer
Editor
Music Supervisor
Notes
2003
Bigg Snoop Dogg: Raw 'N Uncut
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Documentary/concert film with Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Warren G, Bishop Don Magic Juan
Feature documentary; available on Amazon Prime, Tubi, Roku; screened at Pan African Film Festival[7]
Recognition and awards
Khaaliq has received recognition for his contributions to documentary filmmaking and visual anthropology. His short film #Bars4Justice gained attention through screenings at festivals such as the Glasgow Short Film Festival MoMA, and Arizona State University, earning praise for its social commentary.[8][9] His feature documentary Comin' Up Short (2023), featuring Ice Cube and Shorty of Da Lench Mob, premiered at the Pan African Film Festival and is distributed on platforms like Amazon Prime, Tubi, and Roku, with reviews aggregated on Rotten Tomatoes.[10][11]
Khaaliq was awarded an Artist Research and Development Grant by the Arizona Arts Commission, recognizing his innovative work in visual anthropology and documentary filmmaking.[12] On February 7, 2019, he and Queen Muhammad Ali delivered a TEDx Talk titled "Visual Anthropological Activism" at South Mountain Community Library, which has amassed over 26,200 views as of March 2025, highlighting their approach to using film and photography for advocacy.[13]
Activism and visual anthropology
Khaaliq has used his platform to address social justice, indigenous cultures, and systemic inequality, often through his work with Nation19 magazine, co-founded with Queen Muhammad Ali in 2010. The magazine emphasizes mobile photojournalism and activism, tackling issues like cultural preservation and global inequality.[1] Films such as ¿Quiénes son los afro-mexicanos? and The Last Matai document marginalized communities, reflecting his commitment to visual anthropology.[14] His short film War on Us was presented at the UNGASS in 2016, focusing on global drug policy impacts.[15]
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