Malik Burgers by @Elliotcartier

Last year, we introduced you to an enigmatic artist from San Diego named Malik Burgers. In the feature piece, we went over many things including Malik’s 1207 crew with Rob $tone, his humble beginnings & most importantly, he played his anticipated upcoming debut project. Despite a pro-longed rollout, the wait was well worth it as Burgers delivers one of the more self reflective projects to date in 2018.

Kept at a short but highly effective 9 tracks, Contrast Therapy is exactly what the latter word suggests, therapeutic. Sure, the Keely assisted banger, “God Damn” is probably the most marketable and instantly enjoyable track on the project, and “Dreams” highlights the qualities that made me a fan, but songs like “Thunder,” “Sweet Sixteen” & “Picture” showcase Burgers’ stout ability as an artist to paint scenarios with his words. With an equally impressive set of visuals released including the one for, “Sweet Sixteen,” Malik is having a solid 2018 so far.

Check out, Contrast Therapy below and be sure to get familiar with Malik Burgers.

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The post 1207 Frontman Malik Burgers Finally Delivers Long Awaited Debut Project, ‘Contrast Therapy’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Hey guys, I have a question for you. Has Hip-Hop been kind of ehh lately or is just me? It seems like after the Nicki Minaj/Remy Ma scuffle that the genre has been a bit dormant. For a culture that thrives off of spunk, spontaneity , turmoil and controversy; we’ve been a bit boring. Where’s the scandal? Where’s Big Gucci Soulja at? I don’t know about you, but I haven’t forgotten about that money grab disguised as a boxing match between him and Chris Brown — who apparently is in more trouble mentally than we thought. I love you Hip-Hop, I’m just saying step it up so I don’t have to turn on VH1. With that being said, Smino dropped a classic — “Edgar Allen Poe’d Up” might be the best song title of 2017, or ever, Young Dolph decided to showcase his gangsta in the most creative way possible and a beat battle gone rogue turned producers Lex Luger and Southside into sworn enemies. That about covers the mainstream news for this week, but with SXSW kicking off this Tuesday in Texas, we should be in for a nice dose of exhilarating discussion topics in the upcoming week – I promised myself I’d use “exhilarating” in a post this week, so yes. In the meantime, check out these five slept on tracks – featuring 1207, EarthGang and more —  that are either sure to blow the top off the industry, or the socks off your feet. Maybe both, you decide. Peep below.

Milky Mel – “I Think You Know (Melik.xyz Rework)”

Arizona hasn’t been traditionally known as a hotbed for Hip-Hop talent, but by now you should be familiar with 21-year-old Tempe native Milky Mel. After releasing banger after banger last year in songs like, “Momma Told Me” and “We Got It”, Mel is is back with the infectiously catchy, “I Think You Know”. The track, which was originally released mid-2016, received the “rework” treatment from DJ Melix.xyz which catapulted the song to a complete different level. Melik does his best Dr. Frankenstein impression as he takes Mel’s creatively appealing bars such as, “All my life they callin’ a prodigy but I ain’t really done sh*t/ critics getting fond of me” and meshes it with industrial sounding synths that sound like they were picked up off the Yeezus cutting room floor. With Milky gaining notoriety as one half of the buzzing Underpressure duo, it won’t be long before the crooner/rapper helps put AZ firmly on the Hip-Hop map. Check out the track below and thank me later for turning up your Wednesday a few notches.

https://soundcloud.com/melikxyz/i-think-u-know-melikxyz-rework

1207 – “You Think You’re in Love”

