By: David Lei Brandt

Former lead singer of the Varsity Fanclub music group David Lei Brandt, has released an impressive new solo project. Fvcked Up Love, is the perfect conveyance of a toxic, tumultuous, love in a relationship. 

Brandt does an amazing job expressing his raw emotions, heartbreak and lust, creating a unique vibe over an acoustic sound.

Anyone who has be in love and faced hardships in a relationship, will easily be able to relate to Brandt’s musical flows.

As a former dancer for Lady Gaga and professional in the music business, his courage to make a statement as a solo artist can be heard on Fvcked Up Love.

Press play below to stream the latest from David Lei Brandt.

The post David Lei Brandt: Fvcked Up Love appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

After the weekly numbers were released on Sunday (Aug 19) showing that Astroworld artist Travis Scott nabbed the number one spot, Nicki Minaj has been seemingly tweeting erratically blaming her number two spot on almost everyone but herself.

The “Chun Li” rapper took to Twitter on Sunday and explained in a series of tweets how she believes the only reason why Travis Scott’s ASTROWORLD earned the No. 1 spot on Billboard‘s 200 for the week was due to being featured as an amenity for his “ASTROWORLD: Wish You Were Here” tour merchandise bundles.

“I spoke to him,” Minaj tweeted. “He knows he doesn’t have the #1 album this week.”

https://twitter.com/NICKIMINAJ/status/1031278618561921025

Although sales were the latest reason for her rant, it wasn’t the only shade thrown over the course of the weekend. After a scathing article was published in Pitchfork criticizing Minaj for working with convicted child sex offender Tekashi69, Minaj lashed out at media claiming that she received “information” that media outlets were being “paid” to slander her.

“When I was told they were being paid to write these things I didn’t believe it, now I know it’s true ?? #Queen bitch!!!! ???♥️‼️ I got the proof on that too. Loving my life. They so bothered by this lil south side Jamaica QUEEN.  I’m supposed to keep letting these ppl get money to bully me behind the scenes & not say anything. Yikes. This is what happens when you release a great body of work after they spent millions to ruin you. Lol. 4 albums later still breaking records. #1 in 86 countries after they said it was a wrap. Praise God. He’s about to expose them. They writing about 69 cuz #Queen is flawless.”

When I was told they were being paid to write these things I didn’t believe it, now I know it’s true 😜😛 #Queen bitch!!!! 🎯😘🎀♥️‼️ I got the proof on that too. Loving my life. They so bothered by this lil south side Jamaica QUEEN

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) August 18, 2018

I’m supposed to keep letting these ppl get money to bully me behind the scenes & not say anything. Yikes.

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) August 18, 2018

This is what happens when you release a great body of work after they spent millions to ruin you. Lol. 4 albums later still breaking records. #1 in 86 countries after they said it was a wrap. Praise God. He’s about to expose them. They writing about 69 cuz #Queen is flawless.

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) August 18, 2018

All of these antics not only left fans scratching their heads but according to Charlamagne Tha God proved that Nicki’s antics earned her the hilarious spot of “Donkey of the day.”

During the hilarious eight-minute segment, Charlamagne drops some jewels for Minaj letting her know that the number two spot isn’t the worst position to be in and even complimented her new album as being the best from the Young Money queen yet.

“Nicki you must have been watching too much Talladega Nights because the ‘if you’re not first you’re last’ mentality is not true. You put out a good body of work and sold 185,000 units, you right now are being a sore winner. Nothing you’re doing is queen-like and let’s say that all of the people are to blame for you having the number two album in the country, who was to blame for you having the number two album in 2015 because Pink Print did the same.”

Charlamagne then went on to warn Nicki to cherish her success at where she is, before playing her 2014 hit “Did It On ‘Em”, before adding the shadiest moment of all by allowing Nicki’s nemesis to give her “Donkey of the Day.”

“Put your number twos in the air Nicki and celebrate that win. What you don’t cherish Nicki, you will lose. Somebody get Remy Ma to giver her Donkey of the Day.”

Check out the video below.

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The post [Watch] Charlamagne Tha God Gives Nicki Minaj “Donkey of the Day” For Recent Twitter Outbursts appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Anna Wintour attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

The annual Met Gala is known to be a night of fashion and last night did not disappoint.  The big event is always star-studded and a night to remember.  From Rihanna‘s 2015 canary-yellow Guo Pei couture gown, that trended for days to Beyonce leaving everyone breathless with her 2015 all sheer Givenchy Haute couture by Riccardo Tisci that slayed for days.  This past Monday, May 2nd was no different; there was some of best to some of not so best fashion that hit the red carpet.  The fellas were out, the couples were out, and the ladies were definitely ready to get the night turned up with the year’s theme “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology.  Check out some of the electrifying moments of the night:

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Beyonce attends “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Kylie Jenner attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Amy Schumer attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Taylor Swift attends “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02:  Zoe Kravitz attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Zoe Saldana attends “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Lupita Nyong’o attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Wiz Khalifa attends “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City.

