By: The DJ Grid

Driven by a warm and mutually supportive base of music fans, The DJ Grid has proved to be a blend of top notch creators, celebrity DJs, and music executives under one roof. With a network that produces millions of impressions monthly, The DJ Grid uses modern methods and cutting edge technology to distribute and promote each body of work. 

The DJ Grid is mostly known for their popular compilation series which has dominated the Billboard charts numerous times. They’ve broken records for stars like Missy Elliott, Cam’ron, Sean Kingston, Lil Baby, Ed Sheeran, Damian Marley, and Sean Paul just to mention a few. The DJ Grid has previously released three #1 Billboard albums – including Tropical House Cruises to Jamaica, Tropical House Cruises to Jamaica (Deluxe), and Tropical House Cruises to Jamaica (Reloaded). They’ve also had Top 25 Billboard charting success with their World Hip Hop Compilation series – World Hip Hop Unleashed Vol. 1 & Vol. 2.

The 50/50 album by The DJ Grid was released 4/20 on Walmart.com exclusively and sold out in 24 hours. The coalition linked up with various artists to drop this collaborative album, 50/50. The album was first announced in early 2020 and was distributed three months later. The 50/50 album consists mostly of Hip Hop and Rhythm & Blues songs and the 20-track project marks The DJ Grid’s return, following a short absence in terms of albums releases.

By: The DJ Grid

The 50/50 LP features headliners like Twista, Lauryn Hill, C-Murder, Cuttboy G-Dinero, JonBlaze, Chris Brown, Beadz, Quavo, Gunplay, RedrumSociety, Avatar Frost, Kali Ranks, Sunshine Blues, FLO, KC Da Beatmonster, and more. “This album is on track to be one of the industry’s most anticipated albums.” says the head A&R of Predicted Platinum Records, DJ Choice. The 50/50 compilation can currently be purchased in CD format at Wal-Mart, Kmart, and Sears. The star studded album was physically distributed by Predicted Platinum Records (A sub-label of Amada Records).

The post Hot New Album 50/50 by The DJ Grid Sells Out in 24 Hours appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

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During the official announcement, Hall of Fame Chairman Nile Rodgers spoke on Missy’s inclusion:

“It’s amazing. To me, it’s important to have equality. I’ve written with a lot of women songwriters, but not nearly enough. That’s sort of my secret goal — I want to have more women songwriters… [Missy Elliott is] one of my favorite writers of all time.”

Missy Elliott joins an impressive and worthy list of inductees this year: Dallas Austin, Tom T. Hall, John Prine, Jack Tempchin and Yusuf “Cat Stevens” Islam have also achieved the honor.

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The post Missy Elliott is Now the First Female Hip-Hop Artist to be Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: Conglomerate

Four of last decade’s musical frontrunners are still creating fire in 2018. In addition to a hilarious Mountain Dew Super Bowl ad campaign, Rap gods Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliott have teamed up with Destiny’s Child alum Kelly Rowland for a new single titled “Get It,” which sees production from Bangladesh. The makings of a chart-topping return for all parties involved.

Vibe to Busta’s latest below; “Get It” is officially out tomorrow (February 2nd).

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The post Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott & Kelly Rowland Are Ready To “Get It” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Issa Rae is on hella radars and now she’s utilizing that spotlight to pay homage to some of the women who influenced her.

In an editorial spread for Hannah magazine, Issa dressed up as three black woman who has major contributions to music. In the spread published on Wednesday (Jul 26), Issa depicts artists Missy Elliott, Solange, and Nina Simone in an iconic photo shoot by photography Elton Anderson Jr.

After the photoshoot hit the web, everyone was a fan, including Missy who gave her stamp of approval to Issa via Twitter saying, “Yoooo @IssaRae nailed this pic! Big up!!!! You did that???????”

Yoooo @IssaRae nailed this pic! Big up!!!! You did that🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🔥 https://t.co/kRRRKkGC6S

— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) July 27, 2017

Issa who recently kicked off the second season of her hit HBO series, Insecure, will also be working on her first full-length project loosely based on one of author David Foster Wallace‘s books later this year

The new film titled after the book, Empress of Serenity, will feature Bill Hader as an animal rights lawyer who is shocked by the news of his mother passing away. Encouraged to go on a 45-day cruise to heal by his estranged father, Hader’s character ends up befriending Rae’s character Michelle, who is described as a reclusive kindred spirit. Production on the film is slated to begin sometime in August.

Check out the photos below.

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The post Issa Rae Pays Homage to Black Girl Magic by Honoring Missy Elliott, Nina Simone and Solange appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

From Snoop Doggy Dog, to Grandmaster Flash, we’re hopping in a time machine as we go through Hip-Hop’s 25 Most Memorable Album Covers.

25. Juvenile, 400 Degreez (1998)

From the diamonds and flames, to the Z in “Degreez” being a dollar sign…There’s just something about the WordArt feel of this album that keeps fans coming back.

