Look, I’m nothing if not honest with you guys, the readers. I love you guys as if I knew each and every one of you personally, and I would never deceive you. That’s why right now, a week in advance, I’m letting you know there will be NO With All Due RESPECT. next week. The reason being? Well, if you have to ask then have yet to be “HUMBLE.d” and somehow let the news of King Kendrick’s new album fly by your head. But wait, there’s more! *Billy Mays Voice* (R.I.P.) Not only are we being blessed with the Compton Gospel, but the young legend Joey BADA$$ is slated to release his sophomore project which has features from SchoolBoy Q, Styles P – wtf?! – and perhaps most importantly, Jermaine Cole. Personally, I have been waiting years, since this picture actually, to hear Joey and Cole trade bars on a track, but probably not for the same reasons as you. See, I believe that Joey has the chops to be King around here, but at only 22-years-old and with only one studio album under his belt, it’s obvious he still has some things to prove. Despite this, I think he’s DIRECTLY under J. Cole and after a lackluster album release from Cole this past winter – yeah, I said it – if Joey can get the best of Cole on their track together, and deliver another classic project, it may be time to shake up the rankings. But let’s be honest here, they’re both fighting for number three – DRAKE IS 1B TO KENDRICK’S 1A, DON’T @ ME — at this point & Cornroll Kenny is sure to be the talk of the town Friday night. Friday is still a couple days away, though, and you may need some kill to bridge the gap between now and 4/7. Don’t trip, we got you. Check out this week’s With All Due RESPECT. featuring a late night jam from Kaleb Mitchell, a super banger from Richie Bux and more.

DaShawn Watson – You Are (Not) Alone

Checking in first on the list is So. Florida native DaShawn Watson and his introspective track, “You Are (Not) Alone”. A couple weeks ago, we premiered the video for this track, and ever since I can’t stop listening. Watson has slowly become one of my favorite emcees from Florida over the past year with tracks like “[SLIDE]” and again delivers with this one. In Watson’s own words, he describes the track as, “Basically it’s inspired by the movie Evangelion 1.11 You Are (Not) Alone because I’m tying in my past situations with a girl and the general theme for the movie about being alone.” The track exhibits everything there is to like about the Broward County spitter, which is highlighted by his ability to pace his words throughout his flow. Despite rapping at a machine gun like speed at times, Watson always does a great job at winding it back down towards the punchlines. Check out the track for, “You Are (Not) Alone” below and be sure to check out our interview with Watson about the making of the video, here.

https://soundcloud.com/wyx-watson/you-are-not-alone

Kaleb Mitchell – “Right Now (Feat. Asaiah Ziv & Caleb Cruise)”

In an era dominated by social media and “networking” in general, we’ve seen collaborations happen in Hip-Hop at a rate never seen before. Not only that, thanks to Twitter, we’re seeing artists on completely separate coasts, bring their fan bases together to create a special moment for both artists, and a way to gather more fans. In theory, it’s genius, and the latest duo to use this tactic were Wharton, PA native Kaleb Mitchell and Las Vegas rep Asaiah Ziv for the infectious single, “Right Now”. Self-produced by Mitchell – somehow the drum kicks are both chilling AND soothing, “Right Now” is a wavy ode to not taking any more bullsh*t. How many times have you told people you were on to something and they laughed at you, only to come right back around when the success is visible? That’s the feeling captured by Mitchell and Ziv in this down-tempo, yet easy to groove with track. “You ain’t hit me till I started getting poppin’/ got you thinking that I’m just another option,” croons Mitchell while Ziv adds on with the easily relatable bridge, “Don’t hit my line if you don’t know my name/ don’t hit my line if you want me for the fame/ don’t hit my line if you need another favor/ don’t hit my line, don’t hit my line.” Check out the vibe heavy track below and be sure to keep your eyes and ears on Mitchell & Ziv, who are two of the hottest underground acts out right now.

