His love for rap-rock fusion has been inspiring him since High School. He was the lead vocalist/rapper in a band called ‘Flint Eastwood’ —the bands ultimate breakup lead to bLAck pARty coming into existence, stylizing it with capital letters to single out “LA” for Los Angeles, where he lives, and “AR” for Arkansas where he was raised. In 2013 he began producing for Kari Faux. The two had met when both were in their mid-teens. Their collaboration, “No Small Talk,” caught the attention of Childish Gambino, who remixed it and featured it on his STN MTN/Kauai mixtape. Which only lead to bLAck pARty inking a deal with the Childish Gambino’s Royalty collective. bLack pARty contributed production to Gambino’s GRAMMY® Award-winning album Awaken, My Love! as well as scores a placement with TV series Dear White People, Insecure, and Atlanta.

His 2019 album Endless Summer is his first release through Wolf + Rothstein and RCA Records. The first single, “No Complaints,” features DMP Jefe, watch it below.

Out of his busy schedule bLack pARty took the time out to catch up with RESPECT MAG about everything from music to his future plans.

RESPECT.: Growing up, what were some of your biggest musical influences?

bLAck pARty: Growing up my biggest influences were Stevie Wonder, India Irie, Nirvana, MF Doom, Kanye West, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Bad Brains, Zro I came across a lot of music being around the different people in my life. I also grew up in the internet age when music became much easier to access.

RESPECT.: So congratulations on signing with Childish Gambino’s label! How did that happen?

bLAck pARty: Thank you! I actually connected to Childish Gambino back in 2014 when I was mostly doing production for Kari Faux, we had made this song & video “No Small Talk” that went viral and through that I ended up connecting with one of Gambino’s business partner’s Fam, Kari allowed Gambino to remix the record and we built a working relationship since.

RESPECT.: How did your first conversation with Childish Gambino go?

bLAck pARty: I don’t remember exactly, but I remember it was the day his Sway interview dropped so it was mostly conversations about that and conversations about rap music in general. I’m a huge supporter of underground rap, so I remember showing him some of the underground rap groups coming out of Atlanta at that time.

RESPECT.: You also produced on his Award-winning album, “Awaken, My Love!” how did that happen? What was that process like?

bLAck pARty: That actually came about because I had moved to Los Angeles around the same time he was working on “Awaken, My Love!” We always talk about music so it started off from me just being in the studio giving feedback to doing background vocals and some drum programming. It was an interesting experience that I feel I learned a lot from. It was actually the first major album I worked on and being able to be around some of the most talented musicians in the business was a blessing.

RESPECT.: So you write, produce, and engineer and do vocals? Which one is your favourite and why?

bLAck pARty: I’d say my favourite is probably producing because it’s the more creative and fun job. It allows you to think outside of the box and make something that resonates without actually using language.What I’ve learned from playing in places outside of the US is even if the people don’t necessarily speak my language they can still get with the rhythm of the beats and even catch on to the lyrics if they’re simple enough.

RESPECT.: Do you play any instruments? Regardless, what is your favourite instrument and why?

bLAck pARty: Yes, I play whatever I can figure out. If i were to pick a favourite I would say guitar. I always find it easy to write songs with just a guitar. Also a large majority of my favourite artists play guitar: Lauryn Hill, D’angelo, Prince, Kurt Cobain, India Irie, Amy Winehouse- all guitarists!

RESPECT.: Tell us about your song “Dancing”. What are some of the themes found in that Track?

bLAck pARty: Dancing for me was a record that originally was up as a demo, over time it was revamped to be more groovy. I wanted to make something that felt like a day party going into the night time. When it came to video the director [Dylan McGale] and I wanted to play off of one of my favourite movies, KIDS, and one of my favourite music videos, “Frontin” by the Neptunes. I’ve been skating since I was young, and skateboarding and music go hand in hand, so I had to show love to the skaters.

RESPECT.: How do you feel after having your music placed on Insecure?

bLAck pARty: Shout out’s to Issa ! It feels incredible. I have a lot of people tell me they found out about my music through watching Insecure. I actually watch the show so it’s kinda wild to hear my music on there.

RESPECT.: Complex described your sound as a retro sound that could fit nicely into rotation if it came out in the ’70s yet still feels fresh for 2019. Do you agree?

bLAck pARty: Yes. I think the 70’s was one of the more interesting times in music. I’m definitely inspired by that era in music and I listen to more older records than I listen to newer music. The thing though is taking that inspiration and bringing into the present or the future.

