Cover Art: Andre Deck

This may be your introduction to Dj Skizz. Maybe you’ve been familiar with his music over the past few years. Maybe you’ve been an avid listener to The Halftime Show and have been familiar with his name for over a decade. Either way, hip-hop gladly welcomes artists like Skizz. Good producers with a generous range of sound, whether released or willing to, are hard to come by. Or, if they do have range they usually just suck and no one wants to hear their range (see your nearest radio for examples). Skizz is refreshing. Like an overdue exhale – the exhale you let out when you know it’s going to be okay and there’s still hope.

Skizz’s 2013 B.Q.E. (Brooklyn-Queens Experience) full length is a good time hop, let’s go there for a second. A seasoned boom-bap palette, a buttery confirmation that he is indeed a focused swordsman on the hardware. If a list of emcees like Masta Ace, Nature, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Roc Marciano, Torae and say, O.C. doesn’t appeal to you, perhaps you have some homework to do. While you’re at it we’d suggest you checking out Kings from Queens (2012). Or you’re in the wrong place.

Fast forward to today. There’s a ridiculous amount of quality independent releases already this year. Cruise Control, Skizz’s second official producer LP, is a day shy of being one to add to your list of top shelf  “underground” releases. You may have heard the few singles released via the internets. If those are any indication to what the new full length will offer, done deal. Guest artists include Conway, Planet Asia, Your Old Droog, Evidence and more. We’ll leave the rest a pleasant mystery and not bore you with an in-depth review. Below we had the pleasure of talking briefly with Dj Skizz to discuss the release and a few other goodies. Check the interview out, learn something cool, and be sure to cop/stream the entire record tomorrow (7/29). Peace and love:

RESPECT.: Before we set it off, thank you for your time. If you could give a new fan some backround about yourself what would you tell them?

RESPECT.: You have some pretty rich history and involvement in hip-hop aside from producing records. Can you tell everyone a bit about the Halftime Show days and its importance leading up to where you’re at currently?

RESPECT.: Lets talk about your ‘Cruise Control’ album. The packaging is top notch! And from what you’ve released already off of the LP the featured artists are just as potent. What should heads be expecting with this body of work?

RESPECT.: What’s your most memorable moment throughout the creation of ‘Cruise Control’? Any cool stories or pinnacle moments?

RESPECT.: Though your catalogue is already stacked with a boatload of elite recording artists – if you could work with one artist dead or alive today who would it be, and why?

RESPECT.: To close this out, if you had to give some advice to a new jack looking to produce what would you recommend him/her?

Dj Skizz: Twitter | Instagram | SoundCloud | iTunes

Cruise Control: BandCamp | FatBeats (cd)

The post Dj Skizz Sets The Ride In ‘Cruise Control’ (Interview) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Cover Art: @cepenwhy

You can ride waves in any weather with Hus Kingpin’s bodies of work. Not just ride the wave, but feel the cool breeze and euphoric undertones. They’re rich lyrics – which should leave you with a new found respect for emcees who can handle their wordplay. Did we mention the amount of co-signs and green lights he has received over the years from some of our pioneers and current staples? (see interview below)

Aside from the aesthetics, let’s note his consistency these past few years. On the independent scene, we all know that’s beyond crucial. Hus never leaves his fans to run for dry – always releasing random, sporadic singles with little warning. This is commendable and appreciated. Rookie emcees – take notes.

But forget all the fly words here – listen for yourself and catch up on his previous releases if you haven’t yet. Peace and love:

If someone is just now getting familiar with Hus Kingpin, how would you describe yourself in a few short words?

I’m a Brooklyn born MC representing Hempstead NY – half trini, half Bajan – wavy rhyme lord influenced by Nas, Noreaga, Dj Premier, Roc Marciano, Jay Z, Trap Music (laughs) – strip clubs in Atlanta – warm cognac and LA weed.

You live on the west coast now but still represent your hometown Hempstead in a lot of your records. Can you talk a little bit about your experience on the west coast and how the relocation has improved your craft, if so?

The first person I met when I moved to LA was Planet Asia. He came and scooped me and we copped some jerk chicken. Asia then took me around to meet everyone from Krondon, to Evidence, to Alchemist, to his GCM crew. Planet Asia also introduced me to Raekwon for the first time. I love PA. Everything in LA is glorious. Good weed always helps me with writers block. There are also great shows out here. Shout out to Fashawn as well, he’s a good genuine young shooter.

One thing listeners may notice is your open ended, free flowing content and your ability to allow us to paint our own pictures with your lyrics. What’s your writing process look like?

