By: RioTheyNeedAHit

Grammy award winning producer Rio (RioTheyNeedAHit) Bridges has influenced the careers of some of the biggest R&B stars in the world. With a unique production style and infusion of raw emotion, he has created an original sound that cannot be duplicated. His work on K Michelle’s “Save Me” and BJ The Chicago Kid’s 1123 album, has landed him at the top of his career as an R&B hitmaker. The most impressive thing about this musical genius, is that you can hear godly melodies on every track he is apart of.

As he is currently working on K. Michelle’s All Monsters Are Humans forthcoming album, I had the pleasure of catching up with him in a candid interview. As he digs deep into his creative process, you will see why his music is undeniable. Check it out below.

RioTheyNeedAHit Interview 

Respect: What do you find most rewarding as a producer and songwriter?

Rio: The most rewarding feeling is satisfying the artist that you’re working with, the label and the listeners all at once. It’s a lot of work that goes into one song. Sometimes songs can be created quickly and then there are times when a song can take hours & hours. Being that I produce & song write I wouldn’t say it’s more pressure but it definitely takes more time to create the entire song.

Respect: What has the experience been like working with K. Michelle on her up coming release?

Rio: It has actually been pretty fun. We always worked hard. On the very first day K. Michelle invited me and my bro Aaron Sledge (Grammy Winning Songwriter/Producer) along Phil Cornish ( Grammy Nominated Producer) to her Malibu home and we literally created some incredible songs on the spot in her living room. Phil had the keyboard and lap top and the vibe was there! We then had several studio sessions with K.Michelle and other producers who are also on her project. Her album is going to be really good!! I’m excited for everyone to hear it.

Respect: Garnering a top 5 R&B album with BJ The Chicago Kid, how would best describe your original sound?

Rio: First of all I have to say BJ is also one of my favorite artists to work with. We have literally become brothers! 

To answer your question my sound is more defined in my cadences & melodies. A lot of times people can tell that I am apart of a song just from hearing the melodies or in music it is usually certain chords that I use. I put a lot of work into mastering my sound and it is something that I take pride in.

Respect: What was the inspiration behind your GodIsEngineering?

Rio: There was a period in my life when I was REALLY going through some hard times. I lost one of my brothers in a tragic boat accident, 2 weeks before that I lost my grandfather & I was dealing with a lot of negative things in my life at the time. I was at an all time low. Then one day in the recording studio I was alone and I just broke down emotionally from everything that was happening. 

I literally felt this presence and heard a POWERFUL voice. The conversation was very personal, it was a conversation that I had with GOD!  He told me to put him first and put my worries and pain on him. That moment changed my life forever… GOD is Engineering is a message given to me by GOD! Now everyday I post the same messages on my Twitter putting GOD 1st in my life. It has turned into a highly successful Clothing line as well.

Respect: What is some advice you would give to any new artist wanting the opportunity to work with a career hit maker ? 

Rio: My advice is pretty simple; “Do not be anxious, Trust The Process and be prepared for your opportunity. Do not complain about why this or why that because you will definitely get your opportunity. Just be prepared for it and PLEASE keep GOD 1st in your life. 

Respect: Why is it so important to have control over your creativity as a creative in the music industry? 

Rio: Ownership is the ultimate goal in this business because that’s how you truly support yourself and your family in the long run. I think it’s unfair for labels to own your masters and these publishers finding young or desperate writers/producers/artist and taking half or more of their publishing for any amount of money. Having control is not easy but it’s definitely worth it. If a creative person can be patient enough to wait on there money, they will benefit greatly from having control. Their ideas and thoughts can be expressed fully to their fan base and listeners.

As he continues to leave a lasting impact on the music business, he promises to let god be the driving force behind his creativity.

Press play below to experience musical bliss on be half of RioTheyNeedAHit.

