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	<title>Notorious B.I.G Archives - RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture</title>
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	<title>Notorious B.I.G Archives - RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture</title>
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		<title>BROOKLYN&#8217;S FINEST: LEGENDS IN FOCUS! Feb. 4th &#8211; Brooklyn, NY</title>
		<link>https://respect-mag.com/2026/01/brooklyns-finest-legends-in-focus-feb-4th-brooklyn-ny/</link>
					<comments>https://respect-mag.com/2026/01/brooklyns-finest-legends-in-focus-feb-4th-brooklyn-ny/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[RESPECT. Staff]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Jan 2026 03:23:07 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://respect-mag.com/?p=278755</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Letter from RESPECT. Founder I’m honored to curate along with longtime collaborator, Datwon Thomas, &#8220;Brooklyn’s Finest: Legends in Focus&#8221; — a civic installation opening February 4 at Brooklyn Borough Hall, presented as part of Black History Month. This installation brings [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com/2026/01/brooklyns-finest-legends-in-focus-feb-4th-brooklyn-ny/">BROOKLYN&#8217;S FINEST: LEGENDS IN FOCUS! Feb. 4th &#8211; Brooklyn, NY</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com">RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="278759" data-permalink="https://respect-mag.com/2026/01/brooklyns-finest-legends-in-focus-feb-4th-brooklyn-ny/brooklyns-finest-event-final-1-2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Brooklyns-Finest-Event-FINAL-1-1.png?fit=%2C&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="[]" data-image-title="Brooklyn&amp;#8217;s Finest Event FINAL (1)" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Brooklyns-Finest-Event-FINAL-1-1.png?ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Brooklyns-Finest-Event-FINAL-1-1.png?w=640&amp;ssl=1" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-278759" src="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Brooklyns-Finest-Event-FINAL-1-1.png?fit=0%2C0&#038;ssl=1" alt="" data-recalc-dims="1" /></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Letter from RESPECT. Founder</strong></p>
<p>I’m honored to curate along with longtime collaborator, Datwon Thomas, &#8220;<em>Brooklyn’s Finest: Legends in Focus</em>&#8221; — a civic installation opening February 4 at Brooklyn Borough Hall, presented as part of Black History Month.</p>
<p>This installation brings together a selection of photographs that honor Brooklyn’s sizable impact on hip-hop culture and the photographers who helped document it. Hip-hop is one of New York City’s great cultural gifts to the world, and photography has been essential to how that story has been seen, remembered, and carried forward across generations.</p>
<p>With a limited number of images, it’s impossible to represent every Brooklyn rap artist, era, or neighborhood that helped build the legacy. Instead, this installation focuses on a tightly curated group of works reflecting the spirit, pride, and influence of Brookly —celebrating Hip-Hop icons whose lives and cultural contributions are deeply rooted in the borough.</p>
<p>At the heart of this display is the work of Jamel Shabazz, the legendary Brooklyn-born street photographer whose images have come to define generations of NY life, culture, and self-expression. His photographs are inseparable from Brooklyn’s visual history and from the lived experience of street culture itself.</p>
<p>The installation also features contributions from Matthew Salacuse, Mike Schreiber, Sarah A. Freeman, Justin Jay, and Lisa Leone—documentarians whose work captured BK icons in their respective emerging moments. The display is anchored by one of the most iconic portraits in music history: Baron Claiborne’s timeless image of The Notorious B.I.G., a photograph forever linked to BK&#8217;s imprint on the world.</p>
<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="278760" data-permalink="https://respect-mag.com/2026/01/brooklyns-finest-legends-in-focus-feb-4th-brooklyn-ny/screenshot-4/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6421.jpeg?fit=1170%2C1675&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1170,1675" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Screenshot&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1769724891&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Screenshot&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Screenshot" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Screenshot&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6421.jpeg?fit=1170%2C1675&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6421.jpeg?fit=640%2C916&amp;ssl=1" class="size-full wp-image-278760" src="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6421.jpeg?resize=1170%2C1675&#038;ssl=1" alt="" width="1170" height="1675" data-recalc-dims="1" /></p>
<p>At the center of the installation is a sequence honoring <em>The Greatest Day in Hip-Hop History</em>—a historic moment I helped organize in 1998 that brought together one of the most extraordinary assemblies of artists ever captured in a single image. While Harlem is the Mecca, Brooklyn showed up—and this moment belongs here because the culture has always moved between boroughs. The image featured here was captured by Gordon Parks’ trusted protégé, Johanna Fiore, whose lens preserves that day from a rare and personal vantage point. There also two images by yours truly capturing Busta Rhymes and Rakim on that day in 1998. Being in the right place at the right time is often what makes photography magical.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="278761" data-permalink="https://respect-mag.com/2026/01/brooklyns-finest-legends-in-focus-feb-4th-brooklyn-ny/screenshot-5/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6422.jpeg?fit=1170%2C1672&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1170,1672" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Screenshot&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1769724905&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Screenshot&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Screenshot" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Screenshot&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6422.jpeg?fit=1170%2C1672&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6422.jpeg?fit=640%2C915&amp;ssl=1" class="size-medium wp-image-278761" src="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6422.jpeg?resize=1170%2C1672&#038;ssl=1" alt="" width="1170" height="1672" data-recalc-dims="1" /><br />
Additionally, a proclamation will be given to Hip-Hop pioneer, Fab5Freddy.</p>
<p>As a proud Brooklyn native, and as a co-founder of XXL Magazine/xxlmag.com and founder of RESPECT., the photo journal of hip-hop culture, it’s an honor for my firm iD8 Entertainment to underwrite and curate this installation in a civic space where New Yorkers can experience these images together.</p>
<p>Thank you to the Brooklyn Borough Hall President’s Office (Donavan Swanson and Roslyn Campbell) and the Borough Hall team for making space for public cultural storytelling.</p>
<p>— <strong>Jonathan A. Rheingold</strong><br />
Curator / Producer / RESPECT. Founder</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com/2026/01/brooklyns-finest-legends-in-focus-feb-4th-brooklyn-ny/">BROOKLYN&#8217;S FINEST: LEGENDS IN FOCUS! Feb. 4th &#8211; Brooklyn, NY</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com">RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">278755</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Texas Rapper Thomas Howard Releases An Honest New Single Titled “The Backstory Pt. 1“</title>
		<link>https://respect-mag.com/2020/04/texas-rapper-thomas-howard-releases-an-honest-new-single-titled-the-backstory-pt-1/</link>
					<comments>https://respect-mag.com/2020/04/texas-rapper-thomas-howard-releases-an-honest-new-single-titled-the-backstory-pt-1/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brittany Burton]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2020 21:40:34 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Music]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Big Pun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bizarre]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Eminem]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Notorious B.I.G]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Backstory Pt. 1]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thomas Howard]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tupac]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://respect-mag.com/?p=241659</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Texas rapper Thomas Howard, has officially released his new single “The Backstory Pt. 1”. Since gaining the industry’s attention in 2015, after being discovered by Bizarre from D12, Howard has only taken his career to new heights. This single dives [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com/2020/04/texas-rapper-thomas-howard-releases-an-honest-new-single-titled-the-backstory-pt-1/">Texas Rapper Thomas Howard Releases An Honest New Single Titled “The Backstory Pt. 1“</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com">RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_241601" style="width: 472px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-241601" data-attachment-id="241601" data-permalink="https://respect-mag.com/2020/04/texas-rapper-thomas-howard-releases-an-honest-new-single-titled-the-backstory-pt-1/pic-2-2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/pic-2.jpg?fit=462%2C473&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="462,473" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="pic 2" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Texas Rapper Thomas Howard Releases The Backstory Pt. 1 Single Off Of His Upcoming EP The M.I.M.O.E.&lt;/p&gt;
" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;By: Thomas Howard&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/pic-2.jpg?fit=462%2C473&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/pic-2.jpg?fit=462%2C473&amp;ssl=1" class="size-full wp-image-241601" src="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/pic-2.jpg?resize=462%2C473&#038;ssl=1" alt="“Texas Rapper Thomas Howard Releases The Backstory Pt. 1 Single”" width="462" height="473" data-recalc-dims="1" /><p id="caption-attachment-241601" class="wp-caption-text">By: Thomas Howard</p></div>