MaZhe. – “Sh*t Talk”

Making his second appearance on the list is San Diego native MaZhe. and his bar-heavy new single, “Sh*t Talk“. This is MaZhe.’s second appearance on the WADR column after last year’s inclusion of, “Gettin’ Real” a self-reflective track about finding yourself amidst the journey to your dreams. “Sh*t Talk” on the other hand, is exactly what the title suggests, flexing to the max. “I’m hunting for you better hold you ground,” raps the 20-year-old over a nostalgic sounding boom-bap beat with a twist – the synths that accompany the dusty drums is something Dilla must’ve dreamed about happening. While “Gettin’ Real” saw a young emcee attempting to find his voice and his path, “Sh*t Talk” serves as the evolution of the Daygo rep, adding a more confident and assertive sounding cadence to his repertoire. MaZhe. has good reason to feel that way also, as the budding wordsmith has been lighting up the blogesphere. Check out the new single below, and be sure to check out the SD native sooner rather than later.

https://soundcloud.com/mazhethegod/shit-talk-prod-teddy-walton-1

Saucalini – “Ball Cap (Feat. SEBBYOG)”

Keeping it in San Diego, next up on the list is Saucalini & his SebbyOG assisted ode to SD, “Ball Cap”. What at first listen sounds like a duo pledging their allegiance to the sound that Yachty – ehh Burberry Perry — built (xylophones, juvenile synths, etc.) quickly manifests itself as something way more substantial, a city-wide anthem. “I got SD on my ball cap, tell these old hoes they can fall back,” croons Saucalini throughout the intro and the chorus, which makes you wish you had a Padres cap in reach sooooo badly. An underrated feat of the soon-to-be-viral track will definitely be its focus on positivity. Because of the auto tune drenched testimonials about all black Nike SBs, Michelada tall cans, & spiteful chicks; it could be real easy to miss gems like, “Tell me why the fu*k you mad for, bit*h you actin’ like an a*shole,” or “All of you wanna be sad, I’m too happy for all of that bullsh*t you talkin’,” ringing throughout the infectious track. With the track at 9K plays and counting, combined with their announcement as the newest members of Rossi Rock’s Suav City collective, Sebby and Saucalini are on the fast track to regional or even national success. When it comes to the city though, the track is already a Daygo spiritual. Check out the track below and join the bandwagon now before it’s too late.

Richie Bux – “Make it Out (Feat. Chuck Brilliant & Silent)”

Rounding out this week’s list, coming in last but not least, is Richie Bux and the menacing track, “Make it Out” featuring Chuck Brilliant and Silent. A standout track from Bux’s, Early Infamy tape, “Make it Out” reunites the former NWO members one track for the first time this year. Bux kicks off the track with chilling keys that constantly wander in the back of your mind for the rest of the song, while setting the tone and letting you know, “We got real cookies for your sweet tooth.” Despite Bux’s impressive opening verse, the man of the hour has to be Chuck Brilliant. “I get my hands dirty, my intuition is camouflage,” starts of Brilliant with his verse, creating a tone for the rest of the 16. Chuck is no stranger to this list, or killing tracks, as he himself had a spot on this list with last year’s, “House Party”. The Chuck we get on this track is a lot different, though. While he focused more on party raps and tweet worthy bars on, “House Party”, the Vegas native showcases a pain in his voice that’s reminiscent of 50 post shooting. Expect for Chuck to be a breakout artist this year on the streets. While Chuck may have lyrically commanded the track, it was Silent who steals the show by the end of the track. Opting for a more nasally sounding cadence that makes him sound like the child from hell with a vengeance on the producer, Silent completely takes over the song with his last verse, climaxing in the mimicking of his semi-auto letting off on the competition, literally and figuratively. Check out the track below and be sure to give Early Infamy – which is easily one of the best EPs released in the first quarter of 2017 – a deep listen.

https://soundcloud.com/richiebux/make-it-out-feat-chuck-brilliant-silent

There you have it! Let us know how we did, did we get it right? Are we still sleeping on your favorite local artist? Let us know in the comment section below!

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The post With All Due RESPECT.: 5 Songs You’ve Been Sleeping On (4/5) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photography by Shaquille Lewin

Florida has always been known as “The Sunshine State”. To kids out in the West Coast like myself, Florida seemed like a dream. Orlando had Disney World, Universal Studios — the dope one — and Tracy McGrady. Miami had the beaches, pretty girls and Dwyane Wade — as you can see I love hoops. From the outside looking in, it seemed Florida had no worries. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Though a stout tourist destination, Florida has its demons just like everywhere else, and places like Liberty City command a reputation only bested by Compton. But you know what they say… Pressure creates diamonds, and Florida has been Sierra Leone. Rising up from the struggle, we’ve seen natives like Kodak Black and Denzel Curry break through the shackles and snatched the attentions of listeners all around America — though Kodak has a bit more shackles to overcome. Hoping to be next in the line of sunshine hopefuls is Broward County native DaShawn Watson.

