The Princess of Chicago is rising her way to the top. If you have not heard of this 22-year-old singer, songwriter and rapper – Dreezy, then you will surely be seeing and hearing a lot of her in the near future. Fresh off the release of her debut album No Hard Feelings, Dreezy has worked with many well known artists and producers such as Common, Gucci Mane, T-Pain, Jeremih, Metro Boomin, Wale, Southside and more.

I discovered Dreezy last year when her From Now On, EP came out in December. From then, I was sold. I instantly went to researching her and finding more music by her. Not only does this girl know how to sing and rap, but she is also an amazing songwriter. RESPECT. got to talk with Dreezy about her growing up on the south side of Chicago, her debut album No Hard Feelings, and much more! Check out the interview below:

RESPECT.: Hi Dreezy! Thank you for taking the time to do this interview for RESPECT Magazine and Congratulations on your album! I got it and I love it.
Dreezy: What’s up! Thank you.

RESPECT.: When did you first know that you wanted to become an artist?
I’ve been writing since I could remember. But I’ve been singing probably around 7. I started rapping when I was in my freshman year of high school and I really took it serious my junior year of high school. But I’ve kind of been doing music forever.

RESPECT.: There’s a lot of artists coming out of Chicago right now and for as long as I can remember. What’s it like to be raised on the south side of Chicago? Can you describe your childhood?
Yeah, it’s everything like what you think it is. You kind of got to grow up early. You get a sense of life at an early age. I just had to mature cause I’ve seen so much stuff going down like, my brother and just people getting locked up. My uncle getting locked up. People around me dying at a young age you know what I’m saying? You just get a real sense of life early. You gotta grow up quick and you learn how to survive on your own too. So I think that’s what kind of gave me such a strong mind set and tough skin.

RESPECT.: Who were some of your role models growing up?
Role Models growing up… I was a Michael Jackson fan, stuff like that. But when I started rapping and stuff, I was more like a Wayne head.

RESPECT.: Has song writing always come naturally for you?
Yeah, I’ve always wrote my own music. Cause when I was a kid I use to sing and I didn’t have nobody to write no music for me. I was just in my room playing around. Or I would go sing other peoples songs.

RESPECT.: How old were you when you started writing your own stuff?
Writing my own stuff, I probably was in 5th grade. I don’t know how old I was around that time, but yeah around 5th, 6th grade. That was when I was just singing. You know, writing little lyrics every now and then.

RESPECT.: I know when your version of Chi-raq came out, it became a huge buzz. Can you describe what it felt like when all that was happening at that time?
I was just real hype. That was some in the moment type stuff. Like, me and my best friend we was sitting next to each other and it was a surprise to the city cause everybody rocked with Lil Herb. You know, that’s bro. And just to see Nicki Minaj hop on his song and then she called it Chi-Raq it was just crazy for Chicago. You know that was a Chicago moment. I heard the beat and the tempo was hittin’ so hard, bars just started coming to my head. I’m like, ‘man, I gotta get in the studio tomorrow’ and that’s what I did. I wrote to that song right on the spot and I went to the studio that next morning and dropped my remix.

RESPECT.: When after that did you get a call from Interscope? Or how did that all come about?
After that, I got a tweet from Common. Yeah, Common the rapper from Chicago. He was just saying like ‘man I want you on the album.’ I flew to LA, I hopped on the album, and that’s when I met the guy who took me to Interscope. He was at Common’s session. He took me up to Interscope and let me meet his boss and everybody. I was just talking to him and he got to see me put my verse on Common’s album too. Which is actually one of my favorite verses.

RESPECT.: When your EP came out last December, Metro Boomin and Southside produced that project. How did that come about and what was it like working with them?
My A&R’s, they was cool with them on like some homie type stuff. Cause my A&R’s, I got some young A&R’s in my label. One of them from Chicago and one of them from L.A. so they kind of real rounded – they like around my age. So they cool with a lot of people out here. So they came to the studio, we met for the first time, we was just kickin’ it. You know, they turned on some beats, they made me just go in the booth and vibe right on the spot. You know, we just had fun like that. We just start laughing and joking. We exchanged numbers and then we was like man what about doing a mixtape? They was down for it. They flew to LA and we just knocked it out. I think it took like 2 weeks and did that project.

RESPECT.: I hear you live in LA now. It’s probably a huge change from Chicago huh? 
Yeah, it’s night and day. Cause, Chicago ain’t safe. You know what I’m saying? There’s a lot of good people in Chicago though. I met some of the realest people in Chicago, but I met some of the fakest people in Chicago too. But I know compared to LA, the weather is perfect, the clothes is nice, the people are super friendly, they like moving in with strangers. It’s definitely more friendly and open than Chicago. Chicago you gotta stay on your toes… you can’t really be talking to strangers like that. So it’s just a different vibe. You can kind of let your hair down in LA.

