Image Copyright Justin Jay

Artist: Jay Z

Photographer: Justin Jay https://www.justinjay.com

Date:  Saturday, December 13, 2003

 

“He leads by example. Everything that he does, he makes good decisions. One thing that people don’t understand is that he’s, like, the hardest-working person in music, period.” —Wale on Jay-Z, MTV, November 2009

The post RESPECT. Throwback Featuring Jay Z / Words: Elliott Wilson & Image: Justin Jay appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Jay-Z, Elliott Wilson & B. Dot. Image credit: TIDAL

Shoutout to former RESPECT. Editor-In-Chief Elliott Wilson: the Hip-Hop media legend continues to push the culture forward via his Rap Radar brand, and — most recently — his position at TIDAL. His latest move sees the two entities coming together: for his latest Rap Radar podcast (since moved to the streaming platform), he and long-time cohort Brian “B. Dot” Miller sat down with Jay-Z for an eye-opening interview. The two parts are now available for streaming (below), but here’s the six most notable points we took from the momentous occasion:

He’s Pretty Pissed With Kanye West (But They’re Still Brothers)

Those that actually listened to Jay-Z’s new classic 4:44 definitely caught the line about Kanye West, which saw him speaking on their rift and (putting ‘Ye’s line-crossing rant aside) his role in that conflict. During the podcast, Jay revealed that him and ‘Ye will definitely need to have a sit-down in order for their relationship to mend:

…What really hurt me was, you can’t bring my kids and my wife into it. Kanye’s my little brother. He’s talked about me 100 times. He made a song called “Big Brother.” We’ve gotten past bigger issues. But you brought my family into it, now it’s a problem with me. That’s a real, real problem. And he knows it’s a problem. He knows that he crossed the line. I know him. He knows. I know he knows, because we’ve never let this much space go between one of our disagreements, and we’ve had many, because that’s who we are. That’s what I like about him. He’s an honest person, he’s open and he’ll say things and he’s wrong a lot of times and he’ll confront it.

Jay-Z Considers 6 Of His Albums Certified Classics

Image credit: LIFE+TIMES

During the sit-down, Hov, Elliott and B. Dot had the obligatory discussion regarding Hov’s massic music catalog (including collaborative pieces with R. Kelly and Kanye); out of that, we learned that six of those albums are considered absolute classics by the veteran emcee: In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, The Blueprint, Reasonable Doubt, The Black Album, American Gangster and 4:44. Agreed.

That Elevator Incident Is The Only Time Him And Solange Have Ever Beefed

Don’t act like you don’t recall: the infamous 2014 fight between Jay-Z and Solange Knowles after that year’s Met Gala will go down in history for a variety of reasons. Truth is, nothing about that is abnormal from any other relationship, and Jay made that clear, including the fact that that was the only time issues between him and his sister boiled over:

We had one disagreement ever… Before and after, we’ve been cool. [Solange is] like my sister. I will protect her. That’s my sister, not my sister-in-law. My sister. Period.

His Daughter Has Bars

Video screenshot

As we all heard on the 4:44 track “Blue’s Freestyle/We Family,” Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s daughter Blue Ivy Carter could very well follow in her father’s footsteps. During the sit-down, Jay explained how that moment came about:

I had just finished “Family Feud” and I really liked the beat for “We Family.” I was like, ‘I think I can take that song up a notch.’ So, I started playing the beat and I was playing it for so long that I started doing something… [Blue Ivy] went and she got the headphones and she climbed on a little stool and then she just started rapping. Well, she started doing that and the pockets she was catching, I was like, ‘Oh s***.’ I couldn’t believe that. I have it on my phone. Five minutes. That was all I put on there but five minutes of her doing that. Amazing pockets. But kept bringing back ‘Boom-shaka-laka.’ I was like, ‘Oh, she understands the concept of a hook!’ She’s five. She understands the concept of a hook…And then she caught that, ‘Never seen a ceiling in my whole life.’ I was like, ‘What the f*** is going on in here?’ One of the great memories.

