California rapper Dough The Freshkid is one of the premiere artists coming out of west coast. As he rolled out his latest project Tals Cafe today, It is clear that his talent is unmatched and superb. I had the pleasure of catching up with the hotshot for a quick interview to discuss his new project and inspiration.

Check it out below.

Dough The Freshkid Interview

Respect: What city do you rep?

Dough: I am from Crenshaw District Arlington of California.

Respect: At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music?

Dough: I was around 13 years old when my homeboy asked me to write a rap for him for the school talent show and he ended up winning.

Respect: Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?

Dough: Absolutely. I was born back east and raised a G on the West which, gave me an open range on sounds and culture.

Respect: How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

Dough: I consider myself a street-conscious MC. I have a classic 90s Hip-Hop sound mixed with some of today’s sound. Most of my music production includes heavy bass instruments, classic pianos and soul samples.

Respect: What ultimately inspired you to dedicate yourself to a music career?

Dough: I live music on a daily, I am music, it’s not a career to me it’s a lifestyle. So, I said, “Why not get paid for it?” and show the whole world how gifted I am.

Respect: What’s one reason you are passionate about music and what inspires you?

Dough: I was born in Gary, Indiana on Jackson street where the great Michael Jackson lived. That played a major part of it. I am inspired by the outcome of the music I create; I love to continue to challenge myself each project. I’m actually a big fan of myself.

Respect: Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

Dough: I love watching old movies from the ‘60s and ‘70s. I’m a big kid so I’m looking for that PS5 to drop, and I love working out staying healthy.

Respect: Who are some of your main musical influences?

Dough: My influences are some of the veterans like Ice Cube, Nas, Jay-Z , Biggie, Pac, 50 Cent, and Redman. I also pay attention to Kendrick Lamar, J.Cole, the late great Hussle and all my brothers from the Crenshaw District and my brothers in NY.

Respect: What are some of your music career goals for the future?

Dough: Continue to build my brand where I’m respected as a major and hopefully connected with a major on a Distribution partnership.

Respect: Tell us about the latest project that you’ve released? What is it about?

Dough: Tal’s Café is my latest project (album) that is out today. It’s simply about bringing the hustle aspect back into the game. We got way too many people glorifying junkies in Hip-Hop these days. Never get high on yo own supplies.

Respect: What are some projects you’ve done that you are most proud of and why?

Dough: I’m proud of all three of my projects that I’ve released through stores. I have a few mixtapes that are on DatPiff that you can’t sleep on either. Arlington Avenue, Black Rome and Tal’s Café demonstrates and shows my supporters the range I have when it comes to composing albums. Each of these albums speak of times that we currently live in. I write movies!

Respect: What’s next for you?

Dough: I’m writing in my head as we speak. I also have a title idea but, I am going to hold on to it for a while. I don’t want nobody biting my style lol.

Respect: What message do you hope fans take away from your music?

Dough: That I’m original and that I’m not concerned about what people thing about me. I’ll put my message out there regardless if it’s mainstream or not. I don’t play by the rules; I create my own rules. As Frank Sinatra said “I did it my way.”

Respect: Where can we find you on social media?

Dough: You can find me on Instagram @doughthefreshkid, and on twitter @doughfreshkid. You can also find me on Spotify, Youtube and Apple music by typing in Dough The Freshkid.

Be sure to press play below to stream his latest EP Tals Cafe.

The post RESPECT. Interview: Dough The Freshkid Talks New EP “Tals Cafe” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

By: Sean2 Miles

LA based producer, songwriter and artist Sean2 Miles is the hidden musical gem the world deserves to know. Coming off the release of his highly anticipated Farmhaven album, he is proving to the world that he is musical gifted in many ways. His Mississippi upbringing has kept him grounded and humble allowing him to create timeless music that is influencing the masses.

I had the pleasure of catching up with the hotshot for a candid interview below. As he openly discusses working with Snoop Dogg, the inspiration behind Farmhaven and the importance of having creative freedom as a producer and artist, it is clear that he is destined to have a long lasting impact on the music business.

Sean2 Miles Interview

Respect: Who is Sean2 Miles and where did the name originate from?

Sean 2: Sean2 Miles is a country kid from the south, Mississippi to be exact. Sean 2 actually comes from my father as I am the second Sean. Growing up in Mississippi they always called me Sean2 Miles so I just kept my real name Sean2 Miles. 

