Mad Skillz may have hung his MC hat up for turntables, but the veteran emcee kicked off 2018 showing Uncle Murda why he’s listed as one of the most sought-after emcees in Hip-Hop.

For nearly twenty years, fans heavily anticipate the annual year-end “Rap Up” from Skillz which reflects over the previous year, over the last few years Uncle Murda among many others have “borrowed” Skillz concept to recreate their own. However, the G-Unit artist stepped into the crosshairs after he told Power 105.1‘s The Breakfast Club that he and Skillz were “arguing” online over the song.

“I told him, ‘I took your sh*t, homie. You know how Brooklyn do. I took your sh*t.’”

It seems as if Skillz was tired of giving passes because right before he addressed Murda he released the following screenshot revealing that the two were not “arguing.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdfhEQpnhML/?taken-by=skillzva

Not only did Skillz release the screenshot refuting the claim, but he also used the radio interview clip to open the lyrical thrashing dropping the diss right as DJ Envy asks what Skillz had to say and his response taking us back to 1998 to the Ruff Ryder/Rocafella/Murder Inc. collab “Murdergram.”

The opening verse alleges that in 2015, DJ Clark Kent contacted Skillz suggesting a collaboration between the two after hearing Murda’s version of the song; to which Skillz declined.

“I’m like, ‘Clark. You must be faded / Why the f*ck would I collab’ on some sh*t that I created?’ / Y’all jaded / If you don’t get the f*ck off my phone / And tell that old-faced-ass ni**a to leave me alone / Get gone.’ Clark you know I ain’t that dude/ yeah I done fell back from Rap but don’t get it confused. Shit lit my fuse/ Yiu wouldn’t call Hov and say 21 Savage wanna do 22 2s.”

The diss goes on stating that Murda signed to G-Unit 10 years too late and aims at his project  Respect The Shooter, which was released after Murda was shot. Skillz also drags the former Roc-A-Fella artist pointing out that he isn’t a Top 20 Brooklyn bred MC  before going on to list Brooklyn spitters M.O.P., Masta Ace, Joey Bada$$, Joell Ortiz, Skyzoo and Fabolous as all being the elite.

We are not sure where this will go, but one thing is for certain, it is great to have 2018 kick off with lyrics and a diss for the culture.

Check out the diss and the interview that triggered it below.

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The post Mad Skillz Kicks Off 2018 with “Murda Gram” Aimed at Uncle Murda For Copying “Rap Up” [Listen] 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.

Jay-Z and Kanye West. Photo Credit: Trace TV

DJ Clark Kent chatted with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson about legacy, latest projects and differences between Kanye West and Jay-Z’s debut albums while on Scoop B Radio. Press Play Below To Listen!

Last week Jay-Z gave a pretty insightful interview to the New York Times’ Dean Baquet. In it, he discussed life, his body of work, U.S. President, Donald Trump and more.

Jay-Z also detailed the state of his fractured relationship with Kanye West.

“I [talked to] Kanye the other day, just to tell him, like, he’s my brother. I love Kanye. I do,” he told Baquet.

Adding:

“It’s a complicated relationship with us. Kanye came into this business on my label. So I’ve always been like his big brother. And we’re both entertainers. It’s always been like a little underlying competition with your big brother. And we both love and respect each other’s art, too. So it’s like, we both — everyone wants to be the greatest in the world. You know what I’m saying?”

They bump heads as successful professionals, but you know what? They both came into the game doubted as rap artists.

Kanye West’s first album, College Dropout made it cool to be an educated, back-packing nerd. Remember how folks used to take their suit jackets and wear them with jeans and a fitted cap?

Dig this: Kanye faced difficulty being accepted as a recording artist in his own right by figures in the music industry. An excellent producer, West produced mega-hits like Alicia Keys’ “You Don’t Know My Name” and even Ludacris’ “Stand Up.”

He also had a huge hand in Jay-Z classic “Blueprint 1” album.  

But a solo career?  Folks weren’t buying it back then. He was too clean. He defied the odds with his College Dropout album though.

