“Self-awareness is the capacity for introspection and the ability to recognize oneself as an individual separate from the environment and other individuals.”

Not only is it important to have a voice and knowledge of self for all paths on this earth, but hip-hop is in demand for such. It’s seemingly easy for today’s younger generation to get lost in the midst of trap-queens and senseless subject matter. And if you think this doesn’t impact our society and hold weight on the next generation, you are highly mistaken.

Hailing from New York City by way of Brooklyn, Chelsea Reject is here not only to display creative genius but shed light on a crevice that needs the shine; queens in hip-hop. When we say queen, that takes you back to self knowledge, alongside respect, dignity and truth. Early-20 year old Chelsea is beyond qualified and reflects all of this, reminiscent of an early Lauryn Hill  with an Erykah Badu aura.

With no official album out and a comfortably suited number of songs/visuals released, Chelsea is keeping fans on their toes. It is not uncommon today for artists to catch a heavy buzz and cross paths with life changing opportunities with no official album out, in which she is doing, and doing it well.

Let’s also take note of Chelsea Reject joining partnership with the legendary Duck Down Records. This speaks miles, not only because of the mark Duck Down has and continues to leave on hip-hop’s timeline, but being the first female emcee alongside the camp. It really doesn’t get much better then that, especially being in Brooklyn where it all started. Now that’s a milestone and something to certainly keep an eye on.

Coming soon this year is the ‘CMPLX’ project, which will be a compilation release. With a lot of build up and solid promotion on her and managements end, the release should be a total success. Considering Chelsea is in her early stages and still publically experimenting with her sounds and delivery, it’s refreshing to watch her grow as an artist. In a recent interview with Dj J Hart’s ‘The Big Bang Show’ she explained the project in a little more description:

“It’s a 15 track compilation of a bunch of different sounds I have been experimenting with. I have a lot of Pro Era on there. It’s going to be a different vibe. My goal is to give people a new perspective into my music. I’m trying to give people a new sound, and show my versatility.”

Let’s talk about the new wave of amazing artists hailing from New York City. Joey Bada$$ and the whole Pro Era Crew, Flatbush Zombies, Action Bronson and a handful of other standouts over the past five or six years have been go-to’s when mentioning hip-hop’s east coast life jackets. Chelsea Reject has been building with some of the best artists of our generation, and fans are excitingly sitting back and enjoying watching her journeys unfold. It’s a sigh of relief for us real hip-hop and music heads.

Before we close out, it’s important we touch on Chelsea’s stage presence. The art of performance is something that gets slightly bypassed in conversation and can easily be a slept on unofficial element in this game. I mean, it’s one thing to release awesome records and professionally edited videos. But it’s another to compliment this with a live performance, on or off your turf. We had the pleasure to catch Chelsea Reject live in Philly recently alongside Pro Era’s Kirk Knight and Mick Jenkins. She blew the lid off at the Barbary, and many other states following that evening. With all that being said, be sure to catch her live when you can. It will not be a disappointment. Much love and respect to Paul Bogosian and Duck Down James.

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“Whenever putting together a project I try to keep the grit of Raekwon’s ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx’ and Mobb Deep’s ‘The Infamous’ in mind” says 22 year old ChillxWill when discussing his new Almighty album with RESPECT. Mag’s Dread Solo. “When crafting the album I was trying to make sure you knew my story by the end. It is hand styles on trains at 2:00am. It is my story. Also, I recorded the whole album on 2″ tape to get that warmth, and vibration in the bass.” The album is critically acclaimed, and has been stirring up an ill buzz for the Tacoma, Washington emcee, and latest artist under Ill Adrenaline Records. He is apart of the BKR$CLB (Bakers Club) posse and works closely with Raz Fresco, who is simultaneously making big moves on the scene.

Almighty is now available on cd, cassette and digital download (two bonus records w/ purchase) with Underground Hip Hop and Fat Beats. Oh, but you’re a wax junkie? Place your vinyl order now at Chopped Herring Records.

Be prepared for a visual time machine taking you back to that grimy mid-90’s golden era we all miss – laced in vintage Fila, herb lit in Brooklyn project hallways and 40 ounces. With a drum pattern identical (or very similar) to Mobb Deep‘s 1996 classic Drop A Gem On ‘Em and a dusty bass line – it’s the perfect marriage. ChillxWill is taking you on a trip down memory lane in 2015. Though the original Warning record off this album is sharp, the remix by Mpadrum is raw and seemingly more suiting for this video. Below you can stream the whole album for free, with hopes that maybe it opens your eyes to a full purchase. Enjoy:

The post ChillxWill Returns W/ New Visual For “Warning (Mpadrum’$ Remix)” + ‘Almighty’ Lp Stream appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Shark tendencies, licorice dark Hennessy
Hittin’ with stark weaponry, lyrics in star pedigree
Talk heavily, walk heavenly, stalk enemies
Stomp you out about 100 times, we all centipedes

Spanish Harlem’s Bodega Bamz and Bronx’s Chris Rivers are the two latest MCs to tackle the TeamBackPack “LAX to JFK” cypher series and both of them ate it! Most know Bamz for reppin’ his Tan Boyz movement while Chris Rivers has garnered popularity for being the son of the late and great Big Pun. Regardless of both their backgrounds, the two gave the instrumental, produced by Stewart Villain, everything they had and definitely proved why they’re two of the most sought out MCs coming out of the East Coast. Stay tuned to Bodega Bamz’s album Sidewalk Exec coming out through Duck Down Records very soon and the new slew of mixtapes Chris Rivers has been working on. Peep the track below and subscribe to TBP’s YouTube channel here to keep up to date with new releases.

