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Image Copyright Justin Jay

Artist: Jay Z

Photographer: Justin Jay https://www.justinjay.com

Date:  Saturday, December 13, 2003

 

“He leads by example. Everything that he does, he makes good decisions. One thing that people don’t understand is that he’s, like, the hardest-working person in music, period.” —Wale on Jay-Z, MTV, November 2009

The post RESPECT. Throwback Featuring Jay Z / Words: Elliott Wilson & Image: Justin Jay appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image Credit: Google Images

Lonzo Ball wants to “lead his career” with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports

Just a few months ago, the Ball brother trio of Lonzo Ball, LiAngelo Ball, and LaMelo Ball, all signed with Jay Z’s Roc Nation Sports for management and representation. While it could be speculated whether the trio would eventually sign with PUMA Hoops due to Jay Z’s title as Creative Director for the sportswear brand, Lonzo, the eldest, has decided to choose a different path with the announcement he will ultimately sign with Rich Paul of Klutch Sports per ESPN’s Malika Andrews.

Lonzo Ball is signing with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports, per @malika_andrews

"I wanted to lead my career… It was the right time to make that call." pic.twitter.com/eNdAaAoDgq

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 14, 2020

“I wanted to lead my career,” Ball stated. “Picking my own representation — just solely as my decision — was step one in that process. For me, it was an easy call, and it was the right time to make that call.” Ball has had several different representatives since his professional career began in 2017. He previously was represented by family friend Harrison Gaines, before moving on to CAA, Creative Artists Agency, followed by Roc Nation Sports.

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Expectations for Ball were certainly high being the #2 overall pick for his hometown Los Angeles Lakers. They were prompted even higher thanks to his father, Lavar Ball, stating Lonzo was “better than Steph Curry” and deciding to not take any endorsement or sponsorship meetings and instead wearing his family’s ‘Big Baller Brand’ sneakers.

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Hopefully the 2020 – 2021 NBA season will be Ball’s best as he has recently begun to workout in preparation for it and has his eyes set on not just the playoffs, but, an award his teammate Brandon Ingram collected this year. “Once we get in the playoffs, we take it one game at a time,” Ball said. “For myself, I think Most Improved Player is definitely something I can get next year.”

Five-Star Hooper Makur Maker Commits to Howard University

The post Lonzo Ball Signs with Klutch Sports, leaving Jay Z’s Roc Nation appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

California rapper Dough The Freshkid is one of the premiere artists coming out of west coast. As he rolled out his latest project Tals Cafe today, It is clear that his talent is unmatched and superb. I had the pleasure of catching up with the hotshot for a quick interview to discuss his new project and inspiration.

Check it out below.

Dough The Freshkid Interview

Respect: What city do you rep?

Dough: I am from Crenshaw District Arlington of California.

Respect: At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music?

Dough: I was around 13 years old when my homeboy asked me to write a rap for him for the school talent show and he ended up winning.

Respect: Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?

Dough: Absolutely. I was born back east and raised a G on the West which, gave me an open range on sounds and culture.

Respect: How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

Dough: I consider myself a street-conscious MC. I have a classic 90s Hip-Hop sound mixed with some of today’s sound. Most of my music production includes heavy bass instruments, classic pianos and soul samples.

Respect: What ultimately inspired you to dedicate yourself to a music career?

Dough: I live music on a daily, I am music, it’s not a career to me it’s a lifestyle. So, I said, “Why not get paid for it?” and show the whole world how gifted I am.

Respect: What’s one reason you are passionate about music and what inspires you?

Dough: I was born in Gary, Indiana on Jackson street where the great Michael Jackson lived. That played a major part of it. I am inspired by the outcome of the music I create; I love to continue to challenge myself each project. I’m actually a big fan of myself.

Respect: Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

Dough: I love watching old movies from the ‘60s and ‘70s. I’m a big kid so I’m looking for that PS5 to drop, and I love working out staying healthy.

Respect: Who are some of your main musical influences?

Dough: My influences are some of the veterans like Ice Cube, Nas, Jay-Z , Biggie, Pac, 50 Cent, and Redman. I also pay attention to Kendrick Lamar, J.Cole, the late great Hussle and all my brothers from the Crenshaw District and my brothers in NY.

Respect: What are some of your music career goals for the future?

Dough: Continue to build my brand where I’m respected as a major and hopefully connected with a major on a Distribution partnership.

Respect: Tell us about the latest project that you’ve released? What is it about?

Dough: Tal’s Café is my latest project (album) that is out today. It’s simply about bringing the hustle aspect back into the game. We got way too many people glorifying junkies in Hip-Hop these days. Never get high on yo own supplies.

Respect: What are some projects you’ve done that you are most proud of and why?

Dough: I’m proud of all three of my projects that I’ve released through stores. I have a few mixtapes that are on DatPiff that you can’t sleep on either. Arlington Avenue, Black Rome and Tal’s Café demonstrates and shows my supporters the range I have when it comes to composing albums. Each of these albums speak of times that we currently live in. I write movies!

Respect: What’s next for you?

