Check out the full list of artists below and make sure to get your tickets via Dreamville Fest’s official website.

The post Dreamville Festival 2022 Lineup Announced appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

In our recent chat, they spoke about getting into music, misconceptions, and being hands-on amongst a list of other things. Check out the interview below.

How did you initially get into music?

Matt: “I started off helping artists and their managers with basic legal needs like management contracts and partnership agreements. A few years ago, I was introduced to Chris Ehigiator, who was 6ix9ine’s manager at the time (before the legal issues occurred). He was responsible for Danny’s rise to fame and hits like “Gummo.” He had a lot of business experience and marketing wisdom and was kind enough to share Some of the game with me. It was around that time that I decided to transition from the legal side of the music business to management.”

Ish: “I began throwing events on campus at SF State with the homie Chris O’ Bannon, called “Good Vibes.” We brought artists out, such as Lil Pete, Show Banga, OMB Peezy, All Black, Nef The Pharaoh, and T-Pain …that eventually turned into a summer opportunity at Capitol Records, which I consider my first music job in the industry. While at Capitol, I was exposed to artists like 6ix9ine, Migos, Lil Baby, TM88 and other hip-hop acts. I remember being a part of the A&R meeting when they were trying to sign acts like AzChike and Drakeo The Ruler (before he was sentenced to life in prison).“

What are some of the obstacles you face managing an emerging artist?

Matt: “I think the biggest misconception that emerging artists have is that success happens overnight. Artists, like most people, want immediate success and notoriety. It’s really important to set expectations for your artist. This business is a marathon. I don’t care how good your music is…it takes time to develop a fan base and develop relationships with the right people to gain exposure and momentum. As a manager, there are no days off. If your artist has a problem (personal or otherwise), it’s your problem to fix. You have to make yourself available at all times and be willing to do things that you might not want to do. It’s a thankless job…the fans, industry executives, and even the artist themselves rarely understand the sacrifices managers make behind the scenes.”

Is there anyone in your corner who you go to for advice?

Ish: TK Kimbro (the Founder of R Baron at Atlantic Records) and manager of Shoreline Mafia, 03 Greedo, Mac P, and others is someone I go to for advice when it comes to culture and politics. TK is someone I consider my first mentor in the game, he put me on early to a lot of shit in the R BARON WORLD; he introduced me to Rosecrans Vic, Giggles, Irene, and others who I consider family now. Mike Chehade is another person I always go to for advice about everything. If there is something I need or a person I want to connect with, Mike is the first person to make the introduction.

Matt: “I often go to two of my boys for advice – my business partner Gavin McNeill and Maurice Frazier. Gavin is the founder and Creative Director of Supervsn Studios and 4Hunnid. Gavin’s worked with artists like YG, DJ Mustard, Mitch, Kehlani and others; he always gives me sound, no bad advice, and helps me keep things in perspective. My other boy, Maurice, is an A&R at Def Jam and works with Grammy Award-winning artists like Jhene and Logic.

How hands-on do you get while working with an artist?

Matt: “I think it depends on the artist. I will get as hands-on as the artist wants. With MBNel, he’s open-minded and allows me to give advice and creative direction on songs, features, and music videos. While other artists want to control all aspects of their creative vision – which is perfectly fine. It just depends on what the artist is comfortable with.”

What’s a common misconception that people have about management?

Ish: “People assume managers just babysit artists, that’s not the case…we run the show behind the scenes, making our clients lives easier by accomplishing tasks artists wouldn’t otherwise care about, but is necessary, such as connecting dots, administrative work, coming up with artist campaigns, negotiating contracts, and anything that revolves around the business.”

In your experience, what’s the best way to build a relationship with labels and so forth?

Matt: “The best way to be build relationships in the industry is to be a solid person. There’s a lot of fake people in the industry and even more people who only like what’s “hot” at the moment. You have to do your best to identify the real, solid people and avoid the others. If you have a talented artist and you develop them properly, the music will eventually get the recognition it deserves and the labels will find you.”

What advice would you give to aspiring managers who want to follow in your footsteps?

Matt: “Find an artist you truly believe in and stick with it. It takes time.”

Ish: “Enjoy the process, don’t forget to smell the roses”

The post RESPECT. Interview: Matthew Llewellyn & Ismael “Ish” Soto appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

With no plans on staying local, Kushie Sunoco is putting together a post-Corona tour to be announced when this madness of quarantine officially ends. For now, he’s riding high with the release of the “Rack In” video.

