Via Spin

“[Hip-Hop] started with the alpha males. And now it’s being given to the beta males to try to flex their shit,” says Bran Nubian Lord Jamar in his recent New Yorker profile.  Jamar has been releasing inflammatory statements on a weekly basis for a while now, firing shots at Kanye West for wearing a leather Givenchy skirt on stage and now at openly gay rapper Le1f for straying from hip-hop’s macho roots.

Musically, Lord Jamar is irrelevant. However, the spotlight turned to him recently after he released a song entitled “Lift up Your Skirt,” insulting West for his “pioneer[ing] of this queer shit.” Lord Jamar believes that “in order to preserve a culture there are certain guidelines and boundaries that have to be there.”

Hip-hop culture is not about xenophobia or fear of the unknown; it is about combating those issues and more. Lord Jamar’s hateful messages turn him into an oppressor. His actions go against the philosophy of the movement he is trying to “preserve.”

Le1f is primarily known for being an openly gay MC, but he is first and foremost and creative artist who brings the all-too-often homophobic hip-hop world a new flavor. He recently performed live on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” advertising his latest project, Hey. Following his performance, Lord Jamar responded to a fan on twitter who sent him the video of Le1f’s performance, exclaiming:

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING! “@AList_AL: Yo @lordjamar is bout to have a field day with this one, lol http://t.co/MpmUMrcto6”

— Lord Jamar (@lordjamar) March 15, 2014

Lord Jamar sounds and acts like a conspiracy theorist obsessed with the “feminization” of hip-hop. Le1f performing on a nationally-televised late-night show will always be positive for the culture. This kind of exposure is another in a long line of steps towards acceptance and respect for hip-hop.

Le1f released an inspiring statement in response to Jamar. In it, he breaks down the struggles he has faced and highlights the ignorance that fed Jamar’s judgements.

Dear Lord Jamar,

Choose your battles. If the whitening of rap is a concern to you, please leave my name out of it. If you think being gay is the same as being white, you are as ignorant as your enemies. I’m darker than you. I’m african. I’m a black man and I experience all the same racism you do, if not more, on top of homophobia, including from black men just like you. Are you proud of being a hateful member of a majority? Rap started out as a creative response to oppression, and no matter my outfit, I know oppressions you will never understand.

All respect,

Le1f

“Alpha males” do not speak down on others based on their appearance or dress. They do not keep hip-hop from growing by using negative stereotypes. “Alphas” are game changers, leaders, and innovators. Chance The Rapper, who is using a vibrant and refreshing sound to call attention to Chicago’s murder epidemic, is an “Alpha.” Nicki Minaj, who is bending the definitions of masculinity and femininity, who is destroying rap patriarchy, is an “Alpha.”

“Alpha” artists prove to the less enlightened that femininity and masculinity are not based on who puffs their chest out the most or who dresses differently. Being an “Alpha” and being a part of hip-hop are about empowerment and representing voices that need to be heard. Le1F is one of them.

The post disRESPECT: Le1f, Lord Jamar, and “Alpha Males” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The world’s first glimpse of up-and-coming rapper Le1f came early last year, with the music video to his well-received single, “Wut.” His eccentric get-up (short shorts and dyed purple hair) contrasted from his vocal technique: deep-voiced and extremely back-of-the-throat. But it worked: the song’s hook (and Le1f’s impressive twerking) catapulted the rapper to moderate recognition.

Fast forward to 2013 and the ex-Wesleyan rapper has released two mixtapes, performed multiple shows throughout the world and produced Das Racist’s (RIP) ode to fast-food restaurant duos, “Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.”

RESPECT. spoke with Le1f about his first SXSW, Pokemon, majoring in dance at Wesleyan and being a part of the New York rap scene.

This year was your first time being a part of South By Southwest. What did you learn from the experience?

That I need to get into the mindset of being in a rock band, line-checking. My first show during SXSW was at Stubb’s and it was rough. It was fun though, I was able to watch the Yeah Yeah Yeahs perform once I was done performing. That was cool.

