Photos via DaniLeigh.

DaniLeigh is a signer and dancer from Miami, Florida that’s rising to stardom at a rapid pace. Her Hispanic upbringing naturally pumped a love for music through her veins. At an early age, DaniLeigh began recording covers to songs and uploading them to YouTube. Since, Dani’s resume has become extensive. She has worked with artists like Pharrell, Nelly Furtado and Meghan Trainor. Dancing on stage with artists was a regular gig but soon she would step to the microphone as a musician.

In September 2017, DaniLeigh dropped her first project, Summer With Friends. You can hear the vibes of vibrant, feel-good sounds flow through every song. The popular track, “Lurkin,” was even featured on the second episode of Insecure’s Season 2. DaniLeigh has taken her career to new heights and is proving that she won’t be denied. 

RESPECT Magazine contributor, Miguel Crespo, had the pleasure of speaking with DaniLeigh to talk about the successes of her recent project, Summer With Friends, working with Prince and what the future holds for her.

When did you know you loved music and wanted to sing for the rest of your life? 

I can’t really picture my life without music.. I’m not a sit down at a desk type of person.. Music is what moves me.. And I’m not super vocal personally, so letting it all out through my music is my outlet to express myself the most.

What was it like growing up in Miami musically? Do you feel moving to LA played a big part in achieving your goals? 

Growing up in Miami gave me that Spanish culture. Always at my Dominican families house and experiencing the beach, etc. Moving to LA definitely helped me. Everyone in music I feel like is here, so networking and collabing with different artists is way easier.

You’re not only a talented singer, you’re a dancer that has shared the stage with artists like Pharrell and Meghan Trainor. How has that experience helped you in your career as a musician? 

I believe it showed me the lifestyle of being an artist. I saw Meghan Trainor blow up after her hit song and how everything started moving for her. I saw what was needed for an artist, etc. I appreciate being behind the scenes a lot.

You signed with Def Jam in 2017. How did you get your start? 

I did. I believe my start in the industry was when Prince discovered me at 18. I moved to LA when I was 16 but that moment was crazy for me. I had been on blogs, press, MTV, Vibe, etc. After that, I was really focused on starting my music career.

Your project, Summer With Friends, released in September. From release day to now, how has the feedback been? 

So great! It’s crazy how people are starting to discover the project now. The numbers are steady going up and I’m gaining more and more fans every day from the project.

What was your favorite track to make and why? 

My favorite track on the project was, “On.” It was so fun to make! I loved the bounce and how much life it has to it. I feel like I sound so different on that record.

Who are people that influence you? What are things that inspire the music you create?

My biggest influencers are Aaliyah, Rihanna, and Drake… The inspiration I get from my music is all through my life and story. I’m picky when it comes to choosing production, but once I hear the right beat I always write about what I’m going through. I’m a visual artist as well so I always have an idea of what the music video would be prior to me writing the song.

Who are some artists you would like to work with in the future?

I would love to collab with Drake, Byson TIller, Rihanna, SZA, and 6lack is dope.

You mentioned you were mentored by one of the greatest artists of all time, Prince. What was it like to have somebody of his stature in your corner? 

It was unreal honestly. I picked up a lot of traits from him. I’m smarter on business decisions that I make, my pen game is stronger and I’m just overall grateful. He really believed in me as an artist and I really look into that as something special. Makes me realize that I am made for this.

What is some advice you would give aspiring artists trying to make it in the music industry? 

Work hard and have the most confidence when it comes to your artistry. Find a team that believes in you 100%.

Do we have any new music to look forward to soon? 

Yup! June I will be dropping a continuous project called, “Summer With More Friends.” Got special features on there and new vibes! Can’t wait to drop. And then my debut album will be dropping in the Fall.

What’s next for DaniLeigh? 

New music, new visuals, more shows, and a tour! 🙂

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The post RESPECT. Interview: DaniLeigh Talks Working With Prince, New Music & Upcoming Tour With Jeremih appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

In celebration of Def Jam Recordings‘ 30 year anniversary, RESPECT. Mag and iHeart Radio have collaborated with the label to bring you all, ’30 Days, 30 DJ’s, 30 Mixes!’ Every day in the month of November, a new mix will drop from one of hip hop’s very own favorite DJs. Since November has already begun, the mixes are in full play! We started off with Tony Touch followed by DJ Scratch and tomorrow will be DJ Mr. Choc! Here is the link for the mixes! Make sure to hit the site every day to see who will be dropping some fire for you next!

The post Def Jam Recordings x RESPECT. Mag x iHeart Radio Present: ’30 Days, 30 DJ’s, 30 Mixes!’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

There is no doubt that in 2005 you were vibing to some Jeezy. Whether you were blasting his music in the parking lot of your high school or on the way to a house party, the year he dropped the Trap or Die mixtape and TM 101 album was a year to remember. These particular projects, and his discography thereafter, were emblematic of their time. In 2014, Jezzy is back with the release of Seen It All: The Autobiography. True to his style, he spits motivational lyrics whilst creating party tracks.