Jay-Z Has Mad Respect For Former Foe Prodigy

Video screenshot

Obviously, one of Jay-Z’s biggest moments came with that SummerJam screen (and “Takeover”), which brought his beef with Mobb Deep (especially Mobb Deep member Prodigy) to a boiling point. Since then, it’s been revealed by both parties that there weren’t any more issues…this was all made more important due to Prodigy’s unfortunate passing this year. Jay-Z spoke on this, giving his side of the reconciliation that went down some years ago:

Prodigy, there was obviously no control over what happened to him, but we gotta take care of ourselves. I had super respect for Prodigy. In order for me to really spar with you, I gotta respect you. I sampled him for my first album, so you know I was aware of him and had respect for him. He and I spoke before he passed; I saw him in the club maybe five years ago. He just came over and we kicked it. It wasn’t about nothing. Just sad, you know? Blessings to his family. Young, young man…

His Mother Initially Objected To “Smile,” Which Revealed That She Was A Lesbian

If you remember the 4:44 track “Smile” (of course you do), then you remember one of the bigger moments within Hov’s bars:

Mama had four kids, but she’s a lesbian
Had to pretend so long that she’s a thespian
Had to hide in the closet, so she medicate
Society shame and the pain was too much to take
Cried tears of joy when you fell in love
Don’t matter to me if it’s a him or her
I just wanna see you smile through all the hate
Marie Antoinette, baby, let ’em eat cake

Apparently, Jay’s mother — Gloria Carter — wasn’t too open to the public revelation; thankfully, things worked out:

I’ve always looked up to her. Man, she’s so fucking dope. My mom has been dope her whole life… She sounds like Maya Angelou… her pacing, her voice, it’s just so regal. She’s a speaker…Our relationship developed to another level as I start getting into myself and just wanting to know everything… We had a beautiful conversation and it just lead to me making that song. I didn’t even have permission to make that song. When she first heard the song she was like, ‘Absolutely not’ and I was like ‘Man, this is so important’… I was just so happy with the person that she’s become, just live your life and be who you are.

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The post 6 Things We Learned From Jay-Z’s Rap Radar Podcast appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

While a Watch The Throne 2 is not on the horizon, looks like we will be getting some new sounds from legendary rappers, Jay Z and Nas.  Their classic bars have been contributed to some of most popular records we’ve heard this year like, Jay Z on Pusha T‘s “Drug Dealers Anonymous,” DJ Khaled‘s “I Got The Keys,” (also featuring Future) and Fat Joe and Remy Ma‘s “All The Way Up” (also featuring French Montana).  Nas can be heard most recently on DJ Khaled’s “Nas Album Done.”  The anticipation for these two to drop some new hotness has been high for a long time. Jay’s last record was Magna Carta Holy Grail in 2013 and Nas’ last album was Life Is Good in 2012.

A few weeks ago, mega-producer Jermaine Dupri visited Elliott Wilson and B. Dot‘s Rap Radar and dropped some gems on Jay and his new record.  He spoke on his relationship with the mogul, but not only that, he said that Hov has a new album on the way.  The kicker was when he said that it “might” be done already with a suspicious grin upon his face. The So So Def CEO told the Rap Radar crew, “Me and Jay have conversations that I’m sure he doesn’t have with anybody. I know the name of Hov’s new album.  It might be done.”

According to IBTimes, Beyonce and Jay Z’s joint album could also be closer to factual than we may know it.  It is said that the couple have finished recording the most highly-anticipated record during a trip to Hawaii in June and have set a release date.  Although neither has been “officially”confirmed, there may be hope as late as 2017.

Nas also seems to have his hands full these days, more recently executive producing the recently released film The Land.  Since he has been so busy dabbling into the film industry, he has not forgot his roots and has been making new moves in that lane too.  Complex was able to catch up with Esco a very short time ago to discuss what he has been up to and verbal confirmation that he is BACK.