<p>Texas rapper <a href="https://instagram.com/iamthomashoward?igshid=1pmdmzou4duzj">Thomas Howard</a>, has officially released his new single “<strong>The Backstory Pt. 1</strong>”. Since gaining the industry’s attention in 2015, after being discovered by <b>Bizarre</b> from <b>D12</b>, Howard has only taken his career to new heights. This single dives into a deeper layer of this emcee’s honest tongue, and raw lyricism.</p>
<p>On this song, you will hear the Texas native rapping about his trials and tribulations, as he pushes through pain in order to garner success. As this single is geared to appear on his upcoming EP <em>The M.I.M.O.E, </em>it sets the tone for what we can expect from Howard all year. His storytelling abilities are out of this world, and thrive like never before on his latest material. The most notable element of this release is the consistent, heavy hitting bars that go on from the beginning to the end of the record.</p>
<p>Being heavily influenced by a long list of greats, such as <b>Big Pun</b>, <b>Nas</b>, <b>The Notorious B.I.G.</b>, <b>Tupac</b>, <a href="https://twitter.com/bizarresworld">Bizarre</a> of <b>D12</b> and <b>Eminem </b>Howard is figuring out ways to joins the ranks of some of the greats.</p>
<p>With a thriving sound, stead fast fan base, and musical bliss, he is ready to take over the mainstream circuit. Press play below to stream “<b>The Backstory Pt. 1</b>” and tap in with some new vibes.</p>
<p><iframe title="Spotify Embed: The Backstory, Pt. 1 (The Story of Randy)" style="border-radius: 12px" width="100%" height="152" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/63pe0siNENVE1MseHSZgap?utm_source=oembed"></iframe></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com/2020/04/texas-rapper-thomas-howard-releases-an-honest-new-single-titled-the-backstory-pt-1/">Texas Rapper Thomas Howard Releases An Honest New Single Titled “The Backstory Pt. 1“</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com">RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">241659</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>DJ Clark Kent details how he got Notorious B.I.G. on Jay-Z&#8217;s Reasonable Doubt album</title>
		<link>https://respect-mag.com/2017/12/dj-clark-kent-details-how-he-got-notorious-b-i-g-on-jay-zs-reasonable-doubt-album/</link>
					<comments>https://respect-mag.com/2017/12/dj-clark-kent-details-how-he-got-notorious-b-i-g-on-jay-zs-reasonable-doubt-album/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon Robinson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 Dec 2017 16:52:34 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[50 Cent]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Dj Clark Kent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jay-Z]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jay-z birthday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Notorious B.I.G]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reasonable Doubt]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://respect-mag.com/?p=177228</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>DJ Clark Kent drops by Scoop B Radio and discusses producing, the latest and greatest AND producing Jay-Z and Biggie Smalls&#8217; Brooklyn&#8217;s Finest. Press Play Below To Listen!  &#160; Jay-Z&#8217;s &#8220;Reasonable Doubt&#8221; had hits! Hov&#8217;s first album, released on June [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com/2017/12/dj-clark-kent-details-how-he-got-notorious-b-i-g-on-jay-zs-reasonable-doubt-album/">DJ Clark Kent details how he got Notorious B.I.G. on Jay-Z&#8217;s Reasonable Doubt album</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com">RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_177305" style="width: 630px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-177305" data-attachment-id="177305" data-permalink="https://respect-mag.com/2017/12/dj-clark-kent-details-how-he-got-notorious-b-i-g-on-jay-zs-reasonable-doubt-album/jay-biggie/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Jay-Biggie.jpg?fit=620%2C400&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="620,400" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Jay Biggie" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Jay-Z and the Notorious B.I.G. Photo Credit: REHAB Online Magazine&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Jay-Biggie.jpg?fit=620%2C400&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Jay-Biggie.jpg?fit=620%2C400&amp;ssl=1" class="size-full wp-image-177305" src="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Jay-Biggie.jpg?resize=620%2C400" alt="" width="620" height="400" data-recalc-dims="1" /><p id="caption-attachment-177305" class="wp-caption-text">Jay-Z and the Notorious B.I.G. Photo Credit: REHAB Online Magazine</p></div>
<p><strong>DJ Clark Kent drops by Scoop B Radio and discusses producing, the latest and greatest AND producing Jay-Z and Biggie Smalls&#8217; Brooklyn&#8217;s Finest. Press Play Below To Listen! </strong></p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src="http://www.scoopbradio.com/?powerpress_embed=1998-podcast&amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" width="320" height="30" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Jay-Z&#8217;s &#8220;Reasonable Doubt&#8221; had hits! Hov&#8217;s first album, released on June 25, 1996 and had hits like &#8220;D&#8217;Evils,&#8221; &#8220;Can I Live,&#8221; &#8220;Can&#8217;t Knock the Hustle,&#8221; &#8220;Ain&#8217;t No N***a&#8221; and &#8220;Feelin&#8217; It.&#8221;</p>
<p>While the album had appearances by Mary J. Blige, Foxy Brown and Memphis Bleek, it was also graced by the presence of one of the greatest of all time, the Notorious B.I.G., on the track, &#8220;Brooklyn&#8217;s Finest.&#8221;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P_DLD7OMUns" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Get this though:</strong> Biggie wasn&#8217;t supposed to be on the track at all. Appearing on today&#8217;s episode of the Scoop B Radio podcast, legendary dj, Clark Kent said that the Brooklyn&#8217;s Finest track, which he produced was for Jay-Z. &#8220;<span id="E50">I got to the studio to lay it for Jay, Big heard the track and he wanted it for himself,&#8221; <a href="http://www.scoopbradio.com/2017/12/audio-scoop-b-radio-ep-075-f-dj-clark-kent/">DJ Clark Kent told me.</a></span></p>
<p>&#8220;But I couldn’t give it to him because it was already for Jay. But I said [to Biggie]: &#8216;If you come to the studio and wait downstairs, I’ll tell him that you should be on the record and we’ll see what happens.'&#8221;</p>
<p>Jay-Z agreed to it and so the track was created. <span id="E50">&#8220;I brought Big upstairs and Jay thought I was a funny guy for not telling him that Big was downstairs,&#8221; DJ Clark Kent recalled. </span></p>
<div id="attachment_177315" style="width: 476px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-177315" data-attachment-id="177315" data-permalink="https://respect-mag.com/2017/12/dj-clark-kent-details-how-he-got-notorious-b-i-g-on-jay-zs-reasonable-doubt-album/clark-kent/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Clark-Kent.jpg?fit=625%2C396&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="625,396" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Clark Kent" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;DJ Clark Kent. Photo Credit: Complex&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Clark-Kent.jpg?fit=625%2C396&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Clark-Kent.jpg?fit=625%2C396&amp;ssl=1" class=" wp-image-177315" src="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Clark-Kent.jpg?resize=466%2C295" alt="" width="466" height="295" data-recalc-dims="1" /><p id="caption-attachment-177315" class="wp-caption-text">DJ Clark Kent. Photo Credit: Complex</p></div>
<p><span id="E50">According to DJ Clark Kent, Jay-Z re-did his verses on the track to accommodate Biggie.  </span><span id="E50">&#8220;Everything you hear from Jay on that record was changed 20 minutes after he laid what he laid,&#8221; he said.</span></p>
<p><span id="E50">&#8220;So </span><span id="E51">he basically set up every one of Big’s verses with a rhyme and then asked Big was he ready. Big was so blown away by it. He was like: &#8216;he wasn’t ready&#8217; </span><span id="E53">and said he needed some time. So he took it home and two months later, we went back to the studio and Big laid his part.&#8221;</span></p>
<p><span id="E53">With all of the lyrical firepower on that track, <em>guess what?</em> Neither one of the rappers had a hook. &#8220;I had to figure out a hook because they left me in the studio with no hook,&#8221; recalled DJ Clark Kent. </span></p>
<p><span id="E53">&#8220;</span><span id="E53">S</span><span id="E54">o I was there trying to become a hook guy!&#8221; </span><span id="E54">So I went in the booth and did the hook and luckily everybody was happy because otherwise the record would have never happened.&#8221;</span></p>
<p>The story is legendary. But, DJ Clark Kent is legendary too! He&#8217;s produced for any and everyone: 50 Cent, Slick Rick, Lik Kim, Rakim and Canibus.</p>
<p>He&#8217;s also produced for Mariah Carey. Remember Mariah&#8217;s Loverboy song?! Yup, he produced that!</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Phql0ar-m_0" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>Man, he sampled<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn8KYD1Vco0"> Cameo&#8217;s &#8220;Candy&#8221; song!? </a></p>
<p>DJ Clark Kent talked about that, the state of the New York Knicks, Drake, 50 Cent and more in our interview. <a href="http://www.scoopbradio.com/2017/12/audio-scoop-b-radio-ep-075-f-dj-clark-kent/">Check out our interview via Scoop B Radio by clicking here. </a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Suggested Articles:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://respect-mag.com/2016/07/140050/">The Next Big Showcase’s Cliff Po &amp; DJ Tarzan Making Dreams Reality in NYC &amp; NJ</a></p>
<p><a href="http://respect-mag.com/2016/09/145160/">Scoop B Radio: Turner Sports’ Steve Smith Talks Career &amp; More</a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com/2017/12/dj-clark-kent-details-how-he-got-notorious-b-i-g-on-jay-zs-reasonable-doubt-album/">DJ Clark Kent details how he got Notorious B.I.G. on Jay-Z&#8217;s Reasonable Doubt album</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com">RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture</a>.</p>
