After taking a five-year hiatus to serve in the United States military, M Dot is back on the Hip-Hop scene and is as hungry as ever. While he knows that he has to reintroduce himself to a new set of fans who may not be familiar with his previous work, a task that M Dot states he looks forward to.

“I realize the music industry is dominated by the artists that work the hardest, so I use that as fuel to go hard in every aspect in life, not just music,” M Dot said.

With his first single “Tap In”, M Dot decided to enlist the help of veteran MCs Ice-T, AD, and Glasses Malone. Produced by Clyde Strokes, the highly anticipated single is later to drop on September 11th with an accompanying visual directed by Jarett Bellucci the Conclusion.

In regards to how he got started in the industry, it was M Dot’s love for music inspired by his mother singing in the church choir that led him to write his first rhyme at just 12 years old.

“Growing up in Detroit, no matter who you are or where you’re from you’ll eventually find yourself in church, and for me being at church was a getaway because it seemed like everyone who was at church followed the rules of peace and love while they were there,” M Dot recalled. “I use to listen to the choir at church and watch my mom sing along with the look of complete happiness on her face, and I told myself that I’d learn how to sing so I could give her that feeling whenever she was down. So I learned how to sing, but on the flip side of things growing up in the hood there’s a lot of less fortunate people living in poverty and singing is not always the tone needed to match the energy to describe what we went through growing up, and for that reason, I learned how to rap.”

To stay up to date with M Dot, follow him here and check out M Dot’s latest single “Stylin'” below.

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The post M Dot Taylor Teams Up With Ice-T, A.D. & Glasses Malone “Tap In” For New Single appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

These dudes newer than a Maybach/

I can see through you like a needle in a haystack/

You can peep the visual for “Keep It G” feat. AD below and stay connected with OG Cuicide here.

The post #PeepTheVisual- OG Cuicide – “Keep It G” ft. AD (Official Music Video) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Black Eyed Peas – Masters Of The Sun Vol. 1

Image credit: Interscope

What a journey the Black Eyed Peas have made, from Eazy-E to making their names on the underground Hip-Hop circuit to Pop/commercial success with Fergie. Now, the Fergie-less trio looks to be coming full circle with Masters Of The Sun Vol. 1, which sees 12 tracks and appearances from Nas, Phife Dawg, Slick Rick, Nicole Scherzinger, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Posdnuos. Press play on the album below, along with a new visual for the CL-assisted cut “DOPENESS.”

Joell Ortiz & Apollo Brown – Mona Lisa

Image credit: Mello Music Group

New York and Detroit come together as Joell Ortiz teams up with Apollo Brown for the new release Mona Lisa. Brown explained the project to Billboard back when it was announced:

“In my ears, this is what the painting Mona Lisa sounds like… The music is straightforward. That’s all I ask for when I’m the listener, so that’s all I give when I’m the creator. No bullshit. None. I provided the canvas, and Joell provided the honest brushstrokes. This album is a relatable body of work that everyone can listen to and appreciate. It’s growth within a gold frame. Open your ears and enjoy.”

Mona Lisa sees 11 hard-hitting tracks and a couple of notable appearances from Royce Da 5’9″ (an immediate standout) and DJ Los.

Ty Dolla $ign & Jeremih – MIH-TY

Image credit: Def Jam/Atlantic

Here’s an album I thought was a myth. A year after it was announced, Ty Dolla $ign and Jeremih‘s MIH-TY project is finally here…the project was led by the singles “The Light” and “Goin’ Thru Some Thangz.” Additional appearances on the 11-track release (SIDEBAR: I’m loving these shorter albums, a welcome release from the 30-plus song albums we’ve all been seeing in the streaming era) include French Montana, Chris Brown and Wiz Khalifa. I feel like this might be the most solid project out this weekend…

MadeinTYO – Sincerely, Tokyo

Image credit: Private Club/Commission

Atlanta’s MadeinTYO is back with a new project (his debut album) titled Sincerely, Tokyo. The album sees 14-tracks and appearances from Blood Orange, Tinashe, A$AP Ferg, Roy Woods, Gunna and more (of course 24hrs makes an appearance as well). Check it out below.

Tory Lanez – Love Me Now?

Image credit: Mad Love/Interscope

Tory Lanez is back with his second album of the year. Titled Love Me Now?, the 15-track offering sees additional appearances from many of Lanez’ friends and past collaborators: Chris Brown, 2 Chainz, Meek Mill, Bryson Tiller, Trey Songz, NAV, Rich The Kid and more.

Check it out below…presumably, his other forthcoming release — the Latin-influenced El Aqua — is still on the way.

AD & Eric Bellinger – Nine

Image credit: Poncho Belly

Here’s another Rap/R&B joint album worth a listen. AD and Eric Bellinger — two stars on the rise with their individual careers — have joined forces to become Poncho Belly and Dizzle. In character, they deliver a 9-track offering aptly-titled Nine, which you can stream below.

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The post NEW ALBUM FRIDAY: Tory Lanez, MihTy & More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“We adopted nicknames for each other in the studio instantly! I had recently just come back from Mexico and I bought every color poncho I could find out there, and AD was on his classy hood player shit as always, so it was only right to call him Dizzle. What started off as a joke birthed into what will be a proud moment for us when this album drops.”

