“You’ve got too many ways / girl keep that same energy / how did we become enemies? / I held you down you were playing with me all season.”

The song basically has Lyfe, DCMBR, Ye Ali and JAHKOY expressing their lack of comprehension for their girls’ games, who always seem to have too many ways to play the boys. Appropriately giving it the “Too Many Ways” title, things get complicated, going hot and cold from lovers to enemies.

Listen to the track below.

Photo Credit: Jen Garcia

The post Lyfe Harris recruits JAHKOY, Ye Ali & DCMBR for “Too Many Ways” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The song is about the moment when you know you are falling in love with someone, and the freedom to express that love with a level of passion. – Taste of Pluto

Daring to be authentic, the group whose style isn’t genre specific pays homage to the legends while building their legacy. Citing inspiration from musical greats such as A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Bob Marley and more to mention a few, Taste of Pluto uses their music to tackle love, politics and island life. Out of their

RESPECT: Okay. Hello, Navy!

Navy: Hi!

RESPECT: So, tell me about your name, Navy? Did that come from your parents? I know in the music industry, we often meet people who will make up their own names. So, how did Navy come to be?

Navy: Navy came to me when I signed to Pretty Boy Worldwide. We were basically trying to put together how is it we should do my projects because of my personality, I’m very disciplined. I was a girl scout and stuff like that so I’m very disciplined and sort of “militant” in the way that I do my work and my music is my work. So he’s like, “Oh, you’re like one of those military people, you’re so strict and stuff.” And then, it also goes with my dressing style and stuff like that so we went with Navy because it reflects a bit of me.

RESPECT: Reflects a bit of you? I love that. And then you have Pluto, Taste of Pluto, which is such a cool name. How did that come together? How did you guys form the collective and then talk about what Taste of Pluto means and what you guys, as a collective, are about.

Navy: Okay. So, Taste of Pluto, we’ve been working together for about a year. We officially got together during our writing camp in Barbados, along with Trevor and Pretty Boy Worldwide. Taste of Pluto came from the fact that we’re all Sagittarians, that’s our ruling planet. And since our EP and our album is basically going to be giving the world a taste of who we are, what we do musically, Taste of Pluto was coined by A&R. And we’re basically just about bridging the gap between old school and new school music in terms of music productions, how we write, what we write about, how we deliver, our personalities, our styles of dressing, the Caribbean, the U.S., Europe, everything just coming together and giving you the whole image.

RESPECT: Oh my God. Okay. And now you have your new songs, I mean, which just made it on Complex. What was that like? How exciting, I’m sure that was super exciting for you.

Navy: It was super exciting when we, when we got the news that they actually, they posted the article. First of all, I did not sleep the night before because kind of being from a small Island that’s I only heard about these things. I only hear about certain people or read about certain things. So to be on the website at the feature Taste of Pluto and their premiere, I’m like, yo, what’s going on? Is this real? Am I sleeping? Wake up! But we wouldn’t know. We were freaking out. We were really excited, a lot of messages back and forth, a lot of congratulations. And like, this is only the beginning work is not starting. Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go really good vibes. It really set the pace for what it is we’re about to do.

RESPECT: Amazing. Congrats again, tell us more about Scorpio’s Letter what that song is to you and how it came about. What are you hoping people like about it?

Navy: Scorpio’s letter is, it’s a song based on a letter that was written to me, a little love letter from a secret admirer. And we coined it together, nicely with the music from one of our producers. And it means a lot to me cause it’s one of those songs that I did and I pitched it to A&R expecting of course notes and stuff and saying, you know, let’s fix this, let’s head back to the studio. And the report that we got was like, “Leave it alone , it’s fine.” I’m like, “Leave it alone?” And he’s like, “Yeah yeah leave it, it’s fine, don’t touch it anymore.” I’m like, “Okay, this is going to be easier than I thought.” So yeah, it’s very dear to the group. It’s really the first song that, sealed my style because I did it as a risk, as we know, it’s an R&B influenced beat, and the way that I delivered on it, it’s very Caribbean, very island, very dancehall, very reggae. So I’m like, I wonder if A&R is going to like this and he’s like, “It’s perfect because that’s who you are, fused with what you like.” So that really set the tone for, for everything really.

