Jasmine Johnson, Author at RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture

5ive Talks About Being From the South That Birthed of Hip-Hop Music, Having a Distinctive Sound and More

Jasmine Johnson — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 15:30:24 +0000

RESPECT.: How did you get your name? What is the meaning of it and how it spelt?

I got the name 5IVE from being 5’2 and always the shortest in the pack. The Giant was added later realizing though I was the shortest and I was also the strongest,bravest and out of the pack. To some people being the shortest would’ve been a misfortune but the exact opposite for me,being blessed with gifts & abilities far beyond height or any physical appearances and from that came GIANT, a word to describe my personality and my strength.

RESPECT.: With you being from the South, you do know that they birthed hip-hop music. Do you think that hip-hop is an ideal genre everyone can relate to?

Well to me, hip-hop originated in the Bronx, though I feel we play a very powerful role on how it spread across the globe. We gave it a soul that couldn’t come from knowwhere else.The slang and swag, took it to unimaginable levels even wayy before the southern artist that’s out today. At the present state, I think hip-hop is felt and used everywhere it seems like every race & genre relates.

RESPECT.: I come from Tennessee as well and with you being from Tennessee, preferably Knoxville, we know that the center of Tennessee is Nashville, Music City, do you think that urban music will be more of a reach to the country music town?

Definitely will and always has been though we’ve had some success stories from Tennessee, it’s so much more udiscovered talent that need a chance to shine. I used to joke saying i should’ve sang country or even rock and I would’ve broken every boundary especially being from Knoxville,but then again I am a GIANT so I go against the grain anyway.

RESPECT.: Who inspired you to pick up a pen and paper and start writing and becoming a rapper? Why?

So many inspirations come to mind,but top i would say that it wasn’t really rappers that inspired me first.

Michael Jackson energy and passion, Lionel Richie’s soulful songs and Marvin Gaye’s powerful stories set me up to feel early greats in hip-hop. LL.COOL J one my strongest influences amongst many more he brought the type of energy,passion and creativity as the soulful singers my mama would play. I never could just listen to the music. Ive always had to feel it as well.

RESPECT.: You have a soulful sound and blend it with your own twist that has a unique vibe with a slight of street edge to bring in to your listeners. What can you say your sound is? Describe that.

My sound is exactly what I was raised on: hard,soulful and passion from the heart, also inspiration that can hit the common working man,hustler, lovers or even church goers might feel what i have to say,because it’s real. Most definitely,LET’S DANCE is one of many to come.I don’t wanna spoil what’s cooking,but will be dropping again soon.

It’s a terrible state that we’re in and have been for so long. We just have so much added media to the situation. With the marching,protesting and sacrifice of life that has been made,i think it’s only right for us to understand that we have to come together as black people first, to even be taken serious. The destruction that we are doing to us is overwhelming and the finger tends to point at the youth,but they listen to us and watch us. We can’t just wait until a George Floyd story breaks.We gotta stop killing us. Until we stand up,stop making excuses and turning our heads to what’s going on right around us,we’ll continue to suffer at the hands of others too. I can only pray and do my part in bringing our people together the way we should be. Police or anybody else for that matter will have to think twice before just taking one of our brothers or sisters lives i vain.

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Big Homie Talks About His Sounds, His Latest Two New Videos and More

Jasmine Johnson — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 15:00:54 +0000

RESPECT.: Tell us a little bit about you?

Chris Johnson aka Mr. Old Skool And Jakeenan Timmons aka Big Homie. We make up Big Homie E-Sound brand. We come from Gadsden, Alabama.

RESPECT.: What inspired you guys to do music? Define you guys three latest singles?

We released our latest singles: “Where’s the Money,” “Traumatized,” and “Rider Music.” “Where’s the Money” is a catchy anthem of getting more money. “Traumatized,” that is featured by Goozie, talks about life issues. “Rider Music” is an old school mix with new school hip-hop with a touch of smooth vibes.

RESPECT.: What is unique about you guys music?

Great question! We are different by blending old school hip-hop with a new school twist. Our sound is laid back and smooth with a unique sound.

RESPECT.: What shaped you guys music?

My music is shaped by life topics, such as: relationships, hard times and everyday struggle.

RESPECT.: When did you guys know that music was your passion?

When I was 13, I had an interest love for music. I hadn’t wanted to give up until people hear what we can do hip-hop is in us.

RESPECT.: What inspires you guys to write music?

We get our ideas from just everyday life and things we go through. We put our life lessons on paper and create our sound.

RESPECT.: What do you guys do when your don’t do music passionately?

I spend time with my family.

RESPECT.: What do you guys wish you were told when both of you first started making music that you think would help artists just starting out?

