Mike Maven Archives - RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture

New Video: J57 Feat. F. Virtue, Mike Maven, Katiah & Akie Bermiss – “Helmut Lang”

Dread Solo — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:00:32 +0000

I could ramble for hours about J57, but for the sake of keeping this short and letting the record speak for itself I will not do so. He’s stomping from the well known, acclaimed [Brown Bag AllStars] crew alongside Audible Doctor, DeeJay Element, DJ E-Holla, Koncept and Soul Khan. For those of you who already follow him you can agree that we mainly know him for his production on records. His production alone is enough to carry him for years, but the bar has been raised and J57 decided to let loose in the rhyming department. This was a shocker to us fans but the results are pretty stellar, as the Ep gained amazing responses.

This is the first visual from J57’s acclaimed ‘Wax Aesthetic‘ Ep (with features from Co$$, Johaz, Choosey / production from Exile and much more) – released in 2014. It is available for free download here. You should probably set aside one minute and add this to your collection if you know what’s best for you. J57 always delivers, as does the whole [Brown Bag AllStars] squad. Let this fun, stress-free visual take you as close as you may ever be to partying with the crew, and be sure to keep up with J57 and all his future moves:

Official Site | J57 Facebook | J57 Twitter | J57 Instagram

The post New Video: J57 Feat. F. Virtue, Mike Maven, Katiah & Akie Bermiss – “Helmut Lang” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

EP Download: J57 – Wax Aesthetic

RESPECT. Staff — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 20:45:56 +0000

J57‘s free EP, Wax Aesthetic, has arrived. While we’re used to hearing J57 behind the boards, for Wax Aesthetic he’s mostly behind the mic, showcasing his rhymes and his flows. We already got a taste of his rapping ability when we premiered the EP’s first track, “Been a Long Time,” a few weeks ago, but the EP offers the entire meal. Clocking in at a little under 20 minutes, the EP is a bit brief, but it’s a dynamic ride throughout, featuring guest appearances from ATR, 777, Denmark Vessey, Tenacity, Mike Maven, Akie Bermiss, Co$$, Johaz, Choosey and more, as well as solid production from Exile, Deejay Element and of course, J57 himself. Stream and download the EP below.

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Song Premiere: J57 feat. ATR – “Been a Long Time” (prod. Exile)

RESPECT. Staff — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 18:59:23 +0000

J57 is known for his work behind the boards, but that doesn’t mean he’s unfamiliar with the vocal booth. Produced by Exile, “Been a Long Time” is the first single from J57‘s upcoming EP, Wax Aesthetic, which will be J57 first solo project solely as an emcee. While J57 has had more than a few verses on a few Brown Bag All Stars projects, “Been a Long Time” is the perfect reminder that while he doesn’t regularly rap, he’s by no means lost his edge. On “Been a Long Time,” he delivers confident bars over Exile‘s excellent scratches and smooth production. Singer ATR, who’s featured on Koncept and J57‘s forthcoming projects, delivers as well, contributing a slightly haunting chorus that coolly reverberates Exile‘s dulled bass.

Though brief (2:21), the overall product is a solid track. Check it out below and look out for Wax Aesthetic on January 28th. In addition to ATR and Exile, the EP will also feature contributions from F. Virtue, Mike Maven, Akie Bermiss, Johaz, Denmark Vessey, Choosey and Co$$.

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Song Premiere: Koncept & J57 feat. Co$$, Tenacity, Johaz, Blame One, El Prez, Realm Reality, Mike Maven – “When I Get There”

RESPECT. Staff — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 16:30:46 +0000

When we interviewed Koncept and J57 last month, they informed us of their journey out to Red Bull Studios in LA and the profound effect that this journey had on their music-making process. We believed them, of course, but nothing backs up a good story like solid evidence. Today we’re premiering “When I Get There,” the first piece of concrete corroboration of their story. Teaming up with Co$$, Johaz, Tenacity, Blame One, El Prez, Realm Reality and Mike Maven for a bi-coastal posse cut, Koncept and J57 get gritty, combining sharp rhymes with riveting percussion and a wailing chorus. The appeal of the song is that despite having several vocalist, it doesn’t feel crowded. Each verse has breathing room, enabling everyone to perform without the song becoming a droning litany. DJ Khaled should take note.

The verses are cut short and the lyrics feel pointed, but this isn’t minimalism. While J57 lets those crashing cymbals take the lead, they’re accompanied by revved-engine-like synths and some subtly ambulating sound effects that disperse the force of the cymbals’ crashes, sometime interacting with the vocals and other times just ebbing away; that isn’t minimalism. “When I Get There” won’t appear on Koncept and J57‘s forthcoming album, Flight, but it’s a good indicator of where they’re headed. Listen below.

The post Song Premiere: Koncept & J57 feat. Co$$, Tenacity, Johaz, Blame One, El Prez, Realm Reality, Mike Maven – “When I Get There” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.