‘Jesus Walks’ on a hip hop album? Who could forget ‘Through the Wire,’ his into to the world and a reflection after a car accident that almost ended his life as well as his career before it started. Don’t forget the song popped with a Chaka Khan sample!

Don’t forget ‘Slow Jamz’ using a pre-Ray Charles role Jamie Foxx. College Dropout was THAT Work!

The College Dropout debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 441,000 copies during its first week. West broke through the industry as a rapper when folks didn’t think he was a realistic sell, by being, well; himself!

Sound familiar?

Rewind to 1996: Jay-Z did the same thing.

LL Cool J was the standard. He had the flow, he had the longevity, he was marketable, he had the gym rat body and he had Def Jam backing him. If you weren’t LL Cool J-like, you weren’t getting signed.

Jay-Z wasn’t LL Cool J and wasn’t signed. Through a distribution deal with Priority, he released Reasonable Doubt.

Hov’s first album released on June 25, 1996 and had hits like: “D’Evils,” “Can I Live,” “Can’t Knock the Hustle,” “Ain’t No N***a” and “Feelin’ It.”

The album boasts appearances from Mary J. Blige, Foxy Brown, Memphis Bleek and the Notorious B.I.G.

Reasonable Doubt debuted at number 23 on the US Billboard 200, on which it charted for 18 weeks.

DJ Clark Kent produced three tracks on Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt: “Brooklyn’s Finest”, which featured Notorious B.I.G., “Coming of Age” and “Cashmere Thoughts.

“When you talk about Reasonable Doubt damn near anybody can relate,” DJ Clark Kent told me on Scoop B Radio.

“Very few Jay-Z albums are on the level of Reasonable Doubt. You can say Ready to Die or Illmatic, like really take a moment to think what was on the level of Reasonable Doubt, that was a Jay-Z album.”

DJ Clark Kent with Jay-Z, Kareem “Biggs” Burke and Irv Gotti. Photo Credit: StopTheBreaks

Clark Kent has also produced for 50 Cent, Slick Rick, Lil Kim, Rakim, Canibus, The Notorious B.I.G. and Mariah Carey. He’d later produce My 1st Song from Jay-Z’s The Black Album.

Jay-Z often says that Reasonable Doubt was his favorite album. Many didn’t understand it and the complexities of it when it was released back then. It makes sense to many now. “ To me, the reason why I think that people had to get it later was because he made his first album at 27,” he said.

“And his whole life was on his first album.”

DJ Clark Kent added:

“If you’re 27 and the average rap fan is 18, when a 27-year-old is talking to you, you’re going to be lost. Plus, if you haven’t ran the streets and you’re 18 when you hear that album you’re even more lost. So you had to grow up a little and then go back and get it but once you do you’re like ok yeah this is it.”

So who’s first album was better?  “Jay-Z without question,” DJ Clark Kent said.

“Kanye’s first best album was Graduation. Late Registration was good. College Dropout was good but Graduation was that s**t..”

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The post Scoop B: DJ Clark Kent compares Kanye West’s College Dropout & Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt albums appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Jay-Z. Photo Credit: CNN

DJ Clark Kent chats with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson about working with Jay-Z on Reasonable Doubt and his thoughts on the 4:44 album. Press Play below to listen to the episode of Scoop B Radio!

The notion of an almost 50 year old rapper still being consistent and relevant was foreign 20-years ago.

But we’ve evolved! 

Unless you’ve lived under a rock, Jay-Z turned 48 today. He’s had a successful 2017. This year, he also put out a 4:44, an album that actually showed him to be vulnerable. He admitted being an accomplished business man, philanthropist, father and music icon and just like everyone else, he’s fallen short.

He admitted to cheating on his wife, Beyonce, he apologized for wasting women’s time before he decided to settle down, told us the story of O.J. and he gave us a bunch of game for $9.99 at a time where he once told us that it was all about money, cash and hoes.

Now he’s giving pointed commentary to the New York Times. That’s a case study on life!

