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.

By: Yonas

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The video is just as confusing as the title (it’s, well…not a literal lesson in woodwind instrumentation), which sees Macklemore and collaborator jumping through random scenarios — from being a Greek god to participating in a prom from the 70’s, the Seattle emcee can do it all.

Check out the fun, Jake Magraw-directed clip below.

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Rapsody – Laila’s Wisdom

Image credit: JAMLA/Roc Nation

North Carolinian lyricist Rapsody is blessing the world with her new album Laila’s Wisdom, her first as a Roc Nation artist. The 14-track release — which is dedicated to her grandmother — sees her keeping things JAMLA on the production end (9th Wonder, Khrysis, etc.) while connecting with some serious heavyweights for additional assistance — Kendrick Lamar, Busta Rhymes, Black Thought, Terrace Martin, Musiq Soulchild, Anderson .Paak, BJ The Chicago Kid and more make appearances on the project.

Macklemore – Gemini

Image credit: Bendo LLC

Seattle emcee Macklemore delivers Gemini, his first sans-Ryan Lewis album since 2005’s The Language Of My World. While Lewis isn’t present, many of Macklemore’s peers are: Skylar Grey, Kesha, Offset and Lil Yachty contribute — there’s a lot of lesser known (to us) features as well. Adding to the 16-track release is a new visual for the Kesha-assisted “Good Old Days” (included).

Lecrae – All Things Work Together

Image credit: Reach/Columbia

Lecrae‘s eighth studio album — titled All Things Work Together — sees the Houston emcee’s continued ascent into the mainstream as an artist who’s unashamed about his Christian message. This hasn’t limited him in regards to his collaborations, either: Ty Dolla $ign, Tori Kelly and Verse Simmonds provide assistance alongside the likes of 1K Phew and Kierra Sheard. Very inspirational.

Jhené Aiko – Trip

Image credit: Def Jam

Following a few loose singles and an incredible short film, Jhené Aiko delivers her second official LP Trip (originally thought to be titled TRIP 17). The project comes with 22 (!) tracks with appearances from Brandy, Dr. Chill, Swae Lee, Kurupt and more…of course, Namiko Love (her daughter) and beau/the other half of TWENTY88 Big Sean show up as well.

https://soundcloud.com/jhene-aiko-1/sets/trip-125

Kevin Gates – By Any Means 2

Image credit: BWA

Despite his current incarceration, Kevin Gates‘ movement continues. Curated by wife Dreka Gates and Bread Winners’ Association comes By Any Means 2, the sequel to his 2014 mixtape. Unlike the first installment, this one steers clear of heavy features — only PnB Rock makes an appearance this go ’round. Fans should definitely be happy with this one as far as a hold over until Gates is back on the streets.

ALSO CHECK OUT: G Herbo – Humble Beast

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The post New Album Friday: Lecrae, Rapsody, Macklemore & More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Speaking with Rolling Stone, Macklemore spoke on the collaboration:

She is someone that I walked into the room and I immediately just caught a vibe with and became friends with pretty instantaneously. … She’s a musician, she’s a writer, she’s someone that is not afraid to try ideas in the studio, not afraid to get vulnerable in front of people, not scared to go for the high note when she doesn’t know if she can hit it or not. She is a musician in every sense of the word, and she’s hilarious.

Enjoy “Good Old Days” above, which follows “Glorious” and the Lil Yachty-assisted “Marmalade.” Pre-order Gemini via iTunes.

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Following some recent singles, Seattle emcee Macklemore has announced that he’s been hitting the road this Fall. Dubbed the ‘Gemini’ tour, the former XXL Freshman (and compadre to Ryan Lewis) will be kicking things off in Portland this October, before winding down in Boston the following month. Tickets are available here…currently, he’s getting ready to bring the house down in Budapest as one of the acts during this year’s Sziget Festival.

Check out the schedule below. If you missed them, make sure to also check out Macklmore’s new visuals for “Glorious” and “Marmalade,” the latter of which features Atlanta star Lil Yachty.

MACKLEMORE – GEMINI TOUR DATES:
10/6 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
10/8 – Eugene, OR – McDonald Theatre
10/11 – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield
10/12 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
10/14 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
10/15 – Albuquerque, NM – El Rey Theatre
10/17 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues Dallas
10/18 – Houston, TX – House of Blues Houston
10/19 – Austin, TX – Emo’s Austin
10/29 – Nashville, TN – War Memorial Auditorium
11/2 – St. Paul, MN – Palace Theatre
11/3 – Milwaukee, WI – The Eagles Ballroom
11/5 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit
11/7 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
11/8 – Toronto, ON – Rebel
11/10 – New York, NY – Terminal 5
11/11 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring
11/13 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia
11/14 – Boston, MA – House of Blues Boston

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Image credit: Bendo LLC

UPDATE: Macklemore has liberated his new visual for “Marmalade,” which sees the two collaborators as children (think B.I.G.’s “Sky’s The Limit”) and also features a cameo from Marshawn Lynch. Added below.

A currently-solo Macklemore continues to build momentum toward his forthcoming album. After the very-dope “Glorious” (and an introduction to his centenarian grandmother on her birthday), we now get to check out the new single “Marmalade,” which features Atlanta artist Lil Yachty. The track was premiered during a brief interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music’s Beats 1, where he also reiterated his good-great relationship with producer Ryan Lewis:

[Our separating musically] was a mutual decision back about a year ago… Ryan is doing some amazing things. He just put out ‘Praying’ with Ke$ha and I got the new album coming out. Ryan and I have always collaborated with people, too. So nothing on that front is different.

Enjoy both the new single — out now via iTunes — and interview below. The new album is on the way.

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