By: Big Flock

Maryland hip hop emcee Big Flock releases heavily anticipated 7 track EP titled Last 5Eva. After garnering almost 5 million streams on his The Great Depression EP, this release is right on time. After getting in trouble with the law, he is ready to show the world why his talent cannot be denied. The DMV trap icon flows effortlessly on heavily brass produced songs with melodic whims and the signatures ad-libs, distinguishing a distinct sound throughout the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. With co-signs from major recording artists Rico Nasty, YBN Cordae, and Wale, Last 5Eva comes with heavy anticipation for fans of Flock and new listeners throughout the world. With all the hype and anticipation, he does a great job handling the pressure and success with grace.

His diversity and need for change is what makes him stand out an artist and creative. You will hear an array of ear appealing bars over raw hip hop beats, taking his thriving sound to new heights. In a studio session, Flock exclaimed “being away for so long, tough times many things about life and how I can use my talent to impact people. If my presence and music relaxes people by making their lives better than it’s all the motivation I need in the world.” Aside from music, Flock and his team are coming up with ideas to give back to schools in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area in efforts to makes his community a better and safer place.

With all of the motivation, good morals, and reason to celebrate in the world, Big Flock will have a major 2020. Join him in his return to music by streaming his latest Last project Last 5Eva below.

The post Big Flock Release First Project In Three Years Titled “Last 5Eva” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Congrats goes out to Comethazine, Tierra Whack, DaBaby, Lil Mosey, Roddy Ricch, YBN Cordae, YK Osiris, Rico Nasty, Gunna, Megan Thee Stallion and Blueface, all artists who have been making big strides toward permanent stardom before this cover came to light. You can also expect a slew of freestyles, cyphers and interviews to come from this class soon.

Check out the cover and announcement video below.

Image credit: XXL

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The post The XXL Freshman 2019 Cover Has Arrived appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

RESPECT.: Hey Scott! Excited to be on this call with you. Where are you from?

Right now, I am based in LA but I am originally from Baltimore. I moved to LA in June back when we shot The FADER cover.

RESPECT.: Did you know Rico before the fame since you are from the DMV as well? 

No, I met her last year when she was looking on IG for a makeup artist.

RESPECT.: How did you get into doing makeup?

I started doing makeup when I was in 10th grade back in Baltimore, Maryland. I was working at a small ghetto mall there. I would bring my homegirls in there and do their faces. My senior year, I started working at Mac for a year then from there I got a freelance gig. I was over my homegirls house and someone tagged me in a post. Rico contacted me the next day on January 22nd and from there I was working with her non stop. From the FADER cover to Crank magazine. Then traveling.

RESPECT.: I’m guessing this adventurous life is new to you. 

This is my first time going on tour. These are places I have never been. Before this, I would think of these places and I would think no, I will never go to these places.

RESPECT.: Describe your makeup style.

Abstract. Twisted fantasy glam. Take your average girl and say wtf is going on. Adding jewels and gems. I want to enhance that beauty first then go crazy. I’m versatile because I can do natural glam as well then do these crazy unique looks.

RESPECT.: Do you base it off what the client wants?

No, It is based on how I’m feeling and the vibe they are giving off.

RESPECT.: Is there anybody’s face you wish you could get your magic hands on?

Everyday I think of Kim Kardashian and think if I get my hands on her face it’s a wrap. It’s over! I will go ham.

RESPECT.: What is the best part about doing Rico Nasty’s makeup?

Everyday is new and it is never the same thing. She’s always willing and that’s what I love about her. She trusts me as her makeup artist.

RESPECT.: Sounds like the greatest job ever.

I love it so much. I feel free and I love it.

RESPECT: Aside from beating faces on the road so what are your side projects?

There is a brand I’ve been working with and I’ll be releasing my own skin oil through them. Be on the lookout! I am also in her new documentary released through The FADER.

The post RESPECT. Interview: Meet Scott Osbourne, the Innovative Makeup Artist Behind Rico Nasty appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Rico Nasty is undeniably one of the most exciting artists in music right now. She returns with her new single titled “Roof” where she effortlessly punishes the Kenny Beats production. The banger was released with a visual that is out of this world. Director Cody Dobie took the lead on this creation and mastered her wild sugar trap aesthetic. The video is equipped with an abundance of effects over funky scenes of Rico as a goddess of a trippy land.

With every release Rico Nasty gives us more reasons to stan for life. Check out the “Roof” music video below.

The post Rico Nasty Keeps up Her Crazy Sexy Cool in Psychedelic Music Video “Roof” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Largo (MD) dweller, Rico Nasty is the most recent guest to join All Def Music‘s “Arts & Raps” series. During the four-minute conversation with Dilan and Lyden, the Atlantic Records‘ signee touches on everything from her rough upbringing, dream collaboration, love of Doritos Locos Tacos and more – all while building a ‘Sugar Trap’ house.

Check out the captivating clip at the top of the post and catch Rico in a city near you this Summer!

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The post #MusicMonday: Rico Nasty Gets Interviewed By Kids On Arts & Raps appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo Credit: Rob Tinsley & Tarik Bennett

South Jersey songstress, Shaqeyah, first began to turn heads in 2016 with the release of her debut, Kev Rodgers-produced single, “Confident.” Since then, Shaqeyah has performed on stages across the East-coast and by spreading powerful messages within her music, she is on the verge of building a strong fanbase.

Though she appeared a few times on the $OUTH$IDE’s W.A.W.A mixtape, Shaqeyah has yet to release a full body of work. With Shaqeyah’s new Rico Nasty-assisted single, “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” available everywhere, fans may receive her debut project sooner than later.

