By: Donte Maurice

Los Angeles rising star Ye Ali, is using his authentic sound to influence the music business in a major way. Having recently produced for Chris Brown and Eric Bellinger, his talent as a producer has propelled him into a fruitful career as a recording artist.

Coming off of his Private Suite 2 release, Ali is a riding out a musical wave like never before. He is bringing back that sexy, 90’s R&B, that will serve as the summer soundtrack for music lovers worldwide.

I caught up with this hot shot for a candid interview surrounding his current success. He candidly discussed being a recoding artist, putting out new material and working with some of music’s biggest acts to date.

Ye Ali Interview

RESPECT: How influential has 90’s r&b music been on your own sound?

YE ALI: Im a big fan of 90s R&B groups so they definitely influence my sound a lot. I didn’t really get into R&B until I became a musician so I always find new groups that I never heard of on line.

RESPECT: What inspired the releases of your private suite 2 project?

YE ALI: I just felt like putting out a body of work to add to my collection. PS1 was released out of nowhere so I thought it was only right to have a similar release for the follow up. I like bodies of work more than singles because it tells a story and is a bit more personal to the fan. I was in a zone for a week and created the majority of the project in that week.

RESPECT: How has the response been from fans since its release?

YE ALI: It’s been great, only complaint was that the songs were too short. That was my plan the whole time though. I wanted to make the fans kind of mad the song wasn’t longer just to make it a conversation point.

RESPECT: What is it like working with Chris Brown, and what song(s) on his
Indigo album did you produce?

YE ALI: It is cool to work with anyone who is a legend in the game. So from that perspective I was grateful. I only co wrote on “Emerald” featuring Juicy J and Juvenile. I started this song in November of 2018 with a songwriter name Felli Ferraro.

I think that is how you spell it. She is amazing so shoutout to her because she lead the way and I followed her lead. Chris made it easy because he told us the concept/title to the song so that gave us parameters to work.

RESPECT: How did your relationship with Eric Bellinger develop?

YE ALI: We met through my friend Milan who was a photographer and videographer for Eric for a time in 2014-15. I met Eric on set with Fetty Wap for their song “Valet” I believe. Few years later I meet Eric in the studio and we do “Big Body Benz”. Just some full circle life shit basically.

RESPECT: What is up next for you?

YE ALI: Traphousejodeci 2 executive produced by Bizness Boi is coming out in the Fall.

Click here below to stream Ye Ali’s latest project Private Suite 2.

The post Ye Ali Talks New Music, Working With Chris Brown & Creating Music With Eric Bellinger appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: RCA/Sony

Super-producer London On Da Track has a heater with his latest, a collaboration with G-Eazy titled “Throw Fits,” which features additional assistance from City Girls‘ Yung Miami and Juvenile. Below, you can check out the Gabriel Hart-directed clip, which sees the collaborators on that New Orleans Bounce…hard not to party to this one.

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The post London On Da Track, G-Eazy, City Girls & Juvenile “Throw Fits” in New Visual appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Yelawolf – Trunk Muzik 3

Image credit: Slumerican

It looks like Yelawolf decided to make his last album with Shady Records his best to date. Today, the Alabama artist delivers Trunk Muzik 3, which “gets back to these 808s and classic southern Rap cadences” that I personally became a big fan of which the first installment dropped nine years ago. This go ’round, Yela gives his fans 14 bangers and collabs alongside DJ Paul, Machine Gun Kelly (!), Caskey (someone who really should be bigger than he is with that Cash Money co-sign), the late Pimp C and more.

Get to streaming below. Also: Canadian tour dates!

Lion Babe – Cosmic Wind

Image Credit: Lion Babe Music

Lion Babe — made up of Jillian Hervey and Lucas Goodman — have returned with their official follow-up to 2016’s Begin. Titled Cosmic Wind, the project comes with 15 new tracks, including the Raekwon-assisted “Western World” and “The Wave” with Leikeli47. Soul specialist Bilal also makes an appearance on the track “Can I See It.” Press play on the duo’s latest below.

Boosie Badazz – Badazz 3.5

Image credit: Lil Boosie Music

Louisiana Rap veteran Boosie Badazz follows up last year’s Savage Holidays with a new album titled Badazz 3.5, which sees 15 new tracks and a single feature from longtime partner-in-crime Webbie (for him to only have one assist, that’s a damn good one). Check out the latest serving from Boosie below (would this be ninth album? Tenth? Can’t really tell which are actual albums at this point).

