Ro$$ Mac’s “Billy Gene”

The post Wall Street Rapper Ro$$ Mac Scores New Single “Billy Gene” | #TheAltWithMel appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

By: Condido Verona

Established director/content producer Condido Verona, has impacted the careers of some of music and media’s biggest stars. His unique formula for storytelling and capturing the raw essence of a person, has afforded him the opportunity to work with the likes of P. Diddy, Chris Brown, Kevin Hart, Netflix and Sony Music Entertainment to name a few. Growing up in a poverty stricken community, Verona refused to let his environment determine his future. As a result he is the proud founder of Cornerstone Multimedia Group, in which he is able to change lives on his own terms everyday.

I caught up with Condido for a candid interview to discuss his journey toward success. As he openly discusses escaping poverty, finding his calling and being apart of K. Michelle’s creative process as of lately, it is easy to determine that his raw talent is undeniable.

Check it out below!

Condido Verona Interview 

RESPECT: Who is Condido Verona?

Condido: I am really a fan of art, creativity, entrepreneurship and authentic growth amongst other things. I guess as a man I am a product of those interests.

RESPECT: What sparked your interest to pursue a career in production/creative directing?

Condido: My interest in production was revealed to me over time. It kept showing up in my life in different ways and I payed attention to that. I remember being about 7 and watching a show on TV, and something in my young mind wouldn’t let me enjoy it. Something said “this is fake” these people are acting and I lost interest. When I was in high school I created PowerPoint presentations with transitions, sound and video elements to support my assignments.

The first time I did it my teacher bought it for $5 to use as an example in other classes. I just felt like writing a paper was boring. Years later I picked up a camera and started recording my friends with musical talent. That decision lead me down the rabbit whole of learning about the process of digital media. I spent hours in bookstores getting information about how it is done then I would go practice it. After much trial and error, I created a product of all of the raw moments I had captured and that was the start of me making a business of the art.

RESPECT: When did you catch your big break?

Condido: My perspective is a bit different, I see every opportunity as big. I feel success is cumulative so the “big things” are a result of consistently doing the small things well. I have had many milestone moments like.. starting a business and getting a label check in that business name and creating content for fun that ends up going viral and leading to a deal with Kevin Hart and Lionsgate. Both significant and provided more insight and access but I never hit the lottery so my wins are justified by me really putting the work in and always striving to deliver at my highest level.

RESPECT: How important is it to you to be living out your dream while owning your own business?

Condido: I grew up with little access to resources in a really depressed and impoverished place. I could not ask anyone for anything because no one had anything to spare. You know the ghetto drug abuse, mental illness, alcoholism etc. This is what I seen as a kid and I couldn’t get comfortable with that. I looked at who was doing well in my community and seen mostly drug dealers. I wasn’t comfortable with that either but I had to make money somehow.

So I sold candy and got a paper route. I saved and bought school clothes and bike. I used to go to this store that sold music and clothes it was a lot of dope shit in there and it was owned by a black man. That sparked something in me that I couldn’t shake. I had a lot of questions after that and I’ve been on a journey finding the answers. In the process I’ve become that black man business owner that didn’t compromise.

RESPECT: Who are some of the people and brands that your work has afforded you the opportunity to work with?

Condido: I have worked with Kevin Hart, Jillian Michaels, Sean Combs, Chris Brown, Timbaland, Marsha Ambrosius, Jidenna, Sony Music Entertainment, RCA Records, AmericanHeartAssociation, Epic Records, Netflix, Lionsgate Entertainment, RevoltTV, HeartBeatProductions, L.L. Bean, LaughOutLoud, AquaHydrate, Studio71, Essentia, Essence, UniversalMusicGroup, DefJam Recordings, AllDefDigital and many others.

RESPECT: How do you use your gift to overcome adversity that may occur in your life?

Condido: Well the fact that I can get paid from it helps a lot lol being broke is a huge adversity. Seriously, my biggest adversity is becoming successful without compromising authenticity or integrity. I admire the Dave Chapelle(s) and Ermias Asghedom(s) of the world. In short, I strive to only commit to projects that are right for me. You know.. working on things you believe in.. This ensures I’m able to share my authentic perspective in my work and move the needle through the influence of my clients.

RESPECT: Can you elaborate on the importance of getting credited for your work as a creative in the entertainment business?

Condido: I think it’s important to be recognized and highlighted for your creative contributions. It’s social currency and adds value to your brand in various ways. However, I’m often indifferent about it because I’m not looking for followers or anything like that. I’ve been more interested in doing my best work, the people you want to find you will in my opinion.

