His love for rap-rock fusion has been inspiring him since High School. He was the lead vocalist/rapper in a band called ‘Flint Eastwood’ —the bands ultimate breakup lead to bLAck pARty coming into existence, stylizing it with capital letters to single out “LA” for Los Angeles, where he lives, and “AR” for Arkansas where he was raised. In 2013 he began producing for Kari Faux. The two had met when both were in their mid-teens. Their collaboration, “No Small Talk,” caught the attention of Childish Gambino, who remixed it and featured it on his STN MTN/Kauai mixtape. Which only lead to bLAck pARty inking a deal with the Childish Gambino’s Royalty collective. bLack pARty contributed production to Gambino’s GRAMMY® Award-winning album Awaken, My Love! as well as scores a placement with TV series Dear White People, Insecure, and Atlanta.

His 2019 album Endless Summer is his first release through Wolf + Rothstein and RCA Records. The first single, “No Complaints,” features DMP Jefe, watch it below.

Out of his busy schedule bLack pARty took the time out to catch up with RESPECT MAG about everything from music to his future plans.

RESPECT.: Growing up, what were some of your biggest musical influences?

bLAck pARty: Growing up my biggest influences were Stevie Wonder, India Irie, Nirvana, MF Doom, Kanye West, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Bad Brains, Zro I came across a lot of music being around the different people in my life. I also grew up in the internet age when music became much easier to access.

RESPECT.: So congratulations on signing with Childish Gambino’s label! How did that happen?

bLAck pARty: Thank you! I actually connected to Childish Gambino back in 2014 when I was mostly doing production for Kari Faux, we had made this song & video “No Small Talk” that went viral and through that I ended up connecting with one of Gambino’s business partner’s Fam, Kari allowed Gambino to remix the record and we built a working relationship since.

RESPECT.: How did your first conversation with Childish Gambino go?

bLAck pARty: I don’t remember exactly, but I remember it was the day his Sway interview dropped so it was mostly conversations about that and conversations about rap music in general. I’m a huge supporter of underground rap, so I remember showing him some of the underground rap groups coming out of Atlanta at that time.

RESPECT.: You also produced on his Award-winning album, “Awaken, My Love!” how did that happen? What was that process like?

bLAck pARty: That actually came about because I had moved to Los Angeles around the same time he was working on “Awaken, My Love!” We always talk about music so it started off from me just being in the studio giving feedback to doing background vocals and some drum programming. It was an interesting experience that I feel I learned a lot from. It was actually the first major album I worked on and being able to be around some of the most talented musicians in the business was a blessing.

RESPECT.: So you write, produce, and engineer and do vocals? Which one is your favourite and why?

bLAck pARty: I’d say my favourite is probably producing because it’s the more creative and fun job. It allows you to think outside of the box and make something that resonates without actually using language.What I’ve learned from playing in places outside of the US is even if the people don’t necessarily speak my language they can still get with the rhythm of the beats and even catch on to the lyrics if they’re simple enough.

RESPECT.: Do you play any instruments? Regardless, what is your favourite instrument and why?

bLAck pARty: Yes, I play whatever I can figure out. If i were to pick a favourite I would say guitar. I always find it easy to write songs with just a guitar. Also a large majority of my favourite artists play guitar: Lauryn Hill, D’angelo, Prince, Kurt Cobain, India Irie, Amy Winehouse- all guitarists!

RESPECT.: Tell us about your song “Dancing”. What are some of the themes found in that Track?

bLAck pARty: Dancing for me was a record that originally was up as a demo, over time it was revamped to be more groovy. I wanted to make something that felt like a day party going into the night time. When it came to video the director [Dylan McGale] and I wanted to play off of one of my favourite movies, KIDS, and one of my favourite music videos, “Frontin” by the Neptunes. I’ve been skating since I was young, and skateboarding and music go hand in hand, so I had to show love to the skaters.

RESPECT.: How do you feel after having your music placed on Insecure?

bLAck pARty: Shout out’s to Issa ! It feels incredible. I have a lot of people tell me they found out about my music through watching Insecure. I actually watch the show so it’s kinda wild to hear my music on there.

RESPECT.: Complex described your sound as a retro sound that could fit nicely into rotation if it came out in the ’70s yet still feels fresh for 2019. Do you agree?

bLAck pARty: Yes. I think the 70’s was one of the more interesting times in music. I’m definitely inspired by that era in music and I listen to more older records than I listen to newer music. The thing though is taking that inspiration and bringing into the present or the future.

RESPECT.: What was that moment in your life that you realised you wanted to be a serious musician? Like this was it for you.

bLAck pARty: When I was 13 I knew for certain I was going to make music. I remember watching videos online of Kanye, Alchemist, The Neptunes, Madlib, making beats and rapping and I decided that’s what I wanted to do: make music and have fun.

