THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT: Just as an alchemist transforms led into gold, do you feel that being an artist relates to that of being an alchemist? Do you view the artist journey and your creative expression, as alchemy?

JAMEL SHABAZZ: As a practitioner of the craft of photography, it affords me the ability to transform a chemically based roll of unexposed film that has been placed in a camera, measuring light and adjusting speed towards a particular subject, conceptualizing and composing by the third eye through a glass lens, before applying pressure on the camera shutter release button, freezing a moment in time, thus preserving history. So yes, I would say that there is a direct correlation between being an artist and an alchemist. Any creative artist, whether they are a painter, musician, sculptor or photographer, who uses their innate ability to create something from nothing, is in fact dealing with the science of Alchemy. The various schools of artistry all use science in their creative process and it may consist of the mixing of chemicals, arranging sound, or creating shapes, but when these practices are applied, the results are magical manifestations of a high form of alchemy.

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT: Artists are often labeled as “stars.” Just as a star radiates light and the planets then reflect this light, do you see your work as an artist like that of a star? Is this “light” that stars radiate merely the evidence of this journey of becoming a star/learning to radiate light?

JAMEL SHABAZZ: As a young man coming of age, I was told by a very wise man that I was the equivalent to the sun which was a giant star in the center of the universe, and that through studying the nature of the sun along with the solar system, I would better understand my purpose in life. It was that wisdom that placed me on the path of enlightenment and provided me with light, guidance and purpose. Like the sun, I would learn that my primary purpose in this universe was to use my kinetic energy to stimulate life and matter through my creative process in hopes that I would create other forms of light and energy in a world that was slowly becoming cold and gloomy.

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT: When an artist is not “creating” it is often labeled a “creative block.” How do you navigate this space, how do you find the creative spark in the dark, and does it require courage to create from this unknown space? Describe this process.

JAMEL SHABAZZ: With all honesty, I have never been confronted with a “creative block.” My creative energy is in constant motion and the light that guides me seems to always be illuminated. During the course of my many expeditions, I have accumulated such an abundance of photographs, negatives, and other forms of research, that are readily available to me. This keeps me in a constant creative mode to the point that I no longer travel outside my space to take images like I once did. At this stage in my journey, it took courage for me to realize that I needed to reevaluate my assignment in life, and I have been blessed to create a space where I can meditate, reflect and process what I have been blessed to document. In this undertaking, I continue to seek ways to share what I have with the universe and young visionaries who are fresh on the path of self-discovery.

You can also find this story at THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT and on FUSICOLOGY.

Photo Credit: Jamel Shabazz

www.jamelshabazz.com

The Museum of Light is curated by: Billy Johnson Jr., Adell Henderson, Joslyn Rose Lyons, Rafael Casal, Matt Smith, Malik Buie.

 

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The post CONVERSATIONS IN LIGHT: JAMEL SHABAZZ, THE LIGHT THAT GUIDES ME appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The post DOWNLOAD TEYANA TAYLOR’S “The Cassette Tape 1994” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Last winter quarter, singer Teyana Taylor released her debut album, VII and has been on a quest to revive real R&B music ever since. Receiving great feedback from fans, Taylor has announced via various social media outlets that she will be releasing a new mixtape on August 10th, 2015 titled, 1994 Cassette. The Harlem songstress released a short snippet of music from the mixtape utilizing a very appropriate 90s style aesthetic. The snippet of the song in the video is called, “Do You Know What Tonight Is?” Check the short teaser below:

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The 90s was a pretty cool era to grow up in, and KYLE–a hip-hop artist from Ventura, California–reminds all of his fellow 90s babies of this with references to the era in his music and style. But his demeanor is most telling of a 90s upbringing. His positive energy and enthusiasm speaks to those blissful years that 90s babies had with great cartoons, great music, and the ability to be creative and carefree. Some people his age might have lost this sense of bliss, but KYLE’s music can definitely help them find it again. Projects like K.i.D, Super Duper, and Beautiful Loser are definitely proof of that. Tuesday night (April 21st) KYLE brought all things super duper to SOB‘s as part of his King Wavy Tour. But before he hit the stage with the animated Super Duper Brick, KYLE sat down with us for an interview.

