Without further adieu (and in no particular order, except somewhat chronologically):

1. Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future & James Blake – “King’s Dead”

Produced by Teddy Walton & Mike WiLL Made-It
Album(s): Black Panther: The Album, Redemption

2. Drake – “God’s Plan”

Produced by Cardo, Yung Exclusive & Boi-1da
Album(s): Scary Hours, Scorpion

3. Migos – “Stir Fry”

Produced by Pharrell Williams
Album: Culture II

4. PRhyme – “Rock It”

Produced by DJ Premier
Album: PRhyme 2

5. Rejjie Snow Feat. Aminé & Dana Williams – “Egyptian Luvr”

Produced by KAYTRANADA
Album: Dear Annie

NEXT

The post BEST OF 2018: 50 Essential Tracks appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Ohgeesy (left), Fenix (middle), and Master Kato (right) of Shoreline Mafia. Photo taken by Miguel Crespo for RESPECT.

Shoreline Mafia is a Los Angeles rap group who has found their success climbing at a ridiculous rate. Founding members Fenix and Ohgeesy became friends in high school and created the collective, later adding Master Kato and Rob Vicious. Most of the group’s production is handled by Ron Ron The Producer. 

The group caught the attention of Atlantic Records thanks to its breakout hit “Musty” from the 2017 debut mixtape, ShorelineDoThatSh*t. Their recent project, Traplantic, is creating a buzz just as strong. They recently kicked off the, Only The Xclusives tour, that has multiple sold out appearances already. You can purchase tickets to a show near you here. 

We sat down with Shorline Mafia and spoke with them about their come up in the industry and what the future holds.

How did you get your start in the music industry? 

Fenix: We Met our manager, TK. We visited Atlantic and a couple other places but we ended up signing with Atlantic.

How did you come up with the group name, Shorline Mafia? 

Fenix: We’re the wave. We’re the wave and the wave starts at the shorline. 

How did you meet each other? 

Ohgeesy: Me and Fenix met through graffiti and sh*t in high school. Then my homie that’s like my brother, he’s locked up right now, introduced me to Kato. Then Fenix moved to Midtown and that’s where he met Rob at. We all linked up and we been family ever since, you feel me? 

You dropped a couple projects this year. The last one in July. Since then, how has the feedback been?

Fenix: Good feedback. Sh*t has been jumping. ShorlineDoThatSh*T is still doing numbers. Traplantic is going crazy. Got that new single “Bands” off Traplantic going crazy. Got a video for it coming soon, you know what I’m saying? Sh*t is lit.

What was the first song you put out that blew up?

Fenix: “Musty.” This song “Musty” we got for sure.

Who are some of your musical influences? What made you start to want to making music?

Fenix: Some of my musical influences would be like, Master Kato, Ohgeesy and Rob. I was listening to their mixtapes when I was a little kid. That sh*t was fire.

Kato: I’m not going to lie, shoutout Wiz Khalifa, bro. He made me want to rap. His sh*t is cool. He was doing  that sh*t.

Ohgeesy: Man, shoutout everybody. Wiz, Curren$y, Paul Wall, Mike Jones, The whole Swishahouse, Boosie, Three 6 Mafia, everybody really. I fu*k with everything. 

Have you come across any difficult situations in the music industry? What can you say has been the most challenging thing so far?

Fenix: Keeping all the bit*hes away from us.

As artists, what are your goals aiming towards 2019? 

Ohgeesy: Getting plaques and being one of the biggest groups in the world, you feel me? Being a staple in Hip Hop. Leaving a mark. The same way our favorite artists left a mark on our brain, you know? We want to do the same sh* t for the next generation after us.

Any new music, projects or upcoming shows to look forward to? 

Kato: New album, November.

Fenix: We got a tour starting on September 7th. It’s about to go up. It’s a bout a month long. Then we got the album coming in November. A crazy as* album with all different sh*t. All bangers. People not ready for it but yeah, November it’s going up.

2018 has been a huge year for Shoreline Mafia. What does the future look like and what’s next for you? 

Kato: Big racks.

Ohgeesy: This next album is about to drop. More money. Big racks. We’re just going to keep getting bigger and bigger, you feel me? Soon we’ll build a mother fuc*king enterprise, you feel me? We’re going to be one of the biggest fu*king things ever. The album is going to drop and the whole world is going to fu*k with us. 