RESPECT.: What was that moment in your life that you realised you wanted to be a serious musician? Like this was it for you.

bLAck pARty: When I was 13 I knew for certain I was going to make music. I remember watching videos online of Kanye, Alchemist, The Neptunes, Madlib, making beats and rapping and I decided that’s what I wanted to do: make music and have fun.

RESPECT.: Who are you looking forward to working with the most in the industry?

bLAck pARty: It would be dope to work with legends like Al Green, Patrice Rushen, Erykah Badu…

Photo Credit: Manny Singh

RESPECT.: If I was to see your playlist right now what would I find?

bLAck pARty: You would find Fela Kuti, Amy Winehouse, Al Green, Sza, Khruangbin…I just like to hear something with a lil soul or funk in it

RESPECT.: Tell us about your 5 goals in 2020

bLAck pARty: My only goals are to continue to get better as a person and as a creative.

Follow bLAck pARty on instagram to keep up with all his updates.

All Photos by Manny Singh.

The post RESPECT. Interview: Childish Gambino’s signee bLAck pARty talks Future & Past appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

By: Elijah Connor

Elijah Connor of Diddy & Fox Networks’ The Four, has released his highly anticipated debut “Reputation”. As the younger cousin to Prince and godson of Aretha Franklin, his destiny to achieve stardom is written in the stars. As his influence continues to pour over into the music and television industry, this Detroit native is curating the best music of his life.

For his debut release, Connor delivers an uptempo, energetic track reminiscent of his superstar demeanor. You will hear the Detroit native rapping about not messing up his reputation for nothing or anyone is the world.

With him being a public figure, it is highly important for him to uphold a positive image, while juggling the ladies. He expresses why he has to protect his self at all cost, while getting to the pinnacle of his career.

Some lyrics that stand out the most are “I can’t jeopardize my reputation, I’m going to have to put you in rotation.” These catchy bars appear in the booming chorus, with an auto tune undertone for a dope melody.

Produced by Makeba Woods, Kid Class, and G Child, this masterpiece showcases Connor’s talent in new and impressive way. This may be his debut, but he has a sound that is destined to touch lives all over the world.

Every since Diddy made him a viral overnight sensation, Elijah Connor has been on his way. Click here to stream his debut single “Reputation“.

The post Elijah Connor Releases Highly Anticipated “Reputation” Single appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Tyga – Legendary

Image credit: Last Kings

Comeback king Tyga looks to transfer the success of his chart-topping singles into a full-length LP. Titled Legendary, the West Coaster’s seventh album comes with fourteen new tracks and appearances from Offset (“Taste,” which should help the album fare well with streaming sales immediately), Gunna, Swae Lee, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Blueface and more. Press play below.

Future – Save Me

Image credit: Epic

After getting 2019 started with The WZRD, Future delivers more music to his fans in the form of his Save Me EP, which sees seven new tracks and zero features. Judging from the immediate response, it sounds like the Atlanta veteran has taken a more emotionally-charged route in the vein of his collaborator homie Drake. See for yourself below.

MoStack – Stacko

Image credit: Virgin EMI

This one was definitely highly-anticipated. Across the pond, London’s MoStack delivers his debut album Stacko, which follows 2017’s High Street Kid project. Features on the 12-track project include peers Fredo, Stormzy, Dave and J Hus (the latter two appear together with MoStack on the track “Stinking Rich.”

Check out the new release below, along with the visuals for the Stormzy-assisted “Shine Girl.”

Domani – Time Will Tell

Image credit: Forever Records

Truth be told, Domani Harris is definitely showcasing a dope talent of his own, separate from that of his father, T.I. Today, he continues to deliver his own brand of music in the form of Time Will Tell. The project sees fourteen tracks, with contributions from The Olympicks, DaVionne, Lexi Alön and more. Press play below.

Tee Grizzley – Scriptures

Image credit: 300

I don’t know how the hell this happened, but the fact that Tee Grizzley managed to get a whole album produced by Timbaland tells me that we need to refocus on the Detroit star and pay attention. Today, we get to check out that collaboration, titled Scriptures, which sees fourteen tracks and additional features from A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and YNW Melly. Take a listen below.

Prince – Originals

Image credit: NPG/Warner

Released exclusively through TIDAL, the Prince estate delivers Originals — a collection of original Prince cuts that ended up becoming hits for artists like Sinéad O’Connor (“Nothing Compares 2U”), Morris Day & The Time (“Jungle Love”) and more.