It’s also serious growth and life reflection in thirteen studio albums:  Reasonable Doubt in 1996 all the way to 4:44 in 2017.

Think of it in Presidential terms: that’s Bill Clinton to Donald Trump.

In hoops terms that time frame was the Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls and their second three-peat all the way to the Golden State Warriors’ potential dynasty. 

Those are some years put in!

“The album itself is one of the best bodies of work that we’ve seen in a long time,” DJ Clark Kent told me about Jay-Z’s 4:44 while on today’s episode of Scoop B Radio.

“So how can you say it’s lost anything when it’s still that shit. You might say that nobody is listening to the whole album, but instead songs that came off the album. But you know, the album was effective because his shows are sold out, which means people want to see him perform those records.”

DJ Clark Kent produced three tracks on Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt: “Brooklyn’s Finest”, which featured Notorious B.I.G., “Coming of Age” and “Cashmere Thoughts.” Kent thinks that Jay-Z’s 4:44 left an indelible mark on 2017. “His album worked especially because you look at other artists and they can’t go out and perform their whole album,” he said. “He can perform his whole album and people will say that was that sh*t,because the music does something to your soul, so you wanted to hear everything. You listened to his album because the body of work was special.”

DJ Clark Kent also produced My 1st Song, off Jay-Z’s The Black Album, a tribute to the beginning of his career. In the song, Jay-Z alludes to Clark Kent’s role in helping him break into the industry. My 1st Song was the last song on the album. And in the song, he states: ‘Clark Kent, that was good lookin’ out, n***a.’

Jay-Z doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon with the success of Roc Nation, Tidal and his own musical career.

Drake and Jay-Z. Photo Credit: Complex

But, here’s a legitimate question: Who in hip hop will carry carry the torch after Jay-Z? Is it Drake? “That’s a great question,” said DJ Clark Kent.

“All I know is he better be nice. Because if you saying Drake is the guy and Jay-Z put out an album that cleared everybody’s plate this year.”

Added DJ Clark Kent: “It’s funny that a 47-year-old guy can take back rap again.”

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The post DJ Clark Kent on Jay-Z: “It’s funny that a 47-year-old guy can take back rap again” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Jay-Z and the Notorious B.I.G. Photo Credit: REHAB Online Magazine

DJ Clark Kent drops by Scoop B Radio and discusses producing, the latest and greatest AND producing Jay-Z and Biggie Smalls’ Brooklyn’s Finest. Press Play Below To Listen! 

Jay-Z’s “Reasonable Doubt” had hits! Hov’s first album, released on June 25, 1996 and had hits like “D’Evils,” “Can I Live,” “Can’t Knock the Hustle,” “Ain’t No N***a” and “Feelin’ It.”

While the album had appearances by Mary J. Blige, Foxy Brown and Memphis Bleek, it was also graced by the presence of one of the greatest of all time, the Notorious B.I.G., on the track, “Brooklyn’s Finest.”

Get this though: Biggie wasn’t supposed to be on the track at all. Appearing on today’s episode of the Scoop B Radio podcast, legendary dj, Clark Kent said that the Brooklyn’s Finest track, which he produced was for Jay-Z. “I got to the studio to lay it for Jay, Big heard the track and he wanted it for himself,” DJ Clark Kent told me.

“But I couldn’t give it to him because it was already for Jay. But I said [to Biggie]: ‘If you come to the studio and wait downstairs, I’ll tell him that you should be on the record and we’ll see what happens.'”

Jay-Z agreed to it and so the track was created. “I brought Big upstairs and Jay thought I was a funny guy for not telling him that Big was downstairs,” DJ Clark Kent recalled. 

DJ Clark Kent. Photo Credit: Complex

According to DJ Clark Kent, Jay-Z re-did his verses on the track to accommodate Biggie.  “Everything you hear from Jay on that record was changed 20 minutes after he laid what he laid,” he said.

“So he basically set up every one of Big’s verses with a rhyme and then asked Big was he ready. Big was so blown away by it. He was like: ‘he wasn’t ready’ and said he needed some time. So he took it home and two months later, we went back to the studio and Big laid his part.”

