While M-Dot works out the finishing touches on egO anD The eneMy 2: A Dissolute Paradise—the full length sequel to his acclaimed 2017 released, egO anD The eneMy LP—the Boston native prepares listeners with the project’s debut leak, a fiery collaboration produced by none other than Pete Rock.

As M-Dot tells it, he and the legendary producer met in 2017 when they were on the same bill for a show in Switzerland. The two showed mutual admiration for their talents and kept in touch ever since, eventually leading to their making music together.

The first result of that work is “The Atonement,” a bars-first, punishing track that demonstrates M-Dot’s love for the art of rhyming. He flexes some crazy patterns and internal rhymes atop Pete’s fittingly chilling instrumental, leaving us hoping that this is the only the first of many collaborations we hear from them this year.

In addition to Pete Rock, egO anD The eneMy 2 boasts production and guest appearances from the likes of Erick Sermon, Apollo Brown, !llmind, M-Phazes, Method Man, Willie The Kid, Vast Aire, and more.

The single is available now through all major digital retailers and streaming platforms through his Own Lane Music imprint, and can be streamed right here courtesy of RESPECT.  Keep an eye out for more content off egO 2 coming soon, and be sure to peep his upcoming European tour dates below which kicks off in Friday, March 06 in Switzerland with The Beatnuts!

Smart URL: https://smarturl.it/theatonement

March 2020 Tour Dates:
• March 6th: Bar59 (Lucerne, Switzerland) [w/ The Beatnuts]
• March 7th: Das Haus (Ludwigshafen, GERMANY)
• March 12th: (Munich, Germany) TBA
• March 13th: Kultuurikklubi Tempel (Pärnu, Estonia)
• March 14th: Uus Laine (Tallinn, Estonia)
• March 19th: (Bratislava, Slovakia) TBA
• March 20th: Rock Cafe (Prague, Czech)
• March 21st: HAFENSTUBE Telux (Weißwasser, Germany)

Return to Boston Show:
• March 27th: Middle East (Cambridge, MA) w/ Masta Ace & Marco Polo

M-Dot Online: 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdotboston
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MDotBoston
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MDotBoston
• Spotify: http://bit.ly/MDotOnSpotify

Pete Rock Online:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realpeterock
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/PeteRock
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realpeterock
• Spotify: http://bit.ly/PeteRockOnSpotify

The post RESPECT. The Track: M-Dot – “The Atonement” (prod. by Pete Rock) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Apathy connects with two living Hip-Hop legends on “I Keep On,” which boasts towering bars from Pharoahe Monch with soulful, neck-snapping production supplied by The Chocolate Boy Wonder, Pete Rock.

The lyrically astute track follows the otherworldly “Alien Weaponry,” which features Ap flexing braggadocious raps over a sinister Nottz’ banger. But on “I Keep On,” the Connecticut emcee is a bit more laid-back and in the pocket as he trades rhymes with every rapper’s favorite rapper, Pharoahe Monch.

And you can definitely count Apathy among those apostles, because the Demigodz rapper revealed in a Facebook Q&A in 2017 that no other emcee influenced his style more than Monch. And if that influence wasn’t clear before, you can absolutely hear it on “I Keep On,” particularly when the two share the final verse and flaunt some straight-up bananas wordplay and flows. If ever there was a track that younger rappers should listen to, it’s this one.

“I Keep On” is the first instant grat track available for download off the iTunes’ pre-order for, The Widow’s Son. In addition to Pharoahe Monch, Pete Rock and Nottz, the 14 track LP also includes features and production from the  likes of M.O.P., Celph Titled, Diabolic, Buckwild, and Stu Bangas, as well as Ap himself who handles a chunk of the album’s production. The Widow’s Son, which is now available for pre-order, becomes available for stream and download, as well as all physical formats (CD, vinyl and cassette) on March 2nd, via Dirty Version. Head over to the Demigodz online store for various pre-order options, and bundle packages.

Photo by Joshua Jordan (IG: @jjvisions)

Album Pre-Order (Smart URL): http://smarturl.it/ApathyTheWidowsSon

Album Press Release: http://bit.ly/PressReleaseTheWidowsSon

Album Tracklist: 
01. The Spellbook (prod. by Apathy)
02. CHAOS (prod. by Stu Bangas)
03. Never Fall Off (feat. AG & DJ Mekalek) [prod. by Apathy]
04. The Widow’s Son (feat. Ryu) [prod. by Chumzilla] *Additional drums by J-Zone
05. The Order (prod. by DJ Premier)
06. Alien Weaponry (prod. by Nottz)
07. Hypnosis (feat. Brevi) [prod. by Messiah Musik] *Keys by Vertygo
08. I Keep On (feat. Pharoahe Monch) [prod. by Pete Rock]
09. A View of Hell (Hell Of A View) (feat. DJ Eloheem) [prod. by Buckwild]
10. Fist of the North Star (feat. Diabolic & DJ Eloheem) [prod. by Stu Bangas]
11. STOMP RAPPERS (feat. M.O.P., Celph Titled & Chumzilla) [prod. by Apathy]
12. Legend Of The 3rd Degree (feat. Tone Spliff) [prod. by Stu Bangas]
13. Rise and Shine (feat. Locksmith & DJ Mekalek) [prod. by Apathy]
14. Obi Wan (prod. by Smoke The World)

