Nick Grant – Dreamin’ Out Loud

Image credit: Epic/Sony

South Carolina emcee Nick Grant follows up his impressive freestyles (and last year’s The Return Of The Cool) with a new project titled Dreamin’ Out Loud, which sees 14 tracks and appearances from DJ Khaled, Stacy Barthe (“Black Woman“), D.R.A.M., Yo Gotti and more. Said the rising star via his Instagram:

“Love to everyone that’s been down since the journey started… It’s been a blessing to be able to put out projects. Been dreaming of this since I started writing rhymes and hanging up hip hop greats on my bedroom wall. I’m growing to learn that money is cool but having a voice that could help preserve the culture is better. I just want to compete and contribute. God willing, the words on this mixtape inspire the people that listen.”

Lil Baby – Harder Than Ever

Image credit: QC/Motown/Capitol

Backed by a high percentage Quality Control, Atlanta’s Lil Baby has seen his momentum on a steady rise since last year, when he kicked off a series of Hard mixtapes. Then came his most recent single — “Yes Indeed” — which features Drake, which is sure to have him in regular rotation throughout the Summer. Now, Lil Baby delivers his latest project titled Harder Than Ever, which also sees assistance from Moneybagg Yo, Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert, Hoodrich Pablo Juan and more. This consistency should have him at the top pretty soon.

Rapture (Music from the Netflix Original TV Series)

Image credit: Def Jam

By now, all Hip-Hop fans should be hip to Mass Appeal and Netflix’s eight-part series Rapture, which sees some dope storytelling from many of today’s biggest artists — Logic, Dave East, T.I., G-Eazy, 2 Chainz, Rapsody, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and (of course) Nas. Now, the team behind the series has liberated a six-track EP (featuring most of the aforementioned, and more) to accompany your viewing experience. Hopefully, there will be more where this short-play comes from soon.

NAV – Reckless

Image credit: XO/Republic

Surprise? Following his collaborative release alongside Metro Boomin, artist/producer NAV delivers what is said to be his debut album, Reckless. The release sees 12 tracks and appearances from Migos‘ Quavo, Lil Uzi Vert, Travis Scott and more…production-wise, he (again) shares that duty with the likes of Ben Billions, Maaly Raw, Wheezy and DannyBoyStyles.

Stalley – Tell the Truth Shame the Devil, Vol. 3

Image credit: Blue Collar Gang

The third installment of his most ambitious release to date, Stalley delivers Tell The Truth Shame The Devil, Vol. 3 (he released Vol. 2 back in February). Production comes courtesy of Swiff D, Ducko, Supah Mario, Black Metaphor, Earlblack and Ric & Thaddeus with a single vocal feature from Skyy2ys. Shout out to artist sixmau, who created the trilogy’s cover artwork.

KYLE – Light Of Mine

Image credit: Atlantic

XXL Freshman alum KYLE has found himself unfairly categorized in ‘mumble rap’ (“iSpy” may have had something to do with it) — the kid is seriously talented and versatile when it comes to Hip-Hop and music, period. Case in point, the California emcee has delivered his official debut album titled Light Of Mine, which is sure to surprise those not already hip to KYLE.

The project sees 15 tracks and — in addition to Lil Yachty on the aforementioned — appearances from Kehlani, 2 Chainz, Khalid, Alessia Cara and more. Check it out below.

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Image credit: Blue Collar Gang

After having already delivered the two albums New Wave and Another Level this year, Ohio free agent Stalley is back with a third titled Tell The Truth: Shame The Devil, which was led by the Migos-assisted “On My Line.” The project sees seven tracks and an additional feature from Young Scooter.

Stream Stalley’s latest offering below.

Image credit: Blue Collar Gang

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Ohio emcee Stalley is clearly on a tear this year — he’s already delivered two solid projects for his fans (New Wave and Another Level). Now, he’s announced a third project titled Tell The Truth: Shame The Devil, which is said to be dropping November 17th…first off, we get the new single “My Line,” which features assistance from Atlanta trio Migos. Check that out below and pre-order Tell The Truth: Shame The Devil via iTunes.

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Since Stalley parted ways with Maybach Music Group, his musical output has definitely increased with his independence. Back in July, the Ohio emcee delivered a new album titled New Wave; this past weekend, he followed that up with a brand new release titled Another Level.

The (surprise) project sees 12 tracks and the notably-titled cut “Rick Ross,” which pays tribute to his former label boss. The rest of the project continues Stalley’s penchant for what I’d call a true progression of soulful Hip-Hop (or a continuation of what UGK created: country Rap tunes perfect for riding to).

Stream Another Level below.

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Photo Credit: Stalley/Instagram

The Midwest is home to some of the hardest working people in our country. Most of the cities that make it up are gritty, known for having high crime rates, while still being able to maintain an image that doesn’t reflect their hardships. You might see someone in a candy painted 87′ cutlass supreme, riding rims, with speakers you hear from a block away, that works a regular 9 to 5. How you ask? That’s the hustle of the people of the Midwest. Enter Stalley from Massillon, Ohio, or “Massa” as he calls it.

