By: CalebDoee

Rising emcee CalebDoee returns to the music scene with a fire new EP titled Test Drive. With a high quality sound  he is ready to show the world how musically gifted he is. Coming off of the release of his Test Drive EP, he is gearing up to have his most successful year yet. I had the pleasure of catching up with him for candid interview below. As he lends more insight about his passion for creating music, it is clear he is a star in the making. Check it out!

Caleb Doee Interview 

Respect: What occurred in your life to make you want a career in music as an artist?

Caleb: One summer I was in Chicago, my cousins showed me some music videos they did. I wrote verses all the time but I figured you had to be famous to rap. When I saw that, it became something I’d try after graduation. I didn’t go all in til 2017 though. 

Respect: What was the inspiration behind your test drive project?

Caleb: The projects I’ve had before were dark, filled with emotion but was something I had to get off. So I used the EP to show the lanes I’m in before the tape drops. More so showing what’s to come. I was too eager to be myself on a song with a clear head space.

Respect: How would you best describe your original sound?

Caleb: Sample heavy, instrument heavy, calm, peaceful vibes with some game to it. I write about what it is, what it was and what it’s about to be. That with the type of beats I like makes my sound different from what mainstream is. To me that’s the best thing about my music.

Respect: Who are some of the people who inspire you musically?

Caleb: I’d say Jay, Kanye, Wayne, Biggie, Drake, Ross, those guys. Rhyme schemes, flows, beat selection and demeanor during their runs gave me a different perspective on music. They put out the blueprint I use with everything I do music. My pops too, he did Jazz and piano when I was younger.

Respect: What was the inspiration behind your cover art for Test Drive?

Caleb: Quarantine I picked up DJ’ing and got familiar with older cars. 2 doors, gold rims, it gets deep. The one on the cover is my favorite; 73’ Lancia Stratos. The car is where I got the concept for the EP actually.

Respect: What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

Caleb: People don’t know I’ve been rapping since elementary school. I used to write love letters to girls back then, started battling at lunch and football games in high school. Took some music classes my last two years but I put it down for a while.

Respect: Where do you see your career in five years?

Caleb: Hard to say, somewhere taking care of my family, still making music. Showing love, teaching what was taught to me. Honestly that’s all I can ask for. Putting everyone around me in the best position they can be in.

Be sure to press play below to stream CalebDoee’s Test Drive EP.

The post CalebDoee Talks New EP Test Drive, Musical Influences, & Ways He Is Staying Creative During Quarantine appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Out of his busy schedule, Jmak took the time to speak to us about executive producing the 6ixbuzz “Northern Sound” tape, working with Baka, spending his time between Sauce Familia and producing future slappers. As is obvious, the “Dope Game” producer really does have the juice and can’t wait to share it with the world. 

RESPECT MAG: First of all, congratulations on the release of Northern Sound tape with 6ixbuzz! Now that the project is out just in time for the holiday season, how does it feel?

JMAK: Thank you so much for having me, also thank you so much for recognising the work. It most definitely feels great to finally have it all wrapped up and released. We definitely had some crazy things happen unexpectedly last minute, but they do say God doesn’t give you anything you can’t handle right?

RESPECT MAG: But that’s far from all the heat you’re packing musically right? Your production for Baka is a work of art! How was it like working with him?

JMAK: Oh absolutely, 10 years of mistakes and ammunition locked and loaded. I remember OVO Sound, 40 and Drake putting Baka and I in the studio for 3 weeks. Baka’s first project, 4Milli, was then created and the rest is history. Working with Baka is probably where I learned most about being an Executive Producer today. Baka is like the big brother I never had. He’s hard on me, and I love that. We’ve been a team since day one, so our chemistry is CRAZY in the studio.

RESPECT MAG: You executively produced Northern Sound. How was it working with 6ixbuzz? How did that come about? There’s a lot of artists on there, NorthSideBenji, Houdini, Full Circle moment was epic, Puffy L’z, Loco City, Bizz Loc, French, Archee, and well a LOT more. What was the process like?

