“This cassette was made with dust, vinyl, drum machines, breaks, kicks, snares, chops, kicks, loops, and soul.”

We witnessed this entire project unfold. Ologist, by way of Virgina and a proud Better Beat Bureau member, reached out to “some of the dopest producers” he knew via Instagram in the summer of 2015. The project’s original title, or concept rather, was The IG Beat Collective – which is self explanatory and simply amazing if done properly. But that is no issue for Ologist and producer Analog Burners, who both formulated the project now known and available as ‘When Crates Create‘.

Toggling back and forth on the which physical format to release the 18-track collaboration, they chose cassette. Oh yes, a good old classic beat tape. Boy how we miss those, huh? Perhaps this doesn’t tickle the fancies of the average radio listener or trap star, and that is totally okay. This predominately caters to an audience of true school, and old school, hip-hop heads – but not limited to. Your grandmother or country ass brother in-law could easily ride out to the wide, yet cohesive body of work.

There are too many names to list for you, but check the track list out as you stream it. If you’re not familiar with a lot of the beat smiths throughout the tape, do know they all take this craft very seriously and give eternal praise to the culture – as you should too. Yeah you. Enjoy the stream and keep up with the lords. Peace and love:

If you missed Analog Burners & Starvin B‘s ‘Starvicide‘ release feel free to splurge. It’s something you should probably be familiar with. One love.

Ologist | Analog Burners | When Crates Create

The post When Crates Create Is The Ultimate Instrumental Tape (Stream) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

And this brings us back to honesty. It’s a broad term. Does the average listener today value an honest artist? True, transparent lyrics don’t necessarily come a dime a dozen. But when they do it is special. It’s crucial in fact, in the midst of illusion and hyper-fantasy that we hear often on the mainstream side.

With that comes New York emcee Danny Matos, here with the second leak off of his forthcoming ‘The Hangar EP’ (01/08). If you missed the RESPECT. Magazine premiere of his first “New Genre” release, you should probably do that now. Rusty Mack, handling the production on the entire EP, provides  incredible canvases for Danny to work on. Their chemistry is undeniable and the whole project was recorded together – yet another commendable note.

“I’m being open and holding a mirror to myself with this project..”

That’s enough out of us. Enjoy the new release and mark your calendar for the new EP. Peace and love.

Official Site | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

The post Danny Matos Drops Off His Latest “Let Go” (Audio) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

If you’re just now getting familiar with The I V League, welcome. Those of you who keep up with the scene most likely have that one dream-team of artists that you would love to see join forces. This is where the League comes in, specifically stamped and served as an “international fraternity of extraordinary emcee’s, producers and deejays”.

Veteran emcees Ras Kass, Shabaam Sahdeeq and El Da Sensei have been in the mix for quite some time now, but still publicly unfold their craft every year offering something refreshing and equally satisfying. These gentlemen and their abilities do not age. So what happens when you get them in the studio with some of hip-hop’s more recently promising talent? Well, it’s the perfect mesh. That isn’t always the case, but with The I V League it sure is. New York wordsmith El Gant offers his expected, unapologetically piercing lyrics throughout the album. Sam Solo, 4rAx and thekeenone step up to the plate and necessarily deliver in the same playing field as the vets.

After a handful of released singles under The I V League’s umbrella and a busy year for each artist, the full length album is here. It’s versatile. It covers quite a few sounds – for you easily bored folk. It’s blunt. And it’s raw. Today it is not uncommon to hear your average social media surfer complaining that there are no good hip-hop albums out anymore. The League is here with a solution to that frequent complaint with an 11 track solution.

Snowgoons, Jake Palumbo, Poetiq Beetz and P Original are a few names handling the soundscapes throughout the album. The production is carefully selected to best suit the artists blessing the canvases. It would take hours to break down each artists current moves and what they’ve accomplished in 2015 alone. The League has quite the busy roster of recording artists. We hope you enjoy the project! Peace and love.

Official Site | Facebook | BandCamp 

The post The I V League Releases Their Debut LP (Full Album Stream) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Reks over a Superior beat? Count us in. Count yourself in for that matter.

The German producer/DJ had a hell of a run this year, with the release of his instrumental Scenes LP. If you’re not familiar with Superior, we heavily suggest you checking out his soundscapes and wrapping your head around this collaboration afterwards (via Below System Records). Peace and love.

The post New Music: Superior – “Superiority” Feat. Reks appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

If you’re just now tuning into the Koncept & J57 extravaganza, welcome. Take a seat. Fresh off of their The Fuel release, the two hardworking gentlemen decide to celebrate on film for us. The visual demonstration includes a day of drinking together – which we know can lead to just about anything in the rotten apple as you will see in a moment.

The duo’s full length offering will be available in 2016 as The Fuel is just a sample of its magnitude.

“The Fuel is the pre-cursor/set up for Flight, which drops summer of next year. The vibes are similar, but Flight is like a big brother to The Fuel. That statement will make a lot of sense a year from today — you’ll see. But, in the time being, enjoy The Fuel and please listen to the entire thing knowing that something way bigger and way better is coming in a short 6-8 months.” -J57

Just incase you missed the EP this year, we’ve attached the full stream below. Do it if you have not – it’s a cinematic, expressive experience. Aside from the duo taking flight on a full length album this coming year, you may want to keep an eye on J57’s latest Five Seven Music imprint. It’s a hell of a label and is still very young (setting it off with 2015’s You Gotta Watch LP by Mean Joe Scheme).

