erykah badu Archives - RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture

RESPECT. Interview: Childish Gambino’s signee bLAck pARty talks Future & Past

Haleema Khan — Sat, 27 Jun 2020 16:54:00 +0000

Hailing from LA, bLAck pARty is a promising singer, songwriter, and producer from a military family upbringing. He began his musical life by playing trumpet in middle school bands, and by high school had taught himself guitar, keyboards, and bass, as well as engineering and recording. He DJ’d, promoted shows and performed in bands.

His love for rap-rock fusion has been inspiring him since High School. He was the lead vocalist/rapper in a band called ‘Flint Eastwood’ —the bands ultimate breakup lead to bLAck pARty coming into existence, stylizing it with capital letters to single out “LA” for Los Angeles, where he lives, and “AR” for Arkansas where he was raised. In 2013 he began producing for Kari Faux. The two had met when both were in their mid-teens. Their collaboration, “No Small Talk,” caught the attention of Childish Gambino, who remixed it and featured it on his STN MTN/Kauai mixtape. Which only lead to bLAck pARty inking a deal with the Childish Gambino’s Royalty collective. bLack pARty contributed production to Gambino’s GRAMMY® Award-winning album Awaken, My Love! as well as scores a placement with TV series Dear White People, Insecure, and Atlanta.

His 2019 album Endless Summer is his first release through Wolf + Rothstein and RCA Records. The first single, “No Complaints,” features DMP Jefe, watch it below.

Out of his busy schedule bLack pARty took the time out to catch up with RESPECT MAG about everything from music to his future plans.

RESPECT.: Growing up, what were some of your biggest musical influences?

bLAck pARty: Growing up my biggest influences were Stevie Wonder, India Irie, Nirvana, MF Doom, Kanye West, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Bad Brains, Zro I came across a lot of music being around the different people in my life. I also grew up in the internet age when music became much easier to access.

RESPECT.: So congratulations on signing with Childish Gambino’s label! How did that happen?

bLAck pARty: Thank you! I actually connected to Childish Gambino back in 2014 when I was mostly doing production for Kari Faux, we had made this song & video “No Small Talk” that went viral and through that I ended up connecting with one of Gambino’s business partner’s Fam, Kari allowed Gambino to remix the record and we built a working relationship since.

RESPECT.: How did your first conversation with Childish Gambino go?

bLAck pARty: I don’t remember exactly, but I remember it was the day his Sway interview dropped so it was mostly conversations about that and conversations about rap music in general. I’m a huge supporter of underground rap, so I remember showing him some of the underground rap groups coming out of Atlanta at that time.

RESPECT.: You also produced on his Award-winning album, “Awaken, My Love!” how did that happen? What was that process like?

bLAck pARty: That actually came about because I had moved to Los Angeles around the same time he was working on “Awaken, My Love!” We always talk about music so it started off from me just being in the studio giving feedback to doing background vocals and some drum programming. It was an interesting experience that I feel I learned a lot from. It was actually the first major album I worked on and being able to be around some of the most talented musicians in the business was a blessing.

RESPECT.: So you write, produce, and engineer and do vocals? Which one is your favourite and why?

bLAck pARty: I’d say my favourite is probably producing because it’s the more creative and fun job. It allows you to think outside of the box and make something that resonates without actually using language.What I’ve learned from playing in places outside of the US is even if the people don’t necessarily speak my language they can still get with the rhythm of the beats and even catch on to the lyrics if they’re simple enough.

RESPECT.: Do you play any instruments? Regardless, what is your favourite instrument and why?

bLAck pARty: Yes, I play whatever I can figure out. If i were to pick a favourite I would say guitar. I always find it easy to write songs with just a guitar. Also a large majority of my favourite artists play guitar: Lauryn Hill, D’angelo, Prince, Kurt Cobain, India Irie, Amy Winehouse- all guitarists!

