Photo by Sherry Francis

As one of Hip-Hop’s most promising acts, Lightshow is poised to take over the game with Sleep When I Die. The D.C. native brings a passionate, raw, and real perspective on his latest release, which boasts eight tracks showcasing his breadth of talent.

From wall-shaking bangers (“Do a Dance”) to introspective burners (“Keep it Tucked”), the EP packs this burgeoning artist’s gifts into a quick-hitting listen bursting with replay value. And a big reason for that is Lightshow’s positive outlook on life despite the bullsh*t and pain he’s dealt with during his time on Earth. It’s at the center of two standouts, “Hunnits” and “Keep it Tucked,” which couldn’t be more different stylistically, yet maintain the same message: do you and be proud of it.

Lightshow actually drives those words home on the fantastic closing track, “In Real Life,” when he raps: “I tell myself keep doin’ you and it’s gon’ come your way/ And don’t trip up on none of that pressure that’s gon’ come your way.” It’s that same idea that shaped the EP’s title, Sleep When I Die.

“I thought about how long the earth has been here and how short life is, and I just wanted to do something that could take my quality of life to another level,” Lightshow says of the title. “I want to be an example of what life can be like if you don’t settle,” he adds.

He is leading by example through doing much more than just releasing consistently dope music, too, as he is actually the CEO of his own label, 86 America Music. It’s an exciting time not just for Lightshow but fans of his as well, because the sky is truly the limit for someone this talented, wise, and motivated.

Sleep When I Die EP is available now through all major digital retailers and streaming platforms, via 86 America Music, and can be streamed right in its entirety courtesy of RESPECT.

Stream/Download: http://smarturl.it/Lightshow_SWID

Lightshow Online:
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lightshow10thPL
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lightshow10thPL
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/86america

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The post DMV’s Lightshow Delivers New EP – ‘Sleep When I Die’ (Stream) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

With his much anticipated Sleep When I Die EP dropping at the end of the month, rising D.C. rapper Lightshow shares the super-hype new video for the project’s lead single, “Park at 14th.”

The booming Topper Atwood-produced track is actually named for one of the livest nightclubs in the DMV area, so it’s only fitting that the emcee would take us there in his latest visuals, directed by Valley Visions. Surrounded by beautiful women and bottles upon bottles, Lightshow fully embraces the lines he spits throughout the hook like “Know how I’m livin’, pull up where it’s litty.” 

The rapper’s more hedonistic moments remain grounded by a more lived-in reality, though, which he drives home on the track’s verses. Lightshow blends his braggadocio with thoughtful moments of clarity, like when he paints a clear picture of where he’s been and where’s he thanks to be at now: “It was f*cked up, it’s lit now.” And it’s really all in the way he says it, because you can hear the pain of his past seeping through, even when he’s clearly due for a celebration.

Check out the visuals right here courtesy of RESPECT. and head on over to the digital outlet of your choice to support! Mark your calendars for the Aug 31 release date of Sleep When I Die, which will be available through all major digital retailers and streaming platforms, via 86 America Music.

Stream/Download: http://smarturl.it/Lightshow14

Twitter: 
• Lightshow: https://twitter.com/Lightshow10thPL
• Topper Atwood (Producer): https://twitter.com/topperatwood

Lightshow Online:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lightshow10thPL
• Spotify: http://bit.ly/SpotifyLightshow
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/86america

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The post #PeepTheVisual: Lightshow – “Park at 14th” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Lightshow and YFN Lucci Live it Up in New Video, “No Info.” Photo Credit: Twitter

The post Scoop B Selects: Lightshow and YFN Lucci Drop “No Info” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: 86 America

Today sees a new album from D.C.’s own Lightshow titled Kalorama Heights, his official follow-up to last year’s Life Sentence 3. The 14-track offering features previously-released singles “Burberry Umbrellas” (an album standout), “Shoot For The Stars” and the YFN Lucci-assisted “No Info.” Fellow 86 America labelmate Big Shaad also makes an appearance on an album that sees Lightshow spitting the subject matter he’s become popular for — real life growing up in the city. Overall, it’s a perfect mix of concrete bars and Auto-Tuned melodies that will appeal to both the District emcee’s core fanbase and lovers of non-fiction Hip-Hop in general.

Enjoy Kalorama Heights below, available via all streaming platforms.

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The post Stream Lightshow’s New Album, ‘Kalorama Heights’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: 86 America

When it comes to D.C.’s Hip-Hop scene (or music scene, period), few are as consistent as Southeast-hailing emcee Lightshow, who’s been delivering hard-hitting, multi-layered rhymes about real life issues since 2011’s Everything Real Live (not to mention, his highly-coveted Yellow Tape & White Chalk series are an absolute must-listen).

