By: Cherie Oakley

Vocalist and songwriter Cherie Oakley has become one of the most respected vocalist in country music. Having penned a number one hit record for living legend Reba, she is continuing to spread her influence in the music industry.

Outside of being a vocalist, Oakley appeared on the first season of The Voice taking her talent to new heights. She has shared the stage with superstars such as Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, Luke Bryan, LeAnn Rimes, Kelly Clarkson, and Mary J. Blige receiving nothing but positive reviews.

Recently I caught up with the superstar to discuss some of her recent accomplishments. As she discusses being a vocalist, and working with some of music’s biggest acts, it is clear that her talent is undeniable. Check it out below.

Cherie Oakley Interview

Respect: What is the most rewarding thing about being a vocalist?

Cherie Oakley: I grew up in ministry with my family, so connecting with people and reaching out to people has always been a part of my life. Being an artist gives me the opportunity to connect with people through the music they hear and through performing live. It means the world to me to have that connection to people.

Respect: What was the inspiration behind Reba’s “Turn On The Radio”?

Oakley: There was a lot going on when we wrote that song. There was a massive flood that had just happened in Nashville. I had an artist deal in the works and we wrote that song for me. We needed something fun and exciting live, something I could really sink my teeth into as a vocalist and something to take our minds off of the flood that had just happened. We wrote it effortlessly and it was a really fun process.

I knew instantly that we had written a #1 song. However, I do not know how I knew this though. I also was certain my artist deal was now crumbling and I felt really devastated by what was happening. Reba heard the song and called my cell requesting it.

Long story short, I gave it to her and she asked me to sing background vocals on it and it all happened really fast. It never happens that fast! I am leaving a lot of details out but that was the gist of the way it all came about and it was crazy.

Respect: What does it feel like having a number one record on the Billboard Country charts?

Oakley: I don’t even know how to put it into words. I had not written many songs when it happened and I also had no clue of how difficult it is to get a song heard much less cut and go to #1 with a major artist. I have a greater understanding of all of that now. At the time it was just very exciting but I think I appreciate it more now because I see how rare that is.

Respect: Who have you worked with that has been the most memorable for you?

Oakley: This is a tough question for me because there are quite a few I have worked with that are memorable for different reasons. Some of them I learned an enormous amount of what to do in a professional way but what not to do in a personal way and vice versa.

Some I got to see the world with and do TV and award shows that I had only dreamed of. I would say most recently it has been Amy Grant. She has taught me a lot about perspective and she probably does not know this, but I would just sit and watch how she would handle things and how she carried herself. I was like a little sponge.

Respect: Describe your experience performing on the Voice.

Oakley: I was on the first season so my experience was very different from anyone who’s been on any other season. When I was out there they were not exactly sure of what kind of show it would end up being. They kept all of the contestants out in L.A. for a really long time and we kept insane hours all while being filmed.

It was like “Survivor” on crack with singers. The performing part was great though, it was a total rush and I loved every second of that. I also really enjoyed working with Christina who was my coach. She was lovely.

Respect: Why is it so important for you to write as a professional in the music business?

Oakley: I have been through a lot personally and professionally and feel like I can write from a place that relates to a lot of people. It is important to me as an artist to sing what is genuine to how I feel about issues and express my heart. The best way to do that is to write my own music.

Respect: What are you currently working on?

Oakley: I am writing right now and figuring out when the right time is to release my next single.

Click here to learn more about one of country music’s biggest hidden gems.

The post Vocalist Cherie Oakley Talks Number 1 Single, Working With Reba, & Being On The Voice appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: Republic

First off, if you haven’t yet heard: Empire State legends Nas and Mary J. Blige will soon be hitting the road for their Royalty Tour, which kicks off July 19th in West Palm Beach before closing September 10th in Toronto. Before that all goes down, fans get to check out a new collaboration from the two titled “Thriving,” which is definitely a vintage vibe for both artists.

Check out the new cut and dates below.

07-19 West Palm Beach, FL (Coral Sky Amphitheatre)
07-13 Tampa, FL (MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre)
07-14 Jacksonville, FL (Daily’s Place) $
07-16 Atlanta, GA (Cadence Bank Amphitheatre)
07-20 Atlantic City, NJ (Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena) $
07-21 Virginia Beach, VA (Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater)
07-24 Charlotte, NC (PNC Music Pavilion)
07-25 Raleigh, NC (Coastal Credit Union Music Park)
07-28 Detroit, MI (DTE Energy Music Theatre)
07-31 St. Louis, MO (Hollywood Casino Amphitheater)
08-02 Houston, TX (The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion)
08-03 Austin, TX (Austin360 Amphitheater)
08-06 Kansas City, MO (Starlight Theatre)
08-09 Phoenix, AZ (Ak-Chin Pavilion)
08-14 San Francisco, CA (Shoreline Amphitheatre)
08-16 Las Vegas, NV (The Joint) $
08-17 Las Vegas, NV (The Joint) $
08-20 Albuquerque, NM (Isleta Amphitheater)
08-22 Dallas, TX (Dos Equis Pavilion)
08-25 Tuscaloosa, AL (Tuscaloosa Amphitheater)
08-31 Syracuse, NY (St Joseph’s Health Amphitheater)
09-01 Boston, MA (Xfinity Center)
09-10 Toronto, Ontario (Budweiser Stage)

