The video serves as the lead-up to Lyric’s forthcoming album, MissDirection, which is due out January 28th. Watch “Directions” above.

The post New Video: Lyric Michelle featuring Fat Tony – “Directions” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Excluding the ever-enigmatic RiFF RAFF, for most rappers, representing their city/town/region of origin is imperative. These songs are typically heartfelt and very important for the artists themselves and the communities they highlight, but for people outside of those communities, such songs can be too personal and subsequently alienating. Thus, when artists record such songs, they have to be careful to keep in mind the audience outside of the places they’re honoring. On Fat Tony‘s new remix to “BKNY,” this is the case.

Rapping over an ambient, nearly tropical instrumental courtesy of Tom Cruz, who also closes the track out with some peaceful singing, Mr. MFN eXquire, Melo-X and Fat Tony rip the track to sheds. The track is truly masterful because  the listeners familiar with Brooklyn get all the geographical and cultural references (and even some history, via Fat Tony) and the listeners beyond the Tri-State area get four riveting and complementary performances (also known as good ass music). What’s really interesting about the track is that Fat Tony is actually from Houston. When you can respectfully honor a place that you’re not even from, you’ve got talent. Listen below.

The post New Music: Fat Tony feat. Mr. MFN eXquire, Melo-X & Tom Cruz – “BKNY” (Remix) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The social phenomenon known as “creepin‘ ” – i.e. having a liaison with someone who is already taken – inherently has a certain element of danger to it, but few people would argue that it can bring actual bodily harm. Fat Tony seems to disagree. Although he himself isn’t scared per se, the texture of the production is haunting, turning a little thrill into something more foreboding . When Fat Tony and his special lady get caught in the act, he laughs, but you won’t. Produced by Tom Cruz (who also provides some vocals) and featuring Stunnaman, “Creepin’,” is creepy. Be careful out there, y’all.

Fat Tony’s album Smart Ass Black Boy, is out on June 11th via Young One Records. Stay tuned.

The post New Music: Fat Tony feat. Stunnaman & Tom Cruz – “Creepin’ “ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The latest batch of artists confirmed to perform at next month’s absolutely stacked Downtown Music Festival have just been released. The newcomers are Andrew Wyatt (of Miike Snow), Autre Ne Veut, Ryan Hemsworth, Kilo Kish, Ratking, Kingdom feat. Kelela, Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire, Va$htie, and Fat Tony, with even more acts promised before the month is up. If you were wondering, these acts join the already-cemented Black Hippy, Purity Ring, Earl Sweatshirt, Sky Ferreira, DIIV, Palma Violets, Trash Talk, Beach Fossils, Teengirl Fantasy, Inc., Ducktails, Royal Teeth, and Black Dave. Today on RESPECT. we have the premier of Ryan Hemsworth’s mix. Stream it here and get hyped for the festival.

This festival is huge, and will be blasting within the walls of the Mercury Lounge, Bowery Ballroom, Angel Orensanz, Pianos, Cake Shop, Tammany Hall, Element, Capitale, Rockwood Music Hall and more. Starting in NY, the Festival will be hitting up Phiadelphia, Toronto, Boston, Los Angeles, Denver and Las Vegas, with specialized lineups for each unique city. Two-day tickets are all sold out, but one-day tickets are still purchaseable for $75. Here’s the NY Downtown Festival’s day-by-day lineup:

The post Downtown Music Festival, Ryan Hemsworth’s Mix appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.