Letter from RESPECT. Founder

I’m honored to curate along with longtime collaborator, Datwon Thomas, “Brooklyn’s Finest: Legends in Focus” — a civic installation opening February 4 at Brooklyn Borough Hall, presented as part of Black History Month.

This installation brings together a selection of photographs that honor Brooklyn’s sizable impact on hip-hop culture and the photographers who helped document it. Hip-hop is one of New York City’s great cultural gifts to the world, and photography has been essential to how that story has been seen, remembered, and carried forward across generations.

With a limited number of images, it’s impossible to represent every Brooklyn rap artist, era, or neighborhood that helped build the legacy. Instead, this installation focuses on a tightly curated group of works reflecting the spirit, pride, and influence of Brookly —celebrating Hip-Hop icons whose lives and cultural contributions are deeply rooted in the borough.

At the heart of this display is the work of Jamel Shabazz, the legendary Brooklyn-born street photographer whose images have come to define generations of NY life, culture, and self-expression. His photographs are inseparable from Brooklyn’s visual history and from the lived experience of street culture itself.

The installation also features contributions from Matthew Salacuse, Mike Schreiber, Sarah A. Freeman, Justin Jay, and Lisa Leone—documentarians whose work captured BK icons in their respective emerging moments. The display is anchored by one of the most iconic portraits in music history: Baron Claiborne’s timeless image of The Notorious B.I.G., a photograph forever linked to BK’s imprint on the world.

At the center of the installation is a sequence honoring The Greatest Day in Hip-Hop History—a historic moment I helped organize in 1998 that brought together one of the most extraordinary assemblies of artists ever captured in a single image. While Harlem is the Mecca, Brooklyn showed up—and this moment belongs here because the culture has always moved between boroughs. The image featured here was captured by Gordon Parks’ trusted protégé, Johanna Fiore, whose lens preserves that day from a rare and personal vantage point. There also two images by yours truly capturing Busta Rhymes and Rakim on that day in 1998. Being in the right place at the right time is often what makes photography magical.

Additionally, a proclamation will be given to Hip-Hop pioneer, Fab5Freddy.

As a proud Brooklyn native, and as a co-founder of XXL Magazine/xxlmag.com and founder of RESPECT., the photo journal of hip-hop culture, it’s an honor for my firm iD8 Entertainment to underwrite and curate this installation in a civic space where New Yorkers can experience these images together.

Thank you to the Brooklyn Borough Hall President’s Office (Donavan Swanson and Roslyn Campbell) and the Borough Hall team for making space for public cultural storytelling.

— Jonathan A. Rheingold
Curator / Producer / RESPECT. Founder

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The album Includes a  solo version of hit single  “LAST ONE LEFT” .

Guest appearance with other RESPECT. cover king G HERBO plus bars also dropped by Tee Grizzly and Soulja Slim!

Track Listing for UNLV

1. Pay For It ft TEE grizzly & Soulja Slim
2. Dog Azz ft JAYDAYOUNGAN
3. Ya Heard Me (Interlude) Ft soulja slim & Blvd Mel
4. Ya Heard Me (Complex)
5. “My Body” ft. B.O.G Vonnie
6. Say please
7. .Free Thug
8. Throw away ft G Herbo
9. Bee Crazy
10. Last One Left (solo version)
11. Come Home Cee
12. Hard 4 U
13. Hate Me ft Seven7hardaway
14. Anotha Victim ft ree up
15. Addy Remix Ft. Mouse On The Track
16. 2 death
17. F*ck Da  World

LISTEN HERE | WATCH HERE 

Diggin’ in the crates … read the RESPECT. Fredo Interview (May 2020)

The post NOLA’s Own FREDO BANG Hits Hard with New Album UNLV appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

West Coast legend, voice of the streets and RESPECT. wall-of-fame cover subject,  YG, has done it again—unleashing his sixth studio album, I got issues via Def Jam Recordings. I Got Issues blasts YG’s smooth, raw and powerful speak in his signature unorthodox style … and while rocking’ a red tux only he can drip in the visual for his new song “I Dance” — featuring Duki and Coco.

Having blown past the 12 billion career streams and over 2 billion YouTube views only few can be blessed with L.A.’s finest comes correct with this highly personal new album which features fellow luminaries J. Cole, Post Malone, Nas, Roddy Rich and more.

Most recently in the run-up to the album release, YG released an in-studio performance for “Alone” as well as “Maniac” ft. Hit-Boy.

I got Issues is YG’s first studio album since My Life 4Hunnid (October 2020).

The album debuted at the top of the Rap Albums charts and top 5 on the Billboard 200 albums. It featured the riveting record “FTP,” which was released during the height of the Black Lives Matter protests and became a social justice anthem for the movement.

