Now officially eight years in, Jay-Z‘s Made In America Festival reveals this year’s line-up, which sees Travis Scott and Cardi B handling headlining duties. The festival will also see performances from Anderson .Paak (who is a must-see on stage, to be fair), KAYTRANADA, Philly’s own Tierra Whack, Megan Thee Stallion, Kodak Black, Juice WRLD, James Blake, Jorja Smith, Blueface and more.

Check out more information over at Made In America’s official website. Naturally, you can also head over to TIDAL (or American Express) for pre-sales.

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The post Travis Scott & Cardi B to Headline this Year’s Made In America Festival appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Meek Mill on the Rocky Stage at Made In America Music Festival. All photos taken by Miguel Crespo for RESPECT.

The smell of cheese-steaks in the air… The same 72 stone steps Rocky ran up… The reigning Super Bowl championship Eagles… Last but not least, Made In America Music Festival. This is Philadelphia.

Made In America has returned for its 7th annual celebration in 2018. After many uncertainties for 2019 and beyond, the Jay-Z birthed festival will remain on Benjamin Franklin Parkway for years to come. This news brings great joy as fans from all over the nation gather to see their favorite artists on an epic Labor Day weekend. Previous lineups of the festival included greats such as Chance The Rapper, Travis Scott, The Weeknd, Rihanna, Beyoncé and Jay-Z. This year we were blessed with performances by Post Malone, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj and an extensive bill of rising stars.

Shoreline Mafia

Overcast skies and the fear of lightning started the weekend as Made In America kicked off. As the gates opened, a sea of fans flooded the Parkway. There were so many new installations and activities that it was hard to choose what to do first. Giant-sized games like Connect 4 and Billiards were some fun ways to pass the time while you waited for your favorite artist to play. Like always, the Ferris Wheel was also available in the middle of the festival grounds.

This year Made In America said goodbye to long time sponsor, Budweiser and hello to McDonalds. “The McDonald’s Deck,” located in the backstage Artist Village, played host to a variety of celebrities including Nick Cannon, Terrence J, and Jasmine Sanders. Festival insiders enjoyed an exclusive preview of the new Sweet N’ Spicy Honey BBQ Glazed Tenders as well as free burgers and fries. Other sponsors included Ciroc, Dusse, Puma, Tidal, Citi, American Airlines and more. 

Amara La Negra

Lenny S

Different stages were located across the festival grounds. The Tidal stage held performances by up and coming artists who have already delivered hit singles. Some performers included Saweetie, Juice WRLD, Sheck Wes, Lil B and Jay Rock. The Tidal Lounge, located directly across from the Tidal stage, held a relaxation spot and meet & greets with artists who performed on the stage. A nice touch for fans with a Tidal subscription.

Sheck Wes

Saweetie

The Liberty stage held superstars who are definitely worthy of playing on the main stage. Janelle Monáe, Gunna, Lil Skies, Ty Dolla $ign, Miguel and more gave fans unforgettable memories as they played incredible sets displaying their greatest hits. Diplo would close out Day 2 and although fans were wildly energetic during his set, fans grew impatient.

Janelle Monae

Lil Skies

6lack

The Rocky stage.. The pinnacle of each year’s Made In America lineup. This is where the year’s biggest artists join the festival’s headliners. The Rocky stage obviously got its name from being placed a few feet away from the famous landmark. Some artists to take the stage this year include Belly, Pusha T, Rich The Kid, Alessia Cara and Tekashi 6ix9ine. We can’t forget hometown hero, Meek Mill, who played his first Philly performance since his release from prison. “House Party” was more like a welcome back party and Philly couldn’t have been happier.

Tekashi 6ix9ine

Rich The Kid

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar was a late, but great addition to the bill. He mimicked the stage presentation of his 2017 DAMN. Tour and did not disappoint. As always, he performed with dignity, vigor, intensity and gentle nobility in a supremely tight 58-minute set that spanned multiple eras of his career, ranging from “DNA” and the set-closer “Humble” to “Alright” and early hits like “M.A.A.D. City” and “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe.” One of hip-hop’s all-time greats, the Pulitzer Prize winner made it all look and sound easy.