RESPECT.: Tell us about your song “Dancing”. What are some of the themes found in that Track?

bLAck pARty: Dancing for me was a record that originally was up as a demo, over time it was revamped to be more groovy. I wanted to make something that felt like a day party going into the night time. When it came to video the director [Dylan McGale] and I wanted to play off of one of my favourite movies, KIDS, and one of my favourite music videos, “Frontin” by the Neptunes. I’ve been skating since I was young, and skateboarding and music go hand in hand, so I had to show love to the skaters.

RESPECT.: How do you feel after having your music placed on Insecure?

bLAck pARty: Shout out’s to Issa ! It feels incredible. I have a lot of people tell me they found out about my music through watching Insecure. I actually watch the show so it’s kinda wild to hear my music on there.

RESPECT.: Complex described your sound as a retro sound that could fit nicely into rotation if it came out in the ’70s yet still feels fresh for 2019. Do you agree?

bLAck pARty: Yes. I think the 70’s was one of the more interesting times in music. I’m definitely inspired by that era in music and I listen to more older records than I listen to newer music. The thing though is taking that inspiration and bringing into the present or the future.

RESPECT.: What was that moment in your life that you realised you wanted to be a serious musician? Like this was it for you.

bLAck pARty: When I was 13 I knew for certain I was going to make music. I remember watching videos online of Kanye, Alchemist, The Neptunes, Madlib, making beats and rapping and I decided that’s what I wanted to do: make music and have fun.

RESPECT.: Who are you looking forward to working with the most in the industry?

bLAck pARty: It would be dope to work with legends like Al Green, Patrice Rushen, Erykah Badu…

Photo Credit: Manny Singh

RESPECT.: If I was to see your playlist right now what would I find?

bLAck pARty: You would find Fela Kuti, Amy Winehouse, Al Green, Sza, Khruangbin…I just like to hear something with a lil soul or funk in it

RESPECT.: Tell us about your 5 goals in 2020

bLAck pARty: My only goals are to continue to get better as a person and as a creative.

Follow bLAck pARty on instagram to keep up with all his updates.

All Photos by Manny Singh.

The post RESPECT. Interview: Childish Gambino’s signee bLAck pARty talks Future & Past appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Brionna Taylor: The Multimedia Journalist Shaking Up The Industry

Brittany Burton — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 04:35:58 +0000

Brionna Taylor Talks Breaking Into The Industry, creating her talk show, and providing a platform for talent to shine.

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By: Brionna Taylor

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By: Brionna Taylor

When deciding to pursue a career in entertainment, certainty is important. Multimedia journalist Brionna Taylor knew she wanted to pursue a career as a multimedia journalist and talk show host, in which she is dominating both sectors. She was bit by the journalism bug as adolescent and never once lost focus of her dream!

Having written for various publications such as ESPN, AfroPunk, Okayplayer, D Magazine, World Boxing News, and JBA League, she has made a name for herself as a music journalist breaking exclusive music stories. At the tender age of 24, this boss lady has plans on shaking the world up like never before!

As she continues to use her gifts to help others shine and excel, her television show E-Koh (Echo), helps bridge the gap between celebrities, rising talents, and locals. When asked about what makes her talk show unique she responded “I really strive to focus on bringing back true storytelling and journalism. I use the platform to help showcase rising artists.”

There are a lot of talented artists who don’t get the media attention they deserve so it is my goal to help shake up the industry and media world”. On the show I have had everyone from the legendary comedian Guy Torry, Floyd Mayweather’s Bodyguards, Justin “Guitarslayer” Lyons the first K-Pop Sensation, Multiple Grammy Award Winning producers, and more.”

I had the pleasure of catching up with Brionna Taylor for candid interview recently. As she openly discusses her journey through media, catching her big break and being a black woman in entertainment, it is clear that she was born a true star! Check it out below.

Brionna Taylor Interview

Respect: What sparked your interest to pursue a career in media?

