Derrick Lawrence is a guy to know in the industry. Who?! Better known to his large social media following, for starters, locally, the brotha is a Long Islander  who has the 5-boroughs feeling his movement. Personally, that’s like Dr. J, Julius Erving, also a Long Islander having Harlem’s Rucker Park in a frenzy and waiting with baited breath for his next slam dunk.

But I digress!

Bizkit’s cache of relationships in hip hop and entertainment may make you drool: The Breakfast Club’s Angela Ye, DJ Envy and Charlemagne the God, Jadakiss and more. Still a young man with kids, he’s on the come-up and his Washed movement is a thing. The industry influencer was recently profiled in a day in the life segment via Pelle Pelle. He talks about his Hennessy,  how he got his nickname and what’s next. Bizkit was elated to have the opportunity especially through a brand he respects and grew up on in Pelle Pelle. “I’m  a fan of Pelle Pelle,” Bizkit told me today by phone.

“I’m trying to build with them on a collaboration of some sort. Brand awareness, speaking about my brand and speaking about their brand. I’m down to do something with them and do a washed partnership.”

A go to guy in the industry, his ahead-of-the-curve picks in music and comical social media posts are entertaining. He’s being recognized by the right folks and he’s thankful but realizes that he still has a long way to go. “It feels good,” he said. “It keeps a brotha going. It’s a blessing. Hard work pays off. It just keeps me motivated more than anything to keep going and to not stop. When people basically recognize the grind, for me I just gotta keep going.”

Bizkit has been influencing the social media and music game one post at a time. While the industry influencer showed us the typical “washed” day-in-the-life with him via Pelle Pelle and hitting up all his favorite dad hotspots in their #TellYourStory, his admits his biggest accomplishment is being a father and that his kids are his biggest motivation. “My two boys.” Bizkit gushed. “I want to just do everything in my power so that when they get older, they’ll be straight. Meaning they’ll have the opportunity that if they want to be in the music business; I laid the foundation. At least they’ll have the opportunity. They’ll have the relationships, if not they’ll have the money to do so.”

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The post Scoop B: ItsBizkit Talks Branding in Digital Age via Pelle Pelle Promo appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image via Twitter

We recently sat down with OHNO, a talented and unique pair hailing from Los Angeles, who have been making promising moves since the release of their debut digital EP, The Burgendy, in March of 2014. This surprisingly close duo consists of Anaheim, California native, REL$ and Infameezy who calls Los Angeles home, despite being born North of the border in Kitchener, Ontario Canada. Rel$ is an eccentric and strong lyricist who discovered he had bars at an early age, while Infameezy is the man behind the boards who had the vision to see the potential from the beginning. Social media ultimately brought these two together and after discovering an instant and irreplaceable chemistry, OHNO was given life.

RESPCT.: What was the inspiration for the name OHNO? Does it stand for anything?

Rel$: OHNO came from what we thought was going to be the reaction from out fans when we went from our underground group Atlas to the mainstream transition of OHNO. We thought our fans would say OH-NO go back to the old sound…. So it was perfect to reintroduce ourselves as OHNO because we invite the haters to listen.

RESPECT.: Most artists don’t tend to brand themselves as a package with their producers. Why go in this direction?

Rel$: Infameezy is a genius, and it was a real privilege for him to take me under his wing. Infammezy and I have developed this Chemistry in the studio that I can’t duplicate no where else. Having someone dedicated to your sound, is the reason why we are successful. It feels like he is a conductor in a big orchestra and I play the instruments, we can’t do this with out one another.

RESPECT.: A question for both REL$ and Infameezy, why a career in music? Why was this your chosen path?

REL$: I have always had passion for music, I have a natural gift in it. When I know I can actually make a living doing what I love, then why not?  Waking up knowing that I am in control of my own destiny and if I put time and love in what I want to do sky is the limit.

Infameezy: This is all I know, I love making music and visuals and everything that belongs to this art. I feel that I was put on this earth to bless peoples ear drums…make money and do what I love… how many people can say that do that?

Trynna Eat – OHNO

RESPECT.: Is there anything fans would not be able to guess about OHNO?

Rel$: We are actually very humble and approachable people.  We kinda are the nice guys of the industry. We get along with everyone and all we want to do is make good music.  So if you see us in the street don’t hesitate to approach us, Infameezy don’t take pictures but I will take one with you.

RESPECT.: How would you describe your sound to someone unfamiliar with Hip-Hop?

Rel$: We have a little bit of all types of hip-hop in our music.  We make love songs… WE make booty shakin songs… Motivational songs… Overall we make happy music… Get your day going in the right direction.

RESPECT.: Whats one thing fans wouldn’t be able to guess about OHNO?

Rel$: That we are a group of 2.. Rel$ and infameezy… People always think im OHNO…. *Face palm*

Me & My Bitch – OHNO

RESPECT.: As fans patiently wait on your upcoming clothing line, SWAVCLUB, can you give us any details on the look your designing?