Now get your headphones on and put your seatbelt on …

Straight Outta … RESPECT.Archive Issue #19. Cover shot by Justin Borucki. Image Copyright Musinart LLC

YG Photo shot Sunday, April 27, 2014 in NY, NY for RESPECT. Image is Copyright Justin Borucki

I GOT ISSUES TRACKLIST (PHYSICAL – CD + VINYL) 

1. Issues

2. Baby Momma

3. Toxic

4. Maniac ft. Hit-Boy

5. How To Rob A Rapper ft. Mozzy, D3szn

6. I Dance ft. Duki & Cuco

7. Sign Language

8. Scared Money ft. J. Cole, Moneybagg Yo

9. Run ft. Tyga, 21 Savage, BIA

10. Go Dumb ft. H.E.R.

11. No Love

12. Sober ft. Roddy Ricch & Post Malone

13. Drink To This

14. No Weapon ft. NAS

15. Alone

16. Killa Cali

DIGITAL VERSION (DIGITAL) 

1. Issues

2. Baby Momma

3. Toxic

4. Maniac ft. Hit-Boy

5. How To Rob A Rapper ft. Mozzy, D3szn

6. I Dance ft. Duki & Cuco

7. Scared Money ft. J. Cole, Moneybagg Yo

8. Go Dumb ft. H.E.R.

9. No Love

10. Sober ft. Roddy Ricch & Post Malone

11. Drink To This

12. No Weapon ft. NAS

13. Alone

14. Killa Cali

Dope fact: YG and RESPECT. magazine both emerged in 2009! 

RESPECT.

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If you hear by word-of-mouth that there’s a hot new website for the Culture, it’s likely met with skepticism.

Enter Level Mag, which will surely change that perception. One of the hottest channels on Medium now has its own platform. Run by veteran critically acclaimed journalists, Jermaine Hall and Jon Kennedy (yea you read that name correctly), Level Mag’s credo is to be “a community for Black Men offering the best in commentary on race, identity, culture, and everything you need to become the best version of you.”

Here’s a flavorful piece they just did as a tribute to the Greatest Day In Hip-Hop History featuring rare images that were unearthed from 1998 in Harlem, NY.

Check Level Mag on IG

Slick Rick Photo: Copyright J®

The post Level Mag Celebrates Greatest Day In Hip-Hop Revealing Rare Images Featuring Legend Slick Rick and More.. appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Passion, hunger, aggression, and skill; these are just a few words that might come to mind when you hear independent Chicago emcee TtheGAWD. “GAWD” is an acronym for Getting Ahead Without Devolving. With a unique baritone, agile flow, TtheGAWD has an ear for production that compliments his style. Hailing from Chicago’s now defunct LeClaire Courts housing projects, TtheGAWD realized his love for music early on. His mother would always sing around the house and she even taught him the alphabet using notable musicians of the time: “A” is for Al B. Sure, “B” is for Bobby Brown, and so on.

After taking a step away from music for two years, TtheGAWD returns with a 12 track project, fully loaded with noteworthy quotables and hard hitting beats.  He knew exactly what he wanted to accomplish with the I Am GAWD album, and alongside Chicago producer Max Julian, TtheGAWD convincingly displays the tenacity of his penmanship, his ear for solid production as well as the ability to tell engaging stories through songs. I Am GAWD is an ode to the mid to late ‘90s, grimey New York era, combined with his personal experiences growing up in Chicago’s inner city.

“I Am GAWD is for the struggling artists with all the talent in the world who just want to be heard. For the emcees and producers who are constantly told to switch their sound because this style of music is no longer profitable. For the underdog and avid Hip-Hop head in general.” — TtheGAWD

TtheGAWD set out to rediscover who he is as an emcee and artist with this album. No autotune, no formulaic song structure, and no redundant content. Just a masterful display of a level of art that’s not really being heard on a large scale from Chicago at the moment. The title says it all: I Am GAWD — which translates to “I Am Getting Ahead Without Devolving.” Meaning, he won’t compromise who he is to get where he’s going.

I Am GAWD is available now, exclusively on BandCamp and will be available on all digital streaming platforms on August 14th.

Listen to the project in it’s entirety above, courtesy of RESPECT., peep the thought-provoking visual for “The Spook Who Stepped in the Booth” below, and be sure to drop us your thoughts in the comments section!

The post RESPECT. Premiere: Chicago’s TtheGawd Unleashes ‘I Am GAWD’ Album + New Visual! appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo Credit: StaJe (Press Photo)

The new trending topic in the music industry is in full circle surrounding rising artist StaJe.

Not only for his captivating writing skills or catchy hooks, but also for his ethical fashion sense. In light of all the tragedy’s going on around the world from the Coronavirus to police brutality, we would like to turn the tide to something a bit more positive.

In 2016, StaJe found instant success in the entertainment world signing a modeling deal. As the years went by we got to see him grow as an artist. Not yet being notable or news worthy, he decided to focus on writing for other artists. As this helped him financially, he believes he was always destined to perform.

