Photo Credit: James Ellis

What’s your mind telling you these days?

Data Science is still the benchmark for ultimate success, in my opinion. Sustainability and building a great system is the next archetypal challenge for humans. We have very little sense of civilization anymore, capitalism and the dumbing of the masses took that from us. We have an even weaker sense of what to do with the layers of experiential knowledge that we still have a temporary window to process. As long as we have people that can culturally curate a narrative, we tend to get lazy about the value of raw intellectualism. Our ancestors were nowhere as mentally agile as us to even make a dent in the universe of psycho-social information we have access to. They left us with very little in terms of mental undergirding that would help us evolve through the binary culture bridge we occupy now. They wouldn’t know the first thing about handling response algorithms on 25+ timelines a day.

You just finished a 5 year Creative Director stint with Roy Woods. How was that?

Roy reminds me of an athlete that makes it into the lottery because of the composite of his skills as opposed to one clear strength. Without intellectual guidance and a clear sense of operational hierarchies, even great talents tend to fade. My experience with OVO has always been beautifully crafted and subtle in execution, lots of money was made on all sides. Sustainability is still an overriding factor over there which is absolutely the right way to go about natural growth.

What’s your most preferred mode of expression design, writing or curation? 

Writing is still the rarest thing on earth. Some of the greatest minds we can’t seem to get over like Nietzche weren’t designers or curators, they were writers. A writer can create a world and destroy it quickly, an exhilarating sense of design freedom in my opinion.

What are you excited about?

I’m excited that we’re about to enter a new era of Green Awareness. Billie Eilish for me is a great example of what I mean by that, an eco-friendly tour, sustainable Collab with H&M. As a teenager, her sense of awareness about the world we live in has to be a good thing.

Pictured: Billie Eilish

You’re always ahead of the curve. What do you see happening in 2020.

Our sense of underground is dead so my feeling is that we’re investing our intellectual power as a society towards smart green technology. We have to be realistically sustainable as opposed to just pretending to care about the Earth. Sidewalk Labs by Google and IOBIONICS are two local projects in 2020 that I think will change Toronto forever. I’m just happy our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is putting his stamp of approval on Canadian Smart Green Innovation companies in Ontario. I expect this sort of top-notch intellectual leadership from the Liberal Party.

Any designers you’re fond of?

Isaac Saqib, Lonely Labs, RDCL, Love Closely, Gab3, Jabari Khalid, Raf Simons.

Releasing any music this year?

Shitloads of ultra-themed playlists. Intellectualism on Overload, a Punjabi Playlist maybe. I have albums of electronic music ready but realistically i’m not releasing original music until 2021, the world is in a state of chaos, either you’re adding to it or you’re ducking from the bullets, no time for my subtle art unless the wavelengths align.

Follow Mudasser Ali on Instagram, Twitter & Spotify to stay up-to date on his work.

The post From OVO to IOBIONICS, Mudasser Ali Talks Billie Eilish & Sustainability appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Out of his busy schedule, Jmak took the time to speak to us about executive producing the 6ixbuzz “Northern Sound” tape, working with Baka, spending his time between Sauce Familia and producing future slappers. As is obvious, the “Dope Game” producer really does have the juice and can’t wait to share it with the world. 

RESPECT MAG: First of all, congratulations on the release of Northern Sound tape with 6ixbuzz! Now that the project is out just in time for the holiday season, how does it feel?

JMAK: Thank you so much for having me, also thank you so much for recognising the work. It most definitely feels great to finally have it all wrapped up and released. We definitely had some crazy things happen unexpectedly last minute, but they do say God doesn’t give you anything you can’t handle right?

RESPECT MAG: But that’s far from all the heat you’re packing musically right? Your production for Baka is a work of art! How was it like working with him?

JMAK: Oh absolutely, 10 years of mistakes and ammunition locked and loaded. I remember OVO Sound, 40 and Drake putting Baka and I in the studio for 3 weeks. Baka’s first project, 4Milli, was then created and the rest is history. Working with Baka is probably where I learned most about being an Executive Producer today. Baka is like the big brother I never had. He’s hard on me, and I love that. We’ve been a team since day one, so our chemistry is CRAZY in the studio.

RESPECT MAG: You executively produced Northern Sound. How was it working with 6ixbuzz? How did that come about? There’s a lot of artists on there, NorthSideBenji, Houdini, Full Circle moment was epic, Puffy L’z, Loco City, Bizz Loc, French, Archee, and well a LOT more. What was the process like?

JMAK: I’ve been working with 6ixbuzz since 2013, before it was even called “6ixbuzz”. The process was very smooth because of the solid relationships I’ve created with these artists over time. It was nothing different for us this time around, just a bigger platform to work with and a bigger cause by bringing the city together through music.

RESPECT MAG: Which are some of favourite tracks on the tape? We like “Too Soft”, “TikTok”, “Bandz” and the outro “World Is Yours”, “Make It Happen” is hot too.

JMAK: My personal favourite songs on the tape were Fifth, TikTok, Facts & Real Spill.

RESPECT MAG: Tell us what you think the proudest moment of your professional career is.

JMAK: The best moment of my career would have to be seeing my team (Sauce Familia) come together how it has. Every person on the team plays a crucial role to our success, and I am truly grateful to be able to supply opportunities for the family and keep securing more wins to continue pushing the culture forward.

RESPECT MAG: The worse memorable session you been in?

JMAK: Definitely a session I had when someone spilled their drink on my brand new Universal Audio Apollo 8 just as it came out!

RESPECT MAG: Your funniest celebrity moment was?

JMAK: Definitely meeting Drake for the first time than somehow ending up outside playing basketball with him and some of the guys. Great time, lots of laughs.