Twitter: 
• Apathy: https://twitter.com/ApathyDGZ
• Pharoahe Monch: https://twitter.com/pharoahemonch
• Pete Rock: https://twitter.com/PeteRock

Apathy Online: 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ApathyDGZ
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apathydgz
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/apathyradio

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The post Apathy Delivers New Single – “I Keep On” (ft. Pharoahe Monch) [prod. by Pete Rock] appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

DJ Pete Rock. Photo Credit: Duck Down Music

DJ Pete Rock is hip hop royalty. The Bronx, Ny born and Mount Vernon, NY raised, the Grammy Award winning DJ and producer has been involved with 11 albums in over 20 years and has worked with legends in a multitude of genres.

That list includes: The Notorious B.I.G., Public Enemy, Mary J. Blige, TLC, Monica, Mick Jagger, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Kanye West and Robert Glasper.

So, today is Christmas. You’d think that a memorable gift for any male child would be a checker set, GI Joe or Rock em sock em robots.

Not so for Pete Rock!

Getting a set of vinyl records that included greats like legendary soul singer, James Brown was his most memorable Christmas gift.

Press Play to check out DJ Pete Rock and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson’s Christmas chat

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The post Scoop B: Pete Rock said his most memorable Christmas was playing James Brown’s vinyl 45 record all day appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

With yesterday’s Christmas holiday being on a Sunday, chances are that today you’re enduring the Monday, holiday hangover.

For those fortunate enough to have today off from work, it’s quite possible you’re enjoying family, friends, leftover food and Christmas gifts.

Did you get any good gifts? Some of your favorite celebrities like model, Tahiry Jose, singer Neyo, producer DJ Mustard, rapper Busta Rhymes and actor Michael Rapaport shared some of their most memorable Christmas gifts.

Check out Respect Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson Find Out More 

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The post Scoop B: Ne-Yo, Busta Rhymes, Jermaine Dupri, Michael Rapaport, Tahiry Share Memorable Christmas Gifts appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Torae‘s been around the hip-hop industry for a long time now. It’s safe to say he’s one of the few contemporary New York rappers who, sonically, isn’t influenced too much by rap of other cultures- the boom bap that’s resident to east coast hip-hop, mainly New York, is alive with a steady pulse in Torae’s work.

Pete Rock, another New York native, and prominent figure in the 90s as a part of Pete Rock & CL Smooth, also sticks close to the east coast roots, but goes even further in his instrumentation to throw down welcome mats at other African-American genres. Jazz played a heavy part in forming hip-hop, and Pete Rock is clearly heavily drawn by it, having elements of it incorporated in plenty of his instrumentals. It’s no surprise that the production on “Get Down,” one of Torae’s tracks off Entitled, has that old school flair to it, along with a little taste of jazz.

A remix was recently released, available to stream above, featuring Freeway of State Property, and Styles P of The LOX. The track takes a time warp and brings back an old school sound many don’t incorporate in their music today. Torae raps:

“Stay true to the sound, adjectives and nouns/
Tell ‘em I get down, repped for the underground”

Freeway and Styles P deliver exciting verses that only add onto the grit of the original track. You can check out more of Torae’s tracks at his SoundCloud and purchase Entitled here.

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The post Torae Releases Remix to “Get Down” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Artwork: Dread Solo

Is it the voice? The piercing “ayo” introducing the record? The staple “doopdoopdoop” gun shot sound effects complementing the appropriate rhyme? The likely-drumless choice of production? Perhaps all of it, and some. Allow us to introduce Buffalo, New York’s Westside Gunn – if you haven’t met already.

Comparing Westside Gunn to another emcee is trivial, but take a moment to reflect on first hearing, say, Styles P. and Beanie Sigel. Okay, now try to recall that feeling. If you had any knowledge of inner city wiring, or street life, you will probably agree that Styles and Beans embody the street’s spirit and damn near record songs from the concrete. They are shatter proof, authentic emcees that’re brutally honest and evidently lived everything they’ve put on record. It’s almost undeniable, right? They have the gift of being able to speak to the average street cat very closely. Some do, some don’t – that’s where Westside Gunn comes in.