StaJe also released his anticipated clothing brand, Black Genes, earlier this year, selling out his branded hoodies within the first week. Now that he’s been in the  game for a while, he is finally getting the well deserved credit that’s due to him.

“I believe we all have something in us that makes us unique. You think it’s one thing one day then it can completely change the next day. What has worked for me is the simple things. Constantly making music, staying on my pen even when I’m clocked in on my 9-5, staying true to my sound and my wave. It really just comes down to you never stopping and remaining optimistic about everything.” – StaJe Tells Us.

When we asked him, “what motivates him to not burn out and continue to go so hard” he stated:

“I’ve never had the male role model to show me what greatness is. My mom is amazing and is my mother and my father. Without her I wouldn’t be doing this, no cap. When I’m tired or feel like I can’t go anymore I just think about those days when she came home from 3 jobs, walked through the door with a smile on her face and still made dinner for her 4 kids before she went to bed. That’s my constant reminder that my mom is a warrior and she birthed nothing but warriors.”

As you can see, StaJe simply wears his heart on his sleeves. One of the last things we got to discuss was, who he thought deserves credit for his new found success.

StaJe replies:

“I credit everyone who stuck with me when I had 10 dimes in my pocket. God first and foremost, my mom, my brother Chris, my brother Devone and Mike, my sister Erica, my uncles Reggie, Ronald, David, and the late Willie Payne Jr. aka Kevlar. Also to my entire team Fam Entertainment, Goddi, Andy, Bobby, Eric, Peter and everyone who staffed our video shoots. Last, but not least to my team forever, 2007 Columbia High Capitals! I love y’all boys and I just hope I can inspire greatness for all of you.”

It comes to us as no surprise that the artist is pushing the boundaries on standing for what he believes in. For example, some of his more conscious singles such as, “Afraid” and “Nightmares,” where the artist gives us the entire scoop on him growing up in a one parent household, and dealing with domestic violence.

StaJe is releasing his new Single “Jimmy Choos,” which will be available on all major streaming platforms, May 22nd.

Stay Connected: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stajeofficial/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5SeXFc1f3INXLRq7TiyYlS?si=rrr-Xj9yQMGUtI9JHaj2OA

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/STAJEOFFICIAL/?tsid=0.4088308479762822&source=result

Website: Stajeofficial.com

Merchandise: BlackGenes.us

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The post Get To Know Southern Hype, StaJe, As He Talks Branding Himself As An Artist And Business Mogul, And Shares Secrets To His New Found Success appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Nomads is a powerful statement from the duo of LA rapper XP and Queens, NY producer IceRocks, in the form of timeless hip-hop. The slick, sharp lyricism captures the essence of XP’s ascension as an artist, as he’s making his proper debut with this project after years spent performing and dropping smaller releases. And his talents are matched perfectly by his New York brethren, who flips dusty samples into straight-up incredible instrumentals.

With 15 tracks to flaunt their talents, the duo wastes no time getting right to it with opening banger “Rain Dance.” As church organs and huge drums fill the background, XP spits rewind-worthy lines like, “I’m praying to God I can enjoy it before he take me/ I’m-a keep, laying this jewelry down on breakbeats/ I make feats.” It’s that mix of self-awareness and clever bravado over raw instrumentals that makes the entire record so immediately satisfying. 

In addition to religion, you also get bits of XP’s life as a Mexican-American man, his struggles, and the ups and downs of being a single father. Those stories permeate through the many standouts on Nomads, including the Wu-reminiscent “Shrunken Heads (feat. Supreme Cerebral),” the soulful and celebratory “YGB,” and the cinematic closing raps of “Open Doors (feat. Roc Marciano).” 

The centerpiece of Nomads, however, is the lead single “Ashtray,” a wonderfully produced track where XP pulls you in with his engaging storytelling. And it’s only fitting that it received the music video treatment from Kwervo, who envisions our narrator as a wealthy don and puts a high-definition spin on the otherwise minimalist track. The song itself also encapsulates what makes these two such a formidable duo musically, a point that they both brought up when talking about the other’s sound.

As XP explains, “IceRocks’ style is like a river over a cascading waterfall—very majestic and natural—but still captures the essence that classic New York Boom bap.” The producer had similarly kind words for his rapping partner, “XP’s style is fierce yet smooth and transcends coastal barriers. He might be from LA, but just by listening you might think he’s from NYC.” It’s a valid point that embodies the feeling of Nomads and how it transcends location or any preconceived notions.

Nomads is available now through all major DSPs via IceRock’s own label, DXA Records. Also, be sure to check out the visual for “Ashtray”, which premiered last month! 

The post RESPECT. THE PROJECT: XP & ICEROCKS CONNECT ON ‘NOMADS’ (ALBUM) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.