24. Wale, Attention Deficit (2009)

The obvious shoutout to a digital world reigns as the focal point for this album cover. A strong, yet simple message burns through the vibrant cool colors, and captures your attention immediately.

23. De La Soul, 3 Feet High and Rising (1989)

You’ve probably seen these flowers before, or maybe even these 3 talented young men. Fun fact, rap group De La Soul actually hates this album cover. They felt that everyone would be associating them with flowers, peace, the whole hippie movement, when that wasn’t them at all!

22. Kanye West, 808s and Heartbreak (2008)

The minimalism in this cover is the beauty of it all. Kanye was hurting, simple as that!

21. 2Pac, Me Against The World (1995)

This album shook the charts, and you couldn’t go anywhere in 1995 without seeing it. 2Pac rocked the world right before his unfortunate passing, and sold hundreds of thousands copies of the album.

20. Run-D.M.C., Run-D.M.C. (1984)

Run-D.M.C.; Pioneers, legends, superstars. This classic cover had to make the list!

19. Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)

Firstly, it’s Lauryn Hill etched into a school desk. This album taught everyone a couple of things. No further explanation needed.

18. Snoop Doggy Dogg, Doggystyle (1993)

From the dogcatcher in the back to the Snoop Dogg lookalike on top of the dog house, this album cover is full of style, steeze, and comedy!

17. Eric B. & Rakim, Paid in Full (1987)

Money. Harlem was all about money. Eric B. and Rakim made it clear that they had it, and there was never any problem getting it! The Dapper Dan Gucci sweatsuits, the huge rope chains… The aesthetic of it all represents a very transitional era in the development of Hip-Hop music.

16. Ice Cube, Death Certificate (1991)

Ice Cube next to Uncle Sam’s corpse. No further explaining to do.

17. Missy Elliott, Supa Dupa Fly (1997)

Missy Elliott has always held more swag than most artists in the music industry, remaining humble and subtly stunting on everyone! This cover embodies exactly who she is; chilling for the moment… but don’t forget that she’s fly.

18. Wu-tang Clan, Enter the Wu-tang: 36 Chambers (1993)

This album cover is actually kind of wild. Firstly, no face, no case. Secondly, does the guy in the front have a finger gun? This album cover is great for its immense mystery.

17. Jay-Z, The Blueprint (2001)

Jay-Z wearing a Rocawear jean jacket smoking a cigar. He won.

16. A Tribe Called Quest, Midnight Marauders (1993)

The various facial expressions in the background, the bulging eyes… What do we look at first?! This album cover is great because it leaves so much space for interpretation, the colors on the cover represent so many things, and everyone would formulate their own meaning.

15. Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly (2015)

We need to take over the White House… and keep it. Bring our culture, our families, our music… make it OUR country. Simply put.

14. Kanye West, The College Dropout (2004)

We all know the bear. This bear costume (that Kanye FOUND, by the way) looks like any college student during the longest finals week ever: TIRED. The album cover is warm, relatable, and not complex; perfect in a sense.

13. Grandmaster Flash, The Source (1986)

Do we start off with the fly guy with this legs crossed, or old boy with the red leather hat to match his shoes? This album cover embodies the true start of Hip-Hop. B-boys, spitting bars in New York City’s uptown train station, even down the pager on homeboy’s hip!

12. Snoop Doggy Dogg, The Doggfather (1996)

The Godfather is a critically acclaimed cult classic, and Snoop Dogg actually might’ve done something, by simply switching 2 letters! This was Snoop’s final album on Death Row Records under his name of Snoop Doggy Dogg, and he was owning the game. The West coast made no moves without you hearing about Snoop, rightfully making him the Doggfather.

11. NWA, Straight Out of Compton (1988)

One of the most controversial groups, with one of the most rebellious albums of all time. These young men all banded together and shook the West coast with words that everyone in Compton couldn’t bring themselves to say.

10. The Fugees, The Score (1996)

Firstly, Lauryn Hill AND Wyclef Jean on ONE album cover… That’s art. The beauty lies in the minimal yet intense typography, and the 3 beautiful black faces.

9. Nas, Illmatic (1994)

This kid is too cute. Too cute for the cover, and too cute for the hood he reigns from. Nas showed that everyone was suffering and surviving, even the young.

8. Master P, The Ghettos Tryin To Kill Me! (1994)

The lace bra hanging from Master P’s name, the Boosie fade, my man creeping in the window “Cell Therapy” style… The lo-fi quality wraps it all together, you feel like you’re watching a movie, and you’ve barely even looked at the cover.

7. DMX, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood (1998)

This album cover is bloody and gory, in every sense. Its beauty lies in the naive state of such a “Ruff” guy, and almost goes to show that the black man is one of the most sensitive species.

6. Redman, Dare Iz a Darkside (1994)

Redman is stuck buried in this Children of the Corn looking field, and its freaking me out. I love it.

5. Outkast, Stankonia (2000)

This album cover is great for 3 reasons: One, Andre 3000 was having an amazing hair day. Two, so was Big Boi. Thirdly, it calls out the entire country, so subtly, being a black and white world. We all knew… But did we really know?