RESPECT: What has it been like documenting K. Michelle’s creative process as she is preparing for her fifth studio album?

Condido: As you know, K is a powerful woman with many layers. She’s pure energy and I love that. My role on the visual side is fairly simple as a result. When doing documentary style content with her I don’t capture every moment, but I allow the energy to dictate. K is very entertaining overall, often times it’s something provocative or controversial.

However, I’m not interested in that. I’m looking for the moments that clearly express truth and add value to her brand. The moments I can see her passion, intention and pain. Those are what I appreciate the most and I think she gets that I get that. The music is phenomenal, her energy is great and I’m excited to be a part of this process.

RESPECT: What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the year?

Condido: I just want to grow.

As he continues to leave his influence on the world, Condido Verona will be a name that will carry on for centuries. To learn more about his journey, creative process and who he has his lens on next, follow him on instagram @condidoverona.

The post Condido Verona: Seeing The Invisible Through An Authentic Lens appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Mo’Nique was not here for the slander when it comes to her request for the boycott of Netflix based on what she alleges as gender, age, and racial bias.

On Friday (Feb 23), Mo’Nique appeared on Power 105.1’s Breakfast Club to speak on racial and gender inequality in Hollywood, she also took time to speak to Charlamagne Tha God regarding him giving her “Donkey of the Day” for her request.

“I want to address you specifically Lenard because I met you before about ten years ago in an elevator and you were very nice and respectfully so for you to give me donkey of the day, I was confused and wanted to make sure that I spoke to you personally and not through anyone else.”

In regards to her issue with Netflix, Mo’Nique states that she felt that she was overlooked not only because she is a Black woman but also because of her age.

“When we started the negotiations, we started positive and they were praising me letting me know that I was a legend, then suddenly the call dropped and no one bothered to call us back. We received a call asking why we hadn’t responded to an offer that we never received and when we did receive it; it was far less than someone with my resume should be paid.”

Not one to back down, Charlamagne explained why he gave her the hilarious title for the week following her original announcement and continued to inquire as to why she felt her instance with Netflix wasn’t isolated.

“To me, it sounds like an isolated incident because when you have Black women like Ava Duvarney who received millions and deals for multiple projects, maybe it’s just they don’t see the value in paying you that much. What can you provide to show them otherwise? Amy Schumer, although I don’t think she’s funny, has numbers she sold out arenas. Dave Chappelle did 1500 shows all of which sold out and Chris Rock is selling out arenas and you’re still talking about Queens of Comedy from 15 years ago.”

Although Charlamagne was making great points, the Golden Globe awarded comedienne was not impressed and before leaving at the end of the interview compared Charlamagne to the man who led his wife to the slave master in the film Birth of a Nation.

“You know what, brotha? You’re going to hear yourself a lot from me lately. You’re going to hear yourself around the world. We have to explain brothas like you, we do. And, when we watched that movie Birth of a Nation and we saw that man walk his wife into that master’s house, we watched him walk his wife in. Then we watched him go back and get ’em— you’re that brotha.”

Check out the tense interview below.

The post Mo’Nique Claps at Charlamagne Over Donkey of the Day, Explains Netflix Boycott Request [Watch] appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image via John Legend’s Facebook page. Photo Credit by Natasha Belikove.

Although John Legend is currently on tour promoting his latest album Darkness and Light, he will use his creative prowess to develop a music-based program for Netflix. According to Variety, the show—titled Rhythm & Flow—will be the first of its kind for the giant streaming service. Rhythm & Flow‘s format of an unscripted talent competition pits rappers against each other while also shifting focus on soul and R&B music.

John Legend is slated to team up with former NBC network executive Jeff Gaspin. Both Legend’s Get Lifted Film company and Gaspin’s Primary Wave Entertainment will produce the competition series. Both men previously collaborated on the WGN America cancelled slavery drama, Underground.

Legend’s team-up with Gaspin is a smart move. Gaspin is responsible for having developed  VH1’s “Behind the Music”, NBC’s “The Apprentice”, “The Biggest Loser”, and “The Voice” in addition to and Bravo’s “Project Runway.”

No official word yet if John Legend will play another role on the show besides producer.

Suggested Articles:

G-Eazy, A$AP Rocky & Cardi B Come Together on “No Limit”

Listen to Miguel’s New Single “Shockandawe”

The post John Legend and Netflix To Create An Original Music Competition Series appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

A scene from the 2014 satirical comedy-drama “Dear White People.”

Writer-director Justin Simien is back again with Dear White People, but this time as a Netflix series.  In a since-deleted Facebook post, Simien created the show for those “who are chronically unseen in the culture to feel seen.”