Rel$: SWAVYCLUB.COM is where it is at… We try to make designs that will look good on video, so we always have that in mind when Infameezy makes the clothes.  We always are trying to look Urban, but fitted. Something you will like and your parents wont yell at you about [haha].

RESPECT.: How important are social media sites like Twitter, and Instagram to your career? Would OHNO be possible without it?

Rel$: INTERNET IS BIGGG!!!!! We couldn’t do any of this without it. Nobody would give time to two Latino kids with nothing in their pockets. So just doing it ourselves and letting the people see us through the internet and let the people decide if they want to get Swavy.

RESPECT.: What’s next for OHNO?

Rel$: Now we are working on the album and some music videos are about to hit. So watch out for the team.

Bill Clinton – OHNO

RESPECT.: Are you trying to achieve anything with your music? Or are you riding the wave wherever it takes you?

Rel$: We want to be the next big thing… We are not riding waves we have plans and goals.. I want Swavy Club to be a household name.

RESPECT.: Congrats on finishing up your recent tour. As your schedule gets busier, whats your strategy for battling stress?

Rel$: Smoking weed [haha]…. Also keeping a level head and finding balance… Balance is the key to life.

RESPECT.: Whose style and sound do you admire most in the game right now?

Rel$: J.Cole and Big Sean… The punch lines and flow is crazy.

Special thanks & shout-outs:

Rel$: Thanks to my Manager Ardi. And the BMG team for making everything come true.

Since their fruition, OHNO has enjoyed a steady wave of exposure and success, especially through social media and online streaming which has been paying off in a big way. Rel$ and Infameezy bring the right of energy and ambition to the table and it shows through their increasing fan base. OHNO is unapologetic, and a solid choice for anyone trying to strengthen their party-playist game. Follow on Instagram @ohnofromla, and on Twitter @OHNOfromLA for future news and material. 

The post Interview: Introducing OHNO appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Problem has new heat out with “Hennessy.” T.I. & Rich Homie Quan come along this new record which is off his DJ Holiday-hosted tape, OT. OT drops tomorrow & from the sound of this there’s sure to be more bangers on the way!

The post New Music: Problem Feat. T.I. & Rich Homie Quan – “Hennessy” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The post Dancers, liquor and cigars, here is how NAS celebrates 41 appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo by Lauren Schwartzberg/RESPECT.

In the third and final video in Hennessy’s series featuring Elliott Wilson, the founder
of Rap Radar and Editor-in-Chief of RESPECT. Magazine discusses staying relevant
as he ages in a business that favors the young. Even after all he’s accomplished at
Rap Radar, RESPECT. and earlier, there’s still “more to achieve,” and “hurdles to
overcome,” he says. Wilson gives insight into his thoughts when writing the Letter
from the Editor for RESPECT. and explains the goal of his magazine— capturing the
moment and documenting a time. When Wilson points his finger at an undeniable
moment in the culture, hip-hop listens. Here’s an excerpt of the third episode. Go to
www.neverstopneversettle.com to see the full video.

The post “Staying Relevant”– Episode 3 Of Hennessy’s “Never Stop. Never Settle” With Elliott Wilson appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo by Lauren Schwartzberg/RESPECT.

Hennessy’s Wild Rabbit represents that voice inside of us, pushing us onward and upward to bigger and greater things, but sometimes that voice can be bit hard to find. In the third part of his “Wild Rabbit” series, Elliott Wilson, founder of Rap Radar and Editor-in-Chief of RESPECT. Magazine, considers the difficulty of finding one’s own voice. Even for him, a man known for his hip-hop opinions and unforgettable laugh, it wasn’t easy. As a young’n Wilson tried to rap, but just couldn’t accomplish those necessary complex internal rhymes. He then saw magazines as the best route for him to document the culture that inspired him so greatly. Wilson advises that the only way for a young writer to find his voice is to keep writing; eventually you’re going to reach real opinions on a topic that’s important to you. Take a trip down the rabbit hole.  Watch more Hennessy videos and learn more about this movement at neverstopneversettle.com.

The post “Finding Your Voice”– Episode 2 Of Hennessy’s “Never Stop. Never Settle” With Elliott Wilson appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Having found themselves satisfied with his work on a limited edition Cognac label design, Hennessey has sponsered a documentary profile detailing New York’s acclaim street legend Futura. In the six minute cinematic feature,  Hennessey travels throughout present day New York City as Futura discusses his journey towards progressive self evolution as a painter, tagger, and spiritual member of the artistic community. Indeed, this melange of spirits and spray paints helps highlight the creative evolution of the pioneer who changed the game stylistically for New York City’s street art scene. We can drink to that.

The post Hennessy Presents Street Art Pioneer Futura appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.