Abby Jasmine released her debut EP, Trap Mom, in late-2018. The project after touring with the likes of Rico Nasty, who happened to one of this year’s biggest artists. Although the extended play contained no guest appearances, it’s full of hit records. Songs like “No Hook” and “Why U Mad” stood out at classics.

Abby is readying for her forthcoming project, Abnormal, on August 16th. Unlike her debut EP, the project will include a pair of features from Taylor Belle and Levy Grey. “I try to keep my features really close to home,” Abby states. It will be preceded by two singles: “Relax” and most recently, “Where U Been.” Check the interview out below.

What was life like before you began music?

Well, I started off doing Vine videos and then I started gaining a mass following on Twitter. From there, I started making little freestyle videos and from there, I decided to start making music. I was always doing music growing up, I played the piano. My parents were really into music too so it was something that came naturally me.

Did your parents always support you getting into music?

Yeah, to an extent. They’re a little older so it’s like “profanity, wow you’re using that!” It’s like, yeah. There my parents so they’re always going to support me.

What does Abnormal mean to you?

All of my projects so far have been nicknames that I’ve got growing up. Someone gave me that nickname ’cause I was a weird-ass little kid. It just stuck and I just kept it. It’s something that describes me: I’m weird, I’m abnormal. It’s also a play on my name, Abby, Abnormal.

How would you compare this to your last project?

This one is more, I don’t want to say R&B, but it’s a lot of smokey vibes. You can listen to it while you’re smoking and just vibe out. Play it in the dark, play it driving. Compared to Trap Mom, I feel like this a different sound. I feel like it’s boring when you stick to the same content.

You also dropped “Where You Been” ahead of the release, how did you come up with the video concept?

Usually, I write all the treatments for my videos. However, this time around I was so sidetracked with everything that I let my directors do it. It was a whole production team and I flew out to California then we shot the video. It was really cool to see my music in someone else’s visions.

Why that single instead of any others?

I dropped “Relax” before, but I feel like that one was too slow. I think this one describes me better because I have dropped music in a minute. So it’s like “where you been at?” It’s kind of a reintroduction to me.

Will there be any features on the project?

It’ll have two features. I have my friend Taylor Belle and my boyfriend, Levy Grey. I try to keep my features really close to home. My friends and shit.

When people hear Abnormal, what do you want them to take away from the project?

That’s a good question. (laughs) I think I want people to take away that you don’t have to follow what everyone else done. You do your own shit, I do my own shit. I want people to have that care-free attitude. There’s a lot “I don’t give a fuck” vibes on that album.

What’s after the album?

After the album, I have a short film kind of. Just trying to make good visual content and get myself out there more. Let more hear my music; put more people onto me. Abnormal drops August 16th, make sure you listen to it when it drops.

The post From Viral Vine Sensation To Top-Tier Artist: Meet Abby Jasmine appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The magazine’s theme is inspired by Ralph Ellison’s 1952 novel Invisible Man, whose protagonist is quoted as saying, “What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?”

The debut issue of Cypher Mag portrays the creators of our generation, those who take risks to create their own realities and inspire others to do the same. It’s stunning how many talented youths are out there striving to do more than what society dictates, and contributing to collective enlightenment, whether it be through words, sounds, paint, or entrepreneurship–Cypher Mag is about just a few of these people.

The post Cypher League Releases “Cypher Mag”; Interviews Mick Jenkins, Gabriel Garzón-Montano, Etc. appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

As if signing to Cinematic Music Group wasn’t enough for one day. Straight outta Jacksonville,Florida, Mob Squad Nard releases the video for his freestyle over Meek Mill’s “Dreams & Nightmares“. “EVERYTHANG CLEAN BUT DA ASHTRAY” drops this summer via Cinematic/Mob Squad Muzik. Be on the lookout for the upstart emcee from the Sunshine state!

The post MobSquad Nard Signs To Cinematic Music Group, Releases “Dreams & Nightmares” Video appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The post New Music: Mobsquad Nard – “Dreams & Nightmares” (Freestyle) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Cause every time I make a move they be sweatin’ me
They want another black man in penitentiary
It’s even hard for that brother standing next to me
Cause he could catch a bullet that was really meant for me

In a recent interview during the popular trade show Agenda (held at the Jacob Javits center), DUNK360 and The Shrine Co. teamed up to interview Pro Era’s very own Joey Bada$$.
In the interesting set up, the collaborative ordeal entitled “The Shrine Shuttle”, Joey, Ernest Estime, and co. drove around in the back of a van to talk about what it feels like to finally drop his album “B4.DA.$$“, his favorite song/bars from the project, and more. He also took time out to detail the story behind Malia Obama supporting Pro Era, his opinion on the current state of music, social media’s pluses + minuses, and even talks about his favorite team to win Super Bowl XLIX.

Check out the uncensored interview down below and be sure to support Brooklyn’s latest great by buying the debut album “B4.DA.$$” right here.

The post Joey Bada$$ Talks Favorite Song Off “B4DA$$” Malia Obama, Super Bowl, etc. appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Joey Bada$$ is gearing up for the January 20th release of his debut album B4.DA.$$, and he brings his West Indian roots to his latest single “Curry Chicken”. Produced by Statik Selektah, this track has New York written all over it. Like most Joey Bada$$ tracks, the feeling of old school hip-hop exudes from his music effortlessly and this is no different. The production is very soulful and filled with jazz instrumentation. “Curry Chicken” is available for free for those who pre-order the album on iTunes . Listen to the track below.

The post New Music: Joey Bada$$ – “Curry Chicken” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Various pieces of archived black & white footage from Big K.R.I.T.‘s photoshoots, live performances, recording sessions and fun times with the crew create the backdrop for his latest video. The M83-sampling “Multi (Til The Sun Die)” from K.R.I.T.’s King Remembered In Time mixtape/album is the perfect uplifting tune to set a montage to. One time for Multi! Check out the inspiring clip, directed by Steve-Ography, below.

The post New Video: Big K.R.I.T. – “Multi (Til The Sun Die)” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.