Respect: As you previously stated that you are from Mississippi, how hard was it for you to make that transition into the mainstream music circuit being from such a rural area as MS is not known for music?

Sean2: Music in Mississippi to me is kind of like blues as it is home to American music. I feel like I had a clutch by knowing where I come from so when I got in the city, I just made sure that I worked harder than my opponents/colleagues. My work ethic is what got me in the mainstream music circuit.

Respect: When did you make the realization that you wanted to pursue a career in music?

Sean2: So I actually love Michael Jackson. Growing up I used to dance and wanted to be just like Micheal and I was also in the band. I grew up in the church with my mom playing a lot of instruments, so I always knew that music is something I wanted to do seriously as I have a real core passion for it.

Respect: As you have an impressive new album called Farmhaven, that came out recently, do you mind giving some more details on the unique sound you were able to create on this release?

Sean2: Yes. Shoutout to Jarius Mozee and Frank Knuckles from the Roots. I think what made this album so special is the fact that I kept it genuine to Hip Hop. I love Hip Hop and still wanted to groove having an aggressive feel, yet pleasurous all at the same time. Like adding elements of blues and jazz in the production was important as it is what I grew up on and what real music is all about. 

Respect: Why did you feel like it was important to pay homage to your hometown of Farmhaven as it is the name of your album?

Sean2: Because now I feel like it is a breaking point for me. I am at a breaking point in my career and in my life so this is what it is. I just wanted to let it be known where I’m from because it is history from here.

Respect: How important is it to you as an artist and producer to have creative freedom in the music business?

Sean2: It is very important to me to have creative freedom especially as a producer. I spent many years catering to artists and critiquing their sound. I understand the systematic side of it. Once I started producing for myself that is when the challenges started arising because I would be like “oh no I don’t like this” and delete what I was working on just like that. But I can produce someone else very easily. I finally got comfort with myself and that is where I am currently in life which plays out in my music. 

Respect: Someone else who has creative freedom over their music is West Coast legend Snoop Dogg. What was your experience working with Snoop Dogg as I know you had the pleasure of going on a mini tour with him?

Sean2: The experience working with Snoop Dogg was so real. I think Snoop is like one of my main idols growing up. He was always so smooth. So to actually be in the room with him, I knew I was supposed to be there. I was excited for a moment and then I got over it and said “look I’m here”. So I might as well play along with the game and bring excellence along with him and learn as much as I can, but truthfully it’s been good.   

Respect: Do you mind talking about the record you and Snoop have together came about?  

Sean2: So Poppa, CEO of Doggy Style and Snoop’s cousin, came into the studio with Kurupt, Krit and I and he just told me “hey maybe you should try and do a verse”. So I put my verse at the very tail end of the record we were working on. Then I got a call from Snoop, Poppa called me with Snoop on the phone saying “look cus yo shit is tight, put that s**t second verse”. So it was like for him to pay homage to my creativity was mind blowing. I didn’t even think much of it so when it happened I was grateful. Then we followed up with a video, then a tour and most recently a radio tour with Power 106 and 92.3. 

Respect: What is up next for Sean 2 Miles as you are a producer and artist?

Sean2: One thing that is for certain is that I will never quit my day job which is what I call producing. I will always be doing that no matter what! I will also be making a couple more appearances on Vanderpump Rules on Bravo. I made my first appearance on the new season in January, and am very excited about this season as it will highlight all of me. I do videos and a lot of other things that creativity will play out on the show. I am like a chameleon. I am all about ownership, so I own all of my own cameras and equipment and I am coming through with my brand 2 Miles Hit.  

Respect: What exactly will be your role on Vanderpump Rules?

Sean2: On the show I am producing three of the cast members. I am also showing off my video production on there. 

Respect: As you have been able to find success in the music industry, is there any advice you would offer to anyone looking to break into the mainstream music circuit?

Sean2: Yes definitely. Be very relentless. Don’t let anyone tell you what you cannot do and trust your gut and just do it! Never give yourself excuses. Me, I am a Gemini so I get in my own head and am my worst enemy. I’ll be damned if I let anyone else stop me.

Respect: How has it been for you living in LA and feeling the shifting of energy since Nipsey Hussle’s passing?

Sean2: So I actually worked with Nipsey back in 2010 as a producer. I actually got the chance to be with him in the studio and talk to him and Black Sam. Thanks to my father who put me in the room with them, as he is also from L.A. I am honored that Nipsey is still doing his thing and snagged his first ever Grammy Awards this year. I just hate it that he is not here to see how his music is shifting the culture.   

