Photo credit: Carmine Martinez

North Carolina’s own Mark Steele is back at it starting off 2018 with a festive new visual.

After making waves with the premiere of the smooth record in August, North Carolina emcee Mark Steele returns with the single’s celebratory music video to close out 2017. Produced by David D’Angelo and Riot, “Good Time” serves as the lead single from Steele’s forthcoming album, It’s Been A Minute.

The David Wept directed video which features Steele telling his story about the grind it took him to reach the level of success he’s at and why it’s a cause for a celebration.

“I just wanted to make a song that commemorated hard work. Let’s enjoy ourselves these moments. Have a good time,” Steele said.

With all of the hard work paying off, Steele definitely has a reason to celebrate. As previously reported, after flexing his muscle on ESPN‘s First Take for quite some time, the Rhapsody collaborator recently visited NYC and appeared on Shade 45 linking up with DJ Enuff and The Heavy Hitters making it his first time in the studio to talk about his journey as an artist, everyday life, his relationship with 9th Wonder and new album as well as spitting his dope and ultra lyrical freestyle.

With Mark Steele barely scratching the surface in his career, we can expect to see and hear a lot more from this multi-faceted MC who is taking us on a journey that is the perfect blend of old soul, pure vibes, and awe-inspiring lyricism.

Check out the video for “Good Time” below.

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The post Mark Steele Releases Festive Visual for “Good Time” [Watch] 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.

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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.

If you have been paying attention to King Los lately, then it’s no secret that he’s sh*tting on corny rappers and could probably freestyle in his sleep. Recently, Los was crowned for having the “best freestyle of the year,” at Sway in The Morning . The rapper even decided to flex some more by stopping by Shade 45 for Toca Tuesday to promote his God, Money, War album (which is definitely a must listen) and continue to prove that his craft is nothing to be overlooked. Want to see what he’s bringing to the table? Need to know why he’s one artist you need to pay attention to this year? I got you, of course! Check out how Los’s morning flow went down below.

The post King Los Stops by Shade 45 to Slay Another Freestyle appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Brooklyn’s Chelsea Reject is quickly making her rounds in the New York region and her new freestyle on Shade45’s Showoff Radio further stakes her claim. The Duck Down MC is fresh off the release of her project CMPLX and continues to promote its debut with these recent bars. Stay tuned to her future moves and come out to her free show alongside Kirk Knight, CJ Fly, Buckshot, and more at the Duck Down BBQ, June 11th.

The post Chelsea Reject Freestyles On Shade45’s “Showoff Radio” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Stopping by DJ Tony Touch‘s Shade 45 program Toca Tuesdays yesterday, Daytona dropped a quick freestyle for listeners. Peep below:

The post Daytona Freestyles On Shade 45’s ‘Toca Tuesdays’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The post Lupe Fiasco’s Groovy Freestyle For Sway In The Morning appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo by Julia Schur

The always-clever Chano gets a little more vulgar this time around, but somehow can’t help himself from bringing a track about his “favorite thot” an original perspective. “She the type of bitch, that love to say she mixed / but when she say the roster [?], she always say black last,” Chance raps, looking at this trend of self-degradation with more than a little distaste. It’s not about enlightening or uplifting this time around though–Chance is 21, and he gets to just be a goofball, even an asshole, from time to time: “Wish she gave me more head, and had way more self esteem / But I wish she gave me way more head way more than I ever gave a fuck about your self esteem / IGH.”

The post Chance The Rapper Drops Another New Song (On Shade 45) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.