How did you go about choosing the producers you did for your latest mixtape, Fly Zone?

I basically went through SoundCloud and what people emailed me, to put something together that made sense to me conceptually. After Dark York, my first mixtape, dropped last year, I was just accumulating beats. Fly Zone took two months to make–10-to-15 studio sessions. I’m happy with it; it came out organically.

Did Dark York come out in a similar fashion?

No, not at all. Dark York was kind of an accumulation of everything I liked, ever. Some of the songs on Dark York were made two-to-three years before the mixtape came out. I definitely feel like I’ve developed as a rapper since Dark York, though. 

What song off of Fly Zone would you say you enjoy the most?

It changes for me. When I first made Fly Zone I really liked “Coins,” but after I finished it I was like, “I could have done something different with it.” But I guess my favorite one is “Spa Day.” I rap the fastest I’ve ever rapped before, which was a challenge. And I like that the chorus kind of sounds like a Dipset song. I wanted to feel like Camron and Twista, and I think I did it. It’s also one of my favorite beats.

You attended Wesleyan University like other artists: Santigold, MGMT and Das Racist. Do they secretly breed specific people into musicians? 

No, I wish! [Laughs] I dropped music theory like, three times at Wesleyan. I was going to be a music major but after that I was like, “I’m just going to be a rapper.” But Wesleyan is definitely an interesting place. It’s a cool school where you can easily travel to New York from. That’s kind of the reason why I went to Wesleyan. I was already friends with Santigold and the members of Das Racist, so it was cool to work with creative people and still play shows in New York.

As an avid Pokemon fan I was wondering if the use of Pikachu masks in the “Wut” video were intentional? Like a shout out to Pokemon?

Absolutely! I wanted the masks to be of Squirtle but I would’ve had to paper mache them, and they wouldn’t have looked as clean. I really wanted a water-type Pokemon! I am obsessed with Pokemon; I try to think of my music in Pokemon types instead of genres. Like Dark York was psychic and ground-type, and Fly Zone was flying-type. That’s the most honest way I feel I can make music. The song “Jelly Fish” [off of the Liquid EP] is about Starmie and Staryu.

From Dark York to Fly Zone–which Pokemon would you say you evolved to?

Well, Gengar is my spirit animal. I kind of look like him,  and if I could do Pokemon moves they would be psychic-type. When I was a part of the seapunk scene I was obsessed with water-type Pokemon. Gym Leader Misty was my shit in 2011. These days, I feel more like Kadabra, Farfetch’d and Wigglytuff. Pokemon rap is where it’s at.

In college you wrote a thesis titled, “Subversion in Post-WWII Performance.” How did writing this thesis influence you as an artist, and is it available to read anywhere?

No. [Laughs] It’s not. It was one of my most poorly written pieces ever. I worked up until the deadline writing that essay. Majoring in dance at any liberal arts school is such a trite thing. College for me was more about exploring all of these things I already had interests in. Fluxus art, Butoh and voguing–those were my core interests for making anything. I’m extremely inspired by Claes Oldenburg, Matthew Barney, Min Tanaka and all of the former Butoh legends. People should look up Butoh because that shit is crazy.

Aside from rapping you’re also a producer. For future projects do you think you’ll do more producing?

Definitely. I did these mixtapes just to catch on, and get this up-and-coming look. For an LP I would want my process to be like the way M.I.A.’s process was for Kala. I just needed to gain confidence as a rapper first, before I went back to producing.

The current New York rap scene is so eclectic. Aside from yourself there’s the A$AP Mob, Flatbush Zombies, The Underachievers, Pro Era, Azealia Banks, Mykki Blanco. How does it feel to be a part of that scene?