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		<title>Scoop B: Talking Diversity With Major League Baseball Exec Corey Smith</title>
		<link>https://respect-mag.com/2017/04/scoop-b-checking-mlbs-sr-director-supplier-diversity-dbp-corey-smith-senior-director-supplier-diversity-dbp/</link>
					<comments>https://respect-mag.com/2017/04/scoop-b-checking-mlbs-sr-director-supplier-diversity-dbp-corey-smith-senior-director-supplier-diversity-dbp/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandon Robinson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 Apr 2017 04:03:28 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Baseball]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[brooklyn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Corey Smith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[diversity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Major League Baseball]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MLB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Notorious B.I.G]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://respect-mag.com/?p=160160</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Major League Baseball is working everyday to become more diversified on and off the baseball diamond. MLB created their Diverse Business Partners Program in 1998 under the suggestion of former MLB Commissioner Bud Selig. DBP keyed in on five critical [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com/2017/04/scoop-b-checking-mlbs-sr-director-supplier-diversity-dbp-corey-smith-senior-director-supplier-diversity-dbp/">Scoop B: Talking Diversity With Major League Baseball Exec Corey Smith</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com">RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_160370" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-160370" data-attachment-id="160370" data-permalink="https://respect-mag.com/2017/04/scoop-b-checking-mlbs-sr-director-supplier-diversity-dbp-corey-smith-senior-director-supplier-diversity-dbp/corey-smith-mlb/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Corey-Smith-MLB.jpg?fit=760%2C420&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="760,420" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Corey Smith MLB" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Corey-Smith-MLB.jpg?fit=760%2C420&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Corey-Smith-MLB.jpg?fit=640%2C354&amp;ssl=1" class="wp-image-160370" src="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Corey-Smith-MLB.jpg?resize=600%2C332" alt="" width="600" height="332" data-recalc-dims="1" /><p id="caption-attachment-160370" class="wp-caption-text">Corey Smith, Major League Baseball’s Senior Director of Supplier Diversity and Strategic Sourcing chatted with RESPECT Magazine&#8217;s Brandon &#8216;Scoop B&#8217; Robinson about diversity. Photo Credit: The Shadow League</p></div>
<p>Major League Baseball is working everyday to become more diversified on and off the baseball diamond. MLB created their Diverse Business Partners Program in 1998 under the suggestion of former MLB Commissioner Bud Selig. DBP keyed in on five critical factors: Proactive Leadership, Commitment to Sound Business Practices, Priority on Partnerships, Structure and Process that Yield Long-Term Success and Accountability.</p>
<p>Corey Smith, Major League Baseball&#8217;s Senior Director of Supplier Diversity and Strategic Sourcing recently chatted with me about diversity in Major League Baseball and even discussed his own journey as a minority in the work world. Six years in with MLB, he&#8217;s got a lot to say.</p>
<p><em>Here&#8217;s THE SCOOP:</em></p>
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<p id="E18"><strong><span id="E19">Scoop B: How did you get started?</span></strong></p>
<p id="E21"><span id="E22"><strong>Smith:</strong> I’ve been in the procurement and diversity and inclusion space — procurement for about 20 years, diversity and inclusion for about 10 years and this is probably about the fifth company that I’ve had similar roles in, but my background is procurement, </span><span id="E23">I started my career out </span><span id="E24"> just normal purchasing, transactions, buying </span><span id="E25">goods</span><span id="E26"> and services on behalf of whatever company I was working for contract negations doing long term deals with the suppliers and that kind of morphed into the role that I have now where not only am I </span><span id="E27">still </span><span id="E28">responsible for overall purchasing activities and dealing with our partners in our supply chains but also this sub content of diversity and inclusion where I’m making sure that some of the companies that we are doing business with are </span><span id="E29">diverse</span><span id="E30">, therefore either minority owned or woman owned, veteran owned</span><span id="E31">, LGBT owned </span><span id="E32">all the categories that fall under the word diversity, we absolutely </span><span id="E33">want to</span><span id="E34"> make sure that some of the suppliers and businesses that we partner with fall into those categories so that’s kind of the background on that. I’ve been doing it for quite some time in a couple of different industries, I did it in a technology space, education, consumer products, media and entertainment, and now I’m in the sports industry.</span></p>
<p id="E36"><strong><span id="E37">Scoop B: Walk me through the early days, how you talked about doing it in different spaces, where did you begin? Where did you go to school?</span></strong></p>
<p id="E39"><span id="E40"><strong>Smith:</strong> So I went to </span><span id="E41">Columbia</span><span id="E42"> </span><span id="E43">University</span><span id="E44">,</span><span id="E45"> I got </span><span id="E47">a</span><span id="E49"> undergraduate degree in mechanical </span><span id="E50">engineering</span><span id="E51"> then went to work for a while then I actually went back to </span><span id="E52">Columbia</span><span id="E53"> and got my MBA.</span></p>
<p id="E55"><span id="E56"><strong>Scoop B:</strong> <strong>Okay so after college where did your journey take you?</strong></span></p>
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<p id="E58"><span id="E59"><strong>Smith:</strong> So after graduating undergrad, my first job out of college was actually working for IBM, in one of their manufacturing settings, which this is funny</span><span id="E61"> this is</span><span id="E62"> how diversity actually works, they had a huge manufacturing plant smack dab in the middle of Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn and most people didn’t know that IBM had a manufacturing plant there and it was actually created and that particular plant there opened up</span><span id="E63"> back</span><span id="E64"> in the 60’s and it was a partnership that IBM had actually with JFK, President Kennedy at the time as a way in which they could employ minorities. So they purposely and intentionally opened the manufacturing plant literally in the middle of an urban, high-minority populated neighborhood like Bed-Stuy and I believe at the time 93 percent of the employees at that plant were African-American or Hispanic so that’s kind of where I got my start, in the manufacturing setting we were repairing and shipping out computers and you know this was early 90’s and that was kind of my first gig out of college.</span></p>
<p id="E66"><strong><span id="E67">Scoop B: So this was the Space Invader days on the Mac when you were running IBM in Brooklyn before Jigga and the Nets made Brooklyn cool.</span></strong></p>
<p id="E69"><span id="E70"><strong>Smith:</strong> Exactly, I was working in Bed Stuy Brooklyn when Biggie dropped Ready to Die (laughs)</span><span id="E71">.</span></p>
<p id="E73"><span id="E74"><strong>Scoop B:</strong> <strong>Wow, that’s a milestone right there, for sure, for sure.</strong></span></p>
<p id="E76"><span id="E77"><strong>Smith:</strong> Yeah it was pretty crazy and literally the building was on the corner of Nostrand and </span><span id="E78">DeKalb</span><span id="E79"> and my route home </span><span id="E80">every day</span><span id="E81"> I literally drove down Nostrand straight past Fulton, Gate</span><span id="E82">s</span><span id="E83"> and Greene all of that Biggie talk</span><span id="E84">, all of that Jay</span><span id="E85"> talk</span><span id="E86">,</span><span id="E87"> I mean it was a couple of blocks from Marcy Projects, yes I’m all too familiar with the neighborhood.</span></p>
<p id="E89"><strong><span id="E90">Scoop B: What happened next? Where was your next stop?</span></strong></p>
<p id="E92"><span id="E93"><strong>Smith:</strong> Again, interesting story IBM selected that particular plant, this is again you gotta kind of understand technology at the time in the 90’s IBM was going through </span><span id="E94">its</span><span id="E95"> downsizing and </span><span id="E96">they </span><span id="E97">actually selected that plant for closure, they were gonna close the plant down, the employees got together and basically bought the building from IBM and started their own company, so again diversity at work and you don’t even realize that these terms even exist. At the time that was the largest minority-owned, employee-owned company in the entire country, it literally from one day to the next went fro</span><span id="E98">m being an IBM facility to a company</span><span id="E99"> called Advanced Technological Solutions and I stayed with the company and worked there for some time and that’s kind of where I got the purchasing experience because literally overnight</span><span id="E100"> I got promoted three levels because</span><span id="E101"> now we’re a new </span><span id="E102">startup</span><span id="E103"> company. Got </span>promoted three <span id="E104">levels and had a whole bunch of additional responsibilities thrown at me and part of it included procurement, so stayed there for a while did that and then I actually went</span><span id="E106"> back to Columbia University to work,</span><span id="E107"> so I worked for the University and while I was working there I went back and got my MBA, so I worked at Columbia University in their purchasing department and was responsible for buying all of the furniture, all the computers, technologies for the entire university so the main campus, the medical center, uptown, some of its affiliate locations and I negotiated Columbia University’s contract with Dell for hardware, I negotiated their contract with Microsoft for software, really just kind of took the normal purchasing activity of just transactional like somebody needs 10 pencils in their office you go buy ten pencils and really started morphing it into more of a strategic relationship where I’m negotiating big large multi-million dollar long term contracts on behalf of the university and getting great discounts as a result and saving the University a bunch of money so that experience while I was at Columbia really </span><span id="E108">kind of </span><span id="E109">enhanced my procurement skills so to speak and then again it didn’t hurt that while I was there I went back to school got my MBA just kind of broadened my scope in terms of my analytical mind and really learned how to apply a lot of what I was practicing at work into a larger, broader business sense.</span></p>