Writing process is all about energy for me, the perfect time is usually fresh out of the weed dispensary or when I’m with Rozewood who also lives in LA now. I usually go to the studio and smoke, chill, then I’ll probably fall asleep, I hate writing in the studio, but I’ll do it with the right energy

You really excercise the moniker “Lord Wavy”. It goes beyond the typical rapper’s nickname – so much that your rhymes often feel like we are riding a sonic wave. Was the Lord Wavy stamp a natural development? How did it come to frution?

“Lord Wavy” came from listening to Max B in NYC. I liked his style. It’s unfortunate about his situation. And yes it was pretty natural to form into Lord Wavy after meeting Big Daddy Kane in Queens when I was 18. He told me he’s leaving the torch for me. That was a bugged out moment in time.

The Winners is a powerful team of recording artists with some of the most natural chemistry we’ve heard in a while. Can you discuss how the team operates? And is longevity instores for The Winners?

The Winners is like TDE meets Wu-Tang. We’re all rhyme lords but not mega conscious with it – it’s all about the style and saying things that people have never said before. We have SmooVth from NY, Rozewood from NY, Sean Rosati from Boston, JuneLyfe from Boston, Sage Infinite from New Jersey, Marvelous Mag from NY, Giallo Point from UK, and singer El AY from UK. We’re going to wave up this year. Mega longevity – be on the look out!

To close this out, what does Hus Kingpin have planned for 2016? Any live shows, projects, collaborations etc.?

I’m dropping my debut in-studio full length album finally with some fly guests. Planet Asia is executive producing one of my LP’s coming. Roze and myself are finishing the Snowgoons album. Audible Doctor and myself have a project coming. SmooVth is going to break the Internet with his new ‘SS96J’ release. I got some beats from A$ap Ty from A$ap Mob. I got some new material with Marco Polo and a few other secrets underway.

Do you have any shoutouts? If so, shoot, shooter.

Shoutout Tommy Boy Records, Planet Asia, Evidence, Alchemist, Big Twins, Jazz and anyone else I forgot! Thank you.

Twitter | Instagram | SoundCloud

The post Hus Kingpin – “House of Kingpin: The Revamp Edition” + Interview appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Fashawn is teaming up with The Alchemist for a seven-track EP called FASH-ionable Late and here is the first single. “Dreams” features Evidence, who appears on the track and directed the video. The track talks about life and goals and with The Alchemist behind the boards this one is pretty dope. The EP is set to drop on December 18th which will be followed by Fashawn’s solo album next year. Get into it below.

The post New Video: Fashawn & The Alchemist Ft Evidence – “Dreams” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

It has been eight years since Dilated Peoples last released a body of work but their presence has been strong since they came into the game and their fans have always stood by their side even throughout their hiatus. Now that they are back with a brand new album, Directors of Photography, their fans are beyond excited to hear their new tracks. And hip hop is fearing the impact that they are about to have on the game. 

RESPECT. Mag sat down with Rakaa of Dilated Peoples to discuss Directors of Photography, working with DJ Premier and more.

RESPECT.: Your last album, 20/20, was released in 2006, how does it feel to be coming out with an album after 8 years?

It feels good. I mean we’ve been working as solo artists and doing a lot of side projects. But getting in the lab together as a group and focusing that energy on a group project is definitely a good feeling. We didn’t just want to make another nostalgia album; we didn’t want people to think we’ve been sitting around for 8 years but rather have been working and pushing that line and we didn’t want to waste everyone’s time especially our own.

Is that what inspired you guys to do this album?

That was the inspiration. Not that we really needed to tell people. We have been solo projects and knew at some point we would have to get back to doing a group project. We wanted it to be right and the timing to be right. There was no contract that said we had to do it. We fulfilled our contract with our last label. We didn’t take a check long time ago. We just wanted to make a crazy album. It’s not just about the legacy but is about pushing forward and making honest music.

How does it feel to be on a different label and release this album with a different label?

So far so good. It hasn’t come out yet so we’ll see how that goes but we know like they are a good team of people.  We know them personally and worked with them. We have a couple solo projects and Step Brothers projects with The Alchemist out with them. We worked with them directly and indirectly for years so it’s still kind of a family project. It’s not like we went and signed with strangers or went for the highest bidder. We went to the place that we felt who could handle this properly on a bigger scale than we’d do out of the trunk. This was the right team and the right time.

Do you feel that your sound has evolved since your last album?

I don’t think it has changed. We weren’t chasing any sound or any particular hidden agenda and having that attitude going into it. You know as an MC when you have an ill line you know you have an ill line and when you chop an ill sample you know that’s a killer and when you feel like that about an album as opposed to a whole song you know you’re in a good place so for us we stand behind it hundred percent. We just let the music rock and speak for itself but we’re excited about the world hearing it. This album is definitely the most dilated album that represents the purest of what we have ever done. This and Expansion Team is probably my favorite album that we have ever done.

