Artwork: @cepenwhy

Second winds usually set in midway through a busy day, more or less. It’s a refreshing reassurance and almost a guarantee. We all need that second wind to get through a day sometimes, preferably with music and some more coffee in hand. That’s where Lyric Jones comes in the picture today.

She’s pure. “2nd Wind” is essentially a quick glimpse at one beautifully developed polaroid of her extensive capabilities. No, were not just talking nonsense for the sake of another mindless blog post. Lyric Jones is skilled in many areas – ranging from playing drums, singing, emceeing and writing. It’s refreshing, in a time where average music listeners aren’t offered this package deal too often (see local rap station for example). With that comes this loose release, inviting frequent flyers Big Twins, SmooVth and Ea$y Money along to paint Backpack Beatz‘s rather gritty canvas. If you’re not familiar with these names you may have some homework to do.

It’s important to note her affiliation alongside Gold Chain Music – Planet Asia, TriState and company. Also more recently you may have noticed the organic meshing with The Winners (ChainWinners), another talented collective of recording artists who’ve been making noise in the underground. She works with and studies under the wing of a lot of talented artists and all of her collaborative efforts come with meaning.

“Sometimes you gotta talk that fly sh*t with no apologies,” Lyric’s end note. Braggadocio isn’t a focal characteristic looking back at her catalogue, but do believe there is definitely diesel-fueled veins pumping inside of that beautiful physique of hers. She will sing to you, she will plays drums while rapping to you, she will recite a fly poem to you and move a crowd for you – as her fans have noted. Check the record out. Peace and love!

Lyric Jones & DirtyDiggs’ “Gems from the Cubicle” EP (stream and download)

“Listen, C’mon” ft. DMT (video)

“Fly Aura” ft. Sean Rosati via 7th Boro

The post Catch Your ‘2nd Wind’ With Lyric Jones [LISTEN] appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

To set it off, take a look at that album cover again. Who wouldn’t listen to this, or at least be curious? It’s gold. Now, allow Fresno’s [veteran emcee] Planet Asia and Long Island’s Dj Concept to take you on a half hour ride in their ’79 Cadillac Seville. The weather’s finally warmer. The cigarette is lit and the windows are down.

Seventy Nine is a concept record – one that should not scare the short attention spanned heads away. We assume you forgot this from high-school, as did we, but gold (Au) is the 79th element on the periodic table of elements. Pretty tight, huh? The tracks transition quite beautifully and stay true to it’s theme. And the LP features some top tier artists ranging from the late Sean Price to Blu. If you’re not convinced by this point that this album a good idea, you may need a doctor. This is hip-hop in it’s purest form in 2016. Science and soul – true artistry.

The question remains, however, what part of the country are you riding around with Planet Asia and Dj Concept? Are you in Fresno, “the best little city in the U.S.”? Are you breezing over the Verrazano Bridge? Well, this album illustrated their journey and that’s up to you to decide perhaps. Check out the stream here and enjoy yourself.

digital: iTunes | Amazon | Google Play | Spotify | Tidal

physical: Fat Beats | Underground Hip Hop | Coalmine Records

Seventy Nine Premiere Via HipHopDX

“International” ft. Marvelous Mag Via The Source

Flashback: Peanut Butter Wolf ft. Planet Asia & Madlib “Definition of Ill”

The post Planet Asia & DJ Concept’s New ‘Seventy Nine’ LP (Album Stream) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

art by @cepenwhy

SmooVth, pronounced how you probably just read it to yourself, is quite literally what you experience with his pallet. A calm aura, consistently maturing, that is respectively reminiscent of an Evidence or Ka in terms of delivery. It’s refreshing – something like a deep inhale-exhale or the satisfaction from your first whiskey shot of the night. You know, that quiet inner relief? That’s SmooVth.

For background’s sake, if you missed his previous releases you can handle that now and thank us later. As of recently, the New York City native has been under The Winners umbrella, an exquisite collection of emcees, singers, and producers. No, we don’t use the word “exquisite” to fill in this paragraph mindlessly – they’re special. This is fly, luxurious hip-hop that strays rather far away from the in, mainstream sound of today. With elastic content and unpredictable lyrics, SmooVth and The Winners are easily one of the most exciting collective’s making noise in the underground. Do note that SmooVth also recently made his production debut alongside Hus Kingpin and yU, which you should check out and will certainly be hearing more of.

“Road Warriorz” features Milano and Sean Rosati on guest verses and Vic Grimes on the boards. We could go on for hours about these artists, but for now we will let the record do the talking if you’ve never heard them rhyme before. SmooVth is currently wrapping up his forthcoming ‘SS96J‘ (Smoothest Since ’96 Jay-Z) full length album, which is set to be released this spring. It is very much his most anticipated release to date, and features quite a few notable emcees – from Planet Asia to Hus Kingpin. Be prepared and enjoy this new leak while you wait. Peace and love.

SmooVth at Band Camp

Statik Selektah x SmooVth (Showoff Radio – Shade 45)

Rap Is Outta Control (interview) w/ SmooVth and Marvelous Mag

The post SmooVth Drops Off New “Road Warriorz” And Brought A Few Friends Along appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.