4. Gang Starr, Daily Operation (1992)

Gang Starr is really giving off intellectual and successful vibes, and who doesn’t love that? “The goal is money, and this is how we get it. Don’t ask no questions, I thought this through.” Guys from the hood are smart too!

3. Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Return of the 36 Chambers (1995)

Have you seen the O.D.B tv special, where he took America into the food stamp office in Brooklyn, and got his money right? This man never cared, was never too embarrassed to live his life and let whoever wanted to look come and see. Hoping his unbothered soul is resting in peace.

2. The Notorious B.I.G., Ready to Die (1994)

Foreshadowing? This was Biggie’s debut album, and just as his career was being born, he was ready to die. Sadly, he would pass away 2 years after its release. But in those 2 short years, he conquered the world. He started off on top, and he achieved what he needed to; he was truly ready to die.

1. Geto Boys, We Can’t Be Stopped (1991)

This man… Is in a hospital bed. The rap trio is standing in a hospital, posed for an ALBUM COVER. Who was stopping the Geto Boys? NOTHING! They literally cannot be stopped, no matter the circumstance. This cover is full of hustle and desire to reach success, and has to be respected as THE most memorable. Who’s forgetting this?

Do you have any albums you think should’ve been on this list? Leave a comment below and let us know!

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The post 25 of Hip Hop’s Most Memorable Album Covers appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Virginia’s own, Audra The Rapper. Photo Courtesy of Instagram

Audra The Rapper is pretty dope. Her style is dope because of its variational influences. To steal Shirley Ceasar’s line: YOU NAME IT!

Although hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Audra was big on Jim Jones, Cam’ron, Juelz Santana, Hell Rell and Freekey Zekey of Harlem’s Own; the Diplomats. Additionally, she was a fan of the producer/lyricist product that is Kanye West and of Floetry.

Audra is also big on Lauryn Hill and in many interviews indicated that she was one of her biggest inspirations. 

That would make perfect sense! Back in 2010, she dropped Miseducation of Audra, an ode to Ms. Fugees, herself, Lauryn Hill.

She also tributed her on Instagram the other day:

Hey guys. I have this healthy obsession with this damn-near deity by the name of Ms. Lauryn Hill. So much so that my second project i released in my teens was an homage to her debut album. Well guys, She is going on tour with Nas and I havent had normal thoughts since hearing this. My first time seeing LBoogie was with Nas in college and I dropped $400 to get VIP tickets for them to try to cancel her set. @romarley came to my rescue that time tho. Well all of that to sayyy. I just got overly excited about being a fan and all those feelings that made me want to become a performer just made them self known full force. Hype for this. Good day

A post shared by Farrah Saucett (@audratherapper) on Jun 3, 2017 at 12:01pm PDT

Audra The Rapper’s wikipedia page says it best: unlike a lot of rappers, whose rap style have easily been categorized as Trap, Hardcore or Conscious, Audra The Rapper has partnered her lyrics with a variety of sounds, reflecting various styles and has described her style is “Ratchet Soul.” That said, she is literally an Escalade with Lamborghini doors; that’s balance!  delivery embraces a myriad of styles.

In a recent interview via Scoop B Radio Audra let it be know how much a student of the game she is and was. “I came up watching Behind The Music; you know what I’m saying,” she said on Scoop B Radio.

Check Out Audra The Rapper and Lee Mazin Chatting With Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson On Scoop B Radio:

She added:

“Like really getting an in-depth lifestyle look of the artists that I admired and sometimes it gave me a new appreciation for the artist and then it had me going back and listening to their music like I get that a little better. I’d see stuff differently, I’d hear stuff differently and I’d like it and I think what this show is doing is really giving you an in-depth look at five females in truthfully a male dominated industry but not even minding any of that. We not looking at ourselves as female rappers I personally hate that this is rap this is what we do this is all we know and we’re giving that to people so people are getting that real lifestyle look at this and how we handle our business.”

But Lauryn Hill wasn’t the only influence of Audra The Rapper’s. When I asked Audra how the Oxygen network television show, Sisterhood of Hip Hop, benefitted her career, she couldn’t help but credit the likes of Missy Elliott.“We’re supporting each other,” she said. “That’s reminiscent of the era of hip hop that I love; you know Missy and all of them.”

Then she took it back to it being Friday Night!

“Missy would have every female on her album,” Audra The Rapper said with a grin. “You know what I’m saying?”

If you’re not a child of 90s, it was a Missy track that also featured Angie Martinez during her rapping days, along with Lil Kim, the late Left Eye from TLC and So So Def’s Da Brat.

“Just that support that era of competition because it’s what we do. We’re in the same field we love it all the same, but we don’t have to knock each other. We don’t have to step on each other, because we all individually bring something different to the same game so why do I gotta hate on my sister? You know what I’m saying?”

Audra The Rapper has a voice to be the female leader of the new school! Stay tuned! 

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The post Audra The Rapper Tells Scoop B Radio About Missy Elliott’s Ladies Night: “Missy would have every female on her album” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.