Brionna: While other children were watching cartoons and Disney Channel, I spent my time watching documentaries and talk shows. I watched everything from The Oprah Winfrey Show to Planet Groove on BET, and The Bonnie Hunt Show to Kris Jenner’s Talk Show. There was always something with storytelling that resonated with me. I quickly saw that there were a lot of unique and powerful stories out there that the media often ignored or overlooked.

One of the main reasons I pursued a career in the media was to help give a voice to the voiceless and the many undeserved and overlooked communities. You don’t have to have a big name to have a significant story. I’m here to find and showcase those powerful stories. This purpose is what has driven me throughout undergrad, graduate school and my career. This is also part of the reason why I created the talk show E-Koh (pronounced echo), where celebrities, rising talents, and locals are invited to a platform where they can share their unique stories.

I have always been an old soul. People often ask me how long I’ve been in my career as a journalist and multimedia storyteller. I tell them my whole life. I have always observed and listened to the world around me. I love listening to people and hearing their stories. Starting when I was 10-years old, adults would always converse with me as though I were the same age as them.

On many occasions, I even found myself giving life advice and relationship advice to adults well into their thirties. After these conversations, they were always taken back that they really had opened up to a child. But, in a unique sense, I could tell by sharing their stories and having someone to really listen to them, it created a greater sense of healing and peace in their lives. This always stuck with me and played a major role in my career choice.

Respect: How did you get your start in media/journalism field and why music specifically?

Brionna: I can truly say I have been in the world of journalism my entire life. I was born a journalist. That was then maximized in undergrad when I became an official NCAA sports reporter and videographer and then starting my junior year in undergrad I became an official photographer for the Dallas Cowboys and AT&T.

Very early in my career, I was afforded amazing opportunities to be trained by many Pulitzer Prize and Emmy Award-Winning journalists. By working under these amazing professionals and teachers, it played a significant role in how I view the world of journalism and the media. While just in undergrad and all before age 23, I broke exclusive sports and music stories for top publications such as ESPN, AfroPunk, Okayplayer, D Magazine, World Boxing News and more.

I specifically take interest in the music side of journalism and the media because music is a universal language. When you really break down everything from the lyrics and all the way down to the instrumentation and video treatment, it’s storytelling at it’s finest. By showcasing artists and rising artists it helps to further allow individuals who haven’t always been able to share their stories with the masses to finally be heard in a universal way.

I always say I want to use my platform to help bring healing and music aka universal storytelling is able to do that. When you look at it deeper, you don’t even have to speak the same language to be affected by a powerful song or piece of music. It breaks all barriers because it can immediately touch the soul.

Respect: When did you catch your big break?

Brionna: I caught my big break when I broke the story on Zach Witness featured in D Magazine. He was formally known as DJ White Chocolate and was a musical prodigy. Zach even produced Erykah Badu’s latest album, But You Can’t Use My Phone. My first article was not only in a major magazine, but it was also on the shelves of Barnes & Noble, major newsstands, and convenience stores such as CVS in the U.S. This story ultimately helped launch my career as a storyteller, and things began to take off for me like a domino effect.

Respect: What was the inspiration behind starting your own television show?

Brionna: I always wanted my own talk show and I quickly saw that there was a huge gap in the industry. A lot of people with great stories were being overlooked. This is also part of the reason why I created the talk show E-Koh (pronounced echo), where celebrities, rising talents and locals are invited to a platform where they can share their unique stories.

Additionally, a huge inspiration behind starting my own talk show was I wanted to bring back true journalism and storytelling that’s past tabloid and gossip tv. It is my main goal to help expose my generation as well as others to true storytelling in a fun and modern way.

Respect: How important is it to you to have a voice as a black woman in the media as you use your voice to provide new opportunities for talent?

Brionna: As a black woman, diversity is very important. I have made it a point to tell stories from a diverse group of people and they’re worth hearing no matter what ethnicity they may be. Every culture and individual has a special influence on society and offers something different. When you really look for good stories, you end up with diversity. That’s what makes a story unique and powerful.