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<p id="E111"><strong><span id="E112">Scoop B: So what happened after that?</span></strong></p>
<p id="E114"><span id="E115"><strong>Smith:</strong> After I got my MBA now I think </span><span id="E116">I’m</span><span id="E117"> the man …</span></p>
<p id="E119"><strong><span id="E120">Scoop B: Uh-Oh.</span></strong></p>
<p id="E122"><span id="E123"><strong>Smith:</strong> I was actually really looking to switch careers, I wanted to get out of purchasing at the time and I wanted to get into marketing the problem was I’ve got this great degree from this great ivy league institution what I didn’t have was any marketing experience, so you know I was getting all of these offers for entry level positions and by that point I was already making a pretty decent salary in procurement and didn’t want to start all over, so I stuck with what I knew and I left Columbia and went to go work for </span><span id="E124">Altria</span><span id="E125"> Corporate S</span><span id="E126">ervices which most folks don’t know what </span><span id="E127">Altria</span><span id="E128"> is. </span><span id="E129">Altria</span><span id="E130"> at the time was the parent company to Phillip Morris International which sells tobacco and cigarettes and Kraft Foods so you had these two massive companies that basically belonged to this parent company that nobody knew existed so I worked at </span><span id="E131">Altria</span><span id="E132"> in their procurement department and negotiated a bunch of deals for them had great vendor relationships everything from big building renovations</span><span id="E133">,</span><span id="E134"> so hiring architectural and engineering firms down to simple and small stuff like office products even got involved in some of the R&amp;D things on the tobacco side so the ingredients that actually go into making a cigarette like where you source those products from it’s not just tobacco, there’s chemicals and there’s a whole bunch of things, buying actually some of those products and your buying some of these things from as far away as Korea and Africa or as locally and domestically as down south. Really incredible </span><span id="E135">wealth of knowledge there and both at Columbia and at </span><span id="E137">Altria</span><span id="E138"> is where the whole diversity </span>thing started to kick in. At Columbia because Columbia says it’s in Morningside Heights but everybody knows that anything north of 110th street is actually Harlem<span id="E139">.</span></p>
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<p id="E141"><strong><span id="E142">Scoop B: Hmm.</span></strong></p>
<p id="E144"><span id="E145"><strong>Smith:</strong> Yeah so at Columbia, because Columbia was already doing so much local business in the neighborhood they were already spending a lot of money with minority-owned businesses, there’s a bunch of African-American and Hispanic businesses in Harlem, they’re already spending a bunch of money with them and </span><span id="E146">just didn’t </span><span id="E147">realize it so essentially I formalized a program for Columbia in which we not only tracked the amount of dollars we were spending with minority businesses locally in the neighborhood but we also began to proactively seek them out and intentionally do business with them because they were minority owned. So that was a huge game changer for Columbia it was a little self-serving in terms of us having an act of goodwill and wanting to be a great neighbor to all these businesses and all of these folks from the neighborhood in Harlem but was also a great way for us to track where our money was going and if we could leverage some of these relationships to get better price points so that took place at Columbia. At </span><span id="E148">Altria</span><span id="E149"> when I actually walked in the door </span><span id="E150">Altria</span><span id="E151"> was already spending over one billion dollar</span><span id="E152">s a year with diverse companies.</span><span id="E153"> Kraft was doing about $500 million, Phillip Morris was doing </span><span id="E154">about $</span><span id="E155">500 million and as the parent company we added maybe another $200 to $300 million on top of </span><span id="E156">that so they already had an incredible</span><span id="E157"> supplier diversity program all I did was soak it all up like a sponge. I went from starting one to seeing how one is really, really run when it’s a </span><span id="E158">well-oiled</span><span id="E159"> machine and I just kind of soaked up all that knowledge and really got to understand here’s how a major corporation can impact a community, a neighborhood, a business, an entrepreneur economically just by intentionally trying to promote diversity through </span><span id="E160">its</span><span id="E161"> business operations.</span></p>
<p id="E163"><strong><span id="E164">Scoop B: So here’s where I’m going with this you have a wealth of experience </span><span id="E165">which I think is bar none, what</span><span id="E166"> is great for a millennial such as myself and others who are moving their way up the ladder in an economic time where it’s just the pits. How do you think in today’s society where you have a ton of millenials, a ton of LGBTs, a ton of African-Americans there’s a whole bunch people looking for jobs, you being i</span><span id="E167">n diversity at this point </span><span id="E168">in 2016 going into 2017 what advice would you give people to continue to weather the storm? Because you have a wealth of experience as you were building yourself up in corporate America yourself.</span></strong></p>
<p id="E170"><span id="E171"><strong>Smith:</strong> Absolutely, I mean we’re in different times right about now we’ve got a lot going on in this country as it relates to diversity and inclusion period and you know for me the message as of late really </span><span id="E172">has been about being inclusive or being open </span><span id="E174">minded to</span><span id="E175"> diversity itself and that has been my mantra lately we can talk about ethnicity sure. We can talk about gender, absolutely. We all know the stats there are more minorities in this country now than there have been</span><span id="E176">,</span><span id="E177"> in a couple of years, 10, 20, </span>30 years they’ll outpace the white people in this country. We already know that women are 50 percent of the country we have stats that solidify why people should be more open, more embracing, and more inclusive, we can talk about sexual orientation, we can talk about religion, we can talk about politics, <span id="E178">and we</span><span id="E179"> can chop people up into a variety of sectors. I’m suggesting what we really need to be open to is diversity itself, especially in a business environment. What you want is a plethora of </span><span id="E180">ideas;</span><span id="E181"> you want people with different life experience, people with differ</span><span id="E182">ent work experience, people from</span><span id="E183"> different cultures to bring something to the table that you otherwise based on your own coming up, you yourself wouldn’t have thought of. You get that type of environment around any conference room and I’m suggesting that not only are there going to be operational efficiencies that improve your business, but there’s gonna be innovation, creativity, and some new business idea that single-handedly you wouldn’t have thought of on your own, but you have to be open to that. I tell people all the time at any corporation not just here at MLB if I can walk past a conference room and in that conference room it’s just one of anything so all white men</span><span id="E184"> or all women, whatever it </span><span id="E186">is </span><span id="E187"> I’m</span><span id="E189"> pretty much suggesting that that meeting whatever they’re in there talking about is not going to produce the best results. There should be a person of color in every meeting, there should b</span><span id="E190">e a woman in every meeting </span><span id="E191">having </span><span id="E192">just </span><span id="E193">different perspectives simply based on your experiences of whatever fill in the blank is going to lend itself to sharing better ideas and better creativity. So it’s simple as you have to be open to hearing from somebody who doesn’t look like you, doesn’t live in the same neighborhood, doesn’t drive the same car you drive</span><span id="E194">, whatever it is</span><span id="E195"> and be receptive to their thought process, their experiences. If we could all just at least do that, not just in life but in business and whatever I think all of us as a collective would move a </span><span id="E196">lot further</span><span id="E197"> along.</span></p>
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<p id="E199"><strong><span id="E200">Scoop B: Don King said “show me the money” and in my favorite movie Rush Hour 2 Chris Tucker said “Follow the rich white man with money,&#8221; with those two things being said where is the money? What is the money in?</span></strong></p>
<p id="E202"><span id="E203"><strong>Smith:</strong> I mean I think there’s money in everything as far as I’m concerned, again but that’s my job I’m a money guy</span><span id="E204">!</span></p>
<p id="E206"><strong><span id="E207">Scoop B: Right! That’s why I’m asking you!</span></strong></p>
