The EP is a joint concept project, which features a guided tour of their Washington Heights neighborhood. The first track starts out with a warning for outsiders to be careful before launching into a story of how life can be in the lives of the people who live there. The EP includes narration from hood legend Blanco and beats from the French producer C0rrado. The EP has a total of five tracks on it:

1. “Symphonic”
2. “NYSoC”
3. “Come Find Me”
4. “Another Episode” (ft. Wordsworth”)
5. “Hold Ya Head”

All the songs on Play This pull the listener in with smooth and driving beats and memorable rhymes that connect to the listener with the emotion that the performers exhibit in each song. The mood can go from active to melancholy in seconds and the familiarity of the game that is evident in the tracks makes the listener feel like they are right there beside them through all of what they are singing about. You can listen to the EP via SoundCloud.

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The post Pearl Gates & Syll Drop ‘Play This’ EP appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Gates, then it’s time for you to do some research. The rapper hails from Washington Heights and has been dropping musical gems since 2014. His first mixtape, A Star In A Broken Sky, represented for NYC and underground hip-hop in the best way possible. And Gates didn’t stop there! His mixtape caught the attention of eMC (Masta Ace, Wordsworth and Stricklin) and they featured Gates on the track, “Fly Thoughts.”

Not too long after, Gates dropped his debut EP, Diamond Mind. The 8-track project featured eMC alongside a few other artists over some killer production. Gates is now back with the remix of his track, “The Ritual (Remix),” and the remix features eMC.

“The Ritual (Remix)” produced by Kic Beats, is described as “an invitation into my process” by Gates:

“The Ritual embodies the customary practice we undergo as artists, from cutting records in the studio to the release and performance of those records. This particular song is an invitation into my process.”

Take a listen to “The Ritual (Remix)” and tell us what you think of the track. And if you’re rocking with it, you can purchase it on iTunes.

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The post RESPECT. Premiere: Pearl Gates – ‘The Ritual (Remix)’ Feat. eMC appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Today Pearl Gates delivers the video for his Diamond Mind EP cut “Countdown” featuring Wordsworth. The Damijin’ Myndz!-directed visual opens with Gates rapping against a graffiti adorned backdrop with Wordsworth by his side. Myndz! masterfully captures the body movements that accompany every vigorous bar he spits. The scenery switches up a bit when Wordsworth delivers his verse atop greenery. Join the countdown and watch the video below courtesy of the two NY MCs below.

The post Video Premiere: Pearl Gates – “Countdown” ft. Wordsworth appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

A lot of us were introduced to New York City emcee Pearl Gates from his records alongside Masta Ace, Wordsworth and Stricklin (collectively known as eMC for those asleep). This music thing comes more then natural to him, from nostalgic hooks and to just raw bars. Now Pearl announces his debut EP Diamond Mind, with featured artists ranging from Boldy James to Masta Ace. On the production side, Pearl canvases work from Khrysis, M. Stacks and other notable beat smiths.

Below is the new video for the EP’s title track, produced by Sirplus and directed by Damijin’ Myndz. “Diamond Mind” finds Pearl Gates‘ third eye vision sharper than it has ever been – reflecting hope, maturity, and tribulations used as hope darts in under three minutes over a beautiful backdrop. After you check the video out, be sure to get your hands on the free download of the track right below it.

Now would be a good time to remind you of his European tour alongside eMC’s The Tonite Show run overseas. Pearl Gates will be the opening act on the whole tour (11/20-12/05). He recently stated, “My debut EP release and first overseas tour happening in the same month. This is unreal. Can’t wait to put on for my city!” We can vouch that the amount of gratitude and appreciation he shows for his current standing in hip-hop is very much sharp. Perspective.

You can pre-order your digital copy now via iTunes and Amazon. Or for all of you physical junkies, the cd fixing can be ordered via Below System Records.

Peace and love.

The post Pearl Gates Announces Forthcoming ‘Diamond Mind’ EP appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.