(Donald Trump)
What do you have to lose?
You’re living in poverty
Your schools are no good
You have no jobs
58% of your youth is unemployed
What the hell do you have to lose?

Stream and Listen to “Other Side of America” below. Leave a comment and tell us how you feel about the nation at this time.

The post Meek Mill Address Amerikkka with His Latest Single “Other Side of America” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

After making headlines for their custom nameplate bracelet design of Cardi B & Offset’s daughter Kulture‘s, Shyne’s Jeweler exploded with requests from fans clamoring to have similar styles dripping from their wrists.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuIDBLVhQKe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Founded in 2008 by Josef Roth better known as Joe The Jeweler, Shyne Jewelers is located in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic South Street District. Although over the years they have had a plethora of A-List Celebrity clientele, Shyne Jewelers is extremely passionate about what they do and pride themselves on giving each of their clients the “celebrity experience.”

To check out their gallery follow Shyne Jewelers online here.

Check out some of their celebrity clients below,

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The post Joe The Jeweler Is Making Hip-Hop “Shyne” with Shyne Jewelers appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The post Meek Mill Signs First Official Artist to Dreamchasers appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

By: R. City

Hitmaker Theron “Uptown” Thomas is one half of the brother duo R. City, who is responsible for some of Pop music’s biggest records to date. Having worked with the likes of Rihanna, Lizzo, Jennifer Hudson, Adam Levine, The Pussy Cat Dolls and Akon to name a few, this living legend plans to impact the careers of many more hotshots in the new year.

I had the pleasure of catching up with this hotshot for a candid interview to discuss finding longevity, creating music with his brother and working with some of Pop music’s most notable acts. Check it out below.

Theron Thomas Interview 

Respect: How did you get your start in the music business?

Theron: I officially started in the business in 2007. My brother and I were in a big group in the Caribbean especially the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands. We got famous over there and then moved to the states in 2000 to try to make it. It took us 7 years to finally get in. We got in as songwriters but we were trying to make it as artists. A song we wrote in the 7th grade called “The Rain” got us that foot in the door. We didn’t even know that people wrote songs for other people.

So my best friend who was and is still Akon’s DJ let me know that Akon was working on his next album. So he played a few songs for me, and me being young and arrogant I said I can write a better song than the ones he had played. He then asked me to play the song I had in mind. I played “The Rain” and he loved it. My friend called me and told me Akon wanted the song but I was like “why would he sing a song we wrote?”

He then said people write songs for people over here in the states and Akon bought our song for $5000. That was the most money we had ever received at that time. I had a daughter catching the bus so for me I could not believe people paid that much money for a song. After working with Akon people started hitting us up asking us if we wrote songs and it just went on from there.

Respect: What is it like creating music with your brother and how R. City came about?

Theron: Making music with my brother is fun. We both respect each other’s talent and allow each other to lead in the areas that we are experts at. The good part is that sometimes we clash and the music is better because of that. Sometimes I want to do this and he wants to do something else and that friction creates this unique sound.

How we got our name R. City is because we are from St. Thomas, which is known as “Rock City”. We couldn’t legally release music under the moniker “Rock City” so we dropped the Rock and called ourselves R. City, which stands for Rock City.

Respect: When did you catch your big break? 

Theron: I would say linking with Akon is when I caught my big break for sure because it opened up a door that never closed. It was a small opening and once it opened we kicked the door down and bum-rushed our way in. The door never closed on us after that point.

Respect: Can you describe the relationship between R. City & Adam Levine of Maroon 5?

Theron: It is good! Adam Levine embraced us and Maroon 5 took us on tour with them. They are the nicest guys. I feel like I am in their debt for life if you ask me. He did not have to do a song with us, he did not have to take us on tour, nor did the band have to agree with him to allow us to come along. Our relationship is good and will remain that way.

Respect: How did working with the Pussy Cat Dolls on their “I Want To Grow Up” release come about and how did it impact you career?