For now, even though the production game is a global market, he’s been shopping local for his beats.  Working with all the well credited producers in the Capitol Region, including Money Montage (Dave East, Rich the Kid, Kehlani), Docondabeat (J.I da Prince, Apollo Rai), and Mirk (Petey Pablo, Eamon, Ciara).  He continues to drop new high octane gas for the fans with no plans of stopping anytime soon.  Keep your tanks full and tap into his wrok. You need a couple gallons? Got Some Gas Money? Put your Racks In!

Make sure to keep checking back to RESPECT.Mag for more on Kushie Sunoco & #TheAltWithMel news!

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The post Kushie Sunoco Drops “Racks In” Visual | #TheAltWithMel appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo Credit: Loyalty Records (Logo)

For record label founders, Stephen Orso and Peter Ashley, early artist development, creative and executive solutions, and an unmistakable passion for music have been the driving forces behind, Loyalty Records.

With an exciting roster comprised of new and progressive performers and producers such as hip-hop artists’ TEC, Village – rapper and singer, Ty James  – and production supernovas, Kyle Stemberger and KBeaZy, the future looks bright for the growing music label.

We got a chance to find out Stephen Orso and Peter Ashley’s ultimate mission behind Loyalty Records and discuss their promising stars.

What is the mission behind Loyalty Records?

“Our goal at Loyalty is to help developing artists, writers, and producers achieve their goals by providing them with the resources and infrastructure to take their careers to the next level.”

What does “loyalty’ mean to you?

“Loyalty is extremely important, especially in this business. We’re trying to create a family that lifts each other up, through good times and bad. Loyalty means trusting the intentions of one another and being confident that we’re all working toward the common goal of success.”

How did you decide that you wanted to go into the music business?

Stephen: “I was fortunate enough to be part of Bryson Tiller’s team prior to his signing to RCA. Being able to witness first-hand how talent and creativity changed his life was something I wanted to see again and again.”

Peter: “I actually grew up in a musical household. My dad played with big acts like KISS, Billy Idol, Mick Jagger, etc., but I never really asked questions about the business side of things. Then, when I was living at Stephen’s after graduating college, I was introduced to the artists who were also staying with him in New York. I immediately started helping in any way I could, eventually learning enough to start managing day to day operations. From there, I just continued to build on my knowledge of the industry in an effort to be as well-rounded as possible.”

With the decline of traditional record deals, what makes Loyalty Records so appealing to young artists?

“We are about the artists. In a world where streams and data drive most decisions, Loyalty relies on a gut feeling before anything else. We look to develop acts who want to take their careers to the next level with a focus on career longevity, as opposed to fleeting viral moments. We want to work with acts who yearn to sell out stadiums one day, which means we look to surround ourselves with individuals that have the willingness to put in the hard work.”

What qualities do you look for in new talent?

“Good question. The first thing we care about is always the music. If the music isn’t making you feel something, then it’s difficult to see what direction their career will go. Eagerness to learn is really important too. No matter how successful or talented an individual may be, there is always more that they can learn to improve themselves. If an artist can’t accept that, it will be hard for them to adapt when the formulas for success change. Compromise is also a huge element to a successful partnership. Sometimes two parties will have entirely different ideas about execution, but the key is to over-communicate and find a middle ground that meet results in a net positive both professionally and financially. Oh yeah, I forgot….and of course Loyalty.”

How do you develop your talent outside of traditional music deals?

“We have a wide variety of resources that we feel put an artist in the best position to develop into a career act. Through our relationships with major labels, distributors, agencies, and creatives, we are able to put together the ideal strategic partnerships for each artist based on their individual needs. By focusing on branding and cultivating an identifiable and dedicated audience, we put our roster in a better position to monetize their fan-bases and ultimately maximize their success.”

Tell us about Ty James, the rapper and singer you signed from Indiana. What was the process leading up to his hit single, “Splash?”

“Ty James is an amazing rapper and singer from Jeffersonville, Indiana which is about 20 minutes away from Louisville, Kentucky. We found a project of his randomly on Spotify, and immediately fell in love with his infectious melodies and energy. Then when we first flew him to NYC, he showed us his Soundcloud with 80+ songs that we had no idea existed. Once he played, “Splash,” we heard an unbelievable topline that we felt could be huge. Once his deal with Loyalty was finalized, we connected him to an amazing young producer named, unheard. The producer then took the topline and incorporated entirely new production, giving the song an all new up-beat feel. We started sending the record around to different outlets, and the reactions were absolutely amazing. We were able to secure a ton of support from both Spotify (New Music Friday, Pop Rising), Apple (Breaking Pop, Today’s Hits), Pandora, Soundcloud, and even major radio stations such as 94.9 KYLD, 102.7 KIIS-FM, & Power 961 Atlanta. We really owe it to all the amazing people that supported us without needing data to validate their opinions.”