Find your sound and dont worry about people who dont like you music that can be such a distraction. You can’t please everyone to the point that you dont have a distinctive sound of your own. You will have to be happy with what you are doing first before anyone else can be. Got to make sure you are happy with what you are putting out instead of worrying about the opinions of others.

RESPECT.: Are you guys working on any music?

We are working on another EP and we are doing a video for ridin music

RESPECT.: Where can we find your music?

You can find our music on all streaming platforms and our YouTube. If you type in Big Homie E-Sounds.

RESPECT.: What can we expect from you guys?

We released our latest visuals to “Where’s the Money” and “Traumatized.” Our EP, S.I.SS, is also out everywhere.

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Rising Cincinnati Rapper Roadrunner Savy New Video Titled “Crashed Out”

Jasmine Johnson — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 18:00:11 +0000

Hailing from Evanston, Roadrunner Savy released his visual to hit single “Crashed Out.” He went through trials and tribulations that associated with poverty. The death of his uncle and cousin forced Savy to become the man of the house. While at the same time balancing school, sports and his run-ins with the law, he was inspired by the likes of Cam’ron, Juelz Santana and CashMoney. Savy viewed rapping as the only means to express himself. Eventually his life choices culminated into a weapon’s charge at age 19. Spending a year in prison showed Savy that he could only depend on himself. It was at this point that he began to take rap seriously and inspired Roadrunner TB to do the same. Savy hopes to spread his “blender rap” along with his friend Roadrunner TB across the globe as Cinematic Music’s newest signees.

Peep the latest visual to “Crashed Out.”

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Brooklyn Rapper Corey St. Rose Releases New Video “Okay”

Jasmine Johnson — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 17:11:29 +0000

“Okay” produced by Germany Dravidax, RTtypebeats, and Wxeyszn is the last single before my project. This is a new vibe I’m coming with.” Corey St. Rose is a rapper, songwriter, producer and model from Brooklyn, NY. He released his debut visual to his hit single “Okay.” With over 6,000 views and counting, you should know that he is “okay” with rising to the top. Back in 2017, Corey released his mixtape, Vibes, to critical acclaim. The success of his mixtape led to the release of more independent singles like “Ellaborate,” “Live It Up”, and favorite “Backseat” that features Double R. It landed a 2018 feature in The Source for the animated visual for “Midnight Cruise.” St. Rose is best known for his viral music visuals and vlogs on social media and YouTube. He has garnered much praise for his authenticity and connection with his fans and community. In 2019, St. Rose released his second studio album, Elevate, featuring streaming chart topping singles: “Livin & Prince.” Corey St. Rose has a clear 2020 vision, to release more great music and even more awesome visuals. His latest, Minute, currently boasts over 130K views on YouTube.

Peep his latest visual to “Okay” below.

The post Brooklyn Rapper Corey St. Rose Releases New Video “Okay” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Merecco Talks About His “Sundress” Single, How He Was Discovered By Heavy D and More

Jasmine Johnson — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 16:22:19 +0000

RESPECT.: How did you come up with the song “Sundress?” What were the vibes of it?

I was on Facebook and came across one of my friends post that read, “Now that summer is here, let me f#@k you in that sundress.” When I read it, the melody for my song Sundress popped in my head with the hook lyrics and verses. I immediately went to my keyboard and started playing the chords, created the beat and recorded the whole song within an hour.
The vibe was all natural. Sexy, cool, enduring. I knew I wanted women to feel sexy when they heard it.

RESPECT.: How did you get your artist name? What does your name define you as?

My artist name is my birth name. For years I’ve gone by my producer name “Phenomenon.” My mother would always ask me to use my real name instead and because it’s a family name, I’ve always kept it private. Before my mother passed away she asked me to use my real name if I ever decide to come out as a music artist, so I did in honor of her.

RESPECT.: With protesting and racism that is going on, what are some encouraging words that you can say about it? What is your thinking process on it?

I feel that it’s necessary. We must stand up for equality, justice and our rights. I do also believe that other actions must be taken in order to make true change. For instance, more action when it comes to financial empowerment, and financial literacy. It’s needed in our communities in order for us to have the same opportunities as more affluent individuals possess in order to make a change in policies and political affairs that predict the outcomes in lower income communities. If the playing field were even, I believe things would look a whole lot different than what we see through the telescope right now. However, it’s up to us to make that change and take the action that is required. We as black people in this country, our voices need to be heard. We’ve been quiet for far too long in order to play the game. My mother always taught me to be out spoken, but in a classy fashion. Racism on all levels it’s sickening. We all come from the same God. We all eat, breathe, live, bleed, cry. Get angry, cheer and love just the same. Therefore we are all the same, just different. A person should never be judged by their skin color or religious beliefs.

RESPECT.: When going through the process, can you tell me how the process is by with each single you produce or make?

