Legendary and highly influential hip-hop group, Main Source, are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their debut album, “Breaking Atoms,” with an exclusive vinyl reissue via Vinyl Me, Please, and the band’s first live performance in over a decade!

It has been nearly 25 years since Large Professor left Main Source, but 2017 has brought the Wild Pitch Records trio back together as they officially announced their first show since the early 1990s. On February 1, Main Source will reunite to perform a concert at New York City’s S.O.B.’s(Sounds of Brazil).

The concert coincides with a “Vinyl Me, Please” reissue of the trio’s 1991 debut, Breaking Atoms. That album is widely regarded as a Hip-Hop classic, thanks to single “Looking At The Front Door” and Nas‘ first recorded verse on the track “Live at the BBQ.”

The reissue will include color-in-color vinyl, a bonus 7″, gatefold packaging, a foreword from Pharoahe Monch, a 12-page lyric booklet, and an original art print.

“I was totally blown away by the album as a whole. At that moment in 1991, I knew immediately that I was listening to an instant classic,” Monch wrote in his forward for the album, while working with Large Professor via Organized Konfusion.

In addition to artwork, vinyl, and a turntable, Main Source is also blessing fans with limited edition ’47 CLEAN UP hats.

Despite the group’s massive success, Large Pro left the group to begin his prominent solo career and mentorship of groundbreaking artists including  Nas and Akinyele. Sir Scratch and K-Cut eventually replaced Pro with veteran battle MC, Mikey D. Together, that trio released F*ck What You Think in 1994, which featured an early appearance from none other than The L.O.X.

Check out the flyer and some pictures of the reissue collection below.

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The post Main Source Slated to Perform Together for the First Time in 25 Years appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Paying homage to Large Professor‘s “151 Excuses“, Aye Wun takes us on a coast to coast walk in his shoes in his new visual demonstration for “It’s All A Re-Run”(directed and filmed by Lester Burnem). Footage was taken from California and New York City, providing a little bit of flavor for all of us. Aye paints a typical braggadocios picture; staying true to his influential roots and evidently a student of our favorite 90’s east coast emcees. Also, rest in peace Sean Price – forever.

So what part is the re-run that he refers to? Perhaps the “latter” of followers in todays rap game, stepping unoriginal – which he has no interest in tailing. The overload of “fakes” that seem to be on repeat everyday? Life’s redundant qualities? Or the music industry? Maybe all of it, who knows. Meanwhile, try not to snap your neck listening to the record – it’s not that deep. This is the grit us real hip-hop fiends yearn for. That sound we love and cherish.

We had the pleasure of picking Aye Wun’s brain a bit (see interview below). Also, If you missed his latest ‘Groceries’ release alongside Incredible Cutts check it out here, it’s very raw.

For those just getting familiar with Aye Wun, what should listeners know about you other than your rhyming abilities?

They should know I’m a fan first and foremost. I also make beats. I love tacos and women from California (apologies to my NY women) haha. I’m just a normal regular degular kid from the neighborhood.

You’re from Queens, right? Who are some of your favorite artists from your hometown? And have any specifically impacted your craft more than others?

I was actually born in Kansas, but long story short I got on a plane straight to New York City the same week I was born. Some of my favorite emcees from Queens would be the the ones that I run with – like Spit Gemz, Eff Yoo, Gs Advance, Starvin B, Gob Goblin, and of course Nas and Kool G Rap. All of the legends that made their mark. Really there’s too many to name. Queens is the galaxy. Oh yeah, I mess with Action Bronson and my dude Meyhem Lauren hardbody. I think Kool G Rap may have impacted my craft more than others – the way he gets right with the hardcore multi’s and all of that.

If you could collaborate with one artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Big Pun – hands down. I feel like we’re both jokesters but mean business when we get infront of that pop filter.

Moving forward, what should fans be expecting from Aye Wun?

Just mad music – whether it be looseys or full projects. Keep your eyes peeled and sure you take your ADHD medicine.

The post Aye Wun “It’s All A Re-Run” Video & Interview appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

RESPECT.: Your last album was five years ago. How does it feels to be back since your last album?

Cormega: I feel like my album was needed in this industry. It was necessary in today’s rap industry. When I made my last album, I was just trying to be creative and put together a good album and show a bit of growth but on this one I feel like it was necessary. It’s like the genre is being taken for a joke, so I just wanted to come out with something real.

Tell us about the concept of the album.

Initially when I was making the album, there was no concept. I just love working with Large Professor. He is one of my favorite producers so when I get an opportunity to work with him I tend to capitalize on that. I think the first song we made for the album was “Industry.” When we made the demo it stuck with me. Also, the subject matter was consistent with my mind state. After that, every song I was making for the album had to be at that level and nothing less. In this genre, people think they know you better than you know yourself; they like to put you in the box. But this is the album where I wanted to show everyone that there is more to me as an artist than what they think they know about me.

Do you feel you were doing that because you wanted to make an album that was more honest and real?

No, I was trying to do that from my first album. When I put out The Realness there was vulnerability and honesty stated on it because it was like my first step into the industry and after that I put out The True Meaning and the rest of my albums I felt now it was about legacy. When people call me a legend, it makes me feel very uncomfortable because I feel like I don’t deserve it. People who are considered legends have put out so much work and I haven’t put out an album in five years. People who are legends have put in so much more work and have elevated into a different place. This album now is about my legacy because this is the most refined album out of all of them.

