Dao Jones Archives - RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture

New Music: Cole King – “Unorthodox”

RESPECT. Staff — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 15:50:06 +0000

The artist formerly known as Dao Jones brings us the first record under his new Cole King moniker. “Unorth0dox” features a melodic hook praising the females, with a synth-driven beat. Get into it below.

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New Video: Dao Jones feat. AMJ – “I Need It”

RESPECT. Staff — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 17:21:42 +0000

Dao Jones follows up his previous, minimalistic video with a full-on party in “I Need It.” Kicking things off with a lively game of baseball, Dao and his boys head off to a house party or some debauchery. Check it out below.

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Video Premiere: Dao Jones – “Never Learned”

RESPECT. Staff — Thu, 29 May 2014 17:00:08 +0000

Dao Jones’ self-produced album, 100 Years, arrived in March, but the NY rapper has now given fans some visuals. Today, RESPECT. has the premiere of the first video from the project, “Never Learned.” The record features Dao delivering fast-paced verses, contrasted by emotive crooning on the hook. Visually, the Terry Leahy-directed clip delivers some performance shots of Dao, while also displaying silhouettes of his formidable beard. Watch it below and cop the album here.

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New Music: YC The Cynic – “Negus”

RESPECT. Staff — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 19:42:10 +0000

YC The Cynic is prepping for the release of his album GNK, dropping August 26th. RESPECT. has already had the chance to listen to the full project and we can tell you that you will be downloading this project on Monday. Today, YC released a new album cut entitled “Negus,” the Ethiopian word for a sovereign ruler. The track, produced by the talented Frank Drake, starts off with YC‘s take on C-Murder‘s ever-quoted hook from “Down 4 My Niggas.” The track is politically charged, high in emotion, and full of thought-provoking quotes. “Not a free man but I’m a free mason as if that made sense.”

YC uses lots of mythical references, coinciding with GNK‘s cover art. The MC also refers to contemporary figures such as Marcus Garvey and his Madison Square Garden speech. The MC told us exclusively:

My inspiration for the song is always the beat. It dictates how I feel when I hear it, and subsequently the song that’s written. The idea of a chant struck me first. Then the melody struck. Then I was reminded of my fascination with the word “Negus” when I heard Elijah Black say it. It was all a string of random/organic occurrences, like it usually is.

“Negus” is about empowerment, and is composed much like a inspirational chant. It gives us a new vision on historical topics that are too often categorized as preachy. If you like what you are hearing and you are a fan of Soul Khan, Homeboy Sandman, Rebel Diaz, Sene, Scienze Ottis Clapp or Dao Jones, we advise you to come to YC‘s release party in New York City the 26th at SOBS.

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