With all of the lyrical firepower on that track, guess what? Neither one of the rappers had a hook. “I had to figure out a hook because they left me in the studio with no hook,” recalled DJ Clark Kent.

“So I was there trying to become a hook guy!” So I went in the booth and did the hook and luckily everybody was happy because otherwise the record would have never happened.”

The story is legendary. But, DJ Clark Kent is legendary too! He’s produced for any and everyone: 50 Cent, Slick Rick, Lik Kim, Rakim and Canibus.

He’s also produced for Mariah Carey. Remember Mariah’s Loverboy song?! Yup, he produced that!

Man, he sampled Cameo’s “Candy” song!? 

DJ Clark Kent talked about that, the state of the New York Knicks, Drake, 50 Cent and more in our interview. Check out our interview via Scoop B Radio by clicking here. 

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The post DJ Clark Kent details how he got Notorious B.I.G. on Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt album appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Where are they now? Take a look below.

Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige has had her music featured on numerous film soundtracks, been featured magazine covers and has acted in film and television shows. She has also gone on to win 9 Grammys. Mary J. Blige is currently the host of Real Talk on Beats 1 Radio. The show premiered in November and has featured Jada Pinkett Smith, Tyrese Gibson, Demi Lovato and other guests.

The Notorious B.I.G.

May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997

On March 9, 1997,  The Notorious B.I.G. was killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. His double-disc album Life After Death, released 16 days later, rose to No. 1 on the U.S. album charts and was certified Diamond in 2000, one of the few hip hop albums to receive this certification. Two more albums have been released since his death.

Foxy Brown

Foxy Brown is an American rapper, model, and actress. On August 14, 2012, Foxy Brown appeared as a special featured guest on Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday Tour in New York City. On August 15, 2013, Foxy Brown appeared on MTV Rapfix and announced her fourth studio album tentatively titled Bandz Up and a single of the same name, produced by Joe Milly, which was set to be released December 24, 2013, but was not released for unknown reasons. Foxy has also had a slew of legal trouble and personal health issues regarding her hearing. Recently Brown said her hearing is fine now, and is excited about recording and performing again. According to NY Daily News, she also received a key to the city from Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams recognizing her as one of the “Leaders of Tomorrow” for her music.

Memphis Bleek

Memphis Bleek currently hosts parties and making vlogs. Since Reasonable Doubt he discovered Rick Ross.

Sauce Money

In 2006, he appeared at Jay-Z’s ‘I Declare War’ concert to perform “Reservoir Dogs.” Sauce Money also released a 2008 single entitled “Listen 2 Me”, sampling the Oompa-Loompas from the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

Big Jaz

Besides being an emcee, he has produced songs for several hip hop artists other than Jay-Z, such as Group Home, M.O.P, Ras Kass, Rakim, Kool G Rap Neilleon and others.

Mecca

In 2014 his single “ZOOM ZOOM” was featured in numerous workout DVD’s as well as VH1’s Single Ladies and Fox’s Red Band Society, and then featured again in Chasing Life on ABC Family (now FreeForm) in 2015. His single “FLAT STOMACH” was the premiere single at the 2014 Labo Ethnik Fashion & Lifestyle week in Paris.

Pain in Da Ass

Has a budding acting career and continues to appear on multi-platinum albums.

DJ Clark Kent

DJ Clark Kent is a hip-hop DJ and producer. He is well known as a sneaker collector and has worked with Nike a handful of times in creating sneakers, many of them carrying his signature 112 look. According to SneakerNews.com, Kent has also teamed up with Adidas Originals under the Quickstrike monicker featuring a two-pack of classic three stripe silhouettes with subdued woodland camouflage accents throughout.