Theron: That was our first hit record. We did it with Rodney Jerkins and it was originally for Britney Spears but it did not fit the space she was in musically at that time. We were signed to Interscope and my A&R at the time Erica Grayson knew we wrote songs so we sent it to her and she loved it. She sent it to Jimmy Lovine and the rest is history. We had a hit “When I Grow Up” and that was the first time people gave us our respect for charting. That led to us getting more big opportunities, so that was a big deal for us. 

Respect: As you have worked with some of pop music’s biggest stars, who are some artist’s career you have heavily influenced?

Theron: I would say people who we have worked with since the beginning of their careers such as Jennifer Hudson who’s This Isn’t Love Album we worked on. It was a Grammy-winning album. Ne-Yo did “Spotlight” and we did “This Isn’t Love “ the single. Lizzo I would have to say as well. I worked on her current album that is out. She was nominated for 8 Grammy Awards.

Out of the 8, she walked away with 3 awards. She is amazing and a really good person. I knew she was special and a star from the day I met her. At the time I was working with Rihanna on her new album, flying back and forth to Paris and London for 2 and a half years not working on anything else. But at the same time, I knew I wanted to work with her because she was so dope and did.

Respect: How has being from the Virgin Islands influenced your music career and taste in music?

Theron: We do not have segregated radio in the islands. Like in America you all have urban radio, pop radio, rhythmic radio meaning that you all have separate genres. In the Virgin Islands, we don’t. If there is a Bob Marley, Aerosmith or Little Keed song they all play on the same radio station. Growing up as kids we never really saw genres because the lines were blurry. It influenced us in a way where we would put hip hop, r&b, soul, pop and rock all in one like gumbo.

Obviously, people thought it was weird at first but then they realized that is what makes R. City unique. One time we were writing a song for Gwen Stefani and she told me that she loved the R&B melody. I didn’t even know that it was an R&B melody. I just liked it because it sounded cool.

Respect: How important is it as an artist and songwriter to have creative freedom? 

Theron: It is very important because with your art you want to make sure people see your vision. I write songs for other artists that I won’t sing so my vision is important. I might write the most gangster hood song for DJ Khaled’s album and then for my album take a completely different direction because that is simply just not who I am. Feel like in the music I want to make sure people are getting to know me as much as I can as well as my brother. We just want people to see what we stand for and what we are into and rock with it.

Respect: What Advice would you give any creative looking to break into the industry as a songwriter?

Theron: Practice makes perfect. Keep on writing and learn how to accept advice. But do not let the advice control you because everybody’s story is different. Like no one no matter what will have my story I don’t care how they try. Nobody is going to move from the Islands with $35 in their pocket. No matter what advice I give you, you have to walk your path. As cliché as it sounds, the best advice anyone can tell you is to never give up. The only people that actually who lose are the people that quit and that is for real.

Respect: What are you currently working on? 

Theron: A kid named 11:11, my good friend Dr. Luke, Mario, Usher, Lordes, A1 LaFlare (singer/songwriter) and I’m currently in the studio with Saweetie. So much love for her and her drive and work ethic. I have a different level of respect for her being in the studio with her seeing her create.

I am also working with Doja Cat on her new album. I did her records “Rules” and “Like It” Feat. Gucci Mane. I am in a space where I want to work with new people and be responsible for ushering in a new wave of talent. Kim Petras is one of the best pop voices in the world. I am super excited about her. That is where I am mentally. It is all about working with new artists.

My son Sumo and I did a kid’s album that we will release this year. He is 7 years old and I am truly excited about that. It’s called Sumo World. I am just in a great space. When I first started music I did it because I had a daughter, I was broke and wanted to take care of her my way. Now money is not an issue, and I’m making music that I love and that I want to hear.

I am ecstatic to also announce that new R. City music is coming soon!! 2020 will be a crazy year!!! 

 Be sure to follow Theron on IG @therontheron_ as he continues his reign over the music business. .

The post Theron “Uptown” Thomas: Pop Hitmaker You Need To Know appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

By: Trigga

When asked about the inspiration behind his new album Trigga responded “The inspiration behind my latest release was basically just letting the world know who I am and where I come from. The album cover is a picture of me and my granny on the porch while she is braiding my hair. That house is home. If I leave, I always come back. I can’t stay away”.