RESPECT.: What made you switch K.i.D. (Kyle is Determined) to KYLE?

KYLE: I feel like throughout my career I just want to like give people more and more and more of myself. You know what I’m saying peel back layers, I feel like it’s all about like you know what I mean, exposing more and of yourself and just going deeper.  And I feel like KYLE was like you know you can’t get any more real and personal than your first name, and I just feel like I was outgrowing K.i.D and it was time to evolve.

What is the Super Duper Crew for those that don’t know?

The Super Duper Crew is a collective of friends, creative happy people that are all contributing to something positive. Yeah there’s a lot of us here. There’s Super Duper Brick, Super Duper Maxx, Super Duper everybody.

In your music videos you tend to reference movies, why is that? And what is one of your favorite movies?

Four brothers. How raw is that movie. Who in here hasn’t seen Four Brothers? Tell me that the plot line for that movie isn’t f***ing ridiculous? And how they meet up at the end and then he’s ready to f***ing and then he’s like “Who’s gonna fight me?” and then randomly Mark Wahlberg comes walking from the back through the snow and sh*t.  20 miles away ready to whoop ass. That’s my favorite movie.

We all, Nolan, Brick, every body kind of like throws in ideas when it comes to directing the videos and like the concepts. And we kinda just like doing s**t that we remember, that brings up memories of ours and like we think would just be fun…like the Sand Lot idea and the “Bang” one.

Look at the video for Bang and Silver Platter below to peep the film references for yourself
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What is the concept behind your album Beautiful Loser?

I wanted to come up with a title that described myself, I wanted to the album me but I didn’t want to say my name necessarily. That what I wanted  to do cause it was like my first project that I’m putting out. I wanted it to be almost self-titled. My aunt used made me listen to Bob Seger. You know his album Beautiful Loser? That song “Beautiful Loser,” I wanted to sample that, and I was talking to my friend Dave Cappa and we were trying to come up with like a name for the album, and then we were trying to sample that “Beautiful Loser” song.  I was telling him yeah like I want it to be self-titled, I want it to just describe me in two words, boom boom. And he was like just name it Beautiful Loser. That was kind of the inspiration for that.

Even if you are a loser, even if there’s all these, whatever these things that society would claim about you are negative, that doesn’t change the fact if you’re beautiful or not.

_______________________________________________________________________

We ended our with KYLE by talking about his Beautiful Loser cuts “Fruit Snacks & Cups of Patron” and “Bang,” along with what’s next for the super duper artist. According to Kyle,  no one knows really what “Fruit Snacks & Cups ” is about, “it’s about the feeling.” KYLE describes “Bang” as a rager that has owes its addictive hook to producer Tomas Barford, who suggested the approach.

When asked what we should expect from him next he said, “Expect new music this year, expect my best body of work so far, and I feel like expect the start of Super Duper really taking over and really making noise. I feel like we’re really breaking down the door this year, that’s what you can expect. And a new crazy album.”

The SOB’s show was beyond super duper, so we’re pretty confident in those expectations as well.

The post Interview: KYLE Talks Beautiful Loser, Expectations, & More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

This is not to take focus off of Kanye West‘s recent moves and successes, but to shed light on an old sound he used to offer from 1996 to 2000. If you study Kanye’s production over the years you will certainly notice a development in sound, as expected from any artist with longevity in this hip-hop game. We will be breaking down strictly production in this article, while also take note of his early emceeing days as well. In the summer of 1996 Fat Beats made a big store-front shift, and during their grand opening night Kanye could be found alongside Al Tariq, Butter Lee and Black Attack on some raw, smooth 90’s tip. There is a good chance you will learn something new from at least one or two of these audio clips below. If not, take it as a refreshing reminder or something that you can talk to your brother or co-worker about later on today. Enjoy:

Chicago emcee Grav released his heavily slept on Down To Earth in 1996 under Correct Records. Kanye West produced a total of eight records on this album, making it his debut appearance on wax. Notice the raw boom-bap sound he was rocking here. Aside from Grav’s lyrical debauchery, the album’s production alone was given a lot of credit. “Sick Thoughts” is a standout record. So much so, that all hip-hop heads should have it in their stash.