RESPECT MAG: What’s your favourite instrument to play? and why?

JMAK: FL Studio! In my generation of production, FL Studio is an instrument, a tool, a sonic paint brush. I can do the same things with an instrument on FL Studio easier actually! I’m actually not trained nor understand scales as well as I should but with the power of technology possibilities are endless! Thank You Image-Line!

RESPECT MAG: What’s your idea of a perfect studio session?

JMAK: If a man is not pulling up with food, gas, or grabba… it’s a terrible session.

RESPECT MAG: If you’re not in the studio what are up to?

JMAK: If you know me, you know that I STAY in the studio. No time to relax yet. I live in a city full of HUNGRY people. I always have to remain grounded.

RESPECT MAG: Who are some of your favourite artists coming up in the city?

JMAK: There are so many talented artists doing there thing inside and outside the city, way too many to list. I’m so proud of the work we’re doing as a city.

RESPECT MAG: If I was to check your iPhone right now what unreleased heat I would find?

JMAK: You would find a whole lot of heat, that the world isn’t ready for just yet.

RESPECT MAG: Something you’re cheffing up that your fans can look forward to in the 2020?

JMAK: In 2020, you can expect a whole lot of music produced by Sauce Familia & myself… worldwide.

Follow Jmak on instagram to keep up with his latest updates.

The post HOT ON THE BLOCK: Toronto Production Giant Jmak Speaks on Latest Projects appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

New Orleans strikes again with another great talent on the rise. YM/OVO representer Capito releases a street anthem with plenty of lyrical content that could have you rewinding the record and catching each bar if so inclined. The song, “Game 7” comes with a feature from Rich Rocka with production handled by BatmanOnTheBeatz.

For those not in the know, Capito is known for rolling with Lil Wayne as an OG member of Young Money with deep roots in OVO. He’s rumoured to be dropping a project this year but no solid dates yet.

As for Rich Rocka, the Bay native was known to be signed to The Game back in 2006, subsequently signing with Akon‘s label Konvict Music by 2010. Fast forward, here’s a brand new heater from the two; listen to it below.

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The post New Orleans MC Capito Drops “Game 7” feat. Rich Rocka appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“The song was inspired by my love for the combination of Chinese food and Sriracha Sauce. As soon as we got in the studio that day and I heard the Asian sounding sample at the beginning of the song it just kinda came to me …” Blacka shared with HotNewHipHop.

Keeping the trap-house hot like his favorite sauce, Blacka posts up in the streets of Chinatown and has some fun. Watch “Sriracha” below, and be on the lookout for Blacka Da Don’s ongoing documentary series (Episode 3 below). A Part Of My Story, the album, drops Friday, November 17th.

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The post Blacka Da Don Visits Chinatown in “Sriracha” Visual appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo Credit: Youtube

Brampton, Ontario favorite Roy Wood$ got big things to look forward to. After banging out two tours — Summer Sixteen with Drake & as well as his solo Unlocked tour) he finished 2016 off with giving fans his Nocturnal EP. An outstanding set of jams, the tape included countless hits.

Yesterday, he dropped a video for one of his Nocturnal standouts “Love You“. The video resembles an inside of some type of futuristic laboratory. The sci-fi heavy influenced video is mind-boggling as Roy goes back and forth with the girl, getting jiggy with his wavy dance moves.

Roy Wood$ is the youngest recruit on OVO’s roster and he’s headed towards a successful career. Currently, he is gearing up to drop his debut album Say Less which fans patiently await. For now, watch the official music video below.

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The post OVO’s Roy Wood$ Drops Sci-fi Influenced Music Video For “Love You” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Roy Wood$ has been stealing a lot of attention with his come up during 2016. His songs like “Dangerous” and “Love You” have been on a healthy rotation on a lot of people’s playlists. From Kylie Jenner (who snap chatted bumping “Love You”) to some of the biggest tastemakers in the game, his music has been touching fans everywhere. His music resume for 2016 consists of him dropping two curated projects, Waking At Dawn and Nocturnal, touring with Drizzy and Future as well as headlining his own “Unlocked Tour.” His music collaborations include Drake, Majid Jordan, TyDolla$ign, MADEINTYO and 24hrs.

Musically speaking his sound is special because it is not just culturally relevant or trending music, it is personal and vulnerable as Roy sings openly about his love issues and his life overall, making fans all around the world relate to his lyrics on a very personal level. Look out for him this year.

https://twitter.com/RoyWoods/status/839883710723944451

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The post Roy Wood$ Announces His Debut Album ‘Say Less’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Drake is pretty much the Jack of all trades.  From top charting records, OVO Fest shows to his smooth Air Jordan releases; what isn’t this man good at? Oh, let’s not forget fashion! The man of the year has unveiled the look-book for his pre-fall 2016 OVO collection.

This collection has many different silhouettes, such as  hoodies, polo’s, t-shirts, a jersey, sweatpants and varsity jackets. The clothing features the OVO owl and even has a few caps in the look-book. Some of the attire, such as the tees and sweatsuits, have a velvet type material that looks pretty cozy for the fall and winter. We know Drake can live a little luxurious sometimes, which may also explain the rich-like velvet. Let’s not forget Drake also has a all gold 24 Karat pair of Jordan 10’s. Pretty lavish.

For all the 6 God fans, this collection gives a feel for the cozy boys/girls and those who want to dress it up a little. He has your typical black, white and cream colors, but also has different blues and reds in the collection.

The collection is set to release at OVO’s Toronto and LA flagship stores. Word hasn’t been said on any online releasing, but we will keep you updated.

Check out the pieces for the pre-fall 2016 collection below:

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The post Drake’s OVO Pre-Fall 2016 Collection Lookbook appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.