RESPECT: I’ve been reading myself. You hear that fan in the background a lot or no.

Navy: I don’t hear it at all.
Speaker 1: Okay, perfect. My next question for you, obviously there’s so much going on in the world right now, and we’re in such a transformational period. How do you see this period of time affecting your music?
Navy: It is a transformational period. I think if I was back in Dominica, on my little Island, only, depending on the news and media to understand what’s going on, I would be worried as I was in the beginning, but being in London, which is such a big city, a big country, part of the UK, it’s a really big, a big place, with a lot of people. You have different races and different cultures of people. I understand that the change isn’t all that bad and it could actually be very beneficial for the type of music that I do because at Pretty Boy, we’re unapologetically black. Like we don’t care. We don’t see color quite honestly. Like we don’t, we see talent. We see what you’re able to do, what you’re able to contribute to the project. So with that movement right now, where people are really standing up for what they believe in coming into this music industry as a dark skin girl, I never had to worry about it because I was always sheltered from it, but now being on this level, you’re being premiered on Complex. And you’re hearing about all the big heads in the labels and stuff like that. I’m still not worried. I’m not worried about being a dark skinned black girl because now is the time to be proud of who you are and how you look and where you’re from. And I know my accent is funny, but I love it. So everybody’s going to love it too. I’m very, very positive and very optimistic about everything.

RESPECT: I love that. And then musically, what’s next for you guys? Is the album coming out? Are we getting another single first? What’s happening next?

Navy: I think it would be safe for me to say that we’re in “Let’s make some noise” mode. Let’s just let people know, “Hey, this is Taste of Pluto, hey this is Navy, this is what’s going on.” But if ever, and whenever that album has to be dropped, we’re ready. We each have two projects. Taste of Pluto has two projects. Navy has two projects. So if tomorrow we decide, now is the time to drop the album it’s all set and all done. I’m not sure what they’re going to go with. It’s really conversations over my head, but we’re ready. We’re ready for everything.

RESPECT: How would you describe your beauty regimen and your fashion sense?

Navy: Hmm, beauty regimens, I will, A&R calls me the Bush girl, because ,Dominica is a very eco-tourist place. We depend heavily on tourism, dealing it for our rivers and our trees and our natural products and stuff like that. So my diet has a lot to do with, with taking care of myself, what we eat, what we listen to, what we look at, where we place ourselves mentally. My fashion sense is very nineties, very old school, very crop tops and baggy jeans and colors and you know, plaid, stuff like that. It’s comfy. It’s edgy. It’s, there, because of my personality, I’m not really, I wouldn’t say like a really high, I don’t want to say the wrong word. I’m not really one you would find in a bikini running up and down. You would find me more, a crop, legs, stuff like that, little skin here and there, but not so much and A&R has understood that perfectly. We’re good , we’re nice.

RESPECT: And my last question for you is somebody, your dream like collaboration, like if you had to collaborate with somebody who would be, who would you pick if you had to pick one person?

Navy: What a good question.

RESPECT: Who is it and why?

Navy: So many, but right now I would go with Kendrick Lamar, like right off the top, Kendrick Lamar, because I was away for a while and I wasn’t really aware of new music because of what I had to do musically back home. I had to study a certain set of songs and learn those songs. And they were like sixties and fifties. So when I came out of that zone, one of the first songs that I heard was The Blacker The Berry. And I’m like, first of all, back home on my Island, I wouldn’t listen to Assassin, who’s now called Agent Sasco, and that’s who features Kendrick Lamar. The first one that I heard was The Blacker The Berry and featuring on that song, I knew him as Assasin from Jamaica, but he changed his name to Agent Sasco. So when I saw that collaboration, I’m like, if that is possible, then there was nothing right now. If Kendrick and Jamaica can come together, there’s nothing right now stopping Kendrick or people on his level from collaborating with somebody like me. So his lyrics, he goes so deep and he goes so hard and he is not afraid of speaking what he feels and what he experienced if I had to dress in a bunny suit and run around with bananas to feature Kendrick, I do it! I do it!