The post Bodega Bamz And Chris Rivers (Big Pun’s Son) Kill This TeamBackPack Cypher appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

A lot of rappers say interesting things in the booth, but are amazingly boring on camera. Brownsville beat batterer Sean Price isn’t one of those rappers.  Continuing his impressively extensive series of wacky comedy videos for Duck Down Records, his latest video features him attempting to pawn a “historically significant” potato at the pawnshop of world famous Pawn Star Chumlee. Hilarity ensues.

For more hilarious Sean Price comedy moments, watch the videos below. Famously known as “Your Favorite Broke Rapper,” these videos are clear evidence that perhaps comedy could provide Sean with an alternative source of income. Enjoy. And buy his album Mic Tyson while you’re at it because he can rap too. Seriously, he can really rap. Shit’s kind of scary sometimes.

The post Sean Price is a Comedy Genius appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

” You sleeping that’s the cousin of death/ I take every gift from under the tree til’ there ain’t none left.”

Fittingly, in the video below Sean Price plays the Grinch who stole Christmas. Let the Brownsville Brooklynite’s nostalgic flows get you amped up for somewhat of a Brooklyn reunion next Tuesday at the Music Hall Of Williamsburg featuring performances by Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price, Buckshot (Smif N Wessun), Skyzoo, Flatbush Zombies, and DyMe-A-DuZiN of Phony Ppl. Don’t miss out!

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Over the weekend an update on Buckshot and 9th Wonder‘s third collaborative album, The Solution, surfaced letting hip-hop heads know they could expect the project on Nov. 13. Duck Down Records put out their first two albums, (Chemistry in 2005 and The Formula in 2008) but this duo is certainly hoping for a more rave reviews this time around. One thing is for sure, 9thmatic and Buckshot bring together an ecclectic vibe when they hit the studio. No one is knocking the New York-North Carolina connection though. Here’s hoping the third time is the charm. Also, be sure to check out one of their previous offerings off The Formula below.

“Hold It Down” – 9th Wonder and Buckshot ft. Talib Kweli and Tyler Woods

The post 9th Wonder & Buckshot Project Gets Release Date appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The Kidz in the Hall album preview party was not only popping (there was Hennessy overflowing out the bottle), it was comprehensive, collaborative and just straight up musical. The production (Double-0 the genius) encompassed so many different kinds of sounds, you would think that you were listening to a playlist that you yourself made; reflective of everything you wanted to hear at that moment, with songs that you had never heard before. According to Naledge, “Occasion is the soundtrack to letting one’s everyday problems go and focusing on the celebration at hand. Life should be a celebration”. This exemplified the sentiment of the listening party and the album itself. A celebration; a means by which to enjoy the moment, and  of course the Henny in your cup. Featuring Bun B & David Banner (who teamed up for a Pimp C tribute), Freddie Gibbs, Marsha Ambrosius, Tabi Bonney, Esthero, Curren$y and many more, it was natural that the night be described as nothing less than a momentous occasion.

More after the jump.

On their road to creating the album, Kidz in the Hall were featured in a reality-type show on MTV2. The album’s title track was, according to the duo, created right after a party of drinking, debauchery and tomfoolery; we get an exclusive glimpse into their creative process.

On the bus itself, the mood was lively: the eclectic production was very “cook”-friendly, as the partygoers were not shy to swoop and swag about through the night. Henny was a certified sponsor, and people were certifiably drunk. DJ Statik Selektah made an appearance, along with upcoming Massachusetts MC REKS, who’s debut album R.E.K.S (Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme) was one of the better projects to come out this year.

Between every song, Double-0 would reiterate the title, the feature if applicable, and give a little insight into the making of the song, and the inspiration behind it. The first song entitled “Real Life” was a great kick-off, as Naledge spit raw bars that would rival any new, hungry MC’s crave to be heard, with the confidence of a savvy veteran. “That Good” featuring Esthero, who has a sound reminiscent of a female, Canadian Bruno Mars, was a nice follow-up. “Crash Dummy” came about because Naledge told O that he “needed some hood shit” to spit on. The track featured Houston’s Killa Kyleon, and provided a nice juxtaposition to that Texas trill.

“Pour It Up (P.imp C.up)” with David Banner and Bun B was a great tribute song to the late Pimp, where Double-0 cited that it was a toast to when we all realized that “hip-hop is cold…”. True indeed. “Player of the Century” featured Gary, Indiana’s Freddie Gibbs, that displayed self-proclaimed “hood nerd” Naledge and Gangsta Gibbs going back and forth on a track that Double-0 methodically molded for both MCs. The last standout track was “Walk On Air”, which according to O is the best song they’ve ever made.

The event was great, and the evening an occasion, as we look forward to the Kidz in the Hall’s fourth album, which drops 11/22/11.

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