Currently, Lightshow is gearing up for the release of his latest project Kalorama Heights; first, he blesses the masses with the project’s third single “No Info,” which features assistance from Atlanta’s own YFN Lucci and sees production from Rozart. The chorus makes the title’s meaning clear (“f*** your badge, I ain’t got no info”) while the two collaborators deliver Auto-Tuned, non-fiction bars about what they’ve been through in their respective hometowns (and what they will do in the event of a threat).

Check out “No Info” below and pre-order Lightshow’s Kalorama Heights before it drops this Friday (November 3rd). If you missed them, you can also check out the equally-dope “Burberry Umbrellas” and “Shoot For The Stars.”

https://soundcloud.com/86america/no-info

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The post D.C.’s Lightshow Joins Forces with Atlanta’s YFN Lucci on “No Info” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Papers. Culture. Music. Philanthropy. Is there anything RAW Rolling Papers can’t do? Close your eyes. Imagine a brand whose existence lives somewhere between mainstream acceptance and slightly taboo fringe. Now, picture that same brand whose innovative papers and lifestyle products lend way to incredibly charitable donations and life altering philanthropy work. Still Taboo? Sure, RAW’s ingenuity has lead to the creation of brilliant products like organic cones, glass rolling trays, loaders, a new line of RAW Black which are about 25% thinner than the original papers, and an organic hemp wick that uses the most sustainable source of beeswax preserving the insect’s endangerment. RAW has done major collabs with Wiz Khalifa, Berner, and Odd Sox to name a few and possess one of the more recognizable brand names among smokers and non-smokers alike. With all of that in focus, the actual triumph lies within Josh Kesselman’s (RAW’s founder) RAW Foundation and his vision for a charitable reciprocity that allows the consumer to feel a sense of community, while enjoying themselves and simultaneously giving back. RAW is lifestyle. RAW is culture. It’s those very ideals that allow for what transformed a rolling paper company into a brand which not only pushes the bounds of innovation, but effectively bridges the gap between smoking and pop culture in the most natural way possible. We had the chance to catch up with Eli Kamerow, the RAW rep for the D.C. area. Eli’s wealth of knowledge and coalition skills are systematically hipping people to the ins and outs of the brand, therefore continuously connecting and educating about products, events, charity, and so on. Since the commonality between RAW and Hip-Hop is so vast, Eli’s newest effort, “RAWlife Presents: Up Next D.C.” is a cypher-like collection of some of D.C’s talented and burgeoning artists which he hopes to replicate across other major cities. Regardless of age, demographic, ethnicity, or smoking preference, RAW’s mission and destiny thrives in it’s effort to further culture, tear down stigma, and give back in major ways. RESPECT. talked with Eli and RAW about products, music, The RAW Foundation, and the company’s exciting future. Come to find out, they’ve really been on a roll.

RESPECT.: Let’s start by discussing RAW’s origin and the brand as a whole.

Eli (RAW): “So RAW Rolling Papers is 12 years old now. Our founder Josh (Kesselman) invented the paper after creating other rolling paper brands Elements, Zen, and Juicy Jay’s. Having already been a successful entrepreneur in the rolling paper industry, he was really on a quest to make the best rolling papers. Over the process of some years, Josh’s quest for ingenuity is what lead to the development of RAW and making organic hemp papers that are unrefined and in most people’s estimation, the best rolling papers in the world. What makes RAW so unique is that it’s so much more than just rolling papers, it’s a full lifestyle brand. That’s why you see people in our shirts and hats, and also why you see people with a RAW tattoo. It really is about living an unrefined lifestyle in the sense of being natural, honest, true to yourself, the world, and just generally attempting to do good.”

RESPECT.: What are some of the more popular RAW products?

Eli (RAW): “We’re so fortunate in the fact that we not only have a lot of products, but a lot of POPULAR products. (Laughs) We always keep innovating and coming out with new things. Right now we’re really leaving the way as far as cones. We invented the natural cone and although others have lamely tried to copy, they aren’t even close. We have about 20-25 different varieties based on size, classic vs. organic, etc. They’re constantly fly off the shelves. We just came out with a new pack of organic Artesano papers. The Artesano pack comes with the papers, tips, and foldable rolling tray all build into one. We actually have this all new line of paper called RAW Black, we haven’t talked about it too much, but basically they’re about 25% thinner than RAW Classic it’s some expert leveling rolling! (Laughs) Just released a new magnetic rolling tray with attachable beanbag that contours perfectly to your legs. Just partnered with a new hemp wick supplier, not only to make sure we pay a fair wage to the people who are making the products, but also to make sure we are using a sustainable source of the beeswax since bees were just put in the endangered species list. There’s so much other stuff in the pipeline that I’m not at liberty to discuss yet. The reason the brand stays innovative is because Josh (the founder of the company for anyone late to the read) continues to search for better and more efficient ways to do things. We’re in the trenches, RAW isn’t some group of people sitting in their ivory tower looking for ways to monetize from a popular trend, we’re always in the trenches.”

RESPECT.: What elements separate RAW from other lifestyle brands?