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Recording artist Rita Ora attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Idris Elba attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Kerry Washington attends “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Demi Lovato attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Actor Colin Farrell attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Ciara attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Zendaya attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Kris Jenner attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Adriana Lima attends “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Willow Smith attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic)

Aside from the fellas looking dapper and the ladies killing the carpet, the couples were in the building rocking the best:

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Kim Kardashian West (L) and Kanye West attend the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: The Weeknd (L) and Bella Hadid attend the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Gigi Hadid (L) and Zayn Malik attend the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Carmelo Anthony (L) and La La Anthony attend the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic)

Last, but not least some of the not so best fashion of the night:

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Solange Knowles attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Ashley Olsen (L) and Mary-Kate Olsen attend the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Lady Gaga attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Madonna attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Katy Perry attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)

Overall, the 2016 Met Gala was another successful year of fashion that will be talked about years to come!

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The post Met Gala 2016 Fashion: Best and Worst Dressed appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Although the month of March is deemed National Women’s Month celebrating the accomplishments and advancement of women in society, March 8, 2016 is International Women’s Day. First celebrated in 1911, women demanded rights including the right to vote, to hold public office and also raised a voice against employment and sex discrimination. Women’s suffrage wasn’t official until 1920 and women still struggle with “equal pay” in the workforce. However, women continue to make strides towards encouraging education and using our voices. Women in the music industry continue to woo their listeners breaking large feats. It’s only right to pay homage to the women in the music business who have made their mark while encouraging the up and coming women artists to shine their light.

We have created our own list of women in music that deserve a celebration on this special day but before then we want to share a few other companies that our celebrating women in music:

Women in Music is an organization dedicated to supporting and empowering women in music. It’s evident, women and their presence is imperative and many artists are continuing to gain accolades individually and as a whole. The organization celebrated 30 years in 2015 and prides itself on working “innovatetively with each other as the industry continues to evolve.” Last year, Billboard hosted their Women in Music event celebrating the musical contributions of Missy Elliot, Lady Gaga and more. If you are interested in learning more about Women in Music, check out their site!

Spotify is honoring women on this International Women’s Day with a ranking of the most popular women on Spotify as well as encouraging an initiative to increase awareness of women in music. Take a listen to the playlist here.

Check out our list of some lyrical ladies who paved the way, still following their passion, and setting new records. We missed someone? Hit us up with your fave lyrical ladies!

Mary J. Blige

Lauryn Hill

Lil Kim

Missy Elliot

Nicki Minaj

Aaliyah

Rihanna

Tink

Monica

Erykah Badu

Beyonce

Sade

Mariah Carey

Jhene Aiko

SZA

Dej Loaf

TLC

Whitney Houston

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The post International Women’s Day: Paying Homage to the Lyrical Ladies appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Last night, the 2016 Grammy Awards aired on CBS and it was full of tributes, sound glitches and a performance that will go down in music history. Here’s our take on the most memorable moments of the night.

• Kendrick Lamar put Compton in Africa. It’s not really that surprising that Kendrick Lamar, who was nominated for 11 Grammys and took home five (sweeping the Rap categories), had the most electric performance of the night. He’s consistently delivered every time he’s shown up on live television this year, and the Grammys was obviously his biggest live TV stage to date—his performance was supposed to be breathtaking. And it was.

The musicality and conceptualism of To Pimp a Butterfly lends itself to high-energy, artistic performances, and with each showing, it becomes more obvious that his live appearances were always planned to be part of a package deal—album, video, live performance. It’s hard to describe K.Dot’s TV appearances over the past year as anything but high-quality performance art, and that’s exactly what his showing on music’s so-called “biggest night” was. It was electrifying, daring and dripping with creativity and consciousness.

When, after being introduced by a solemn Don Cheadle, he emerged on stage in prison clothes, leading a chain gang of black men to start his set, host LL Cool J‘s claims that his performance would instantly trend on social media were validated. Kendrick was fully committed the entire time, his face twisted in agony when speaking of the ills of being young and black in America on “The Blacker The Berry” before switching to intense and fiery as African dancers swarmed him as he spoke defiantly of withstanding both spiritual and societal temptations on the protest anthem, “Alright”.

