Sean “Diddy” Combs is releasing a brand new fragrance that goes by the name of 3AM. For its release, Diddy decided to link up with his rumored girlfriend Cassie for the ad. The video depicts Cassie naked for the majority of the commercial with a quick clip simulating a sexual encounter between the two stars. Shocking? In a day and age where stars like Kanye West and Chris Brown are showing off half-naked pictures of their significant others, not so much.

When asked about the video, Diddy shared his thought process behind the advertisement with Style.com:

“I think if people hear about the video, they’re going to hear that it’s racy and provocative, but I also think they’re going to hear people say that it’s beautiful. That whole interaction has nothing to do with sex as much as it has to do with love. My concept is that love is the new sexy. The concept for the video represents one of the things that 3 a.m. is for me. It’s a very one-on-one time. It’s a time to have fun and push the envelope a little bit. It’s definitely an hour where you would find yourself with a young lady. Anything can happen at 3 a.m., and in the video, you see a fantasy that’s in my head of what happened that night.”

Check out the video for Diddy’s new fragrance 3AM below:

The post Diddy & Cassie Go All The Way In 3AM Ad (Video) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

1. Numb – Cassie Ft. Rick Ross
This song is older than most and the only track on this list from 2013. Why? It’s surprising how many people still haven’t heard it yet. It’s smooth, infectious and the perfect song to ride into any new year with.

2. Chimes (Remix) – Mohawke Hudson Ft. Pusha T, Future, French Montana & Travi$ Scott
It’s often a real treat when hip-hop and techno based beats link up, and Chimes (Remix) is no exception. Best remix of 2014?

3. Turn Down For What (Remix) – DJ Snake Ft. Lil Jon, Juicy J, 2 Chainz & French Montana
Even though the official remix took almost a year to drop after the original, it might actually be impossible to turn down to this song, so give in and dance like it’s no ones business.

4. Hot N**** – Bobby Shmurda
Bobby’s still behind bars so there’s a good chance his New Year’s wasn’t as hype as he planned. However, that won’t stop most of North America from bumping this all day long. If you ain’t a heater get up out my playlist!

5. No Type – Rae Sremmurd
Rae Sremmurd is fairly new and still earning his credentials but there’s not dispute here, “No Type” couldn’t be more catchy. Throw it in.

6. F*** You Mean – Meek Mill Ft. Boosie Badazz
If this beast of a track doesn’t get your blood pumping, nothing will.

7. Can’t Stop – Theophilus London Ft. Kanye West
Slowing things down a bit, “Can’t Stop” is for anyone planning on a strictly chill day. Just relax and Listen.

8. 6. Tuesday – ILOVEMAKONNEN Ft. Drake
Even though the entire world went up on a Wednesday, “Tuesday” was almost certainly in every DJ’s playlist for New Years Eve. Even though this song is starting to get over-played, one more day won’t hurt.

9. Been Getting Money – Jeezy Ft. Akon
Jeezy’s Seen It All: The Autobiography is easily one of the best projects of 2014, and this collaboration with Akon who’s been quiet in the industry of late, makes it that much better. This is the type of song you’ll want to raise a glass to, and maybe throw up a rolly or two.

10. 2015 Flow – YG
What better way to close out 2014 than with YG’s “2015 Flow”? The beats nasty and YG gets even nastier.

The post Top 10 Songs For Your New Year’s Day Playlist appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

We don’t typically post compilations, but this is a special case; these artists represent a much-needed aesthetic shift in R&B and beyond. Where they will take us is unclear, but the journey itself is definitely worth our time, especially since some of these artists have been vying for our attention for ages.

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What up mixtape lovers? Here’s our latest Mixtape Madness!

Cassie, RockaByeBaby

Remember Cassie? “Me & U,” Cassie? Well, she recently released a tape and it’s really good. As the all-gold pistol and jewelry tape cover implies, Cassie is at her baddest: “Bad Bitch” may very well become the anthem. The tape shows a growth that separates the songwriter from her previous tongue-in-cheek style. There’s an abrasiveness and confidence in Cassie that had not been fully explored in past releases. Her specialty is mid-tempo, R&B vibes but even on turned up bangers such as “Bad Bitch” and “Turn Up,” she does a great job. Do not let the tape’s title fool you, RockaByeBaby will swaddle listeners in dirty sex-driven narratives, accompanied by sleek and luscious production.

Standout track: “Sounds of Love” feat. Jeremih

Raekwon & Scram Jones, The Chef Vs The Beast

The best of Raekwon and Scram Jones, in 26 head-bobbing tracks. Not much can be said. Whether you’re already acquainted with Raekwon or not, this is a listenable tape that captures some of his most recent work with a great hip-hop producer.

Standout track: “Shaolin Vs Wu Tang”

Jay Ant, Blue Money

Jay Ant’s Blue Money is pretty good. What works to Ant’s benefit is how versatile his tape is. From cloud-rap high vibes to hyphy bounce, the production that backs Ant reflects the Bay Area scene he reps. As a lyricist, Ant can create some telling stories. “You ever wonder why they tell you things but you can’t trust that,” asks Ant on “Temple Run.” Ant is at his best when he’s introspective, providing moments of insight, in similar fashion to Lil B. “Dreams Promises” is Ant’s “wow” song. There’s a well-balanced combination of memorable hooks, production, lyrical content and flow. Ant is still coming into his own, but judging by Blue Money, he’s headed in the right direction.

Standout track: “Dreams Promises”

Corner Boy P, RNS

“The same streets I call home might lead me to a goner,” states Corner Boy P on tape opener, “1997.” Life in ’97 was not so sweet for Corner Boy P, and this serves as his moment of retrospection, especially considering how much more upbeat the rest of RNS is. What’s enjoyable about P is he can follow in suit with his Jet Life cohorts while refining his own sound. His flow resembles that of Master P and Mannie Fresh, which is certainly a plus. At nine tracks, three of which are basically freestyles over other rapper’s songs, it’s hard to fully get an idea of what Corner Boy P is all about. It’s a decent tape but a few more songs or an increase in original tracks would have been nice.

Standout track: “Box Chevy”

Big K.R.I.T., King Remembered In Time

One thing is for certain about K.R.I.T.’s latest tape: he can definitely produce. Every track is luscious and maintains a southern backbone to it that gives the production a warm and inviting atmosphere. Peep our full review here.

Standout track: “My Trunk” feat. Trinidad James

Lore’l, Billboard Bytch

Now a TV star, it’s easy to forget about Lore’l’s rap sessions with the Outsidaz back in the day. This tape serves as a reminder that she can still spit some pretty hard bars. What’s immediately noticeable about Lore’l is her delivery, however. Confident and unwavering, her boasts hearken back to Lil Kim at her prime, and the production only empowers those boasts. The only complaint with the tape is Lore’l’s sing-song moments, which are not good and unnecessary. Aside from that, Billboard Bytch is heavy in all the right ways.

Standout track: “Outta They League”

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Starring: DJ Khaled, Rick Ross, Diddy, Fabolous, Red Cafe, NIcki Minaj, Cassie, Jadakiss, Fat Joe, Ace Hood, Gun Play, Busta Rhymes, T-Pain, scantily clad models and a bottle of Ciroc here.

You have to love that—even  in this era of technologically enhanced collaborations and rap as a business, man—DJ Khaled can get the vast majority of these guys to be in the same place at the same time. And you have to love that Derick G. is there to remind us that, yes, Virginia, these moments really still do happen.

The post Derick G. x Almost Every Rapper DJ Khaled Knows + Ciroc Product Placement | “All I Do Is Win (Remix)” Behind-the-Scenes appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.