<p id="E209"><span id="E210"><strong>Smith:</strong> I mean look, especially in the sports industry, I think the sports industry is relatively unique only from how much money we spend to get things done so I just went through this and I’ll run through two </span><span id="E211">quick scenarios. I just hired a company to replace every light bulb at the Seattle Mariners ball park with LED lighting. You know how many </span><span id="E213">light bulbs</span><span id="E214"> are in ONE </span><span id="E215">Ball Park</span><span id="E216">? So think of something, you know your average person is not thinking about you know what I’m gonna approach Major League Baseball and ask them can I replace all their </span><span id="E217">light bulbs</span><span id="E218">, but there is a lot of </span><span id="E219">light bulbs</span><span id="E220">.</span></p>
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<p id="E222"><strong><span id="E223">Scoop B: Especially There!</span></strong></p>
<p id="E225"><span id="E226"><strong>Smith:</strong> Right! Your average ball park has trillions of lights in it so something that simple is such a tremendous money opportunity. Another thing I’m in the middle of a huge luggage RFP right now, we buy luggage every year. Whether the old luggage is good or not it doesn’t matter we buy luggage EVERY year and that’s everything from suitcases, to backpacks, to computer bags that the players use traveling on the road, to equipment trunks that MLB Network uses to transport video equipment around from city to city, to regular equipment trunks that we use to ship everything down to spring training facilities in February and March. So there’s money in almost anything anybody could think of as it relates to us. Just like any average corporation we need office products, we need </span><span id="E227">furniture,</span><span id="E228"> we need things that are very specific to sports so there’s tons of opportunity.</span></p>
<p id="E230"><strong><span id="E231">Scoop B: The Diversity Summit comes up in the spring where is it being held this year— or next year? </span></strong></p>
<p id="E233"><span id="E234">Smith: We had an event during the Winter Meetings this year and it might actually be the new format and replace the Spring Summit. The reason for that is that the offseason is when the teams are actually doing their buying so we were having the summits at </span><span id="E235">other points and times in </span><span id="E236">the year and the teams are actually saying well you know what I actually spend the bulk of my money during the off-season to get ready for next season so if we could time the summit a little bit better it might work out better for the suppliers in terms of actual real opportunities. So we just had it last week as a part of the winter meetings in National Harbor, </span><span id="E237">Maryland,</span><span id="E238"> had some great feedback, the clubs loved it the suppliers that came were engaged and some of them actually already </span><span id="E239">with</span><span id="E240">in the last few days have already received some orders, so again because of the timing of when clubs actually spend the bulk of their money this might actually be the new format.</span></p>
<p id="E242"><strong><span id="E243">Scoop B: What other projects are you guys are working on going in 2017</span><span id="E245">?</span></strong></p>
<p id="E247"><span id="E248">Smith: So right now my biggest project in term of supplier chain is the All-Star Game, the All-Star game is taking place in Miami</span></p>
<p id="E250"><strong><span id="E251">Scoop B: Lucky you!</span></strong></p>
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<p id="E253"><span id="E254"><strong>Smith:</strong> (laughs) Miami’s gonna be a good location we’re definitely gonna have fun. I’m in the middle of sourcing for the All-Star game so that is a smaller niche of industries that I’m sourcing in terms of its hospitality, and its core and its caterer’s , its graphic design , its banners and flags and other types of signage I’m looking for somebody that can provide some seating, I’m loo</span><span id="E255">king for somebody that can wrap</span><span id="E256"> a building for me with the All-Star logo you know it’s a very finite set of commodities that I’m looking for but that’s probably gonna be my biggest project for probably the next month or two.</span></p>
<p id="E258"><strong><span id="E259">Scoop B: Where can people find more information about all the initiatives and things that you are doin</span><span id="E260">g through major league baseball?</span></strong></p>
<p id="E262"><span id="E263"><strong>Smith:</strong> Absolutely, we have a diversity website it’s <a href="http://mlb.com/dbp">mlb.com/dbp </a>and that stands for diverse business partners which is our name for our supplier diversity program and </span><span id="E264">for us ev</span><span id="E265">en the name means a lot because we do consider our suppliers partners this is not just a transactional deal for us</span><span id="E266"> it’s not about just giving you a purchase order and then just sending you on your way. We want to bring you in the fold, we want to keep you as a longtime partner, we want to continue to do business with you and we want you to grow. We hope that you go from doing business with one c</span><span id="E267">lub to you know</span><span id="E270"> 20 clubs and for us it is really a long term strategy, so even in our naming of our supplier diversity program calling it the diverse business partners that was also very intentional so you know <a href="http://mlb.com/dbp">mlb.com/dbp</a>.</span></p>
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<p><strong>Suggested Articles:</strong></p>
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<p><a href="http://respect-mag.com/2016/07/140050/">The Next Big Showcase’s Cliff Po &amp; DJ Tarzan Making Dreams Reality in NYC &amp; NJ</a></p>
<p><a href="http://respect-mag.com/2016/09/145160/">Scoop B Radio: Turner Sports’ Steve Smith Talks Career &amp; More</a></p>
</div>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com/2017/04/scoop-b-checking-mlbs-sr-director-supplier-diversity-dbp-corey-smith-senior-director-supplier-diversity-dbp/">Scoop B: Talking Diversity With Major League Baseball Exec Corey Smith</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com">RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture</a>.</p>
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		<title>Life After Biggie: Reviewing &#8216;Life After Death&#8217; 20 Years Later</title>
		<link>https://respect-mag.com/2017/03/life-biggie-reviewing-life-death-20-years-later/</link>
					<comments>https://respect-mag.com/2017/03/life-biggie-reviewing-life-death-20-years-later/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ashton Howard]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Mar 2017 23:21:04 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Editorial/Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Notorious B.I.G]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://respect-mag.com/?p=156985</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>An album is the greatest gift an artist can give the world. Singles come and go, and mixtapes – no matter how dope – just don’t capture the same essence. They say that an artist spends his/her whole life creating [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com/2017/03/life-biggie-reviewing-life-death-20-years-later/">Life After Biggie: Reviewing &#8216;Life After Death&#8217; 20 Years Later</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com">RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="157011" data-permalink="https://respect-mag.com/2017/03/life-biggie-reviewing-life-death-20-years-later/rapper-notorious-b-i-g-aka-biggie-smalls-aka-chris-wallac/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_2041.jpg?fit=650%2C430&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="650,430" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;NY Daily News via Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;UNITED STATES - JANUARY 18:  Rapper Notorious B.I.G., aka Biggie Smalls, aka Chris Wallace rolls a cigar outside his mother&#039;s house in Brooklyn.  (Photo by Clarence Davis\/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;790387200&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;1995\/Daily News, L.P. (New York)&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Rapper Notorious B.I.G., aka Biggie Smalls, aka Chris Wallac&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Rapper Notorious B.I.G., aka Biggie Smalls, aka Chris Wallac" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_2041.jpg?fit=650%2C430&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_2041.jpg?fit=640%2C423&amp;ssl=1" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-157011" src="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_2041.jpg?resize=650%2C430" alt="BIG" width="650" height="430" data-recalc-dims="1" /></p>
<p>An album is the greatest gift an artist can give the world. Singles come and go, and mixtapes – no matter how dope – just don’t capture the same essence. They say that an artist spends his/her whole life creating their first album. Unknowingly gathering information as they travel through life’s journeys, stashing it away for future use. Because of this, I often am a proponent that most artist release their best albums the first go around. <em>Get Rich or Die Tryin’</em>, <em>Reasonable Doubt</em> and <em>illmatic</em> all showcase young – minus Jigga – men coming out the struggle trying to GET IT. You could hear the struggle in 50’s voice when he says, “God gotta let me in Heaven, for goin’ through Hell,” or Jay’s future *legal* business savvy when he flows, “If every ni**a in your clique is rich, your clique is rugged/ no one will fall because we will all be each other’s crutches.” While all three artists went on to make classics after their debuts, in my opinion, none felt more authentic. That is not the case for Christopher “<strong>Notorious B.I.G.</strong>” Wallace. Although <em>Ready To Die</em> is a bonafide classic and showcased a hungry young Brooklyn emcee on the verge of super-stardom, <em>Life After Death</em> is by far Biggie’s most creative and thought provoking project. On the 20<sup>th</sup> Anniversary – if you want to call it that – of Biggie’s tragic passing, we review the immortal legend’s best album.</p>