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RESPECT. Interview: Love & Hip Hop: Miami’s Amara La Negra

The post RESPECT. Interview: Shoreline Mafia Talks Meeting Each Other, New Album And Upcoming Tour appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Amara La Negra. Photo taken by Miguel Crespo for RESPECT.

Love & Hip Hop: Miami star, Amara La Negra, is a Afro-Latina singer who grew up dancing and acting. She dealt with much adversity and racism even as a child in the entertainment industry. Amara looked up to Celia Cruz, an Afro-Cuban salsa singer that was the only woman in the music industry that resembled her. Like Cruz, Amara La Negra wants to be a role model for Afro-Latinas coming up in the industry today. Now, with new multi-album record deal and soon, her debute on the big screen, Amara is working to bridge the gap.

We sat down with Amara La Negra and spoke to her about her past, present and future. 

What was your childhood like? How did the things you did as a child build you into who you are today? 

It was a lot of work. I started doing beauty pageants when I was 4 years old so my whole life I’ve known what I wanted to do. My whole life I been preparing for this. I definitely do think the struggles my mother went thru, the things I saw her do and the strength she had as an immigrant in this country to make sure I was good gave me the confidence I have today.

You mentioned your mother. She’s the real deal parent. She did everything in her power to give you a great life. What does it mean to you to have someone like that in your corner?

She’s the only person to be there for me no matter what was going on or what happened. It definitely means a lot to know that I’m not alone in this world, you know what I mean? A lot of people are here for the hype, a lot of people are here for the benefits but she’s the one person I know that will be there for me no matter what. 

A lot of people don’t know you were a certified Zumba instructor. What is it about dancing that you loved so much? 

Well I originally became a Zumba instructor because I was over weight and wanted to lose the weight. I started teaching because I was already a professional dancer in the past so it was just perfect. I truly enjoy dancing. It’s another way of expressing myself through my body movements. I would never be able to sing without dancing. 

How did you get your start in the music industry?

Well, I started when I was 4 years old. I was there every Saturday for 6 years but I officially began singing professionally when I was 15 or 16 years. All my life I knew what I wanted to do and music has definitely been it. 

We know you love Beyoncé and Tina Turner. Who else would you like to work with in the future? 

I’m very open-minded. I would love to work with Rihanna. I know it may seem crazy right now but nothing is impossible in this world. There are many talented women I would love to work with not only here in the United States but in Brazil, in Europe so like I said, I’m very open-minded.

You’re a member of the Love & Hip Hop: Miami cast. Does being on the show add any pressure to make good music? 

Not to make good music. It definitely adds pressure to the drama in my life that’s not really like that. My life can be dramatic in other aspects but not when it comes to men, women or none of that stuff. That’s not really who I am. Anybody who knows me knows my whole life revolves around my mom and my career. That’s pretty much it. I do understand it’s a reality TV show and with the good comes the bad. The people like the drama.

Any upcoming music, projects or a tour to look forward to? 

Actually, yes! I’m working on my EP called, Unstoppable, which will be out at the end of this year or the beginning of 2019. It means a lot to me because it’s my first American EP ever. I’m working really hard cause I want it to be the best I could ever imagine. I’ve recorded so many songs and I feel like none of them are good enough. I want to do something really amazing so I’m very tough on myself. I’m a perfectionist but it’s coming along. 

2018 has been a great year for you. What does the future look like and what’s next for you?

I’m working on my EP, I just finished filming my first movie that will air on BET and Netflix so far. I’m working on my second movie called, Men Issues, in February which I am an executive producer. I just signed a book deal for children’s books and I have a lot going on. I’m still performing, doing commercials and everything everywhere else.

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The post RESPECT. Interview: Love & Hip Hop: Miami’s Amara La Negra appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Governors Ball Music Festival located on Randell’s Island Park in New York City. All photos taken by Miguel Crespo for RESPECT.

Bright lights and skyscrapers. This is the city of dreams also home to the east coast’s most prestigious event, Governors Ball Music Festival. Gov Ball is 3-days of non-stop summer fun consisting of games, great food and some of the biggest names music has to offer. Thousands of people from across the country gathered to be in attendance for another legendary weekend in New York City.

The Honda Stage.