In 1998 Jermaine Dupri released his debut Life in 1472 LP, with “Turn It Out” featuring Nas serving as the introduction track. This is a straight up party record, really highlighting those early So-So Def days we all remember all too well. Kanye West had some fun with this joint, tastefully utilizing some Willie Hutch and Davy DMX on the samples.

After Foxy Brown‘s successful 1996 Ill Na Na, she returned in 1999 with her sophomore release China Doll. The album is loaded with concrete features and production, with Kanye being the producer on “My Life.” Kick back with this dreamy, relaxing hook while scratching your head in shock if you didn’t already know Ye was on the boards.

Harlem World was a short lived collective, with only one album release titled The Movement, also from 1999. “You Made Me” appears near the beginning of the album, and features Carl Thomas and Nas. Kanye West appeared to keep this one pretty simple, allowing the emcees to do what they do.

Do you remember the voice on the introduction to Biggie‘s “Kick In The Door?” How about Black Rob‘s “Whoa!?” That is producer/emcee D-Dot (The Madd Rapper) who released his debut LP in 2000 titled Tell ‘Em Why U Madd, with Kanye West on the science. This is a real zone-out, mellow cut from Kanye’s super early catalogue.

With all that being said, we hope you learned at least one thing from this article about Ye and his early production. If you didn’t learn anything, maybe this was simply a refreshing reminder for you hip-hop junkies that he has been doing his thing for quite some time, and not just some overnight pop star that the younger generation may view him as.

Wait, here goes that bonus footage from 1996 at Fat Beats, as mentioned in our introduction. You’re welcome:

The post Vintage Kanye West: Pre-College Dropout (1996-2000) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“Whenever putting together a project I try to keep the grit of Raekwon’s ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx’ and Mobb Deep’s ‘The Infamous’ in mind” says 22 year old ChillxWill when discussing his new Almighty album with RESPECT. Mag’s Dread Solo. “When crafting the album I was trying to make sure you knew my story by the end. It is hand styles on trains at 2:00am. It is my story. Also, I recorded the whole album on 2″ tape to get that warmth, and vibration in the bass.” The album is critically acclaimed, and has been stirring up an ill buzz for the Tacoma, Washington emcee, and latest artist under Ill Adrenaline Records. He is apart of the BKR$CLB (Bakers Club) posse and works closely with Raz Fresco, who is simultaneously making big moves on the scene.

Almighty is now available on cd, cassette and digital download (two bonus records w/ purchase) with Underground Hip Hop and Fat Beats. Oh, but you’re a wax junkie? Place your vinyl order now at Chopped Herring Records.

Be prepared for a visual time machine taking you back to that grimy mid-90’s golden era we all miss – laced in vintage Fila, herb lit in Brooklyn project hallways and 40 ounces. With a drum pattern identical (or very similar) to Mobb Deep‘s 1996 classic Drop A Gem On ‘Em and a dusty bass line – it’s the perfect marriage. ChillxWill is taking you on a trip down memory lane in 2015. Though the original Warning record off this album is sharp, the remix by Mpadrum is raw and seemingly more suiting for this video. Below you can stream the whole album for free, with hopes that maybe it opens your eyes to a full purchase. Enjoy:

The post ChillxWill Returns W/ New Visual For “Warning (Mpadrum’$ Remix)” + ‘Almighty’ Lp Stream appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The Chef has dropped brand new visuals for “To The Top” from his January mixtape, Lost Jewelery which you can cop free of charge at Datpiff. Maino, who features on the opening verse, appears alongside Rae in both tagged up stairwell and a basement lounge playing as they play chess, a Wu-Tang staple.  The clip, directed by Mazi O., juggles a stickup storyline and a it’s-still-the-90’s-and-we-just-spittin’ type of vibe. Peep the smooth grit of “To The Top” below.

The post New Video: Raekwon feat. Maino – “To the Top” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.