‘Scorpio’s Letter’ arrives just in time for summer and serves as the first of many to come from Taste of Pluto this year; as the collective are set to release their EP in fall as well as singles from their own individual projects.

The post RESPECT. Interview: Taste of Pluto is a Musical Collective Out of This World appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

When FWA dropped, it was only available to stream on TIDAL. Now it’s up on both Spotify and Apple Music for the first time, but it’s arrived with a somewhat different tracklist. “He’s Dead,” the James Brown-sampling “I Feel Good,” “Without You” featuring Bibi Bourelly, and “Thinking Bout You” are missing. Originally released in 2015, the 15-song FWA — Wayne’s 11th studio effort — featured guest appearances by Wiz Khalifa, Young Jeezy, Cory Gunz, Black Uhuru’s Junior Reid and singer/songwriter Jake Troth. The re-release, which dropped today via Young Money Records/Republic Records, includes 13 of the original tracks, along with the bonus song “We Livin’ Like That.”

Stream Free Weezy Album below; it’s got appearances from Jeezy, Wiz Khalifa, Cory Gunz, Capito, Hoodybaby, and more, plus production from London on da Track, Infamous, Cool & Dre, and others.

https://open.spotify.com/album/2wVTLpA19kpk5qmkTASir0?si=ySg484igQHakhBVfs1wRbQ

The post Lil Wayne Drops ‘Free Weezy Album’ on Project’s 5th Anniversary appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

His love for rap-rock fusion has been inspiring him since High School. He was the lead vocalist/rapper in a band called ‘Flint Eastwood’ —the bands ultimate breakup lead to bLAck pARty coming into existence, stylizing it with capital letters to single out “LA” for Los Angeles, where he lives, and “AR” for Arkansas where he was raised. In 2013 he began producing for Kari Faux. The two had met when both were in their mid-teens. Their collaboration, “No Small Talk,” caught the attention of Childish Gambino, who remixed it and featured it on his STN MTN/Kauai mixtape. Which only lead to bLAck pARty inking a deal with the Childish Gambino’s Royalty collective. bLack pARty contributed production to Gambino’s GRAMMY® Award-winning album Awaken, My Love! as well as scores a placement with TV series Dear White People, Insecure, and Atlanta.

His 2019 album Endless Summer is his first release through Wolf + Rothstein and RCA Records. The first single, “No Complaints,” features DMP Jefe, watch it below.

Out of his busy schedule bLack pARty took the time out to catch up with RESPECT MAG about everything from music to his future plans.

RESPECT.: Growing up, what were some of your biggest musical influences?

bLAck pARty: Growing up my biggest influences were Stevie Wonder, India Irie, Nirvana, MF Doom, Kanye West, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Bad Brains, Zro I came across a lot of music being around the different people in my life. I also grew up in the internet age when music became much easier to access.

RESPECT.: So congratulations on signing with Childish Gambino’s label! How did that happen?

bLAck pARty: Thank you! I actually connected to Childish Gambino back in 2014 when I was mostly doing production for Kari Faux, we had made this song & video “No Small Talk” that went viral and through that I ended up connecting with one of Gambino’s business partner’s Fam, Kari allowed Gambino to remix the record and we built a working relationship since.

RESPECT.: How did your first conversation with Childish Gambino go?

bLAck pARty: I don’t remember exactly, but I remember it was the day his Sway interview dropped so it was mostly conversations about that and conversations about rap music in general. I’m a huge supporter of underground rap, so I remember showing him some of the underground rap groups coming out of Atlanta at that time.

