Mysonne chatted with RESPECT Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson about the culture of hip hop on Scoop B Radio. Photo Credit: Eric Salvary

It could be said that 2017 has been the year of pure lyrics for hip hoppers. In short: out with the mumbling lyrics and autotune in with the honesty and conversation.

While many applaud Jay-Z’s candor and honesty in his recently released 4:44 album, (rightly so: Family Feud, The Story of O.J. 4:44 and Caught Their Eyes are my favorite) it is my estimation that Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN album and Mysonne’s honesty on instagram which then led to an appearance with Charlemagne, DJ Envy and Angela Yee on The Breakfast Club is what jumpstarted the Great Awakening of 2017 that is currently hip hop.

Mysonne went toe-to-toe with Troy Ave in April after the Brooklyn lyricist called himself the second coming of Tupac.

In an instagram post, Mysonne refuted that assesment stating:

“I wouldn’t be who I am if I didn’t come out and say Troy Ave is a fucking bozo. I’m just tired of the Bullshit, Us Real ni**as trying to get out the Streets and these clowns trying to stay in Em. I’m sorry but I can’t peacefully co-exist with Suckers. Stop making clowns Famous ..Ronald McDonald is enough.. #IworkForThePeople#ImRealInRealLife #ImNotUsedToThis #R.I.P.Banga.”

That was perfectly timed. Two months earlier, Mysonne dropped a seven-minute freestyle questioning eveything and everybody in the industry like Lil Uzi and even Future.

“Future said: ‘God blessin’ all the trap n——.’ I got a question for that: ‘Where u at n——?’ Trappers that I know is gettin’ arrested cause of rats n——. Sentenced to life and they ain’t never coming back n——.”

See the freestyle in it’s entirety here: 

Mysonne is not new. A Bronx representer, he reminds me of Dave East before Dave East. Why you ask? Well, Mysonne is the proficient hooper that can equally rhyme. That’s reminiscent of today’s NFL tight end that can hoop and haul in receptions for the New England Patriots or New Orleans Saints! Mysonne’s basketball games with Allen Iverson and Mase are urban legend, but all accounts lean on Mr. New Bronx City holding his own with The Answer and Mason Betha, but I digress! 

I first met Mysonne when he and I were both guest panelists on a Saturday morning discussion at the National Action Network, upon request from Ashley Sharpton, the youngest daughter of civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton.

What I didnt realize is that I had been rocking out to Mysonne’s music during my childhood and in college and didn’t even realize it? Do you remember Mase, Loon and Shyne’s If I Could Start My Life From Scratch? It was on Mases’s Double Album. Yup Mysonne had a verse or two.

If I could start from scratch, Id bring daddy back/And put five in the first cat that show mami crack/I sit back and listen to them drunks on the block/Tryin to school me with jewels, tellin me who to watch

Mysonne was in the NYC mixtape circuit and MC battles. In addition to appearing on Mase’s Double Up album, Mysonne appeared on the Ruff Ryders Ryde of Die Vol. 1 album and had signed with Busta Rhyme’s Violater Management along with Def Jam Records.Unfortunately, in 1999, Mysonne was convicted on two counts of armed robbery and was handed a seven-to-14-year sentence.

Released from prison July of 2006 after doing seven years, he got to work. His image and belief was solely focused on community advocacy and working  for the people. He gave a keynote speech at the 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March in Washington, D.C. in 2015.

The speech, “Justice or Else” was widely received. He even proposed taking Christmas from Santa Claus and giving it back to Christ.

Mysonne’s socially consciousness is admirable. On a recent episode of Scoop B Radio we talked about it. “I think in hip hop if you’re not socially aware then you’re really not of the culture,” Mysonne told me on Scoop B Radio.

For the first time in U.S. History, Hip-Hop is now the most popular genre in music, surpassing the previous title-holder of Rock & Roll.

Check out Mysonne and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson discuss Mysonne’s approach to activism and why he fights for justice within the hip hop realm.

According to Nielsen Music’s mid-year report, which classifies Hip-Hop and R&B within the same category, both genres currently compose 25.1 percent of all music consumed in the United States.

While the digit seems low, it’s the highest, topping Rock & Roll’s value of 23 percent.

Mysonne added on hip hop and social justice advocacy:

“That’s what hip hop was for me it was being able to give our story, our culture so if you’re not in tune with what’s going on in the culture and you don’t see what’s going on in your streets and in your neighborhoods and utilizing your voice and your strength and your power to try to change and speak out against and notify the world about it then it’s like you’re wasting your time.”

Suggested Articles:

The Next Big Showcase’s Cliff Po & DJ Tarzan Making Dreams Reality in NYC & NJ

Scoop B Radio: Turner Sports’ Steve Smith Talks Career & More

The post Mysonne: “In hip hop if you’re not socially aware then you’re really not of the culture” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Sharpton Entertaiment’s Fashion and Talent Show in NYC. Photo Credit: Eric Salvary Boomtown FM

Sharpton Entertainment hosted their annual fashion and talent show on Saturday April 29, 2017 at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel in Manhattan.

Billed as the Artivism Fashion Show was organized by both Ashley Sharpton and Dominique Sharpton, Reverend Al Sharpton’s youngest daughters.

Respect Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson and producer, Amadeus hosting Sharpton Entertainment’s fashion and talent show. Photo Credit: Eric Salvary Boomtown FM

It was cool to be in the house hosting the show alongside Real Housewives of Potomac’s Gizelle Bryant and producer/drummer, Amadeus.

The fashion show has been a success in the past. Check out the Eric  ‘Ziq’ Austin’s produced feature from 2014. 

Rapper, Mysonne was on hand performing in the show. The fashion showcase included clothing from lines like V Hanley Designz by Vedeta Hanley, My Melanin, Irene Gandy Furs & KJS Furs, Readi by Keith Spaulding  & Diversity & Bold Designs, Marikayz Creationz  by Cymone Gray and Christina’s Lane by Christina Lane.

Suggested Articles:

The post Scoop B: Sharpton Entertainment LLC Hosts Fashion Show In NYC appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.