When it comes to groupie jams, let’s just face it. NOBODY is fu*king with Hip-Hop – call me when Rock produces anything close to “Ain’t No Fun”. It started when NWA set the tone in the late 80’s, then Snoop carried the torch damn near forever, and more recently A$AP Mob has been the home of groupie attachment. Making a strong case to be next in line in the pimpin’ HOF are San Diego crew 1207 with their contagiously compelling ode to groupie love, “You Think You’re in Love With Me.” Coming off of 1207’s criminally underrated group project, Lemotional Season, the song serves as different side of the Sand Diego natives, which are normally known for their rambunctious demeanor. If the title doesn’t say enough already before listening, 1207 member Spooks kicks off the down tempo track by humbly declaring, “She wanna know my real name, but I don’t know” before panning over to crew front man Rob $tone —  of “Chill Bill” fame — crooning the chorus. The trio, which is rounded out by Malik Burgers, utilizes the whole track to showcase their impressive versatility and vocal range, something that hasn’t been before seen from the energetic, more trap focused crew. Oh & “You think you’re in love with me, but baby I’m so god damn cashed I cannot love a thing,” is without a doubt my most quoted phrase so far of 2017, so thanks for that Rob. Check out the track below and be sure to cop Lemotional Season, which is out now.

Eileezus – “In Store” 

Sometimes, a track is so good that describing it would never do it justice. Sometimes, a song is just so honest and baring of all emotion that trying to dissect what the artist was feeling at the time of its conception just does it a huge disservice. Bay Area native Eileezus and her beautifully written joint, “In Store” are a perfect example of that. I came across the songstress last year through her scene-stealing appearance on Rossi Rock’s Agassi, and was instantly infatuated with her songwriting style as well as vocal range. On “In Store” the way she speaks about her significant other has me desirous to say the least. “Will you call me back if I miss you, no time to see me but it’s cool” and “Always around and always on the go/ if I gotta chase you, I can’t say I won’t,” are two examples of her strong pen that embody the essence of this track perfectly. That essence being a woman who is in love with an ambitious man that seems to not showcase the same for her. The only catch? She seems to be okay with it. If only women existed like this in real life and not just art. Check out the track below and be sure to give her dynamic EP, Good Feelings, which is out now.

https://soundcloud.com/eileezus/in-store

EarthGang – “Missed Calls”

Look, I don’t need to hear it okay. I know I’m late to the bandwagon. I’m fully aware that Andre 3000 has already vowed to help with their next project and I’m also fully aware that the song I’m posting was released way back in 2015. Now here’s something you should know: I don’t give a f*ck. When I actually pressed play on this divine track from Atlanta natives EarthGang, I instantly became leader of #EarthHive — does that work? Coming in off of their amazingly underappreciated — I’m part to blame — mixtape, Strays With Rabies, “Missed Calls” is yet another ode to all artists’ notorious ability to not give a damn. “I”m so good at missing calls, bi*ch I’m perfect this year,” and “Fetish for flaws, lust for my scars/ and this broke ni*ga dick guarantee I won’t starve,” serve as two perfect examples as to why I feel like this track could STILL be a radio hit. Do me a favor and go back to your favorite tracks of 2015 and seriously ask yourself if they could fit in the scope of sound in 2017’s musical climate. I’m not saying ask yourself if they still sound good, but do they FIT. “Missed Calls” is a song that sounds like it was made yesterday which speaks volumes to the duo’s obvious potential to create timeless music. Don’t make the same mistake that I did, wake up now. Check out “Missed Calls” below and go buy Strays With Rabies, out now. Oh yeah, and did I mention 3 Stacks is on board?

Coach Tev – “Midnight Cruiser (Feat. Blake Cris & Oracle Jones)”

Last but not least, we check in with Dallas, Texas native Coach Tev and his smooth but brutally honest track, “Midnight Cruiser”. The title of the song describes it perfectly as it sounds like the ideal joint to play in your whip after leaving shortie’s crib at two in the morning. If we’re being honest, this and “My Collection” from Future should be placed in the Player’s Hall of Fame. “I push the two tone Chevy Caprice, down the street we can meet twice a week if you keep it discreet/ me no want conversation, I ain’t quiet ‘bout that/ and I ain’t sneaking through ya window, I’ll just slide through the back,” flows the self-proclaimed Heartthrob Teazy on the second verse, creating a soundtrack to discreet hook ups everywhere. After releasing dope song after dope song – see “Lefty” and “Omen” – it won’t be long before the industry takes notice of the rhymespitter. With his intriguing voice and his unconventionally tranquil cadence style, Coach Tev should be playing in speakers everywhere soon. Be early to the party, check out “Midnight Cruiser” below.

There you have it! Let us know how we did, did we get it right? Are we still sleeping on your favorite local artist? Let us know in the comment section below!