The post Grammy Award Winning Producer RioTheyNeedAHit Talks Working with K Michelle, BJ The Chicago Kid & Putting God 1st appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

YBN Cordae – The Lost Boy

Image credit: Atlantic

North Carolina-to-Maryland artist YBN Cordae has pretty much proven how dope he is over the past year, essentially setting himself apart from his YBN counterparts Nahmir and Almighty Jay. Now, the XXL Freshman alum delivers his official debut album The Lost Boy, which sees 15 tracks and appearances from Ty Dolla $ign, Arin Ray, Meek Mill, Anderson .Paak, J. Cole (in producer form) and Pusha T. Check that masterpiece out below, along with a recent performance of “RNP” alongside .Paak on Jimmy Fallon‘s The Tonight Show.

BJ The Chicago Kid – 1123

Image credit: Motown

Three years after the criminally-slept-on (?) album In My Mind, BJ The Chicago Kid delivers a new album titled 1123, which sees 13 new soulful cuts and appearances from Rick Ross, Anderson .Paak, J.I.D, Offset, Eric Bellinger, Afrojack and Kent Jamz. Press play on the project below, along with a Scottie Beam-starred visual for the track “Time Today.”

DJ Snake – Carte Blanche

Image credit: Geffen

Parisian producer DJ Snake is back with a new album titled Carte Blanche, which follows 2016’s Encore. The genre-bending release sees 17 new tracks and appearances from Majid Jordan, Offset, 21 Savage, Gucci Mane, Bryson Tiller, Tyga, Cardi B, Burna Boy, Gashi, Selena Gomez and more. Check it out below.

E-40 – Practice Makes Paper

Image credit: Heavy On The Grind

Just like fellow Bay Area legend Too $hort, E-40 continues to add to his massive, iconic discography decades later. This weekend, he delivers his twenty-sixth album Practice Makes Paper, which sees twenty-six tracks (I see what he did there) and a slew of appearances from many of E-40’s peers (ScHoolboy Q, A$AP Ferg, Roddy Ricch, Quavo, Fabolous, Scarface, Ty Dolla $ign, Rick Ross, Redman, Wiz Khalifa and loads more). Press play below.

Chance The Rapper – The Big Day

Image credit: Chance The Rapper

Finally: after number debut albums (including one that won a Grammy for ‘Best Rap Album’) comes Chance The Rapper‘s actual debut album The Big Day, which sees 22 wholesome tracks and appearances from John Legend, MadeinTYO, DaBaby, Smino, SWV, Gucci Mane, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Durk, Nicki Minaj, little brother Taylor Bennett and more. Enjoy below.

Young Dolph & Key Glock – Dum & Dummer

Image credit: Paper Route Empire

Two of Memphis’ finest in Hip-Hop right now — Young Dolph and Key Glock — have taken inspiration from a classic comedy, joining forces on the collaborative release Dum & Dummer, which sees 22 hard-hitting tracks for your enjoyment. Check it out below, along with a visual for the track “III.”

Juls – Colour

Image credit: Lost Ones/Universal

British-Ghanaian DJ and producer Juls takes a break from crafting hits for others to create some of his own. Check out his new project Colour, which sees 10 new tracks and features appearances from (frequent partner-in-crime) Mr Eazi, Che Lingo, Tiggs Da Author, Big Zeeks, Kojey Radical, Ms Banks and more. Press play on some new Afrobeats vibes below.

Tre Mission – Orphan Black

Image credit: Last Gang

One of the most slept-on artists in Hip-Hop and Grime (or music, period…the man’s been blending genres for a while now), Tre Mission delivers his new album Orphan Black, which follows the classic 2014 release Stigmata. This go ’round sees 14 news track with a couple of additional appearances from EllzBS and fellow Tizzy Gang member Merky Ace. Check out Orphan Black below, along with a visual for the title track.

Miraa May – Dark

Image credit: Island/Universal

North London vocalist Miraa May follows up last year’s Care Package with a new EP titled Dark, which sees 6 new songs — including the Jme-assisted “Angles” as a bonus track. Check out the latest from Miraa May below…definitely one of those melancholy vibes I can get with right now.