RESPECT.: For your debut album “No Hard Feelings,” how long did the process take from start to finish in making it?
I kind of been working on it since I got signed, I just didn’t know it. I was just making music since I got signed and then around this time we put “Body” out and “Body” got such a good review, it’s like man, let’s put out an album while we got everybody watching. Let’s just do it. It ain’t nothing to come back with another project, but we already been working this long, we got some nice records, people gotta hear it so we just put it out.

RESPECT.: Do you have a favorite track off of the album?
I think between “Wasted” and “Spazz,” those are my favorite records. That haven’t dropped yet. That don’t have like videos to it and the ones you gotta go to the album and listen to it.

RESPECT.: The songs that your wrote on the album, were they all based off of real-life events?
Yeah, mostly everything I do relates to me. And even if it don’t, I try to make it relate to me.

RESPECT.: I was listening through and even your skits like “Thats My Cousin” and “Jamal vs. Sean,” I was wondering if that was all based off of real events.
Definitely the situations from it were real but not the shooting part.

RESPECT.: You have a lot of artists featured on your album like T-Pain, Wale, Gucci Mane and Jeremih. Who are other artists you would love to work with in the future?
Definitely gotta get a song with Wayne. I’m here to stay you know what I’m saying? I plan on being in the industry for awhile so I wanna do a song with all the OG’s. Anybody that deserves recognition to be in this music – Jay-Z, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj – like I wanna do music with everybody… we got a long time.

RESPECT.: I saw on Instagram that you were with Gucci Mane in Atlanta. Were you filming for the “We Gon Ride” music video there? And what was it like to work with Gucci Mane now that he’s a free man?
Yeah, we’re shooting the video. It was fun working with him. He’s funny as hell and he just cool. He uses all big words. He be using big words to describe stuff. He a character, he’s funny. He’s just how he acts like in his videos on insta. He cool though, he in tune with the music – I can tell he still just hungry.

RESPECT.: I was at the HOT 97 Who’s Next Event recently and I saw you perform. You did a great job. You were the one that brought up the back-up dancers! How comfortable did you feel performing on stage and was it a new feeling?
I’m getting pretty comfortable with being on stage. It just depends on the prep I have before the stage, making sure I’m good and comfortable with the set up and stuff. I don’t have problems with it now. It’s good when people start knowing your music and knowing the words. It makes you want to go out there and just have fun, instead of the pressure of having such a perfect performance. I can just go out there and freestyle and have fun with my fans.

RESPECT.: Is dancing something you want to do more of when you perform? 
It’s hard. But you know, it’s definitely a lot more work. I like doing it but it is hard. Hopefully I could get good at it. I wanna get good at it enough to where I can just catch on and have it come easier to me. But I know practice makes perfect, I don’t expect to get out there like Beyonce. She put them hours in.

RESPECT.: Speaking of performing, will there be a tour coming soon?
We talking about a tour, it’s definitely in the works. So we expecting a tour soon, we gonna see who it’s with or if it’s solo or whatever, that’s just what we’re trying to figure out right now.

RESPECT.: As a rising artist, what are some advice you would give to other artists trying to make it in this industry?
Man, stay consistent, stay true to yourself you know what I’m saying. Eventually people are gon’ catch on and they gon’ see your work. Just have a passion for it. For whatever you do, whether you rap, dance, do art, anything, just have a passion for it and know what you want and go in and get what you want. That’s the mentality you gotta have. You can’t give up, you can’t listen to other people, you just gotta know it and you gotta feel it and do it.

RESPECT.: Are there any specific goals you’ve set for yourself now that you’ve released your debut album? Cause it’s kind of like an endless thing now right? There’s always the next project, the next thing.
Yeah, I was just telling my people like I feel like every time I set a new goal it’s almost as if it wasn’t my goal in the first place cause now I’m looking at the next thing. Cause I always wanted to have my first album out and now my first album out and now I want a Grammy. It’s like I’m never satisfied, but I think it’s just going to keep me going, keep me pushing, so I’m just ready for it.

RESPECT.: Is there anything you’d like to add to any of the listeners in the hip hop community?
Man, just get the album – ‘No Hard Feelings,’ iTunes, iTunes, iTunes! And follow me @DreezyDreezy, QueenDreezy on Snapchat. And just be on the look-out, we comin’ strong!

