Letter from RESPECT. Founder

I’m honored to curate along with longtime collaborator, Datwon Thomas, “Brooklyn’s Finest: Legends in Focus” — a civic installation opening February 4 at Brooklyn Borough Hall, presented as part of Black History Month.

This installation brings together a selection of photographs that honor Brooklyn’s sizable impact on hip-hop culture and the photographers who helped document it. Hip-hop is one of New York City’s great cultural gifts to the world, and photography has been essential to how that story has been seen, remembered, and carried forward across generations.

With a limited number of images, it’s impossible to represent every Brooklyn rap artist, era, or neighborhood that helped build the legacy. Instead, this installation focuses on a tightly curated group of works reflecting the spirit, pride, and influence of Brookly —celebrating Hip-Hop icons whose lives and cultural contributions are deeply rooted in the borough.

At the heart of this display is the work of Jamel Shabazz, the legendary Brooklyn-born street photographer whose images have come to define generations of NY life, culture, and self-expression. His photographs are inseparable from Brooklyn’s visual history and from the lived experience of street culture itself.

The installation also features contributions from Matthew Salacuse, Mike Schreiber, Sarah A. Freeman, Justin Jay, and Lisa Leone—documentarians whose work captured BK icons in their respective emerging moments. The display is anchored by one of the most iconic portraits in music history: Baron Claiborne’s timeless image of The Notorious B.I.G., a photograph forever linked to BK’s imprint on the world.

At the center of the installation is a sequence honoring The Greatest Day in Hip-Hop History—a historic moment I helped organize in 1998 that brought together one of the most extraordinary assemblies of artists ever captured in a single image. While Harlem is the Mecca, Brooklyn showed up—and this moment belongs here because the culture has always moved between boroughs. The image featured here was captured by Gordon Parks’ trusted protégé, Johanna Fiore, whose lens preserves that day from a rare and personal vantage point. There also two images by yours truly capturing Busta Rhymes and Rakim on that day in 1998. Being in the right place at the right time is often what makes photography magical.

Additionally, a proclamation will be given to Hip-Hop pioneer, Fab5Freddy.

As a proud Brooklyn native, and as a co-founder of XXL Magazine/xxlmag.com and founder of RESPECT., the photo journal of hip-hop culture, it’s an honor for my firm iD8 Entertainment to underwrite and curate this installation in a civic space where New Yorkers can experience these images together.

Thank you to the Brooklyn Borough Hall President’s Office (Donavan Swanson and Roslyn Campbell) and the Borough Hall team for making space for public cultural storytelling.

— Jonathan A. Rheingold
Curator / Producer / RESPECT. Founder

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The Gangstagrass Classic Hip-Hop MIxtape features Rench mixing Hip-Hop classics with a country twist.

”There are a lot more people out there with Jay-Z and Johnny Cash on their playlists than you think.” Rench said, who had previously made a name for himself as an in-demand Brooklyn country and hip-hop producer and singer/songwriter in the early 2000’s.

The idea for the mixtape was born from a Gangstagrass rehearsal and the discussion of our doing versions of classic bluegrass tunes. It stuck in R-SON’s head that there was no real treatment like that of classic Hip hop songs. Choosing songs with very recognizable samples that were also easily translatable with the band’s instruments, the tape began to take shape.

The new project is definitely guaranteed to keep your head bobbing and your toes tapping as you walk down memory lane with these tripped out classics.

Check out the tracklisting and stream the Gangstagrass Classics Mixtape below.

MY BROTHER, WHERE YOU AT?

3. SHAKEN NOT STIRRED [SHOOK ONES (PT II) – MOBB DEEP (produced by Mobb Deep)]

4. DOZENS [TRIED BY 12 – EAST FLATBUSH PROJECT. (produced by Spencer 4 Hire)]

5. BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE [BOOM! – ROYCE THE 5’9″ (produced by DJ Premier)]

6. WE FLY[AKA PASSIN ME BY – THE PHARCYDE (produced by J-Swift)]

7. PASSIN ME BREAKDOWN

8. WHOADOWN [WHOA! – BLACK ROB (produced by Buckwild)]

9. GET YOUR CUTS UP [SIMON SAYS – PHAROAH MONCH (produced by Pharoah Monch)]

10. ENRAGED [WRATH OF KANE – BIG DADDY KANE (produced by Big Daddy Kane and Marley Marl)]

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The post RESPECT. Premiere: Gangstagrass Gives Hip-Hop Classics a New Twist with New Mixtape appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Who says Hip-Hop is Dead? RESPECT. will be giving away two tickets to see Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane and the rest of the Legendary Juice Crew in St. Montclair, New Jersey at the Montclair’s Wellmont Theater. The Juice Crew, which are Queensbridge-based artist were founded in the mid-to-late 80’s. The crew consists of Hip-Hop greats such as Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Kool G Rap, MC Shan, Craig G, Marley Marl, Roxanne Shante and Masta Ace.

