Rapper Luckyiam of The Living Legends crew and his counterpart Lana Shea have unleashed a new video for the single “Keys,” off their recent Luck & Lana album, Go. Produced by Kill the Computer, the song hits hard with bass heavy beats and infectious hooks, creating what Lucky calls an “EDM/Hip Hop gumbo.” The three-minute track sounds almost like two different songs. Near the middle of it, the bass suddenly drops low as Lana takes over rapping duties, where before she was singing the hook. The visuals contribute to the overall journey “Keys” is taking the listener on.

“In this video, a classic looking Luck & Lana time travel to a Brooklyn bar in Lawndale, where they meet some suspicious bartenders who end up drugging them & sending them into a wild psychedelic trip or vision,” Luckyiam explains. “It’s trippy, bruh.”

Lana’s ability to both sing and rhyme lends their partnership something unique. She’s cool in the sense that while she’s a beautiful girl who could easily “sell” herself on looks alone, she’s intentionally avoiding an overtly sexualized image, which is especially refreshing in this day-in-age, where female artists feel they need to sell more than their talents.

“That’s definitely something I believe in,” Lana says. “I have no problem with ladies showing skin, but it’s no secret that women have been over-sexualized in the music and entertainment industries, especially in pop and Hip Hop, and I don’t think that’s how it needs to be. Of course, you can show your shit off if that’s what makes you happy, but for me, I prefer to direct focus to my art rather than my ass.”

As blunt as that sounds, she’s right. Unfortunately, we live in a very misogynistic society, one where women are more often than not treated like objects. Thankfully, with artists like Santigold and Lana, that’s beginning to change.

“We all have to deal with dumb people,” she says. “But I’ve gotten so much support from the Hip Hop community and others. I just love the haters and do my thing.”

With Luckyiam by her side, they both do their thing as Luck & Lana. Add super-producers Kill the Computer to the formula and the result is a series of high energy bangers.

“They make hard beats and they’re cool guys,” Luckyiam says. “It’s a blessing to make albums with one production team behind the boards. It adds to our albums’ cohesiveness.”

The most recent album, Go, undeniably flows from start to finish. The guest spots don’t hurt either. With contributions from Del the Funkyhomosapien, Chino XL, Aesop Rock, Ras Kass, and D-Styles, the 13-track effort doesn’t disappoint.

“All of these guys are friends of mine and they each made sense to be part of this album,” he says. “D-Styles ripped the third verse of ‘Bruh.’ Ras and Chino murder it on ‘Type,’ and Aesop and Del is the Living Legends/Rhymesayers/Hieroglyp ics collab I’ve always wanted.”

Check out “Keys” below and find the album on iTunes, Spotify and Bandcamp.

The post RESPECT. Premiere: Living Legends’ Luckyiam Drops Video for “Keys,” Under Luck & Lana Imprint appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

In the big apple, songstress & activist, Alicia Keys is back with a new song titled “28 Thousand Days”. Keys, has been on a bit of a hiatus this past year, taking time off to build her family with husband & mogul Swizz Beats. The singer drops another anthem styled tune with a mellow dramatic chorus and soul filled verses. Trumpet samples accompany the piano & melody to create that familiar Alicia Keys sound. On her YouTube account she comments “I’ve been dyin’ to share this new music with you! And this is just the beginning believe me!! We have so much to talk about! Live everyday like its your last #28000days!  Check what has the concrete jungle’s leading lady so excited below:

The post Alicia Keys – “28 Thousand Days” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.