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Alright, look… I can admit it. I couldn’t name three Lil’ Uzi Vert songs a couple days ago if you paid me too…. Which I guess technically as a writer they do pay me for that? I’ve traditionally been labeled as “pretentious” and an “old head” by friends and colleagues due to my love for meaningful 16’s. Yes, bars and entendres make my world go round. Still, I’m a fan of MUSIC and a huge fan of a wavy aesthetic and lately, I’ve been feeling intrigued to see what makes my generation so infatuated with these artists. And after seeing WILD videos on Twitter of Uzi performing at various venues, as well as this Hot 97 interview — more on that later — I decided it was time to check out one of his shows for myself. Plus, it didn’t hurt that my new favorite collective, 1207, was opening up the night for him. Before you read any further, I’ll tell you one thing… I was not disappointed. Check out the recap below of one of the most lit — that’s what the kids are saying nowadays right? — shows of I’ve ever attended.

As soon as I arrived to the venue, this show seemed a bit different. Now, I’ve been to many many shows — ranging from Joey Bada$$ & Mick Jenkins, to A$AP Ferg and Flatbush Zombies — at the North Park Observatory in San Diego, but NOTHING made it ever look quite like this. There were lines and lines of people at the box office just hoping to score tickets, and that’s not even mentioning the line to get past security for people who already had tickets. I stopped to myself and thought, “Wow Uzi out did everybody this is nuts.” before I was quickly brought back to reality when I seen a group of people in dad hats with Lemon emblems…

The city was there to see Rob $tone and 1207.

Sure, many of the 18-22 year olds who attended were even more enticed by the placement of Uzi to close the show, but 1207 owned all of the buzz.

For those of you who are unfamiliar, 1207 is a rap collective that’s hails from Lemon Grove, California. A small industrial town just outside of San Diego. The group’s popularity has been spearheaded by the signing of front man Rob $tone to RCA records and the subsequent blow up of his debut single, “Chill Bill“, which features bandmates, J. Spooks and J. Davi$ — free J. Davi$.

Oh yeah, and this viral fight video didn’t hurt their rep either.

Since I reside in San Diego, I’ve had the pleasure of covering $tone and co for the last three months during their rise to prominence. Throughout that time, I attended a show that was thrown in celebration of $tone’s signing to RCA Records in late June. The show — which was at a small venue in SD named Soma — was a typical independent Hip-Hop show that saw day one fans turn up with the hometown kids right before the bandwagons came running.

I’m not sure anybody could have predicted just how fast that bandwagon would come.

The show at Soma showcased a group of kids who had acres of star potential and distinct personalities. The subsequent show at The Observatory showcased artists who had realized their potential and were currently grasping it. The contrast of confidence and emotion shown on stage between the two shows were day and night.

Photo Credit: Jega for The Observatory

First letting the crowd get hyped with Malik Burgers & Keely performing their RIDICULOUSLY turnt track, “Goddamn“, 1207 then sent out fan favorite J. Spooks to perform some of his hits. Though the unit was strong in it’s opening, the whole crew — and building in general — received a surge of energy when the hometown kid rocking the Lance Alworth Charger jersey came out for the first time.

Photo Credit: Jega for Observatory

Walking casually to the front of the stage with a mic in hand, $tone then put his hands up and greeted the crowd. “San Diego, what the f*ck is up? This my hometown right?” said $tone in the most confidence I’ve seen in a new artist.

A star was born, right in front of everybody’s eyes.

Unleashing banger after banger in tracks like “Ice Cream Man“, “If You Down” & “Suspects“; $tone then got the crowd going with three unreleased tracks that are going to shake up the scene when they drop, one of which features a crazy Rolling Stones sample. 1207 owned the stage, and they owned the crowd.

They own San Diego.

Photo Credit: Jega for Observatory

And this was all apparent even before the moment of the night happened. “Everybody get your phones out, get them lights up” said Spooks to the crowd as the anticipation grew with everybody assuming what was about to happen.

It was “Chill Bill” time.

Now, I can sit here and write about how “Chill Bill” was the most lit performance of a single track that I’ve ever seen — which it was — but I’d waaaaaaaay rather show you. So check these clips out and let the fans do my work for me.

