By: Gotti Da Ghost

South Carolina native Gotti Da Ghost returns to the music screen with his new The Awakening project. As this is his debut full length release, he served up an impressive body of work as a newcomer in the game.

The post Gotti Da Ghost Returns With Debut Album ‘The Awakening’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Styles P – Dime Bag

Image credit: EMPIRE

Legendary emcee and member of The LOX Styles P is putting in more work than some of your favorite new artists this year. Following G-Host and Beloved (the latter alongside Dave East), Styles returns with a new drop titled Dime Bag, named so for it’s 10-song tracklist. There aren’t any additional appearances this time around, either: just one of Hip-Hop’s hardest going in lyrically over hard production.

Kodie Shane – Young Heartthrob

Image credit: Epic/Sony

Ever since seeing her alongside Lil Yachty as a member of the Sailing Team (which is apparently disbanded), it was hard not to see Kodie Shane as a soon-to-be breakout artist. Following tours and highly-rated releases like Zero Gravity, the Atlanta artist delivers her debut album Young Heartthrob, which sees 15 genre-bending tracks and assists from TK Kravitz and Trippie Redd. This is only the beginning.

Too $hort – The Pimp Tape

Image credit: EMPIRE

At ago fifty-freaking-two, Too $hort is definitely pushing the boundaries of your typical Hip-Hop career, showing that our legends can continue to deliver dope tunes in the same way as many of our Rock & Roll counterparts. This week, he keeps that going via his twentieth album The Pimp Tape, which contains 18 tracks and plenty of dope features (T.I., ScHoolboy Q, E-40, 2 Chainz, Snoop Dogg, French Montana, Ty Dolla $ign, Mozzy, Nef The Pharaoh, Mistah F.A.B. and more). Also added below: a visual for the G-Eazy and The-Dream-assisted “Only Dimes.”

Smino – NØIR

Image credit: Zero Fatigue/Downtown/Interscope

Following last year’s well-received debut blkswn (which I’m still listening to heavy), St. Louis’ own Smino delivers a new release titled NØIR, which sees a healthy 18 songs and additional appearances from Valee, Dreezy, Ravyn Lenae and more.

9th Wonder Presents: Jamla Is the Squad II

Image credit: Jamla

Four years after its inaugural predecessor, 9th Wonder is back with the second installment of his Jamla Is The Squad series, which sees his artists (Ruben Vincent, Ian Kelly, Heather Victoria, GQ and Rapsody, to name a few) trading bars and beats alongside J. Cole, Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, Conway and more.

Tee Grizzley – Still My Moment

Image credit: 300 Entertainment

Still sailing off the release of Activated, Tee Grizzley closes out the year with his second drop Still My Moment, a presumed sequel to last year’s breakout record My Moment. Still My Moment sees 15 tracks and additional appearances from Chance The Rapper, Quavo, Offset, Lil Pump and more.

IDK – IDK & FRIENDS

Image credit: HXLY

For his latest, IDK surprises with a 7-track effort that sees him collaborating alongside other DMV artists (ex. Wale, Rico Nasty, Q Da Fool) and fellow peers like Maxo Kream and Domo Genesis. He explains the release below:

“These are raw and uncut idk thoughts… I’ve done a lot of features with my friends and I feel like it would be a shame to let that music go to waste. This is in no way shape or form as deep as many of my previous projects as a whole, BUT I think each song is fire and gets the point across in a short amount of time. I don’t want anyone to have any expectations for this project. I don’t want it to be mistaken for my debut album… I took the time to work on my hooks and keep a level of simplicity in each track, but at the same time still keep it clever as usual. I just want y’all to enjoy the crank and play the f*ck out of it while we wait for me to complete the album.”

Trippie Redd – A Love Letter To You 3

Image credit: TenThousand Projects, LLC

Last but certainly not least…Trippie Redd follows up Life’s A Trip with the third installment of his A Love Letter To You series. This go ’round, fans of the Midwest artist get 16 songs and additional appearances from Kodie Shane, Juice WRLD, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Tory Lanez and more.

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The post NEW ALBUM FRIDAY: Too $hort, Trippie Redd, JAMLA & More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: Jamla Records

It’s been four years since 9th Wonder released his label compilation, Jamla Is the Squad. This year, the North Carolina producer is delivering the sequel (November 9th); first, he liberates a new track from Rapsody titled “Sojourner,” which features J. Cole. Add in 9th behind the boards, and there’s really no need for further explanation.