I think it’s cool. It’s really cool to see people around me that are finally getting recognized. House of Ladosha has been one of my favorite rap acts since 2006. And Zebra Katz, I remember putting “Ima Read” on my Tumblr in 2006, and four years later that nigga is popping off. [Laughs] The whole queer rap thing kind of irked me but to be honest at least these are artists whose music I love. I’m happy that I’m vaguely a part of the New York scene, and I like where it is right now.

You collaborated with Sasha Go Hard on her Round 3 mixtape. How did that come about?

I DM’d her and I was like, “What’re you working on? Let me get on that.” So she sent me the song and it all happened really fast. I was obsessed with her and the girl rappers a part of the Chicago drill scene. Katie Got Bandz is legit too.

After SXSW what else do you have planned?

I’m playing Winter Music Conference, Culture Shock at SUNY Purchase. Aside from that just chilling in New York, smoking weed and making music.

The post Interview: Le1f Talks Pokemon, Wesleyan & Sasha Go Hard Collab at SXSW appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Last month we introduced you to the first episode of HASHTAG$, the new YouTube series from Red Bull Music Academy. HASHTAG$ does a great job of finding musicians, singers, producers, and artists of all kinds to talk about their so-called music subcultures. Specifically, the series focuses in how the world wide web has influenced the growth and development of today’s new sounds like #PostDubStep, #Seapunk, #TumblrWave, and whatever else you can think of.

However, no matter how good Red Bull is at getting up close and personal with you’re favorite internet genre scene, its important to remember the reoccuring theme evident in the title of each Hashtag$ episode: Don’t call it [insert popular internet genre here]! No matter how cool you think you are making references to the Seapunk scene, chances are, your favorite artist does not take their label as seriously as you do. If you’re really about that life, then you’re about that life — no need to slap a name on it.

So, thank you Red Bull, for being the YouTube version of a blatant oxymoron, by telling us not to mention the #Name of our favorite internet music genre, while presenting a 15 minute document on that said genre. Take a look at the all of the Hashtag$ videos to date, exploring the inside world of contemporary underground internet music; just be sure never to call it that.

The post HASHTAG$ New Episodes: #PostDubStep, #Beats, #TumblrWave, #CloudRap appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

In this day and age mixtapes worthy of attention and downloads are sometimes overlooked. So in honor of the mixtape hustle, we’re giving you the run down on some of the best mixtapes available each week. Here’s to Mixtape Madness!

Waka Flocka Flame, Duflocka Rant 2

BOW BOW BOW! Waka is at his rachet-est, screaming commands at you like some turnt-up drill sargent. The 17-song release is a raucous: trap-a-licious production, Waka’s signature punk-rap vocal delivery and guest appearances from Lil Wayne, French Montana and Gucci Mane.

Standout track: “College Girl”

Sasha Go Hard, Round 3

Round 3 shows Sasha throwing fists — some hard and powerful; others soft and weak. Fortunately, there is more of the former than the latter. “No Time” is a banger and “To The Girls” has quote-worthy lines for days. (Seriously, “Pussy real good make a ni**a do flips,” is fire line.) Winner of ‘The Go Hard Championship’ goes to Ms. Sasha.

Standout track: “To The Girls”

Casey Veggies, Life Changes

Veggies is onto something. His flow weaves through introspective and retrospective narratives, embracing his recently-achieved success, while looking towards the future. Changes, production-wise, is luscious. It’s simultaneously nostalgic and progressive. Sullen jazz guitar intersperses with cloud rap etherealness, resulting in consistent head-bangers.

Standout track: “Whip It”

Curren$y, New Jet City

Stoner rap is rarely, if ever, described as sophisticated. But Curren$y brings a level of sophistication to his light-up friendly tracks. Maybe it’s the soulful production that often accompanies his southern drawl. Actually, it probably is that and that’s what separates Curren$y from his peers. City proves two things: Curren$y is a consistent rapper and Juicy J will shout out Molly whenever possible (“Three 60”).