The post Listen Now to “Pullin Up,” The Newest Track from Eric Bellinger & AD appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Nicki Minaj – Queen

Image credit: Young Money/Cash Money Records

After some odd delays, Nicki Minaj has returned. Below lies Queen, the fourth (that’s it?) studio album from the New York Pop star, which sees a whopping 19 tracks (streaming era standard) and appearances from Eminem, Labrinth, Lil Wayne (“Rich Sex”), Ariana Grande (“Bed”), The Weeknd, Swae Lee, upcoming tourmate Future and — wait for it — freakin’ Foxy Brown, an interesting collab given Lil Kim and Remy Ma‘s own recent connections on wax. The big question here: will she hold her own in sales-wise after Cardi B’s own big debut? Does that even matter?

Trippie Redd – Life’s A Trip

Image credit: TenThousand Projects, LLC

Fresh from his inclusion into XXL’s Freshman circle, Ohio star Trippie Redd is finally delivering a debut album (even though it’s hard not to consider his Love Letter series of that caliber). Titled Life’s A Trip, the project — which sees only 14 songs despite Trippie initially saying there would be 26 — also sees appearances from Travis Scott (“Dark Knight Dummo”), Young Thug, Reese LAFLARE and Diplo (for their collaboration “Wish,” which originally appeared on Diplo’s California EP). Check it out below.

AD – Regional Departure

Image credit: 2CC Baby/Swish MGMT/League Of Starz

Don’t sleep on Compton’s AD: the rising star has been dropping quality tunes for most of this decade (I’m still bumping Last Of The 80’s with Sorry JayNari). Today, he delivers a new album titled Regional Departure, which sees 12 tracks and appearances from Maxo Kream (“From The Blocc”), Kap G, Mozzy, Eric Bellinger, Kid Ink and Snap Dogg. Press play below.

Nef The Pharaoh – The Big Chang Theory

Image credit: KILFMB/Sick Wid It/EMPIRE

More West Coast slaps — this time, we head to the Bay area for Nef The Pharaoh‘s new album The Big Chang Theory, the presumed follow-up to last year’s The Change Project (also, Porter2Grape — his EP collab with 03 Greedo — just dropped last month). The Big Chang Project sees 14 tracks and additional appearances from DeJ Loaf, Cuban Doll, OMB Peezy and more.

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The post NEW ALBUM FRIDAY: Nicki Minaj, Nef The Pharaoh, Trippie Redd & More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo Credit: Screenshot of YouTube Video

AD and Jaynari are back with the visual to “Leakin” featuring Wiz Khalifa.

After representing for all the Crips on the west side on the bold-faced “Crip Lives Matter,” the Compton duo and the Taylor Gang frontman link up to bring fans a caption worthy visual.

In one scene of the visual, Wiz, AD, and Jaynari rap about good times and everyday street life with confident swagger amidst colorful lights.

In another scene, the trio is surrounded by beautiful women, alcohol, and bongs filled with high-grade weed.

The entire visual is infectious but the highlight of the performance is Wiz’s verse.

Lit up, kinda hard for me to sit up/Nigga talk tough get hit up/Bout to roll a zip up/Pull up make the whole car lift up/Mad cause your dip coming with us/I got your b***h in the back taking pictures/Tattoos on my body like scriptures/Shorty got an ass on her sort of like Deeelishis/I’ma gonna grab on it, I don’t ask permission

Is Wiz promoting the trend of non-consensual groping now?

“Leakin” is the latest hard-hitting single from the duo’s full-length collaborative debut Last of The 80s.

Supported by leading single “Basic,” the new album delves deeper into AD’s personal life without holding back on the club bangers.

Last of The 80s blends elements of classic west coast gangsta rap and new school trap music laced with rhythmic production.

Featuring guest appearances from Wiz Khalifa, Tory Lanez, OT Genasis, Kid Ink, Eric Bellinger, G Perico, and Kool John, the new album is worth listening to.

Last of The 80s is scheduled for release on April 28th. Peep the “Leakin” visual—which first premiered on World Star Hip Hop on Monday—below.

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The post AD and Sorry Jaynari Team Up with Wiz Khalifa on “Leakin” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“When my fans hear this beat they’re gonna know automatically that it has E-40’s name written all over it,” says E-40 about “On One” his new single off of his upcoming project.

When asked about his experience working with E-40, AD says, “As a big fan of Uncle 40 Water, I wanted to bring my energy to the slappers Unc has been creating for years. I got a call from my management that 40 sent a beat through for a hook. I was honored and humbled and made sure I gave it 110% percent.”

E-40 says he handpicked the fellow rapper for his new record. “AD is perfect on the record because his voice brings the kind of energy that my fans appreciate. Plus, game recognize game.”

E-40 continues to defy the odds by releasing hit record after hit record throughout nearly four decades in the rap game. With features from Gucci Mane, Lil B, G-Eazy, Nef The Pharaoh, Droop-E, Jay Rock, Kid Ink, B-Legit, Mistah F.A.B., Mozzy, K Camp, Ezale, Jay 305, Kent Jones, Eric Bellinger, Casey Veggies, AD, Husalah, Turf Talk, Ricco Barrino, Joe Moses, and more, E-40’s “The D-Boy Diary” will undeniably be heralded as yet another classic for the books.

With a work ethic and commitment to quality music, like no other, the Bay Area Ambassador continues to build his empire as a legendary rap icon, while expanding his reach at the helm of his successful line of Earl Stevens Selections wine, Sluricane and E-40 Beer in the beverage industry.

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The post E-40 Drops New Single “One One” Feat. AD appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.