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The post Rapsody Teams up with J. Cole on “Sojourner” (Prod. 9th Wonder) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: Human Re Sources

Well, if this isn’t one of the best combinations, I don’t know what is. The Roots‘ Black Thought has teamed up with JAMLA super-producer 9th Wonder and his highly-coveted Soul Council to create Streams of Thought, Vol. 1, which sees 5 tracks and additional appearances from Styles P, Rapsody and Kirby. Definitely hope these volumes continue frequently.

In the meantime, stream what’s sure to be a Hip-Hop masterpiece below.

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The post Stream Black Thought, 9th Wonder & the Soul Council’s ‘Streams of Thought Vol. 1’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

6.1.18 pic.twitter.com/jXZdYJPPif

— Black Thought (@blackthought) May 25, 2018

Let the fans rejoice.

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The post Black Thought & 9th Wonder are Dropping a Joint Project Together appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo credit: Carmine Martinez

North Carolina’s own Mark Steele is back at it starting off 2018 with a festive new visual.

After making waves with the premiere of the smooth record in August, North Carolina emcee Mark Steele returns with the single’s celebratory music video to close out 2017. Produced by David D’Angelo and Riot, “Good Time” serves as the lead single from Steele’s forthcoming album, It’s Been A Minute.

The David Wept directed video which features Steele telling his story about the grind it took him to reach the level of success he’s at and why it’s a cause for a celebration.

“I just wanted to make a song that commemorated hard work. Let’s enjoy ourselves these moments. Have a good time,” Steele said.

With all of the hard work paying off, Steele definitely has a reason to celebrate. As previously reported, after flexing his muscle on ESPN‘s First Take for quite some time, the Rhapsody collaborator recently visited NYC and appeared on Shade 45 linking up with DJ Enuff and The Heavy Hitters making it his first time in the studio to talk about his journey as an artist, everyday life, his relationship with 9th Wonder and new album as well as spitting his dope and ultra lyrical freestyle.

With Mark Steele barely scratching the surface in his career, we can expect to see and hear a lot more from this multi-faceted MC who is taking us on a journey that is the perfect blend of old soul, pure vibes, and awe-inspiring lyricism.

Check out the video for “Good Time” below.

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The post Mark Steele Releases Festive Visual for “Good Time” [Watch] appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Raheem DeVaughn and Wes Felton. Photo Credit: Syreta J. Oglesby of SJO Public Relations

 BMG US is proud to announce the reunion of The CrossRhodes, the activist hip-hop/r&b group featuring three-time Grammy Nominated Recording Artist, Raheem DeVaughn, and his longtime collaborator, Wes Felton. The group is set to release their new album Footprints On The Moon on September 22, 2017.

Back in 2004, the group helped usher in a socio-political revolution with songs such as “Dreamin” and “I Woke Up” from their self-titled debut ‘The CrossRhodes‘. The duo blends the gifts of soulful crooner Raheem Devaughn with the multifaceted wordsmith and actor Wes Felton. In the 12 years following their hiatus, The CrossRhodes has achieved individual success in arts and music. Raheem has cultivated an image as the “Love King” and become of one of music’s most respected artists, earning two BET Awards and three Grammy Nominations. Wes would continue his ascent as a notable actor and a wordsmith collaborating with notable artists such as Eric Roberson, Sy Smith, and Prince Paul.

The current climate of political and social unrest has invigorated the artistic prowess of DeVaughnand Felton. Empowered by the burgeoning passion fueled in support of leaders within the Black Lives Matter and Immigration Reform movements, The CrossRhodes reunited to break their silence and reactivate the masses.

Raheem DeVaughn and Wes Felton’s The Crossrhodes.
Photo Credit: Syreta J. Oglesby of SJO Public Relations

Music has always been interwoven within social and political movements. Footprints On The Moonis providing the soundtrack for the movement towards social progress. Listeners can expect special appearances and production from notable artists and producers such as Scarface, Talib Kweli, 9th Wonder, Rapsody, Chaz French, Phil Ade, The Colleagues, The Fr3shmen, and many more.

“With the current state of political uncertainty, creatives have a responsibility to be the voice and reflection of the people,”  says Devaughn.

“Music with a message is a much needed and welcomed disruption. Footprints On The Moon plans to inspire and incite positive and catalytic change.”

“We come from a rich legacy of black artists who created music to wake the consciousness of the masses, said Felton.

“Music is supposed to inspire. We do not promote escapism or a fantasy. We have created reality music. Footprints On The Moon will expose racial and social injustices, economic disparities, and issues that affect real people. It is our hope that the people will support artists and movements that reflect the changes needed for our communities.” 

Fans can connect with The CrossRhodes via www.thecrossrhodesmusic.com.

Check them out on social media as well: Instagram: @crossrhodes368 and Twitter: @crossrhodes368.

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