JMAK: I’ve been working with 6ixbuzz since 2013, before it was even called “6ixbuzz”. The process was very smooth because of the solid relationships I’ve created with these artists over time. It was nothing different for us this time around, just a bigger platform to work with and a bigger cause by bringing the city together through music.

RESPECT MAG: Which are some of favourite tracks on the tape? We like “Too Soft”, “TikTok”, “Bandz” and the outro “World Is Yours”, “Make It Happen” is hot too.

JMAK: My personal favourite songs on the tape were Fifth, TikTok, Facts & Real Spill.

RESPECT MAG: Tell us what you think the proudest moment of your professional career is.

JMAK: The best moment of my career would have to be seeing my team (Sauce Familia) come together how it has. Every person on the team plays a crucial role to our success, and I am truly grateful to be able to supply opportunities for the family and keep securing more wins to continue pushing the culture forward.

RESPECT MAG: The worse memorable session you been in?

JMAK: Definitely a session I had when someone spilled their drink on my brand new Universal Audio Apollo 8 just as it came out!

RESPECT MAG: Your funniest celebrity moment was?

JMAK: Definitely meeting Drake for the first time than somehow ending up outside playing basketball with him and some of the guys. Great time, lots of laughs.

RESPECT MAG: What’s your favourite instrument to play? and why?

JMAK: FL Studio! In my generation of production, FL Studio is an instrument, a tool, a sonic paint brush. I can do the same things with an instrument on FL Studio easier actually! I’m actually not trained nor understand scales as well as I should but with the power of technology possibilities are endless! Thank You Image-Line!

RESPECT MAG: What’s your idea of a perfect studio session?

JMAK: If a man is not pulling up with food, gas, or grabba… it’s a terrible session.

RESPECT MAG: If you’re not in the studio what are up to?

JMAK: If you know me, you know that I STAY in the studio. No time to relax yet. I live in a city full of HUNGRY people. I always have to remain grounded.

RESPECT MAG: Who are some of your favourite artists coming up in the city?

JMAK: There are so many talented artists doing there thing inside and outside the city, way too many to list. I’m so proud of the work we’re doing as a city.

RESPECT MAG: If I was to check your iPhone right now what unreleased heat I would find?

JMAK: You would find a whole lot of heat, that the world isn’t ready for just yet.

RESPECT MAG: Something you’re cheffing up that your fans can look forward to in the 2020?

JMAK: In 2020, you can expect a whole lot of music produced by Sauce Familia & myself… worldwide.

Follow Jmak on instagram to keep up with his latest updates.

The post HOT ON THE BLOCK: Toronto Production Giant Jmak Speaks on Latest Projects appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The post Buzzing Toronto MC Sayzee Drops “Push” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Future recently broke the internet with his latest “Life Is Good” video featuring his frequent collaborator Drake. The video was followed by endless memes and gifs of the two stars dressed up as regular joes with 9-5. The video goes from Garbage Men picking garbage, to hourly sales associates in custom designed “hands on the peach” store. The two are seen working in Fast Food joint..cheffing in a gourmet type kitchen then transitioning to Drake acting out as a mechanic. There were a lot of details, one of them the internet couldn’t get enough of was; Drake googling how to fix a car on his cracked-screen iPhone, followed by so many hilarious moments. The song is well catered to Future’s fanbase which is mostly teenagers often working these jobs. A well-composed, entertaining music video that had everyone talking.

Speaking of catering, Future is still going hard with the entire theme right now. Only for this weekend, Future presents HOTLANTA’s located at 4350 FULTON INDUSTRIAL BLVD SW. If you’re in the area and looking to enjoy yourself check out the spot. Open today at 5:30am till 10:30pm both days.

