Russ – Zoo

Image credit: Columbia/Sony

One of the most polarizing artists in Hip-Hop has returned with an official follow-up to his debut, There’s Really A Wolf. Below lies Russ‘ sophomore album Zoo, which contains 12 tracks and additional appearances from Scott Storch, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg and Mahalia.

G Perico – Guess What?

Image credit: So Way Out

One of the West Coast’s most authentic artists is back with some fire for the Summer’s end. G Perico delivers Guess What?, a 7-track cruise with few additional appearances (only Kalin.FrFr and Garren make the cut).

Stream below, alongside a new visual for “All Nighter.” It’s also a precursor to more from the L.A. emcee, which I hope will come sooner than later.

Estelle – Lovers Rock

Image credit: VP/Established 1980

Estelle is back with a new album titled Lovers Rock, and — as the title may suggest — the British singer has decided to incorporate Reggae, Dancehall and more for a conceptual work of art that tells a beautiful story of her parent’s cinema-worthy relationship. She doesn’t tell it alone, either: Kranium, Maleek Berry, Luke James, Konshens, Chronixx, Alicai Harley and more provide assistance on the 14-track offering.

Joey Purp – QUARTERTHING

Image credit: Joey Purp LLC

All talent aside, the fact that Joey Purp has RZA and GZA two separate tracks makes this a surefire listen alone. With that said, the Chicago emcee keeps the SAVEMONEY train moving with his new album QUARTERTHING, which — in addition to the Wu-Tang assists — sees appearances from Ravyn Lenae, Cdot Honcho and more.

YoungBoy Never Broke Again – 4Loyalty

Image credit: Never Broke Again LLC

This year, YoungBoy Never Broke Again has certainly come into his own as one of the most talented (and transparent) artists of Hip-Hop’s new generation. For the past couple of weeks, the Louisiana artist has delivered two quality EPs: 4Freedom and, alongside Kevin Gates, 4Respect. Now, he keeps the momentum going with 4Loyalty, four new tracks that see appearances from Quando Rondo and Young Thug. Vibe to it below.

Mila J – August 2018

Image credit: The Family Business Enterprises

A bit late with this one, but worth it nonetheless: Mila J is another artist who has been quietly creating dope music on a monthly basis. For his latest, she drops August 2018, which comes with 5 tracks and a single assist from MIGH-X. Enjoy below.

Berner – RICO

Image credit: Bern One Entertainment

Berner is back with a new album titled RICO, his second offering this year following The Big Pescado. As with its predecessor, RICO contains a slew of artists and friends: (Taylor Gang affiliates) Wix Khalifa and Ty Dolla $ign, Curren$y, DJ Quik, Kevin Gates, Young Buck (who is not having his best week ever), Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Styles P, DJ Paul, Cam’ron and loads more. Light one up and press play below.

Masego – Lady Lady

Image credit: EQT Recordings

Virginia-based artist Masego (finally!) delivers his debut album, Lady Lady. The 14-track release was led by singles “Tadow,” “Old Age” and “Queen Tings”; additional appearances include SiR, FKJ, Sounwave, Ari Lennox and more.

YBN Nahmir, YBN Almighty Jay & YBN Cordae – YBN: The Mixtape

Image credit: YBN

The Young Boss N***as movement continues to build, the next big moment being the below mixtape, led by current YBN frontrunners Nahmir, Almighty Jay and Cordae. Add in additional features from Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifa, Machine Gun Kelly, Cuban Doll and Asian Doll, and you have a solid compilation-style offering that should get plenty of play during cooler months. Check it out below.

LD – The Masked One

Image credit: Trakstrs Records

67‘s LD (arguably the group’s most popular member) has decided to step out on his own, dropping a new project titled The Masked One. The 8-track offering also sees additional appearances from Tiggs Da Author, Dizzy Rascal (!), Young Adz and more.

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The post NEW ALBUM FRIDAY: Russ, Estelle, YBN, Joey Purp & More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: VP Music Group

UPDATE: Fans can now enjoy a new music visual for Estelle’s “Better” via Apple Music below. Also: in addition to the single being the second from Estelle’s upcoming album (the first is “Loving You“), the track will also appear on the soon-to-be-released Reggae Gold 2018: 25th Anniversary complilation.

The music world has (technically) been without Estelle‘s beautiful voice since 2015’s True Romance. Now, fans get a new single from the UK singer titled “Better,” a presumed precursor to her forthcoming follow-up to the aforementioned album. She explained the new release as well (source):

“‘Better’ can only be felt between two people. A little indescribable, a little magic… Body and mind doing what it wants to… the only two in the room, the only me, the only you. A sparkle in your eyes when it wants to, waited each other out, because at the end of a time no one in the world can love you better.”