RESPECT.: You also produced on his Award-winning album, “Awaken, My Love!” how did that happen? What was that process like?

bLAck pARty: That actually came about because I had moved to Los Angeles around the same time he was working on “Awaken, My Love!” We always talk about music so it started off from me just being in the studio giving feedback to doing background vocals and some drum programming. It was an interesting experience that I feel I learned a lot from. It was actually the first major album I worked on and being able to be around some of the most talented musicians in the business was a blessing.

RESPECT.: So you write, produce, and engineer and do vocals? Which one is your favourite and why?

bLAck pARty: I’d say my favourite is probably producing because it’s the more creative and fun job. It allows you to think outside of the box and make something that resonates without actually using language.What I’ve learned from playing in places outside of the US is even if the people don’t necessarily speak my language they can still get with the rhythm of the beats and even catch on to the lyrics if they’re simple enough.

RESPECT.: Do you play any instruments? Regardless, what is your favourite instrument and why?

bLAck pARty: Yes, I play whatever I can figure out. If i were to pick a favourite I would say guitar. I always find it easy to write songs with just a guitar. Also a large majority of my favourite artists play guitar: Lauryn Hill, D’angelo, Prince, Kurt Cobain, India Irie, Amy Winehouse- all guitarists!

RESPECT.: Tell us about your song “Dancing”. What are some of the themes found in that Track?

bLAck pARty: Dancing for me was a record that originally was up as a demo, over time it was revamped to be more groovy. I wanted to make something that felt like a day party going into the night time. When it came to video the director [Dylan McGale] and I wanted to play off of one of my favourite movies, KIDS, and one of my favourite music videos, “Frontin” by the Neptunes. I’ve been skating since I was young, and skateboarding and music go hand in hand, so I had to show love to the skaters.

RESPECT.: How do you feel after having your music placed on Insecure?

bLAck pARty: Shout out’s to Issa ! It feels incredible. I have a lot of people tell me they found out about my music through watching Insecure. I actually watch the show so it’s kinda wild to hear my music on there.

RESPECT.: Complex described your sound as a retro sound that could fit nicely into rotation if it came out in the ’70s yet still feels fresh for 2019. Do you agree?

bLAck pARty: Yes. I think the 70’s was one of the more interesting times in music. I’m definitely inspired by that era in music and I listen to more older records than I listen to newer music. The thing though is taking that inspiration and bringing into the present or the future.

RESPECT.: What was that moment in your life that you realised you wanted to be a serious musician? Like this was it for you.

bLAck pARty: When I was 13 I knew for certain I was going to make music. I remember watching videos online of Kanye, Alchemist, The Neptunes, Madlib, making beats and rapping and I decided that’s what I wanted to do: make music and have fun.

RESPECT.: Who are you looking forward to working with the most in the industry?

bLAck pARty: It would be dope to work with legends like Al Green, Patrice Rushen, Erykah Badu…

Photo Credit: Manny Singh

RESPECT.: If I was to see your playlist right now what would I find?

bLAck pARty: You would find Fela Kuti, Amy Winehouse, Al Green, Sza, Khruangbin…I just like to hear something with a lil soul or funk in it

RESPECT.: Tell us about your 5 goals in 2020

bLAck pARty: My only goals are to continue to get better as a person and as a creative.

Follow bLAck pARty on instagram to keep up with all his updates.

All Photos by Manny Singh.

The post RESPECT. Interview: Childish Gambino’s signee bLAck pARty talks Future & Past appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

RESPECT: Congratulations on dropping new music, Now that it’s out how do you feel?

Notifi: It feels good, it definitely feels good! I’ve been wanting to drop music for a while now you know it’s just, a lot of things got in the way and that I wasn’t able to but, that’s pretty much been all cleared up so for the supporters and everyone thats been wanting some new Notifi music, it was really nice to give em something that I worked on, something I had a lot of fun with and then I thought the energy would be reciprocate.

RESPECT: Tell us what the process was like for your new single “Close To you”.