Stalley arrived on the scene back in 2010, on Curren$y’s Pilot Talk cut, “Address.” From there, everyone wondered who the guy with the big beard was. He then showed up with his debut tape Lincoln Way Nights, which was packed with trunk rattling muzik, but with a clear concise message not getting lost in the beat. From jump, we could tell that the Ohio native had a lot to say. His unique sound landed him a deal with MMG, where he dropped fire tape after tape for a few years before releasing his debut Ohio.

After Ohio dropped, Stalley quickly followed that up with Saving Yusuf, before disappearing for a year and some change. He’s returned with a new release New Wave, and free of the MMG label, he’s independent. His Intelligent Trunk Muzik persona remains, and the new music is a testament to that. RESPECT was able to sit down and talk with him about where he’s been, the new music, whether he’s MMG or not, and what makes the Midwest so unique. Enjoy it below.

https://soundcloud.com/stalley330

RESPECT.: For those who don’t know what does Intelligent Trunk Muzik mean?

Stalley: Intelligent Trunk Music, ITM, man it’s a phrase I coined back in the Lincoln Way Nights days. It’s music that’s basically intelligent, it’s stimulating, it’s smart you know what I mean? It’s music with substance. When I say substance I mean down to the production, the cohesiveness of the sound, the way the project is put together, but the trunk music comes from being from the Midwest and wanting the music to rattle. I want people as their cruising, or even with they headphones on, on a plane, I want them to get lost in the music but hear a message and what I’m saying.

RESPECT.: You just dropped New Wave so what inspired the new music?

Stalley: That music is actually like 2 years old. So that music is really transitioning for me. It was a time when I was moving to a different part of the country where I never been. I built a studio in my home for the first time, and it was music that was just touching me. If you listen to the music it’s a lot of me in the music, I’m telling a story of me basically, and me living in the current and not the past. New Wave is me giving you where I was and what I was doing at that exact moment.

RESPECT.: So where did you move and why did you move?

Stalley: I moved from New York to Georgia. I moved because, you know just something different. A different pace, I felt like it was a place where I could work and really get work done. If you know and follow music, the scene is in Atlanta and LA. It’s all the producers, it’s really a hub where the producers, the artists the songwriters all that come through here. There are infinite amounts of studios, there’s so many studios so you can always book a studio. I wasn’t getting that stimulation in New York so I just had to transition. Plus I wanted to move my family into a house. I never had a house growing up. I always lived in apartments and projects so it was an opportunity for me to get my first home, and put my daughter in a good school.

RESPECT.: You went featureless for New Wave, what made you go solo on this project?

Stalley: With my music if you follow it, you know I never really have a lot of features in my music. A lot of that is for certain reasons. I like to make music with people that have like minds, friends of mine, and who I can relate to musically. Artists are difficult sometimes too, when it comes to getting features, this industry is kind of weird sometimes. So it wasn’t like I was thinking “oh I don’t want to do a feature” and I don’t think of other artists when I write music, I think about myself.

RESPECT.: So what’s up with MMG? You still with them or what?

Stalley: It’s family. I’ll put it like that. But my focus is myself and BCG. I’m an independent artist at this point.

RESPECT.: What made you strike the deal that you have currently?

Stalley: With Real Talk (entertainment), basically I had the music and I had a opportunity to get the music out to my fans. I was going through a transitional period where I was sitting on a ton of music. I’m always writing, I’m always making music, and I just wanted to make sure I’m getting the music out to the people. There was a big gap between my last project and this one, and Real Talk basically gave me a good opportunity to get the music out. It’s not a album, I seen a lot of people calling it my sophomore album, but it’s a mixtape and really just a project of unreleased music. I gave it to them to put out, I wanted it to be on all streaming services and distributed the right way, and that’s why I worked with them. And they did a great job.

RESPECT.: What are some hardships you think you face being an artist from the Midwest?

Stalley: The Midwest is heavily slept on. We have so much talent, we create so many sounds, from funk music back in the day to now having Hip-Hop. I think that we’re looked over and unappreciated because people look at the Midwest as a flyover place, and it’s not a destination where people stay, except Chicago. But there’s dope visual artists from there, musicians, everything, designers, actors I can go on forever. And just out of Ohio and Michigan itself. There’s ton of great people that come from those areas, so I try to put that on the map. This isn’t a shot at anyone but I think I’m the dopest Midwest artist that we’ve had and that we do have when it comes to the sound, when it comes to the stuff I rap about, all the way down to the look. I think a lot of Midwest artists get lost in a shuffle of other stuff. A lot of them don’t create a sound, and sound like they’re from LA or Atlanta or New York or the Bay Area, but I represent a regular Midwest person.

RESPECT.: Outside of Ohio what would be your favorite musical place in the Midwest.