<p>*If you’re reading this review, I assume that you already know the story behind Biggie and his rise to the top from the trenches of Flatbush, Brooklyn. I assume that you are also familiar with his death, so I will spare you the details – and sorrow &#8212; of a recap.*</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="157012" data-permalink="https://respect-mag.com/2017/03/life-biggie-reviewing-life-death-20-years-later/img_2043-3/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_2043.jpg?fit=800%2C1009&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="800,1009" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="IMG_2043" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_2043.jpg?fit=800%2C1009&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_2043.jpg?fit=640%2C807&amp;ssl=1" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-157012" src="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_2043.jpg?resize=800%2C1009" alt="BIG" width="800" height="1009" data-recalc-dims="1" /></p>
<p>By the time Biggie released his final album, he had passed away 16 days prior, though leaving us with a masterpiece. From the jump, the album picks up where <em>Ready To Die</em> left off, showing our narrator, Biggie, getting ready to blast himself in the head. Now, this wasn’t a surprise. Anybody who’s listened to a Biggie album knows that he’s been foreshadowing his death since the beginning of his career. Still, it’s chilling to think that 20 years ago, Biggie knew his path. He knew that eventually, his past karma would catch up. <em>Pitchfork</em> <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=4&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjk5KPDs8rSAhXlxFQKHduuA54QFggpMAM&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fpitchfork.com%2Freviews%2Falbums%2F22946-life-after-death%2F&amp;usg=AFQjCNHBOBHF3FVib3jXmA5LR9JlC66i6w&amp;bvm=bv.149093890,d.cGw">points out</a> in their review of the album, “The blast comes courtesy of a large-bore cartridge from a high-powered revolver, while his best friend and confidante—played by label boss and possible Svengali—<strong>Sean “Puffy Combs”</strong>—listens in disbelief, possibly willing him back to life, possibly imagining an alternate reality where Christopher Wallace remains alive.” Wow&#8230; Really think about that for a second. Before any of the successes that this album brought, before Bad Boy established itself as a consistent power, signing acts like <strong>Mase</strong> &amp; <strong>The Lox</strong>; Puffy was already mourning the loss of his friend and business partner. It as if he was already preparing for the inevitable, setting the table for the rest of the prophetic album.</p>
<p>Following the intro, the album turns to “<strong>Somebody’s Gotta Die</strong>” an ode to revenge, before providing the first single on the album, “<strong>Hypnotize</strong>”. Personally, “Hypnotize” is toward the bottom of my favorite BIG songs – though that may be a compliment considering his discography – so the album starts off a bit shallow to me. But one thing the first two songs highlight, that was a calling card for Puffy and BIG, was the contrast between pouring out his feelings, and pumping out hit records. Throughout this album, and others, it seems as if every time BIG gives you an insightful piece of his heart, soul and mind, he follows it up with a bangin’ hit. If you really consider the formula and ponder on it, it’s genius. Make them think, then make them dance. It’s a simple idea on the surface, but simplicity was always BIG’s strong point – other than entendres. Then the album cuts into, “<strong>Kick in the Door</strong>”, a scathing track where even 20 years later, we still ponder over just exactly who he was talking about. The King responded to reported jabs from <strong>Nas</strong>, <strong>Raekwon</strong>, and even the track’s producer <strong>DJ Premier</strong>. “Son, I&#8217;m surprised you run with them/I think they got cum in them, &#8217;cause they nothin&#8217; but dicks,&#8221; rhymes BIG on the second verse, referring to Premier’s business relationship with <strong>Jeru The Damaja</strong>, somebody who repeatedly took jabs at Puff and BIG. The influence from this track is heavy and can still be felt even today. Plenty of rappers have not only bit this cadence, but also the “Wavin’ the 44” line, which is almost as iconic as this album.</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Kick in the door, wavin the four-four/ All you heard was Poppa don&#8217;t hit me no more</strong></p>
<p>&#8211; <strong>Biggie</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>One of the more underrated tracks on the album has to be the next track, “<strong>Fucking You Tonight</strong>” a bouncy, sexually driven track that en-captures the essence of the 90s in one song. Meshing skewed up synths with wild wordplay and crazy harmonization from <strong>R. Kelly</strong>, this is the track that I still play the most to this day. I remember hearing this track for the first time at 5-years-old – 3 years after its original release &#8212; and falling in love at first listen. I had no idea what they were talking about when BIG said, “Some say the ex makes the sex spectacular” and I probably shouldn’t have been listening to it, but I was and it shaped me. I’m not sure why you played this track around your 5-year-old son, but dad, thank you. 17 years later, you, Biggie, Kellz and this track created a monster.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="157013" data-permalink="https://respect-mag.com/2017/03/life-biggie-reviewing-life-death-20-years-later/img_2042/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_2042.jpg?fit=460%2C580&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="460,580" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="IMG_2042" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_2042.jpg?fit=460%2C580&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_2042.jpg?fit=460%2C580&amp;ssl=1" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-157013" src="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_2042.jpg?resize=460%2C580" alt="BIG" width="460" height="580" data-recalc-dims="1" /></p>
<p>The album then transitions into “<strong>Last Day</strong>” with The Lox, “<strong>What’s Beef</strong>” an step-by-step manual on how to come at somebody’s neck, and “<strong>I Love The Dough</strong>” a flashy, catchy joint, turning an <strong>Angela Winbush</strong> sample into a prognostic song. “And the watches be all types and shapes of stones/ Being broke is childish and I&#8217;m quite grown” showcases Jay’s inevitable transition from Mafeso rap to boasting his riches. But it’s the line in Jay’s first verse that honestly sticks out to me more than any other lyric on the album. “You cats is home, screaming the fight&#8217;s on/ I&#8217;m in the fifteen hundred seats, watching Ty-son/Same night, same fight/But one of us cats ain&#8217;t playing right, I let you tell it,” now I’m not mind reader and I damn sure wasn’t old enough to be in the know when this song came out, but that’s a jab to the recently deceased <strong>Tupac Shakur</strong>, a man who came at Jigga continuously. Considering <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;sqi=2&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj_p-qntsrSAhVBCmMKHSU_DbcQyCkIHDAA&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DOxspDuW3LDw&amp;usg=AFQjCNFdA4J99Jm1e2N-ZIV8HTLD2Cg-YA&amp;bvm=bv.149093890,d.cGw">this interview from Dame Dash </a>where he says Jay recorded a diss track post-death, which of course never saw the light of day, thanks to Dame. It seems as if the West Coast General got under Hov’s skin more than previously advertised.</p>
<p>The first disk of the album then closes with an interlude, and the lyrically dense, “<strong>I&#8217;ve Got a Story to Tell</strong>”, otherwise known as – <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;sqi=2&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiYjbHwvMrSAhVB8WMKHRHmA6sQFggaMAA&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.upi.com%2FSports_News%2FNBA%2F2016%2F05%2F20%2FFat-Joe-outs-New-York-Knicks-Anthony-Mason-as-subject-of-Notorious-BIG-song-affair%2F2711463778692%2F&amp;usg=AFQjCNEoF9ShiuuxNXamIzwjLArlxQu8Lw&amp;bvm=bv.149093890,d.cGc">thanks<strong> Fat Joe</strong></a> – “<strong>The Anthony Mason Song</strong>”, where BIG details having to check “One of them six-five ni**as” after deflowering his chick. BIG was a cold piece, man.</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Then I heard her moan, honey I&#8217;m home</strong><br />
<strong>Yep, tote chrome for situations like this</strong><br />
<strong>I&#8217;m up in his broad I know he won&#8217;t like this</strong><br />
<strong>Now I&#8217;m like b**ch you better talk to him</strong><br />
<strong>Before this fist put a spark to him</strong><br />
<strong>F**k around shit get dark to him, put a part through him</strong><br />
<strong>Lose a major part to him, arm, leg.</strong></p>
<p>&#8211; <strong>Biggie</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>The second disk, which is more down-tempo production wise, is buoyed by fan favorites such as “<strong>Ten Crack Commandments</strong>”, a how-to handbook on the do’s and don’ts of the drug game; “<strong>Sky is The Limit</strong>”, a freakishly underrated <strong>112</strong>-assisted track that often gets lost in the shuffle of the more self-reflecting, depressive tracks from BIG; and “<strong>Nasty Boy</strong>” which eventually received a star-studded remix in 2005. But, it’s the trio of “<strong>Player Hater</strong>”, “<strong>The World is Filled…</strong>” and “<strong>Going Back to Cali</strong>” that to me, embody the spirit and soul of The Notorious. On “Player Hater” we see BIG and Puff let their guard down a bit and instead, highlight their humor with this hilariously dedication to the art of robbing somebody. “Playa hater, turn your head round/ lay on the ground, you’ve been roooooobbed/ wake up, take off them jewels, you fu**in fool, you’ve been roooooobbed,” croons Big on the chorus, highlighting a humorous side of him that many close to him say, the world unfortunately never got to know.</p>
<p>On, “The World is Filled…” we get another life lesson from BIG,<strong> Too Short</strong>, Puffy and future Bad Boy stud <strong>Carl Thomas</strong>. If nothing else, this song should be remembered for Puffy’s best verse of his life – yes, better than the “<strong>Hate Me Now</strong>” verse. I’m not sure what kind of weed BIG was smoking the night he wrote Puff’s verse but man, that dude dropped some gems. I’m just going to spew off some of my favorites: “Now first come the cash, then comes the ass/ then comes big blunts with big chunks of hash”, “Won’t you admit it, I ain’t gotta talk it cause I live it/ any chick fu**in’ with me, believe me that’s a privilege” and my absolute favorite, “And we only give our number to selective few, so it’s best that you never knew/ what good head will do turn a freak to a bisexual, and if she’s flexible f**k the n*gga next to you”. Again, I found this song at 5 through my father and again, thanks dad. Though lyrics like, “Street life, pimp sh*t/ make the hoe respect the game, you bought her diamonds and cars, trick that’s a shame” probably aren’t traditionally appropriate for a 5-year-old, I haven’t bought a female diamonds to this day. I think it’s safe to say, the monster is alive and well.</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Bet you fell in love with her man!</strong><br />
