Then, on Halloween 2011 the industry got its answer with the release of Rocky’s first mixtape Live Love A$AP . This project opened the eyes of many industry executives, which would later lead to the Mob signing with RCA Records. The group has always been unorthodox with members that included emcees A$AP Ferg, Nast , Twelvyy and Ant. An up incoming producer in Ty Beats and even a fashion icon in A$AP Bari. Though there was one member that brought it together for many years. That member was Steven Rodriguez, better know as the Mob’s spiritual guide A$AP Yams.

Rodriguez fueled many of the groups identity for a handful of years before his untimely death in January 2015. Since then fans of the A$AP Mob have been waiting to see how the remaining members would push through the industry now that such a key cog to their success was now lost.

Talk back, get back slapped with a back hand
Black man, black hand side
Anti everything since Yams died
In dodge van by NY
No who, what, where, why, when

-A$AP Rocky “Crazy Brazy“

Rocky and Ferg of course dropped their respective sophomore major label projects soon after his death, but you could tell that there was something missing in those two projects. In my personal opinion it was confidence in the singles that both artist put out. Compile this with the fact that’s the follow-up posse project to Lords Never Worry that was slated to be released in 2014 never made it to the fans even after the stellar single “Trillimatic” had a great support from the community . It seemed that the Mob had hit a wall. Instead it was just a restart,  during the months after Yams death the group began hanging around  a plethora of new artist.

Rocky went on tour with the Odd Future sergeant Tyler the Creator. Ferg and rising rock star Lil Uzi Vert began to form a strong relationship. Nast went London and entered the grim scene with support from multiple U.K. stars including Skepta and Young Lord. In other words, the group hailing from Harlem went back to basics. Records like “Telephone Calls” and “Way Hiiigh” display the new relationships that the members of the mob have been forming over the past two years. Mixing their style with what was happening in the world around them.

This is what makes the Cozy Tape Vol 1 so refreshing. It is a return to form for every member of the Mob and even a step forward for A$AP Ant who provides some standout moments which include the infectious track “Runner” and the spacey   “Young N***A Living“.

There is of course going to be critics out there who believe there are way too many features. To those people, I believe that this project was a tribute to what A$AP Yams’ ideology meant to the industry. Just because you live in one area of the world doesn’t mean your music has to reflect that. If you haven’t heard the Mob’s latest effort, do yourself a favor and put it into your rotation. It will not disappoint.

Long Live A$AP Yams Nov, 18 1988- Jan, 18 2015

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The post RESPECT. Review: A$AP Mob ‘Cozy Tape Vol 1’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Mikey Tha $avage who is signed with A$AP Ant’s Marino Gang Records has yet again released another banger on his Soundcloud. His newly released song titled Hu$tle ft. Drayco McCoy [Produced by CaptainCrunchBeats] presents to his audience a veteran to the game type effect. Mikey Tha $avage or Tha $avage for short, has also stunned his audience with his energetic stage presence and consistency in his musical presentation. His lyrics may seem simple in story to some but the way he presents them with such ease creates a totally different perception of how he treats his craft: delicate and focused. This Baltimore, MD native has accomplished a lot in his life thus far and it only goes up from here.

Cover Art by @mathcovers

Mikey has a direction already set for him and is already on the right track. The exposure he is receiving is there but the proper respect and care for his constant hustle is lacking. But, speaking for myself I most definitely agree that this track is for the books! Amongst others this song is straight flames. From the album cover, to the beat, lyrics, and hooks, Mikey supplies us with another track worth listening to. Listen to this addictive, attention grabbing track below!

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The post Mikey Tha Savage Came For The Crown In New Track Release appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Last Wednesday night the Flatbush Zombies finished off the last show of their first ever headlining tour. Since its kickoff in late August, the Better Off Dead Tour hit 31 North American cities before finally closing out in Trilladelphia, Pistolvania. Along the way, the Zombies and their opening acts, Bodega Bamz and Dillon Cooper, performed at both the Rock the Bells Music Festival and the North Coast Music Festival, while also making appearances on Action Bronson‘s headlining tour in Texas. While other venues along the tour route may have been bigger or more well known, the small crowd that jam packed Philly’s Barbary night club definitely came ready to show some love to their east coast neighbors.

Dillon Cooper, the 20 year old emcee from Brooklyn (who’s laid back, retro style has been compared to that of fellow Brooklynites Joey BadAss and The Underachievers) was first to perform. His newest cut, “State of Elevation,” was a particular crowd favorite and helped to transition the Eagles and Phillies fans into a more New York state of mind.

Next up was Bodega Bamz, who served as the hype before the storm. His performance of “Told Ya” drove fans into a frenzied mosh pit, but luckily there were no causalities. Unfortunately, there was no guest appearance by frequent collaborator A$AP Ant (but we definitely held our breath).

Of course, the principal players of the night, Meechy Darko, Zombie Juice, and Erick Arc Elliot laid their final performance down proper. Amerikkhan Pie, Death 2, and Live from Hell almost ended a few lives, but the enthusiastic crowd loved every minute of it- especially when Darko, drenched from head to kicks in sweat (and maybe blood and tears) nose dived into the audience for an incredibly intimate crowd servicing experiencing. Check out close up photos from the event, as well as small timeline to summarize the Zombies first ever headlining circuit.

The post Concert Review: Flatbush Zombies @ The Barbary Philly,PA appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

DJ Slim K from OG Ron C’s ChopStars gives eMeX & A$AP Ant‘s banger the Houston treatment, screwing, chopping, mincing, and dicing where he sees fit. Stream and download his take on “Lock It & Load It” below, and peep the original, produced by Paf Milo, right here.

The post Listen: Slim K Slows Down eMeX & A$AP Ant’s “Lock It & Load It” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

We gave you the preview. Now, the full joint. A$AP Ant and eMeX team up for another dope collabo, “Lock It & Load It,” produced by Paf Milo. Stream it and download below.

The post Premiere: eMeX feat. A$AP Ant – “Lock It & Load It” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Baltimoreans eMeX and A$AP Ant link back up for an upcoming track called “Lock & Load.” The beat is crazy and flow is on point as Addie in the Caddie continues his his roll since Lords Never Worry  (see: “Bath Salt,” “Coke & White Bitches” remix). Stay tuned for the full version to drop this Thursday, October 11.

The post Watch eMeX & A$AP Ant Preview Upcoming Collab, “Lock & Load” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

eMeX gives the green light to premiere his new single with Young Shaka, “First 48,” produced by Paf Milo. Shaka sounds like a B-more Boosie, and the beat sounds like some drunk ass church bells — in a good way. This shit cranks. Be on the lookout for Shaka’s mixtape Murdaville, which drops October 15th, and eMeX’s upcoming collab with A$AP Ant, which drops whenever. Shaka and Ant were also slated to release a mixtape, Back 2 Back, but that project’s been scrapped for the meantime.

The post Premiere: Listen to eMeX & Young Shaka in the “First 48” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.