$ = No Nas

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The post Ahead of Tour, Mary J. Blige & Nas Unite on “Thriving” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Last month, a preview clip of a sit-down between Mary J. Blige and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton made it’s rounds, which saw Blige singing lyrics from Bruce Springsteen’s “American Skin (41 Shots)” — a song that was created following the tragic death of Amadou Diallo in 1999. Unfortunately, the awkwardness of this exchange (and the unawareness of the song among many of Blige’s fans) led to said clip being roasted on social media…even after the full interview was released.

Now, the world gets to hear Blige’s official cover of “American Skin” in its entirety, which not only brings new light and understanding to a Rock classic, but also features an additional verse from none other than Kendrick Lamar, who adds to the subject matter by speaking on football player Colin Kaepernick (a social activist in his own right):

Gun admitted he bear arm
The entity, arm and leg and head made to destroy
80% of the victim was yours
Maybe I get to relive years of war
Look on the corner, we been here before
Look at the momma, you seen tears before?
Pain bright and early
Rain, sleet, hail, snow, worry
More storm barricade the city
Prosecution, unhung jury
These days murder keep ’em busy
Sweet blood flowed on the gurney
Yellow tape tied around the street
Colin Kaepernick was more than worthy

If anything, this new version of “American Skin” certainly shows how, despite being 15 years old, racial injustice and police brutality is just as much an issue now (if not more) than it was at the turn of the century, thanks to new advances in recorded video and the expansion of social media. It also (probably) caused those who criticised Blige’s use of the song to rethink their opinion.

Check out Mary and Kendrick’s version of “American Skin (41 Shots)” below.

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The post Mary J. Blige & Kendrick Lamar Cover Bruce Springsteen’s “American Skin (41 Shots)” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Ironically, the album titled the turning point in the career of then 30-year-old Jay Z.  The Blueprint laid out the direction in which his already legend would become legendary.  The symbolic and iconic masterpiece was a defining moment in the genius of music.  The Blueprint, executively produced by Shawn “Jay Z” Carter, Damon Dash, and Kareem “Biggs” Burke, oozes Roc-A-Fella epicness since September 11, 2001 until now.  The album also holds a sadden memory that day, the day of the 9/11 attacks that the world will never forget.  In Hip Hop, the album was the beginning of the end of a trilogy that will go down in the history books of greatest of all time.  The all-in-blue memento was perfectly written and stories were perfectly told.  Producing handles by some of the greats: Kanye West, Just Blaze, Trackmaster, Timbaland, Bink, and Eminem, who also lended a hand as the album’s solo guest contributor on one of the hardest tracks, “Renegade.”  The beat hits so hard as the vocals ring off in your ears and Jigga and Eminem’s bars flow so fluently together.

After hitting you so hard once it would only be appropriate that Jigga came through for the ladies on “Girls, Girls, Girls.”  On the track, Jay Z gets around the globe showing love to every type of woman there is.  He gives us tears with “Song Cry,” behind a hot melody and a brilliant storyline; “They say you can’t turn a bad girl good, but once a good girl’s gone bad, she’s gone forever…” The meaning runs deep, the feeling is real, and the the tone is raw in expression.  “Never Change” forever holds an authenticity that can never be denied, “I’ll never change, this is Jay all day…”

“The Takeover” is timeless and was done effortless in response to the famous beef at that moment in time; “Ask Nas, he don’t want it with Hov, nooo!”  Jay made the statement of all with “The Ruler’s Back” and shows there is no love with “Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love)”, later performed with Mary J. Blige.  “U Don’t Know” reigns as the greatest track on The Blueprint, “U don’t know what you do…”  “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” is the album’s anthem, “I can’t leave rap alone, the game needs me…”  The Blueprint is truly a classic, all 13 tracks included plus two bonus tracks, “Breathe Easy (Lyrical Exercise) and “Girls, Girls, Girls (Remix)”  To Hip Hop this spells legendary and the best Hov album in history; not to mention his very own closing remark in the thank you’s:

“To This Whole Fake Bulls**t Industry, Thanx 4 being so Fake and Keeping me on my Toes!!! I Love Ya’ll Holla Back!”

