By: Maui Max

After going through a dark period in his life, Maui Max has bounced back stronger than ever. Fresh off the release of his E.W.O.F (Everything Works Out Fine) project., he is taking his career to new heights. Having worked with the likes of Sy Ari Da Kid, Quentin Miller, and Damar Jackson he has established himself as the next newcomer to take the music industry by storm.

Everything Works Out Fine is a masterpiece. Maui Max does an excellent job of showcasing his raw vulnerability in a harmonious way. His uplifting and encouraging spirit can be heard from beginning to end on this release. His southern influence growing up in Atlanta, Georgia is infused in his melodies an authentic sound. Within 8 tracks, this emcee gives fans exactly what they were looking for. One song that stands out the most on this release is track 2. As it is titled E.W.O.F just like the EP, it embodies Max’s music genius like never before. “I made up my mind I got to get me more, got to free my mind I got to cut them chords”.

Produced by longtime friend LaCoMusic, this is by far Maui Max’s most impressive release to date. He has set the tone for all of the other Atlanta rappers craving to break into mainstream. If you enjoy a diverse range of lyrics, vibes and topics, you will fall in love with E.W.O.F.

Press play below to stream the latest material from one of ATL’s rising superstars.

The post Maui Max Releases New ‘E.W.O.F’ Project appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

By: FRVR

Rapper and Producer Ishtrumentals has released his latest material titled “Dosage”. After catching his big break in 2016 producing a record for Quentin Miller, his rise to fame took off! This song is the first single off of his forthcoming album scheduled to be released early next month.

He has made it a point to establish an original sound, and show the world that he is far more than just a DJ. He has done just that on this release.

On this song, you will hear Ish rapping about being focused on his music, while balancing romance and turning his vision into a reality. His Atlanta upbringing and influence, plays a major role in the auto tuned melody you hear throughout. Some lyrics that really stand out on this release are “I need that new whip with that top gone like it’s schizophrenic.”

The bumping, trap beat is a match made in heaven for this ATL rapper. As he prides himself on diversity and storytelling, “Dosage” shows off a more vulnerable and melodic side to his creativity.

Ishtrumentals is a rising artist whose music is undeniable. His production work with the legendary Too Short is one of many reasons why he’s up next to blow. Press play below to to get a double dose of musical bliss from one of Atlanta’s finest.

The post Rapper & Producer Ishtrumentals Releases “Dosage” Single appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: Quentin Miller

…in the middle of all this?

In the midst of Drake and Pusha T‘s current battle (which is heating the hell up), Drake’s alleged ghostwriter (and an extremely talented artist in his own right) Quentin Miller has decided that he’s had enough of the slander. Now, he brings forth a new song of his own explaining everything.

So, yea…enjoy “Destiny Freestyle” below.

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The post Quentin Miller Decided to Drop a Song Addressing Everything… appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: Quentin Miller

So, by now I’m sure you’ve heard Drake‘s “Duppy Freestyle,” which is an all out act of war against Pusha T and Kanye West. Added to that, portions of the diss track brought up his supposed ghostwriter Quentin Miller, and how Drake was actually the one trying to build up the Atlanta artist:

“…and as for Q, man I changed his life a couple times
N***a was at Kroger working double time
Ya’ll acting like he made the boy when I was trying to help the guy…”

Welp, Quentin has decided to respond in the most hilarious way possible — by correcting him on the actual store he was working out of:

He also made a point to use the recharged attention to promote his new single “Long Time,” which features Ty Dolla $ign…and it’s a dope listen. Check that out below.

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The post Quentin Miller Responds To Drake’s New Diss Track; Drops New Single of His Own with Ty Dolla $ign appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: Quentin Miller

Atlanta’s Quentin Miller drops another project and like always, the notable emcee delivers another quality piece of work. Falco is a nine-track project that features Pusha T, Hitboy, and a few others, backed by smooth, hard-hitting production.

Quentin continues to strive as someone progressing from controversy early in his career to an almost fatal car accident later on; clearly, nothing can keep this hardworking artist away from the microphone. Most recently, Quentin can be heard more than ever via features to captivating singles, and Falco is no different.

Enjoy this project as much as I did by listening below.

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The post As Promised, Quentin Miller Delivers His New Album “Falco” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

J.I.D and Quentin Miller along with help from Chad Tennies and Mac Grant, bring this smooth Atlanta track to life showcasing their different perspectives. This song comes off a 12-track pre-Dreamville album release by J.I.D tilted, Bears Like This Too Much, that I’m sure the up and coming artist will dab in while he releases more quality work.

Check out J.I.D’s “M.O.M.” below and tell us what you think of the visual.

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The post J.I.D Drops “M.O.M” Featuring Quentin Miller [WATCH] appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Ghostwriting has been around since the genesis of recorded music. The precedent was set early on that the art of making music was not to be a singular act. In order to record a song professionally a lot of moving parts have to be in place working cohesively. In every genre of music besides rap, ghostwriting is accepted as the norm. Perhaps it’s because in every other genre the voice is the main component for an artist,  while in rap it’s your lyrical ability that makes you an emcee. Although the rap community has  historically looked down on ghostwriters, many ghostwriters have still been utilized. It seems like ghostwriters are used more as insurance for record companies. As a record company, if you put millions of dollars into an artist you want to make sure you receive a vast return on your investment. The ghostwriter is most likely there so the artist has a better chance of crafting a hit record. Although fans of rap always want to know that an artist’s perspective is coming directly from him, the truth of the matter is this is the music BUSINESS. These artists can’t just come from the heart, they have investors and corporate executives to answer to.

Record companies are not the only ones at fault for the usage of ghostwriters. For many artists, having a writing partner may be a part of their creative process. I imagine Drake‘s situation is that  he always likes to have a writing partner that he can bounce ideas off of. Does that make him less of a credible emcee? Do we really expect our favorite rappers to write everything they recite? The answer is yes. We want you to write every piece of lyric that comes out of your mouth. If you had help we do not want to know about it.

In all seriousness, every artist needs inspiration. It would be unfair for fans to hold such extremely high expectations. I propose we look at ghostwriting in a few different ways.

Collaboration: When two artists work together to pen the lyrics of a song or album.

Writing Consultancy: When one artist writes the lyrics but receives inspiration, ideas, and advisory from another party/parties.

Ghostwriting: When an artist writes basically the entirety of the lyrics and another artist just performs and adds their charisma to it.

Going by this format, Quentin Miller would be considered Drake’s collaborator or writing partner. This means that Quentin Miller should receive the same praise and recognition as drake because it seems like they created Drake’s music together. If it’s truly a collaborative effort, rap artists should just be transparent. We’re more likely to respect an artist that admits to having a writing partner then one that denies it. A writing consultant is what I imagine the majority of rappers have. Artists do require assistance and inspiration, so an advisor would come in clutch during the song making process.

I define ghostwriting as when a person completely writes every lyric for a rapper. If that occurs, that rapper is not an emcee.

PEACE!

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