By: Fendi Cruz

Up and coming songstress Fendi Cruz has released a fire new single titled “Booty“. As she puts her talent on front street, this release is destined to make you dance and catch an infectious vibe. Hailing from the Dominican Republic by way of New York City, you will hear a diverse sound that is reminiscent of her previously released single “Bagz”.

Inspired by JLO, Beyonce and Shakira, Fendi Cruz’ original serves up an impressive record full of energy and confidence. The blending of Hip-Hop, R&B, and Pop thrive on this release as New York native takes her talent to new heights as a recording artist. Two elements to listen for on this song are her original word play and sexy demeanor. You will hear the songstress saying things like “Your friend want to know my name and my birthday, say he want to fly me out in a Burbank.” Her slick tongue and stead fast lyrics can be heard from beginning to end on this release.

Cruz nailed it with her latest single. “Booty” is a record that can be played at any dance club or day party, as this is a certified dance bop. One thing that is for sure is that she is putting on for her Dominican Republic roots in a major way. New York has another rising star on their hands!

Be sure to press play below to stream Fendi Cruz‘ newest single “Booty“.

The post Fendi Cruz Releases Hot New Single “Booty” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

By: Journey Montana

16 year old rising superstar Journey Montana has released her debut single “Show Your Love“. At such a young age, this songstress has a voice that is simply unforgettable. Her diverse upbringing in Harlem and Los Angeles directly plays out in her original and authentic sound. Having covered hits by SZA, Queen Naija, Jhene Aiko and Summer Walker this release is the perfect record to showcase her raw talent and strong pen game. She may but new, but an amateur she is far from.

On this single you will hear the songstress singing about not liking to be lonely as the one she loves, has taken their love away. Her openness and honesty propel her lyrical prowess to new heights. The most notable lyrics from this song appear in the chorus. You will hear Montana say “you know I can’t be without you, sleep without you feel without you, breathe without you, I can’t be without you babe”. The R&B driven melody is perfect match for this Atlanta native’s fire vocals.

As she is heavily influenced by Aaliyah, Etta James, Whitney Houston, Beyonce, and H.E.R. “Show Me Your Love” is true R&B record. You can really hear the Aaliyah influence in the chorus as she carries a similar cadence as the late singer. At just 16, Journey Montana is ready to take the music industry by storm.

Press play below to stream her debut single “Show Me Your Love“.

The post Journey Montana Releases Debut Single “Show Me Your Love” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

As the album starts out with such ambitious goals of the Knowles-Carter family about protecting her kids from such harm and letting the people know that her family is alright. She doesn’t need validation from anyone except herself and her family. “Bigger” is such an inspiration song that you can’t just play it once, you have to keep on listening to it to make sure you catch ALL of the points she says into her music. She made sure that she inspired us, brown skin millennial, to get up and do it and to never give up on your goals.

“Find Your Way Back” and “Don’t Jealous Me” tracks are so smooth with the instruments. It is really a dedication to the African culture. It really gets us in the grooves with the sound and how the beat girates our hips once it drops.

The “NILE” track that features Kendrick Lamar takes us back to the “FREEDOM” song on the LEMONADE album. With these two on the track, it puts together the pieces of the puzzle. You are in deNIAL deep in the NILE. You get it? If you think these two aren’t fire on a track, then you are sadly mistaken. These two can get on a track and don’t need any water to nurture it.

It is definitely a “MOOD 4 EVA” with Jay-Z and Childish Gambino on such a high energy track. Jay-Z paid respects to the late great Nipsey Hussle, who passed earlier this year, with the lyrics, “Cause true kings don’t die, we multiply.” The marathon always continues! Beyoncé will promise you that it’s her WHOLE mood forever. She lets us know that she is raising daughters and sons of empires in this generation.

With “Brown Skin Girl” track, which features Blue Ivy Carter. Both of the ladies lets us know our brown skin is like pearls. Beyonce shouts out Lupita with her beautiful dark brown skin, as well as her childhood friend, Kelly Rowland. No matter if we are brown skin, our mamas told us that we are the best thing in the world and our complexion glows like diamonds. We need to learn to like our nappy hair and natural curves. When we are in the rooms they notice us, and we shouldn’t trade our looks for someone else.

