This Christmas has been full of surprises due to the new music being released on the most wonderful time of the year. Out of loving memory for one special music producer, a pleasing collection of beats has been released to the public thanks to Yancey Media Group LLC / Official Ma Dukes / VINTAGE VIBEZ MUSIC GROUP. Detroit legend J Dilla had a lot of gems in his music production vault before his passing in 2006. Mysteriously, 15 untitled tracks made it to his new beat tape titled, JAY DEE’S MA DUKES COLLECTION and it is now available on major streaming platforms.

The death of J Dilla had a major impact in the Hip-Hop community. During his wonderful time here, his music production changed the music game for the better. Although the music mysteriously appeared, we are left to assume the producers loving mother Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey helped out with the release. The influential rapper is missed but J Dilla fans are grateful to finally have this new music in their hands. Stream the timeless beats on his new album below.

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The post Late Legendary Producer’s Gems are Recovered in New Beat Tape Titled ‘Jay Dee’s Ma Dukes Collection’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey, mother of the late James “J Dilla” Yancey, one of the illest hip hop producers of all time, has announced the new children’s book,  The Life Story of James Dewitt Yancey. The book will be available November 22nd and it will include an audio book narrated by Ma Dukes. This announcement conveniently comes after the recent grand opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History, where Dilla’s MPC (beat machine) is now on display.

The post Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey Announces J Dilla Children’s Book On Hot97 appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Artwork: Dread Solo

Is it the voice? The piercing “ayo” introducing the record? The staple “doopdoopdoop” gun shot sound effects complementing the appropriate rhyme? The likely-drumless choice of production? Perhaps all of it, and some. Allow us to introduce Buffalo, New York’s Westside Gunn – if you haven’t met already.

Comparing Westside Gunn to another emcee is trivial, but take a moment to reflect on first hearing, say, Styles P. and Beanie Sigel. Okay, now try to recall that feeling. If you had any knowledge of inner city wiring, or street life, you will probably agree that Styles and Beans embody the street’s spirit and damn near record songs from the concrete. They are shatter proof, authentic emcees that’re brutally honest and evidently lived everything they’ve put on record. It’s almost undeniable, right? They have the gift of being able to speak to the average street cat very closely. Some do, some don’t – that’s where Westside Gunn comes in.

Buffalo, New York is no walk in the park. Unfortunately we all know what comes as a byproduct from an impoverished, drug ridden city. Westside Gunn has an innate, rather blunt way of rapping about it. Him and his brother Conway have survived every dark crevice of Buffalo and made it out alive, quite literally. As we hip-hop heads get older and grow up with the music, it gets easier to sift through the gimmicks and lies on record. Like Styles P. and Beans, Westside Gunn and all the whole GxFR squadron are the real deal.

How about being compared to a modern day Ghostface Killah & Raekwon? We could talk about how polished Westside Gunn and Conway‘s back-to-back flow is for hours.

It’s crucial to note Westside Gunn’s attitude and respect towards art as a whole, which below you will read a bit more about in our interview. Paying homage to all forms of art is necessarily notable, but let’s pull hip-hop from the deck for a second. Is it important to you, as a fan, that they understand and appreciate the culture? That they understand the importance of who came before them? That they’re actual fans of the music themselves? If your answer is no, close this page. One specific refrence from Westside Gunn that had us sold was his praise to J Dilla. This speaks miles and says a lot without saying a lot. There are way too many new jacks that ignore hip-hop’s timeline.

Having released multiple quality projects in the past couple of years, Westside Gunn’s work ethic and consistency is one to learn from. Do these cats ever stop? Will they? We hope not. The scattered loosies via SoundCloud (with very little warning), the full projects, and the features are reassuring. This is quality, gritty, fly, luxurious street rap that the east coast sound has been starving for.

We hope you enjoy the interview below – peace and love:

Artwork: @cepenwhy

RESPECT.: It’s no secret that you’re climbing the charts and gaining a lot of traction these past couple of years. Is it getting more challenging for you to focus? Or does Westside Gunn feel even sharper with a rapidly growing audience?

I never, ever felt challenged. Actually the reason I drop so much material is because I get bored easily. I want the people to witness greatness – a new LEGEND. So, I just drop shit to keep reminding people it’s not a game this shit is legendary, haha.

RESPECT.: Do you mind speaking on your choice of production? (On that note, you and Daringer have undeniable chemistry.)

Yea I mean I’ve reached out to all my favs – Preemo, Alchemist, PeteRock, 9th Wonder, etc. and we’re all about to start cooking. However, nobody will ever get me like Daringer. That’s my producer since day one. When you hear him that’s the Griselda sound. The RAW shit you know? I’m where I am today because of what Daringer brought to the table.

RESPECT.: Visual art and fashion are praised often in your music. It’s refreshing to say the least. If you don’t mind naming a few, who are your favorite painters, visual artists and/or fashion designers?

To be honest I love all art. I like going to art exhibits and peeping raw talent. You can learn a lot and develop a different outlook on life by looking at an artists view. Some designers I mess with are Raf, Virgil, Don (Just Don), and Neil Barrett. Also, I love what Kanye is doing. I feel I’m a grimier Kanye.