Netflix recently revealed the trailer for its upcoming series, and people have vented their frustration with the series by doing the most— by cancelling their Netflix accounts!

The series trailer embodies the same tone as its film predecessor. The 30-second teaser features protagonist Samantha White listing acceptable and unacceptable Halloween costumes via a radio broadcast: “Pirate, slutty nurse, any of our first 43 presidents. Top of the list of unacceptable costumes: Me,” all while photos of students in blackface flash towards the trailer’s ending.

Alt-right Twitter user Tim Treadstone started the trend of Netflix account deletion after he screengrabbed proof of his deletion. He claims the series is “anti-white” and promotes “white genocide.”

Netflix announced a new anti-white show (Dear White People) that promotes white genocide.

I cancelled my account, do the same. #NoNetflix pic.twitter.com/2HIGqviLHj

— Baked Alaska™ (@bakedalaska) February 8, 2017

The reach here is real. Assuming Treadstone didn’t watch the movie,  Dear White People promoted none of those things. Being used as an educational tool, the film specifically asked one thing— stop mocking black people and their culture.

Suggested Articles:

RESPECT. Premiere: T.L. Williams Talks New Project & Single

Dej Loaf And Jacquees Drop New Single “Deeper”

The post Netflix’s “Dear White People” Caused Twitter Uproar Yesterday appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Busy is an understatement for Justin Timberlake, whom has not slowed down yet in his lengthy career and it doesn’t look like the “Bringing Sexy Back” singer has intentions on doing so any time soon. Timberlake and his band The Tennessee Kids are coming to a T.V. set near you, that’s if you’ve got Netflix that is. He’ll be performing a very hyped up and big band concert production “The 20/20 Experience.”

Per media site Complex, Timberlake and Netflix made an announcement back in 2015 that they would be partnering up together for a concert and now a year later, Fans can finally take a front row seat in the comfort of their own homes without the hassle of a big crowd or disturbing views and watch as Timberlake perform his last performance on his 134-date 20/20 Experience World Tour at the MGM Arena in Las Vegas.

Timberlake also teamed up with ‘Silence of the Lambs’ and ‘The Manchurian Candidate’ director Jonathan Demme, to direct the last concert performance.

“It’s very emotional, very exciting. “It’s a space age music film…There’s tremendous dancing in this piece. He’s got an extraordinary band called the Tennessee Kids. Huge horn section, two lead guitars, two drummers, eight dancers, four exquisite background singers. And we caught them on their last performance.” – Jonathan Demme

It definitely looks like J.T. will be pulling out all the stops with this one, Justin will not be sitting back to rest, the 35 year-old mega star will also be lending his voice to the animated film Trolls in which he executive produced and wrote four songs for the animated film. He also did a remake of the song “True Colors” with Anna Kendrick which will be out this fall.

Suggested Articles:

Nebu Kiniza Releases Feel Good Video for “Gassed Up”

RESPECT. Premiere: Gueringer The 13th – “Take It Slow”

The post Justin Timberlake’s ’20/20 Experience’ is Coming to Netflix appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Back in April, Netflix caused waves by announcing they would be upping their monthly subscription fee. Now, the price of unlimited movie options has just gotten a little higher. These new state taxes, signed by Gov. Tom Wolf, stretch Pennsylvania’s already existent 6% sales tax to streaming services in order to fill a $1.3 billion budget gap.

Needless to say, this news upset many Pennsylvanian citizens and avid digital streamers alike.

Netflix Tax #PAproblems
So you are going to tax us for being lazy??

— PA Problems (@PennsylvaniaPro) August 2, 2016

Pennsylvania, looking to fill a budget gap, has imposed, as of today, sales tax on Netflix & Hulu. They’re pushing it.

— Amadi (@amaditalks) August 2, 2016

Pennsylvania is taxing netflix spotify and apple music. I CANT EVEN AFFORD TO PAY TAX ON A BAGEL HOW DO YOU THINK IM GONNA PAY FOR THIS

— Not Ricky (@Ricky_Tran_) August 2, 2016

As for one of the companies who will be affected by Pennsylvania’s new tax, according to the Wall Street Journal, Netflix will push back on case-by-case basis against state efforts to implement the tax. Amazon, Hulu, or Spotify have yet to make any comments. Let’s hope the new season of Orange is the New Black drops before the pesky tax reaches your state.

Suggested Articles:

2016 Emmy Nominations Are In!

Netflix Original ‘The Get Down’ Releases Funk-Fueled Trailer

The post The ‘Netflix Tax’ is Officially Here in Pennsylvania appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.