Were there any parts of this album that were tough to create?

Probably the first single was the most difficult. Me and Babu started with a different beat and concept for “Good is Gone.” We had different beat and different rhymes but we wanted the title and idea for the song. So we presented it to Evidence and he didn’t really want to do it, it was not where he was at. We got the DJ Premier track and I was like, “Yo we should do this concept.” I was re-doing my verse and re-writing the song and I had this concept. There was a bunch of drama but it was a passionate situation. Ultimately he came around to it and said, “Yo that is a good idea.” I don’t mind the process because alls well that ends well. There is whole bunch of stuff like that on the album that we were all tuned in for, heavy session work and it was something that we all cared about so much and the line we created for ourselves and the people that supported us. So we wanted to make it right.

How was it like working with DJ Premier?

There was a lot of back and forth but it all came out alright. Once we switched to the mode, “Ok you’re right lets do this,” it all worked. But as far as working with Premier that’s our big brother right there he always looked out for us pretty much from the earliest part of our career supported us. It was an honor but also it was a pleasure. Sometimes you get to work with people that it is an honor but you don’t really like the vibe and makes you wish you never met them. Premier is definitely not one of those people.  He’s one of those people that he’s very up on things, he’s very aware of what is going in the scene, he’s a historian and very educated about the culture and obviously he’s a master on the beat so when you get an opportunity to work with someone like that, working with someone like that you look up to and who inspires you to do well. It’s a great feeling. He’s the whole foundation of the Gang Starr team. The only reason “Worst Comes to Worst” came out because he said, “Yo this song is ill. You have to make this your single.” It was like big brother threat we knew we had to release it. We knew if we didn’t release it would be a problem.

What was your favorite track off this album?

There is a song called “Dark Room” on there that is very ill to me which features Vince Staples. Both of the singles are crazy. It’s hard to say because we didn’t do anything we weren’t a hundred on for this album. For other albums there was a lot respect and space like, “You wanna do that? Ok cool you can do that.” On this one we were stomping our feet. We were pushing each other. There was nothing personal about this but we all just wanted to do well.

DJ Premier and Alchemist are on the production of the album. Who else contributed to the production?

Evidence, Babu, Bravo and Joey Chavez, 9th wonder, Jake One, Twiz the Beat Pro, Diamond D and Oh No. If I forgot anybody forgive me it’s been a long day!

You guys have very few features on the album compared to how others do it nowadays. How did you guys decide who you wanted on the album?

Everything was really natural. We didn’t want a feature on the song just to sell the record. We wanted it to be as close to grain as possible. So the features that were on there we felt complimented the song. It was based on the texture, the vibe and the concept.

What excites you about this project?

I’m just excited for the people who have been waiting for this long for the album. Around the world you know there are people who have been rocking with us for a long time so I’m excited for those people. It’s like when the food smells good and when it hits the table it tastes even better, it’s like that.  That’s what I want for people. We’re anxious to put it out there and see how the reaction will be. We tried to raise the ball and push the line for ourselves so hopefully that will inspire others as well.

What would you like your fans to get out of this album?

It is not like one particular message album. It is not a theme album. Fans would just listen to an album that knocked really heavy and showed that you could make quality music, you could push the line forward and do what is right without chasing anybody down. You don’t have to follow a status quo or trends. You could do according to what feels right, just do it at the highest level.

The post Interview: Rakaa of Dilated Peoples Speaks on New Album, Their Hiatus and More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Long Beach rapper Vince Staples delivers his newest mixtape, Shyne Coldchain, Vol. 2. The project is carried by the lead-single “Nate,” featuring James Fauntleroy and also boasts an appearance by Jhené Aiko. No ID and Evidence handle most of the production on the tight, 10-track tape which clocks in at just under 30 minutes. Stream or download below.

The post New Mixtape: Vince Staples – Shyne Coldchain, Vol. 2 appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

In an interview with probably two of the most slyly funniest guys ever, we were able to chat with Alchemist and Evidence about this new chapter of their careers, how Lord Steppington really came to be, and their favorite projects of 2013. There’s a lot of sarcasm in this interview, so read closely.

RESPECT: You guys are childhood friends and you’ve worked together many times in the past. How did you guys first meet?

Alchemist: Well Evidence used to work at the Swedish Auto Clinic on Lincoln Boulevard. Ev used to work there, he was a mechanic and it all started from there.

So this being you guys’ first album together, what was it like not really having any creative restriction on Lord Steppington?

