“I’d rather be alone and know that I have to fend for myself, tooth and claw than to be under the impression that others have my best interest at heart when that’s not the case.”, says Los Angeles emcee Nocando, in regards to his new single and video for “Alaska”.

Nocando admits that initially, “Alaska” was a song that he penned for a friend who, at the time, was dealing with writer’s block. As a result of the friend expressing disdain for the song, it sat around for nearly year, until Nocando would eventually link up with producer Nate Fox, who you might know from his work with Chance the Rapper.

Nate’s production coupled with Nocando’s previously unwanted words resulted in a dark, yet metaphorical final product. “The song lyrics aren’t all to be taken literal”, he says. “When I say that I fell in love with a stripper, it’s to drive home the point that I’m taking risks with my love and no good can come of this. There’s no happily ever after.”

Press play on the song and accompanying visual for “Alaska”, which is directed by Kavan the Kid and Nova Rockefeller.

The post New Video: Nocando goes cold in “Alaska” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Leimert Park’s James McCall, better known as Nocando kicked off his career as a battle rapper, where he dominated for years. After experiencing a few ups and downs, he was motivated and inspired to embark on a career as a solo artist, releasing two full-length projects in 2010 (Jimmy the Lock) and 2014 (Jimmy the Burnout), respectively.

With a new album on the way in 2016, Nocando gives us the video for “Osaka”, directed by Conrad Curtis. Nocando admits that there was never really a plan for “Osaka”, which was shot in the Japanese city of the same name. “We just went out with one camera and filmed shit”, he says. “We wanted to do a classic street rap video, some shots of the city, gritty backgrounds, graffiti, me rapping at the camera spliced with some live footage. Just simple yet quality back to basics shit”.

Peep “Osaka” above and be on tbd lookout for more from Nocando.

The post New Video: Nocando – “Osaka” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.