The album begins with “1/4 Block,” a lyrical narrative that can best be compared to a scene from The Wire; Jeezy, posted on the corner or in the kitchen, hustling to survive. Atlanta’s Childish Major handles the production, whose use of the electric guitars gives the track a grimey effect. “What You Say,” also produced by Childish Major, is a classic Jeezy cut, specifically meant to be played in the club or in the car at an extremely high volume. On “Enough,” produced by Kenoe, Jeezy insists that if you “grind hard enough” and practice having some get up and go about yourself, then you could achieve success and keep it G just like him. “Holy Ghost,” whose remixed version features Kendrick Lamar, is a reflective of Jeezy’s life over production by Don Cannon, Lyle LeDuff and Frank Dukes. When it comes to this track, it’s a no brainer when it comes to hitting the repeat button.

I feel like with every Jeezy album you get an experience and I think that’s still the case here.  The production is nice, the features are all good and make sense – he didn’t just select someone solely because they were hot but because they bounce off each other well. I think in terms of hip-hop releases so far this year, this is up there with YG’s.  – Erin Duncan for RESPECT.

Midway through the album, “Me OK,” produced by Drumma Boy aka D Boy Fresh, and “Seen It All” featuring Jay Z and produced by Cardo, keep the listener in bated breath.  “Seen It All” is the backbone for the album being the most authentic and what we call “the G-Code standard for sifting out rap counterfeits.” “Been Gettin’ Money” featuring Akon has the feel of “Soul Survivor” from their platinum collaboration featured on TM 101. “Beautiful,” featuring The Game and Rick Ross, sounds just as luxurious as the lifestyle portrayed over the production by Black Metaphor, it’s a rich grand finale. In an interview with The Breakfast Club, when asked how did the collaboration come about after his beef with Rick Ross, Jeezy responded that he “had to come to terms of being an adult and a leader,” ending with the two reconciling and wanting to continue making great music for the people.

After a less-than-memorable outing with TM:103, Jeezy is back with some more of that addictive, motivational music that speaks to not only the D-boys, but hustlers in general. – Emanuel Wallace for RESPECT.

On the deluxe version of Seen It All: The Autobiography, Jeezy teams up with label mate August Alsina who lends his vocals to the sultry “Fuck The World,” produced by Def Jams No I.D. and Trakmatik. “Beez Like That” produced by Will-A-Fool, features Lil Boosie who is showing no signs of slowing down on his verse. Jeezy looks back with Future over the course of their careers on “No Tears” produced by Mike Will Made It and  the album concludes with “How I Did It (Perfection).”

Jeezy’s Seen It All: The Autobiography is  consistent with his past works, lyrically, but a little more in-depth. He keeps it honest and thorough throughout the project. The producers who worked on this album mesh well together giving the album a nice flow with each song complimenting the next. Seen It All, if having to be compared it to his previous albums, could fit in between The Recession and TM 103. Needless to say, the RESPECT staff favored the album and despite everything that he’s seen and gone through including recent allegations, Jeezy proves that on Seen It All: The Autobiography, you can’t ban the snowman.

The post Album Review: Jeezy – ‘Seen It All: The Autobiography’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Rick Ross is carrying the torch that currently holds Def Jam Recordings as the #1 rap label in the rap game. Realistically, Def Jam hasn’t had a solo rap artist blowing up the streets (other than Beanie Sigel, Cam’ron, Fabolous, Foxy Brown, Ja Rule, Jay-Z, Juelz Santana, Kanye West, LL Cool J, Ludacris, Method Man, Memphis Bleek, Nas, Redman, Scarface and Young Jeezy etc.) with this much heat for the past fourteen years.

The only time Def Jam had this much fire, was in 1998. When Def Jam/Ruff Ryders recording artist DMX had every block in every hood on fire and on lock. Now that, Ross is bringing that fire back. Ross unleashes the official remix for his third single from his fifth Def Jam release, minutes after the re-election of The First Black President Of The United States, Barack Obama, on November 6, 2012. With his fourth single, “Diced Pineappples”, already maintaining the 84th spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and the 22nd spot on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart. The man known to many as Ricky Rozay adds more fuel to the fire (hotter than the wreckage left by Hurricane Sandy) with his latest installment of motivation music that will have Def Jam Recordings (or the record label formerly known from the company’s name, representing telephone keypad digits, Label # 333 – 526), blowing up blocks, hoods and ghettos for the upcoming weeks to come.

Listen Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWfSJ21vPdw

The post NEW MUSIC: RICK ROSS FT. GUNPLAY, FRENCH MONTANA, YO GOTTI AND LIL WAYNE – “HOLD ME BACK (REMIX)” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.