The Juice Crew, helped launch the careers of Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Roxanne Shante’ and Kool G Rap. Now all the artist are coming together to collaborate and perform some of their greatest and chart topping hits in Montclair! So if you want to be a part of history in the making and see The Juice Crew, you MUST do the following:

• Follow RESPECT. on Twitter (if you don’t already)
• Retweet the tweet that RESPECT. puts out about the concert.

It’s really that simple! Just in case you need a refresher of whom The Juice Crew is and their mastery lyrics, below is a little taste of what you’ll be missing out on if you don’t go and TWEET!

The concert will be held on December 30, 2016 at 8pm at the Wellmont Theater, 5 Seymour St. Montclair, NJ 07042.

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The post RESPECT. is Giving Away Tickets to See Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane at the Legendary Juice Crew Reunion! appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Shhh!!! It’s a secret. Three time Grammy award winner-songwriter, Jill Scott a.k.a “JillyfromPhilly” got married over the weekend. TheFool’s Gold performer/songstress got married to longtime beau, Mike Dobson in Los Angeles on Saturday. This was so unexpected and if you’re like us, you’re probably very surprised and filled with questions such as “I didn’t know she was dating?” “When did she get engaged?” And “How were we all out of the loop?” Well Jill Scott has always been known to keep keep her singing life open and her private life CLOSED! So news of this sorts are really not that surprising, but she could have at least gave us a little something, right?

If you’re feeling a little taken back by the news, don’t be. According to Mike Dobson’s long time friend, DJ Mars, was in the dark as well. Below are the comments he posted to his IG page:

“So my man called me a year ago and said, ‘Mars I need you to DJ my wedding…don’t get booked on June 25th 2016! He came to my house and gave me the deposit early, but he didn’t say he was marrying Jill Scott!!!!! D**n homie!!!!!!!!!!”

So Jill was not the only one on the HUSH, HUSH as it seems like her newly wedded beau was also not spilling the beans either. According to online, Scott looked gorgeous and radiant in a white low-cut gown with lace sleeves and a silver sparkling belt, her hair was adorned with white clips in which she wore up with a long veil. Dobson wore a black tux. The arrangements and tables were all decorated and adorned with pink roses.

As if the wedding could not be anymore formal, private and intimate, Dobson surprised his wife with a performance none other than Big Daddy Kane. Kane came into the wedding, grabbed a mic and started rapping to “Smooth Operator.” Scott– whom was having a great time dancing with family and friends– was elated when Big Daddy approached her in song; the look on her face was truly priceless.

Cheers to Jill Scott and her new hubby, Mike Dobson! We wish them love, peace, happiness & a future filled with more beautiful music.

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The post Shhh! Singer Jill Scott said I DO Over the Weekend! appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Masta Ace‘s lengthy career in hip-hop can be attributed to one pivotal moment. Growing up in Brownsville, Brooklyn in the ’70s and ’80s, kids often went to roller skating rinks to socialize. One particular evening, a friend of his asked him if wanted to enter a talent show at the United Skate of American in Long Island. Although he was home from college visiting his family for Christmas, his mother encouraged him to go. Not only did he win the contest, but the grand prize was a studio session with famed producer Marley Marl, which took him a full year to finally claim. Once they got into the studio, where he met Craig G and other veteran hip-hop emcees, that was it.

Appearing on one of the best posse cuts of all time, 1988’s “The Symphony,” with Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap and Craig G, and Marley Marl ended up producing Masta Ace’s entire debut album, 1990’s Take A Look Around.

In 2000, he became disillusioned with the music industry and took a back seat for years until an experience overseas reignited his passion. He came back with the critically acclaimed Disposable Arts in 2001 and hasn’t put the mic down since.

Currently promoting his latest release, The Falling Season, Ace had some time to talk touring with Albuquerque emcee Wake Self, walking away from music and writing his story on the NJ Transit trains.

RESPECT.: How was your recent tour with Wake Self?

That was a very nice run considering we were in the US.  It was a positive experience compared to some ‘tours’ I have done in the States. The turnouts overall were surprising and gave me hope that quality, non-commercial hip-hop tours were still possible here. Wake Self and Def-I killed it every night, and DJ Native, their DJ, held down the music for me and even the opener DeLaZoo on the last four shows. 

RESPECT.: What did you learn on the road this time around? 

I learned that all hope is not lost for US touring.  If you get the right promoters in the right markets together, miracles are possible.

RESPECT.: There was a period in your career where you were kind of fed up with the music business. What reignited your passion for making albums?