I try to give opportunities to all people it doesn’t matter whether you’re young or middle-aged nor a gangster or janitor. In my career and with my platform, I’ve sat down with a monk one day and a gangster the next. There are so many unique stories out there. I want everyone to have an opportunity for black and other ethnicities.

I have even traveled to India and saw how heavily Hip Hop and Black culture has influenced their various forms of storytelling. It’s a great thing when we can blur racial lines and come together and collaborate to tell our stories. I hope the doors that have opened for me will help inspire others to pursue their dreams and maybe even enter the world of journalism to make their special impact on the world.

As she continues her reign on the industry, be sure to follow Brionna Taylor on instagram @brionnat_.

The post Brionna Taylor: The Multimedia Journalist Shaking Up The Industry appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Gabrielle Lynn Releases New Ethereal EP

Brittany Burton — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 17:33:54 +0000

Gabrielle Lynn releases New ethereal EP

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BY: Gabrielle Lynn

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BY: Gabrielle Lynn

Singer/Songwriter Gabrielle Lynn has officially released her highly anticipated EP Ethereal. Being heavily influenced by Sade, Erykah Badu, SZA, and Daniel Ceaser, her original sound is a direct reminder of how thriving R&B music is right now. Her Minnesota upbringing with loving and supportive parents has propelled her to take her talent to new heights. The songstress has created a masterpiece full of serene melodies, concrete lyrics, and raw emotion.

Within 6 tracks Gabrielle Lynn showcases why she is ready to take the music business by storm. To ensure the success of this project, she teamed up with 2 time Grammy Award winning producer Riotheyneedahit. Having worked with R&B tycoons Jill Scott, Ashanti and K. Michelle, his musical direction has given the singer a powerful edge over the other rising singers. Two things to listen for on Ethereal is the purity and rawness Lynn’s vocals give off on each record.

One song that really captures Lynn’s authenticity is a track titled “Reasons”. As this song has a more uptempo melody, you can hear how sonically pleasing her voice is over the instrument driven beat. Some notable lyrics include “what if I told you, you’re more than a friend, what if we never waste a moment again, let’s make it happen and see what comes next, what if I need you what would you do”. Her strong penmanship and desire to put out high quality music comes full circle on this release.

Gabrielle Lynn has created a body of work that is destined to reach the masses! Tap in by clicking here to stream her newest EP Ethereal.

The post Gabrielle Lynn Releases New Ethereal EP appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Dave Chappelle and Childish Gambino to Team Up for One Night in NYC

Tiffany Hamilton — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 06:26:09 +0000

Comedy fans and Hip-Hop lovers unite for a special night in New York City, as Dave Chappelle announced that he was teaming up with Childish Gambino for an exclusive event.

According to published reports on Monday (Jun 12th), Gambino and Chappelle will take to the stage at the famous Radio City Music Hall. Despite Gambino — real name: Donald Glover — also being a stand-up comedian, the quadruple threat will be lending his musical talents to the show as he prepares for the retirement of his stage name.

The joint show follows the release of two out of three of Chappelle’s highly successful Netflix specials, The Age of Spin and Deep in the Heart of Texas, as well as Gambino’s remarkable year in both music and television after winning a Golden Globe (‘Best Actor in a TV Comedy’) for his FX hit Atlanta, along with the release of his critically-acclaimed album Awaken, My Love!.

Gambino isn’t the only one joining Chappelle at the legendary venue: Erykah Badu, The Roots, Chris Rock, Trevor Noah, Ali Wong, and more are set to hit the stage during his residency at Radio City. Ten shows have been added and they will go on sale Friday (Jun 16th) at 10 AM via Ticketmaster.