Buffalo, New York is no walk in the park. Unfortunately we all know what comes as a byproduct from an impoverished, drug ridden city. Westside Gunn has an innate, rather blunt way of rapping about it. Him and his brother Conway have survived every dark crevice of Buffalo and made it out alive, quite literally. As we hip-hop heads get older and grow up with the music, it gets easier to sift through the gimmicks and lies on record. Like Styles P. and Beans, Westside Gunn and all the whole GxFR squadron are the real deal.

How about being compared to a modern day Ghostface Killah & Raekwon? We could talk about how polished Westside Gunn and Conway‘s back-to-back flow is for hours.

It’s crucial to note Westside Gunn’s attitude and respect towards art as a whole, which below you will read a bit more about in our interview. Paying homage to all forms of art is necessarily notable, but let’s pull hip-hop from the deck for a second. Is it important to you, as a fan, that they understand and appreciate the culture? That they understand the importance of who came before them? That they’re actual fans of the music themselves? If your answer is no, close this page. One specific refrence from Westside Gunn that had us sold was his praise to J Dilla. This speaks miles and says a lot without saying a lot. There are way too many new jacks that ignore hip-hop’s timeline.

Having released multiple quality projects in the past couple of years, Westside Gunn’s work ethic and consistency is one to learn from. Do these cats ever stop? Will they? We hope not. The scattered loosies via SoundCloud (with very little warning), the full projects, and the features are reassuring. This is quality, gritty, fly, luxurious street rap that the east coast sound has been starving for.

We hope you enjoy the interview below – peace and love:

Artwork: @cepenwhy

RESPECT.: It’s no secret that you’re climbing the charts and gaining a lot of traction these past couple of years. Is it getting more challenging for you to focus? Or does Westside Gunn feel even sharper with a rapidly growing audience?

I never, ever felt challenged. Actually the reason I drop so much material is because I get bored easily. I want the people to witness greatness – a new LEGEND. So, I just drop shit to keep reminding people it’s not a game this shit is legendary, haha.

RESPECT.: Do you mind speaking on your choice of production? (On that note, you and Daringer have undeniable chemistry.)

Yea I mean I’ve reached out to all my favs – Preemo, Alchemist, PeteRock, 9th Wonder, etc. and we’re all about to start cooking. However, nobody will ever get me like Daringer. That’s my producer since day one. When you hear him that’s the Griselda sound. The RAW shit you know? I’m where I am today because of what Daringer brought to the table.

RESPECT.: Visual art and fashion are praised often in your music. It’s refreshing to say the least. If you don’t mind naming a few, who are your favorite painters, visual artists and/or fashion designers?

To be honest I love all art. I like going to art exhibits and peeping raw talent. You can learn a lot and develop a different outlook on life by looking at an artists view. Some designers I mess with are Raf, Virgil, Don (Just Don), and Neil Barrett. Also, I love what Kanye is doing. I feel I’m a grimier Kanye.

RESPECT.: You, Conway and the rest of the crew have quite literally been through it all. With that being said, you guys could be inspiring a lot of young bucks and I’m sure are already. Is this important to you?

That means everything. We’re hood dudes and have been thru it all – I mean all. From prisons, murders, drug sales, and almost losing life. I mean, Conway got shot in the damn head. But yeah, we’ve come a long way and I hope what we’re doing can show the people from the same walks of life that if you grind hard and stay focused anything is possible. Changing lifes is more important to me than music. I’m just glad when I make music I’m able to do both.

RESPECT.: What should the world be expecting from Westside Gunn/GxFR for the rest of 2016?

Nothing but WORK! The best work on the block to be exact. We got Conway’s debut album ‘GOAT (Grimiest of ALL Time)’ coming. I’m going to drop again too, just dont know when. And a whole lot of instant drops, like the “SUMMERSLAM 88” I just dropped today with my daughter. Love is love, thank you.

https://soundcloud.com/user-5212897/summerslam-88-prod-by-your-old-droog

Westside Gunn: Twitter | Instagram | AudioMack | iTunes

Conway: Twitter | Instagram

Daringer: Twitter | Instagram

Griselda Records: Official Site | Instagram | YouTube | SoundCloud

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The post RESPECT. Interview: Westside Gunn Discusses Changing Lives, Art Exhibits & Production appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

In preparation for his first album in four years, Torae exemplifies what it means to be a MC on “Get Down.” Shot at New York’s esteemed SOB’s, the Pete Rock produced “Get Down” acts as a visual homage to the seemingly disappearing art of rhyming and with cameos from Talib Kweli, Skyzoo, and others, Torae’s spot as one of Hip-Hop’s more prolific rhymers is that much more solidified. “Entitled” is set to drop 1/15/16. Gotta get up to get down.

The post Torae – “Get Down” (Official Video) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.