Video screenshot

Following his album announcement (and visual for the Adam Levine-assisted “Mic Jack“), legendary ATLien Big Boi returns with another great music video for “Kill Jill,” which features close collaborators Jeezy, Killer Mike and Rock D the Legend. In the Bryan Barber-directed clip, the OutKast emcee is fully dressed as king from the medieval era…he also uses the hard-hitting track to both flex his wealth and address some social concerns:

Since 17 been countin’ M’s, my bank account’s on Goofy
They say Cosby gave ’em roofies, now who know what the truth is
Chicago’s full of shooters, my garage is full of hoopties…

Enjoy “Kill Jill” below. The track will appear on Big Boi’s forthcoming album Boomiverse, which is set to drop June 16th…you can check out the artwork and tracklisting (Gucci Mane, Curren$y, the late Pimp C, Snoop Dogg and more join the aforementioned colleagues on the project) for that as well.

Image credit: Big Boi

Image credit: Big Boi

Suggested Articles:

Run The Jewels are the Usual Suspects in “Legend Has It” Visual [WATCH]

Roc Nation’s Jim Jones Teases Collabs with Migos and Young Jeezy

The post Watch Big Boi’s New Visual for “Kill Jill” (Feat. Killer Mike and Jeezy) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

As Andre 3000 continues to hold out on an album, his OutKast compadre Big Boi proceeds to make strides musically. Following his last release (2015’s Big Grams with Electro-Rock duo Phantogram), the man also known as Daddy Fat Sax is ready to release his third solo offering — and he has some new tunes to get fans excited.

Titled Boomiverse, the forthcoming release will reportedly see features from Gucci Mane, (fellow Dungeon Family member) CeeLo Green and even some vocals from late Rap icon Pimp C. Dr. Luke, Scott Storch, DJ Dahi and Organized Noize are also said to be taking part in the album’s production.

Today, you can check out two tracks (as well as accompanying artwork) as an appetizer: the Pop-Dance cut “Mic Jack” (which features Maroon 5‘s Adam Levine and will soon be accompanied by a visual) and the more Hip-Hop flavored “Kill Jill” with Atlanta peers Jeezy and Killer Mike. Boomiverse is said to be dropping sometime this Summer.

Image credit: Big Boi

Image credit: Big Boi

Suggested Articles:

Is an OutKast Reunion in Our Near Future?

Run The Jewels are the Usual Suspects in “Legend Has It” Visual [WATCH]

The post Big Boi Announces New Album ‘Boomiverse’, Drops Two New Tracks [LISTEN] appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

In honor of the legendary OutKast album ATLiens turning 20-years-old this past weekend, Spin released an interview with Big Boi in which he reveals that he’s currently working on a collaborative effort with Killer Mike. The two have a long and fruitful history of working together, including Mike’s killer (excuse the pun) verse on “Snappin’ and Trappin‘” from OutKast’s Stankonia and Big Boi’s recent appearance on Run The Jewels’ “Banana Clipper.” Although details on the new project are scarce, Big Boi claims that the joint EP will be released after his next solo record which is apparently “halfway done.” You can read his full response below.

Have you been working with [Killer Mike] at all lately?
Boy, absolutely! Wait until you hear this new s**t. Killer Mike is busy as hell. I mean, he’ll come straight from the airport and go into the studio and bust on two or three records and come back again the next day. We’re just trying to put as many ideas out there as possible. And me and Killer Mike, we’re gonna put out a little EP after I put out my next solo record or something like that. We’ve been entertaining the idea for a long time and finally got enough songs to where we just said the other night that we’re gonna do it. You getting a scoop there.

Suggested Articles:

Frank Ocean Releases New Album, ‘Blond’

Rich The Kid Links Up With Migos For “I Got A Check”

The post Big Boi to Collaborate with Killer Mike on Upcoming EP appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo Credit: Andy Lee

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT:  Just as an alchemist transforms led into gold, is there an element  of transformation in your creative expression? How does this process for you, connect to that of an alchemists?

MAURICE GARLAND: Most definitely. As a writer and music journalist, I look at my work as using words to paint pictures which I consider a valuable skill and talent seeing as how so much of our communication nowadays is visual-driven. When I write I am relying on history and the present moment to tell a story that someone in the future will hopefully read, enjoy and even reference. Also, often times, I interview artists and other creatives who may not be as open or well-spoken as the next person, so I have to find ways to not only get them out of their comfort zone and share, but later combine my words with theirs to create a compelling, truthful story

Photo Credit: Anthony “Truth” Gary

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT:  Artists are often labeled as “stars.” Just as a star radiates light and the planets then reflect this light. Do you see your work behind the pen or behind the lens, as a reflection of this light?