Phora – Bury Me With Dead Roses

Image credit: Phora LLC

California rapper Phora follows up last year’s Warner drop Love Is Hell with the independent release Bury Me With Dead Roses, which sees 16 new solo cuts — including “The Dream,” which also boasts a matching visual. Check it all out below, along with a quick break down of what listeners can expect when they press play, directly from the source:

“We all love too hard and hurt. We all have demons. We all want to feel SOMETHING. We are all lost. But NEVER let your past hurt your future. Struggle inspires growth and change come when we least expect it.”

Pop Smoke – Meet The Woo

Image credit: Victor Victor/Republic

If you haven’t heard of Pop Smoke, you better catch the wave now. The Brooklyn rapper is doing something I’m absolutely in awe of as someone from both sides of the Atlantic: he’s merged his own hard-nosed New York sound with UK Drill and other elements to create something all its own…and it’s infectious as hell. Following the smash hit “Welcome To The Party” (video added below) comes the new project Meet The Woo, which sees nine new tracks (courtesy of production from Rico Beats and 808MeloBeats) to turn up to before the Summer’s out.

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The post NEW ALBUM FRIDAY: YBN Cordae, Pop Smoke, Chance The Rapper & (A Lot) More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo credit: J3

Grammy nominated Soul singer BJ The Chicago Kid has taken his talents on the road alongside Ro James as part of The R&B Tour. BJ’s original sound and passion always excels through his music; he is more than just an artist, he is an entertainer determined to keep good music alive.

During a recent tour stop, I caught up with BJ to see how his experience has been working with Ro James and advancing his musical career. The Chicago native described the relationship as a “true blessing.” He exclaimed that it is a good time to be alive doing the type of music he loves, in front of all of his fans.

As a singer, BJ knows how important it is to nurture his talent. To prepare for the tour, he released a small project titled Opening Ceremony, a collection of 3 sultry songs. When asked about his new and more affluent sound, BJ said, “it’s all about progression as an artist.” His new sound is a direct reflection of the hard work and time he puts in to perfecting his craft.

With new music, a tour, and an album on the way, BJ The Chicago KId is most excited for his forthcoming album. He promises that will be his best music to date, and will show the world how alive and thriving the R&B and soul genre is today.

Catch BJ The Chicago Kid on The R&B Tour and stream his latest project Opening Ceremony below.

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RESPECT. Premiere: Derek Minor is Giving All He Has on “Until I’m Gone” Feat. BJ the Chicago Kid

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The post RESPECT. Catches Up With BJ The Chicago Kid appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: JBdaPilot

Hailing from Virginia Beach, JBdaPilot is looking to make an impact with his forthcoming project These Are Dark Times. Following some pretty dope cuts over the past year or so (including the Skyzoo-assisted “Follow The Flow,” “Jerry Maguire” with Phi Adé and “Don’t Worry“), DB joins forces with the very dope BJ The Chicago Kid for the track “These Days,” a melodic leftover cut which sees production from Bub Ruth.

Stream “These Days” below; the track is also available via iTunes/Apple Music and other streaming platforms.

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The post JBdaPilot Connects with BJ The Chicago Kid on “These Days” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Common, who recently dropped his 11th studio album Black America Again, recruited Gucci Mane, Pusha T and BJ The Chicago Kid to collaborate on the remix to the title track.

Having Gucci, and Pusha, two artists who isn’t to familiar with voicing their social and political views over tracks, on this song is proof that more than just conscious rappers are out ragged about the treatment of colored people in this country. Gucci, who is a well known trap rapper, opens the track expressing how he feels about the current issues Blacks face in America.  The second half of Gucci’s verse is where he vents on his frustrations of the country’s situation.

He  raps, “N***a with an attitude, a hundred miles and running. I done did some things so dirty that I wish I never done it. All eyes on me, America’s most wanted. It’s so hard to be a Black man in a white man country. Product of the slums with rich white folks’ money. And the police got no love for me, but I’m not scared of nothing. Mass incarcerate us, man and then they call it (justice) (Gucci how you feel?) I’m so tired of the f**k s**t (Wop).”