-Jay Z

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The post The Chronicles of Jay Z: Marking the 15th Anniversary of ‘The Blueprint’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Where are they now? Take a look below.

Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige has had her music featured on numerous film soundtracks, been featured magazine covers and has acted in film and television shows. She has also gone on to win 9 Grammys. Mary J. Blige is currently the host of Real Talk on Beats 1 Radio. The show premiered in November and has featured Jada Pinkett Smith, Tyrese Gibson, Demi Lovato and other guests.

The Notorious B.I.G.

May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997

On March 9, 1997,  The Notorious B.I.G. was killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. His double-disc album Life After Death, released 16 days later, rose to No. 1 on the U.S. album charts and was certified Diamond in 2000, one of the few hip hop albums to receive this certification. Two more albums have been released since his death.

Foxy Brown

Foxy Brown is an American rapper, model, and actress. On August 14, 2012, Foxy Brown appeared as a special featured guest on Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday Tour in New York City. On August 15, 2013, Foxy Brown appeared on MTV Rapfix and announced her fourth studio album tentatively titled Bandz Up and a single of the same name, produced by Joe Milly, which was set to be released December 24, 2013, but was not released for unknown reasons. Foxy has also had a slew of legal trouble and personal health issues regarding her hearing. Recently Brown said her hearing is fine now, and is excited about recording and performing again. According to NY Daily News, she also received a key to the city from Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams recognizing her as one of the “Leaders of Tomorrow” for her music.

Memphis Bleek

Memphis Bleek currently hosts parties and making vlogs. Since Reasonable Doubt he discovered Rick Ross.

Sauce Money

In 2006, he appeared at Jay-Z’s ‘I Declare War’ concert to perform “Reservoir Dogs.” Sauce Money also released a 2008 single entitled “Listen 2 Me”, sampling the Oompa-Loompas from the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

Big Jaz

Besides being an emcee, he has produced songs for several hip hop artists other than Jay-Z, such as Group Home, M.O.P, Ras Kass, Rakim, Kool G Rap Neilleon and others.

Mecca

In 2014 his single “ZOOM ZOOM” was featured in numerous workout DVD’s as well as VH1’s Single Ladies and Fox’s Red Band Society, and then featured again in Chasing Life on ABC Family (now FreeForm) in 2015. His single “FLAT STOMACH” was the premiere single at the 2014 Labo Ethnik Fashion & Lifestyle week in Paris.

Pain in Da Ass

Has a budding acting career and continues to appear on multi-platinum albums.

DJ Clark Kent

DJ Clark Kent is a hip-hop DJ and producer. He is well known as a sneaker collector and has worked with Nike a handful of times in creating sneakers, many of them carrying his signature 112 look. According to SneakerNews.com, Kent has also teamed up with Adidas Originals under the Quickstrike monicker featuring a two-pack of classic three stripe silhouettes with subdued woodland camouflage accents throughout.

Jay-Z

Jay-Z has been a busy man since his Reasonable Doubt days. The 21 time Grammy winner is not only a music power house but a business mogul as well. His empire, according to Business Insider, includes:

Roc Nation, LLC 

An American entertainment company founded by rapper Jay-Z in 2008. The company has offices in New York City, London and Los Angeles. It is a full service entertainment company housing a record label, talent agency, touring and concert production company, music, film, and television production company as well as a music publishing house. The company is home to a diverse roster of recording artists, musicians and record producers such as J. Cole, Big Sean, Rihanna, Kanye West, Grimes, Demi Lovato, DJ Khaled, T.I. and Rita Ora. The company also has partnerships with global management companies Three Six Zero and Philymack. The firm has a multi-year partnership with live event company Live Nation. In June 2009, Roc Nation signed a 4-year distribution deal with Sony Music. In 2010, Roc Nation partnered with London-based entertainment company Three Six Zero Group. In February 2013, Roc Nation signed a worldwide music publishing administration deal with Warner/Chappell Music. In April 2013, Roc Nation formed a new sports management division, Roc Nation Sports, a subsidiary dedicated to sports representation for professional athletes. Shortly thereafter, Roc Nation Sports also launched a boxing promotion division. After the Sony deal expired, in April 2013, Roc Nation signed a multi-year partnership with Universal Music. In February 2015, Roc Nation and Three Six Zero Group announced the formation of Three Six Zero Entertainment, a division representing clients in film, television and the literary arts.

The New Jersey Nets

Jay-Z is a part owner of the NBA team the New Jersey Nets. Last year Forbes valued it at $269 million.

The 40/40 Club

Jay-Z founded The 40/40 club, a chain of sports bars with a club atmosphere. The club now has eight locations, including Tokyo and Macao.

The Spotted Pig

After investing in the semi-famous chic New York bistro in the West Village, Jay-Z bought the entire building. The place is Michelin-starred and doesn’t empty.