Saweetie – Icy

Image credit: Warner Bros.

West Coast star Saweetie gives the masses a taste of what’s to come from her musically via a new EP titled Icy, which features seven new tunes and a couple of appearances from (still beau?) Quavo. Check it out below.

Phonte – Pacific Time

Image credit: The Foreign Exchange Music

New music from Phonte? Hell yes.

Following last year’s No News Is Good News comes a quickstrike EP from the Little Brother alum titled Pacific Time, and — like the title and artwork might suggest — it’s super-smooth R&B vibes this side of The Foreign Exchange. Enjoy the four-track release below, which also sees assistance from Devin Morrison, Bosco and KAYTRANADA.

Birdman & Juvenile – Just Another Gangsta

Image credit: Cash Money

It’s like the 99 to the 2000 all over again. Cash Money boss Birdman has reunited with Hot Boy alum Juvenile for a 12-track project titled Just Another Gangsta, which sees a single guest appearance from rising star NLE Choppa. This is definitely that nostalgic blend that’s perfect for the (upcoming) Summer weather.

Etta Bond – He’s Mine

Image credit: OddChild

Following the well-received release He’s Not Mine earlier this month, Etta Bond closes out the concept with He’s Mine, which see 9 new tracks and continues the previous release’s topics (love, relationships, sex) from the other side of the spectrum. Stream Etta’s latest below.

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The post NEW ALBUM FRIDAY: Yelawolf, Phonte, Lion Babe & More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Kiya Hickman

Detroit rapper KeJuan has released a fire new project titled Juvie Tapes. Dedicated to Louisiana rapper Juvenile, KeJuan delivers some impressive verses, making his lyrical presence known.

His Detroit flair and confident flow are what stand out the most on this project. On this 4-track masterpiece, you will hear KeJuan rapping over beats to some of Juvenile’s most popular hits.

The songs that the Detroit native found the most inspiring are “Back That A** Up,” “Rich N***az,” “400 Degrees,” and “Slow Motion.” His unique approach to those records makes the young emcee someone to really watch.

One thing that is for certain is that this emcee is putting on for his city in a major way. Press play below to hear the newest material from Detroit’s finest, KeJuan.

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The post NEW MUSIC: KeJuan – “Juvie Tapes” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Actor, rapper and producer Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson and sports and entertainment journalist Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Courtesy of Scoop Vision Media

50 Cent is probably one of the most brilliant minds you’ll ever meet. The creator of the Starz Network hit show, Power, 50 Cent’s brought you hits like: ‘In Da Club,’ ‘Wanksta,’ ‘Candy Shop,’ ’21 Questions,’ and a ton more.

Those songs are fan favorites, but one of the most underrated songs that 50 ever put out never went mainstream was ‘How To Rob.’

‘How To Rob’ was a single off 50’s Power of the Dollar album, 50 Cent’s first album.

Yes, his first album! Get Rich or Die Trying was 50’s second album. Power of the Dollar was originally set to be released in 2000 via Columbia Records.

It never dropped though because Columbia Records found out that 50 was shot nine times. Columbia dropped him, a huge mistake on Columbia’s part and a gain by 50 who went on to have a huge career with he and G Unit.

Quips at folks like late rapper ODB, hip hop legend Lil Kim, gospel singer Kirk Franklin, Bishop T.D. Jakes and other notables like Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith and even late rapper Heavy D was 50’s way in the late ninetys/early 2000s that he was hungry and he was coming!

Heck, 50 let you know what time it was with lines like: 

The bottom line is I’m a crook with a deal. If my record don’t sell I’mma rob and steal. You better recognize, n***a, I’m straight from the street. These industry n***as is starting to look like something to eat.I’ll snatch Kim and tell Puff, ”You want to see her again? Get your ass down to the nearest ATM.

And:

I’ll rob Pun without a gun, snatch his piece then run/This nigga weigh 400 pounds, how he gonna catch me, son?

And a chorus that said:

This ain’t serious/Being broke can make you delirious/So we rob and steal so our ones can be bigger/50 Cent, how it feel to rob an industry n***a?