Bj The Chicago comes in and gives us just by singing a heartfelt hook. Common then comes in on the second verse dropping gems as he usually does and lastly Pusha T delivers one of his most educated verses ever. Pusha, who commonly describes himself as a drug peddler, admits that he aided the corruption the Black community with his dope selling lyrical content, but he admits he’s trying to change that.

I confess, I’ve been part of the problem. As of lately, I’m trying to solve ’em
I sold dope and I still talk the jargon. Just like Malcolm ‘fore the X was on him
All these years later, we still the target. Look at Ferguson, Brooklyn and Charlotte
Selling CDs, reaching for wallets. Trayvon’d be in his last year of college
I still mourn for Christopher Wallace. What happened in Dallas does not give me solace
So I acknowledge my flaws, apolige. Hey young world, just giving you the knowledge
The knowledge.

Common’s approach to recruit Gucci and Pusha is an excellent way to bridge the gap between gangster rap and conscious rap for a bigger purpose. Confessing that there is a real problem in this country among Blacks and having major entertainers come together to openly voice their concerns is a start to finding a solution. Listen to Common’s socially approached record, “Black America Again” ft. Gucci Mane, Pusha T and B.J The Chicago Kid.

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The post Gucci Mane, Pusha T and BJ The Chicago Kid All Join Common on “Black America Again” Remix appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

There are many few that use their talents to speak on day to day struggles that human beings have. From paying bills to putting faith in God, these are things that people think about pretty often. But you don’t hear it really covered on songs blaring through our radios. Why, though? It’s hard to pinpoint it. Some may just not care or are too fearful to speak on the truth. Well, careless and fearful are two things that Derek Minor is not. And he shows us that on his new track, “Until I’m Gone,” featuring BJ the Chicago Kid.

“Until I’m Gone” is an inspirational song– like many of Minor’s tracks– that speaks on his past, how far he has come and putting his faith in God. Minor is a true inspiration to others. He raps, “This for my people that struggle to pay off they light bill / In they heart man they wonder if Christ real / Or the next meal / I can tell you how that life feel.”

BJ the Chicago Kid adds his smooth vocals to the track as he sings, “And I got a whole lot of living Ima do/Now I’m finally winning and I owe it all to you/That’s why I’m going to give it all I got until I’m gone.”

“Until I’m Gone” will be featured on Minor’s sixth album, REFLECTIONS, which is due out October 14th. You can pre-order the album on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play. Make sure to keep up with Derek Minor on Twitter and his site.

Let Derek Minor inspire you!

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The post RESPECT. Premiere: Derek Minor is Giving All He Has on “Until I’m Gone” Feat. BJ the Chicago Kid appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The maker of Magnum™ Condoms and the Compound presents: The Compound Gold Project. This is a three-track Hip-Hop music collaboration that will be released on SoundCloud. The first track launching this project is by 2016 XXL Freshman Class artist Dave East and Grammy-nominated singer BJ The Chicago Kid for their song “Hold Me Down.”

Other artists contributing to The Compound Gold Project are Joey Bada$$, Beanie Sigel, Jim Jones, and Jadakiss. Joey Bada$$ and Jim Jones will team up for the next release called “Lost Ones,” and Beanie Sigel and Jadakiss are set to conclude the projects releases with “Dinero.”

The Founder and Creative Director of the Compound, Set Free Richardson told press, “Working directly with the artists and the brand allows us to authentically collaborate and make great music that the Magnum consumer wants to listen to.” On top of the three-tracks, this project also features behind-the-scene footage and exclusive interviews. To check out those additional features, you can head to www.thecompoundblog.com. Another way to keep up with the details is by following @TrojanCondoms on Twitter and keeping up with the hashtags #MagnumLiveLarge and #TheGoldProject

Listen to the first record “Hold Me Down” above and you can also watch the making of “Hold Me Down” with Dave East and BJ The Chicago Kid below.

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The post Dave East & BJ The Chicago Kid Connect on “Hold Me Down” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.