Jazz By Smith and Hay. Photo Credit: Twitter

The post Check This Out: Smith and Hay’s LP “Jazz.” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

It’s safe to say New York City is bubbling right now, “Park Avenue” adding yet another promising cut to the endless list of east coast talent. Long time collaborators Action Bronson and Roc Marciano share grounds on Park Ave. with AG Da Coroner. Canvasing Polo Pirate’s handsome guitar riff and drum display, the three stay true to their sound – as expected.

You may recall the announcement that AG is now under the Man Bites Dog Records umbrella, Roc Marciano fully responsibile for the effortless, warm welcome. Roc states, “I wanted to sign [AG Da] Coroner because he’s one of my new favorite artists. Coroner is just ill, I like his voice, his demeanor and him as a person. A real serious talent.” 

This is simply a taste of what’s to come this February, as AG and Man Bites Dog gather up their armor for the forthcoming ‘Sip The Nectar’ Lp – AG’s full length debut. It’s promising. It’s real. It’s hip-hop. That’s why we’re here right? Enough yap – enjoy the record. Peace and love:

Twitter | Instagram

The post Take A Walk On “Park Avenue” With AG Da Coroner, Action Bronson & Roc Marciano appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Cover Art: @cepenwhy

You can ride waves in any weather with Hus Kingpin’s bodies of work. Not just ride the wave, but feel the cool breeze and euphoric undertones. They’re rich lyrics – which should leave you with a new found respect for emcees who can handle their wordplay. Did we mention the amount of co-signs and green lights he has received over the years from some of our pioneers and current staples? (see interview below)

Aside from the aesthetics, let’s note his consistency these past few years. On the independent scene, we all know that’s beyond crucial. Hus never leaves his fans to run for dry – always releasing random, sporadic singles with little warning. This is commendable and appreciated. Rookie emcees – take notes.

But forget all the fly words here – listen for yourself and catch up on his previous releases if you haven’t yet. Peace and love:

If someone is just now getting familiar with Hus Kingpin, how would you describe yourself in a few short words?

I’m a Brooklyn born MC representing Hempstead NY – half trini, half Bajan – wavy rhyme lord influenced by Nas, Noreaga, Dj Premier, Roc Marciano, Jay Z, Trap Music (laughs) – strip clubs in Atlanta – warm cognac and LA weed.

You live on the west coast now but still represent your hometown Hempstead in a lot of your records. Can you talk a little bit about your experience on the west coast and how the relocation has improved your craft, if so?

The first person I met when I moved to LA was Planet Asia. He came and scooped me and we copped some jerk chicken. Asia then took me around to meet everyone from Krondon, to Evidence, to Alchemist, to his GCM crew. Planet Asia also introduced me to Raekwon for the first time. I love PA. Everything in LA is glorious. Good weed always helps me with writers block. There are also great shows out here. Shout out to Fashawn as well, he’s a good genuine young shooter.

One thing listeners may notice is your open ended, free flowing content and your ability to allow us to paint our own pictures with your lyrics. What’s your writing process look like?

Writing process is all about energy for me, the perfect time is usually fresh out of the weed dispensary or when I’m with Rozewood who also lives in LA now. I usually go to the studio and smoke, chill, then I’ll probably fall asleep, I hate writing in the studio, but I’ll do it with the right energy

You really excercise the moniker “Lord Wavy”. It goes beyond the typical rapper’s nickname – so much that your rhymes often feel like we are riding a sonic wave. Was the Lord Wavy stamp a natural development? How did it come to frution?

“Lord Wavy” came from listening to Max B in NYC. I liked his style. It’s unfortunate about his situation. And yes it was pretty natural to form into Lord Wavy after meeting Big Daddy Kane in Queens when I was 18. He told me he’s leaving the torch for me. That was a bugged out moment in time.

The Winners is a powerful team of recording artists with some of the most natural chemistry we’ve heard in a while. Can you discuss how the team operates? And is longevity instores for The Winners?

The Winners is like TDE meets Wu-Tang. We’re all rhyme lords but not mega conscious with it – it’s all about the style and saying things that people have never said before. We have SmooVth from NY, Rozewood from NY, Sean Rosati from Boston, JuneLyfe from Boston, Sage Infinite from New Jersey, Marvelous Mag from NY, Giallo Point from UK, and singer El AY from UK. We’re going to wave up this year. Mega longevity – be on the look out!

To close this out, what does Hus Kingpin have planned for 2016? Any live shows, projects, collaborations etc.?

I’m dropping my debut in-studio full length album finally with some fly guests. Planet Asia is executive producing one of my LP’s coming. Roze and myself are finishing the Snowgoons album. Audible Doctor and myself have a project coming. SmooVth is going to break the Internet with his new ‘SS96J’ release. I got some beats from A$ap Ty from A$ap Mob. I got some new material with Marco Polo and a few other secrets underway.

Do you have any shoutouts? If so, shoot, shooter.

Shoutout Tommy Boy Records, Planet Asia, Evidence, Alchemist, Big Twins, Jazz and anyone else I forgot! Thank you.

Twitter | Instagram | SoundCloud

The post Hus Kingpin – “House of Kingpin: The Revamp Edition” + Interview appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Ghanaian afro-soul singer and songwriter Jojo Abot recently released the colorful new visuals for her single “Lom Vava,” (translated as “Love Me Truly” in Ewe). On the track, Abot infuses her individual style of soulful jazz with shimmers of the carribean. “Lom Vava” is off her new conceptual EP, Fyfya Woto, which centers around taboo love and a woman’s right to choose. According to the artist’ Bandcamp page:

“FYFYA WOTO is a young Anlo (Ghanaian) woman hungry to be loved. Caught in a compromising situation with her Caucasian lover in a time of slavery and divide, she is brought before a tribunal at which she must save not only herself but also her lover. “

The post New Video: JoJo Abot – “Lom Vava” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

click to follow her on twitter, instagram & soundcloud

The post New Music: “Forever Mine” by Andra Day appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Los Angeles based rapper, Willy Wesley, pairs up with producer Alex Beano to give us “For Beano II.” On this jazzy upbeat track, Willy finds himself talking about today’s issues of being targeted by skin color, getting played by

The post New Music: Willy Wesley – “For Beano II” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

It’s been a little while since we heard from Signif. At last check, we were chopping it up with her about jazz, her travels in France and the creative process for her new album, Friction. Just over a year later and the album is nearly ready to drop. Presales have already started and you can head over to Signif’s Bandcamp page to get your order in today. As a special bonus, you’ll get an exclusive download of four songs off the album. There’s even a cassette version available for any heads who may be interested in that.

One of those songs is the JBM Beatz-produced “Play 2 Win,” which features Elzhi and drops today. Check out the track below and let us know what you think of it.

The post New Music: Signif Feat. Elzhi- “Play 2 Win” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.