RESPECT.: Who are you looking forward to working with the most in the industry?

bLAck pARty: It would be dope to work with legends like Al Green, Patrice Rushen, Erykah Badu…

Photo Credit: Manny Singh

RESPECT.: If I was to see your playlist right now what would I find?

bLAck pARty: You would find Fela Kuti, Amy Winehouse, Al Green, Sza, Khruangbin…I just like to hear something with a lil soul or funk in it

RESPECT.: Tell us about your 5 goals in 2020

bLAck pARty: My only goals are to continue to get better as a person and as a creative.

Follow bLAck pARty on instagram to keep up with all his updates.

All Photos by Manny Singh.

The post RESPECT. Interview: Childish Gambino’s signee bLAck pARty talks Future & Past appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Hop on a jetski and check out “Giannis” below.

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I swear, the right combination of album releases can make some Fridays feel like straight holidays. Today is definitely one of those days:

Ralo – Free Ralo

Image credit: Famerica

Despite his current incarceration, Atlanta’s Ralo continues to push out music to the masses through his Famerica imprint. Following last year’s Conspiracy comes a new release titled Free Ralo, which sees 12 strong cuts and features from Young Dolph, Tee Grizzley, Shy Glizzy, VL Deck, Derez De’shon and more. Press play below.

Valee – Runnin’ Rich

Image credit: G.O.O.D./Def Jam

Having previously dropped this at the top of the month, Chicago’s Valee re-releases his latest EP Runnin’ Rich, which now sees eight tracks over the previous version’s six. Additional features all come from fellow Chicagoans Vic Mensa, King Louie and G Herbo.

Chris Brown – Indigo

Image credit: RCA

Chris Brown is back with a new album (his eighth) titled Indigo, which features enough quality music to last fans for the rest of the decade. The thirty-two track offering also sees a slew of assisting performers, including Drake, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, G-Eazy, Gunna, Trey Songz, H.E.R., Tory Lanez, Tank, Justin Bieber, Tyga and more.

Expect to hear plenty of dope cuts from Indigo and all of your favorite functions this Summer.

Twista – Summer 96

Image credit: GMG Entertainment

The legendary Twista returns with a new project since 2017’s Crook County. Below lies Summer 96, a (presumably) nostalgic release that sees 15 tracks and appearances from Berner, (the equally legendary) Do Or Die, Bandman Kevo and more. The Chicago don is still lyrically healthy as ever.

Daniel Caesar – CASE STUDY 01

Video screenshot

Following his seemingly-random and very ill-advised support of YesJulz (also, whatever the hell happened with Dave Chappelle), Daniel Caesar presumably opted to fall back and focus on creating some quality music for his fanbase. Today, a surprise new album arrives from the Canadian artist titled CASE STUDY 01, which sees 10 new cuts and features from Brandy, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, John Mayer and more.

If you haven’t cancelled him yet, feel free to press play below.

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Bandana

Image credit: RCA

Here’s your hard-hitting Rap entry of the day: the Indiana-to-California connection that is Freddie Gibbs and Madlib created more heat rock to follow the criminally slept-on Piñata. Titled Bandana, this Hip-Hop masterpiece sees 15 new tracks from the duo and assists from fellow top-tier emcees Black Thought, Pusha T, Killer Mike, Yasiin Bey and Anderson .Paak. Whew.

Check it out below. Bandana is also the second part of a trilogy — here’s hoping that the third installment, Montana, isn’t too far in the distance.

Mustard – Perfect Ten

Image credit: Interscope

Last but not least, West Coast super-producer Mustard delivers his new project Perfect Ten, which — as the title suggests — sees ten quality cuts and appearances from Migos, Tyga, A$AP Ferg, A$AP Rocky, (10 Summers artist) Ella Mai, Young Thug, Meek Mill, Roddy Ricch, (longtime collaborators) YG and Ty Dolla $ign and more.

Plenty of infectious cuts to choose from below.

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The post NEW ALBUM FRIDAY: Chris Brown, Freddie Gibbs, Mustard & More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

New Hampshire producer Dbegun drops a highly impressive project by the name of Nasimoto. Dbegun Nasimoto project is a mash up mix tape that features Nas along with some of his most classic verses backed by Madlib production from his Quasimoto project, this makes for the perfect mix hands down.

Nasimoto has 21 songs dedicated to the tough artform of mash ups, and DBegun held no punches, delivering a true-to-artform creation. Without any hold up, check out this exclusive project from D Begun and enjoy the vibes.

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The post Dbegun Drops An Exclusively Rare Mash Up Project From Nas & Madlib #Nasimoto appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The saying goes, “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue,” and very rarely does one get all of that and more in a single package, much less a single album. But here I am, in the living room of my West Philadelphia apartment, receiving a gift fit for someone entering a long term commitment. And I suppose I am, in some ways, committing to this music. This album is loving me back or, at least, I like to think it is. Whether it’s the way he marries lighthearted pimpin’ with a coarse, sultry tenor, or the funky bass riddled boom bap that has become a hallmark of his brand of hip hop, it’s safe to say that Anderson .Paak is making his own lane in an industry that has become altogether cut-and-paste.

If Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly is the album that urged hip hop back to its jazz and soul roots, then Malibu is the album to solidify this new era with an unmatched accessibility. The culprit’s name is Anderson .Paak, formerly known as Breezy Lovejoy, who is often cited as the grooviest man in the room. Malibu has dropped after a year marked by a relentless campaign of releases and collaborations with the likes of Knxwledge, Tokimonsta, and most notably Dr. Dre. His prominence on Compton, from tracks like “Animals” and “All In A Day’s Work”, brought him a considerable amount of attention and set the stage for a breakout release in this most recent LP.

On Malibu, .Paak delivers a unique mix of grit and longing in his vocals that helps elevate the album from fitting neatly into a single genre. The matrimony of singing and rapping intertwined with incredibly refreshing production from the likes of 9th Wonder, Madlib, Hi-Tek, and many others creates a soundscape that travels back and forth in time without missing a beat. On the tracks “Am I Wrong” featuring Schoolboy Q, and Lightweight, we find ourselves in a disco laden groove with .Paak giving us his best McFadden & Whitehead impression. On the slower, more sensual cuts (i.e. The Waters, Room In Here ft. The Game, and Waterfall), we receive an irresistibly smooth, sly voice that’s convincing us to stay for awhile. But what is most distinct about this album is the mastery of Anderson’s cadence–the shift from rapid fire rhyming to swaying phrases to all out singing creates textures that are a delight for anyone with an open mind and a love of hip hop.

2016 is already on pace to be a phenomenal year in music. Malibu is out of the gate bright and early, on bended knee, asking for your affection, if only for the moments until another album whisks you away on another love affair. But that’s just it–it doesn’t take much convincing when the music loves you back. RE

Malibu is available for streaming on Spotify and Apple Music, and if you dig it, slide the man $9.99. Consider it a gift to yourself, you deserve it.

The post REVIEW: Anderson .Paak Delivers with “Malibu” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

A new Madlib mixtape called, “Mind Fusion: African Earwax” is out now, and the Beat Konducta starts it off with an absolutely hilarious intro featuring a prank call, which cunningly attempts to convince an Alabamian African-American woman into accepting that the U.S. government intentionally cut her social security check to just $250 (for twelve months) for alleged plausible reasons. It is unclear how much the woman usually collects from the government but during the call, you’ll learn that she is not the one to mess with.

Shortly after, the Oxnard, California-born producer’s mix eases and transcends into a full on African festival, evoking beautiful and warm tribal (West African) drums, horns, flutes and other instruments you’d commonly hear in a Miriam Makeba or Fela Kuti song. Last but not least, for the die-hard Madlib fans, there were thirty exclusive copies of this mixtape on compact disc, which were all individually illustrated by Jason Jagel, but they are all gone now. That’s right. They’re sold out. To make sure that doesn’t happen again: Join the Rappcats and Stonesthrow newsletters so you can be in the loop.

“Mind Fusion: African Earwax” features music by Mombasa, Super Boire Band, Ify Jerry Crusade, Orlando Julius, Ebo Taylor and more. Get cultured. Listen to it in full, below and learn more about the series on Rappcats.com:

Mind Fusion: African Earwax by Madlib on Mixcloud

The post Madlib – “Mind Fusion: African Earwax” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“Whenever putting together a project I try to keep the grit of Raekwon’s ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx’ and Mobb Deep’s ‘The Infamous’ in mind” says 22 year old ChillxWill when discussing his new Almighty album with RESPECT. Mag’s Dread Solo. “When crafting the album I was trying to make sure you knew my story by the end. It is hand styles on trains at 2:00am. It is my story. Also, I recorded the whole album on 2″ tape to get that warmth, and vibration in the bass.” The album is critically acclaimed, and has been stirring up an ill buzz for the Tacoma, Washington emcee, and latest artist under Ill Adrenaline Records. He is apart of the BKR$CLB (Bakers Club) posse and works closely with Raz Fresco, who is simultaneously making big moves on the scene.

Almighty is now available on cd, cassette and digital download (two bonus records w/ purchase) with Underground Hip Hop and Fat Beats. Oh, but you’re a wax junkie? Place your vinyl order now at Chopped Herring Records.

Be prepared for a visual time machine taking you back to that grimy mid-90’s golden era we all miss – laced in vintage Fila, herb lit in Brooklyn project hallways and 40 ounces. With a drum pattern identical (or very similar) to Mobb Deep‘s 1996 classic Drop A Gem On ‘Em and a dusty bass line – it’s the perfect marriage. ChillxWill is taking you on a trip down memory lane in 2015. Though the original Warning record off this album is sharp, the remix by Mpadrum is raw and seemingly more suiting for this video. Below you can stream the whole album for free, with hopes that maybe it opens your eyes to a full purchase. Enjoy:

The post ChillxWill Returns W/ New Visual For “Warning (Mpadrum’$ Remix)” + ‘Almighty’ Lp Stream appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.