.@youngrobstone – “Chill Bill”

This was the second time around…. pic.twitter.com/SPunTU5IFw

— RESPECT. MAGAZINE (@RESPECTMAG) August 12, 2016

Lemondary ?✨ @youngrobstone pic.twitter.com/CJt0D2XX4Y

— karrrrr (@SimplyKarrr) August 12, 2016

.@macburgz is wild fam lmao pic.twitter.com/At58VuvC0c

— AJ2 (@A20H) August 12, 2016

You just saw that sh*t right? Yeah, that’s why I just spent 900 words on an opening act. I think it’s safe to say that 1207 is here to stay, so kill all that “one hit wonder” noise.

After the sonic explosion that was 1207, the crowd was as hyped as ever in anticipation for Uzi to come out. Normally, the closer makes fans wait an extended amount of time as their DJ attempts to get the place jumping.

None of that was needed.

Due to the crazy hype of the crowd, Vert came out no less than 15 mins after $tone to a sea of applause and adoration. Rocking a fresh Vlone shit and some Yeezy Boost 750’s, the Philly native was ooozing with swank — no pun intended.

Starting the set off with the banger, “Do What I Want” from his newest project, The Perfect Luv Tape, the man instantly made me a believer. Though I’m still not sure I’m quite ready to jump on the bandwagon, Vert’s stage presence was undeniable. He truly isn’t a rapper.

That man is a rock star.

Which is exactly what he had said on Hot 97 but nobody cared to take it seriously. His crisp dance moves and precise cuts to the beat are more reminiscent of Janis Joplin than Tupac, and his melodic vocals are more in the realm of a rock band than any rapper currently out.

Unchaining hit after hit which included the two songs that even got me pumped up; “Money Longer” and “P’s & Q’s“, Uzi had the crowd eating out the palm of his hand. During the middle of “P’s & Q’s” Uzi simply put the microphone down and let the crowd sing for him.

They knew EVERY word and finished the track with crazy precision, keys and and all.

With fans like that, and a stage presence that’s from another planet, I guess Uzi really doesn’t need to rap. It’s time for “old heads” like me to get off our high horses and enjoy the ride.

As Kanye would say, “Listen to the kids bro!”

Well, you guys have my attention.

Check out more pictures/video from the insane night and be sure to follow RESPECT. Mag on snapchat — respectmag — so you don’t miss out anymore crazy nights like this one.

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Haters

It’s a word that used more loosely these days than any other. Everybody from your mom to the groggy dude who runs the Taco Bell drive-thru thinks that have haters, yet, nobody’s ever hating. That’s not the case for emerging young rapper Rob $tone and his 1207 crew who’s single “Chill Bill” has gone viral with over 15 million plays on Soundcloud.

With the fame and the territory comes the actual haters and 1207 quickly realized this on the afternoon of July 22nd when they confronted by some random haters from the same San Diego area. “They followed us from the beach right?” $tone says on the video, “Then they waited for my n***as to get on the ride and they tried to press me, and now he’s mad because I won’t fight him.” Directly after you can see a bummy beach dweller yelling things out and Rob, fellow 1207 member Malik Burgers and a couple of friends. Phrases such as: “You’re soft” & “F*ck 1207!” can be heard as 1207 obviously tries to keep their cool. Things subsequently got out of hand when the man threatens Rob by insinuating  that he knows where Rob’s mother lives.

What happens next is pure pandemonium and irony.

No less than 45 seconds after the threat, the man is knocked out cold by a 1207 affiliate and all hell breaks loose. You see punches being thrown all around as $tone and crew defend themselves effectively from the random group of provokers.

Look, I’m not a purveyor violence by any means, but when you provoke somebody to this point and even go as far as to make threats, irony comes your way. As $tone said to the “haters” at the end of the video, “You guys go ride a ride, and have a good time.”

Check out the video — which has already gone viral — below and be on the lookout for an extensive interview with Rob $tone & the 1207 crew about their experience with the growing fame thus far.

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The post Rob $tone & 1207 Get Tested by Random Haters [WATCH] appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.