It started in 2000, I did a 13 city tour in the UK and Europe. I wasn’t expecting much from it. To my surprise, the venues were packed with people who knew the words to my songs and wanted more from me. I came home from that tour and went in the studio and made Disposable Arts.

The Falling Season is out now. What was the album making process like for this one? 

I took my time. There was a lot of emotion for me when writing these songs. It was like going back in time, reliving my experiences as a young teen and putting it into song form. I took the train into the studio almost every day. I was able to write during the commute. Many of my song ideas on this album were born on NJ Transit trains.

RESPECT.: Do you have a favorite track on the album?  

It’s probably “YBI” because it was the first song I wrote on the album. The lyrics encompass my life growing up in Brownsville at that time and the friendships that I had with kids who decided to take a different route in life; thinking about us all as kids and reflecting on where we all actually ended up. The songs explains the fine line between who I became and who I very easily could have become.

RESPECT.: What does this summer look like for you in terms of touring? 

I’m doing three of the major festivals in Europe, Hip Hop Kemp being the biggest of them. I am doing a few more US dates (a few of those with Wake Self) and towards the end of the summer, I am planning a US Midwest run and an Eastern Canada mini-tour, which should include Buffalo, New York, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, London, Hamilton and maybe one or two more cities.

RESPECT.: You’ve been blessed to have a very long career. What advice would you give the teenage Masta Ace if you could go back in time? 

I would tell the teenage me, ‘Don’t be afraid of success outside of New York—embrace it. Don’t listen to the criticism. Success is success no matter where the support is coming from.’

RESPECT.: What does the music you make mean to you on a personal level? 

It’s my life’s work. We all hope to leave something substantial behind when we are no longer around. Many people rely on the children they leave behind to tell their stories. I have a music catalogue that gives my story in an almost autobiographical form that can be heard 100 years from now. 

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Cover Art: @cepenwhy

You can ride waves in any weather with Hus Kingpin’s bodies of work. Not just ride the wave, but feel the cool breeze and euphoric undertones. They’re rich lyrics – which should leave you with a new found respect for emcees who can handle their wordplay. Did we mention the amount of co-signs and green lights he has received over the years from some of our pioneers and current staples? (see interview below)

Aside from the aesthetics, let’s note his consistency these past few years. On the independent scene, we all know that’s beyond crucial. Hus never leaves his fans to run for dry – always releasing random, sporadic singles with little warning. This is commendable and appreciated. Rookie emcees – take notes.

But forget all the fly words here – listen for yourself and catch up on his previous releases if you haven’t yet. Peace and love:

If someone is just now getting familiar with Hus Kingpin, how would you describe yourself in a few short words?

I’m a Brooklyn born MC representing Hempstead NY – half trini, half Bajan – wavy rhyme lord influenced by Nas, Noreaga, Dj Premier, Roc Marciano, Jay Z, Trap Music (laughs) – strip clubs in Atlanta – warm cognac and LA weed.

You live on the west coast now but still represent your hometown Hempstead in a lot of your records. Can you talk a little bit about your experience on the west coast and how the relocation has improved your craft, if so?

The first person I met when I moved to LA was Planet Asia. He came and scooped me and we copped some jerk chicken. Asia then took me around to meet everyone from Krondon, to Evidence, to Alchemist, to his GCM crew. Planet Asia also introduced me to Raekwon for the first time. I love PA. Everything in LA is glorious. Good weed always helps me with writers block. There are also great shows out here. Shout out to Fashawn as well, he’s a good genuine young shooter.

One thing listeners may notice is your open ended, free flowing content and your ability to allow us to paint our own pictures with your lyrics. What’s your writing process look like?

Writing process is all about energy for me, the perfect time is usually fresh out of the weed dispensary or when I’m with Rozewood who also lives in LA now. I usually go to the studio and smoke, chill, then I’ll probably fall asleep, I hate writing in the studio, but I’ll do it with the right energy

You really excercise the moniker “Lord Wavy”. It goes beyond the typical rapper’s nickname – so much that your rhymes often feel like we are riding a sonic wave. Was the Lord Wavy stamp a natural development? How did it come to frution?

“Lord Wavy” came from listening to Max B in NYC. I liked his style. It’s unfortunate about his situation. And yes it was pretty natural to form into Lord Wavy after meeting Big Daddy Kane in Queens when I was 18. He told me he’s leaving the torch for me. That was a bugged out moment in time.

The Winners is a powerful team of recording artists with some of the most natural chemistry we’ve heard in a while. Can you discuss how the team operates? And is longevity instores for The Winners?

