By: Teenear

The post Songstress Teenear Fights The Power With New “Free” Single appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

By: Donte Maurice

Los Angeles rising star Ye Ali, is using his authentic sound to influence the music business in a major way. Having recently produced for Chris Brown and Eric Bellinger, his talent as a producer has propelled him into a fruitful career as a recording artist.

Coming off of his Private Suite 2 release, Ali is a riding out a musical wave like never before. He is bringing back that sexy, 90’s R&B, that will serve as the summer soundtrack for music lovers worldwide.

I caught up with this hot shot for a candid interview surrounding his current success. He candidly discussed being a recoding artist, putting out new material and working with some of music’s biggest acts to date.

Ye Ali Interview

RESPECT: How influential has 90’s r&b music been on your own sound?

YE ALI: Im a big fan of 90s R&B groups so they definitely influence my sound a lot. I didn’t really get into R&B until I became a musician so I always find new groups that I never heard of on line.

RESPECT: What inspired the releases of your private suite 2 project?

YE ALI: I just felt like putting out a body of work to add to my collection. PS1 was released out of nowhere so I thought it was only right to have a similar release for the follow up. I like bodies of work more than singles because it tells a story and is a bit more personal to the fan. I was in a zone for a week and created the majority of the project in that week.

RESPECT: How has the response been from fans since its release?

YE ALI: It’s been great, only complaint was that the songs were too short. That was my plan the whole time though. I wanted to make the fans kind of mad the song wasn’t longer just to make it a conversation point.

RESPECT: What is it like working with Chris Brown, and what song(s) on his
Indigo album did you produce?

YE ALI: It is cool to work with anyone who is a legend in the game. So from that perspective I was grateful. I only co wrote on “Emerald” featuring Juicy J and Juvenile. I started this song in November of 2018 with a songwriter name Felli Ferraro.

I think that is how you spell it. She is amazing so shoutout to her because she lead the way and I followed her lead. Chris made it easy because he told us the concept/title to the song so that gave us parameters to work.

RESPECT: How did your relationship with Eric Bellinger develop?

YE ALI: We met through my friend Milan who was a photographer and videographer for Eric for a time in 2014-15. I met Eric on set with Fetty Wap for their song “Valet” I believe. Few years later I meet Eric in the studio and we do “Big Body Benz”. Just some full circle life shit basically.

RESPECT: What is up next for you?

YE ALI: Traphousejodeci 2 executive produced by Bizness Boi is coming out in the Fall.

Click here below to stream Ye Ali’s latest project Private Suite 2.

The post Ye Ali Talks New Music, Working With Chris Brown & Creating Music With Eric Bellinger appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

By: Yung Zu

Atlanta rapper Yung Zu has released a fire new single titled “392”. Just like most ATL creatives, he has a confident flow that remains consistent throughout. His rawness and heavy hitting punch lines, are two reasons why this is by far his biggest release to date.

You will hear Zu rapping about getting to the money while remaining loyal to himself. Some lyrics that stand out are “I know they want me to fall but I got some real n***a ways.” The June James & Liljumadedabest produced beat, compliments his vocals effortlessly. It is a direct ode to the new aged rap thriving in the ATL.

With the backing from Young Thug, Plies, Shawty Lo, Fetty Wap, & London Jae this budding MC is headed straight to stardom. He does an excellent job of letting music lovers experience the way he puts his creativity into song.

Press play below to stream Yung Zu’s “392”.

The post Yung Zu – “392” Single appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

finessing his way into the music game slowly but surely is the Bronx’s own HG Locks. RESPECT. caught Locks for an interview; seeing as the Bronx has been making such an impact in 2017, it’s only right. Looking at Locks’ progress to get to where he is today has to do with trials and tribulations that put a temporary pause on his life. Prior to his music career, Locks played basketball…assuming he wanted to play at the professional level, he was then stopped short due to an injury. Looking at his injury as a blessing in disguise, Locks is fortunate to be in the position that he is in today.

Through perfect timing and steady planning, his career as an artist has only just begun. Locks formed a strong relationship with Fetty Wap, which lead to joining him on his tour. Locks has a lot more in-store for everyone doubting him: from here on out, nothing is impossible if your mind is in the right place.

Q: Being a Bronx native, growing up who were some of your favorite artist growing up? If so what is your top 5 dead or alive?

A: Growing in the Bronx I was inspired by Dipset, Big L…..I say Big L and  they look at me not expecting me to say that because he was one of the  best lyricist ever and that just coming from New York. 50 Cent def because of his Get rich Or Die Trying album is one of the best albums i’ve heard in my life and besides that i gotta throw Big Pun in there too. My top 5 dead or alive would consist of Big L, Jadakiss…..hmmm this is tough because of the influence ill throw 50 Cent in there and Biggie, Hov of course I’m buggin excuse me.

Q: How long were you playing basketball for before you had to stop due to you’re injury and how far do you think you would have gotten?

A: I was playing ball for at least 10 years you know I had hoop dreams and playing with my all. At the time balancing out the music and basketball I put more focus towards basketball more than anything. At the time I was playing upstate NY then I tore my ACL and it was over. Realistically I would’ve played college basketball and thats just me being a hundred with myself. For instance with music I’m 100 percent in all the way!

Q: When did you find your sound? And how long has it taken you to perfect it to lead it to your career path?

A: To be honest it took me about 3 1/2 years it took a little while i put out like two or three mixtape’s in the past. It’s crazy because  since I’ve developed my sound i haven’t put a project out yet and its all in the planning because I want to stack it up to have my fans begging for it and put it out when I’m good. Making sure that I feel comfortable enough to go into the booth and just kill it.

Q: How was the relationship between Fetty Wap and yourself built ? Was it through a mutual friend or was it through you’re music?