Take a listen below.

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The post Estelle is “Better” in New Visual (UPDATE) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

New York University’s Organization of Black Women and Women On The Move hosted its 9th Annual panel in honor of Women’s month to celebrate pioneering women on Wednesday, March 25, 2015. This eventful evening was held at NYU’s breathtaking floor to ceiling glass auditorium at the top of the Kimmel Center, which gave attendees a 360 view of New York city’s skyline. Panelists included Grammy award winning singer – Estelle, Journalist/NYU professor – Kathy Iagoli, Supermodel – Jessica White, President of Roc Nation Records and Artist manager – Chaka Pilgrim. The panelists were joined by moderator Dee Vasquez and DJ – DJ Jazzy Joyce, who kept the crowd entertained. [WOTM] panel was created to inform, educate, and empower young women by collaborating with strong female industry leaders who’s focus was to give students’ incredible insight on how to brand themselves, create their own careers and become their own bosses.

The post ESTELLE, JESSICA WHITE, KATHY IAGOLI & CHAKA PILGRIM Attended NYU’s OBW & WOTM Women’s 9th ANNUAL PANEL appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo Credit: www.southflorida.com

The irresistibly charming Estelle  shines in her energetic and uplifting video for “Something Good” off True Romance. The video is composed of footage from various of her live shows. Watch her dance, laugh and sing beautifully in the video below.

True Romance will be available November 4th.

The post Estelle Shines In The Video For “Something Good” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The post New Music: Estelle – “Make Her Say (Beat It Up)” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

If you had the misfortune of watching what might have been the most frustrating thing on the Internet since Charles Hamilton, go get another Advil. You know you need one.

Yesterday, Intelligence Squared took to Google+ for a global, courtroom-style debate. Professors, lawyers, politicians and even a few rappers tackled the argument that seems to be as old as the music itself: Hip-hop doesn’t enhance society, it degrades it.

Let’s be clear: this was not a friendly exchange of opinions, it was a full-fledged attack on hip-hop culture, and a rather poorly argued one at that. Belizean attorney Eamon Courtenay led the charge against hip-hop, with Shaun Bailey, an advisor to the London Prime Minister, championing his every motion with tired clichés. “Rappers use the word ‘bitch’ to keep women down,” was a popular phrase torpedoed throughout the three-hour trial.

When they were allowed to speak, however briefly, the artists supporting musical expression made the obvious points that were being swept under the rug. Estelle, in response to one panelist’s disgust over her daughter being subjected to a raunchy Ludacris concert, asked if the panelist had bothered doing her research on Luda before allowing her daughter to attend the concert. “Parent your children,” would be the overlying rebuttal on the artists’ side.

The problem with scattered debates arguments such as these is that no one walks away with anything. Minds enter the debate closed and remain that way. Joe Budden crystallized this problem before storming off in frustration. “Everything ain’t for everybody,” Budden said. Tired of being constantly interrupted, he paused and simply asked, “Are you going to let me talk? You can’t speak and take in information at the same time.”

The other key problem here was that the panelists arguing against the culture were simply uninformed. One panelist asked ?uestlove if he thought The Roots would be more successful if they promoted a positive image. Because, as well all know, The Roots give the coke and gun rappers a run for their money…right?

One audience member pointed out that she had never been called a “bitch” or “nigga” in her life and had spent a lot of time around the hip-hop scene. Therefore, is misogyny a hip-hop problem or is it a cultural problem? Does hip-hop reflect society or shape it? (Shit, does music evoke or invoke emotion?) This may have fostered a much more productive debate, however, along with many other good points, it was brushed under the rug for more stereotypes.

Hip-hop is must stop being treated as the scapegoat for society’s problems. If your son is disrespecting women, maybe instead of throwing out his Kanye West collection you should sit and and instill better morals. If you were to remove “bitch” and “nigga” from the rap lexicon, the world around you would not suddenly be cleared of sexism and racism. That problem is bigger than music.

Hip-hop is responsible for giving the voiceless a voice. RESPECT it.

The post Editorial: Don’t Put Hip-Hop on Trial appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Estelle officially released her new video for “Break My Heart” featuring Rick Ross last night. The video was filmed in Malibu and stars Omari Hardwick (For Colored Girls) as Estelle’s love interest.

“The basic concept is I’m rolling up to this house and I’m having a dinner party, but I invited this guy that I’m trying to get it on with,” Estelle told Rap-Up. “And the entire time I’m thinking about him, but in my heart I’m doubting, maybe he’ll break my heart. I pray he doesn’t break my heart.

The song will be on her upcoming album, All of Me, to be dropped on September 28th.

The post New Video: Estelle x Rick Ross appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.