The Winners is like TDE meets Wu-Tang. We’re all rhyme lords but not mega conscious with it – it’s all about the style and saying things that people have never said before. We have SmooVth from NY, Rozewood from NY, Sean Rosati from Boston, JuneLyfe from Boston, Sage Infinite from New Jersey, Marvelous Mag from NY, Giallo Point from UK, and singer El AY from UK. We’re going to wave up this year. Mega longevity – be on the look out!

To close this out, what does Hus Kingpin have planned for 2016? Any live shows, projects, collaborations etc.?

I’m dropping my debut in-studio full length album finally with some fly guests. Planet Asia is executive producing one of my LP’s coming. Roze and myself are finishing the Snowgoons album. Audible Doctor and myself have a project coming. SmooVth is going to break the Internet with his new ‘SS96J’ release. I got some beats from A$ap Ty from A$ap Mob. I got some new material with Marco Polo and a few other secrets underway.

Do you have any shoutouts? If so, shoot, shooter.

Shoutout Tommy Boy Records, Planet Asia, Evidence, Alchemist, Big Twins, Jazz and anyone else I forgot! Thank you.

Twitter | Instagram | SoundCloud

The post Hus Kingpin – “House of Kingpin: The Revamp Edition” + Interview appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

It’s safe to say we can all spit out Ol’ Dirty Bastard‘s work alongside the Wu-Tang Clan and a bunch of his solo records off the top of our head. The dent he left on the game, and the impact he had on the masses is stamped in hip-hop’s history forever. Before we get into the features, perhaps briefly reflecting on his career is the right thing to do.

Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) was Dirty’s debut appearance, which is said to be one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. With both successful solo and collaborative careers, he has been featured on quite a few records during his  active years, some of which may have been bypassed or laid in the cut a bit. This piece is a brief look at a handful of standout features from ODB–some rare and some mainstream. His sound lives on forever and spirit is eternal. Enjoy:

Big Daddy Kane ft. Sauce Money, Shyheim, Jay-Z & Ol Dirty Bastard – “Show & Prove” (1994)

Off Big Daddy Kane‘s sixth studio release from 1994, “Show & Prove” is a raw posse cut with a young Jay Z helping make it that much doper. This wasn’t long after ‘Ol Dirty Bastard’s explosion of fame, thanks to Wu-Tang Clan’s debut record. Never knew Big Daddy Kane did a joint with Dirty? Now you know. This seemed like a fun track for the five emcees, at a time when when you stepped to the plate with just yourself and your lyrical weaponry.

Mariah Carey ft. Ol Dirty Bastard – “Fantasy (Bad Boy Remix)” (1995)

This was a controversial collaboration, as record execs were worried about Dirty shifting Mariah Carey‘s direction in sound and polluting what she had going. Following her acclaimed, well received 1995 “Fantasy” came this Bad Boy Remix. An early Puff Daddy was on the boards, with his signature soft talk making an appearance. Everyone can remember their mom blasting this joint–a true summertime banger.

Busta Rhymes ft. Ol Dirty Bastard – “Woo Ha! Got You All In Check (Remix)” (1996)

At this time Busta Rhymes and ‘Ol Dirty Bastard were in their prime. They were known as the crazy acts in hip-hop, with murderous delivery and some of the most insane visuals offered to the masses. In 1996, they dropped this banger, which many in the underground consider a classic remix. The video certainly adds to the impact, but do be alarmed and careful.

Tha Alkaholiks ft. Ol Dirty Bastard & Marley Marl – “Hip-Hop Drunkies” (1997)

Marley Marl and Dirty on a record? Now that is history for certain. Tha Alkaholiks and ‘Ol Dirty Bastard in one recording session, or video shoot, is seemingly a fun time. Maybe too much fun? This video is a classic case of the “f*ck-it’s”, mocking Alcoholic’s Anonymous meetings and going buck wild. It’s fun to see Dirty collaborating with a West Coast hip-hop group to this degree in 1997. It was featured on Tha Alhaholiks third LP Likwidation,  and served as one of their biggest hits even reaching the Billboard 100.

Cam’ron ft. Ol Dirty Bastard – “Violence” (2000)

Potentially one of the scariest, most raw records Dirt was ever featured on. This was off Cam’ron’s second full-length album SDE (Sports, Drugs & Entertainment) released in 2000. When Harlem and Brooklyn collide, especially at this time, you couldn’t have expected nothing short of insanity.

Ok, so we’ve cleared up some of ODB’s most rare/acclaimed features, with hopes that you learned something new from the article and have a good conversation piece with your biggest hip-hop head friend tonight. His legacy is with us for eternity. In celebration, go listen to some Dirt and hype yourself up. Peace and one love.

The post ‘Ol Dirty Bastard: The Forgotten Features From ’94 To The Millenium appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.