A: That’s genuine love, he’s family. When “Trap Queen” started bubbling I think it was right before he got his deal we ended up linking up in the studio where we made a record. He’d always let us pull up where we actually hosted a party one night and it was a movie and since that night its been love never switching up and always staying the same. It’s a blessing to even open up for him on the tour.. you know he doesn’t have to do that but just the thought of it is enough.

Q: Seeing as you are currently on tour with Fetty Wap. What is it like touring with another artist especially one like Fetty? You ever get nervous about the crowd size or are you used to the spot light ?

A: It’s a different experience each night it’s a different city sold out shows with loyal fans. It’s different coming from the city to go out and see how the all the different fans and see how they interact with us. They may not even know us until we hit the stage but were going out their setting the energy high and giving them dope records. I have to look at it as networking because after this I might have a larger following for giving my all on stage. I don’t really get nervous anymore those days are over at this point I know this is my job and I go out there to try to give the audience the best show I have to offer.

Q: Who’s idea was it to base your music video off of Planet Of The Apes theme for your single “Caesar”?

A: That actually was one of the first records that got me a lot of attention. When I made the record I was mad and till this day I can’t remember what I was mad about but once I heard the record and I immediately knew it was hard. S/O my videographer Rick Vinnie he put the vision together even though I gave him the idea of the Planet Of The Apes theme granted we were lucky that it rained that morning working in our favor for the shoot.

Q: Seeing as you dropped 3 records last year, what’s next on the agenda leading to the end of the tour?

A: I actually dropped a record last week called “Brand New Wave,” which I’m currently pushing while on tour but in the midst of that I have a collaboration album I’m working on alongside two individual albums. This year I’m going to feed the people, last year I was introducing myself but this year were here to show off the work.

Q: Moving forward who would you like to see yourself work with in 2018?

A: I would definitely like to work with Meek Mill. Free Meek Mill; You know I feel as if he’s the voice of the youth and when he speaks he speaks in volume. I’d like to get a record in with Dipset for my own person bucket list.

Q: What does respect mean to you?

A: Respect is one of the important things in life without respect comes with boundaries and lines that you cant cross and it can carry you along way. I’m a man of principles and respect and ill keep my pride, dignity, and respect over the foolery that these other dudes are doing. I feel like people have to put more respect on the word respect instead of just saying it to say it.

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The post RESPECT. Interview: HG Locks Talks About Touring with Fetty Wap, Recent Records & More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Available on Spotify Itunes and TidalI listened to the album from start to finish on a quick flight from New York to Turner Sports studios in Atlanta, GA in November

I was impressed with the Asbury Park, NJ representers 11-track album. The first track, “Pick Up The Phone” featuring El Trapo Cheese drew me in.

The track is literally a collect call conversation between Belv and his then-incarcerated brother.

It set the tone.

Bulletproof Belv’s Wishful Thinking track list. Photo Credit: Twitter

Everybody has the perception of what being in a jail cell is like and what a collect call home is. But to actually experience it in an album and to be in the ‘minds-eye’ of the artist is a work of art.

Belv’s brother made the call home because word from the the correctional facility where he was being housed was that his brother was doing exceptionally well in the music world.

Word also came back  that a certain New Jersey rapper made a stop by their house.

That rapper was Paterson, New Jersey native, Fetty Wap, a friend to Bulletproof Belv.

“When my brother called from the county jail he asked me about Fetty Wap being in the house,” Bulletproof Belv told RESPECT Magazine, by phone.

“I’m in the newspaper, I’m in the strip club with Fetty Wap and I’m enjoying life. Everybody’s talking about me on the inside and how I’m doing. I was so proud to share that moment with my brother.”

While Fetty Wap may have been coming around, Bulletproof Belv is no stranger to his own success. His “My Operation” garnered accolades and he’s been the focus of countless articles in the Atlantic City area and in The Source Magazine and Envy The DJ, website of Power 105 The Breakfast Club’s DJ Envy.

But I digress.

The affirmation that Bulletproof Belv got from his brother for his great work was priceless.

“When I got the phone call from my brother, he’s hearing that I’m doing well and that I’m Lit;  I was ecstatic,” Bulletproof Belv told me.

“He’s hearing about all of the good things going on in my life and I was glad to share with him.”

Even more exciting is his latest project, “Wishful Thinking.”

Simply Put: “Wishful Thinking” seamlessly meshes the local skater at the pizzeria in Brooklyn, the Princeton chemical engineering student and the athlete needing a jam before the game all in one sitting.

Don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself! Matty Carlock and Belvy have a banger!

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The post Scoop B Selects: Bulletproof Belv begins 2018 correctly with “Wishful Thinking” & tour with Fetty Wap appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Already a fixture on radio and online, the Guwii Kidz first made their mark in 2015 with the viral hit, “In The Kitchen.” With that said, the new track incorporates the signature bounce and melodic sounds that have made RGF world famous. “Please Don’t Call Me” appears on the duo’s self-titled debut project hosted by DJ Holiday. The mixtape is currently available on Spotify, iTunes and all other streaming platforms.

Peep the visual at the top of the post and feel free to drop us your thoughts in the comments section.

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The post #PeepTheVisual: Guwii Kidz & Fetty Wap – “Please Don’t Call Me” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo Credit: DJ Jayhood

New Jersey’s DJ JayHood recently made headlines yesterday and today when DJ Khaled allegedly sampled JayHood’s T2 “Heartbroken” remix on his collab with Drake, “To the Max,” as first reported by The Fader.

For his part, JayHood reports he’s a fan of both Khaled and Drake, and there are no hard feelings.

You can download, stream, or check it out on YouTube.

The post DJ Jayhood Calls on Fetty Wap for New Single: “I’m Ballin” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.