Throughout the album, Beyoncé gave us a creative art that nobody could understand especially within our culture! I have it on repeat with the songs that stood out above and how they play out on a day-to-day role. Beyoncé keep inspiring us with your creativeness and artistic music. You represent us, as a culture, that most people would love to be in! Keep shining and inspire brown skin girls, such as myself.

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The post Album Review: Beyoncé’s ‘The Lion King: The Gift’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

I can’t help but recall the impact Kendrick Lamar made with his contributions to Black Panther, and — now — Disney has recruited Beyoncé for much of the same purpose….and she looks to raise that bar into the atmosphere.

Following the reveal of the forthcoming Lion King album The Gift, King Bey delivers a visual for her lead single “Spirit,” which sees her (and Blue Ivy) bringing the dance moves in front of a beautiful African landscape. Check it out below.

Both The Gift and the actual film hit theaters tomorrow (July 18th).

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Iggy Azalea – In My Defense

Maxo Kream – Brandon Banks

Image credit: Roc Nation

This is a standout: Houston, Texas rapper Maxo Kream follows up Punken with his big label debut Brandon Banks, named so after his father’s criminal past:

“This album is me telling the story of how I’m just like my dad except he was a scammer and I was a trapper… Despite his flaws, he was a great parent, always made sure the rent was paid, made sure I went to school, taught me right from wrong. I wasn’t raised to be a trapper, it just happened because of my circumstances. My relationship with my dad now is great – I used to be terrified of him growing up but now that’s my n***a. We’re like yin and yang.”

Features on the 15-track album include those from Megan Thee Stallion, ScHoolboy Q, Travis Scott and A$AP Ferg. Press play below.

Beyoncé – The Lion King: The Gift

Image credit: Parkwood/Columbia

You might as well just call this a Beyoncé album. King Bey “curated” a Lion King compilation separate from the official soundtrack titled The Gift, which sees 14 tracks and assistance from Mr. Eazi, Burna Boy, Kendrick Lamar, JAY-Z, Childish Gambino, Pharrell, Blue Ivy Carter, Saint JHN, WizKid, Tierra Whack, Tiwa Savage and more. In addition to seeing the film remake, you can press play on The Gift below.

Tinchy Stryder – Change

Image credit: Cloud 9

Following his visual for “Promise,” Grime/UK Rap veteran Tinchy Stryder delivers a new EP titled Change, which sees seven new tracks from the London artist. Also added with the EP is another dope visual for the track “Proper.”

Nas – The Lost Tapes 2

Image credit: Mass Appeal/Def Jam

Welp, some 17 years after the classic Lost Tapes project was released comes its polarizing sequel. Check out Nas‘ 16-track deep The Lost Tapes 2, which features throwaway cuts from Hip-Hop Is Dead, Untitled, Life Is Good and Nasir. Features and production comes from Swizz Beatz, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, The Alchemist, DJ Toomp, RZA, DJ Khalil, Statik Selektah and more. Press play below.

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Image credit: Disney

You thought that the official soundtrack was all we were getting from the forthcoming Lion King remake? Not on Beyoncé’s watch apparently, as it’s been announced that The Lion King: The Gift — an album curated and executive produced by King Bey — will be making landfall this Friday.

In addition to Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, Jay-Z, Burna Boy, Mr. Eazi, WizKid, Tierra Whack, Saint JHN and more contribute to the project…even Blue Ivy makes an appearance on the 14-track offering.

Check out the full tracklisting below.

