Photo by @fyipsalms

F.Y.I.‘s new single, “These The Times (Don’t Judge)” is off his May 19 album release: ameriBLACKKK.  Throughout the song, the LA native provides the antidote to the ills of the everyday struggle. Whether you’re in a classroom, working a 9-5 or chasing your dreams, this song is the theme music. The track, produced by Sir Jon Lee, features the soulful Kaye Fox (of J.Cole‘s “For Your Eyez Only”) and horn player, Ryck Jane. This shall sets the tone for the highly promising new project. Check out our brief conversation below.

RESPECT.: Tell us a little bit about your journey and how we’re here today with this new record?

F.Y.I. : I grew up in the culture. I am the culture. But I’d say my musical journey started about 3 years ago after being in a group making records and performing at festivals like the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival and A3C; I decided to branch out and paint my own pictures on the solo tip. In 2014, I released my first solo single called “10 Worlds” and my feet been on the peddle ever since.

RESPECT.: What’s the meaning behind your name?

F.Y.I. : Foreshadow. Yahweh. Included. Foreshadow was the moniker I went by before, Yahweh is Hebrew for “God “and then you add the word included into the mix which means I’m saying God is always with me.

RESPECT.: The visual of your album is powerful, what can we expect from the full project ameriBLACKKK dropping May 19?

F.Y.I. : Soulfulness.  Unapologetic.  Love.  Pain. Victory.  Life. The whole hueman experience.

Check out, “These The Times (Don’t Jude)” below and be sure to keep an eye out for ameriBLACKKK

The post RESPECT. Premiere: F.Y.I. – “These The Times (Don’t Judge)” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“Trust Me” is a single from F.Y.I.’s EP F.Y.I. Invented Green, and was produced by Dale Danja. The emcee made his musical debut as part of the trio Those Chosen, whose works included the EP 5ive, and were largely produced by Grammy Award winner IZ Avila, . F.Y.I. also collaborated with Ab-Soul on “Dopamine” in 2012 which had made it onto the performers first solo mixtape that also hit #1 on CMJ’s Hip Hop Charts, titled Yo! The Places You’ll Go. He calls his style of music “life music,” saying that, “The culture of hip-hop is in the music.  It’s not just a rapper talking about the “game” of the rap music industry – you hear soul;  you hear culture.   All the triumphs, transitions and tragedies of life are all captured in my music.”

F.Y.I. had some things to say about his new song and the video that was directed for it. The single represents not only his particular style of music, but also his thoughts on the industry that became his inspiration for the single:

“Based on my observation of the culture and how it’s become so commercialized and watered down that people are starving to hear an emcee that they can trust to be raw and express themselves totally with NO false pretense fake sh*t.”

F.Y.I. certainly speaks his mind in his new video, and you can see for yourselves down below if you agree with his observations.

Suggested Articles:

RESPECT Interview: A Lesson in Respect with Nathan East

Kim Seeks to Be Better Forever on “Let Me Pray”

The post RESPECT. Premiere: F.Y.I. Releases Music Video for “Trust Me” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.