You have Raekwon, AZ, Redman and few more artists on this album. How was it like creating music with them?

To have them on this album was really important. Like I said, I’m fighting for my genre and these guys are the champions at it. I’ve been on tour with these guys before and I respect all of them. You’re talking about the three of the dopest spitters. Two of them are all about spitting lyrics in their particular style. So that was symbolic for me to have them on my album. It was important for me to have Nature on my album too. People know our past. The beautiful thing about me and Nature is we showed growth. Today, nobody can ask me about Nature because me and him did a grown up thing and put our differences to the side. We did shows together and now we have a song together so that was important. The song with Raekwon was important. I had to have a song in there that was a bit edgy and the Raekwon song was perfect. Like I said, I wanted this album to be worldly so I have this singer from Zimbabwe. Like, everyone on my album is a fighter. Usually people get features from big artists to sell their album, but everyone on my album is underrated.

Was there a specific track that you enjoyed making more than the others?

The intro to the album is crazy to me. That wasn’t even the intro there was a different version. When I played that for people they be like, “Rewind that one more time.” Also the song “More”and “MARS.” The song “More” took me in a different round as an artist. “More” is like, “Wow I didn’t even know Cormega could go there. “ There is going to be lot of people who would say I didn’t even know he could go there with that song so that’s why I like that song. I like the song “Home” it has lot jewels in that song. I think lot of girls going to like that song. It has a certain feel to it. This album is definitely for the thinker.

Mega Philosophy is due to release on the 22nd. How are you feeling about the release?

I’m definitely still nervous, but I’m not as nervous as I was before. It is still a good feeling. Here is the thing: when I used to put out a song and I thought it was the shit, it would get mixed reaction. Most of the time Cormega songs are like a good feel and gets consistent, good feedback. There were times that I would do a feature with people and I might think that song is incredible and then the feedback comes back and its like ehh. Like 60/40. I recently did song with this artist and I sent it to my publicist and my publicist was like ehh, but I thought the song was dope, but that’s something you have to fear sometimes. So when I put out “Industry” and I saw people peek and got the feedback and saw them clean up their plates and ask for more it made me feel a bit better. I know lot of artists in the industry sometimes put out their best song and when their album comes out, it’s mediocre compared to what they put out before. I don’t think I’m going to have that problem.

If you could tell your fans one thing about Mega Philosophy that they could only get from you, what would it be?

This is the closest you will be to Cory. All those years you got to listen to Cormega, now you get to hear the real me. When I put out The Realness that shit was made out of anger because i was upset with the label and wanted to speak my thoughts and about the conflicts I had with other rappers. I was just venting on that album. Then when I put out The True Meaning that was after me trying to prove the media and everybody wrong who didn’t want to give me my props even though The Realness was one of the most successful albums. On this album I’m not trying to prove to anything to anyone. This album is for the legacy, for the fans and listeners. So this is the closest your going to get to Cormega as an artist. That’s what I would tell the fans.

The post Interview: Cormega Talks New Album, Changing Hip Hop & More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Cormega returns to the scene with a new track that holds a mirror up to the inner workings of the music business. “Industry” targets those behind the scenes that pull the invisible strings in the game. The track is produced by Large Professor and is the lead single off Cormega’s upcoming album Mega Philosophy, due out later this year. While the track is impressive, the artwork here is the real standout. Mega teamed up with visual artist Ibrahim Sincere to depict Hip-Hop’s Last Supper. It pays homage to many rap greats that have passed like Tupac, Big Pun, Eazy E, Biggie, ODB and many others. It’s pretty amazing. Listen to “Industry below”.

The post New Music: Cormega – “Industry” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Check out “Built Pyramids,” the latest visual from Noreaga’s upcoming sixth album Student of the Game. The track is produced by Large Professor and the album is slated for release on April 13th.

The post New Video: N.O.R.E. (aka P.A.P.I.) feat. Large Professor – “Built Pyramids” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“Like Bob Villa with the hammers”

As Coalmine Records gets closer to the 2nd quarter release of their long awaited compilation, Unearthed, the Brooklyn indie drops the project’s next single, “Naturally Born,” which features Q-Borough mic veterans Big Noyd, Large Professor and Kool G Rap. Produced by the legendary Queens-based beatsmith Ayatollah, the soundscape is rooted in a Golden Era motif that boasts a scratch chorus courtesy of DJ Dutchmaster, who blends quotables from other Queens icons.

Stay tuned for more leaks off Unearthed, which includes appearances from Pharoahe Monch, Blu, Sean Price and more. Producers tapped include Nottz, M-Phazes, !llmind and Khrysis among others. If the track so moves you down into your pockets, you can purchase the joint here.

The post New Music: Big Noyd, Large Professor & Kool G Rap – “Naturally Born” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Here’s some new music from MARS, the four-man collective of tough MCs (Cormega, Action Bronson, Roc Marciano & Saigon) who noticeably rival Slaughterhouse in size and ability. The beat production is from the legendary Large Professor, who created a masterpiece with a perfect, flow-friendly vocal sample that helps introduce what’s more to come from this group.

The post New Music: Cormega, Action Bronson, Roc Marciano & Saigon – “MARS” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.