The weekend’s temperature was just right and the weather cooperated even after threatening us with lightning all week. A sea of fans covered the majority or Randell’s Island Park. Whether you wanted to sit and soak up the sun or get in a competitive game of Giant Jenga, there was something for everyone. Mini golf was a cool addition to the festival. Groups of friends went around the course swinging their clubs while they waited for their favorite artists to play. Maybe trying out new food is your thing. There was an uncountable number of food trucks and vendors to choose from. Unique food is usually a typical component to music festivals. The Ramen Burger was a popular choice and the Spring Roll Burrito was another. The only down side was the ridiculously long lines you’d have to wait in if you wanted one. 

The 2018 installment of Gov Ball was just another undeniable classic. The lineup was strong and included performances from Lil Uzi Vert, Kali Uchis, Billie Eilish, Khalid, Damian Marley, 2 Chainz, Galantis, 6lack and many more. Easily one of the best lineups of the year.

Galantis.

Four stages with a wide variety of acts were placed across the park; The Bacardi stage, the American Eagle stage, the Honda stage and the Governors Ball stage. Each stage had artists to look forward to no matter what genre of music you’re really into. One of the most popular performances came from Pusha T, who was a replacement act for BROCKHAMPTON. The release of his latest album, Daytona, is his highest charting album to date and is considered album of the year by many. King Push may be the most relevant artist in Hip Hop right now after his feud with Drake reached new heights. 

Pusha T.

Another notable performance came from Gov Ball headliner, Travis Scott. La Flame is one of the greatest entertainers of our generation. His on stage presence and energy is unmatched. Some fans stood in the crowd all day to secure their spot to see the performance. Travis popped out from the below the stage as 20-foot flames shot up towards the sky. The opening song was an unreleased song reportedly titled, “Stargazing,” off his upcoming album, Astroworld. The constant jumping of thousands of fans in the crowd looked like waves moving in the ocean. Shock Wes, new and upcoming NY rapper, joined Travis on stage as a special guest. Many other special guests were in attendance. 50 Cent joined Eminem to close out the festival, Chris Rock came to enjoy the show and many other celebrities were in attendance.

Chris Rock.

Halsey.

Governors Ball 2018 was nothing less than spectacular over the 3 days. Their founders and promoters have repeatedly put on a remarkable event and continues to provide fans with the most satisfying experience possible. We’re already looking forward to what 2019’s chapter will hold. 

Travis Scott.

2 Chainz.

Kelela.

Damian ‘JR. Gong’ Marley. 

Post Malone. 

6lack. 

Big Baby DRAM.

Khalid.

Vic Mensa.

Belly.

Lil Uzi Vert.

Pharrell & N.E.R.D..

Kali Uchis.

Billie Eilish.

Jay Electronica.

A$AP Twelvyy.

GoldLink. 

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The post RECAP: Governors Ball Music Festival 2018 appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

With 2017 just about gone, many are celebrating their top 2017 moments with their Instagam Top 9 posts. Photo Credit: Instagram: @Scoop_B 

2017 is a wrap. A new president is in office, sports were played, new movies like Star Wars and Justice League came out, Cardi B ruled the year and you lived to see another New Year’s eve.

Congratulations!

Many folks are paying homage to their 2017 by creating their Top 9 Instagram moments. As you can see, I posted mine above. Shameless plug my IG is: @scoop_b

FOLLOW A BROTHA! I enjoy long walks on the beach, Inka Cola and more. 

But, I digress.

For those who have not tried the Best Nine Craze yet: don’t miss out on all of the fun!

According to Thrillist’s Joe McGauley, to throw together your own personal “Best 9 of 2017” grid, you should visit, 2017BestNine.com on your phone.

Once there, you’ll plug in your Instagram handle. From there, the site will scan your feed to locate the nine most-liked posts from the year and arrange them in chronological order in a grid image.

