If you keep your ear to what’s moving musically in hip-hop then you’re already familiar with the musical stylings of producer MichaelAngelo and  CrimeApple’s Shade 45 freestyle, where the cat lets off for nearly nine-minutes in Showoff Radio with Statik Selektah, around this time last year. If you missed it, not only do you need to catch up but you need to get into their latest release, “Chepe.”

Within a few moments in to the song, you are transported into another era where reserved bravado was commended a lyrical capabilities reign supreme. After a couple of obligatory lines of shit talking, the bass kicks in on this buttery track and the east coast emcee smoothly demonstrates his ability to finesse a stellar beat. Through clever cadences, Crime has moments where he’s relentless in his multisyllabic delivery, while allowing brakes for the beat to breathe showing off MichaelAngelo’s genius orchestration. The artist’s effortless flow allow for a quiet confidence to shine through the joint with lines like, “If you love her, let her go, Dog/ I’ma take your girl farther.”

MichaelAngelo Executes the instrumental flawlessly, setting the tone with the perfect amount of percussion throughout. The ambience is set musically for “Chepe,” a Narcos nod, with it’s clear throwback themes of mafioso storytelling alá The Firm and Esco-era Nas.

The Bean town producer has had his foot in the game for a minute, starting over a decade ago. He’s worked with names like Primo Profit and Krumbsnatcha, citing most NYC producers as influences with a heavy emphasis on Nottz. His love for the genre goes back even farther saying, “I’ve always been into producing and beats since my older brothers were playing Public enemy and Wu-Tang and MC Eight around me but when I found out how they sampled and made beats out of all samples, drums and even snippets of just sounds from records, it blew me away.”

Be sure to keep an eye out for what’s next for MichaelAngelo, a track with Rochester’s own Rigz, but in the meantime, peep the dopeness at the top of the post.

MichaelAngelo Online:
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/prodbymichaelangelo
BandCamp: ProdByMichaelAngelo.Bandcamp.com
IG: ProdByMichaelAngelo

CrimeApple Online: 
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/crimeapple
BandCamp: https://crimeapple.bandcamp.com/
Twitter: @__CRIMEAPPLE__
IG: @__CRIMEAPPLE__

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The post RESPECT. Premiere: CrimeApple – “Chepe” (Prod. by MichaelAngelo) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo by OTB Photos (IG: @otbmiami)

Lex One gets cinematic in his new video, “Wonder Jungle,” taken from his 2016 released Gold Plaque LP. The video finds the Miami artist teaming with frequent collaborator and director Alex Engel for a short film about the ups and downs that life can bring.

“The video symbolizes life in a way,” Lex explains. “Sometimes it just grabs you, kidnaps you, leaves you in the middle of nowhere and you have to find your sh*t and start over.” True to his word, the artist depicts a young man who has all of those terrible things happen to him—and then some. Bits of the video play out like a horror movie, particularly those flashes of an apparent torture scene. But luckily our hero seems to make it out alive, though he’s got some notable bumps and bruises.

Lex appears to eventually find his way—along with all of the items that had been stolen from him—but what’s up with that phone call he receives? Let’s just say that there’s absolutely room for a sequel to “Wonder Jungle,” which is the second Lex video directed by Engel. He previously worked on the captivating and trippy visuals for “My Own Worst Remedy,” which features his frequent collaborator, Third World Don (f/k/a Mike Beatz).

Check out the video premiere for “Wonder Jungle” right here, courtesy of RESPECT., and head over to the digital retailer or streaming platform of your choice to support Lex One’s Gold Plaque LP which is available through his GTPS Music imprint.

Stream/Buy-Links (Smart URL): http://smarturl.it/LexOneGoldPlaque

Lex One Online:
• Website: http://getthatpaperson.com
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexOneGTPS
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexonegtps
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LexOneGTPS
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/lexonegtps

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The post RESPECT. Premiere: Lex One – “Wonder Jungle” (Video) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“One Step Closer” is a passionate mission statement from Florida rapper Brian Breach, who makes it clear that his artistry, and what he puts into his music is his top priority. It also features a stellar guest feature from Bronx spitter Mickey Factz, who delivers equally contemplative bars about what it means to be an artist in today’s indie music universe.

The track stems from Breach’s recently released LP, Matter of Fact, which includes other standout joints like “Breakfast,” featuring Chris Rivers. But it’s “One Step Closer” that perfectly captures Breach and his approach to his craft. Beneath the slick bravado and super-sharp technical skills, he’s a man trying to make it on his own terms doing what he loves. As he sing-songs on the infectious chorus, “I got this Biggie song stuck in my head/ Turn my negative to positive/ And every day I’m getting closer…”

The track is produced by George Young, who provides a soaring instrumental that precisely complements Breach and Factz’ raps. Backed by Young’s melodic vocal sample and layer of guitars, you’ll hear both emcees doing what they do best; dropping bars with reckless abandon.

Check out the track above, premiered courtesy of RESPECT., and if you’d like to support, Breach’s 15 track effort, Matter of Fact, is now available oniTunes and all major digital retailers and streaming platforms, courtesy of GTPS.

Matter of Fact (Buy/Stream Links): 
• iTunes: bit.ly/iTunesMatterOfFact
• Amazon: bit.ly/AmazonMatterOfFact
• Google Play: bit.ly/GooglePlayMatterOfFact
• Spotify: bit.ly/SpotifyMatterOfFact
• Tidal: bit.ly/TidalMatterOfFact

Twitter:
• Brian Breach: https://twitter.com/BRIAN_BREACH
• Mickey Factz: https://twitter.com/MickeyFactz
• George Young: https://twitter.com/Georgeyoung810

Brian Breach Online: 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianbreach
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianbreach03
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/brianbreach
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/brianbreach03

The post RESPECT. Premiere: Brian Breach (feat. Mickey Factz) – “One Step Closer” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Providing both a breath of fresh air, and a very very well put together motivational speech is Jae Tips by way of his latest visual for “Be Great.”

He does an amazing job of creating a laid back feel, but matches it with an intense flame showcasing his dedication to his craft, as well as his devotion to doing better, being great.

Check him out below and hear for yourself:

The post Jae Tips is Just Trying To “Be Great” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The post Premiere: J57 ft. DeeJay Element, Tenacity, Sean Boog & Mean Joe Scheme – “Burn The Empires” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Chicago natives Emily Nejad and Maggie Kubley have been really good friends for a long time, and together they make up the Electro/Grime/Pop duo known as Celine Neon. Teaming up with Psalm One’s group The Rapper Chicks, the two release their brand new visual for the “Vacation Time” remix. This clip is packed with retro vibes and a feel that can be appreciated by those with an affinity for 90’s style; specifically when it comes to R&B.

Celine Neon looks to release a slew of new music in the coming months, including remixes, collaborations (like this one), and an EP, due out this November; a follow up to their self-titled release that hit the streets this past March.

Check out the premiere of “Vacation Time” above, and if you dig it, there’s much more where that came from.

The post PREMIERE: Celine Neon featuring The Rapper Chicks – “Vacation Time” (Video) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Jae Tips debuts the music video for his track “Retail Love Story.” As Jae Tips performs this cut off his Hypebeast mixtape, we get to watch the love story play out. The “Retail Love Story” comes with an entertaining visual & plays out as a smooth track. Give it a look here.

The post Premiere: Jae Tips – “Retail Love Story” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.