RESPECT. Premiere: Yank$ - Abu Dhabi - RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture

Encounters often change people, it’s part of the human experience that we call life. Especially in music, Hip-Hop specifically. Whether it’s Mase resurfacing as a pastor or Common meeting Erykah Badu and going from snapbacks to kufis–Hip-Hop is a chameleon’s game. Understanding that art is a reflection of reality — or is supposed to be — buzzing up and comer Yank$ turns a spontaneous trip to the islands into what could be his breakout single in, “Abu Dhabi.”

Set to the tone of dormant flute melodies and a distorted guzheng — you know…. this sound — Yank$ absolutely floats over the track, switching cadences and flows like clothes on command, creating a feeling of comfortability throughout the track, which is a hard feat in today’s climate of microwave attention spans. Speaking on the making of the track, Yank$ said, “In spring 2015 I took a trip to Abu Dhabi & Dubai with my Uncle. The experience was one of those things I’ll have forever and when I found this beat, the producer coincidentally had the track named “Abu Dhabi” (shout out 808 Louie) and I decided to talk about my trip. Unlike some of these rappers I actually did everything I was saying in my raps.”

Continuing on what’s coming next, the young emcee noted, “I’m gonna be having a couple visuals dropping soon, I also just started working on my next mixtape so I’m gearing up for that journey as well and pumping out the shows here in LA. I also just dropped some Merch via my website Yanksofficial.com. Shout out RESPECT. for respecting the wave early and showing support to a independent local artist.”

Check out the premiere for, “Abu Dhabi” below and be sure to keep an eye on Yank$.