Boston rapper Born (of critically acclaimed duo G.Dot & Born) pays homage to one of his biggest inspirations with his new video for “Don Julio Pena,”an ode to the kickboxing champion of the same name.

The IGNORVNCE-produced banger, which appears on Born’s recently released Born Flexin project, serves as the soundtrack for visuals filled with footage from Pena’s career. The video is a collaboration between Josh Bliss Lighten and Third Eye Fly, who used clips of the fighter knocking out his competition and also training at the Hardknocks gym.

As dope as it is to what Pena do his thing in the ring—that clip where he elbows his opponent is just brutal—it’s the training footage that really hits home. That’s because you get to see exactly what guest Geo Fendi means when he raps, “Heart of a lion, Don Julio with the uppercuts,” on the hook. This is a man who works himself to the bone to do what he loves and help others reach their goals.

“Julio is a great example of a stand-up man,” Born says of his hero. “He’s a champion at heart, and he motivates everyone while showing them it’s not how many times you get knocked down, it’s how many times you get back up.”

That right there is what inspires the Boston emcee, who himself has used Muay Thai as a way to stay disciplined and focused on his music career. As for feeling like Don Julio Pena? “It’s feeling like a champion!” Born exclaims.

Check out the visuals now for “Don Julio Pena,” courtesy of RESPECT., and be sure to go download Born Flexin over at AudioMack or DatPiff, or give it a stream via SoundCloud.

The post #PeepTheVisual: Born (feat. Geo Fendi) – “Don Julio Pena” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

In promotion for his newest mixtape, Born Flexin, Boston emcee, Born, unveils the official video to his single, entitled “Haters“.  Produced by CMBEATS, you’ll find “Haters” to be one of the more vivid, filmic-sounding records coming from the Beantown emcee.

The ambiance of the video is pretty dope.  You can expect to see several homegrown beauties and locals flexin in the streets, as Born links with cinematographer Gomez in the Dominican Republic to create the vibe for the single, which resembles something more than a typical video and more like a proper short film.  Based on the quality of the video, you’d think homie had a large film crew and label backing, but leave it to Gomez and his small team of talented individuals to fool you.  The visual was done independantly and was very well directed and edited.  We should definitely be hearing more about Gomez in the near future.

Born Flexin is available for free download (refer to links below), and can be streamed in it’s entirety below, courtesy of RESPECT.

• AudioMack: http://bit.ly/1SWFQ2M
• DatPiff: http://bit.ly/1VO6Kj6

Born Online:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/god_borncipher
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/god_born
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boski.borncipher

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The post RESPECT. Premiere: Born Delivers “Haters” (Video) & ‘Born Flexin’ (Mixtape) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Are you tired of purchasing drums kits only to be dissatisfied by the lack of quality? I think we’ve all been there before. Snares that sound cut off and kicks that have some sort of music behind it. You know the types. Confidence decided to put together drum kits that he’s used in his own productions and beats so that all the sounds you’ll get are nothing but official. All 20 kits contain a kick, snare and hi hat all separated into folders together.

Introducing Neck Snapping Drums Vol. 1: These kits are ready to go and really don’t need any processing. Reverb, eq and compression have been added to help create that neck snapping sound. At $1 a kit, and $20 for the whole set, the value is tremendous:

Neck Snapping Drums Vol. 1 Link

And for all you late bloomers we attached a few highlights below from some of Confidence’s most acclaimed records. The underground has been behind Confidence for years now, with a solid line-up of releases over the years. If you are not familiar, let this be the last time you say that. You will thank us afterwards.

Rashad & Confidence – “The City” off The Element of Surprise (2011) Cuts by Dj Technic

Purpose (Tragic Allies) & Confidence – “Unstoppable” off The Purpose of Confidence (2012)

G. Dot & Born – “Class Is In Session” off Confidence Presents: G. Dot & Born Featuring Edo. G (2014) Cuts by Dj Technic

If you are not sold by now than we don’t really know what to tell you. Confidence has been swaying below the radar for years with classic underground material. Anyone who follows real hip-hop and keeps up with the scene will tell you this is beyond a deal. If you produce and want ill drums now is your chance, once again. Peace and prosperity.

The post Producer Confidence Offers ‘Neck Snapping Drums Vol. 1’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.