Nicki Minaj

To end the night and close out the weekend Nicki Minaj put on one of her most important performances of her career. The pressure was on after announcing her joint tour with Future and soon after, postponing it. The Young Money rapper has made a lot of commotion these past weeks with her album releasing and taking the number 2 spot behind Travis Scott’s, AstroWorld.

Has the highest selling female rapper finally lost it? Not quite. The “Queen” put on a stunning, dance-heavy performance including hits old and new. Songs like “Hard White,” “Good Form” and “Barbie Dreams” were high points. As promised on social media, she had special guests. Last-minute appearances by A$AP Ferg for the “Plain Jane Remix,” Tekashi 6ix9ine on “Fefe” and Philly rapper Lil Uzi Vert for “The Way Life Goes Remix.” All surprises well worth admission.

The 2018 installment of Made In America is just another addition to the books. Easily one of the best festivals we attended this this year. So much to do, so much to see and new additions every year have us ready for what 2019 holds.

Tekashi 6ix9ine

Pusha T

Belly

Sheck Wes

Lil Skies

Saweetie

Janelle Monae

Juice WRLD

Sabrina Caudio

Rich The Kid

Alessia Cara

Nicki Minaj Brings Out A$AP Ferg

Nicki Minaj Brings Out Lil Uzi Vert

Nicki Minaj

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The post RECAP: Made In America Music Festival 2018 appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Belly. All photos taken by Miguel Crespo for RESPECT.

At Made In America 2018, rapper and songwriter, Belly, made a huge announcement. During his set on the main stage, the XO/Rocnation artist mentioned his new album, Immigrant, will be releasing on October 12th. He also shared merch and the official cover art which is him as a boy in Jordan. 

Immigrant official album cover.

We got up with Belly and talked about his start in music, meeting The Weeknd and Jay-Z, and his new album, Immigrant.

What is RESPECT to you? What is your definition of RESPECT? 

I think RESPECT is leading your life in a certain way that people have to address you. They have to approach you in a certain way.

What was it like growing up in Canada? What was it about where you lived that inspired you to make music?

The first part of my life, my childhood was in the Middle East. That inspired me a lot. Then I moved to Canada and then the states. That inspired me a whole lot more. I think every piece of my life, every chapter of my life inspired me to want more and do better every single day. Once you hit this type of caliber, everybody is great. If you’re not great, you’re not keeping up.

How did you get your start in the music industry?

I used to write poetry when I was mad young. When I first learned how to speak English, the first thing I started to do was rhyme words and piece sh*t together. I used to listen to Ready To Die by B.I.G.. That was my blueprint. From there I started writing raps, you know?

You’re one of the best lyricist out today. How do you feel about the current state of Hip Hop? 

Thank you, man. Thank you for saying that. A lot of people overlook the fact that I could eat their favorite rapper so I appreciate you for that. But to answer the question, I don’t really look at that. As long as I sit down and craft my sh*t the way I’m supposed to. That’s what the market needs. It’s needs a bunch of different sh*t. There’s cheap wine and there’s expensive wine. The sh*t you can’t get in the stores. That’s the type of sh*t I like to have. I don’t care about that cheap wine out there. I’m trying to make that exclusive grape.

What’s your relationship like with The Weeknd and Jay Z? How did you meet them?

Me and Abel have known each other damn near 10 years now. It’s been a long time. It started as a friendship and became a working relationship. Now it’s still a great friendship and a brotherhood. I think with Jay Z, he heard my sh*t and signed me to the ROC based off one project. So idk, man. I feel like that was just the stars aligning for somebody like Jay to hear my sh*t and sign me, you know?

You just announced your new project, Immigrant. Is there any info you can give us? Upcoming singles or any artists you might’ve worked with?