Be sure to tap all the way in with Sean2 Miles by following him on Instagram @Sean2miles ad streaming his Farmhaven album below.

The post Sean2 Miles Talks Farmhaven Album, Creating Music With Snoop Dogg & Creative Freedom In The Music Industry appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

In the midst of one of the oddest Michael Jackson news stories ever, I’m using this post to celebrate MJ’s 60th birthday by going through five of his most pivotal visuals ever (yes, this is all debatable). Added to that, Mark Ronson mashed up classics like “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin,” “Billie Jean” and “Smooth Criminal” to create the very dope hybrid cut “Diamonds Are Invincible.”

[SIDEBAR: Shoutout to Janet Jackson for her creative tribute to her brother, as well.]

Check them out below…crazy how MJ’s estate is doing better than when he was alive…

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The post Happy 60th Birthday Michael Jackson: “Diamonds Are Invincible” with Mark Ronson, Top Visuals appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson and Steph Curry posing with championship rings in 2015. Photo Credit: CSN

Celebrity jeweler Jason Arasheben appeared on Scoop B Radio and checked in with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Arasheben discussed designing the Golden State Warriors’ championship rings. Press Play Below To Listen!

The Golden State Warriors are champions of basketball after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals this past June.

Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr may not be visiting U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House to celebrate their momentous occasion, but the team will be honored by the NBA with championship rings before taking on the Houston Rockets during opening night on Tuesday October 17.

Los Angeles-based jeweler Jason Arasheben designed the Warriors’ rings after their first title win in 2015.

The celebrity jeweler and owner owner of Jason of Beverly Hills has worked with any and everyone from the late Michael Jackson, to music’s Mariah Carey, Rihanna and Lil Jon. He’s also worked Warriors arch rival and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and the Saudi Royal family. After the Warriors title win this year, Jason of Beverly Hills is at it again and charged with the task of replicating what he started in 2015. 

In a Q & A with me on Scoop B Radio, Jason Arasheben discussed the process of designing the team’s ring and the input he received from Warriors players Draymond Green, Steph Curry and Andre Iguodala.

Golden State Warriors’ 2015 championship ring designed by Jason Arasheben and Jason of Beverly Hills. Photo Courtesy of PR Newswire

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: Jason the Warriors second championship in three years and you define something pretty stylish back in 2014 I thought it was a sleek look what was the inspiration for the first championship ring back in 2015?

Jason Arasheben: Well when we did the ring back in 2015, we really wanted to change the game. I wanted to come out with something that didn’t look like all the rings that came out by our predecessor. I mean, every ring has had that traditional look with lots of verbiage on the front and letters and it let like the industry as a whole got stale. Listen we have over two hundred NBA players that are currently playing, personal clients of ours and we know what the players want and we know what the players like and we wanted to find a ring for the players [that they] actually like. So we wanted to come out with something in 2015 that was sleek and minimalist and that is exactly what we did.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: So the Warriors weren’t the first championship ring that you designed.What other rings did you design?

Jason Arasheben: We did the 2009 Lakers championship ring, we did the 2010 Lakers Championship ring, we also did the World Series of Poker bracelets. We did the Chelsea soccer club in the UK, so we have had some success doing championship rings and this is the fourth NBA championship ring we have done in nine years.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: What hints can you give us about the ring that drops this season when the Golden State Warriors are crowned champions?

Luxury jeweler Jason of Beverly Hills celebrated the recent grand opening of its Miami store in the Design District. Photo Credit: World Red Eye

Jason Arasheben: Listen, I obviously because we have an embargo on details on the rings as far as the look and the design and everything, I can’t say a lot. You are going to have to leave it up to the imagination it will be released Tuesday night the 17th for the world to see. But let’s just put it this way: of all my rings I feel like we topped them all.  This is something that is truly spectacular this is something that will go down in the history books in more ways than one. This is by far the best sports championship ring ever created in history across all four major sports.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: And there is no similarity between the 2015 ring and the 2017 ring?

Jason Arasheben: Listen, you know every team has their own ideology on how they want to design the ring and the Warriors wanted to keep in line with the brand and the look of the 2015 ring. But they wanted to take it a step further and that is exactly what we did. The ring kind of has a similar look to that of 2015, but when you take a look at it, you will notice an immediate difference. There is a difference but it maintained a similar look and style of the 2015 ring just significantly upgraded.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: Here is a direct question: how much input did any of the players or management have in the design of the ring?