The post New Video: Koncept & J57 – “Excitement” Feat. Andrew Thomas Reid appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

This is the grit we all desire. The sound we miss. Or do we have to “miss” it if it’s available? Detroit is home base for some of hip-hop’s most notable names over the years and rather competitive for emcees like Nolan the Ninja. The oversaturated “now” sound coming out of Detroit and its surrounding areas, however, leaves a wide open lane for the true schoolers – away from the hype of the mainstream.

If you’re just now finding out about emcee/producer Nolan, good. It’s a breath a fresh air for the passionate hip-hop junkie. The amount of enthusiasm and passion is undeniably evident. Having released two records this year (Fuck the Hype and Lo-Fi Loops) and an appearance on DJ Soko‘s Domino Effect LP, it’s safe to say he had a great year on wax. Fuck the Hype, released under Left of Center, should be spun now if you have not done so yet. We’ve attached the full stream for you below, so splurge and purchase.

That’s enough out of us. Enjoy the new visual treatment and keep scrolling to check out our conversation with Nolan. Peace and love:

RESPECT. Magazine: Can you tell the world a little bit about Nolan the Ninja – for those who may just be discovering you today?

Nolan The Ninja: I’m a 23-year old emcee & producer from Detroit, Michigan.

RM: Over the years Detroit has been home of some of hip hop’s most notable artists. Who are some of your hometown favorites if you had to name a few?

NTN: Well, Elzhi is my favorite. I’d definitely love to collaborate with him in the future. Some of my other favorites include Clear Soul Forces, Red Pill, & Royce Da 5’9 just to name a few.

RM: If you could collaborate with one artist (dead or alive) who would it be and why?

NTN: It’s a tie between Nas & D’Angelo.

RM: Congratulations on the release of your latest Fuck the Hype album. It’s quite the body of work. Can you discuss the albums title a bit for us?

NTN: Essentially, it’s about understanding self. The title simply says, “Be yourself.” Fuck what else is going on because it doesn’t matter. Make the vibes that’s in your heart, you know? The organic shit is gonna last the longest, anyway. People are too stuck on fabricated trash. It’s to the point where people think that they have to be subjected to that certain standard of music to be accepted. It’s disgusting & I want to see change. Therefore, I’m acting as the change that I’d like to see.

RM: What should the world be expecting from Nolan the Ninja moving into 2016?

NTN: I’ll be going on a European tour with DJ Soko & Noveliss of Clear Soul Forces in a couple of months. I’m mad excited about that. My first official tour & my first official trip to Europe? Crazy. I also have an album releasing in the Spring on Fat Beats/Left Of Center. I’ll be doing some executive work on other LOC releases, as well. Other than that, who knows? This past year has been full of surprises so I’m excited to see what 2016 brings.

The post Detroit’s Nolan the Ninja Drops Off New “Gusto” Video + Interview appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Paying homage to Large Professor‘s “151 Excuses“, Aye Wun takes us on a coast to coast walk in his shoes in his new visual demonstration for “It’s All A Re-Run”(directed and filmed by Lester Burnem). Footage was taken from California and New York City, providing a little bit of flavor for all of us. Aye paints a typical braggadocios picture; staying true to his influential roots and evidently a student of our favorite 90’s east coast emcees. Also, rest in peace Sean Price – forever.

So what part is the re-run that he refers to? Perhaps the “latter” of followers in todays rap game, stepping unoriginal – which he has no interest in tailing. The overload of “fakes” that seem to be on repeat everyday? Life’s redundant qualities? Or the music industry? Maybe all of it, who knows. Meanwhile, try not to snap your neck listening to the record – it’s not that deep. This is the grit us real hip-hop fiends yearn for. That sound we love and cherish.

We had the pleasure of picking Aye Wun’s brain a bit (see interview below). Also, If you missed his latest ‘Groceries’ release alongside Incredible Cutts check it out here, it’s very raw.

For those just getting familiar with Aye Wun, what should listeners know about you other than your rhyming abilities?

They should know I’m a fan first and foremost. I also make beats. I love tacos and women from California (apologies to my NY women) haha. I’m just a normal regular degular kid from the neighborhood.

You’re from Queens, right? Who are some of your favorite artists from your hometown? And have any specifically impacted your craft more than others?

I was actually born in Kansas, but long story short I got on a plane straight to New York City the same week I was born. Some of my favorite emcees from Queens would be the the ones that I run with – like Spit Gemz, Eff Yoo, Gs Advance, Starvin B, Gob Goblin, and of course Nas and Kool G Rap. All of the legends that made their mark. Really there’s too many to name. Queens is the galaxy. Oh yeah, I mess with Action Bronson and my dude Meyhem Lauren hardbody. I think Kool G Rap may have impacted my craft more than others – the way he gets right with the hardcore multi’s and all of that.

If you could collaborate with one artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Big Pun – hands down. I feel like we’re both jokesters but mean business when we get infront of that pop filter.

Moving forward, what should fans be expecting from Aye Wun?

Just mad music – whether it be looseys or full projects. Keep your eyes peeled and sure you take your ADHD medicine.

The post Aye Wun “It’s All A Re-Run” Video & Interview appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.