Evidence: Well, Brother Ali pretty much told Alchemist how to do the shit.

Alchemist: We owe a lot to Ali. He handed us a manuscript with some mad cadences and Ev transcribed them. He had a whole new cache of rhyme patterns once he came back from Europe.

Evidence: I’m into how the brain correlates with the voice. You can like rap left-footed or left-handed and it can really make a difference on your performance. Like if you rap with your left hand versus your right. Or with your right foot first or your left foot first. It’s basically like, if you use your left hand first you’re sharper, like you’re on the beat more. But if you use your right hand, more emotion comes out. So you gotta choose, do I want to be tighter on the rhythm or do I want to be a little sloppier but have more emotion with the right hand? The same applies to the feet.

So what would you say you guys’ style is then? What to do you tend to do when you’re rapping?

Evidence: I don’t know, like I’ve re-done tapes and been like man, I need to go re-do that left -handed because  it was tight with the emotion, but then I didn’t hit the beat right. On the stage, I switch.

For Lord Steppington, did you both work on the beats or maybe one of you worked more on the lyrics? How did you divide everything up?

Alchemist: Brother Ali did most of it, I just controlled the machine so it was basically his input. He did the beats as well as the rhymes when you break it down.

Evidence: Slug did the hooks.

Alchemist: So the whole family did it, it’s like Rhymesayers across the map.

So when did you two really decide to create the album? Had you been thinking about doing it for a while?

Alchemist: I looked at Brother Ali to the left and he just gave me this nod. It was like a mafia nod. Like you know when they make the nods for a hit? And I just knew it was a sign that we had to make an album.

Do you think your work with say Dilated Peoples or any of your other past projects influenced the sound of Lord Steppington? Did you guys try to go for something totally different?

Evidence: I think it was different. The apartment in Amsterdam, when we did a lot of it there, it just didn’t feel like L.A. The Netherlands is different from L.A. The sun’s not out all day, it gets dark early, we were looking at red light shit everyday. It was just a different vibe.

So you released “Step Masters” as the first single back in November. What made you pick Step Masters as the single?

Evidence: It’s the only track that doesn’t have drums. We just wanted something different. Because everyone’s beats are always crashing, so it was more of check us out and you’ll get to the bangers when you get the record.

Alchemist: The track was co-produced by Twiz the Beat Pro. He’s the human version of a skeleton. He’s crazy skinny but he makes funky beats. He’s ill.            

Evidence: Terrible name, great producer.

Alchemist: Great producer, great guy, on the come-up. Looks malnourished but funky.

Are you planning on releasing another single anytime soon?

Evidence: I think we are going to perform, go to Europe in these next two weeks and perform the album and see which songs react the best. I think we’ll be able to judge it off of that.

Alchemist: Did you hear the album? What should be the single?

“Mums In The Garage” with Action Bronson is an awesome track.

Alchemist: We are going to do incentives with every single from now on. Like this next single comes with a piece of gefilte fish. No ones ever done that. We’re going to make that possible. Free pickled tomatoes with the album.

Where did the title Lord Steppington come from?

Alchemist: He’s Evidence’s old au pair. He’s his old house sitter. You know, Evidence grew up in an English breakfast setting so we just wanted to dedicate it to the guy that used to look out for his house.

This is kind of a difficult question but now that 2013 is over, if you had to pick, what was the best mixtape or album of the year?

Evidence: 2013, my favorite album was Kanye West interviews.

Alchemist: Hmmm, Blue Chips 2, Action Bronson. Best mixtape of the year.

Evidence: And Ready to Die by Biggie Smalls. If you revisit it. Alchemist is a big Yeezus supporter.

Alchemist: Yeezus like shaped me in a way. I was going one direction and when I heard Yeezus, I just had to pump the breaks. Praise Yeezus. It was a brilliant work of art. It was a moment that he captured in all its splendor in electronified brilliance.

So what can listeners expect to see from Step Brothers in the near future? Any tours planned?

Evidence: No, we are doing the no promotion, less is greater thing.

Oh, kind of like the whole Beyonce secret album thing?

Evidence: No we are literally trying to see how many records we can’t sell.

Alchemist: Be completely non-existent. We book the shows we just don’t show up.

Evidence: We were like platinum before we even came out. We’re kind of some ill.

Alchemist: I sold a million props last year. My props went platinum last year. You wouldn’t believe how many prop units I moved. 

The regular and deluxe version with bonus tracks and a digital booklet is available for download on iTunes. Or check out a stream of the entire album below.

The post Step in the Name of Rap: A Comical Interview with Step Brothers (Alchemist & Evidence) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

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