Life+Times Archives - RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture

Ab-Soul Decodes “Stigmata” With Only Jay Z Bars (Ab-Soul Is Smart)

RESPECT. Staff — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 17:13:38 +0000

This right here is impressive. Ab-Soul one-ups every other guest on Jay Z‘s Life+Times’ “Decoded” (and clearly knows he’s doing just that) by following up every one of his lines from the recently released “Stigmata” with most pertinent bar from somewhere in Old Man Hov‘s long career. Sometimes, the lines are just (intelligent) connections, or they share a reference, but often, the juxtaposition really does serve to explain what Soul was talking about.

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Interview: Jay Z Sits Down With Elliott Wilson for a #FACTSONLY Interview

RESPECT. Staff — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 19:00:01 +0000

Elliott Wilson, editor-in-chief of RESPECT., meets with Jigga to discuss myriad topics from the rapper’s lengthy and loaded career. With Magna Carta Holy Grail as a starting point, Jay Z addresses everything from collaborating with Justin Timberlake and collecting art, to shooting the Samsung commercial without a script, counting digital sales, and having bigger things to worry about than paparazzi. A man who wears many hats, Hov contends that this spectrum of roles reflects his individuality, asking “What’s the sense of being successful if you can’t still be yourself?”

Watch the first part of the interview below, and stay tuned for part two, scheduled to be released later today.

Update: Part two is now available as well. Continue on.

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Video: A$AP Rocky Decodes “Long.Live.A$AP” Track

RESPECT. Staff — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 20:40:38 +0000

As we steadily approach A$AP Rocky‘s debut album’s in-store release (Jan. 15), Life+Times asked the pretty flaco to decode the first song off of his album, “Long Live ASAP.” He details how the beat reminded him of the last decade’s New Orleans scene and he uses third-person in the track to emphasize that. “I’m putting myself in the existence of a 22-year-old New Orleans/Magnolia trapper.”

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Video: Where I’m From: Jay-Z Barclays Center Documentary

RESPECT. Staff — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:33:25 +0000

To celebrate Jay Z‘s 43rd birthday, Life+Times released a documentary highlighting the road to the opening of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The video follows Jay as he gets ready for his opening concert at the Barclays Center, and how everything in the stadium comes together. You really get a sense of humility and accomplishment from Jay that is really inspiring. See how everything came together below.

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