Wu-Tang Clan. Photo Credit: Hip Hop Golden Age

Being aroung RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, UGod, Masta Killa and Cappadonna has its perks and life lessons. Just ask Chris McKee.

McKee has been a booking agent for 20 years and has represented some of the biggest names in music. His soon to be released book focuses on his time as the booking agent and tour manager for one of the most influential hip-hop groups of all-time; The Wu-Tang Clan.  

A Staten Island hip-hop group, since 1992, The Wu-Tang Clan has released seven gold and platinum albums with worldwide sales of more than 40 million. Their 1993 debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), is considered to be one of the greatest albums in hip-hop history.   

Rolling Stone Magazine called Wu-Tang Clan “the best rap group ever.”

There are very few outsiders who have been allowed access into the world of the Wu-Tang Clan until now.  

McKee worked with various members of the Wu-Tang for over 10 years and is ready to let people see what really goes on behind the curtain while on tour with members of the Wu-Tang Clan.  

The book is both a window into the world of the Wu-Tang Clan as well as a teaching tool to understanding the ins and outs of the music business. The book will feature stories about sex, drugs, rock n’ roll (or hip-hop) and murder.

McKee has released excerpts from his book which include the story of how of how a concert promoter (Matt ‘Dutch’ Garner) who was involved with producing a concert for Ghostface Killah in Montreal was murdered a week before the show.

“The thing about Montreal is that the line is blurred between certain parts of the entertainment industry and criminals and gangsters; more so than any other city in Canada.  In Montreal you have to tread very carefully when you go about your business if you want to stay out of trouble.

I guess Dutch missed that memo.

Dutch was murdered two weeks before the Ghostface show in Montreal.

According to various news reports, assailants broke into his apartment on St. Henri and taped Dutch and an associate to their chairs and set to the two of them on fire. Dutch was found dead in his apartment on the chair but the second victim had tried to escape and made his way down a flight of stairs onto the street while still ablaze where he eventually succumb to his injuries and died on a neighboring lawn.

Chris McKee. Photo Credit: Herosports

They have yet to arrest any suspects in the murder and the case remains open.”

The book also features a window into the absurdity of having to do business with various members of Wu-Tang. McKee tells the story of a breakfast meeting with Ghostface in Montreal the morning after a concert.

“Before our breakfast meeting ended, Ghost had one other interesting request to ask of me.

He said, “Don’t be putting me in any more hotels with French TV channels.”

He continued, “I was trying to watch some TV last night and relax and whatever and every channel was in French.”

Ghostface added, “I can’t have that in any of these other cities, so no more hotels with these French TVs.”

I stared back blank not knowing how to answer.

The thought occurred to me that this was a man who has travelled the world over at least a dozen times. He has performed concerts as Ghostface and as a member of the Wu-Tang Clan on probably every continent on the planet.  Yet he hasn’t figured out that when you’re in a city or country that speaks a different language that it is highly likely that the TV channels will probably be in that very same language. “

The yet to be titled book is set to be released in early 2018.

Some of the artists that McKee has produced concerts for include: Rihanna, Black Eyed Peas, The Roots, Akon, Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent and G-Unit, Slaughterhouse, Flo-Rida, D12 and hundreds more.  

Suggested Articles:

The Next Big Showcase’s Cliff Po & DJ Tarzan Making Dreams Reality in NYC & NJ

Scoop B Radio: Turner Sports’ Steve Smith Talks Career & More

.

The post Scoop B Selects: Former Wu-Tang Clan Booking Agent, Chris McKee To Release Book Chronicling Life On The Road appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Mike Smith, Alibi, RZA, Chanel Sosa and King Tech drop Alibi. Photo Provided By: Mike Smith

Mike Smith, judge of BET’s television show, One Shot teammed up with RZA, Chanel Sosa and DJ King Tech from Shade 45’s “The Wake Up Show” to drop “Alibi.”

On the latest project Mike Smith told Hype Magazine’s Jerry Doby: 

“This single ‘Alibi’ is probably one of the highlights of my music career. I got to work alongside RZA, who is arguably considered one of the greatest producers of all-time. I was also able to collaborate with King Tech on ‘Alibi’ who is a legend in his own right. Being partners with RZA and Tech in Razor Sharp Records is one thing, but having validation as a songwriter by having the chance to work with them creatively is truly one of my greatest achievements.”

“Alibi” is the follow up single to “Daddy’s Little Girl,” which features Inspectah Deck and Iliana Eve. RESPECT.Magazine is told that they are collaborating on a forthcoming Smith Hay & the Blue Notes album that is being released next month through their Smith & Hay Records/ SMH Entertainment brand.

Suggested Articles:

The Next Big Showcase’s Cliff Po & DJ Tarzan Making Dreams Reality in NYC & NJ

Scoop B Radio: Turner Sports’ Steve Smith Talks Career & More

The post New Music: Mike Smith, RZA, Chanel Sosa and King Tech Drop “Alibi” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Twitter / @SZA

After a long and highly anticipated wait, SZA has finally unveiled the release date for her debut album CTRL.

It’s been a long time coming for the TDE songstress but apparently all of her hard work and dedication wont go unnoticed. Last night (Wednesday, May 24th) SZA took to Instagram and posted three consecutive videos revealing the June 9th release date for her forthcoming project. To top it all off, each video is narrated by the legendary RZA who flawlessly grants the project his blessing.

S

A post shared by SZA (@sza) on May 24, 2017 at 7:14pm PDT

Z

A post shared by SZA (@sza) on May 24, 2017 at 7:16pm PDT

A

A post shared by SZA (@sza) on May 24, 2017 at 7:18pm PDT

CTRL is led by the two singles “Drew Barrymore” and “Love Galore” featuring Travis Scott.