Check out one of my faves Top 9s with TNT sideline reporter Rosalyn Gold-Onwude:

I enter the new year w/ reflection and gratitude. I’m sharing some of my fave 2017 experiences: (left to right) ✨1) Joining the Turner Sports family, my first full time national job! ✨2) Launching #BallGirlMagic podcast on @Uninterrupted w/ my inspirational co-host & friend @YvonneOrji. We had Gabrielle Union, Ayesha Curry, Cari Champion & more and went to All Star weekend, South Africa & the Espys! ✨3) Launching a new social media series: “Unreported” w/ @NBAonTNT making use of the reports that didn’t air on TV ✨4) Joining the @NBA for the NBA Africa Game & community programs in South Africa this summer ✨5) The blessing of being the Golden State @Warriors sideline reporter and covering another championship run w/ outstanding players/people ✨6) Saying yes to #livingmybestlife and #makingtime to travel abroad: island hopping in Greece, Carnival in St. John, exploring South Africa & finishing the year in Bali! ✨7) My #ROSGOBALL birthday bash in Vegas with 25 of my best friends dressed to impress, straight into Coachella! ✨8) Serving on the red carpet w/ the dopest host @champagnepapi at the 1st ever NBA Awards ✨9) Covering Men’s & Women’s college hoops as a color commentator/analyst for the Men’s A-10 Tourney, Women’s Pac-12 Tourney, and reporting on NCAA Tournament! ✨✨Thankful for this year & proud of this year.?? I’m taking the lessons, growth, momentum, inspiration and even more hunger into 2018! ????????✨✨ #LetsGetIt #JustGettingStarted

A post shared by Ros Gold-Onwude (@rosgo21) on Dec 29, 2017 at 2:57pm PST

TMZ created some grids with some of your fave celebs’ top 9‘s like Cardi B and Rihanna. Make sure to check that out!

A disclaimer: For you folks with private accounts, make sure to briefly change your profile to public, otherwise you won’t be able to get the grid.

Happy New Year, ya’ll!

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The post Scoop B: How to start the 2018 New Year by commemorating 2017 with Instagram’s best nine photos appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Media maven Karen Civil and RESPECT Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Credit: Gemini Keez of Keez Cam

Karen Civil checks in with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio. Press Play Below To Listen!

The entertainment industry is hugely male dominated.

That’s a fact! But, male dominated doesn’t mean male controlled.

If 2017 has taught us anything, it has been women using the power of their voice to combat sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace.

Notables in the entertainment and news workplace have felt the fury, too. Former NBC Today Show anchor, Matt Lauer, hip hop mogul, Russell Simmons and American film producer, Harvey Weinstein are some of the names that have been implicated in the tumultuous scandal.

Hip hop has been male dominated forever and a day. You see differences in pay, women and their bodies objectified and more.

“We’ve fought for a very long time,” cultural influencer Karen Civil told me on Scoop B Radio.

“We’ve fought for a very long time and I’ve been in places where the victim was looked at as the person who did something wrong and because of that their voices were lowered because they felt like they were messing up a workplace or messing with your career and your ability to go far.”  

Civil turned her fascination with the internet into a lucrative career. Her website, LiveCivil.com is a hub that aggregates content in news, music releases and celebrity interviews. Her point of entry in mainstream began as an intern with Funkmaster Flex. She’s also been responsible for connecting the dots on a marketing level with Beats by Dre headphones during their early stages with Monster headphones by marketing artists and athletes.

As a result of the current women empowerment movement, many are losing their jobs and awareness of the severity of sexual harassment in the workplace has been a great awakening for many. “I love that this Me-too campaign was created because it shows that we’re not going to take it,” said Civil.

“I love the fact that it’s happening in this day and age with the president that we have now because it shows that we’re not going to silence our voices we’re here and you’re going to respect us.”

Sounds empowering.

Last year, Civil was the director of cool during the Presidential election for Democratic hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton. While women were inspired this year to vote in critical state’s like Alabama, millennials seemed inspired to vote last year. “Young millennials came out in full force and voted for her,” said Civil.

“But I feel like situations like this make us more aware because we see what’s happening around us. So we need to make sure that we’re voting on every level and shows the importance of educating yourself on politics and what’s happening around us.”

With 2018 jump starting next week, million dollar question for Civil: What’s your New Year’s resolution? “Being more in a positive space,” she said.

“Because of the world that we live in I always prepare for the worst, but I need to stop doing that and mentally prepare for the best and stop thinking more negatively so definitely being in a more positive mindset.”

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The post Scoop B: In wake of Matt Lauer & Harvey Weinstein sexual harrassment allegations, strategist Karen Civil shares importance of women using their voice appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.