When asked if it is true and if the album is done and ready to go:

“All we’re doing now is plotting when we’re dropping.”

When asked if he has a title and an idea as to when it might come out:

“Yes, but it’s not time to put that out there.”

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Jay-Z Releases “Spiritual” in Wake of Latest Incidents of Police Killings

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The post Two Legends: Jay Z + Nas. Two Albums DONE! appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Hip Hop Journalist Elliott Wilson has been blowing up social media all week promoting his CRWN series that was picked up and aired for the first time on MTV2 this past Wednesday night, April 27th at 11 PM ET.  His special guest this episode was none other than, “We The Best,” DJ Khaled.  In the last few months, a lot has changed for Khaled.  He has blossomed from being the DJ with all the hits to now being managed by rapper/mogul Jay-Z, a deal with Apple Music, touring with Beyonce, and more.  With a now snapchat craze  that connects his fans to him, he prides himself in that likableness in the industry giving his fans “major keys to success”.  Here are a good few of DJ Khaled’s major key points listed below:

1. Respect Your Success & Your Blessings.

Your blessings and your success deserve your respect too. In DJ Khaled’s case he stated, “If I can take a picture with every single fan of mine, I’m gone do it! If I can shake every hand, I’m gone do it! And if I can’t do it I’m going to Snap[chat] the whole room up.”

He went on to explain how such efforts are a priority to him because his fans are his number one supporters and the whole world is now aware of the love and encouragement that he shares solely because of the support his fans have shown. DJ Khaled knows the importance of his fan base and all the blessings he has received because of them, so showing them their due respect is a no brainer and very admirable in this day and age.

2. Don’t Let People Put You In A Box.

DJ Khaled explained how people would often discredit his profession despite his connections and affiliations with some of the greats in the Hip Hop industry.

He described how he often heard, “Aww, you’re just a DJ.” In true underdog fashion DJ Khaled thought, “It’s great to be a DJ but you’re not going to put me in a box.” He went on to explain, “I would never listen to ‘they.’ I always did my thing. It may have took me 25 years but I wouldn’t change a day of my story for nothing. I’m grateful!”

Him not allowing people to label or confine him has eventually led him to an album featuring Kanye West, number one records, and features from some of Hip Hop’s most influential artists such as Chris Brown, Rick Ross, T-Pain and August Alsina. People told him he would never tour. Now he’s on tour with Beyoncé. If it was up to the critics and even his peers, all DJ Khaled would ever be was a disc jockey spinning vinyl in the club.

After filling the CRWN stage with blessings, Khaled also made mention that he recorded a huge anthem with rapper Future and two Jay-Z verses!  Khaled we see you doing big things and keep dropping those keys to success!  We are here for it!  Keep an eye out on the Major Key album dropping soon.  Stay posted with DJ Khaled’s keys before the album drops on his snapchat: @DJKhaled305 and check out the GOAT himself Mr. Wilson all over social media: @elliottwilson.

Check out the video below if you haven’t already checked it out:

The post Elliott Wilson x DJ Khaled CRWN Series Recap and Video [WATCH] appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Future‘s long awaited third album DS2 is available in stores and on iTunes right now, so it was only right for Complex to drop the fifth installment in the Like I Never Left documentary series. He speaks of the key goals that he wants to reach with the release of this album, why he doesn’t want to drop another single at the moment, and even pokes fun at how people view him as a total artist now in contrast to them calling him an “auto-tune crooner” in the past. Peep the video below.

The post Watch Part 5 of Future’s “Like I Never Left” Documentary appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Complex and Elliott Wilson continue their documentary series “Like I Never Left” with the second part of the saga. In this edition, Future discusses what the thought process was of dropping the Monster project; he also makes sure that people know that he’s been out here by stating that he’s had a #1 hit every year since 2011. Needless to say, the hype is continuously building for this new Future project. Peep the video below; DS2 drops this Friday, July 17th.