Suggested Articles:

The Next Big Showcase’s Cliff Po & DJ Tarzan Making Dreams Reality in NYC & NJ

Scoop B Radio: Turner Sports’ Steve Smith Talks Career & More

The post SZA Unveils Release Date For Her Debut Album CTRL appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

After the the release of his music videos for “Ownership” and “Blades Of Steel” just weeks ago, Curren$y has dropped the visual for “Incarcerated Scarfaces”. The track is number 11 off of his Weed & Instrumentals 2 mixtape.

Weed & Instrumentals 2 happens to be Curren$y’s eighth project from this year alone and despite the fact that the project was released just last month, Spitta is already on his fifth music video for the tape.

There is no doubt that Spitta has been working hard to keep his fans satisfied.

“Incarcerated Scarfaces” is Spitta’s own take on the classic Raekwon track off of the album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (1995). Curren$y flows quite flawlessly over the RZA produced beat and delivers something that Jet Life fans are sure to appreciate.

The visual displays Spitta keeping it real as he chills with a few friends and indulges in some smoking and drinking.

Stream Weed & Instrumentals 2 and make sure to check out the Dexstr8dope directed video below.

Suggested Articles:

Kanye West’s NYC Pablo Pop-Up Shop Draws Thousands In 24 Hours

Diana Ross Congratulates Tracee Ellis Ross’s Emmy Nomination In A Big Way

The post Curren$y Drops Visuals for “Incarcerated Scarfaces” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

We’ve all heard the stories of record labels and the ups and downs being contracted with one may cause.  Here and now BET network is taking us all behind the scenes of some of the greats.  Tonight, May 17th at 8:00 ET and 9:00 ET make sure to tune into the first part of the eight-episode-docs-series.  Uptown Records is the first up in the spotlight to dig into all the dirt, good and bad with a Part I and Part II episode of the journey.  Some of Hip Hop’s most iconic labels will be featured  in the eight-week series for one-hour long like, Grand Hustle, Loud Records, Slip-N-Slide, Terror Squad, Ruff Ryders, Disturbing Tha Peace (DTP), and Murder Inc.  

Founder, Andre Harrell will be among the industry insiders like, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, and Guy’s Teddy Riley and Damion Hall giving they’re unique takes on Uptown’s success, legacy, and so much more.  We can expect to see some never-before-seen footage in an up close, first-person narrative kinda way.  The series is executive produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions and DTP co-founders Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Bridges’ manager Chaka Zulu, and Jeff Dixon.

“The dreams and visions; the successes and failures … we want young aspiring entrepreneurs to have a blueprint as to what really goes on in this business and understand how much work it takes,” says DTP’s Dixon of the inspiration behind the series. “We [as African-Americans] also want to document our own history, especially in this industry. This is like our natural resource. No one can tell these stories like us.”

According to Billboard, these are some of the other power players that will be “playing” in each episode of Inside the Label:

Uptown Records: Andre Harrell, Diddy, Jay Z, Mary J. Blige, Babyface, Teddy Riley, Damion Hall, Brett Ratner, Laurieann Gibson, Robin Thicke, Sanaa Lathan, Doug E. Fresh, Al B. Sure, Eddie F, Kim Porter, Father MC, Jeff Redd and Monifah.

Grand Hustle: T.I., Jason Geter, Young Dro, Kevin Liles, Lil Duval, Killer Mike, DJ Toomp and B.O.B.

Loud Records: Steve Rifkind, RZA, Xzibit and E-Swift.

Slip-N-Slide Records: Ted Lucas, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, Trina and DJ Khaled.

Terror Squad: Fat Joe, DJ Khaled, Noreaga, Cool & Dre and Jesse Terrero.

Ruff Ryders: Joaquin Dean, Darren Dean, Chivon Dean, Swizz Beatz, Eve, The Lox, Irv Gotti, Drag On, DJ Clue, DJ Kool Herc, Lyor Cohen and Jimmy Iovine.

Disturbing Tha Peace: Ludacris, Chaka Zulu, Jeff Dixon, Chingy, Bobby Valentino, Shareefa, Lil Scrappy, Bangladesh, Lil Fate, I-20 and Poon Daddy.

Murder Inc.: Irv Gotti, Ashanti, Ja Rule, Jay-Z, Charlie Baltimore, Kevin Liles and Lyor Cohen.

Suggested Articles:

According to Future…Jay-Z is Dropping a Summer Record

T.I. Teams Up with Dr. Dre for Aaliyah Sampled Single “Dope”

The post BET Network Takes us ‘Inside the Label’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

RZA has linked up with Boombotix once again to unleash another gem. This time, it’s a track from the late and great Ol’ Dirty Bastard titled “Obey Me.” The song was originally cut during the recording of ODB’s 1994 debut album Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version. RZA sat down with Rolling Stone to talk about the cut:

He was f*ckin’ buggin’ out on this song that night. Dirty felt that anything he made was supposed to be released. I was more critical of what we released. And even though some people may listen to his first album and go, ‘Sh*t, this is crazy, this song fits right in.’ To me, there was a method to the madness of what we did. And with the stuff that didn’t make the album, there was a clear reason why in the narrative of what I was striving to create with his style.”

In order to get your hands on the track, you can purchase the REX portable speaker to get three versions of the song: the original, and two remixes from Shash’U and High Klassified. Listen to the Shash’U remix below.

The post RZA Drops Ol’ Dirty Bastard Track “Obey Me” 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.