Jay-Z

Jay-Z has been a busy man since his Reasonable Doubt days. The 21 time Grammy winner is not only a music power house but a business mogul as well. His empire, according to Business Insider, includes:

Roc Nation, LLC 

An American entertainment company founded by rapper Jay-Z in 2008. The company has offices in New York City, London and Los Angeles. It is a full service entertainment company housing a record label, talent agency, touring and concert production company, music, film, and television production company as well as a music publishing house. The company is home to a diverse roster of recording artists, musicians and record producers such as J. Cole, Big Sean, Rihanna, Kanye West, Grimes, Demi Lovato, DJ Khaled, T.I. and Rita Ora. The company also has partnerships with global management companies Three Six Zero and Philymack. The firm has a multi-year partnership with live event company Live Nation. In June 2009, Roc Nation signed a 4-year distribution deal with Sony Music. In 2010, Roc Nation partnered with London-based entertainment company Three Six Zero Group. In February 2013, Roc Nation signed a worldwide music publishing administration deal with Warner/Chappell Music. In April 2013, Roc Nation formed a new sports management division, Roc Nation Sports, a subsidiary dedicated to sports representation for professional athletes. Shortly thereafter, Roc Nation Sports also launched a boxing promotion division. After the Sony deal expired, in April 2013, Roc Nation signed a multi-year partnership with Universal Music. In February 2015, Roc Nation and Three Six Zero Group announced the formation of Three Six Zero Entertainment, a division representing clients in film, television and the literary arts.

The New Jersey Nets

Jay-Z is a part owner of the NBA team the New Jersey Nets. Last year Forbes valued it at $269 million.

The 40/40 Club

Jay-Z founded The 40/40 club, a chain of sports bars with a club atmosphere. The club now has eight locations, including Tokyo and Macao.

The Spotted Pig

After investing in the semi-famous chic New York bistro in the West Village, Jay-Z bought the entire building. The place is Michelin-starred and doesn’t empty.

Rocawear

Jay-Z founded Rocawear back in 1995 and has promoted the hell out of it since, and it’s worked. He sold the company for $204 million in 2007, but retains creative and operational control.

Carol’s Daughter

Jay-Z co-owns the Carol’s Daughter line of perfumes and beauty products. The line has been featured on shows like the Tyra Banks Show and Oprah.

Decoded

Jay-Z is publishing a book called Decoded, built around his lyrics and that is, according to the WSJ, “a hybrid of music history, social commentary and memoir.”

What’s interesting here from a business perspective is the innovative promotion: Jay-Z got Microsoft to put up $1 million to promote the book as part of an initiative with Bing. Pretty cool.

Reebok

In a four-year partnership, Jay-Z became the first non-athlete to have a line of Reebok shoes named after himself, the S.Carter line, which was popular.

Budweiser Select

In 2006 he didn’t just star in ads for Budweiser Select, but he also helped craft them.

Cherry Cola, HP, Translation Advertising

Coca-Cola, the world’s greatest brand, brought in Jay-Z to advise on the redesign and relaunch of Cherry Coke. Most of these brand partnerships (Budweiser, Coke, HP) go through the ad agency Jay-Z cofounded with Steve Stoute, a serial entrepreneur who had sold his previous company to Interpublic, the third largest ad agency conglomerate.

To read up more on Reasonable Doubt, hit up the respect-mag.com site. It’s Jay Day, All Day Baby!

The post ‘Reasonable Doubt’: Where Are They Now appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“Brooklyn’s Finest,” Jay-Z is one of the greatest rappers of all time. His influence on hip-hop culture and lifestyle is beyond measurable and surely has made history. He made “The Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can,” made striped button-ups and throwbacks a “thing,” had everyone rockin’ platinum jewelry and brushin’ the dirt of their shoulders. Not to mention, Hip-Hop’s most beloved couple wouldn’t exist: Beyonce & Jay-Z. But, if it weren’t for the men who recognized his talent from the beginning, none of that would’ve occurred. With it being the 20th anniversary of Jay-Z’s debut album, Reasonable Doubt, let’s learn more about the men who created Roc-A-Fella Records and history.

The post Dame Dash, Kareem “Biggs” Burke & Jay-Z: The Men Behind Roc-A-Fella Records appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.