Of course I got my brother Nav and my brother Abel on the album. Other than that I think it’s more like a diary, bro. It’s a diary of my life. It’s the most venerable I’ve ever been on any album. It means the most to me than anything I’ve ever put out. I purposely cut songs off that I felt didn’t relate to the album. To me, even if it was a hit and everybody felt like it was, it didn’t matter. If it doesn’t match the theme of this, this Immigrant sh*t, I don’t want it in my album. We can figure it out. We can put it somewhere down the line.

Who would you like to work with in the future? Artists or producers.

I think Swizz Beatz. Swizz Beatz is dope as fu*k. Swae Lee, my XO brothers 88Glam. We’re overdue. That’s about it right now.

It’s been a big year for you and it’s about to get bigger when the album releases. What’s next for you and what can we look forward to in the future? 

I think we got to take it one day at a time, bro. I love to make music, I love to write music. I make music for a lot of people. I write for a lot of people. I think it’s a blessing in disguise to float around making music living my best life, man.

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Ohgeesy (left), Fenix (middle), and Master Kato (right) of Shoreline Mafia. Photo taken by Miguel Crespo for RESPECT.

Shoreline Mafia is a Los Angeles rap group who has found their success climbing at a ridiculous rate. Founding members Fenix and Ohgeesy became friends in high school and created the collective, later adding Master Kato and Rob Vicious. Most of the group’s production is handled by Ron Ron The Producer. 

The group caught the attention of Atlantic Records thanks to its breakout hit “Musty” from the 2017 debut mixtape, ShorelineDoThatSh*t. Their recent project, Traplantic, is creating a buzz just as strong. They recently kicked off the, Only The Xclusives tour, that has multiple sold out appearances already. You can purchase tickets to a show near you here. 

We sat down with Shorline Mafia and spoke with them about their come up in the industry and what the future holds.

How did you get your start in the music industry? 

Fenix: We Met our manager, TK. We visited Atlantic and a couple other places but we ended up signing with Atlantic.

How did you come up with the group name, Shorline Mafia? 

Fenix: We’re the wave. We’re the wave and the wave starts at the shorline. 

How did you meet each other? 

Ohgeesy: Me and Fenix met through graffiti and sh*t in high school. Then my homie that’s like my brother, he’s locked up right now, introduced me to Kato. Then Fenix moved to Midtown and that’s where he met Rob at. We all linked up and we been family ever since, you feel me? 

You dropped a couple projects this year. The last one in July. Since then, how has the feedback been?

Fenix: Good feedback. Sh*t has been jumping. ShorlineDoThatSh*T is still doing numbers. Traplantic is going crazy. Got that new single “Bands” off Traplantic going crazy. Got a video for it coming soon, you know what I’m saying? Sh*t is lit.

What was the first song you put out that blew up?

Fenix: “Musty.” This song “Musty” we got for sure.

Who are some of your musical influences? What made you start to want to making music?

Fenix: Some of my musical influences would be like, Master Kato, Ohgeesy and Rob. I was listening to their mixtapes when I was a little kid. That sh*t was fire.

Kato: I’m not going to lie, shoutout Wiz Khalifa, bro. He made me want to rap. His sh*t is cool. He was doing  that sh*t.

Ohgeesy: Man, shoutout everybody. Wiz, Curren$y, Paul Wall, Mike Jones, The whole Swishahouse, Boosie, Three 6 Mafia, everybody really. I fu*k with everything. 

Have you come across any difficult situations in the music industry? What can you say has been the most challenging thing so far?

Fenix: Keeping all the bit*hes away from us.

As artists, what are your goals aiming towards 2019? 

Ohgeesy: Getting plaques and being one of the biggest groups in the world, you feel me? Being a staple in Hip Hop. Leaving a mark. The same way our favorite artists left a mark on our brain, you know? We want to do the same sh* t for the next generation after us.

Any new music, projects or upcoming shows to look forward to? 

Kato: New album, November.

Fenix: We got a tour starting on September 7th. It’s about to go up. It’s a bout a month long. Then we got the album coming in November. A crazy as* album with all different sh*t. All bangers. People not ready for it but yeah, November it’s going up.