Press play below. Random sidebar: how the hell did we miss this?

Youngs Teflon – Blood

Image credit: Youngs Teflon

South London Rap veteran Youngs Teflon delivers a new EP titled Blood, which sees six feature-free tracks for fans to enjoy. Stream below, along with a visual for “Broken Safety.”

J Spades – MMMP4

Image credit: MMMP

I don’t think that any given mixtapes series has had a stronger hold on road Rap in London than J Spades‘ More Money More Pagans collection. Today, he delivers a fourth installment, which sees 13 new tracks and appearances from Uncle Murda, Donae’O and more. Press play on the Hackney veteran’s latest below.

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The post NEW ALBUM FRIDAY: Future, MoStack, Prince (!) & More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The MTV personality zeroes in on processing, word to Prince, this thing called life. To be specific, he’s analyzing and trying to understand that in life, some people get left behind. In his career, he’s opened up for some of the biggest artists today, including 2 Chainz and Snoop Dogg. 

P.Muna also expresses that everyone isn’t meant to be in your life long term and that’s okay.

“It’s about change for the better,” P.Muna he told RESPECT.Magazine.

Having made himself in the bright lights, P.Muna was a standout high school football player at Albany Academy in Albany, NY and was named First-team All-Area linebacker by the Albany Times Union. He’d later play college football at the University of Albany and move to NYC, where he’d seamlessly translate his playing career into an acting and music career.

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The post P.Muna Releases New Video For “Is It Me or You” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Houston rapper T-Wayne chats with Scoop B Radio. Photo Credit: BET

Harlem, USA representative Cam’ron along with Juelz Santana, Jim Jones, Hell Rell and others inspired a generation of youngsters to live organically, free and creative.

One person who took cues from Cam’ron and the Diplomats is Houtston, Texas rapper, T-Wayne. Best known for his 2015 single “Nasty Freestyle” a track that peaked at # nine on the US Billboard Hot 100, T-Wayne’s Kylie Jenner song is so reminiscent to Cam’ron’s Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.

Check Out T-Wayne’s Kylie Jenner

“I followed some of Cam’ron’s interviews where he talked about how Prince was a legend,” T-Wayne told me on Scoop B Radio.

“And how his legacy lived on even after he died.”

Check Out Cam’ron’s Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

“That’s how I want my legacy to live on,” said T-Wayne.

Check out T-Wayne and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson’s Chat On Radio 

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The post Scoop B: Houston Rapper T-Wayne Says Kylie Jenner Video Was Inspired By Cam’ron and Prince appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Erica Chase chats with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson about her musical influences. Photo via EricaChase.com

Los Angeles-based pop/rock singer Erica Chase is an eclectic in the industry.

Chase bio on her website describes her as a Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter/guitarist that offers up an Adele/Sam Smith/Ed Sheeran vibe that should whet the appetite of music listeners with her first single and accompanying eclectic video for “Paris.”

Check out Erica Chase and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson‘s disussion via Scoop B Radio

While all of that is groovy beyond measures, what’s just as dope is that she credits folks in R&B, as well as gospel for her influences in music. “Yeah I love gospel music,” Erica Chase told me on Scoop B Radio.

“And there’s just so much truth and authenticity and real raw emotion. I love everything from The Temptations to Smokey Robinson to Prince, Michael Jackson, Aretha to Hall & Oates there’s just so much out there I really don’t discriminate in any musical genre.”

Erica Chase is a success story! Having almost died in a near fatal accident, she’s determined to live her life to the fullest.  

The post Scoop B: Singer Erica Chase Credits Michael Jackson & Prince As Top Musical Influences appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Do you remember who sung “Purple Rain?” If not, then you have missed a true R&B legend. One year ago, we lost Prince at the age of 57; he was found dead by an overdose. The singer and songwriter had multiple hits during his music career, including: “When Doves Cry,” “1999,” the aforementioned single and many more.

In 2010, he was honored at the 10th annual BET Awards with The Lifetime Achievement Award and a highlight of his music career. Janelle Monae opened the tribute by singing “Let’s Go Crazy”, while Patti LaBelle and Chaka Khan closed out with “Purple Rain.” One of his famous quotes that we’ll never forget: “The future’s in your hands now and the world is really yours.”

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The post Celebrating Prince on the One-Year Anniversary of His Passing appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.