His debut mixtape captured the attention of Cinematic Music Group & Smokers Club founder, Jonny Shipes who granted 6th an opening slot on their first show in Toronto. The Smokers Club later hosted 6th’s sophomore release, “Go Green”. His interview with Noisey sums up who he is as a persona and an artist: “His old school, THC-infused rhymes have received praise from a city that normally hates its native talent, and he’s also attracted out-of-town tastemakers, and specifically Jonny Shipes—a New Yorker who founded the Smokers Club tour and online paraphernalia store. Shipes would go on to be instrumental in the rise of Joey Bada$$ and the Pro Era movement, leading some to wonder if he transplanted some of the Torontonian’s ideas into a fledgling New York rap collective. Toronto’s BKR$CLB was less nostalgic and more splintered in their content, but the parallels between Pro Era were there. Boom-bap may have originated in New York, but its resurgence can be directly tied to the young rappers of Toronto in 2010—a full two years before Joey’s “Survival Tactics” caught fire online.”

https://soundcloud.com/razfresco/extendoz-ft-key-the-6th-letter-raz-fresco

His latest drops, produced mostly by BKR$CLB architect Raz Fresco, are a re-affirment of what his motto has been from the jump when speaking on his last project NorthernPlayalisticGetHighMuzik “everyone in the BKR$CLB helps each other and pushes each other. Raz Fresco produced this entire album with me. We give each other pointers, lyrically and production wise. Every time anyone in the Club creates something, that propels the rest of us and pushes us to be better.”

Follow him on Soundcloud and look out for music from The 6th Letter this year.

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Hot On The Block: Raz Fresco Drops New Single “Smash”

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The post The 6th Letter Drops “Bape God” & “Extendoz” ft. Key! appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photos by Josh Mankz & Artist Files

Preparing for his upcoming project titled 410 North, Raz Fresco salutes the streets with “Smash,” a gem. With an early morning rager vibe, Raz sports a flaunting flow which catches the listener’s ear immediately. As for the name 410 North, it must elude to the MC’s street-influenced lifestyle. As a main traffic artery, the 410 is also synonymous with access to the underworld, a topic Raz Fresco heavily details upon in the single. A past lifestyle of destroying freestyle battles in Brampton, Ontario hallways has paid off as Raz Fresco stays a staple in the GTA’s Hip Hop culture.

The beat itself strays from the traditional boom bap and introduces an advanced Desiigner “PANDA”-style energy in what could be an exciting sonic epoch for the ambidextrous producer/rapper.

Over Instagram, the team teased 3 different coloured artworks for the project, stating, “3 COLORS 3 VIBES.” Perhaps alluring to a multi-side project? Listen below:

https://soundcloud.com/razfresco/smash-prod-by-raz-fresco

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The post Hot On The Block: Raz Fresco Drops New Single “Smash” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Raz Fresco, the young and gifted rapper and record producer from Brampton, Ontario, just released a warm, retro nouveau video for “Up North”, a single from his latest mix tape “Pablo Frescobar”, which was released today exclusively on HNHH.

On record, Fresco details what it’s like to be amongst greedy, two-faced individuals who often ask him for money, and proclaims that he is “a young Jigga with R&B b*tches, wearing hoodies” as we see beautiful imagery from his hometown, Toronto. Watch the anthemic video for all of the forgotten people and talents, dwelling Up North Toronto, and download Pablo Frescobar right here, if you like what you hear and see.

The post New Video: Raz Fresco – “Up North” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“Whenever putting together a project I try to keep the grit of Raekwon’s ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx’ and Mobb Deep’s ‘The Infamous’ in mind” says 22 year old ChillxWill when discussing his new Almighty album with RESPECT. Mag’s Dread Solo. “When crafting the album I was trying to make sure you knew my story by the end. It is hand styles on trains at 2:00am. It is my story. Also, I recorded the whole album on 2″ tape to get that warmth, and vibration in the bass.” The album is critically acclaimed, and has been stirring up an ill buzz for the Tacoma, Washington emcee, and latest artist under Ill Adrenaline Records. He is apart of the BKR$CLB (Bakers Club) posse and works closely with Raz Fresco, who is simultaneously making big moves on the scene.