Jason Arasheben: With the 2017 Warriors ring, the players and management have a lot input. Listen, I have a bunch of guys on the team that are personal friends and clients of mine like Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala  and Klay Thompson. So naturally, I reached out to the players and tried to get their ideas and their thoughts on what they would want in a ring. And you can imagine their opinions where all across the board and there was definitely a divide between management wants and what players want and it is kind of up to me to design a ring that is going to satisfy everyone. Not everyone is going to be happy obviously, but I think all in all we definitely created a ring that everyone is going to love. Listen are some players more boisterous than others? Absolutely! Draymond Green voiced his opinion on more than one occasion and let me know what he wants in the ring and what he doesn’t want in the ring. He wants me to build it, so we spent a couple of nights together with Draymond just going over design and stuff like that, so he was very very involved. Other players like Klay and Steph [Curry] said: ‘You know what? We trust you guys, we know that you are going to come out with something spectacular.’

Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant accepting 2017 MVP award. Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: Last question. 93 percent of NBA GMs predicted or picked that the Golden State Warriors will repeat as champions. This time next year, would you be excited to design another ring for the Golden State Warriors?

Jason Arasheben: Absolutely. I would be super pumped to do that. Listen, they are heavy, heavy favorites. Here the west is stacked. The Warriors are bringing back everybody and still added Swaggy P and a few other guys. I think right now, it is tough to think any team winning the championship outside the Warriors. Listen, I love what they are doing in Houston, but they aren’t the king. The Warriors are still the Kings. They are still sitting on top of the mountain and somebody needs to dethrone them in order for them to come down. I just don’t see it happening.

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The post Warriors’ Championship Ring Designer, Jason Arasheben Says Golden State’s ’17 ring is ‘best sports championship ring ever created in history’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Erica Chase chats with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson about her musical influences. Photo via EricaChase.com

Los Angeles-based pop/rock singer Erica Chase is an eclectic in the industry.

Chase bio on her website describes her as a Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter/guitarist that offers up an Adele/Sam Smith/Ed Sheeran vibe that should whet the appetite of music listeners with her first single and accompanying eclectic video for “Paris.”

Check out Erica Chase and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson‘s disussion via Scoop B Radio

While all of that is groovy beyond measures, what’s just as dope is that she credits folks in R&B, as well as gospel for her influences in music. “Yeah I love gospel music,” Erica Chase told me on Scoop B Radio.

“And there’s just so much truth and authenticity and real raw emotion. I love everything from The Temptations to Smokey Robinson to Prince, Michael Jackson, Aretha to Hall & Oates there’s just so much out there I really don’t discriminate in any musical genre.”

Erica Chase is a success story! Having almost died in a near fatal accident, she’s determined to live her life to the fullest.  

The post Scoop B: Singer Erica Chase Credits Michael Jackson & Prince As Top Musical Influences appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Attorney Gloria Allred chats with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson about some of her biggest influences in Civil Right on Scoop B Radio. Photo Provided By: FourTwoNine

Attorney Gloria Allred is kind of a big deal. Bill Cosby, President Donald Trump, OJ Simpson, Eddie Murphy, Tiger Woods, Michael Jackson are names that the Philadelphia native and Los Angeles-based lawyer has taken to task in court.

Tabbed as a feminist lawyer, Allred was honored last year at the 2016 International Women’s Forum (IWF) World Leadership Conference with the 2016 IWF Women Who Make a Difference Award.

She’s cementing a legacy and for those tardy to the party, her daughter, Lisa Bloom, is representing Blac Chyna in her revenge porn cases against ex-beau Rob Kardashian.

But I digress.

In a recent chat with me on Scoop B Radio, Gloria Allred shared her wish list of activists that she wished that she could have worked with. “I can answer that question pretty quickly actually cause Susan B Anthony,” Allred told me in an appearance on Scoop B Radio. “And Elizabeth Cady Stanton. I would’ve loved to have met them. They are my heroes. They fought for the right to vote for women and Sojourner Truth, of course, as well they all did and at great sacrifice of themselves.”