The post FUTURE Presents HOTLANTA’S Weekend Only “Life is Good” Pop-Up in Atlanta appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

By: Gotti Banxx

Singer/Songwriter Gotti Banxx has released a fire new single titled “Sometimes.”  Growing up very cultured in Montreal, Canada he has a sound that simply cannot be duplicated. As he prides himself on authenticity and in living in his truth, he has an edge over the there budding newcomers in the music business. As he shows off a more vulnerable side to his music, he is allowing his rising fanbase to tap in with him on a more personal level.

“Sometimes” is a record for the ladies. On this single, you will hear the Montreal native talking directly to a girl, letting her know who he is and what he likes. Some notable lyrics that stand out the most on this release include “I come alive when the sun goes down at night time, she said its yours need to know if it’s mine mine”. These cold bars appear in the catchy chorus, over a sonically pleasing melody.

The most impressive part of this release is how much growth Banxx’s has done in a creative easy. His unique ability to storytelling and raw honesty, are two reasons why this single is his most impressive material to date. Being heavily influenced by Drake, his floating between singing and raping is allowing him to reach new heights as a recording artist.

If you enjoy high quality music from real artists, you will fall in love with the musical styles of Gotti Banx. Press play below to stream one of Canada’s brightest rising stars, latest single “Sometimes“.

https://open.spotify.com/album/4M1X5eIc902v7f2WGFyGJ8?si=goSd1g2WTIilL3k4FZqfdg

The post #OnTheRadar: Gotti Banxx Releases “Sometimes” Single appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

By: Kofi

The post Canadian Artist Kofi Releases New “Pronto” Single appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Taylor works closely with producer Sonny Digital under their Rollin’ Records imprint. The two initially met at Atlanta’s A3C Festival and since then, have been working day-to-day on new records and workshops. Elsewhere, you’ll see that Mason Taylor produced “Freddy” by Fredo. The song appeared on Drake‘s influential OVO Soundtrack earlier this month. Check out the conversation below.

Tell me about your upbringings, how did you get into music?

Coming from Virginia, I felt like music is in the water out here! From engineering to rapping to producing, I’ve worked on the craft since I was thirteen. Around the MySpace era, I feel like the musician wasn’t as popular as now, so I felt like that made me stand out. Before those days, I was watching videos and working on my cross-over haha.

How did you initially meet Sonny Digital?

I met Sonny [Digital] at the A3C festival in Atlanta about five to six years ago. We kept in contact over the years and once I got to Atlanta, we developed a dope, creative friendship. He like a brother to me now. Studio sessions, going on press runs, it’s been a strong year. Excited for the world to hear what’s cooking up. New vibes are crazy!

What’s your process when making beats?

First thing is definitely the mood. Energy is everything. From that point, I cut something on TV on mute. Some days it’s a movie, other days it could be a classic basketball game. I like to treat my beats like movie scenes so the visuals help me come up with the melodies and then the drums.

Tell me about landing your work on Netflix’s On My Block.

I got a call from Bee, an A&R I’m good friends with. This was before the first season so I could only see the trailer and articles about the show. I just kept the show on repeat, on mute, and created music around it. The music I did for the show I wrote and produced.

Most recently, you got a placement on Top Boy, how did it feel when you found out?

I was seeing Drake talk about the show the week before. I was already curious about it so once I learned I was apart of it, I was excited of course! That was a big moment. Seeing people’s reactions online are dope and keep me inspired to create more dope music. Shout out to Benny, Jack, and Fredo for making the opportunity happen!

What advice what you give to any upcoming producers or your peers?

Stay in the studio. It’s no different than an athlete going to the gym. Learn the business. As an artist or producer, watch interviews and read as much as you can. Learn as much as you can otherwise somebody will do it for you and it will cost you a percentage.

Define RESPECT.

Respect is a value. It’s required for everything. It’s the foundation for all relationships and relationships are the key to your future.

What’s up next for Mason Taylor?

More life. More wins. Continue working on new music. Continue building relationships. Let’s not forget, stay prayed up!

The post Virginia Producer Mason Taylor Talks ‘Top Boy’ Placement, Sonny Digital, & More! appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.