MAURICE GARLAND: I do. When I interview and write about “stars” I like to create stories that inspire readers to become “stars” themselves or at least absorb some of that star energy that they give off. Rick Ross personally contacted me and told me the cover story that I wrote on him for The Source (Decemeber 2015) was one of the best if not the best stories he’s even read written about him. I’ve written bios for Big Boi and Kendrick Lamar, so in those cases I have to capture what they are about and use my words to present them to the world they way they want to be seen. Every star begins as a particle and winds up becoming a star. That said, much of the work I have done has revolved around getting people to recognize stars in the making. I was the first person to interview or write nationally published articles on people like Janelle Monae and B.o.B. Killer Mike is all over the place now, but for years it felt like I was the only person interested in interviewing him. So yes, I do see my work as a reflection of their light.

Photo Credit: Wesley Persons

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT:  When an artist is not “creating” it is often labeled a “creative block.” Where do you find the creative spark? What inspires your work and does it require a sense of courage to create from this unknown space?

MAURICE GARLAND:  What some call a “block” I like to look at as a time to rest. When I am not inspired to create, I rest. I sit still and enjoy those moments where my mind and spirit are simply being rather than doing. Fortunately, I rarely have to go find inspiration or a creative spark. During those “block” times ideas usually come to me because I am being still and allowing the universe to bring them to me rather than running and moving and looking. I have found when you move around too much looking for something, you miss what was there waiting for you to claim all along.

The Museum of Light is curated by: 
Billy Johnson Jr., Joslyn Rose Lyons, Adell Henderson, Rafael Casal, Matt Smith, Malik Buie.

For more info on The Light visit:

http://www.themuseumoflight.com/
https://instagram.com/museumoflight/
https://twitter.com/museumoflight

Suggested Articles:

Lupe Fiasco Releases New Track “Pick Up The Phone”

Drake Curveballs Shade at Tory Lanez During Show

The post REFLECTIONS IN LIGHT Interview: MAURICE GARLAND appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

One way was to suppport Black financial institutions and businesses. The united rappers and entertainers individually opened accounts at Unity Bank, the only black-owned bank in the state of Texas located in Houston’s Third Ward area. Houston’s big names such as Paul Wall, Slim Thug, Lil Ke Ke, Willie D and many more all participated in this cautious action.

“We don’t want to wait until there are riots in the streets ’til we do this,” said White rapper and business owner Paul Wall. “Let’s do this now. Let’s be proactive about it.”

Mayor of Houston Sylvester Turner knows how impactful the actions of a united celebrity driven group could be on the people. As a result, he intensively listened to the artists’ concerns, including the urgent call for more economic opportunity and the controversial request for cops to racially reflect the communities of color they patrol.

“There a lot of people in our city that have lost hope,” Mayor Turner said. “And people are feeling helpless. People in many ways are feeling disrespected, and these individuals here- these artists- they have collectively more power than I do.”

The rappers plan on using their influence heavily. Putting money in Black-owed bank was a move inspired by Atlanta activist and hip-hop star Killer Mike after he was responsible for Citizens Trust, a black-owned bank in Atlanta, gaining more than 8,000 members, including ATL rapper T.I,Usher and Jermaine Dupri after he urged them to open up accounts.  Houston native, singer and record company owner Solange Knowles also has her money in a Black-owned bank.

That’s just the first step in the making change. Not only is the goal of the unified Houston emcees goal to end racial injustices, police brutality, and violence but to also educate people on the what the movement is about.

At the meeting, Houston hip-hop legend Willie D said this group’s mission is to “create an atmosphere of respect instead of discontent with our law enforcement. You know, it’s very important that people understand that when we say Black Lives matter, we’re not saying that Blue Lives do not matter.”

Pictures from the meeting:

#UDIGG

A photo posted by TIP (@troubleman31) on Jul 20, 2016 at 5:47am PDT

While some folks complaining about rappers My Bros in H Town #bankblackbanksmallbanklocal! Salutes Slim Thug, Trea, Willie D and all the H Town Leaders that are leading! What rappers and Town are next!!!

A photo posted by Killer Mike (@killermike) on Jul 19, 2016 at 7:37pm PDT

Suggsted articles:
#BlackLivesMatter: Golden Age – “What’s A Black Life Worth?”
Melania Trump Accused of Plagiarizing an Old Michelle Obama Speech

The post Houston Rappers Unite To Pledge Allegiance To Black-Owned Businesses 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.

Suggested Articles:

According to Future…Jay-Z is Dropping a Summer Record

T.I. Teams Up with Dr. Dre for Aaliyah Sampled Single “Dope”

The post BET Network Takes us ‘Inside the Label’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The post Feek & Stevie Deliver Sonic Hilarity On ‘Favorite Word’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.