By: Condido Verona

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

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

Check it out below!

Condido Verona Interview 

RESPECT: Who is Condido Verona?

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

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

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

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

RESPECT: When did you catch your big break?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Condido: I just want to grow.

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

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

Actor, rapper and producer Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson and sports and entertainment journalist Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Courtesy of Scoop Vision Media

50 Cent is probably one of the most brilliant minds you’ll ever meet. The creator of the Starz Network hit show, Power, 50 Cent’s brought you hits like: ‘In Da Club,’ ‘Wanksta,’ ‘Candy Shop,’ ’21 Questions,’ and a ton more.

Those songs are fan favorites, but one of the most underrated songs that 50 ever put out never went mainstream was ‘How To Rob.’

‘How To Rob’ was a single off 50’s Power of the Dollar album, 50 Cent’s first album.

Yes, his first album! Get Rich or Die Trying was 50’s second album. Power of the Dollar was originally set to be released in 2000 via Columbia Records.

It never dropped though because Columbia Records found out that 50 was shot nine times. Columbia dropped him, a huge mistake on Columbia’s part and a gain by 50 who went on to have a huge career with he and G Unit.

Quips at folks like late rapper ODB, hip hop legend Lil Kim, gospel singer Kirk Franklin, Bishop T.D. Jakes and other notables like Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith and even late rapper Heavy D was 50’s way in the late ninetys/early 2000s that he was hungry and he was coming!

Heck, 50 let you know what time it was with lines like: 

The bottom line is I’m a crook with a deal. If my record don’t sell I’mma rob and steal. You better recognize, n***a, I’m straight from the street. These industry n***as is starting to look like something to eat.I’ll snatch Kim and tell Puff, ”You want to see her again? Get your ass down to the nearest ATM.

And:

I’ll rob Pun without a gun, snatch his piece then run/This nigga weigh 400 pounds, how he gonna catch me, son?

And a chorus that said:

This ain’t serious/Being broke can make you delirious/So we rob and steal so our ones can be bigger/50 Cent, how it feel to rob an industry n***a?

Did you know that Sirius/XM’s DJ Whoo Kid broke that record?

“You gotta imagine him just giving me that record and I’m like: ‘I gotta play this? Like you serious,” DJ Whoo Kid told me on Scoop B Radio. “And I’m like alright as long as you got my back.”

DJ Whoo Kid spinning records. Photo Courtesy of World Red Eye

Whoo Kid caught hell for releasing that track too!

“I was getting like threats, texts, you get like a phone call and then somebody hang up, like all kinds of craziness,” DJ Whoo Kid said.

Check Out DJ Who Kid and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio

“Part of it, cause, like dealing with 50 Cent and remember, I used to DJ for like CNN, Capone-N-Noreaga before that and they went through like hell. Those guys were like killing and shooting and before that, I was with Juvenile. So I’m like super old school. I can’t even believe I even did all that s**t. But um rolling with Juvenile, he introduced me to the south and all the violence they do and white chicks, like I didn’t know what a white girl was until I met Juvenile because he had [the song] ‘Back That Ass Up.’

‘How To Rob’ appeared in a movie too.

Yup!

It was on the soundtrack for the film, In Too Deep, which starred Omar Epps, LL Cool J and Nia Long.

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The post Scoop B: DJ Whoo Kid Says He Got Backlash After He Released 50 Cent’s ‘How To Rob’ Record In The 90s appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The classic Bad Boy crew is coming back together to make history! The first ever Bad Boy Family Reunion concert will be taking place in Brooklyn this upcoming Friday, celebrating the legendary Notorious B.I.G and Bad Boy Records. After the Bad Boy reunion show sold out in 7 minutes, Puff announced a second show. Two shows just isn’t enough when it involves artists that have had such an impact in music. So today, Mr. Combs posted tour dates for a 25-city tour this summer.

The family reunion will include some of everyone’s favorites in hip-hop and R&B, such as Ma$e, Lil Kim, Faith Evans, Mario Winans, Carl Thomas, The Lox and French Montana. Tickets will go on sell Friday, May 20th and the tour will kick off at Columbus’ Schottenstein Center.

Diddy states that “This isn’t just a concert– this is a moment in hip hop and R&B history. The family and I are so excited to welcome fans into this once in a lifetime experience. This tour is 20 years in the making, and is a celebration of the hits and the Bad Boy lifestyle. The Bad Boy Family has set the standard for concert excellence, and this tour will be a testament to that!”

Diddy is also preparing to release his final album, No Way Out 2, and singer, Faith Evans revealed she was planning a collaborative album with Biggie. Sources have said there will possibly be performances with a biggie hologram. That would be a sight to see!

Make sure you get your tickets for this memorable concert. You can buy the tickets here.

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50 Cent, G-Unit’s biggest bully, is always one to ruffle feathers and never back down from throwing blows to his rivals, and this time is no different as he attacks P. Diddy. Fresh off the release of his drop “Bring My Bottles” (which also features guest appearances from Young Buck and Tony Yayo) comes 50 Cent’s usually bullying of the most popular figures in Hip Hop, and now he’s publicly poked fun at Puffy and his line of Vodka “Ciroc” on Instagram.

50 Cent is back clowning on P. Diddy, bringing up an extremely old picture of Puffy dubbing on a thick woman in the club with the words “Damn…50’s right, I’m EFFEN up right now” with a Facebook link at the bottom directing viewers to the EFFEN Vodka profile.

We’re assuming that Fif’s stunts are all just a ploy to promote the EFFEN Vodka line, a brand of Vodka he seems to be heavily influencing since his Instagram is flooded with pictures of the bottles’ designs.

the EFFEN take over starts NOW. I need new director’s to post a link of there reels.# 50cent let’s work @effenvodka

A photo posted by 50 Cent (@50cent) on Nov 11, 2014 at 6:45am PST

The post EFFEN Up: 50 Cent Disses P. Diddy & Ciroc On Instagram appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.