The same crowd of people who religiously chant that R&B is dead most often times isn’t searching hard enough to find new quality artists that can fill the void they’ve been searching for. If it isn’t on the radio or a part of your favorite music platform algorithm (which is an entire discussion), then it’s as good as a tree falling in the woods, nobody heard it. Yet, people are missing out on their new favorites developing right before their eyes as a new wave of Hip-Hop, R&B, and Neo-Soul is mixing and mastering their skills before the bandwagons begin piling up.

That’s what led me to Blakk Soul‘s debut album, ‘Take Your Time’. Blakk Soul is managed by Rapper Big Pooh of Little Brother, and he’s been credited for his songwriting, background vocals, and co-production on work by industry heavyweights like Playboi Carti, Dr. Dre, Anderson .Paak, and Macklemore, Little Brother, and more. For this album, he was able to recruit features from Joell Ortiz of Slaughterhouse, Amaal, Cocoa Sarai, and Nana. Behind the boards he was able to bring on  Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum producers such as Wyldfyer, J. LBS, DrewsThatDude, and Symbolyc One.

In an exclusive interview for “The Alternative Road Podcast” Blakk Soul and I discussed the time that went into creating his album, how his Mom was a big influence on him singing in the church, and what it was like being in Dr. Dre’s Hot Seat:

This interview has been edited and condensed. You can listen, in totality, via the podcast link below.

Blakk Soul’s ‘Take Your Time’ album

What led you to name the album ‘Take Your Time’?

Blakk Soul: “Take Your Time, it just made the most sense. I actually didn’t name it until the very end, very end. Throughout the process, I was trying to think of a cool name for all the records and I just couldn’t think of one that I liked or that stuck with me. Right at the end, I was having a conversation with a homegirl of mine and she said this is the type of music for people that like to take their time. And I was like aha! It was like that epiphany moment I had, then I thought that’s perfect. It took me about a year to get everything done. You know, living with records for a little bit, getting rid of records, playing with the sequencing of it all, I was very hands-on with the project.”

Tacoma, Washington’s Blakk Soul

How was it for you growing up and singing in the church?

“To be honest, my first time singing in the church was a horrific experience…so my mom man, my mom is one of the most God-fearing women I know. She just loves anything that involves praising the Lord. So we had just moved into a new town and started attending a new church. And obviously the kids up there have rehearsed and know these songs, all she saw was kids singing and said yeah yeah, gone head up there with the kids.

She set you up bro!

Blakk Soul: Right! I said I don’t think this is how this works…mind you, my mom is from Ghana as well, she’s like yeah gone head up there with the kids. I’m like I don’t think this is how this works. So I’m up there kind of looking around confused, and people are looking at me confused, and then you know as a child, I just started to get quiet. I don’t start to say anything, I’m just looking around like why am I here? You know, that was my first introduction to having to get up there. Then eventually, she did the due process thing and they let me into the children’s choir and I learned a few of their songs.

https://tidal.com/browse/album/132707697

Can you talk to the people about what it was like working with Dr. Dre?

Blakk Soul: “…They introduced me as a writer to him and he was like, oh you write? I’m like yeah yeah I do a little writing, he was like cool we’ll see tonight and he just walks off…I had heard of the infamous hot seat from Kendrick interviews and 50 cent interviews and Bilal and what not and they all talk about being thrown into the seat and create something impromptu. Who would’ve thought that would’ve been my same experience that night.”

I’m sure there are some people that don’t understand what you mean, we need to know this story. Let the people know what happened that night!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ocscS0S2bScPibf2dmpHH

For more Blakk Soul & #TheAltWithMel news make sure to check RESPECT Magazine!

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The post Alternative Road Podcast: Blakk Soul Talks ‘Take Your Time’ Album, Working with Dr. Dre & more! appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

With parts of the world still settled into their quarantine and many having the urge to rush back into some sense of normal, Blakk Soul is encouraging everyone to ‘Take Your Time’ with the release of his debut album.

Blakk Soul’s ‘Take Your Time’ album

Led by the two singles “Help” and “Smoke N Chill”, the 12-song album features guests such as Joell Ortiz of Slaughterhouse, Amaal, Cocoa Sarai, and Nana. Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum producers such as Wyldfyer, J. LBS, DrewsThatDude, and Symbolyc One contribute to the colorful backdrop that combines R&B, Neo-Soul, and Hip-Hop to perfection on the album’s first half; while much of the project’s second half slows things down for the bedroom with a sultry fusion of ’90s R&B and Trap/Soul.