Producer KBeaZy secured major placements with acts such as Roddy Ricch, Fetty Wap and Chief Keef all before graduating high school. How were you able to manage a high school student and still ensure extreme success?

“KBeaZy is in an unbelievable position for an 18-year-old, and we’re doing our best to help grow his brand beyond just his producer credits. The kid is wise beyond his years, with an intricate understanding of networking and promotion that has enabled him to have a ton of early success. He’s also extremely motivated in his pursuit to become one of the best producers of all time, making him one of the hardest workers we’ve seen. From his bedroom in Kalamazoo, Michigan, he was able to connect with Tarentino (of 808 Mafia) which landed him his first highly successful placement on Roddy Ricch’s project, Feed Tha Streets 2. We knew from the start KBeaZy’s talent and ability to make music and adapt to any production challenge would lead the once in a generation producer to work with the likes of G-Eazy, Kehlani, Roddy Ricch, Wiz Khalifa, Iann Dior and the late Juice Wrld. With the success of Loyalty Records artists, the company is on track to dominate the charts and disrupt the conventional market.”

Baton Rouge artist, Tec, converts hip-hop into what he refers to as “poetic activism.” What projects is he currently working on?

“TEC is an extremely articulate hip-hop artist from Louisiana. He released his highly anticipated project, Ketha Son, earlier this year in partnership with Loyalty and EMPIRE, which was amazing to be a part of. TEC is someone who writes from real experiences, lending him an authenticity that is becoming rare amongst hip-hop artists in today’s marketplace. He strives to be an inspiration to the youth, showcasing the success one can have if they believe in themselves, while using his lyrics to serve as a window into the lifestyle he grew up in. At the moment, TEC is working on his next project to be released in 2020 that we know is going to turn heads when it’s completed.”

“You recently signed Kyle Stemberger, a 19-year-old producer from Atlanta. What is it like managing young talent like Kyle through the early development stages?”

“Kyle was actually introduced to us through KBeaZy. He told us Kyle is one of the best melody makers he’d ever met, and that we needed to work with him. Like KBeaZy, he was another young, hungry, producer who had built a reputation for himself on social media through his YouTube Channel and loop kits. Since working with Kyle, we’ve been able to secure him credits with major label acts such as Trippie Redd, Flipp Dinero, 9lokknine, Bad Bunny, and independent songstress, Jorja Smith, on her latest single “Be Honest,” featuring Burna Boy. Coming more from a hip-hop background, Kyle is eager to explore the R&B space as we look to start placing him in a ton of sessions in the top of 2020.”

Tell us about Perri Jones.

“We are insanely excited about Perri, who is our latest signing to Loyalty Records. Music is just in her DNA. Her dad, Oran “Juice” Jones, actually had a #1 R&B single in 1986 called “The Rain” which we’ve been bumping on our own time since making the discovery. Inspired by her father’s contemporaries, along with modern acts she grew up listening to, Perri has cultivated a sound that feels both fresh and nostalgic. Her lyrical content champions empowerment and self-love, and we cannot wait to help her take her music to the next level. Propelled by acts such as Jorja Smith, Ella Mai, H.E.R. and SZA, the R&B space has seen an amazing renaissance atop the billboard charts this past year and we feel Perri is poised to take advantage of just that in the coming year.”

What’s next for Loyalty Records?

“Now that we’ve established a well-rounded roster of five artists, producers, and writers, we are very much looking to expand in 2020. Since we aren’t a huge company, we’re looking for acts who we feel embody the pillars of Loyalty Records, while also seeking out new relationships and partnerships that can benefit our roster and team. We’ve been heavily exploring the gaming community, as platforms like Twitch continue to revolutionize culture and content. Overall, after making huge strides this past year, we’re looking to continue our growth into a highly impactful independent label in 2020.”

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The post Emerging Talent Managers Stephen Orso and Peter Ashley Discuss Their Growing Label and Promising New Group of Artists appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo Credit: Delante Armani Photography

Marc E. Bassy recently performed at his sold-out show in Atlanta, Georgia. Fans sung word for word of his new and old classics throughout the show. San Fransisco native has recently released his deluxe album PMD. It has four new songs that includes Tory Lanez on a new track called “Right Now.” Marc talks about working with Tory Lanez by stating, “Tory records one line at a time. He make sure each word is recorded vocally. If one syllable is not how he wants it, he rerecords it. It is the most tedious way to record.”