Did you know that Sirius/XM’s DJ Whoo Kid broke that record?

“You gotta imagine him just giving me that record and I’m like: ‘I gotta play this? Like you serious,” DJ Whoo Kid told me on Scoop B Radio. “And I’m like alright as long as you got my back.”

DJ Whoo Kid spinning records. Photo Courtesy of World Red Eye

Whoo Kid caught hell for releasing that track too!

“I was getting like threats, texts, you get like a phone call and then somebody hang up, like all kinds of craziness,” DJ Whoo Kid said.

Check Out DJ Who Kid and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio

“Part of it, cause, like dealing with 50 Cent and remember, I used to DJ for like CNN, Capone-N-Noreaga before that and they went through like hell. Those guys were like killing and shooting and before that, I was with Juvenile. So I’m like super old school. I can’t even believe I even did all that s**t. But um rolling with Juvenile, he introduced me to the south and all the violence they do and white chicks, like I didn’t know what a white girl was until I met Juvenile because he had [the song] ‘Back That Ass Up.’

‘How To Rob’ appeared in a movie too.

Yup!

It was on the soundtrack for the film, In Too Deep, which starred Omar Epps, LL Cool J and Nia Long.

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The post Scoop B: DJ Whoo Kid Says He Got Backlash After He Released 50 Cent’s ‘How To Rob’ Record In The 90s appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

From Snoop Doggy Dog, to Grandmaster Flash, we’re hopping in a time machine as we go through Hip-Hop’s 25 Most Memorable Album Covers.

25. Juvenile, 400 Degreez (1998)

From the diamonds and flames, to the Z in “Degreez” being a dollar sign…There’s just something about the WordArt feel of this album that keeps fans coming back.

24. Wale, Attention Deficit (2009)

The obvious shoutout to a digital world reigns as the focal point for this album cover. A strong, yet simple message burns through the vibrant cool colors, and captures your attention immediately.

23. De La Soul, 3 Feet High and Rising (1989)

You’ve probably seen these flowers before, or maybe even these 3 talented young men. Fun fact, rap group De La Soul actually hates this album cover. They felt that everyone would be associating them with flowers, peace, the whole hippie movement, when that wasn’t them at all!

22. Kanye West, 808s and Heartbreak (2008)

The minimalism in this cover is the beauty of it all. Kanye was hurting, simple as that!

21. 2Pac, Me Against The World (1995)

This album shook the charts, and you couldn’t go anywhere in 1995 without seeing it. 2Pac rocked the world right before his unfortunate passing, and sold hundreds of thousands copies of the album.

20. Run-D.M.C., Run-D.M.C. (1984)

Run-D.M.C.; Pioneers, legends, superstars. This classic cover had to make the list!

19. Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)

Firstly, it’s Lauryn Hill etched into a school desk. This album taught everyone a couple of things. No further explanation needed.

18. Snoop Doggy Dogg, Doggystyle (1993)

From the dogcatcher in the back to the Snoop Dogg lookalike on top of the dog house, this album cover is full of style, steeze, and comedy!

17. Eric B. & Rakim, Paid in Full (1987)

Money. Harlem was all about money. Eric B. and Rakim made it clear that they had it, and there was never any problem getting it! The Dapper Dan Gucci sweatsuits, the huge rope chains… The aesthetic of it all represents a very transitional era in the development of Hip-Hop music.

16. Ice Cube, Death Certificate (1991)

Ice Cube next to Uncle Sam’s corpse. No further explaining to do.

17. Missy Elliott, Supa Dupa Fly (1997)

Missy Elliott has always held more swag than most artists in the music industry, remaining humble and subtly stunting on everyone! This cover embodies exactly who she is; chilling for the moment… but don’t forget that she’s fly.

18. Wu-tang Clan, Enter the Wu-tang: 36 Chambers (1993)

This album cover is actually kind of wild. Firstly, no face, no case. Secondly, does the guy in the front have a finger gun? This album cover is great for its immense mystery.

17. Jay-Z, The Blueprint (2001)

Jay-Z wearing a Rocawear jean jacket smoking a cigar. He won.

16. A Tribe Called Quest, Midnight Marauders (1993)

The various facial expressions in the background, the bulging eyes… What do we look at first?! This album cover is great because it leaves so much space for interpretation, the colors on the cover represent so many things, and everyone would formulate their own meaning.

15. Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly (2015)

We need to take over the White House… and keep it. Bring our culture, our families, our music… make it OUR country. Simply put.

14. Kanye West, The College Dropout (2004)

We all know the bear. This bear costume (that Kanye FOUND, by the way) looks like any college student during the longest finals week ever: TIRED. The album cover is warm, relatable, and not complex; perfect in a sense.

13. Grandmaster Flash, The Source (1986)

Do we start off with the fly guy with this legs crossed, or old boy with the red leather hat to match his shoes? This album cover embodies the true start of Hip-Hop. B-boys, spitting bars in New York City’s uptown train station, even down the pager on homeboy’s hip!

12. Snoop Doggy Dogg, The Doggfather (1996)

The Godfather is a critically acclaimed cult classic, and Snoop Dogg actually might’ve done something, by simply switching 2 letters! This was Snoop’s final album on Death Row Records under his name of Snoop Doggy Dogg, and he was owning the game. The West coast made no moves without you hearing about Snoop, rightfully making him the Doggfather.

11. NWA, Straight Out of Compton (1988)

One of the most controversial groups, with one of the most rebellious albums of all time. These young men all banded together and shook the West coast with words that everyone in Compton couldn’t bring themselves to say.

10. The Fugees, The Score (1996)

Firstly, Lauryn Hill AND Wyclef Jean on ONE album cover… That’s art. The beauty lies in the minimal yet intense typography, and the 3 beautiful black faces.

9. Nas, Illmatic (1994)

This kid is too cute. Too cute for the cover, and too cute for the hood he reigns from. Nas showed that everyone was suffering and surviving, even the young.

8. Master P, The Ghettos Tryin To Kill Me! (1994)

The lace bra hanging from Master P’s name, the Boosie fade, my man creeping in the window “Cell Therapy” style… The lo-fi quality wraps it all together, you feel like you’re watching a movie, and you’ve barely even looked at the cover.

7. DMX, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood (1998)

This album cover is bloody and gory, in every sense. Its beauty lies in the naive state of such a “Ruff” guy, and almost goes to show that the black man is one of the most sensitive species.

6. Redman, Dare Iz a Darkside (1994)

Redman is stuck buried in this Children of the Corn looking field, and its freaking me out. I love it.

5. Outkast, Stankonia (2000)

This album cover is great for 3 reasons: One, Andre 3000 was having an amazing hair day. Two, so was Big Boi. Thirdly, it calls out the entire country, so subtly, being a black and white world. We all knew… But did we really know?

4. Gang Starr, Daily Operation (1992)

Gang Starr is really giving off intellectual and successful vibes, and who doesn’t love that? “The goal is money, and this is how we get it. Don’t ask no questions, I thought this through.” Guys from the hood are smart too!

3. Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Return of the 36 Chambers (1995)

Have you seen the O.D.B tv special, where he took America into the food stamp office in Brooklyn, and got his money right? This man never cared, was never too embarrassed to live his life and let whoever wanted to look come and see. Hoping his unbothered soul is resting in peace.

2. The Notorious B.I.G., Ready to Die (1994)

Foreshadowing? This was Biggie’s debut album, and just as his career was being born, he was ready to die. Sadly, he would pass away 2 years after its release. But in those 2 short years, he conquered the world. He started off on top, and he achieved what he needed to; he was truly ready to die.

1. Geto Boys, We Can’t Be Stopped (1991)

This man… Is in a hospital bed. The rap trio is standing in a hospital, posed for an ALBUM COVER. Who was stopping the Geto Boys? NOTHING! They literally cannot be stopped, no matter the circumstance. This cover is full of hustle and desire to reach success, and has to be respected as THE most memorable. Who’s forgetting this?

Do you have any albums you think should’ve been on this list? Leave a comment below and let us know!

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With a song title like “Hot Boy,” it’s only right you get the original Hot Boys to join you. Rapper Bankroll Fresh does exactly that for the official remix of his latest gem.

Listen to Bankroll Fresh’s new song, “Hot Boy (Remix)” featuring Lil’ Wayne, Juvenile, and Turk below:

The post New Music: Bankroll Fresh – “Hot Boy (Remix)” Feat. Lil Wayne, Juvenile & Turk appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.