Notifi: Pretty typical when it comes to me making a song. That beat came in a beat pack from one of my guys producers his name is Ty Lion, he had shot me a couple beats over and I had gone through the pack and that one right there it stood out to me, it was up tempo, it had that kinda old School, almost that MJ feel I could see MJ kinda style to do to it, ya I heard it and I was just like I got to do something with this so I went in put some melodies, I ended up liking what I did and then I wrote to it and recorded it the same day, and then that was that.

RESPECT: What are some of the personal themes your fans can hear in your new single? Will these theme be continued on to your future project?

Notifi: Experience things i haven’t experienced before or, on that same note in a long time cause you know sometimes we get into relationships or what not and for whatever reason it might end we feel like, i’m never gonna have this feeling again or i’m never gonna meet somebody that’s gonna make me feel this way again and thats kinda like you know the older you get the more mature you get, you realize you know it’s not just one person thats for you, you can decide who you wanna build with and how you wanna go about it. That was just one of those records like you know at the time i was feeling like i haven’t felt you know this kind of attachment to anybody in a long time, it’s been years, so i kinda just tapped into that and i kinda just let that speak for itself.

RESPECT: What else do you have stored for the remainder of the year?

Notifi: Definitely for sure, for this project in particular this is the first single off that project for this i wanted to have some more fun with it, there’s a couple summer vibes in there, there’s a couple darker vibes and it’s just, it’s almost like a collective playlist of all the kinda like thoughts and feelings i’ve been having lately, you know packed into one 10 track project that i think people will really like just because it’s, it’s all about the vibes when it comes to music, if the vibe isn’t right you won’t feel it if it’s not right sonicly your not gonna feel it regardless of who it’s coming from or what’s being said, so for this one i just had fun it’s been a long time since you know i’ve been able to really just have fun with the music you know i’m not going for hits thats gonna you know allow me to blow up i’m doing this because you know i love music and i just wanna you know i wanna share this with people especially the ones that you know like the music i’m putting out, i feel like that there gonna really like this project.

RESPECT: During this lockdown how have you been keeping your self busy?

Notifi: For me personally like i’ve been affected of course like everybody else with things being. Shutdown and not being able to you know see friends and hangout in groups and what not but my schedule really hasn’t changed that much, it’s always been you know work, music and you know if i have time i’ll hangout with you know whoever but like since every things been locked down it’s strictly been work, music, work, music and it’s kinda been good because i’m focusing on a lot more on the music and i’m not as distracted as i was before you know i, as dedicated i was before i feel like you know i’m even more dedicated now just because i have the time it’s you know and i don’t necessarily have to, to make the time anymore it’s just, it’s available it’s there. I feel like it’s strengthened you know my work ethic and it’s strengthened my love for music.

RESPECT: So do you also produce?

Notifi: I do produce, i don’t think i will be producing on this project just because of the amount of beats i’ve been getting and the amount of just producers wanting to work, there coming up with a lot of dope records so for this one i’ll probably just stick to using junks from them but in the future for sure i’ll definitely have my production on future projects.

RESPECT: Often multifaceted artists, preferences are still a thing. What would you say yours is?

Notifi: Really everything when you think about it, because i work a full 9 to 5 so it’s like to produce, to engineer, to mix, to write, to make the actual song you know the recording process like theres a lot that goes into it and it’s really time consuming so i find myself a lot of the time like i’m working you know to late at night and getting up early in the morning to go to and then repeating again the next day so it’s like i don’t think there’s not one thing that i would love to do more then the other because everything ties in to that one finished product if that makes sense, so i definitely feel like it’s a package deal for sure.

RESPECT: What does music mean to you?