I know you remember Marc on the hit single, back in 2014, “Lock It Up” featuring Kehlani that took his career to the next level. When you think of the Bay artist, you will hear such a poetry side of him by telling a story. Marc brought the West Coast love to the South that night. Peep how the Bay artist talks about how him and YG recorded “Westside Love” after YG was done shooting the video for “F Donald Trump,” the makings of the project, PMD, and more below.

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The post Marc E. Bassy Talks About The Makings of “Westside Love” With YG, ‘PMD’ Album and More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Kam Kalloway is a multi-talented actor, model and recording artist making major music moves in the entertainment industry. He left Sacramento for Hollywood 7 years ago to pursue his dreams. It’s safe to say that his sacrifice has paid off.  Having over 5 million SoundCloud plays, Kalloway has a string of relatively successful hits with a remarkable range of artists including Kehlani, Trey Songs, Sabi and Christina Sayers.

‘Honestly’ is Kalloway’s debut single co-created with fellow 2020 Gold label artist, Kayo Genesis. This lively track was produced with the purpose of shining a light on some of the cunning experiences both artists have encountered in the entertainment industry for others to take from and reference. Kalloway takes his audience on a ride through some of his most life shaping moments, intending to deliver various messages from surreal experiences on how to conquer the everyday struggles we encounter.

He is currently creating his debut project, ‘Young, Wild and High’ which is set to debut later this year featuring guest appearances from Leon Thomas, Camp Rock and Jharrel Jerome. We sat down with Kam Kalloway to talk all things music and chasing your dreams, so let’s get into it.

So, when did your passion for music and acting start?

I grew up in church and did some theatre in school, I’m sure a lot of that  played a role. Also, my mom is a gospel singer, so there’s that too.

Did you always have a passion for music?

Yes, even more so I had a passion for artistry, not just sonically but visually. In music, I never really rooted for the greatest singers or most talented lyricists, but for those who were most unique.

What was the biggest challenge you encountered starting out?

Connectivity. Hollywood can be very surface level; I’ve never really fit in although some may feel otherwise because of how I move. I’ve always felt more at ease on the east coast.

How do you seek out new opportunities as an artist?

I’m a hustler, I do a lot of networking. There are few awards shows and major Hollywood events that I haven’t been to. Of course, Instagram is also a great tool.

What’s been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

2018 Grammy’s weekend, that was definitely an experience. Although I didn’t have any nominations, I made many valuable relationships with the press. Not only from the show but also events like the Roc Nation Brunch and the WMG Party. That helped me foster substantial relationships.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve had to learn?

The biggest lesson was that I have to be consistent and intentional because it’s easy to get lost in a crowded room.

Can you tell us a bit about your new track, ‘Honestly’?

‘Honestly’ is about all the crap in Hollywood, Kayo and I thought it was about time for this type of anthem. There’s some real-life stuff also included in there. speaking on the past and how it correlates to what we wouldn’t traditionally want to acknowledge, but we have decided to have an honest moment. 

Finally, what would be your biggest piece of advice be for any young person wanting to make it big as an artist or creative?

You are the company you keep.

In the meanwhile, check out his new single ‘Honestly’ available now: https://smarturl.it/k2-honestly

Social media: @KamKalloway

https://open.spotify.com/album/1rQBTkElQuJo4lOkNmi5J9?si=UO0YGvE6QH2Y5BlaGr669g

The post Kam Kalloway, The Hottest Emerging Artist in Hollywood appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

After the successful release of Grave$tar in 2019, Foreign Jay has already started 2020 on a good note with the release of several videos, including his latest visual for the street smash “Passive Mode.”

The gritty, but yet intelligent video displaying the lyrical diversity & on camera performance definitely shows Jay’s growth as an artist in just a short amount of time.

The 20-year-old Cleveland native has made an impressive mark on the industry after the release of his #4theFans mixtape, but it was his 2019 track “Keisha Cole” that helped Jay quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with on the underground scene. Amassing millions of plays on his Soundcloud alone, Foreign Jay has had success with video releases on a number of different platforms, garnering more than a whopping one millions views overall.

With more than 30,000 fans online, the leader of the Grave Gang—a movement that he started—is promising to not only keep getting bigger in the industry, but to bring his team with him.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B71h9QehLit/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

In one short year Foreign Jay has crafted an impressive catalogue of singles and visuals, established a movement and is on the road to solidifying himself as a household name. With everything he was able to accomplish in one year, it’s not hard to see that before long Jay’s literally going to be taking over the game.

Check out the video for “Passive mode” below and to stay up to date with Foreign Jay, follow him online here.

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The post Foreign Jay Drops New Visual For “Passive Mode” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.