“Controversial?”

Yep. “Panda” had everyone talking, from the moment it was released. Some heard the song and thought, “Wow! This record is crazy! Is this Future?”, while others, who know it wasn’t, immediately threw a flag on the play, labeling Desiigner a Future imposter, much like people did with Young Thug, who at one point in his career, shamelessly sounded like Lil Wayne. In any event, “Panda” was the topic of conversation, and regardless of who Desiigner may or may not sound like, there are very few who could front on the beat, which is produced by Menace.

Numerous freestyles would be released over the “Panda” beat, and to be perfectly honest, none of them moved me even a little bit. When Lil Kim tried her hand, that was it. I was done. As legendary as she is, I didn’t want to hear that, from her. Today, though, another legend stepped up to the plate to take on “Panda” but unlike his predecessors, he hits a home run. Listen as Lupe Fiasco cleverly offers his spin on this banger, which is packed with witty quotables like, “Express myself, Panda” and “Genius should just be my bible”.

For more from Lupe Fiasco, be on the lookout as his forthcoming album, DROGAS, is set to be released soon.

The post Lupe Fiasco – “Express” (Panda Freestyle) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

There is currently a very hot, yet very controversial song floating around in the streets, right now. Controversial, because it involves a rapper who some people are frowning upon for supposedly jacking another rapper’s style. No, I’m not talking about Young Thug. I’m talking about 18 year-old Brooklyn native and new G.O.O.D. Music signee, Desiigner, who many are attempting to label as a Future sound-alike.

Desiigner’s record “Panda” has been circulating since its release in December, receiving a whopping 3.4 million plays and counting, according to his Soundcloud page, but it is pretty safe to say that a majority of those plays didn’t come until he was formally announced as Kanye West’s newest artist, at the Yeezy Season 3 event, that was recently held at Madison Square Garden.

How did this song skyrocket so fast?

There are a couple of reasons. First off, this kid is signed to Kanye West and is cosigned by Pusha T. That alone, will put you on people’s radars and boost you a bit. Secondly, “Panda” is a crazy record. Absolutely insane. In the car. In the club. This song goes. But if you ask me, the real reason so many people are pressing play on this song is because they keep hearing about a rapper who “sounds like Future” and they want to hear it for themselves. Then once they hear it for themselves, they want to be able to hop on social media with all the other trolls (and Future stans) and rip this kid for his sound.

Here’s my thing…

G.O.O.D. Music is, and always has been the Juilliard School of Hip-Hop. It has always been about more than just music, with this camp. G.O.O.D. Music is for the arts, and you wouldn’t be signed if you weren’t an innovative creative. Just look at their roster. It speaks volumes about what they stand for and how high they have raised the bar. With that said, do you really think they would have signed Desiigner if he was just some kid who was here to be a Future knockoff? I don’t.

Death, taxes, and me having a theory as to why controversial things happen, are three things that are certain in life, and if you haven’t noticed yet, this whole piece has been a theory as to why I think G.O.O.D. Music signed Desiigner. Pusha T knows something we don’t. Kanye West knows something we don’t. 

What makes everyone so sure that it’s Desiigner who’s stealing from Future? What if in actuality, he has been secretly ghostwriting for Future this whole time, and has now decided to pull a Quentin Miller and come forward as an artist, himself? Considering Future is a fairly terrible rapper who is only saved by his production, this isn’t a far-fetched idea, in the least.

Wait. I got another theory…

What if Desiigner is using the Young Thug marketing strategy? Remember when Thug first came out and he sounded exactly like Lil Wayne? Then what happened next? He got everyone’s attention, and once he got everyone’s attention, he started dropping music that was comparable to no one, making him one of the hottest emcees in the game. Maybe Desiigner is just reeling everyone in, right now.

Maybe I’m totally, completely, way off with everything I just said. I don’t know Desiigner personally, so I can’t factually say I know what his plan is. But I do know that people need to let him rock. They’re going to love him in a month, anyway (because you know how fickle Hip-Hop fans are). It’s not fair to try and end this man’s career before it even gets started and you’ve only heard one song (unless you really pay attention and heard “Zombie Walk”, too) and a feature or two. Just chill out. Let him drop a project, first. Then you can go crazy with your annoying comparisons; or not. Because, really, who cares what he sounds like? Your favorite rapper probably doesn’t even write his own raps. Your favorite rapper is probably a former corrections officer who lied about being a drug kingpin. Just enjoy “Panda” for the banger that it is. I bet you liked this joint when you thought it was Future.

And the pictures are in black and white, because “Panda… Panda, Panda, Panda, Panda, Panda”.

The post There Is A G.O.O.D. Reason Kanye West Signed Desiigner appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Ever since his song went viral, Desiigner has been getting the co-sign of many heavyweights in the industry. First Dave East remixed the track, now Lil Kim released the “PANDA” remix featuring hiphop recording artist Maino. Take a listen below.

https://soundcloud.com/lilkimofficial/kim-x-maino-panda-dirty

The post Lil Kim Ft. Maino – Panda (Remix) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

News from Hawaiian street artist Aaron Martin aka Angry Woebots. The member of the Army of Snipers crew just completed a large scale piece in Nevada, Las Vegas.

Angry Woebots is constantly exploring different mediums. Still working with the theme of anger, his figurines might be small in size but they are definitely big in emotions. They are available on his website.

More than an astute artist, Aaron Martin is becoming an icon. Using his signature design, he is now a brand. From the street to our closets, he came up with a few logos printed on sweaters and shirts (only a USA drop).

Prices are a little high but you will feel like you are wearing a piece of art. Available: here

The post STREET ART: ANGRY WOEBOTS – From the Streets to our Home appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

His pieces always convey a strong feeling with a touch of insanity. His name “Angry Woebots” came up as a reaction to our society reducing us to a “robotic” state. It is more than just a name, it is Aaron Martin’s concept behind his art.

Moving away from home, Martin brought with him his paint: white, black and a bucket of random small tubes of color. With a limited amount of color, Angry Woebots adapted himself: “I was supposed to paint a grizzly bear, and I was like, whatever, I’ll paint a panda bear.” Woebots’ canvas is a simple and solid character he plays with to create appealing monsters.

The post Street Art: Angry Woebots’ Angry Monsters appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.