Notifi: Music is everything, i feel like if your not, if your an artist and you don’t really feel the music i don’t think you can have any longevity, i think your just making it because you know you wanna be you know popular or you wanna be rich or you know whatever, i don’t think, you’ll ever really truly appreciate the music for what it is. Songs can change lives, songs can save people, music is why i get up like, there’s nothing else i’d rather be doing, like even when i’m at my 9 to 5 i count the minutes until I can come home and work on something cause you know there’s always, i gotta fix this or you know what if i tried this or how would this sound you know so theres always something going on in my head when i’m at work returning to music so it’s like, music is everything that’s what i wanna do i just wanna make music, full time.

RESPECT: Toronto is known to produce a lot of great talented singers, rappers and producers that have been dominating charts. Do you think this is the best it gets or Canada over all still has a long way to go?

Notifi: We have a long way to go for sure but this is the greatest start i think any city in the world would ever have. Like we have Drake like he’s been at the top of the game for 10 years right? like other then Jay-Z and like Wayne who else you know from their respective City’s really came out of nowhere and did that Especially coming from somewhere like Canada like nobody knows you know anybody from Canada so it’s kinda like when your talking about state side the music industry you know, is the states, that’s where it’s at you know hollywoods there, New Yorks there so it’s like to have artists like drake, the weekend you know Tory Lanez, Daniel Caesar, Jessy Reyez just so many artists that have you know put Toronto on you know like they gave us a face you know and then the raptors so it’s kinda like everything came together so we definitely have a long way to go because theres just so many you know talented people in the city and you know the people that are on top now won’t be on top forever right? so we gotta keep it going there’s a lot of talent people just gotta you know try to keep working and stay with it and they to can shine and put on a face for Toronto.

RESPECT: So how did you and Charlie B link up?

Notifi: A few years ago, i met an artist by the name of Robin Banks, Toronto here, we live in the same neighbourhood, he was doing this thing and he had a mixtape and he got Charlie to host it for him, and then i didn’t know at the time  my boy sent it to me and my boy was like look you know, Roberts getting his tape hosted by Charlie so i was like alright cool, dope i want my tape hosted by Charlie too cause Im tryna get out there myself and you know Charlie B he’s like Torontos like top DJ so i sent him an email with a link to one of my Soundcloud records and then he hit me back, i think probably the same day or the day after he hit me back and he’s like yo this is dope come to the studio, so i went out to the studio, i think it was like out in Mississauga or something, and we just, we sat down there was a couple other artists and producers or what not, we sat down i played then some records and they was just like bro this is, this is really dope you know i really like the music your making so i’m like yo maybe we can you know team up like, between what you have and what i’m tryna do i definitely think we can make some noise you know and really make a run for things, and he was like yo let’s do it and since then we’ve been connected. it was definitely an experience i definitely learned a lot, definitely grew a lot and he definitely helped me with you know this music thing cause the industry is you know it’s tough it’s not easy, but, a lot of girls came outta that relationship for sure.

RESPECT: When did you realise you wanted to be a serious musician?

Notifi: Probably 16 17 maybe. i started making music when i was around 12 or so my homies like hey, he was making music for a bit so he was like hey let’s go make a record back then being like 11 12 i was like what are you talking about how we gonna do this so whatever he had he has a setup at his house and that’s what where we worked and just you know have fun, just make songs and then i got a computer myself and then i had a mic and i was just jammin’ away, doing my thing. I started off rapping, rapping was like a passion, rapping it’s it sill is it’s in the core, everything R&B you hear is strictly R&B but when you start hearing songs like you know a lot Dramamine, Tattoos, records like that. It’s not straight up like rap anymore it’s more like infused so it’s like a melodic rap, but i have a record coming on this project where it’s just straight rap just like i’m taking it back to my root but ya no just over time just making songs i realised that you know i really love melodies and i really love that kinda melodic kinda flow so it’s kinda like it makes sense that i’m like why not add this in you know why can’t i do both why can’t i be one of those artist, so that happened and then i started getting like good at doing so so i has like you know what imma keep this up and by the time i turned 17-18 i was like i really want to do this cause by the time high school i wasn’t really interested in school like i didn’t care for it i didn’t care for the way they taught, i didn’t care for you know what they were teaching cause i didn’t feel like it was anything i needed like you can’t teach somebody to be a rockstar so it’s like for music the only real offers i had  was going to like one of those music collages where they teach you the fundamentals of recording and mixing and mastering doing that kind of stuff and that was cool but at the time i wasn’t really thinking about that it was more so you know how do i make you know these records dope like what am i doing so ever since then i’ve been working on my craft i’ve been getting better and better slowly just learning and adapting tryna figure out the best way to go about things and ya i’m still learning you know day to day that’s pretty much were i’m at right now.