<strong>You can&#8217;t turn a hoe into a housewife fool</strong><br />
<strong>Everytime you turn your back that bi**h is fu**in with dem gangstas</strong><br />
<strong>Eastside Westside these are my potnahs</strong></p>
<p>&#8211; <strong>Too Short</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>The case of “Going Back to Cali” has been debated back and forth between my friends and I for years. I, for one, am a huge proponent that had he never released that song, or subsequently made the trip, he’d still be here today, or at the very least, had a chance to be. I won’t say much on this as it’s a sensitive subject to many and again, I was two when Biggie died, so my perspective is a bit different. But let me just say this, lyrics like “If I got to choose a coast I got to choose the East/ I live out there, so don&#8217;t go there/ But that don&#8217;t mean a ni**a can&#8217;t rest in the West/ See some nice breasts in the West/ Smoke some nice sess in the West, y&#8217;all ni**as is a mess” seemingly cause nothing but trouble when EVERYBODY in the state at the time thinks you had something to do with killing their hero. Though BIG followed up these lyrics with, “Thinkin I&#8217;m gon stop, givin L.A. props/ All I got is beef with those that violate me,” it seems as if The Notorious didn’t take into account The Sunshine State’s beef with him.</p>
<p>The album then closes off with “<strong>Long Kiss Goodnight</strong>” and “<strong>You’re Nobody (Till’ Somebody Kills You)</strong>”, two tracks that embody BIG’s obvious morbid mentality. Lyrics like, “Here&#8217;s a tissue, stop your blood clot crying/The kids the dog, everybody dying &#8212; no lying” and Blood rushing, concussions, ain&#8217;t nothing/ Catch cases, come out fronting/ Smoking something,” highlight BIG’s clear lack of empathy for death, while just the sheer title of “You’re Nobody (Till’ Somebody Kills You)” indicates how BIG foresaw his career direction. The saddest part about all of this, he was right on the money. Though BIG was more universally celebrated during his time on Earth than Tupac – it’s rumored he died <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=2&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0ahUKEwi6jqK6ucrSAhUFs1QKHT7cA4YQFgggMAE&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kanyetothe.com%2Fforum%2Findex.php%3Ftopic%3D263711.0&amp;usg=AFQjCNEfG608GQpFZNX8tKdWCyrwnBgFDA&amp;bvm=bv.149093890,d.cGw">with no more than 200k to his name</a> &#8212; the icon had nowhere near reached the martyr status that he claims today. Looking back on this album 20-years-later as a 22-year-old obsessive Hip-Hop head, I geek out over the God-like lyrical ability of Biggie and his collaborators, but I also get extremely sad when thinking about just how right he was. If you want me to be honest, considering the nature of the album and how the tracks are listed, those were the exact emotions the legend was trying to extract.</p>
<p>If you’ve never truly listened to the album, take today to do so and buy the album. I promise your life with be the same.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="157014" data-permalink="https://respect-mag.com/2017/03/life-biggie-reviewing-life-death-20-years-later/img_2044/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_2044.jpg?fit=1224%2C1600&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1224,1600" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="IMG_2044" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_2044.jpg?fit=1224%2C1600&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_2044.jpg?fit=640%2C837&amp;ssl=1" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-157014" src="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/IMG_2044.jpg?resize=1224%2C1600" alt="BIG" width="1224" height="1600" data-recalc-dims="1" /></p>
<p>#LongLiveTheNotoriousBIG</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com/2017/03/life-biggie-reviewing-life-death-20-years-later/">Life After Biggie: Reviewing &#8216;Life After Death&#8217; 20 Years Later</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com">RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture</a>.</p>
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		<title>R-Mean Pays Homage to Biggie Smalls in New Freestyle “Ain’t No Biggie”</title>
		<link>https://respect-mag.com/2017/03/r-mean-pays-homage-biggie-smalls-new-freestyle-aint-no-biggie/</link>
					<comments>https://respect-mag.com/2017/03/r-mean-pays-homage-biggie-smalls-new-freestyle-aint-no-biggie/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Joyla Star]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Mar 2017 22:45:29 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ain’t No Biggie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Best Rapper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[biggie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[biggie smalls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hiphop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kick In The Door Freestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Notorious B.I.G]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[r mean]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://respect-mag.com/?p=156728</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>While on Revolt TV during Sway Calloway&#8217;s Doomsday Cypher, the Armenian Rapper, R-Mean announced he would release a new record for #MeanMonday every Monday for 52 weeks. This is the 10th of 52 releases! R-Mean kicks off the month of March with a [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com/2017/03/r-mean-pays-homage-biggie-smalls-new-freestyle-aint-no-biggie/">R-Mean Pays Homage to Biggie Smalls in New Freestyle “Ain’t No Biggie”</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com">RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h5><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="156731" data-permalink="https://respect-mag.com/2017/03/r-mean-pays-homage-biggie-smalls-new-freestyle-aint-no-biggie/r-mean-week-10/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/R-Mean-Week-10.jpg?fit=547%2C547&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="547,547" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="R-Mean" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;R-Mean Ain’t No Biggie, Kick In The Door Freestyle, Notorious B.I.G.&lt;/p&gt;
" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/R-Mean-Week-10.jpg?fit=547%2C547&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/R-Mean-Week-10.jpg?fit=547%2C547&amp;ssl=1" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-156731" src="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/R-Mean-Week-10.jpg?resize=547%2C547" alt="" width="547" height="547" data-recalc-dims="1" /></h5>
<p>While on <em>Revolt TV</em> during Sway Calloway&#8217;s Doomsday Cypher, the Armenian Rapper, <strong>R-Mean</strong> announced he would release a new record for #MeanMonday every Monday for 52 weeks. This is the <strong>10th</strong> of 52 releases! R-Mean kicks off the month of March with a brand new freestyle dubbed <strong>“Ain’t No Biggie,”</strong> paying homage to the late great <strong>Biggie Smalls</strong> during the week of the 20th anniversary of his death. On <span tabindex="0" data-term="goog_257369889">March 9th</span>, rap fans across the globe will honor the 20th anniversary of The <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wyVj7s-ps6m6YxNHhdb5_UAkUJHG3fW7LkDcE5MjM791pgjO-kJ7FnRZ1WIbHyXWumVB71HEDZQo-5BH1euTAIDRYpNy7NAedRVTkVkSvucsKjo8xwpDxikHT2hdBQWcWTbp12kjFukWuO2CF6MDFGdbfePbAf5aPvgDk-x0K1a72gSVnri0MiNshO1FE3wD&amp;c=vonY-IvULm4afsKn489qKq4mCFJa68mRcti1lK_2NB2rsHl7_ppJ4Q==&amp;ch=fuK_19SEdBz9ogzYvdBPMLAGaPPs_1MYh3ZIsjHvi1o_FPqvPIhu7g==" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001wyVj7s-ps6m6YxNHhdb5_UAkUJHG3fW7LkDcE5MjM791pgjO-kJ7FnRZ1WIbHyXWumVB71HEDZQo-5BH1euTAIDRYpNy7NAedRVTkVkSvucsKjo8xwpDxikHT2hdBQWcWTbp12kjFukWuO2CF6MDFGdbfePbAf5aPvgDk-x0K1a72gSVnri0MiNshO1FE3wD%26c%3DvonY-IvULm4afsKn489qKq4mCFJa68mRcti1lK_2NB2rsHl7_ppJ4Q%3D%3D%26ch%3DfuK_19SEdBz9ogzYvdBPMLAGaPPs_1MYh3ZIsjHvi1o_FPqvPIhu7g%3D%3D&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1489003010498000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGoy-5DfI-KHTgh_PHUC3fjllFmEA">Notorious B.I.G.</a>&#8216;s death. The rapper hops on the super star’s classic <strong>“Kick In the Door”</strong> track and does it justice with a millennial twist.</p>
<p>R-Mean showcases his fire pen game with lyrics like:</p>
<blockquote><p>“I dropped a tribute tape to Esco &amp; Shady and had the net goin crazy, some balls to hop on that Renegade beat, never mediocre on them classic beats, R Dash is a savage beast. Yeah, but this for B.I., been 20 years, nobody greater, wish we could hear you on Drinkchamps with Noreaga, wish we could hear your opinion on rappers like Yachty and not the other way…”</p></blockquote>
<p>R-Mean criticizes new rappers who don&#8217;t know Biggie and wishes Frank White was here to comment on their bars. He says nobody has come close to replicating the late Brooklyn rapper&#8217;s genius. And though he killed the track, he humbly acknowledges that he himself is no Biggie. Listen to &#8220;Ain&#8217;t No Biggie (Kick In The Door Freestyle)&#8221; below and tell us what you think.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/310789231&amp;color=ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<p>RIP Biggie.</p>
<p>52 weeks is a long time, we&#8217;re interested in what this guy has in the chamber. Stay tuned on <strong><em>RESPECT.</em></strong> for the updates.</p>
<p><strong>Suggested Articles:</strong><br />
<a href="http://respect-mag.com/2017/03/ravyn-lenae-drops-midnight-moonlight-ep/">Ravyn Lenae Drops ‘Midnight Moonlight’ EP</a></p>