Almighty is now available on cd, cassette and digital download (two bonus records w/ purchase) with Underground Hip Hop and Fat Beats. Oh, but you’re a wax junkie? Place your vinyl order now at Chopped Herring Records.

Be prepared for a visual time machine taking you back to that grimy mid-90’s golden era we all miss – laced in vintage Fila, herb lit in Brooklyn project hallways and 40 ounces. With a drum pattern identical (or very similar) to Mobb Deep‘s 1996 classic Drop A Gem On ‘Em and a dusty bass line – it’s the perfect marriage. ChillxWill is taking you on a trip down memory lane in 2015. Though the original Warning record off this album is sharp, the remix by Mpadrum is raw and seemingly more suiting for this video. Below you can stream the whole album for free, with hopes that maybe it opens your eyes to a full purchase. Enjoy:

The post ChillxWill Returns W/ New Visual For “Warning (Mpadrum’$ Remix)” + ‘Almighty’ Lp Stream appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Everyone knows I pack it the fuck out like Noah’s Ark
And spit a flow that can break the composure of a Royal Guard

In TeamBackPack‘s newest installment they make sure to connect Canada, Seattle and New York by creating a cypher featuring some of their most prominent up-and-coming MC’s: Raz Fresco (BKR$CLB), Aaron Cohen (Inner City Kids) and FinaL OutlaW.

Known for their eclectic mix of artists from different backgrounds and differentiating styles, the new TBP cypher showcases just that in a grand way. All three MCs spit their best over a production also created by Raz Fresco. Make sure to check out the immense amount of bars down below and stay tuned for their future projects. Fresco has already linked up with legendary Duck Down Records and Aaron Cohen is prepping his visit to a couple stages in France and Belgium for his “You Wouldn’t Know” tour. Hip hop’s underground doesn’t plan on staying in the underground for too long!

The post TeamBackPack’s Newest Cypher With Raz Fresco, Aaron Cohen, and FinaL OutlaW appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photos by: Eric Slyfield

As Toronto native Rich Kidd tells it, “we’ve got two seasons up here; winter and July.” Though it’s not July quite yet, it looks like Rich Kidd is ready to heat things up early. The rapper-producer (…or is that producer-rapper?) who’s collaborated with a slew of talented artists including Raekwon, Chase N. Cashe, and Talib Kweli, recently offered up a hearty sample of his newest project, In My Opinion.

To ring in the release of his free 19-track album, Rich Kidd and a handful of talented Canucks celebrated  at Toronto’s Wrongbar. Of course, RESPECT. was there to document the night’s proceedings.

Raz Fresco and The6thLetter

Young Raz Fresco and his Baker’s Club brethren, The6thLetter, helped set the tone for the night by weaving through old favorites and freestyles. They graciously even performed samples from the forthcoming project, PABLO/FRESCOBAR. 

Rich Kidd

The Airplane Boys

The Airplane Boys also rolled through to perform Beau Monde. Coming from the same end of the city, one of the few things better than catching one of their live performances has been watching their craft progress over the years. This duo’s unique flow and style make them a standout act in any country. Just ask all the freckle-faced twenty-somethings that saw them at Coachella last year.

A-Game

A-Game and Luu Breeze also came through. It was all love.

Rich Kidd

Rich Kidd; man of the people

Capping the night with a rowdy performance of his new single “SYKE,” the multi-talented musician took his music straight to the fans.

In the end, in addition to being an All-Canadian party animal, Rich Kidd has an amazing stage presence that’s magnified by his stadium-ready music. If you still haven’t already familiarized yourself with the vibrations from up north, be sure to check out Rich Kidd’s new project In My Opinion as well as his We On Some Rich Kidd Shit series. Toronto’s got talent.

The post Concert Review x Exclusive Photos: Rich Kidd Shows Toronto’s Got Talent appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.