Dough: I’m writing in my head as we speak. I also have a title idea but, I am going to hold on to it for a while. I don’t want nobody biting my style lol.

Respect: What message do you hope fans take away from your music?

Dough: That I’m original and that I’m not concerned about what people thing about me. I’ll put my message out there regardless if it’s mainstream or not. I don’t play by the rules; I create my own rules. As Frank Sinatra said “I did it my way.”

Respect: Where can we find you on social media?

Dough: You can find me on Instagram @doughthefreshkid, and on twitter @doughfreshkid. You can also find me on Spotify, Youtube and Apple music by typing in Dough The Freshkid.

Be sure to press play below to stream his latest EP Tals Cafe.

The post RESPECT. Interview: Dough The Freshkid Talks New EP “Tals Cafe” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

By: CalebDoee

Rising emcee CalebDoee returns to the music scene with a fire new EP titled Test Drive. With a high quality sound  he is ready to show the world how musically gifted he is. Coming off of the release of his Test Drive EP, he is gearing up to have his most successful year yet. I had the pleasure of catching up with him for candid interview below. As he lends more insight about his passion for creating music, it is clear he is a star in the making. Check it out!

Caleb Doee Interview 

Respect: What occurred in your life to make you want a career in music as an artist?

Caleb: One summer I was in Chicago, my cousins showed me some music videos they did. I wrote verses all the time but I figured you had to be famous to rap. When I saw that, it became something I’d try after graduation. I didn’t go all in til 2017 though. 

Respect: What was the inspiration behind your test drive project?

Caleb: The projects I’ve had before were dark, filled with emotion but was something I had to get off. So I used the EP to show the lanes I’m in before the tape drops. More so showing what’s to come. I was too eager to be myself on a song with a clear head space.

Respect: How would you best describe your original sound?

Caleb: Sample heavy, instrument heavy, calm, peaceful vibes with some game to it. I write about what it is, what it was and what it’s about to be. That with the type of beats I like makes my sound different from what mainstream is. To me that’s the best thing about my music.

Respect: Who are some of the people who inspire you musically?

Caleb: I’d say Jay, Kanye, Wayne, Biggie, Drake, Ross, those guys. Rhyme schemes, flows, beat selection and demeanor during their runs gave me a different perspective on music. They put out the blueprint I use with everything I do music. My pops too, he did Jazz and piano when I was younger.

Respect: What was the inspiration behind your cover art for Test Drive?

Caleb: Quarantine I picked up DJ’ing and got familiar with older cars. 2 doors, gold rims, it gets deep. The one on the cover is my favorite; 73’ Lancia Stratos. The car is where I got the concept for the EP actually.

Respect: What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

Caleb: People don’t know I’ve been rapping since elementary school. I used to write love letters to girls back then, started battling at lunch and football games in high school. Took some music classes my last two years but I put it down for a while.

Respect: Where do you see your career in five years?

Caleb: Hard to say, somewhere taking care of my family, still making music. Showing love, teaching what was taught to me. Honestly that’s all I can ask for. Putting everyone around me in the best position they can be in.

Be sure to press play below to stream CalebDoee’s Test Drive EP.

The post CalebDoee Talks New EP Test Drive, Musical Influences, & Ways He Is Staying Creative During Quarantine appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

By: Yung Zu

Atlanta rapper Yung Zu returns to the scene with his new single titled “Fire“. As he has captured the attention of his whole city, his authentic sound reaches new heights like never before. With the support of Atlanta music legends such as Usher, T.I., 2 Chainz, and Hip Hop super producer Jermaine Dupri, Zu has put in the work to be respected as a contender in the Hip Hop game.

Produced by June James(June The Jenius) and LilJuMadeTheBeat, this record solidifies Zu as one of the hottest newcomers in the game. His Atlanta upbringing and southern roots play out in his raw lyrical prowess. In the video, you will see this young rapper partying in a warehouse surrounding by beautiful woman playing with fire. One element of this release that is most notable is the shot of Zu walking out of a house burning and grass burning. That scene gave the song a more authentic feel.

You will hear this emcee say things such as “I’m lit you better not play with me I keep the K on me, cook a n***a  a** up like hibachi, I swear I’m on fire be hot like an arson”. His conscious tongue over trap beats, is a big part of why is original sound is reaching new heights in 2020.

Being heavily influenced by Hip Hop icons Jay Z, Lil Wayne, and Master P, Zu is on path to one day join the ranks of some of his favorite musical artists. “Fire” is proof that he has what it takes to make it big time in the music business.

Press play below to view Yung Zu’s newest video for his “Fire” single.

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

Jay – Z sitting courtside at the Lakers vs Bucks wearing Rhude

The next chance to catch the young PUMA phenom will be Sunday, March 8th as the Lakers’ take on the highly-touted Los Angeles Clippers in their final regular-season matchup. In their last battle on Christmas Day, the Clippers came away with the victory but Kuzma stepped up leading the Lakers with 25 points on red-hot shooting.

For more on Kuzma, JAY Z, PUMA, and the culture, make sure to check RESPECT Magazine daily.

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