Standout track: “Bitch Get Up” feat Juvenile

Jae Millz, Dead Presidents 2

Holy shit. “Grew up round that Snow White bitch / ain’t seen no seven dwarves.” Millz seems to channel Get Rich or Die Tryin’-era 50 Cent, massacring beats with abrasive rhymes. He is expected to release his debut album some time this year. Until then, Presidents will surely satisfy.

Standout track: “Grind All Day”

The Underachievers, Indigoism

Upon first listen I felt The Underachievers had underachieved on Indigoism. I was wrong–they overachieve. There is a golden age rap aesthetic to the mixtape. From the jazz-friendly production to the vocals, nostalgia is essential to their sound. But it works: “We the new New York better protect your neck / When you lookin’ at the Gods take another step back.” Some songs are not as captivating as others, but Indigoism has enough jams to keep listeners interested.

Standout track: “Land Of Lords”

Con, King Con

Con beats his chest proudly throughout this mixtape. The result of eight months of hard work and perseverance, King Con is a low-key release that deserves more attention. Con’s vocals may take some time to get used to but fortunately, he seems to find his sound early on in the mixtape.

Standout track: “40 oz”

Gunplay, Cops & Robbers

Gunplay does not give one fuck — so much so that he does not care about the quality of his recordings. (Forewarning: this mixtape is horribly recorded.) But his apathy, as he’s come to realize, is what makes him so appealing. He’s relentless in his delivery, unrestrained line after unrestrained line. The nightmarish, horror movie synths only add to Gunplay’s menacing demeanor. Although somewhat awkward, his recording on DMX’s “What’s My Name” fully symbolizes who Gunplay is. A talk-the-talk, walk-the-walk badass who has a soft spot for Six Flags.

Standout track: “The Hard Way”

Lil B, Pink Flame

26 songs of #BASED-ness. That is all.

Standout track: “Go Under (Remix)”

Le1f, Fly Zone

Le1f’s eccentricity is intriguing. His deep-voice flow shifts between high-pitch rambles and gutteral, MC Ride-esque growls. Lyrically, Le1f is lackluster but songs like “Breezy” and “The Whip” indicate his potential. Fortunately for Le1f just about every beat on this mixtape kills. Minimalist club bangers, diet-trap hitters–production that outshines instead of accompanies.

Standout track: “So Fly” feat. Don Jones

The post Mixtape Madness #1: The Best Mixtapes of Last Week appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo by Jake Moore

Soda, hair extensions and wannabe Mentos breath mints. These are the essentials for rapper Le1f’s latest music video for his song, “Soda.”

Le1f whips his hair back and forth to minimal, “Beez in the Trap”-like production, while random guys and girls create explosive concoctions by dropping breath mints in soda pop. If you like your music videos sticky and wet, “Soda” is for you.

Check out the video below and if you like what you hear, check out le1f’s Liquid EP, which features “Soda.”

The post NEW VIDEO: LE1F – “SODA” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Asymmetrical hair, tight pants, cheetah-print sneakers and a toothless smile. If you guessed hip-hop up-and-comer Danny Brown, pat yourself on the back.

The post Skateboards & Skinny Jeans: The Opening of Hip-Hop’s Identity appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo by Jake Moore

“Gayngsta rap” is now a genre. At least according to LE1F‘s Facebook page. So forget your personal position on who should be allowed to marry who and open your mind to this potentially game changing New York rapper. His style, reminiscent of Big Freedia and Azaelia Banks, takes advantage of infectious beats, mostly electro, and his slick rhymes. And don’t write him off as some kind of kitchy fad. He’s got a range of talents, including production credits on Das Racist’s hit “Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell” and Spank Rock and Big Freedia’s “Nasty.” If you’re trying to compare him to someone you know, it’s most often New York’s other gayngsta rapper Mykki Blanco, but he probably said it best himself– a “male Missy Elliot” and “gay Method Man.”

Video directed by Sam Jones

Listen to his mixtape Dark York:

The post Music Video: LE1F (prod. by 5kinAndBone5) — “Wut” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.