Check out Gloria Allred and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson via Scoop B Radio

In 1997 Allred was honored with the Outstanding Member Award from the National Association of Women Lawyers. And in 1998 she was named one of The Most 50 Powerful Women in Los Angeles Law by the Los Angeles Business Journal and selected by the National Law Journal as one of The 50 Most Influential Women Lawyers in America.

She added more background to her who’s who of leading ladies she’d love to have worked with.

Voted one of the “Best Lawyers in America” in 1986, Allred earned her B.A. with honors in English from the University of Pennsylvania. She earned her M.A. from New York University and her J.D. cum laude from Loyola University School of Law in Los Angeles. She was also awarded an honorary J.D. from the University of West Los Angeles School of Law.   “You know you don’t have to be a famous person to win change,” she told me on Scoop B Radio.

Allred added about Rosa Parks:

“She was not a famous person. So we can all have as I say in my book ‘A Rosa Parks moment every day.’ And we should have a Rosa Parks moment everyday where we’re not only a witness to what is wrong but we take action to right that wrong.”

Allred is a founding partner of the law firm Allred, Maroko & Goldberg. Her firm handles more women’s rights cases than any other private firm in the nation and has won hundreds of millions of dollars for victims. Ms. Allred also founded and is currently president of the Women’s Equal Rights Legal Defense and Education Fund (WERLDEF).

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The post Scoop B: Civil Rights Attorney In Bill Cosby Case, Gloria Allred Names Susan B. Anthony, Rosa Parks & Sojourner Truth As Civil Rights Heroes appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Black History Month is here and while the month is short and will be over before you know it, it’s a month where African-Americans of times past and present are honored for their sacrifices, achievements and accomplishments marked throughout history. It’s a time for us to reflect on that rich history and celebrate the lives of the ones lost and present whom paved the way for generations of other African Americans to walk in freedom and while this movement is still a “work in progress” for the most part, we’re proud that they stood fearlessly in the face of adversity to make sure we have some of the luxuries we have today such as the right to vote.

One way to honor and look back on African-American culture, history, activists and the actors that played them or played parts representing such troubling times is by way of a movie. I personally love watching movies, especially the ones that portray the African-American men and women whom did so much for us. So, if you just happen to have a down day this month and want to celebrate the occasion, listed below are 10 Classic movies portrayed by African-Americans that you should watch in honor of Black History Month. In no particular order they are:

‘Purple Rain’

What better way to celebrate black history and the life of music legend Prince. The musical drama features some of Prince’s most iconic songs and killer outfits.

‘Malcolm X’

‘Malcolm X’ is was Spike Lee classic, portrayed by Denzel Washington. The movie chronicled the life of the civil rights hero.

“‘Selma’

Ava DuVernay made history with ‘Selma’ in 2014, becoming the first black woman to have her film nominated for “Best Picture” at the Oscars. ‘Selma’ is a portrait piece of Dr. Martin Luther King as he led the march from Selma to Montgomery for voting rights.

‘Glory’

Free black men were conscripted to fight in the Union Army during the Civil War, but as this 1989 period drama shows, not even their willingness to sacrifice their lives for their country was enough to shield them from racism and segregation. Denzel Washington stars in the role that would nab him his first Oscar.

‘Barry’

‘Barry’ is one of two drama films (of what will surely be many) that take a glimpse at the life of a younger former President Barack Obama, the man who would one day become the first black president of the United States.

‘The Princess & the Frog’

In 2009, Disney made history by featuring its first ever African-American princess. Anika Noni-Rose portrayed princess Tiana in this film.

‘The Color Purple’

Okay, so there’s really nothing to say about this one but – CLASSIC!!!

‘The Wiz’

‘The Wiz’ in which stars Diana Ross and a very young Michael Jackson is the black version of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ story.

‘Carmen Jones’

Dorothy Dandridge became the first black woman to be nominated for a Best Actress award at the 1954 Oscars for her role in this epic musical, based on Bizet’s tragic opera ‘Carmen.’

‘A Raisin in the Sun’

Starring Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier, this 1961 adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry‘s play is a film about an African-American family search for the American Dream and what happens when that dream is derailed.

These movies are sure to give you a dose of the richness of the African-American culture and a sense of why we should celebrate this month each year. We’re not just celebrating the culture but we’re acknowledging the people whom broke barriers in every arena which makes us glad to be a part of such an amazing history. You can find other classics listed here. Did your favorite make the list? If not what, African American movies are your favorite classics? Sound off in the comments.

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