You can get Dreezy’s debut album No Hard Feelings on iTunes now. Make sure you pay attention to this rising star!

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The post RESPECT. Interview: Dreezy Talks Coming Up & New Album ‘No Hard Feelings’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

C Wells calls on Lil Herb to document the lengths they’ll go “For The Paper.” The MA rhymer continues to build his catalogue and with the John Rawlins Directed “For The Paper,” Wells’ campaign only grows stronger and that much more valid. The simplicity of the track’s content allows for a low-key, visual testimony of the never-ending paper chase, a good studio vibe, and the collaborative process alike. Herb’s gritty narrative blends perfectly with Wells’ crafty flow clocking “For The Paper” as a track and video worth taking notice of.

The post Premier: C Wells Feat. Lil Herb – “For The Paper” (Official Video) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The turn up is real in Lil Herb‘s video for “I’m Rollin.” The rapper rolls one and drinks in this new one. Catch it below.

The post Video: Lil Herb- “I’m Rollin” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Philadelphia artist, Lil Uzi Vert must be building ties with Chicago’s up-and-comers. His previous cut,”Pressure” was a tribute to Freddie Gray and featured Lil Durk.  The 20-year-old returns today with a another Chicago collaboration as he teams up with Lil Herb, for a new trap anthem titled, “On My Line.”  As the cover art suggests, this single is for the streets. With production from Atlanta’s own Bobby Kritical and DJ Plugg, we receive a blend of sounds as Lil Uzi Very croons, and provides another contagious chorus. Stream below!

The post New Music: Lil Uzi Vert Feat. Lil Herb – “On My Line” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Lil Herb is back with a new set of visuals for his track “Computers.” Adding Drill music to this already pounding production is a great mix & Lil Herb does it justice. Check out the ELEVATOR directed visuals for his take on Bobby Shmurda & Rowdy Rebel’s track.

The post Watch The Visual For Lil Herb’s “Computers” Freestyle appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Lil Herb and Earl Sweatshirt have released a new track for Red Bull’s Sound Select 20Before15 series titled “Knucklehead”. The two rappers flowed over Earl’s soulful production. The 20Before15 series delivers tracks by some of your favorite artists everyday until 2015. The track is available for downloading until it peaks at 1,000 downloads.

Sit back and listen to Lil Herb and Earl Sweatshirt spit bars as they reminisce on their younger days on “Knucklehead” below:

The post NEW MUSIC: “KNUCKLEHEAD” -LIL HERB FEATURING EARL SWEATSHIRT appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

As the folks at XXL prepare for the unveiling of their 2014 Freshman class with pitch videos from some of this year’s candidates, the anticipation builds, and fans begin to pull for their favorite artists to get the coveted spot. Here at RESPECT., we figured it was time to toss in our votes. Knowing that a spot on the Freshman cover is a nod reserved for artists with star power and promise of full, fruitful careers, we’ve selected ten stellar freshmen.

Chance The Rapper

Photo by Julia Schur

It’s best to start with the obvious. No “rookie” in the last year has made as distinct of a mark, as good of a project (#3 on or year-end list) or ascended as drastically as Chance. The Chicago representer (a theme here) has hip-hop heads, hipsters, and pop fans flocking to his brand of stylized, substantial sing-rap that stays both goofy and grounded. With a mind for the minimal and the maximal, it’s clear that Chance‘s and his polished, speed-ball execution have heaps of projects just waiting to recalibrate the hip-hop world.

Young Thug

Via Hiphop N More

Portland’s breakout star of the moment is the other most distinctive act on this list. Twisting auto-tune into a squeaking, mumble-prone balloon animal, Young Thug has made an undeniable imprint on hip-hop, musically and culturally. The unabashed weirdo looks to be an innovator in his craft as well, pushing the sad/drunk robot brand of R&B to abstract new heights. This man is a serious hit maker, and the second he gets a big collab under his belt (beyond Nicki‘s adoption of “Danny Glover”), he’s going to skyrocket.

Rich Homie Quan

Via MTV

He’s the man who’s out-Futuring Future. Quan‘s distinct, brash approach and crackling voice have him absolutely dominating the hook game. For 2013, Quan could have been radio rap’s MVP, let alone Rookie of the Year. “Type of Way” deserves every bit of its inescapable status–the Atlanta, Georgia native packed the song full of slick reasons to remember it. The chorus is bold and, of course, catchy, but it’s the bridge that deceptively grabs, if only for it being the best display of Quan‘s range on the track, as he starts choppy (“Sh!t,” anyone?) and finishes like velvet. Combine that with his show-stealing appearance on YG‘s “My Nigga” and you have a man who’s sliding off with the game. That’s a smooth operator.