By the time Kendrick ended with a never-before heard song, standing strong, illuminated by a crisp black and white backdrop that showed his hometown, Compton inside of Africa, it was clear that we’d witnessed not only the best performance of the night, but history.

• The tributes were never-ending. What is up with 2016 and the loss of musical icons? To that end, could the tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White, who passed away earlier this month at 74, have been longer? Absolutely. Still, Stevie Wonder delivered an obviously heartfelt rendition of the 1975 classic, “That’s the Way of the World” with the help of a cappella group, Pentatonix. It would’ve been great to see EWF receive a bit more shine, but they did receive a Lifetime Achievement Award and the group also presented Record of the Year, so… yay, Grammys?

Lady Gaga‘s tribute to David Bowie did well in paying homage to the innovative star, particularly because her own career trajectory has some obvious parallels. While it seemed as though maybe too many songs were stuffed into her medley, you got the sense that this was purposely done— one, to showcase Bowie’s ever-evolving style, and two, to introduce him to younger audiences who may’ve only been vaguely familiar with his influence. Bowie’s friend and frequent collaborator, Nile Rodgers joined Gaga on stage, playing guitar, as did Raphael Saadiq on bass, though he strangely didn’t receive an introduction. Why, exactly, is that?

• Alabama Shakes probably sold some more records, and won some more black fans in the process. While the Shakes won four awards last night, Brittany Howard made a fan out of the uninitiated with her performance of “Don’t Wanna Fight” from their stellar sophomore album, Sound & Color, which was appropriately nominated for Album of the Year (they lost to Taylor Swift’s 1989). “Gimme All Your Love” probably would’ve earned even more fans, as it more readily showcases Howard’s powerful pipes with its slow-rolling groove. But then, draped in Al Green-white, strumming the hell out of an aqua-colored guitar, while channeling Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a solid way to make an impression too.

• The acceptance speeches were highly entertaining. Yes, everyone is talking about Taylor Swift’s speech, which was 30 percent girl power, 20 percent after school special and 50 percent clap back at Kanye West. Yes, the Taylor Swift-Kanye West saga continues… almost a decade later. Taylor wins this round, since, as she so eloquently pointed out in her speech, she just became the first woman to win Album of Year, twice. “I want to say to all the young women out there: There are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame, but if you just focus on the work and you don’t let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get where you’re going, you’ll look around and you will know that it was you and the people who love you who put you there. And that will be the greatest feeling in the world.” Yeah! Uh, take that, Pablo.

• Adele’s sound hits a glitch and the entire performance falls flat. Yes, the sound was messed up at the beginning of her performance but that, honestly, had nothing to do with her vocal struggle to climb the mountaintop, as she belted out “All I Ask.” She later went on Twitter to explain exactly what had happened: “The piano mics fell on to the piano strings, that’s what the guitar sound was. It made it sound out of tune. S— happens. X.” No worries. Next year, after 25 is eligible, she’ll own The Grammys.

The post #RECAP 2016 Grammy Awards Hot Topic Moments appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

GoGo Morrow is a rising Philadelphia singer/song-writer that has been making very impressive moves over the last few years. The enchanting songstress has performed alongside Lady Gaga throughout her award winning Monster Ball Tour (2 years), Jay Z‘s Made In America Festival, and she headlined the national LGBT 50th anniversary concert. After delivering her sensual “I Like That Bae” single earlier this year, GoGo returns with plenty of swag for her fresh new offering, “Like A Trap Boy.” The radio ready, Rap1220 production finds GoGo Morrow utilizing her uniquely soothing, yet fierce sound to deliver an anthem that the ladies can vibe to. In the high-quality Rick Nyce-directed music video, viewers are treated to GoGo’s bold sense of style and captivating scenes that not only take us through the hood, but also shows she has plenty of support. If you like what you hear, the single is available for purchase on iTunes. Watch “Like A Trap Boy” below!

The post New Video: GoGo Morrow – “Like A Trap Boy” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

For those who may remember, artist Millie Brown gained a lot of attention at last year’s SXSW when she vomited colored milk on singer Lady Gaga during a performance. A year later, the eccentric artist has a new solo exhibit in the works called, “Rainbow Body”.  Utilizing almond milk and food coloring to create her paintings, the artist claims this particular collection of work was inspired by the Los Angeles skyline. Brown’s fourth solo exhibition will run from April 10-23  at 8472 Melrose Place.

The post Vomit Artist To Open New Exhibit in Los Angeles appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.