The Chappelle/Gambino event is scheduled to take place on August 19. See the full lineup below:

Dave Chappelle and Friends at Radio City Music Hall

August 1-4 with The Roots

August 5 with Chris Rock

August 9 with Erykah Badu

August 15 with Very Special Guest

August 18 with Trevor Noah

August 19 with Childish Gambino

August 24 with Ali Wong & Special Guests

Suggested Articles:

Nolan The Ninja Is Out For Gold With New “14K”

Sha Hustle Returns With “Running Man” EP

MadeInTYO Releases New Music “Picture Me Rollin” Prod. by Sonny Digital

The post Dave Chappelle and Childish Gambino to Team Up for One Night in NYC appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

RESPECT.’s Simple Sunday Playlist [LISTEN]

Zhe Lovett — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 20:34:09 +0000

Take a deep breath, it’s Sunday. Here are some tunes that’ll mellow you out, and roll you into a great new week.

1. dvsn – Too Deep

2. Erykah Badu – Hello (ft. Andre 3000)

3. Tame Impala – New Person, Same Old Mistakes

4. Sampha – Too Much

5. Syd – Body

6. Daniel Caesar – Japanese Denim

7. Alina Baraz & Galimatias – Fantasy

8. Frank Ocean – Chanel

9. H.E.R. – Focus

10. Andre 3000 – Prototype

11. Anderson .Paak – Silicone Valley

12. Mos Def – UMI Says

13. Kool & The Gang – Summer Madness

14. 6LACK – PRBLMS

15. Noname – Shadow Man (ft. Saba, Smino & Pheolix)

Listen and comment what you think below. Keep it simple, and have a good week readers!

Hear the Roses Podcast Features Photographer Mel D. Cole House Photographer for Legendary Roots Crew and Trey Songz

Museum of Light — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 20:00:40 +0000

Hear the Roses Podcast Features Photographer Mel D. Cole House Photographer for Legendary Roots Crew and Trey Songz

Film and television producers Joslyn Rose and Noris Rose launch the second episode of their HEAR THE ROSES podcast on Wednesday, January 18, on HeartheRoses.com.

The weekly series about passion, perseverance and the pursuit of dreams, features photographer Mel D. Cole who shares his journey from picking up a disposable camera to becoming one of the most influential photographers in the music scene.

Listen: Soundcloud.com/heartheroses

HEAR THE ROSES is also available on partner sites The Museum of Light, Fusicology, and RESPECT. Magazine.

The post Hear the Roses Podcast Features Photographer Mel D. Cole House Photographer for Legendary Roots Crew and Trey Songz appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

D.R.A.M. Drops “Wifi” feat. Erykah Badu

RESPECT. Staff — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 00:19:35 +0000

D.R.A.M. has not come to play with his past releases and especially with this new funky tune, “Wifi” featuring the greatest aka Erykah Badu. The duo creates the traditional Netflix and Chill vibe with a soulful feeling that is hard to find in a lot of music today. While anything Ms. Badu touches normally turns to gold, this song wouldn’t be complete without D.R.A.M.’s deep voice and eccentric puns. D.R.A.M. is doing exactly what his name says, Doing Real A** Music!

There is a line that is repeated in the end that speaks the current day and age truth of “no strings attached, but still connected” in a sweet melody. The accuracy is a bit painful on this one. While we stay glued to our phones on a daily basis, trying to catch up with any and every one, we ignore our surroundings. I’ll get off my soap box, now. I just wanted to make the connection.

Anyway, D.R.A.M.’s album Big Baby D.R.A.M. is set to release tomorrow with hits including this seductive millennial tune, “Wifi”, the radio hit with Lil Yachty, “Broccoli”, “Cute”, and “Cash Machine” which have all been released for some time now. He has definitely set the bar high, working with the legend, Erykah Badu and creating catchy radio hits with Lil Yachty.

When you check out the album tomorrow and end up loving it, there is more D.R.A.M. available once the new year hits! Memorize all of your favorite lyrics and get ready to enjoy some real a** music. He will start his tour that will stop in 13 lucky cities in January, and you won’t want to miss out on that.

Listen to “Wifi” below and don’t sleep on his new album that drops tomorrow!