Rocawear

Jay-Z founded Rocawear back in 1995 and has promoted the hell out of it since, and it’s worked. He sold the company for $204 million in 2007, but retains creative and operational control.

Carol’s Daughter

Jay-Z co-owns the Carol’s Daughter line of perfumes and beauty products. The line has been featured on shows like the Tyra Banks Show and Oprah.

Decoded

Jay-Z is publishing a book called Decoded, built around his lyrics and that is, according to the WSJ, “a hybrid of music history, social commentary and memoir.”

What’s interesting here from a business perspective is the innovative promotion: Jay-Z got Microsoft to put up $1 million to promote the book as part of an initiative with Bing. Pretty cool.

Reebok

In a four-year partnership, Jay-Z became the first non-athlete to have a line of Reebok shoes named after himself, the S.Carter line, which was popular.

Budweiser Select

In 2006 he didn’t just star in ads for Budweiser Select, but he also helped craft them.

Cherry Cola, HP, Translation Advertising

Coca-Cola, the world’s greatest brand, brought in Jay-Z to advise on the redesign and relaunch of Cherry Coke. Most of these brand partnerships (Budweiser, Coke, HP) go through the ad agency Jay-Z cofounded with Steve Stoute, a serial entrepreneur who had sold his previous company to Interpublic, the third largest ad agency conglomerate.

To read up more on Reasonable Doubt, hit up the respect-mag.com site. It’s Jay Day, All Day Baby!

The post ‘Reasonable Doubt’: Where Are They Now appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“Brooklyn…Brooklyn…Brooklyn..”…LA?

Brooklyn’s finest heads to LA to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Jay Z‘s debut album, Reasonable Doubt. The pop-up shop celebrates fashion, hip-hop, and Big Homie, himself.

The shop acts as a time capsule, taking its visitors back 20 years to a replica of Jay Z’s former apartment. Check it out at the opening this Saturday, at 517 S. Fairfax Ave. in LA. The opening day lands on the 25th of June, and is exactly 20 years since Reasonable Doubt‘s release date. The shop will be open throughout July.

Most of the shop’s visitors will probably be too young to remember the release of the album, and yet Reasonable Doubt has resonated with the generations of hip-hop fans that came. Reasonable Doubt became timeless, with it’s mafiosa-inspired lyrics and instrumentals. The pop-up shop is sure to reflect its legacy.

The album featured Mary J. Blige and The Notorious B.I.G. Most publications and fans consider it to be Jay Z’s best work to date, as well as a milestone in hip-hop itself.

The shop is being opened by Roc-A-Fella Record’s Kareem “Biggs” Burke. Inside, you can find t-shirts, hats, posters, and cassettes — all in 90’s fashion.

Before Reasonable Doubt, Jay Z’s career had “High stakes, I got more at stake than Philly.” Now, there’s no doubt that even his pop-up shop will be a success. You can’t knock the hustle.

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The post ‘Reasonable Doubt’ Pop-Up Shop is Sure to Be Poppin’ in LA appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Misa Hylton

When Puff Daddy announced the Bad Boy Reunion Tour back in March we all knew it was going to be a huge deal with the superstar studded list of artists that are involved.

Boasting a line up including heavyweights such as Lil’ Kim, Mary J. Blige, Jay Z, DMX and of course Puff Daddy, the reunion tour kicked off it’s two sold out dates at the Barclay’s Center. A reunion tour, especially as big as this always gets us looking back. Bad Boy Records dominated much of the 1990s. Diddy’s label did more than just make a stamp on music. They created a culture that stood out in hip-hop and pictures have emerged to reinforce this.

Sean Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Misa Hylton, a fashion stylist and costume designer was responsible for some of the iconic looks for stars such as Mary J. Blige and Combs. Hylton has now shared some of her personal photos with The New York Times from the ’90s showing these.

Misa Hylton

Image is important for an artist’s brand. Hylton was definitely essential for the artists that she worked with. She began dating Puffy when she was 15, and started her career with him at Andre Harrell’s Uptown Records. She helped make Combs’ vision reality when she styled Jodeci.

Misa Hylton

She also went onto dress Mary J. Blige for her first single, “You Remind Me.” Hylton was also the creative vision some of those iconic outfits that Lil’ Kim donned including the single pastie outfit that the rapper turned heads with at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1999. The stylist said, “Let’s put it this way: I almost died when Diana [Ross] touched the pastie.”

Misa Hylton

Misa Hylton

The reunion tour keeps the legacy of Bad Boy Records alive, educating a younger generation that these artists were the pinnacle of hip hop back in the ‘90s. Hylton’s snapshots also prove that Puffy’s label carved out more than just musical magnificence.

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The post Stylist Releases Images of Throwback Images of Bad Boy Artists appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.