With each single I produce the process is almost never the same. I can hear the turning single blinker in the car as I’m driving and get an idea for a track and song and I will pull our my phone to record that idea in my voice memo so I don’t forget it. I beat box the whole song with lyric and melody, rush home and put it down. When a vibe hits me like that, I have to go in immediately and produce. Sometimes it’s just sitting down and scrolling through beats that I’ve already created but never wrote a song to and all of a sudden the lyrics come rushing in my head and I lay it down. Lately I’ve been dreaming of songs and I wake up singing the lyrics, I rush to my studio while still singing the lyrics and I begin putting a track around it.

RESPECT.: When can we expect a project? Will we be getting a project?

Yes, there is a whole album project coming. The title is “Songs In The Key Of Her.” A play off of one of my favorite music artist Stevie Wonder’s album, songs in the key of life. I’m about 85% finished with the recording of the project and I’m hoping for a September or October release before I start recording my Christmas project.

RESPECT.: When discovered by Heavy D, what was your reaction when you know your career is going up?

I was right at home. It was something that I had been preparing for since I was 9 years old. I had already been in New York for 4 to 5 months opening shows for Brandy, Horace Brown, Brown Stone and others before being discovered Heavy. I was so happy to finally be right where I knew God and birth me to be.

RESPECT.: When being discovered, did you know that your music will be your career and your inspiration to keep going.

Absolutely! Music is my gift from God. It comes to me like breathing does, naturally. I feel so honored to be blessed with this gift, so I work on it daily and make no excuses. When I’m away from it, life seems mundane and as though I’m moving in the wrong direction. When I’m in God sends me extra blessings to keep me on my musical path.

RESPECT.: You have started your business, Melee Entertainment, and Billionaire Focus Group, what were your vision behind the two businesses.

Melee Entertainment isn’t my company, I worked with the company when I scored the film Life, Love, Soul. Billionaire Focus Group is my music, film and TV company. I plan to make it a multi Billion Dollar Entertainment company in all aspects. I’m a music artist, music producer, film score, composer, film and TV screen writer and actor. I’m going to use ever single gift that I have to build my company and discover other gifted people and help them to fulfill their dreams. My vision and goal is to create legacy for my children’s, children. Legacy says, how many live’s have been made better because we lived. Billionaire Focus Group is a mindset and a movement to encourage people elevate their mindset and actions to a higher level to achieve the greatness they desire to have. That’s a Billionaire’s mindset in general. I just decided to adapt that type of thinking and share it with others.

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Helena has More to Offer Than Music

Jasmine Johnson — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 18:14:45 +0000

Helena is a beautiful, young recording artist who holds more in her arsenal than just a charming voice. Singing and dancing alongside her grandfather as a child inspired Helena to one day become a performing artist. Helena took a break from music during some of her teenage years due to some difficult domestic circumstances, but she returned to music in 2018 and started recording her own songs in 2019. She now averages roughly 3 studio sessions per week, and each session lasts about 12 hours long. Helena recounts how excited she was to work with a verified Instagram user on a song for the first time recently. Her vocals were featured on a track with artist The Boyboy West Coast. Helena is currently working with a Latin artist on a song she will be dropping prior to the release of her upcoming EP titled “Modern Day Marilyn.” The title for the EP actually originates from Helena’s grandfather referring to Helena as a “little Marilyn Monroe” when she would parade around the house. Helena took the time to learn some Spanish so she could contribute more to the song she wrote with her Latin counterpart. Eventually, Helena would like to become fluent in Spanish so that she may be bilingual. Aside from making music, Helena spends the remainder of her time as a college student. Right now she is studying criminal justice. Evidently, there were two major factors which primarily motivated her to major in criminal justice. First, Helena suffered an abusive relationship with her high school boyfriend. Second, she learned the true story about Central Park 5 by watching the miniseries “When They See Us.” Both of these factors emphasized the prevalence of criminal and social injustice in the world, and now Helena is studying to retain some of the tools needed to provide people with justice. Although music is still her main priority, Helena still longs to lend a helping hand to people whenever and however she can.

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Fat Joe Releases New Mixtape, ‘The Making Of A Don’

Jasmine Johnson — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 17:21:44 +0000

Fat Joe just dropped a dope new mixtape titled “The Making Of A Don” featuring the hottest artists all around the world. The New York based rapper is doing a series of mixtapes promoted by Trillest Entertainment, DaBlock365, and 520 Promotions. Check out rising artists Lou Armstrong, Rahmon Parker, Blakk Juu, Sun Down Charlie, Fred Milla, Rookie2x, Yung Droopy, Shota J, Odyssey, Mave, Premo Valentine, Otis Lee, Big Texaco, Gwalla Jay, Lil Chxppa, El Bilny, Cardinal Blk, Nane, Hallsy and many others on this hot new mixtape!

https://soundcloud.com/dablock365/sets/the-making-of-a-don-vol-6-presented-by-fat-joe

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