The post Watch: Future- ‘Like I Never Left’ Documentary Part 2 appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

On Thursday, July 2nd, I had the privilege of being in attendance for the CRWN event with the guest of honor this time being Meek Mill. This CRWN was like no other that I’ve seen before in that the subject matter spoke to me as a human being. I felt this connection because Meek is a young bull from Philly who has been through many highs and lows throughout his life and understands what it takes to chase dreams and make them reality. The conversation was motivational in the fact that Elliott Wilson and Meek deviated from normal topics such as his relationship with Nicki and the album itself to speak on life as well as chasing your dreams. How to visualize your aspirations, to hold them in your hand, and then make them reality. Meek was very humble and laid back; he was keeping it 100 on that stage as he dropped gem after gem. You could tell that he was very comfortable in this setting, which allowed the crowd to interact with the conversation even more than past CRWN’s. He stated that many people think that he stunts on the gram to be braggadocios, but he explained that he just wants to show everyone what he got because not even he believes that he did it. He puts those pictures up there to motivate the public because if he can do it, anyone in any position on any place on earth can get it. You have to encompass this relentless ambition to not settle for less and to sacrifice all u have in order to reach that ultimate goal.

One of the main points in the talk was the repercussions of success. On the track “Cold Hearted” off of DWMTM, Meek and Diddy talk about how money changes the people around you; even those who are closest to you. “Bosses have feelings too”, Meek & Diddy both utter. He commented on the night of his album release when he was casually riding bikes with his people from 10th St. to 55th St. in Manhattan; saying that he likes to do those regular things that we all do. With his current stature those moments may be few and far in between due to a busy travel and work schedule, but he finds little things like that to be therapy for him. And this brings up an interesting point, everyone says they want the money and the fame, but do they really? Are they prepared for the baggage that comes with it? Not being able to live a “normal” life anymore; the loss of privacy. The vultures and problems that come when the money appears. Not being able to see your son as much as you’d like such as Meek’s current situation. It brings a very humanizing feeling to the subject of celebrity and fame. You have to have a strong mindset in order to deal with all the nonsense that comes with success.

Back to the subject of motivation; Meek stated that he sees a Lamborghini the same way that he sees Jordan’s. The crowd immediately exclaimed at this comment, but it makes sense. When you were younger or you don’t have any money and you see those Jordan’s that you always wanted, you’re going to find a way to buy them. By any means necessary, you’re going to put your mind and hustle to the test in order to make that happen. Meek stated that he applies the same mentality to the more lavish, harder to earn things. He aims to heavens rather than the sky, and that’s why he is where he is currently. He wants everyone to see that and understand that vision can be applied at any time, you just have to chase it. One of the main drivers of this sudden burst of motivation for me was the fact that we’ve seen him come from nothing. We can look up YouTube videos of him right now five years ago with nappy braids rapping trying to live the dream. Putting in the work early while dealing with all the nonsense he was going through behind the camera. We can see a visual and audio representation of his growth throughout the years through his catalog. He’s grown up a lot, his demeanor has changed for the better. It’s inspiring to see a young brother come up and still be able to find his soul and touch the people in a way many artists fail to do today.

I went to see this event as a fan of not only Meek and the work of Elliott Wilson, but as a fan of the culture. I can honestly say that I was sitting there and felt a spark of inspiration by just listening to the effortless conversation Meek and Elliott (as well as the crowd) were having. Meek showed another side of himself that I don’t think many demographics have seen before. He was funny, humble, open to the fans, and most of all he was authentic. You believed the things this young man said because he’s been battle tested many times, yet he has come through ans succeeded in every instance. Salute to Meek Mill for continuously overcoming the odds and for inspiring a generation of Dreamchasers. Shoutout to Elliott Wilson, watchLOUD and all those involved with CRWN for allowing artists a platform to be themselves and to interact with the fans in an intimate setting. With the teaser trailer available now, the full interview will be premiered Jult 7th. Be on the look out for that and be prepared to be inspired by the dialogue between these two heavyweights in the game.

The post Editorial: Dreams Worth More Than CRWN’s appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.