The digital campaign, announced in October 2019, invited all historically black colleges and university (HBCU) marching bands to produce a short video and share on social media showcasing their school spirit and talent with their best marching band rendition of Young Thug’s single “Hot” from his latest project, So Much Fun.

Dr. Shelby Chipman, Director of Bands at Florida A&M University on the award:

“On behalf of FAMU’s ‘Marching 100’ band, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Young Thug and Kevin Liles for an outstanding initiative with the HBCU Hot Challenge and the members of Marching 100 who had an absolutely fantastic time designing our formation and the music arrangement by Lindsey Sargent. We will be eternally grateful to Young Thug, Kevin Liles, and anyone associated for providing HBCUs an opportunity to showcase their talents and creativity. We’re even more excited about the same opportunity to use the award towards band operations, scholarships, and initiatives that will allow us to move the FAMU Marching 100 forward. We look forward to showing up this weekend at the Honda Hot Battle of the Bands in Georgia.” – Dr. Shelby Chipman, Director of Bands at Florida A&M University

“Hot” first arrived on Young Thug’s #1 album  featuring Gunna and produced by Wheezy. Since the song’s debut, Young Thug has performed “Hot” with Gunna and Wheezy on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and it was released on Young Thug’s So Much Fun Deluxe album edition with a remix including Travis Scott.

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The post Kevin Liles and Young Thug Surprise Florida A&M University Winner of The $25,000 “Hot” Battle of The Bands Video Challenge appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Polo Hayes. Photo Provided By: KWL Management

Recently LAE’s DJ Louie Styles has joined the KWL Management team with Kasual Kas and Jojo Brim to represent the young and upcoming artist, Polo Hayes.

The post Scoop B: KWL Management Signee Polo Hayes Drops “Gucci Shoes” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Swank PR and Google’s Workshop will take place Friday April 21 in Chicago.
Photo Credit: Swank PR

I’m beyond excited to moderate Swank PR’s workshop on Friday April 21st at 1:00pm. Swank PR, in partnership with the 3rd Annual “Lake FX Chicago” Creation Con 2017 Expo & Summit presented by Google, will host a power-packed workshop entitled “The PR Trifecta” Artist, Business & Branding Partnerships in PR in the Millennium Room (5TH Floor) of the Chicago Cultural Center, located at 78 E. Washington St.The PR Trifecta panel will discuss the multi layers of cross branding artist and brands through public relations and building partnerships. No brand can exist without the artist and the artist can’t be branded without great representation.

From the business aspect to the impressions, they co-exist. One can’t live without the other.

The all-star lineup of panelists includes Brand & Lifestyle Curator/ Experiential Producer of Mosaic – Marc Glanville, Account Supervisor Engagement/Experiential at Burrell Communications – Dave Jackson, VP PR/Engagement Marketing of Burrell Communications – Tracy Anderson, Artist Management – Lyrical Eyes Management (Ashlee Bankz, Lil Durk, Tink), and Swank PR Founder and Owner –Briahna Gatlin. Lake FX Creation Con is the largest mid-west FREE conference for emerging artist and creators which Includes; A & R auditions for musicians, an interactive resource fair, free professional workshops, and free networking events. 

“I’m ecstatsic to bring this demention to Chicago,” Swank PR’s Briahna Gatlin told RESPECT MAG by phone. “Chicago has a lot of talent whether it be up and coming artists, established artitsts, executives, publicists and creatives. It’s honestly a joy to see everyone come together and strategize how we can all become even better! It is so worth it. I can’t wait until Friday.”

Renowned music/entertainment executive Kevin Liles, co-founder of 300 Entertainment and CEO of KWL Management, will deliver the conference keynote address on Friday, April 21st, 5pm in the Cassidy Theater.

The post Google & SWANK PR To Host “The PR Trifecta” Workshop At Lake FX Chicago Creation Con Summit appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

We’ve all heard the stories of record labels and the ups and downs being contracted with one may cause.  Here and now BET network is taking us all behind the scenes of some of the greats.  Tonight, May 17th at 8:00 ET and 9:00 ET make sure to tune into the first part of the eight-episode-docs-series.  Uptown Records is the first up in the spotlight to dig into all the dirt, good and bad with a Part I and Part II episode of the journey.  Some of Hip Hop’s most iconic labels will be featured  in the eight-week series for one-hour long like, Grand Hustle, Loud Records, Slip-N-Slide, Terror Squad, Ruff Ryders, Disturbing Tha Peace (DTP), and Murder Inc.  

Founder, Andre Harrell will be among the industry insiders like, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, and Guy’s Teddy Riley and Damion Hall giving they’re unique takes on Uptown’s success, legacy, and so much more.  We can expect to see some never-before-seen footage in an up close, first-person narrative kinda way.  The series is executive produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions and DTP co-founders Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Bridges’ manager Chaka Zulu, and Jeff Dixon.

“The dreams and visions; the successes and failures … we want young aspiring entrepreneurs to have a blueprint as to what really goes on in this business and understand how much work it takes,” says DTP’s Dixon of the inspiration behind the series. “We [as African-Americans] also want to document our own history, especially in this industry. This is like our natural resource. No one can tell these stories like us.”

According to Billboard, these are some of the other power players that will be “playing” in each episode of Inside the Label:

Uptown Records: Andre Harrell, Diddy, Jay Z, Mary J. Blige, Babyface, Teddy Riley, Damion Hall, Brett Ratner, Laurieann Gibson, Robin Thicke, Sanaa Lathan, Doug E. Fresh, Al B. Sure, Eddie F, Kim Porter, Father MC, Jeff Redd and Monifah.

Grand Hustle: T.I., Jason Geter, Young Dro, Kevin Liles, Lil Duval, Killer Mike, DJ Toomp and B.O.B.

Loud Records: Steve Rifkind, RZA, Xzibit and E-Swift.

Slip-N-Slide Records: Ted Lucas, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, Trina and DJ Khaled.

Terror Squad: Fat Joe, DJ Khaled, Noreaga, Cool & Dre and Jesse Terrero.

Ruff Ryders: Joaquin Dean, Darren Dean, Chivon Dean, Swizz Beatz, Eve, The Lox, Irv Gotti, Drag On, DJ Clue, DJ Kool Herc, Lyor Cohen and Jimmy Iovine.

Disturbing Tha Peace: Ludacris, Chaka Zulu, Jeff Dixon, Chingy, Bobby Valentino, Shareefa, Lil Scrappy, Bangladesh, Lil Fate, I-20 and Poon Daddy.

Murder Inc.: Irv Gotti, Ashanti, Ja Rule, Jay-Z, Charlie Baltimore, Kevin Liles and Lyor Cohen.

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