Arin Ray by @Baoweezi

Earlier this year, Ohio native Arin Ray dropped one of the most well put together projects of the year in, Platinum Fire. After establishing himself as a sure-fire talent on the show, X-Factor, Ray parlayed that attention into songwriting for some of music biggest names before linking with Interscope to release the aforementioned project, which features Ty Dolla $ign, SiR & more, with the YG assisted, “We Ain’t Homies” serving as the projects lead single. Last week, we caught a performance of this album from Arin, as well as some crazy performances from Chicago native, Najee Muhammad, & rising singer/songwriter DaniLeigh.

Taking place at swanky LA photography spot, Hubble Studios, the night was billed as G-Shock’s 35th anniversary and they did not hold back. With a beautiful backdrop playing second fiddle on stage, the stage crew were able to provide a one of a kind visual experience to compliment the performances.

Najee Muhammad by @baoweezi

First up was Najee who siphoned through a slate of unreleased music from his upcoming demo, Bleed Me Dry that sounded ready to be dropped now. Toting a soulfully distinct sound without sounding too saturated, Najee is one of the purest artists coming up right now. With just him and accompanying trumpet player, Sean Christian on stage, the duo created a vibe that was completely different from your typical show opener.

“I moved back to LA at the end of last summer. When I moved back I ended up landing a job with blends as a in store model, just to get off my feet.” Najee tells RESPECT., “One of the store owners over heard my music and what I was working on. At the time blends and g-shock were already in the works with throwing an event for G-Shock’s 35th anniversary. My music was pitched, The coordinators loved it, and the rest was history.“

Najee & Sean Christian by @Baoweezi

One thing that was unique about this show was how much the curators cared about the listeners overall experience. In addition to the trippy visuals and amazing music, the crowd was also provided with a fully stocked open bar as well as a delicious selection of tacos, beans, rice & tortilla chips. There was nothing more to ask for.

Arin Ray by @baoweezi

Next up was Arin Ray, & the crowd was ready. Already becoming a staple in the Los Angeles music scene due to his laid back west-coast inspired style — as well as sharing the same manager as California King, YG (shoutout Push) — Ray commanded a solid audience and they were not disappointed. Ray skated through a set of cuts from his album, including, “We Ain’t Homies,” but it was the new music that he performed that had everybody most excited. Set to the tone of some exquisite, 80s love song sounding production, the song is his upcoming single and one that will only bring a new fan base in.

”The track is called, ‘Reckless,’ & we’ll be dropping it on the deluxe edition of Platinum Fire,” Ray explains to RESPECT. Mag. He also spoke on the upcoming second leg of his tour, “Yeah! We’re hitting a lot of the east coast and southern states. We’re also hitting Canada and just a lot of places. I’m excited to go to Atlanta and of course my home city, Cincinnati. We’re just excited to go to the cities that people really want us in.”

DaniLeigh by @baoweezi

Capping the night off was a special performance from Def Jam artist, DaniLeigh. Having never heard of her music before that night, the Miami native definitely left an impression on me and I’m sure the crowd as a whole, as she effortlessly gave an amazing vocal performance backed by some tranquil dance moves. In all, she was the perfect artist to finish off a special night for G-Shock.

Sean Christian, Arin Ray & Najee Muhammad by @Baoweezi

Thank you to everybody at G-Shock as well as Arin Ray, Najee Muhammad & DaniLeigh. Be sure to keep an eye out for those three names as they progress through the shark infested waters of the music industry.

*All photos taken by @Baoweezi*

The post RESPECT. Recap: Arin Ray, Najee Muhammad & DaniLeigh Connect With G-Shock For an Intimate Performance in Los Angeles appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Moving from state to state during adolescence creates a certain type a person. In this sense, it’s not even necessarily good or bad, it’s just a feeling of knowing that you’re time is always limited. It also makes you grow up just a little faster. Born in Chicago, but moving to Las Vegas & then finding his sound in California, nobody knows this better than Ali-47. But in his video for, “Coming of Age” the budding star finally looks at home.

