T.I. took to Instagram yesterday to announce the release date of his new mixtape Us Or Else, arriving September 23rd. 

T.I. revealed in an interview back in late July with Ebro in the Morning on Hot 97, that he was working on a new mixtape titled Us Or Else. This upcoming project will serve as a precursor to The Dime Trap which has yet to receive an official release date. The Dime Trap will be T.I.’s next studio album and according to a recent interview with Rolling Stone, he has even spent time working with Dr. Dre which will hopefully be evident on the album.

#USorELSE Sept.23.

A photo posted by TIP (@troubleman31) on Sep 17, 2016 at 2:34pm PDT

Us Or Else is inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and the current systemic racial issues America has been struggling to deal with. Tip’s new single “Warzone” takes aim at the fatal shootings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, referencing the “Hands Up, Can’t Breathe” chants of protesters following the deaths of both young men. The new single will appear on Us Or Else which can be streamed below.

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It was just another normal day on August 9, 2014. Lezley McSpadden went to work as usual to work her shift, probably thinking about what she would cook for dinner and etc. What she didn’t expect to happen that day was to receive a call (that no parent in world would ever want to receive).

Lezley McSpadden was taking a cigarette break from her grocery store job when a friend called to tell her that someone had been shot near the Canfield Green Apartments in Ferguson, MO. Thinking that maybe it was just another shooting that was happening in the neighborhood, Lezley shrugged it off. That was until she received another phone call this time from a family member stating that the victim shot was McSpadden’s 18yr old son, Michael Brown. And to make things even more unsettling, the shooter was a police officer.

Ferguson police officer, Darren Wilson, felt Brown fit the description of a robbery that happened at a local convenient store minutes earlier. According to Wilson, he then asked Brown and his friend–whom were walking in the street to get out the road–Brown and his friend didn’t pay attention to the officers request and stayed in the street. Heated words transpired and a scuffle broke out between Brown and Wilson within the police car. According to stlouis.cbslocal Wilson stated that the then 6’5, 300pd Brown charged at him once he got out of the car and that he shot him in self defense.

In light of the controversy that rocked the nation with the #HANDSUP-DON’TSHOOT mantra, McSpadden decided to tell her story. In her book, Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil, McSpadden chronicles life growing up in St. Louis, her experiences, raising her son, Michael and the events, emotions and dialogue that all lead up to the day her son was fatally shot and killed.

“I’ve always just wanted to be treated fair and equal, and that’s what I’m fighting for; for my son right now.” —  Lezley McSpadden

Since that terrible day, McSpadden has spoken to the United Nations committee in Switzerland, she’s appeared in Presidential Campaigns with Hilary Clinton and was featured in Beyonce’s video. Beyonce’s video also featured Trayvon Martin‘s mom–who’s son was gunned down by George Zimmerman a white male whom was the neighborhood’s “watch” captain. Common also featured McSpadden during the BET awards by paying tribute to Michael Brown during his song “Kingdom.”

Snippet from Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil by Lezley McSpadden

“I caught a glimpse of a blood-covered white sheet laying over the form of a motionless body stretched out on the ground and screamed, throwing my arms in the air, ‘Naw, naw, naw, that ain’t my child! It can’t be.'”

Darren Wilson resigned from the Ferguson Police Department in November 2014. McSpadden’s family’s wrongful death lawsuit is still making it’s way through the court today. McSpadden said she had hoped Wilson would have apologized but to this day he still never has.

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The post Lezley McSpadden Tells the Truth & Shames the Devil with New Book appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

In the aftermath of the non-indictment of both Darren Wilson and Daniel Pantaleo, the nation has been in sheer emotional turmoil; and because of it, it has prompted not only protestors, but vexed individuals alike to exasperatingly vocalize their fury. 22-year-old Sacramento artist JustKristofer is no different and is among those expressing said fury. His new Prop the Producer-produced track, “Last Words,” features Prop and LA on the sax and touches on the social injustices we face and the pain brought on by never-ending police brutality.

I’m surrounded by killers, I’m protected by murderers, pledge allegiance to thieves taking lives…

Take a listen to “Last Words” below.

The post New Music: JustKristofer Ft. Prop & LA – “Last Words” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

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Elle Varner has released the single, “One Love,” in honor of the tragic tragedy that took place this past Saturday involving Michael Brown. The single is very powerful and features Elle singing about peace and turning away from violence. The track is produced by Dj Dahi and has a smooth, soothing flow to it. Listen to the track below and let us know what you think.

The post New Music: Elle Varner – “One Love” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.