East Coast rapper Joyner Lucas, who recently released a captivating video for his gritty single “Long Way,” continues to keep the hype alive as he preps the follow up to his successful debut album Along Came Joyner. The socially conscious lyricist recently teamed up with The Breakfast Club’s Angela Yee for an exclusive “Joyner Lucas Activation” event in NYC, where he played his top songs for industry executives and tastemakers in a live voting session.

“It was the first time I’ve ever done a type of event like that and it was great to give people an opportunity to listen to my top songs and vote. Some of them were giving me 9 out of 5 stars! The love was real and it showed me that I’m headed in the right direction,” Lucas notes.

He also divulged he received a call on the same day of his event that he’d been invited to take part in the coveted BET Cyphers next month. “I was in disbelief when I got the call, it was pretty much the opportunity that I’ve been waiting for,” he says.

Best known for his controversial and graphic video titled “Ross Cappichioni” (based on the true story of a teen’s near death experience at the hands of his so-called best friend), Joyner has continued to raise the bar in the indie rap game. With his first new single, “Champagne for Everybody” dropping from his impending sophomore album, Lucas says he’s not nervous about maintaining the level of success he’s garnered so far.

“As long as I stay true to myself, I’m not worried. My lyrics and what I choose to say come from my life experiences versus just following what everybody else is doing. It’s also about creating an emotional connection with my fans. Everything I’ve done is starting pay off. I just have to continue being Joyner Lucas.”

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On June 6th 2007, 17 year-old Ross Capicchioni, was the victim of shooting that nearly killed him, as a result of a friend seeking to be initiated by a Detroit gang. In a chilling, yet unique reenactment of the events that took place that day, East Coast emcee Joyner Lucas provides us with the visual to “Ross Capicchioni”.

The video, takes a rather cinematic approach, as it shows not only the victim’s perspective of what happened, but the perpetrator’s as well. Take a second to watch it, up above and if you don’t already have it, pick up Joyner’s latest project, Along Came Joyner.

The post New Video: Joyner Lucas – “Ross Capicchioni” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

RESPECT.: You have been going hard this year dropping songs after songs from your forthcoming project, Along Came Joyner. Tell us a bit about the project and what inspired you to make that particular project?

I get inspired by different people. My love for music was the main factor, the different types of vibes that moved me. The game is real saturated with a ton of projects so this project was my sarcastic way of saying, “well… here comes Joyner.”

I was reading a review one time and they talk about you as this futuristic blend of self-conscious insighter with unapologetic street knowledge, and gritty east coast storytelling skills. Is that how you would describe yourself?

I couldn’t have said it better myself. That pretty much hit the nail right on the head.

Your latest record, “Extra Mayo,” seems to be getting a lot of good feedback. Tell us about the whole process that went behind putting that record out.

That was a concept I came up with Kato, a producer with Funk Volume. I gave it my best and it turned out the way it did.

How would you describe your journey has been from gaining attention in the underground hip-hop scene through blogs like 2dopeboyz and hiphopdox to where you are headed now. How does it feel seeing yourself grow and come this far?

It feels good when people gravitate towards the music. I still feel like I’m not satisfied, even though I appreciate the attention. I’m just starting my journey, plenty of grind in front of me. I’ve worked hard to get here. Whereas making the blogs was a goal at one point, the goals change once you get to that point.

What can your fans expect from your forthcoming music in the future?

I’m gaining new fans everyday. A lot of people love the music, they enjoy it, they spread it.

-Haleema Khan

The post Interview: Joyner Lucas Talks New Music, ‘Along Came Joyner’ and More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.