The post Trigga Releases New Eighty-Sixth Album appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Rolling Loud had the biggest acts perform for the last set time on their three stages including Meek Mill, Travis Scott, Lil Uzi Vert and A$AP Rocky. There were also acts that fans looked forward to seeing such as Megan Thee Stallion, Blueface, Tyga, A Boogie, Trippie Red, Lil Tecca, Wu Tang Clan, Juice Wrld and more!

We all know Meek Mill for his strong beliefs and Activism towards prison reform. He was a victim of being treated unfairly by the justice system when he was still a target after already serving his time for a previous charge and completed Parole. A Philly judge sentenced the phenom rapper to 2 to 4 years in prison for violating probation in the nearly decade-old gun charge case.

Meek Mill knows far to well the way the system treats people of color, so he played the songs of the rappers that were banned from Rolling Loud by the NYPD. The performers included Casanova, Pop Smoke, 22GZ, Don Q, and Sheff G. They were banned by the NYPD because of “public safety concerns”.

Casanova took to Instagram to share his disdain for the NYPD’s decision of excluding him for the festival. He said it was unfair because his last felony conviction was 12 years ago.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3gEhF6HdN0/?igshid=1jju5d2tbemaf

Since Rolling Loud was free from any violent acts or unsafe situations, perhaps the performers that were banned will be allowed to perform next year. Meek Mill definitely showed love to them and hopefully he will try his best to put an effort to make changes as well.

The post Meek Mill Plays Songs of Rappers Banned From Rolling Loud NYC During Performance appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“Meek was moving around, politicking with certain people. We bumping into each other at a lot of different places,” he talks about initially meeting the hip-hop mogul. “I was flooding him with beats. My first placement was “1942 Flows” so overtime we were just talking a lot.” The record served as a staple from Meek’s 2017 release Wins & Loses, which was a critically year for him that year.

Fast forward, Dougie inked a deal with Meek Mill’s Dreamchasers label. “Last year, he reached out and said I’m ready to sign you to DC. So after that, I signed it and we just been moving since.” The rest is history. Dreamchasers is a joint venture with JAY-Z‘s Roc Nation and currently houses talents like YBS Skola and Roddy Ricch.

Meekend Music II was another critically-acclaimed project that year, releasing strategically on July 4th of that year. The four-track effort contains several records to vibe to, but the one that stands out is “Save Me.” Originally, it was the opening track of that project but eventually made its way onto the deluxe edition of Wins & Losses. “I feel like when I was making that, there was a lot going on in my life. My beats express my story and what I’m going through. I was losing a lot of my homies and I wanted to get out of that spot,” he explains. “A lot of that music was reflecting on what was going in real life.

“I grew up listening to Nas, Hov, T.I., and Durk when I was younger. Those are some of my favorite artists.” Speaking of Lil Durk, Dougie produced “Baguette Bandz” off of the Chicago rapper’s collective album Only the Family Involved, Vol. 2. Not only that, but it’s also another placement with flawless project, similar to his works with Rick Ross (“Florida Boy”) or G Herbo (“Song Cry”).

“In a couple of years, I see myself as one of the biggest in the game,” Dougie states. Undeniably, producers have been getting their shine more than ever if anything. From collaborative projects to compilation albums, beatmakers are constantly pushing into the limelight. “I’m making that transaction into a full producer, putting records together like Mustard or Diddy. That’s definitely where I want to be.”

Back in June, Dougie linked up with the “Envy Me” rapper CalBoy where they produced some new heat. “Working with Calboy, that was a vibe. We linked and we clicked off the rip. We turned up in the studio and we knocked out three songs in a few hours.” CalBoy previous released his debut album, Wildboy, in the middle of the year. Hopefully, there’s a collaboration between the two on CalBoy’s forthcoming album.

“If I could work with any artist, dead or alive, it would be Drake, Hov, and if Biggie was here I would work with him. I would love to do a song with Thug,” he laughs. “My goal for the rest of this year is to keep going up. I wanna hear my shit on everything popping coming out. Dougie, that’s going to be the name coming into 2020.”

The post Philly Producer Dougie Talks Working With Meek Mill, Calboy, & Formidable Catalog appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.