If there is one thing that we all know to be true about red-hot Atlanta rapper Young Thug, it’s the fact that his lyrics are often as clever as they are completely unintelligible. Sure, the wailing, screeching and moaning he regularly does on any given track is unique and intriguing, but 90% of the time, one is left scratching their head in utter confusion. Did he say, “Libba live life like a Buchanan and this is only Buchanan”, on “Lifestyle”? Does he say, “I got some big red Wyomings” on “Big Racks”? Unless you’re really, really paying close attention to his lyrics, being able to tell exactly what the hell he’s talking about is indubitably a challenging task.

GQ recently caught up with Thugger to discuss a whole gang of topics, ranging from his unorthodox, and sometimes questionable, sense of style, to his family, to, what we’re here for: his lyrics. One song in particular is “Best Friend”, a popular and unexpectedly radio-ready single that can be heard at almost any party you attend, these days. While lines like “I’ma eat that booty just like groceries”, certainly stand out and can be heard loud and clear, there are numerous times throughout the song where you’re like, “…what?”

No worries, though. GQ is here to save the day

In this clip, which comes in at just over two minutes long, Young Thug decodes the first verse of “Best Friend”, for those of us who need it. This is pretty awkward, but at the same time, this is very funny. Funny, because there are moments during this clip where it seems that even Thug himself, doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Peep the clip, below and stay tuned for Slime Season 3, which could be here sooner, later or by the time you’re done reading this. You just never know.

Photo: Ben Watts

The post Sometimes, Not Even Young Thug Understands What Young Thug Is Saying appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Look. If you’ve never been to a Travi$ Scott show, you are missing out on what is arguably the best live show in hip-hop, today. Mosh pits, stage diving, crowd surfing and the occasional scuffle; it all happens at “The Night Show”. Those who have seen La Flame live, know firsthand how crazy it gets. They also know how lucky they are to make it out in one piece.

Someone who has never been to a Travi$ Scott show is probably reading this, terrified, but don’t be. What looks like a brutal concert experience, is really what we call “raging”, and recently GQ caught up with Travi$ Scott to have him explain just how it’s done.

“Straight up!”

The post “How to Rage” with Travi$ Scott appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

GQ continues with an over-the-top version of “Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous,” a series of episodes of the “Most Expensivest Sh*t” featuring 2 Chainz.

On today’s episode, 2 Chainz links up with NBA-Lakers Nick Young, AKA Swaggy P, and his son to hit RIF Los Angeles. Towards the end of the episode, Nick tries to convince 2 Chainz to cop a pair of $25,000 Jordans, but our 2-chained friend turned it down with the quickness.

Check out the episode below, and if you missed out on previous episodes, check it out here.

The post Nick Young & 2 Chainz Shop for Ultra-Rare Sneakers appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photograph by Mark Seliger for GQ

Nicki Minaj sat down with GQ to talk about her music, her concepts and her image. She explains that her “Anaconda” video is not full of hidden meanings but that it simply depicts what “girls do.” She tells GQ:

I don’t know what there is to really talk about. I’m being serious. I just see the video as being a normal video. I think the video is about what girls do. Girls love being with other girls, and when you go back to us being younger, we would have slumber parties and we’d be dancing with our friends.

Her persona in her video is simply talking about two men she dated in the past. She spits about the good, what they bought her and what they told her. She sees the track as “cheeky, like a funny story.” The playfulness of the track was unfortunately overshadowed by it’s sexiness.

Within her seemingly straightforward video full of twerking, the MC is tastefully aggressively feminine and dominant because the visuals are also about female empowerment. The scene where she is chopping a banana was purposefully placed before her lap dance on top of Drake to convey a novel power dynamic.

That was important for us to show in the kitchen scene, because it’s always about the female taking back the power. If you want to be flirty and funny that’s fine, but always keeping the power and the control in everything.

Photograph by Mark Seliger for GQ

During her interview, the MC also talked about her ever changing image saying:

I always thought that by the time I put out a third album, I would want to come back to natural hair and natural makeup.I thought, I will shock the world again and just be more toned down. I thought that would be more shocking than to keep on doing exactly what they had already seen.

Changes are to come, be on the lookout!

The interview will be released in the November issue of GQ make sure to go and cop it! In the meantime, read the full interview: here

The post Nicki Minaj Explains ‘Anaconda’ Video. She Says It’s About How “Girls Love Being With Other Girls” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

We said it once and we’ll say it again: GQ is weirdly, but surely becoming a solid source of hip-hop news. Their latest article of note is a short interview with Yasiin Bey, the artist formerly known as Mos Def. Discussing fashion, art and the reason for the name change, the conversation is brief, but provocative. A key quote is provided below:

“Hip-hop is the last true folk art.”

Even when he’s not rapping, Bey still has interesting things to say. For the entire interview, click here.

The post Yasiin Bey Hooks Up with GQ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Rapsody‘s debut album, “The Idea Of Beautiful,” is set to drop on Tuesday, but first a new offering from her co-starring Childish Gambino and GQ hit the web. The smooth and soulful production on “Beautiful Music” showcases Rapsody’s lyrical ability alongside a powerful guest verse from Gambino. Some of the names that are lined up for this project make it one worth grabbing, but only time will tell how true a statement that proves. Nonetheless, Tuesday will be a big day for the North Carolina hip-hop scene. Be sure to check out the track below, and if you’re interested see more on this project HERE.

The post New Music: Rapsody ft. Childish Gambino & GQ – “Beautiful Music” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

GQ is weirdly but surely becoming a solid source of hip-hop news. Their latest scoop is on Big Boi‘s upcoming album Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors. With features from Janelle Monae, Little Dragon, Big K.R.I.T., and even Pimp C, the album is shaping up to be a masterpiece. In addition to discussing the album, Daddy Fat Sax also discusses an upcoming line of socks with Crooks and Castles. The future of OutKast is uncertain, but the future of Mr. Patton is looking fairly bright. Check out the full interview here.

The post Big Boi Gives an Update on Upcoming Album & New Line of Socks appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.