2018 has been a huge year for Shoreline Mafia. What does the future look like and what’s next for you? 

Kato: Big racks.

Ohgeesy: This next album is about to drop. More money. Big racks. We’re just going to keep getting bigger and bigger, you feel me? Soon we’ll build a mother fuc*king enterprise, you feel me? We’re going to be one of the biggest fu*king things ever. The album is going to drop and the whole world is going to fu*k with us. 

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Amara La Negra. Photo taken by Miguel Crespo for RESPECT.

Love & Hip Hop: Miami star, Amara La Negra, is a Afro-Latina singer who grew up dancing and acting. She dealt with much adversity and racism even as a child in the entertainment industry. Amara looked up to Celia Cruz, an Afro-Cuban salsa singer that was the only woman in the music industry that resembled her. Like Cruz, Amara La Negra wants to be a role model for Afro-Latinas coming up in the industry today. Now, with new multi-album record deal and soon, her debute on the big screen, Amara is working to bridge the gap.

We sat down with Amara La Negra and spoke to her about her past, present and future. 

What was your childhood like? How did the things you did as a child build you into who you are today? 

It was a lot of work. I started doing beauty pageants when I was 4 years old so my whole life I’ve known what I wanted to do. My whole life I been preparing for this. I definitely do think the struggles my mother went thru, the things I saw her do and the strength she had as an immigrant in this country to make sure I was good gave me the confidence I have today.

You mentioned your mother. She’s the real deal parent. She did everything in her power to give you a great life. What does it mean to you to have someone like that in your corner?

She’s the only person to be there for me no matter what was going on or what happened. It definitely means a lot to know that I’m not alone in this world, you know what I mean? A lot of people are here for the hype, a lot of people are here for the benefits but she’s the one person I know that will be there for me no matter what. 

A lot of people don’t know you were a certified Zumba instructor. What is it about dancing that you loved so much? 

Well I originally became a Zumba instructor because I was over weight and wanted to lose the weight. I started teaching because I was already a professional dancer in the past so it was just perfect. I truly enjoy dancing. It’s another way of expressing myself through my body movements. I would never be able to sing without dancing. 

How did you get your start in the music industry?

Well, I started when I was 4 years old. I was there every Saturday for 6 years but I officially began singing professionally when I was 15 or 16 years. All my life I knew what I wanted to do and music has definitely been it. 

We know you love Beyoncé and Tina Turner. Who else would you like to work with in the future? 

I’m very open-minded. I would love to work with Rihanna. I know it may seem crazy right now but nothing is impossible in this world. There are many talented women I would love to work with not only here in the United States but in Brazil, in Europe so like I said, I’m very open-minded.

You’re a member of the Love & Hip Hop: Miami cast. Does being on the show add any pressure to make good music? 

Not to make good music. It definitely adds pressure to the drama in my life that’s not really like that. My life can be dramatic in other aspects but not when it comes to men, women or none of that stuff. That’s not really who I am. Anybody who knows me knows my whole life revolves around my mom and my career. That’s pretty much it. I do understand it’s a reality TV show and with the good comes the bad. The people like the drama.

Any upcoming music, projects or a tour to look forward to? 

Actually, yes! I’m working on my EP called, Unstoppable, which will be out at the end of this year or the beginning of 2019. It means a lot to me because it’s my first American EP ever. I’m working really hard cause I want it to be the best I could ever imagine. I’ve recorded so many songs and I feel like none of them are good enough. I want to do something really amazing so I’m very tough on myself. I’m a perfectionist but it’s coming along. 

2018 has been a great year for you. What does the future look like and what’s next for you?

I’m working on my EP, I just finished filming my first movie that will air on BET and Netflix so far. I’m working on my second movie called, Men Issues, in February which I am an executive producer. I just signed a book deal for children’s books and I have a lot going on. I’m still performing, doing commercials and everything everywhere else.

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Image credit: TIDAL/Roc Nation

Currently in progress (below).

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