RESPECT: Other than the plans you already told me about, what are  your other big goals for you this year?

Notifi: I don’t know that’s a tough one cause we’re almost halfway through the year already i can’t believe time flies but i mean with everything that’s going on with COVID it’s not making it any easier, but hopefully i mean if things do lighten up i would definitely love to, just have a dope show like for one for sure, bring some other artists through and just have a fun time with that, i’d definitely definitely wanna raise the awareness of like, what i’m doing on my songs, definitely get it to people because if you don’t get the music to the people they’ll never hear it you know nothing can ever grow, a third goal i feel like i definitely have to be comfortable with you know being by myself because if your not comfortable by yourself it doesn’t matter who comes along you’ll never be you know comfortable or ready to do you know whatever so i feel like that personal growth has to be there for sure, for fourth goal i’m definitely tryna bring on some collectives on board in terms of you know definitely you know design work and future merch and just you know just a whole branding, i feel like i’ve been doing good so far but everything can always be you know added on too and built up and for a fifth goal, i’m pretty hard on myself so just making sure that the music itself is ready cause i know a lot of the time like a lot of artists are really eager to just drop records and sometimes we don’t really plan everything out the way we should so definitely more self restraint and making sure these records are good these records you know they hit hard and it definitely has to be sonically pleasing, ya pretty much i think that would be it those five ones right there.

Listen to “Close To You” above and to keep up with Notifi’s future plans, follow Notifi on instagram.  

The post HOT ON THE BLOCK: Toronto Artist Notifi Talks New Music & New Ventures appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“I would simply describe my music as a new refreshing and different sound. A lot of people start making music and just make catchy stuff, they want that HIT record that’s going to blow them up so that’s the type of sound you get. With every record I do I let the beat breathe so people can truly feel it then put my vocals on it to complete a story”.

5IVE’s look and all around vibe is a great addition to the Trap Soul genre. His ability to maintain a professional career in the NFL and have major-label ready musical product ready already, he’s not only a viable new contender in the resurging Trap Soul genre, but also a Deion Sanders-like mutant that can unlock new levels of cultural identity. His uncanny ability to rev up his audience for what is to come from him in the future is one of his strong traits as he went live with Férina head honcho PartyNextDoor recently to seal his co-sign. Production credits include Batmanonthebeatz, Nxghts, Ashton Mccreight and Emoney.

Stream the project below and look out for more music from him in the future via his instagram.

The post Get To Know NFL Quarterback Manny Wilkins aka 5IVE as He Debuts New EP “INTRO” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Kysean is a force of an artist that represents the current urban voice of this generation. Through his melodic vocal range and often very gritty lyrics, he is a cultural tornado who through his music explores both individual and community identities. As a young man growing up in the city, Kysean’s outspoken demeanour and unapologetic attitude shows plentifully on his latest EP Truth Be Told  featuring Reeko Rieffe. The EP shows a mature, polished grip on hit-making whilst drawing inspiration that is Toronto’s youth culture. During these quarantine times, Kysean took the time out to speak to RESPECT about his latest EP and much more.

RESPECT: Where are you from? 

Kysean: My family is spread all over the GTA, as a Kid I have memories of living in Markham/Richmond Hill but having to move due to unfortunate circumstances. My family moved around and I ended up in Brampton, after being in Brampton for sometime I ended up staying Downtown Toronto and now I am somewhere else in the GTA.

RESPECT: Growing up how did music play a part in your life?