Image credit: Disney

Beyoncé – “Bigger”
Beyoncé – “Find Your Way Back (Circle of Life)”
Tekno, Yemi Alade & Mr. Eazi – “Don’t Jealous Me”
Burna Boy – “Ja Ara E”
Beyoncé & Kendrick Lamar – “The Nile”
Beyoncé, JAY-Z & Childish Gambino – “Mood 4 Eva”
Salatiel, Pharrell & Beyoncé – “Water”
Blue Ivy Carter, Saint JHN, WizKid & Beyoncé – “Brown Skin Girl”
Tiwa Savage & Mr. Eazi – “Keys to the Kingdom”
Beyoncé – “Otherside”
Beyoncé, Shatta Wale – “Already”
Tierra Whack, Beyoncé, Busiswa, Yemi Alade & Moonchild Sanelly – “My Power”
070 Shake & Jessie Reyez – “Scar”
Beyoncé – “Spirit”

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The post The Official Tracklisting for Beyoncé’s ‘Lion King: The Gift’ is Revealed appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Image credit: Disney

As you probably know, the super-updated version of the classic film The Lion King is set to hit theaters next Friday Thursday (July 18th). Today, fans get to check out the official soundtrack, features some sangin’ actors and a score courtesy of Hans Zimmer. Included in the 19-track offering: an original cut by Beyoncé titled “Spirit,” and re-imaginings of childhood favorites like “Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” (random but necessary shout-out to Elton John).

Check out the new soundtrack below.

Big K.R.I.T. – K.R.I.T. IZ HERE

Image credit: Multi Alumni

I can’t believe that it’s been almost a decade since the release of the groundbreaking K.R.I.T. Wuz Here. This weekend, Big K.R.I.T. decided to provide a proper sequel (?) for that project titled K.R.I.T. IZ HERE — a 19-track body of work that also sees additional appearances from J. Cole, Yella Beezy, Lil Wayne, Saweetie, Rico Love and more. Check it out below.

Blood Orange – Angel’s Pulse

Image credit: Domino

This weekend, Dev Hynes somewhat surprises his fans with a follow-up to the still-rotating Negro Swan. Check out Angel’s Pulse, a 14-track offering with additional appearances from Toro y Moi, Project Pat, Gangsta Boo, Tinashe, Justine Skye and more. He explains:

“My new record is called ‘Angel’s Pulse’ and I performed, produced and mixed the entire thing myself… I’m calling it a mixtape. I have a habit through the years of making records that I just give to friends, or on tape to people on the street, or no one. Usually this material is made directly after the album I’ve just put out. Somewhat of an epilogue to the thing I’ve made before. This time.. I decided to release it… I put as much work and care into it as I do with the albums I’ve released, but for some reason trained myself into not releasing things the rate at which I make them. I’m older now though, and life is unpredictable and terrifying… so here you go mates.”

Check it out below.

Ed Sheeran – No.6 Collaborations Project

Image credit: Asylum UK

“Before I was signed in 2011, I made an EP called No.5 Collaborations Project. Since then, I’ve always wanted to do another, so I started No.6 on my laptop when I was on tour last year… I’m a huge fan of all the artists I’ve collaborated with and it’s been a lot of fun to make.”

You heard the man. Below, Ed Sheeren gifts us with his No.6 Collaborations Project, which sees 15 new tracks and a slew of appearances from Eminem, 50 Cent, H.E.R., Cardi B, Khalid, Young Thug, Meek Mill, Ella Mai, J Hus, Stormzy, PnB Rock and loads more. Press play on the new project, as well as a new visual for the Travis Scott-assisted “Antisocial.”

Elle Varner – Ellevation

Image credit: Entertainment One

Here’s some soulful R&B to add to the mix courtesy of songstress Elle Varner. Check out her new album Ellevation, which clocks in at 9 tracks and sees assistance from Wale (“Pour Me”) and Rapsody (“Wishing Well”). Check it out below.

Master P – I Got The Hook Up 2 Vol. 1

Image credit: No Limit Forever

Master P is back. The man who gave us turn-of-the-century classics like Da Last Don, I’m Bout It and, well…all of No Limit’s classic musical catalog is back with an official sequel for the timeless hood flick I Got the Hook-Up, and fans get to enjoy the soundtrack before its release (UPDATE: The film’s out now). The accompanying compilation sees a slew of dope features: Jeezy, Calboy, E-40, YFN Lucci, DC Young Fly, Fat Boy SSE, Romeo Miller, Silkk The Shocker and more make appearances on the project. Check it out below.

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The post NEW ALBUM FRIDAY: ‘Lion King’, Big K.R.I.T., Blood Orange & More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.