RESPECT.: You, Conway and the rest of the crew have quite literally been through it all. With that being said, you guys could be inspiring a lot of young bucks and I’m sure are already. Is this important to you?

That means everything. We’re hood dudes and have been thru it all – I mean all. From prisons, murders, drug sales, and almost losing life. I mean, Conway got shot in the damn head. But yeah, we’ve come a long way and I hope what we’re doing can show the people from the same walks of life that if you grind hard and stay focused anything is possible. Changing lifes is more important to me than music. I’m just glad when I make music I’m able to do both.

RESPECT.: What should the world be expecting from Westside Gunn/GxFR for the rest of 2016?

Nothing but WORK! The best work on the block to be exact. We got Conway’s debut album ‘GOAT (Grimiest of ALL Time)’ coming. I’m going to drop again too, just dont know when. And a whole lot of instant drops, like the “SUMMERSLAM 88” I just dropped today with my daughter. Love is love, thank you.

https://soundcloud.com/user-5212897/summerslam-88-prod-by-your-old-droog

Westside Gunn: Twitter | Instagram | AudioMack | iTunes

Conway: Twitter | Instagram

Daringer: Twitter | Instagram

Griselda Records: Official Site | Instagram | YouTube | SoundCloud

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As the time gets closer and closer to the release of J Dilla‘s newest album, fans are growing anxious and more artists are paying homage to the late producer/rapper to pass the time. To add to the recent tributes to J Dilla, Slum Village, Black Milk, Guilty Simpson and Phat Kat have teamed up for The Kings Court Tour. The tour will be will be celebrating the life and music of J Dilla and the influence he left behind on music.

The Kings Court tour will be making a pit stop in NYC on April 19th at the Highline Ballroom and RESPECT. Mag has teamed up with Move Forward Music to a lucky fan a pair of tickets to hit up the show!

In order to enter to win, you must follow RESPECT. Mag on Twitter and tweet us your favorite J Dilla track of all time. A winner will be chosen on April 15th. Good luck!

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Last night, Dr. Dre’s The Pharmacy, dropped “Gangsta Boogie,” a new Dilla track featuring Snoop Dogg and Kokane. After the premiere made such a splash, the song was posted to Mass Appeal‘s SoundCloud account for fans to have to access to.

The track, a little over 3 minutes, is set to be on Dilla’s long lost album, The Diary. The Diary is set to release on April 15th, after being pushed back a few times, through PayJay/Mass Appeal Records. Check out the tracklist below and “Gangsta Boogie.” Tell us what you think of the track. Will you be grabbing The Diary when it drops on the 15th?

The Diary Tracklist:
01. The Introduction
02. The Anthem feat. Frank & Dank
03. Fight Club feat. Nottz & Boogie
04. The Shining Pt. 1 (Diamonds) feat. Kenny Wray
05. The Shining Pt. 2 (Ice)
06. Trucks
07. Gangsta Boogie feat. Snoop Dogg & Kokane
08. Drive Me Wild
09. Give Them What They Want
10. The Creep (The O)
11. The Ex feat. Bilal
12. So Far
13. Fuck The Police
14. The Diary

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During his set, the Queens MC premiered a new record featuring J Dilla titled ‘The Sickness’ over production from Madlib. “New shit coming from my man, the incredible J Dilla, coming out this year,” said the rapper. “[It’s] his last piece, his last album, the thing he was working on. We’re honored to release that through Mass Appeal.” Nas’ new track will be featured on J Dilla’s forthcoming unreleased rap album The Diary. It’s also rumored that Nas is currently working on the follow up album to Life is Good.

Checkout the Nas and J.Dilla collab, ‘The Sickness’ below:

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With everyone buzzing about the late & great producer + emcee extraordinaire J. Dilla due to the recent 10-year anniversary of his popular album, Donuts, North Carolina bred rapper Danny Blaze saw it as the perfect opportunity to make a tribute to record to one of his biggest influences. Taking a bit of a different approach, Danny named the record after Dilla, but used his real name.

“I wanted to thank J Dilla, who’s birth name is James Dewitt Yancey, for inspiring me to be the artist I am today,” says Danny Blaze. The record happens to also be produced by the late producer J. Dilla himself.

On the dedication cut, Danny rhymes:

“I never got to meet you in person / I think it would’ve been awesome if we could sit and just talk about your beats and your verses / I used to dream I could work with / You but now the closest I’ll get to that comin’ true is to listen to what you do on this CD I purchased”.

Danny also calls on the help of his partner in rhyme, Tab One, to help pay homage to Mr. Yancey.

Check out the dedication cut below and keep it locked on RESPECT for the North Carolina talent’s next release!

If you missed Danny’s latest, make sure to listen here on RESPECT. Paying tribute to people who are great at their respective crafts is not a new theme in Danny’s music. When the NFL season was heating up, Danny seized the opportunity to honor the quarterback on his home team, the Carolina Panthers, dropping the upbeat “Cam Newton” record which you can listen to here.

When things were getting real and it was announced that the Carolina Panthers were going to play in Super Bowl 50, Danny struck once again, this time relying on some help from fellow NC rappers, Will Wildfire and Drique London, for a well-deserved remix to “Cam Newton,” also available to stream here on RESPECT.

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