Kysean: Music played a huge part in my life. I was always getting into trouble by retaliating to things that didn’t necessarily need my attention. Since I was always getting into trouble, people didn’t want to hear me express myself / explain my side of the story. Since I was always getting shut down I decided to write down my thoughts and I naturally starting writing poetry which later turned into me writing to a beat / melody. I started to research more music (genres) and ended up constantly listening to artists I could relate to, once that happened I started to notice myself staying out of a good amount of trouble. I also was put into extra curricular activities such as Basketball, Soccer & Martial Arts.

RESPECT: What are some of your biggest musical influences? and why?

Kysean: My biggest musical influences are artists such as, Quincy Jones, Jay Z, 6lack, 50 Cent, Russ, Drake, Brent Faiyaz, Ice Cube, Kendrick Lamar, Ja Rule, Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Nipsey Hussle, Post Malone, Sy Ari Da Kid, Ne-Yo & Nelly. There are many more I could mention because I listen to a lot of music, but all these artists have made music that I am connected to or can relate to. I also enjoy their music and choice of production as well, production plays a big part when it comes down to what kind of vibe/energy and message you are trying to get across. I am grateful for all of these artists because from watching them and listening to their music and interviews I have been able to learn a lot about music and the music business, or just good business moves in general, like good investments.

RESPECT: What would be your dream collab?

Kysean: My dream collaboration would be with any of the artists that have influenced me which I mentioned earlier. They all played a part in how I make my music and view certain things within the music industry. I would be happy to work with any of the names listed above.

RESPECT: First Album you ever purchased as a kid?

Kysean: The first album I ever purchased as a kid was Reasonable Doubt by Jay Z.

RESPECT: When did you make your first song ever and what was it called?

Kysean: The first song I ever made was in grade 3 and I have no recollection of what it was called but I know it was no where near good haha.

RESPECT: Your latest EP Truth Be Told, what can fans expect from it? features and sound wise?

Kysean: My new EP is called Truth Be Told. Fans can expect a new Trap sound and a solid RnB vibe to end off the project. Me and the team really tried to create a very enjoyable listening experience with each song, also trying to make it a very smooth listen. I would like to thank, Reeko Rieffe (another up and coming artist from Toronto), UrbanSound (My main producer from Detroit) Brandon Jay (another producer from Toronto) and LaGuil (the audio engineer and producer from Ottawa) for playing their part on this project.

RESPECT: If I was to check your playlist right now, what would I find?

Kysean: My playlist right now contains music from artists such as, 6lack, Jorja Smith, Brent Faiyaz, Drake, Jay Z, K. Forest, Roy Woods, Ace Hood, Miraa May, Lil Uzi, Nav, Anders, Key Glock, Post Malone, Sy Ari Da Kid, Kendrick Lamar, SchoolBoy Q, Eryn Martin, Emi, Notifi, Odie, Jack Harlow, Jahkoy, Luu Breeze, Jay Glavany, Devontee, Tobi, Tory Lanez, Russ, They and 50 Cent. I know these are a lot of names but, I really listen and enjoy all of their music consistently. There is always a song from one of these artists that make any playlist curated by me.

RESPECT: If life’s a novel and you’re trying to write it, you would name it?

Kysean: A novel about my life would be titled, “Veiled.”

RESPECT: 5 goals in 2020?

Kysean: My five goals in 2020 are,
1). Release more music on a consistent basis, along with other content like vlogs so my supporters feel more connected.
2). Gain a better understanding of my craft and get better at it, this involves production, engineering and delivering vocals/recording. As long as I get better musically everyday I’m reaching my goal.
3). Make a certain amount of money from my craft.
4). Get more involved in my community and organize events that shine a positive light on Toronto.
5). Gain a bigger fan base.

For more music from Kysean, follow his insta.

The post HOT ON THE BLOCK: Kysean Gets Gritty & Melodic On New EP ‘Truth Be Told’ With Reeko Rieffe appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.