Mobb Deep performed some of their hit singles that included “Shook Ones” and “Quiet Storm.” Though the festival took place in BK, Queens was definitely representing in the crowd when Mobb Deep hit the stage. Lion Babe brought the smooth, shagadelic sounds to the festival and easily balanced out the hip hop festival with some cool vibes.

Overall the show was entertaining but many couldn’t wait for Common to hit the stage. Though Common didn’t get on stage until about an hour after his expected time, he closed out The BK Hip Hop Festival strong! A combination of his hit tracks and a surprise appearance from BK’s very own, Foxy Brown, the extra hour was worth the wait!

It goes without saying, Brooklyn Bodega knows how to put together an unforgettable show. Already looking forward to next year!

Writer: Jasmina Cuevas

Photographer: Jourdan Ash

The post 11th Annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival — Photos appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Every Summer we all prepare for the hottest festivals. We strategically plan which festivals to hit up and which ones to ignore. Ultimately, all the festivals seem to have the same feel to them and don’t really provide that extra substance; that everlasting memory. Luckily for all of those seeking more than just a night filled of mediocre music, The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival is back!

Ever since 2005, The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival has been providing hip-hop heads with a one stop shop of old school, new school and alternative hip-hop. And like the previous years, this year will be legendary.

As most of you have already heard, Common will be headlining The BK Hip-Hop Festival but the rest of the lineup is just as awesome:

-Mobb Deep

-Freeway

-Lion Babe

-Charles Hamilton

-Skyzoo

-John Robinson & PVD

-Rob Swift

-PitchBlack Brass Band

-DJ Parler

If you haven’t had a chance to attend The BK Hip-Hop Festival previously, check out last year’s coverage! Tickets are still available for purchase but make sure you cop them before they sell out. The 11th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival will be unforgettable.

The post The 11th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival: Grab Your Tickets Now! appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

With the 1960’s and The Civil Rights Movement serving as the inspiration, comeback kid Charles Hamilton teams up with the sultry, yet soulful Rita Ora for the “New York Raining” visual.

The post New Video: Charles Hamilton featuring Rita Ora – “New York Raining” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The post New Music: Charlies Hamilton – “Headed To The Top” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Charles Hamilton makes his return to music with the Rita Ora assisted track “NY Raining”. The track, which will be featured on FOX’s hit series Empire, is a breathe of fresh air from the Harlem rapper. With a new deal with Republic Records, and a new outlook on life we expect to hear great things from his debut album which is due out later this year. Get into the track below.

The post New Music: Charles Hamilton feat. Rita Ora – “NY Raining” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The XXL annual freshman list feels kind of arbitrary at times, but this year’s cohort is definitely more stacked than usual. You never know exactly how the year will unfold for artists after the class list is announced – Charles Hamilton didn’t have the best year after his appearance on the cover – but an appearance on the cover does make a statement about where artists are right now.

That being said, this is rap, so to make a real statement, you’ve got to make some actual statements, preferably through some sharp bars. Angel Haze is making a statement. Listen up below.

The post Video: Angel Haze Makes a Statement with Her XXL Freshman Freestyle appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The last time I’d seen Charles Hamilton online was a WorldStar video called “Cameraman Trying To Explain To Charles That It Costs Money TO Live, But Charles Just Wants To Stay Poor & Unsigned!” But for whatever reason, I am a Facebook “fan” of the Charles Hamilton Project, a rather bootleg fan-site that attempts to document the curious life and erratic music — or is that erratic life and curious music? — of the ex-XXL freshman. That’s how I found out about “HAMILTON (The Enigmatic Career of Charles Hamilton),” an hour-long oeuvre that seems to be mostly YouTube footage of interviews and freestyles. I scanned it a bit and found Charles’s infamous Serius Jones barbershop attack (at 42 minutes), and hopefully they’ve included that video of his ex-girlfriend knocking his face. Full disclosure: I haven’t actually watched the whole thing, and I’m not sure I ever will. But “Brooklyn Girls” used to be my shit, and Charles is sorta starting to seem like a dark, un-#based version of Lil B, now that I think about it… I’ve got to marinate on this one. Anyways, enjoy.

The post Video: “HAMILTON” – A Feature-Length Documentary About Charles Hamilton’s Bizarre Career appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.