RESPECT. had an opportunity to speak with Shaqeyah to learn a bit more about her upbringing, remaining confident through hard times, and her latest collaboration. Read the conversation below.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a professional singer? Was there an exact moment you knew you were passionate about music?

I first realized I wanted to make a career out of being a singer/entertainer when I was really young. When I think back to my childhood, the memories that stick out to me the most are ones that have to do with music. I use to perform all the time for my family… I would sing and dance in the middle of the parties and cookouts. It’s actually funny thinking about it now. I knew for sure, for sure in about 8th grade singing in my church choir because at that point I wasn’t singing in front of people I grew up with or that knew me my entire life.

Who are some people that influence your music?

Right now my biggest musical influences would be Beyoncé and Frank Ocean. Beyoncé because I’ve always looked up to her.. she’s such a standup woman to me and I admire her hard work. And Frank.. I just feel like so connected to him through his music.. like for me to have never met this man, never even seen him I shouldn’t feel like I know him the way I think I do lol… like I aspire to connect with people through my music one day the way I have with him through his.

Though it’s early in your career, we can imagine that you have faced obstacles. What are some of the biggest challenges you have had to navigate through thus far?

I think I think too much. That has to be my biggest obstacle.. I’m pretty sure everyone close to me would agree. I’m really introverted so with social media being such a major part of the industry making sure that I’m connecting with the people outside of the stage and my lyrics is something that challenges me for sure. Another would have to be making sure that my work and my work ethic speaks louder than the fact that I’m a woman. I noticed a lot of people feel more comfortable taking chances with male artist than a female.

It’s been roughly a year since you dropped your well-received, debut single, “Confident.” Did you expect for the song to get such a strong response?

I didn’t expect for “Confident” to be received the way it was. It was such an amazing feeling.. like really a great feeling because I stopped singing for years before I got to that point …actually due to just caring about what people would think, let alone taking constructing a song serious. It felt like an introduction in so many ways.

When it comes to production, you typically work with Kev Rodgers and Kenif Muse. Talk to us a bit about how you started working with them. What’s the creative process like?

When I decided that I wanted to take music serious Kev was one of the first people I told. He was behind me 100% and was like I’m ready when you ready. But he tested me, he wouldn’t make me an original beat he kept sending me beats from other peoples songs that he’d flip a little and tell me to write a cover to see how serious I actually was. I’m happy he did that. Next thing you know we were in the studio with Kenif recording “Confident” for Kev’s series “Mr.Rodgers Monday’s”… and now we’re here. Usually when Kenif produces for me I’ll come to the studio with a song and he will create the beat when Kev produces for me he will normally send me something he feels like is me. When it comes to the final product of almost every record I always get both of their inputs before I’m like ‘okay this is done.’

You definitely have great chemistry with fellow $outh$ide artist, Ish Williams, who has featured you on two of his tracks. Have there been any discussions of a collab EP?

Ish and I definitely have great chemistry. We’ve known each other since High school, but there hasn’t been…that’s an interesting question actually.

What is it like being the $outh$ide’s first lady?

It’s love! I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’d be lying if i said I don’t get frustrated sometimes because like they obviously can’t always relate to my struggles lol, but its something that means a lot to me. It’s definitely a role I’m very proud of and it means a lot to me that they seen me fit for it, you know?

“Wednesday” is one of your most popular releases and has proven to be an anthem for the ladies. What advice do you have for women or even men that are hesitant to leave a bad relationship?

If you’re hesitant to leave a relationship that you know deep down is going no where fast I’d say ‘Don’t!’ (In my best Bryson tiller voice) Lol.. No seriously I’ve been there and when it comes down to it you’re just losing/wasting time that you can’t get back. That could’ve been used making memories that will actually be worth looking back on. You’re really not doing anything but holding yourself up.

A majority of your music boasts an empowering message. Do you feel like you have found your lane/sound?

Yea, I mean I learned that it’s really important to be your own biggest fan in anything. If you’re a law student, a doctor, an artist.. no matter what you do, you have to believe in yourself more than anyone else… otherwise it won’t work. I don’t always feel empowered and strong and when I run into those times I like to listen to records that’ll make me feel good… and I know there are people out there who go through the same thing. Hopefully one of my records can be one of those go-to songs for them.

We now have your latest single, “Can’t Tell Me Nothing,” which features Rico Nasty. What was it like working with her?

I was immediately a fan of Rico my first time hearing her. I just love how confident she is. She definitely has one of those go-to records for me when I’m having an off day.. a few records actually lol. “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” was actually pretty much finished… I was playing it back with Kev and I’m like ‘what if Rico Nasty got on this?’ I thought this is such a left field beat for her but I knew she’d kill the topic so I went for it. We didn’t get a chance to get in the studio together due to timing so they sent over the verse and she killed it.

What is GLOW? If it’s a forthcoming project, when can we expect it to drop?

“GLOW” is the title of my first project, which I am very excited about and it will be releasing this Spring!!!

The post RESPECT. Interview: Shaqeyah Talks New Single With Rico Nasty, Staying Confident, And More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo Credit: Swank PR

The more things change the more they stay the same. While “Bye Felicia” has become more of a social norm in the past few years, ABC’s Robin Roberts used the phrase last week with her dismissal of Omarosa Manigault, producer and songwriter D. Brooks Exclusive has turned the term into a banger with some hard hitting production while KD Young Cocky flows over the instrumentation like only he can.

The Chicagoan made headlines in 2017 with his work featuring Bump J, Future, Rico Nasty, NBA Young Boy and others. Expect 2018 to be even bigger for him as he is developing new artist and producing hits with artists such as Ty Dolla $ign, Dreezy, and YFN Lucci.

Follow D. Brooks Exclusive on Instagram and Twitter

Follow KD Young Cocky on Instagram

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