<p><a href="http://respect-mag.com/2017/03/goldlink-teams-brent-faiyaz-jefe-new-visual-crew/">GoldLink Teams Up With Brent Faiyaz &amp; Jefe In The New Visual For “Crew”</a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com/2017/03/r-mean-pays-homage-biggie-smalls-new-freestyle-aint-no-biggie/">R-Mean Pays Homage to Biggie Smalls in New Freestyle “Ain’t No Biggie”</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com">RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture</a>.</p>
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		<title>Rap talk:  Do Drugs Affect Music Quality?</title>
		<link>https://respect-mag.com/2016/06/rap-talk-do-drugs-affect-music-quality/</link>
					<comments>https://respect-mag.com/2016/06/rap-talk-do-drugs-affect-music-quality/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[RESPECT. Staff]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jun 2016 16:07:08 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Editorial/Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Curren$y]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cypress Hill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lil' Wayne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Notorious B.I.G]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Enemy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Redman and Method Man]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Smoke DZA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Snoop Dogg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tupac]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wiz khalifa]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://respect-mag.com/?p=134932</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>&#160; The Drug culture has influenced many different genres of music in the past. Whether it was rock n roll, Jazz, or R&#38;B, there are many artists who&#8217;ve made beautiful music while under the influence of some kind of substance. This [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com/2016/06/rap-talk-do-drugs-affect-music-quality/">Rap talk:  Do Drugs Affect Music Quality?</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com">RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div id="attachment_134950" style="width: 917px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-134950" data-attachment-id="134950" data-permalink="https://respect-mag.com/2016/06/rap-talk-do-drugs-affect-music-quality/lil-wayne-sizzurp/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/lil-wayne-sizzurp.jpg?fit=907%2C500&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="907,500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="lil-wayne-sizzurp" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Promethazine Wayne&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/lil-wayne-sizzurp.jpg?fit=907%2C500&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/lil-wayne-sizzurp.jpg?fit=640%2C353&amp;ssl=1" class="size-full wp-image-134950" src="https://i0.wp.com/respect-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/lil-wayne-sizzurp.jpg?resize=907%2C500" alt="Promethazine Wayne" width="907" height="500" data-recalc-dims="1" /><p id="caption-attachment-134950" class="wp-caption-text">Promethazine Wayne</p></div>
<p>The Drug culture has influenced many different genres of music in the past. Whether it was rock n roll, Jazz, or R&amp;B, there are many artists who&#8217;ve made beautiful music while under the influence of some kind of substance. This phenomenon was very pertinent in the 60&#8217;s, during the era of Woodstock where many artists as well as many people in general were experimenting with acid and heroin. Many musicians have also been credited with making their best work while under the influence. While being under the influence can generate different thoughts which in turn changes your perception of reality &#8211; which in turn modifies your art, is it necessary? Does being under the influence really help you make better music?</p>
<p>In the beginnings of rap, drugs weren&#8217;t really a huge topic of discussion. Most early rap songs centered around the party life, and drugs may have been mentioned but you never got the sense that doing drugs was a part of that rapper&#8217;s lifestyle. During the 80&#8217;s and 90&#8217;s there were even anti-drug records that made waves due to the havoc the crack epidemic was wreaking, such as <strong>Public Enemy&#8217;s </strong> &#8220;Night of the living Baseheads&#8221; which condemned drug-dealers and compared crackheads to zombies<b>. </b>The late 80&#8217;s and early 90&#8217;s also brought about a conscious, pro-black era in hip-hop. The main themes of this era were being intelligent and vigilant because the powers that be want to see you fail. Of course drug usage does not intertwine well with that message. <strong>Dr. Dre</strong> stated in <strong>N.W.A&#8217;s</strong> hit song &#8220;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u31FO_4d9TY">Express Yourself</a>&#8221; that &#8220;I don&#8217;t smoke weed or sess cause it&#8217;s known to give a brother brain damage, and brain damage on the mic don&#8217;t manage, nothing but making a sucker and you equal&#8221;. Of course the tide would switch, and when rap made the transition into discussing the harsh realities of inner city life, drugs would play a huge part.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fyR09SP9qdA?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation"></iframe></p>
<p>The drugs of choice were Marijuana and Alcohol. For a lot of artists, Marijuana would become an intrinsic part of their creative process. When Dr.Dre left N.W.A , his first album would be called <em>The Chronic </em>, and he was heavily influenced by marijuana during the making of the project. <em>The Chronic </em>is a bona-fide classic in rap, and considered by many to be Dr.Dre&#8217;s best work. many other artists have credited Marijuana use for assisting them in creating music. Artists like <strong>Snoop Dogg, Notorious B.I.G, Redman</strong> and <strong>Method Man, Cypress Hill, Tupac</strong> and many others were all very huge marijuana advocates. In the present Marijuana usage is still hyper-prevalent amongst rap artists, and it&#8217;s become such a very important component that many rappers whole careers are primarily based off speaking about it. Artists like <strong>Curren$y</strong>, <strong>Wiz Khalifa, Smoke Dza</strong> and many more have built sustainable careers rapping about marijuana consumption.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HlASmlvGU7Q?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation"></iframe></p>
<p>As time went on, harder drugs started to hit the scene and were all parts of those artists&#8217; creative process. A prime example is Lean (also known as promethazine ,codeine syrup, or purple drank). Lean is prescription cough syrup mixed with either soda, or alcohol. The southern influence in rap brought about new drugs and Lean was a favorite amongst Houston artists. Legendary group <strong>UGK</strong> as well as <strong>DJ Screw</strong> brought about the lean phenomenon and a new sound to go with it. This sound is titled Chopped and Screwed, and the use of this drug played a major role in making that sound internationally popular. Lean is still prevalent in rap till this day. Rap transitioned further into prescription medication when artists started doing more pills. Adderall, Xanax, percocets, Oxycontin.. etc are all currently a part of rap culture.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7cDYYvOhKwg?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation"></iframe></p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KnZ8h3MRuYg?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation"></iframe></p>
<p>Drugs rather if they&#8217;re  uppers or downers affect how you hear sound and how you take in information. If you&#8217;ve ever used marijuana you notice that music sounds completely different under that influence. Certain sounds mesh better with that mind-state then others. Artists then go on to continue making music that mesh well with the mind-state they like to be in. You also have to take into account that drugs do affect your mind to where you&#8217;re perhaps more confident, more relaxed, and have an open mind because you are currently in a happy, laid back mood. It makes sense that those effects that drugs have on you can lead you to make better music. Anxiety halts creative thought, that&#8217;s a known fact, so when you take a substance that relieves some of that anxiety you&#8217;re able to be more comfortable creating and that of course makes for better music.</p>
<p>So Do drugs help you make better music ? No, being in a comfortable and relaxed mind-state helps you make better music. Thinking outside of the box helps you make better music. Constantly pushing yourself until your songs sound the best you think it can sound to you is what makes better music.You don&#8217;t necessarily need drugs for that. The drugs themselves don&#8217;t matter. Addiction often times manifests itself in a person medicating themselves due to the mental ills that they&#8217;re suffering from.  A lot of artists that feel like drugs are helping them are likely suffering from an issue. There are positive methods one can utilize to gain confidence in themselves, to be more relaxed, and to get rid of their anxiety without relying on a harmful substance that will most likely make their mental state worst. Drugs can be seen as an easy fix, with awful consequences. There&#8217;s been a rise in drug related deaths in hip-hop; From<strong> Pimp C</strong> to<strong> A$ap Yams</strong>, From <strong>DJ Screw</strong> to<strong> DJ AM</strong>,  to the constant drug-related seizures that<strong> Lil Wayne</strong> and <strong>Rick Ross</strong> keep having and denying. These substances are clearly doing more harm than good.</p>
<p>In sum, drugs don&#8217;t affect music quality , you do.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Peace!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Suggested Articles:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://respect-mag.com/2016/04/kid-cudi-talks-depression-drugs-billboard/">Kid Cudi Talks Depression, Drugs, &amp; More With Billboard</a></p>
<p><a href="http://respect-mag.com/2016/06/elliott-trent-numb/">Elliott Trent Mixes Drugs, Money &amp; Women, Goes ‘NUMB’</a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com/2016/06/rap-talk-do-drugs-affect-music-quality/">Rap talk:  Do Drugs Affect Music Quality?</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://respect-mag.com">RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture</a>.</p>
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