Eli (RAW): “Innovation, ingenuity, and philanthropy. We’re always striving to create new and intriguing products and those products allow us to give back in a major way.”

RESPECT.: You mentioned philanthropy, which is a staple of importance to the brand and you personally. Tell me about the RAW Foundation.
 
ELI (RAW): “Our founder Josh who I previously mentioned also started the RAW Foundation which is the name of the philanthropic arm of RAW. We’re so grateful for our customers because they allow us to do a lot of philanthropic work. We have saved over 100,000 lives and single handedly funded large water projects for both of Mother Theresa’s hospitals in Ethiopia. There’s often times a stigma around smoking whether it be tobacco or otherwise, but as a direct result as their activity, there are people that are benefitting and really being helped all around the world. We have even created special products where 100% of the profits go directly to charity. There were the WAR papers, (War On Hate) the RAW Dog Chew Toy, (raised money for animal welfare) RAW supernatural deodorant, (raising money for cancer and climate alike) and much more. At Cannabis Cups we donate ALL of our time, money, product, and all costs; so that 100% of what is sold goes directly to Wine To Water. We don’t even cover our product costs, literally, every penny people spend at our booths goes directly to Wine To Water. It’s incredible!”

RESPECT.: When did you become involved with the brand and as an ambassador, how do you continuously advocate for the brands growth?

Eli (RAW): “Yeah so I got involved with the brand right around the time D.C. legalized marijuana, so like November-December time frame of 2014. At the time I was doing a lot of freelance marketing stuff and I had a bunch of smaller local clients and heard that RAW was looking for some marketing help in the D.C. area. So we got in touch and since then my role has really evolved allowing me to do so much cool stuff. As of right now I’d say I work with them in a marketing/consulting capacity, which has allowed me to grow in incredible ways. Truly honored to be a part of such a movement.”

RESPECT.: Let me interject because that’s a perfect transition to my next question which is what’s Hip-Hop’s and music’s overall involvement and impact on the brand and vice versa?

Eli (RAW): “So here’s one of the things that’s really interesting to think about when you look at RAW’s involvement already in the music world. If you look at the companies that are leading the way in the cross-marketing space you see companies like Red Bull, Scion, Mountain Dew, Adidas, I think PUMA is also doing music stuff as well. So really, these are billion dollar companies that are making these plays. Yeah we’re a growing company and definitely the largest rolling paper company, but we’re nowhere near the size of those companies. The reason I bring up the comparison to those brands is it’s amazing to see the progress that we’ve made in the midst of such other giant names with enormous budgets. Recently for example we’ve been working on this really cool new video series called ‘RAWLife Up Next D.C.” We’ve got some of the best up and coming artists in the city (Lightshow, Beau Young Prince, Innanet James, etc.) together, put them in the studio, and made a dope track and video. We’re going to replicate that in other cities as well. The Venn diagram of smokers and people who make music has a pretty heavy overlap! (Laughs) We’ve done a full rolling paper line with Wiz Khalifa. We’ve done collabs with Curren$y, Berner, Kottonmouth Kingz, B-Real from Cypress Hill, etc. Josh (again, the founder) loves Hip-Hop so it’s organic to the culture. There’s always been a close correlation between musicians and smoking from Bob Dylan and The Beatles to even before that. It naturally makes sense that musicians want to be a part of it. Music is in the brands DNA.”

RESPECT.: RAW seems to eliminate any residual sense of Taboo rendering it as close to mainstream culture as possible. How was the brand able to do that?

Eli (RAW): “I’m rally glad you made that point and wanted to expand on it earlier. It’s still on bit on the fringe and a small amount of stigma attached to it, but if you’re a person who can truly identify yourself to the culture of the brand and have done the research, you’ll see the philanthropy side of things. You’ll see the natural ways in production, the impact we have on our customers, etc. It forms a positive sense of community and people want to be a part of that.”

RESPECT.: Describe your future plans for RAW and where you ultimately see the brand.

Eli (RAW): “As far as the future we have so many interesting products and projects coming out this year. Like I mentioned earlier we did the “RAWlife presents: Up Next D.C.” Hoping to continue with that project pretty quickly and replicate it in other cities so we can continue to build culture between music and branding. We’re just going to continue to do what we do and take everything to the next level. New products, new and exciting partnerships, and just continue to be the market innovator when it comes to rolling papers and this great and free culture we’re a part of.”

The post RAWSPECT: The Story Of Raw Rolling Papers appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

To celebrate the forthcoming release of his newly announced mixtape “If These Walls Could Talk,” DC’s most promising rap authority, Lightshow unloads the Alex Acosta-directed visual for “You Too?” The project is set to release at the end of August, with Atlanta’s own DJ Dynamite.

Throughout the video you will spot the DC-based MC rapping in the studio and driving around the city with his love interest, enjoying life.

Check out the latest small screen adaptation from the 86 America-recording artists featuring model Nae Santana, below.

The post New Video: Lightshow – “You Too?” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.