Photo from @alifrtysvn

Making it’s premiere on a local Las Vegas mixtape last year, “Coming of Age” is Ali showcasing so many of the facets that make him an artist to watch. Whether it’s the transparent self realization, “My mama met all hoes, & I’m mad she had to see me love ‘em,” honest storytelling, “I was going through it but I hope that you can hear me now, focused on the goal my little brother probably miss my guts,” or his silent but potent aggression, “Well your peoples raised a bitch nigga, & I’m mad I had to tell you ‘bout it/ is your family in your nigga, cause it’s a shame when you be out in public,” this is the one to wake the people up.

Check out the video above & get to know Ali-47.

Suggested Articles:

Las Vegas General Kiari The Stone Returns With a Vegence on, “Thrilla.”

Long Beach Native Mikey PX Showcases Star Potential on New Single, ‘“What a Day.”

The post Chicago Artist Ali-47’s New, “Coming of Age” Video is a Must See appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo by Milton Amaya for One Militia Records

Music has and will always be a facade. Especially Hip-Hop. Now, don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my genre with every piece of me; but it swallows up people whole without taking even the slightest of seconds to enjoy the taste. The music industry hardly eats for pleasure, instead constantly filling it’s belly up with naive hopefuls as if it were storing away food for some sort of musical hibernation. The game is fucked up and the constant marketing of this mythical “promise-land” that every rapper and their entourage consistently speaks about is playing right into the hands of, “the man.” But what if that promise-land isn’t mythical? What if, with enough drive, honesty, emotion and talent–we can reach this holy place. This is the notion that 20-year-old Las Vegas native, Kiari The Stone, seeks to explore on his fantastic debut album, PRMSLND.

Following the release of the Ish Himself proudced lead single, “Smile 4 Me,” Stone then followed up the jazzy track with, “Wrong Reasons,” a track that is already doing numbers on Audiomack, approaching the 12K mark, sounds as if Devon Miles from Drumline got cool with Redman and made a track with Miles Davis — yes, trumpeter, Fendi Sean, is that good. Although the singles were well chosen and cleverly calculated, the album cuts are what stands out heavily on this project. Stone showcases his stout versatility all throughout the album, simultaneously speaking on topics ranging from sunny Vegas days (“Summertime“), heritage (“Northside“), midget arms (“Anywhere“) and everything in between.

While the Norvis Junior produced, “In My Shoes” featuring an emotional cameo from Ali-47 is without a doubt one of my favorites; the two songs on the album that prove Stone is on to bigger and better things are, “Closer” and “No RZN“. “Closer,” the Cameron Love produced, groovy love-song; is a new look for Stone, but not for Love. Love, a respected producer in the Las Vegas area, shined on this beat, geniusly crafting wavy loops and hi-hat claps that had me feeling like I was listening to Kaytranada‘s eventual successor. (Side note: I was kidding Kay. Cam’s great, but we need you in the industry.) The song is so good, you find it hard not to play imaginary video-director, creating chic aesthetic visuals for the beautifully arranged track.

Photo by Milton Amaya for One Militia Records

“No RZN” is the one though.

In general, PRMSLND is an album that has no skippables and very little dull moments, but Stone knew what he was doing in saving this one for the end of the album. I haven’t heard this kind of blatant honesty from a rapper in a minute. Just read these lyrics to the chorus and try to tell me that a specific ex didn’t pop in your head:

I still think about the times you had my back and all the time we can’t get back,

Was it all for no reason? We got lost for no reason.

I be thinking ’bout the shit I put you through and all the love I gave to you,

Was it all for no reason? We got lost for no reason.

–  Kiari The Stone, “No RZN”

Quick, before you shed a tear and lose your train of thought, that shit was heavy right? It only gets deeper from there. Kiari bares all on this track, melodically switching from crooner to bonafide lyricist, touching on topics from pill addiction and empty promises, to finding yourself in a sea of confusion and mind-altering substances. In all, that seems to be the general theme of PRMSLND–an album that helps you realize all of your worst insecurities, only to help you overcome them.

Check out the Audiomack stream for, PRMSLND, below and be sure to buy a copy on Tidal, Spotify or iTunes.

Suggested Articles: 

RESPECT. The Track: Kiari The Stone – “Wrong Reasons (Prod. By Blair Norf)”

RESPECT. Premiere: Kiari The Stone – “Smile 4 Me”

The post Las Vegas Native, Kiari The Stone Shines Bright on His Debut Album, ‘PRMSLND’. (Album Review) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.