Isaiah Rashad

Via Break On A Cloud

How could the latest kid that TDE put their chips on not be a star? It’s a serious testament to Isaiah Rashad‘s immense talent and heart that he seems to be exceeding expectations. Though Rashad hasn’t had his breakout hit yet,  the pre-Cilvia “Shot Me Down” coming closest, he has still proven himself as a formidable new voice. Rashad boasts dense though accessible songwriting, a cold flow from somewhere between Kendrick, Pac, and the South, an ear and voice for hooks, and refined taste for beats and aesthetic. He not only has a story worth telling, but he tells it with measured grace, letting his audience in with well-timed tugs at the curtain. Assuming he grows into the kind of performer that demands to be heard as much as his music deserves, Isaiah Rashad has a long career ahead of him.

Lil Herb

Via Complex

The most emotive of this year’s Drill scene crop, Lil Herb sounds frighteningly grown in addition to being just plain frightening. More lyrically dextrous than most of his adjacent peers, while still every bit as authentic and immediate, Lil Herb stands above the somewhat monotonous though entirely compelling scene from which he rises. Last month’s Welcome To Fazoland finds Lil Herb beating dramatic, monstrous beats over the head with a baseball bat, but also displays some of his thematic range, as he gets a bit more upbeat on “Fight Or Flight.” Elsewhere, his distinctive growl comes off as an invigorating battle cry, and if Lil Herb continues his trajectory, the squad behind him is only going to keep growing

Rapsody

Via Ambrosia For Heads

To get it out of the way: yes, Rapsody has transcended the categorization of being a mere “female MC,” both via her abilities and opting out of a sexual aesthetic. To be, perhaps, redundant: she transcends that transcendence. Rapsody put out one of the best tapes of the last year in She Got Game, a showcase for her profoundly satisfying tightrope walk between the sentimental and inspiring, the revivalist and the classicist, the head and the heart. Choosing foundation over flash, Rapsody‘s built a winning formula, now all she has to do is roar louder.

Vince Staples

Via The Upturn

Vince is a slow burner. He gained a lot of exposure in 2013 from show-stopping spots on Earl‘s Doris (most admit he won “Hive,” but for our money, “Centurion” was even better) and from linking with Mac Miller for the cold, harrowing Stolen Youth. Now, having established a base and presence, he’s poised to step it up to the next level. The Long Beach rapper’s stinging, drooly flow takes a few listens to get used to, but once you cross the threshold, Vince is one of the most promising, developed acts there is. Take the brilliant “Nate,”–his next tape’s first single–for example. “As a kid, all I wanted was to kill a man” is only the song’s first line, and from there, the statements only get more pained, brash, and, most of all, captivating.

Vic Mensa

Via Vibe

Even in Chance‘s considerable shadow, Vic creates a sunlight all his own. With a flow so bursting with ideas that he has to fly off of the margin to deliver them all, Vic has left his print on hip-hop’s current climate. A listen to “Time Is Money” will show that Vic is both a born entertainer–innovating his own sound so quickly that even his mouth can barely keep up–and a thinker, letting off stellar, heartfelt line after line in dedication to his shredded home city, Chicago. “It’s like a solar eclipse in my city in the middle of a gunfight / Stray shots hit kids in the dark / That’s the way it is like Walter Cronkite,” he raps, his life seemingly depending on it. Vic has all the tools to be a force in our culture.

Troy Ave

Via The Home of Hip Hop

Sporting a slick flow and quintessential NY bravado, Troy Ave has made it his personal mission to put his aesthetic on the map. Troy is a purist to the bone–the kind of guy who calls Kendrick and Kanye weirdos and puts Raekwon and N.O.R.E. on a track called “New York City,” because that’s just how gritty he wants hip-hop to be. As Troy‘s hero B.I.G. once said, “We can’t change the world unless we change ourselves.” Troy certainly practices what he preaches: his latest LP, New York City is tough as hell and demands that the competition live up to its standard. Troy Ave is going to be a mainstay for the ’90s heads for a while.

A$AP Ferg

Via Sneakermob

The A$AP goofball/bridge troll surprised all (well, most) with the solid Trap Lord. Ferg has a knack for comedy and sticky hooks, and he fits snugly into the second-in-command role for the A$AP crew. With such a solid reputation building for hilarious hit-making, Ferg‘s paws are prime to hold the 2Chainz torch once Tity Boi hangs it up.

Close Calls:

Migos

Mr. mFn eXquire

Ty Dolla $ign

Lil Durk

Lil Bibby

YC The Cynic

Alex Wiley

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