Frank B. offers a grimier look at his stomping grounds in his new video for “Brooklyn Vs. All” featuring fellow BK native and living rap legend Rock (of Heltah Skeltah/Boot Camp Clik).

The video is directed by Mike D Visuals and centers on shots that capture the grit and rawness of the Brooklynite’s verses. Sure, there’s footage of the famed Brooklyn Bridge and surrounding areas, but it’s all seen through a stark and almost noir-ish lens, all set to the backdrop of GIT Beats’ ominous production, who’s previously worked with the other half of the Heltah, Sean Price (RIP), as well Cormega, Prince Po, and the late Prodigy, among others. Both sonically and visually, “Brooklyn Vs. All” is a fitting portrayal of the New York City borough, particularly as it’s described by these two emcees.

Amidst their tough-talk related to their hometown, there’s plenty of sharp wordplay and intricate rhymes, too. Like in Frank’s verse when he spits “Keep a cannoli stuffed with the broccoli/ And then I light it up until I can’t speak properly/ I speak prophecy/ I dare ya try to speaker-box with me.”

The track itself stems from Frank’s forthcoming album, Let Me B Frank, that’s set to also feature Nyck Caution (of Pro Era) and Sticky Fingaz (of Onyx), among others. And if his name looks familiar but you’re having trouble placing it, here’s a hint: he was a featured contender on Missy Elliott’s The Road to Stardom series on UPN. He even landed a deal with her imprint, Gold Mine Records. But now, Frank’s doing his thing with his own imprint, Nobel House, and ready to enter the New Year in a major way.

Check out the visuals right here courtesy of RESPECT., and head over to the digital retailer of your choice if you’d like to support. Let Me B Frank is set to drop in early 2018 through Frank’s Nobel House imprint via EMPIRE Distribution.

Stream/Download (Smart URL): http://smarturl.it/BrooklynVsAll

Twitter:
• Frank B.: https://twitter.com/FrankBmusic610
• Rock: https://twitter.com/_ROCKNESS_
• GIT Beats: https://twitter.com/gitbeats

Frank B. Online:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankbmusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrankieBeeeee
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/frankbmusic

The post #PeepTheVisual: Frank B. – “Brooklyn Vs. All” (feat. Rock) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo credit: @soapboxmelodics (IG)

Before releasing his much anticipated solo debut album, Rock’s place in Hip-Hop history was already cemented. In addition to his discography on notable solo mixtapes, he is a card carrying member of Boot Camp Clik and, of course, released three acclaimed albums as Heltah Skeltah, alongside the late Sean Price. But it’s this project, Rockness A.P., that provides a fully formed look at the proud Brownsville native and what it means to move on with your career after suffering such a tragic loss (the “A.P.” stands for “After Price”).

If your first thought is to ask why this album took so long to come together, Rock addresses it directly on the straight-up flooring title track. Armed with his trademark bass heavy voice, the emcee unpacks exactly what happened in his career so far—the good, the bad, and the ugly—over a fittingly emotional instrumental from the Arcitype. “Rockness A.P.” is brutally honest, and it represents the best of what defines his artistry: no-bullsh*t lyricism delivered through an incredibly expressive lens.

You hear more of this, albeit with varied subject matter, on other standout tracks, most of which are produced by the duo of Ford Tuff & Pascal Zumaque. There’s the threatening bully talk of “Wishin’” featuring Kuniva (of D12), the grimy braggadocio of “FaxMachine” featuring fellow Brownsville natives M.O.P., and the cypher-esque hype of “Camp-Wu” featuring Inspectah Deck, Method Man, Tek, and Steele. These cuts highlight both the versatility of Rock’s subject matter and his cadence. He may have that unmistakable growl as his go-to weapon, but his arsenal includes a shape-shifting delivery as well.

To say the wait has been worth it for Rockness A.P. almost feels like an understatement. But it also feels as if we’re overlooking the fact that Rock’s career to date has been damn near untouchable. It may have had the ups and downs described on the title track—particularly the tragic loss of his longtime rap partner, Sean P—but one thing’s clear: Rock’s energy and passion for creating Hip-Hop has never wavered.

Rockness A.P., which was executive produced by Phil Anastasia, is available now on all major streaming services and digital platforms, and can be purchased on CD via Digital Déjà Vu Records. Vinyl pre-order are now available via Fat Beats for a Dec 15 release date. And be sure to check out the touching visuals for, “Shine Down,” which Rock dedicates to his eternal partner in rhyme, and other half of the Heltah, Sean Price, a/k/a Ruck.

Stream/Download (Smart URL): http://smarturl.it/RocknessAP

Rock Online:
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/_ROCKNESS_
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rocknessbcc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrRockness

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The post #MusicMonday: Rock – Rockness A.P. (Album Stream & Video) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Fans of gully, hard-bodied Hip-Hop should consider today a damned holiday with the release of “FaxMachine,” an all-out banger from Rock that features none other than M.O.P.

While the three Brownsville natives have worked together before in varying capacities, “FaxMachine” may just be their finest—and toughest—collaboration yet. The track is fueled by some wild production by Ford Tuff and Pascal Zumaque, whose beat sounds like an epic fight between the Autobots and Decepticons.

It’s only fitting then that Rock delivers a clever nod to the Transformers franchise when he spits that he and M.O.P. are like “the cannon on Megatron’s arm/ And that ain’t gon’ change just ‘cause MegaSean gone.” It’s that sort of subtle reminder that point out not only Rock’s love for his lost partner-in-rhyme—Sean Price, of Heltah Skeltah, who passed away on August 8th of 2015—but also that he’s more than prepared to do his thing on the solo tip. It’s been a long time coming for the emcee’s full-length debut, Rockness A.P., which is finally set to drop this Friday, September 22nd.

“FaxMachine” is the seventh and final instant grat track available for download off the iTunes’ pre-order for, Rockness A.P. and is now available for stream in its entirety, right here courtesy of RESPECT. In addition to M.O.P., the 14 track LP includes guest features from Method Man, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Ras Kass, Kuniva (of D12), Ron Browz, and more, and is executive produced by Phil Anastasia (of Blood Before Pride). The album is now available for pre-order on CD as well as through the digital retailer of your choice via Digital Déjà Vu Records.

Pre-Order Rockness A.P. (Smart URL): http://smarturl.it/RocknessAP

Tracklist:
01. Just Rap
02. Wishin (feat. Kuniva)
03. GW BaG
04. Camp-Wu (feat. Instpectah Deck, Method Man, & Tek & Steele)
05. Rumble for Me (feat. Kofi Black & Ron Browz)
06. O.G.
07. FaxMachine (feat. M.O.P.)
08. The Purge
09. Poof (feat. Buckshot)
10. Declaration (feat. Raekwon, Ras Kass & The Last American B-Boy)
11. Rockness A.P.
12. F.A.M. (feat. Young Noble)
13. Shine Down (feat. Kofi Black)
14. Da Streets Want Blood (Ron Browz Remix)

Twitter:
• Rock: https://twitter.com/_ROCKNESS_
• Billy Danze: https://twitter.com/BILLDANZEMOP
• Lil Fame: https://twitter.com/FAMEMOP

Rock Online:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rocknessbcc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrRockness

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The post RESPECT. The Collab: Rock (feat. M.O.P.) – “FaxMachine” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.