The post DIGGIN’ IN THE CRATES WITH AD-ROCK! appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

When it comes to musical knowledge and skills, B.o.B and Ty Dolla $ign belong to a very exclusive club in hip-hop. Although the hit makers would prefer to not to be boxed in to any one genre, good music is a category they are more than willing to accept.

The post RESPECT. THROW BACK! B.o.B & Ty Dolla $ign Feature appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photographer Ismail “Calligrafist” Sayeed. Photo Credit: Eric Salvary/Get Fit Radio TV

Photographer, Ismail “Calligrafist” Sayeed checked in with Scoop B Radio podcast’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Press Play Below To Listen!

If you read articles on the internet then you’ve seen his work. Photographer Ismail “Calligrafist” Sayeed has photographed the latest and greatest.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama, Dwyane Wade, Jay-Z, Fabolous, DJ Khaled, P.Diddy and many more have been photographed under the keen lens of Calligrafist.

His photography is a bridge between fashion, lifestyle, hip hop and culture.

He’s everywhere!  Literally!

Homeboy’s work has appeared in reputable publications such as Billboard, ESPN, Bleacher Report, HBO, CBS Sports, Complex, Catch Restaurant, Reebok, Nike, Adidas, New York Fashion Week, DJ USA, Hot 97, Power 105.1, S.O.B.’s, Tidal, BET, VIBE, Mass Appeal, The Shade Room, Hype Beast, The Source Magazine, REVOLT, RESPECT Magazine, Bleu Magazine and Elliot Wilson and Brian ‘B.Dot” Miller’s Rap Radar.

All of that said…guess what? He’s not comfortable! 

“The kind of person that I am, I just want to do more,” Calligraist told RESPECT Magazine today by phone.

“This is just the beginning.” 

Forever Uptown… it’s a Harlem Thing. | #CalligrafistChronicles | www.CalligrafistPhotography.com

A post shared by Ismail اسما عيل Calligrafist™ (@calligrafist) on Dec 15, 2017 at 7:12pm PST

Harlem, NY bred and globally influenced, Calligrafist actually didn’t aspire to be a photographer. In fact, he fell in love with the art of graffiti and calligraphy; hence the nickname, ‘Calligrafist.’

A man of faith, the devout Muslim is college educated at Jamia Madinatul Uloom University in Trinidad & Tobago, where he studied Quranic Studies and Arabic reading and writing.

Calligrafist acknowledges seasoned hip hop photographers like Johnny Nunez and Jonathan Mannion  who have undoubtedly paved the way for on-the rise photographers such as himself. Calligrafist emphasizes that he’s glad to sit at the table with them and eat, while also gaining their respect for his skin in the game. “It’s genuinely cool to have intimate conversations with them,” he said.

“It’s more humbling that I am able to have direct access to people that I look up to like them and someone like Lenny S., DJ Clark Kent, Emory Jones, that have a name in the industry, people that have a place in the culture, for people to acknowledge me for more my work; that’s an honor. That’s more humbling. But it moves me to want to do more.”

For more information on Calligrafist and his photographic/art movement, visit www.calligrafistphotography.com and scroll up and press play to listen to our chat on Scoop B Radio! 

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The post Scoop B: Photographer Ismail “Calligrafist” Sayeed is a rising star who has stayed true to both his Islamic faith & his craft appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

One of NYC’s most coveted dance affairs, #TheVS, kicked off the month of August by bringing the party to the high seas. On Saturday, Aug. 1, the second annual #VSYacht set sail aboard the 4 Deck Luxury Infinity Yacht. The triple level party vessel featured an array of of 90s hip-hop, R&B and dancehall. The master musical curation was kept afloat by the sounds of 15 DJs and included guest appearances from Talib Kweli, Angela Yee, Ernest Baker and many more who kept the boat rocking all night long.

Check out the photos from the nautical affair below and peep some footage above!

All photos by Kai Miller

Videography courtesy of Vicious Seenery

The post Premiere: #TheVS 90’s vs Naughts Yacht Party Recap appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

How would you feel if you were an aspiring rapper and you found out that a veteran rapper you respected wanted to collaborate with you? Pretty great, right? But how would you feel if said “collaboration” went the worst way possible? Well, Complex found out with the new episode of their prank show Troll’d.

Papoose will release his sophomore album, You Can’t Stop Destiny, tomorrow via RBC Records and the album includes singles such as the DJ Premier produced “The Plug” (which was premiered by XXL), “Mobbing” featuring Troy Ave and produced by Havoc (which was premiered by Complex), “The Bank” (which was premiered by HipHopDX) and “Michael Jackson” which Pap describes as a “autobiographical and audio testament to his and Remy’s story; a story of true and enduring love” which features Remy Ma & Ty Dolla $ign (and was premiered by FADER).

Pap & Remy’s story has seen them become trending topics on Twitter and Facebook for the better part of a week and that story will also be chronicled on the upcoming season of Love & Hip Hop NY.

The post Papoose Pranks Rappers In “Troll’d” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

It seems like Lil Wayne’s “Carter 5” is almost nonexistent. We know it’s delay is due to some label issues, but the delay is sending his fans into withdraw. He gave fans their quick fix as he demolished the “Hot Boy” and “Off The Rip” remixes, but with those bars, Wayne only increased his demand. With that being said, Tunechi announced last night that his “Free Weezy” album will be released July 4th. Will Wayne be releasing this album under Cash Money or Roc Nation? Stay tuned for updates. (via Complex)

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With the mean assist from Complex, we get our first look at Bia’s new video for “Chola Season”, from her mixtape of the same name, which dropped last year. Not only does Pharrell’s newest protégé star in this eerily cool clip, but she also dropped off some new heat, last night, via her Soundcloud. Press play on everything, and be on the lookout for Bia’s forthcoming debut album.

Also, make sure you catch Bia on Oxygen’s hit show, Sisterhood of Hip-Hop, which airs every Tuesday at 9pm.

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