‘Take Your Time’ debuts shortly after Blakk Soul was awarded his first platinum plaque for his contribution to Playboi Carti‘s “Kelly K“.

https://tidal.com/browse/album/132707697

For context, Blakk Soul is managed by Rapper Big Pooh of Little Brother,  and he’s been credited for his songwriting, background vocals, and co-production on work by industry heavyweights like Playboi Carti, Dr. Dre, Anderson .Paak, and Macklemore, Little Brother, and more.

For more Blakk Soul & #TheAltWithMel news make sure to check RESPECT Magazine!

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The post Blakk Soul Says ‘Take Your Time’ With Debut Album Release | #TheAltWithMel appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“STOP” is the first deep cut from the forthcoming Words Paint Pictures album from Rapper Big Pooh of the mighty Little Brother crew out of North Carolina. I don’t care if they haven’t made music as a collective in a while, they are still LB to me. So while they figure out their music group future, all three members are on the pursuit to make the best tunes to enlighten and engage your mind. Up first for 2015 is Rapper Big Pooh who has announced his signing to the most slept on, quality producing hip-hop label out, Mellow Music Group. Connecting with Detroit beat master, Apollo Brown for the 9 song project, Pooh floats on AB’s tracks, which set the sonic stage for Pooh’s theme of politically and socially conscience lyrics on the plight of the young black male. “STOP” in particular addresses the climate that Trayvon Martin and Mike Brown had to endure in their lives and through their passing. Powerful work. Take a listen and go to iTunes to preorder the album dropping on March 24th.

The post New Music: Rapper Big Pooh ft. Steve Roxx “STOP” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Thirty Eightis consistently dope in its use of soul samples and skillfully mastered percussion. It’s a definite winner for Apollo’s discography. The album’s 22 tracks transition seamlessly back and forth between the passion and grime unique to Detroit’s music scene. Apollo’s heavy use of sampling only add to the project’s sense of drama, while the constant minor keys give an air of melancholy and nostalgia. The samples on the album are the only source of vocals as they resurrect the sounds of Motown-esque recording artists and classic Hip Hop lyricists like Nas. For example, tracks such as “Learn the Meaning”  and “Shotguns in Hell“help showcase just how versatile Apollo can be while choosing music to sample.

Other stand out tracks on the album include joints like “Never Disappear,” which features an Aretha Franklin sample from the song “Long and Winding Road”. Sweet Revival, which has a dark and eerie, Wu-Tang feel to it, and “The Warning,” which relies on a impressive set of trumpets to carry its boom-baps, also serve as fan favorites.

The album’s specific aesthetic is manifested not only in its sound, but also through its visuals. The unique film poster that serves as the album’s cover art sets the tone for a gangster movie soundtrack and the sound score follows this style exactly. The pile of sepia-toned 38 millimeters and grey scale back ground on the front cover compliment the “accidental” crackles and cigarette marks that litter the compilation. The only think missing is a black and white photo of Denzel Washington, circa American Gangster.

In its simplest form, Apollo’s Thirty Eight perfectly captures the essence of hip-hop sampling. Despite the album’s intentionally gritty sound, it is clear through the project that Apollo’s attention to detail in his samples and rhythms make are nothing below perfectionist level. In fact, Apollo has said himself, “Everything I make, I try to make it my favorite album of all time.” If you want to hear Thirty Eight live, be sure to catch Apollo Brown on the official Thirty Eight Tour. 

The post Album Review: Apollo Brown “Thirty Eight” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

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Yesterday Phonte put out the visuals to his track, “The Good Fight,”off his debut solo album Charity Starts At Home. If you haven’t had a chance to check out this album, you’re slacking. Nevertheless, Phonte’s flow is front and center on this joint. I can’t say enough about the list of producers on this album, not the least of which includes former fellow Little Brother member 9th Wonder. That was a shameless plug for 9thmatic, but I had to squeeze it in. One thing is for sure though, this track bangs. Be sure to check out the video below. Directed by Kenneth Price.

The post New Video: Phonte – The Good Fight (Prod. By 9th Wonder) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

9th Wonder releases the first single, “Band Practice Pt. 2“, off his upcoming album The Wonder Years, which is due out Sept 27th.  Two-thirds of the Little Brother trio get together with fellow emcee Median to bring us this record, which is hopefully a sign of things to come.  9th Wonder’s track record precedes him, but rest assured the North Carolina-bred producer doesn’t do B-list work.  This track pits Phonte and Median’s quick-witted spitting over a head banging beat that is sure to have you feeling this joint.  Check it out for yourself below.

The post New Music: 9th Wonder ft. Phonte & Median – Band Practice Pt. 2 appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.