DaShawn Watson has picked up some regional steam lately with his infectious track, “Slide” which features Watson crooning in the intro which quickly turns into motivated, solid bars. Watson shows supreme potential by moonlighting as a vocalist during the hooks and ripping the verses to shreds, showcasing his vast versatility. Though his catalog is a bit scarce, the promise is there; and the story is fantastic. We got chance to catch up with the 20-year-old Florida native to chat about everything from growing up in Florida to boasts of FIFA invincibility.

RESPECT.: Where are you from?

Watson: I was born in Queens, NY; but my family decided to move down to South Florida when I was 4. Ever since then I’ve lived in Broward County, FL.

RESPECT.: How has living in Broward affected your sound? Do you think you would be doing the same thing had you stayed in Queens?

Watson: Broward Bred Broward Dead. I write about the things I’ve done here, the people I’ve been with here. I wouldn’t say my sound is one that represents Broward but it’s one that could only come from here. If I stayed in Queens I probably wouldn’t be making music; I don’t think things would be the same, probably for the worse. I mean, what do you think most DaShawn’s are doing.

RESPECT.: What type of artist are you?

Watson: Simply put, I do it all. From the visual to the audio. I’m involved, if not doing it. I really like to be in touch with art, the form doesn’t matter to me. Sometimes I’ll do photography, other times I’ll want to produce a couple beats. I guess an all-around artist would describe it best.

RESPECT.: What type of music do you make?

Watson: At times I don’t know. It’s really based on what and how I feel. It’s definitely rap, but I’ve never really been able to narrow it down to one thing.

RESPECT.: What were you doing before music?

Watson: Playing Runescape. Before I made music I was really into video games, drawing, and computer stuff. This is all middle school/early high school time so I was lame. I just read manga and watched anime, notably before it was cool.

RESPECT.: What’s your favorite videogame of all time?

Watson: I play FIFA a lot, I hate FIFA, but I play FIFA a lot. If I had to choose my favorite videogame of all time it’d be a toss up between Dragon Ball Z, Budokai Tenkaichi 3 and Super Smash Bros. I don’t know how many hours I’ve I logged in on that DBZ game but it isn’t healthy.

RESPECT.: What made you fall in love with hip hop?

Watson: It was everywhere I was. Music was always played growing up. BET, MTV, and the radio were things I was always tuned into. I literally couldn’t avoid it; it’s what my friends were listening too, it’s was Hotnewhiphop was talking about, it’s even the Sisqo album my mom had that I’d occasionally listen to.

RESPECT.:  What’s the first hip hop album you ever bought on your own?

Watson: I’ve never bought an album in my life. I’m a huge album over singles person but I’ve never bought one. It’s been a goal of mine that when I get on, I’ll go out and buy like every album I loved. That’s: 2014 FHD (2014 Forest Hills Drive), GKMC (Good Kid MAAD City), ATLiens, Culdesac, and more.

Photography by Shaquille Lewin

If I stayed in Queens I probably wouldn’t be making music; I don’t think things would be the same, probably for the worse. I mean, what do you think most DaShawn’s are doing.

RESPECT.: What kind of sound can fans expect to hear on your upcoming project?

Watson: Everything but happy music. It’s not a happy thing.

RESPECT.: Who are your inspirations?

Watson: I love Outkast, I just feel like “Hey Ya” is the best song ever. Big fan of Childish Gambino too; I listened to his album Culdesac at a pretty important time of my life so it gave me inspiration on what to talk about in my music. Amy Winehouse also, I love her voice, wish I could sing like her. Outside of music, my grandma. Mainly because she’s lived a life in which she’s affected thousands of lives. I want to do that with music.

RESPECT.: How did you start making music and what’s one time you wanted to quit but kept going, why?

Watson: I started writing music back when I didn’t like myself. It was the reason I started making music. In regards to quitting, I always want to quit. I feel like with anything that’s uncertain, you’re going to want to quit, a lot. I’ve tried to stop making music, but I can’t. You can’t simply stop something that’s a part of you.

RESPECT.: Where can people keep up with you and your music?

Watson: My website (http://www.bttrday.com ) whenever I decided to make things public, my Twitter or Soundcloud.

Check out Watson’s track, “Slide” below, and be sure to keep an eye on the Florida native.

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The post Broward Bred, Broward Dead: Chopping it up With DaShawn Watson appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.