Stalley: I would say Chicago and Detroit.

RESPECT.: Who do you listen to from Detroit?

Stalley: Boldy James, Royce Da 5’9, Eminem and Payroll Giovanni. I’m a hip-hop head man, I listen to a lot of stuff I don’t think it’s anything that you can stomp me with musically.

RESPECT.: Who influenced you from Ohio?

Stalley: Bone Thugs was a big influence growing up from Ohio, cause those are some of the first guys, and then M.C. Brains he had a song “oochie coochie la la la.” It’s funny I had went to a concert with my moms, my sister, my cousin and my aunt, and we had went to to see Queen Latifah, Naughty By Nature, The Fugees, and Busta Rhymes. I was a kid and I had to use the bathroom, and I went to the bathroom as a little boy and I went to pee and come next to me in the stall was M.C. Brains and I know that sounds kinda crazy, but I was like oh sh*t, it’s M.C. Brains and he was there enjoying the concert like the rest of us. Anybody who came from Ohio musically was an influence to me because that was so farfetched to me, and it was the impossible, so me seeing anybody like The O’Jays, Bone Thugs or M.C. Brains or anybody like that. We had Roger Troutman the Isley Brothers, Hi-Tek, he was a major part in Hip-Hop, Eternal Reflection was one of them best albums to me period, and he was responsible for the production on that.

RESPECT.: Explain Blue Collar Gang, for those who don’t know what it is.

Stalley: Blue Collar Gang is a mentality. It’s everything we spoke on. It’s the Midwest it’s that hard work, that grind, that grit that outworks people. It’s self made businesses, it’s the mom and pops businesses that we grew up around. I also come from a fashion background, so it’s definitely in the way I dress and put together my own brand. That BCG logo or shield as I call it, is important, having it everywhere it reminds me of who I am, where I come from, and I can wear any brand but still carry that mentality.

RESPECT.: Is it anybody in Ohio that you want to work with right now?

Stalley: I would love to collaborate with Kid Cudi. He’s from Ohio and I’ve never collabed with him I think we could make a dope record.

RESPECT.: Where does your fascination with cars stem from?

Stalley: Aw man, my fascination with cars stems from the freedom to go wherever you want.  I’m from a small town, I’ve always dreamed of going big places and seeing the world. Also, it comes from everybody in my family. My father wasn’t around a lot, but when I was around him he was always working on cars. I would walk outside and see somebody under the hood of their car, or in their trunk fixing up their stereo system. I just got fascinated from that.

RESPECT.:  Speaking of cars what’s your relationship with Curren$y these days?

Stalley: Curren$y is my brother. I just spoke to him like last week. We talked about getting together and doing some music. Hopefully that happens soon I know we’re both busy, and I know a lot of fans want a joint project from us but Curren$y is definitely one of my best friends in this industry and outside of this industry and when I first started coming up he was close by. He’s one of those special friends that helped and seen my growth. I respect everything he does.

RESPECT.: Is there anything that you would like to tell anyone that’s reading this before we wrap It up?

Stalley: Pay attention. My new music is going to be crazy. This was just page one, I’m very happy with the way people took to New Wave, and how excited they are. That wasn’t really even half of  what we got upcoming. I got a lot of music I’m very excited about and I’m about to just unload. I got the freedom and ability to put out music at the pace I want, and now it’s about just getting back to my fans and the people that support me. I want to thank my fans for being patient with me and understanding the process. BCG forever.

Photo Credit: Stalley Instagram

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Stalley has definitely been one of the most slept-on emcees, hands down. From “Babblin'” (the first release I heard from him) to gems post-MMG signing like Savage Journey To The American Dream and — his official debut album — Ohio, Stalley has been cooking up quality tunes about country car culture (he calls it “intelligent trunk music”) for some time.

This week, the Midwest artist has announced that he’s back with a new album titled New Wave, which he seems to be releasing independently (in conjunction with Real Talk Entertainment). First, he blesses the masses with a lead single titled “Madden 96,” which sounds like he’ll be keeping with his oft-nostalgic vibe.

Stream the new single below and pick up your copy by pre-ordering New Wave via iTunes. The album is set to drop July 28th.

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A creative with tenacious vision echoing Kanye West and Basquiat’s effortless energy, and work ethic, WESTSIDEGUNN is a scholar whose trustworthiness has grown quite a bit this year. We’re all invited to witness his growth publicly on record alongside his tireless Griselda Records army. With production in its entirety by in-house producer Daringer, Hitler Wears Hermes 4 serves as WSG’s fourth installment to the ongoing series. A little over a year ago we heard part three, inviting the late Sean Price on “BLVCK TAR”. He and Griselda often pay homage to the rap giant; one of a laundry list of reasons authentic hip-hop listeners could note continued, solidified trust. When a recently developed artist praises Sean Price and J-Dilla, you listen. Getting familiar with WSG and Griselda early on, these type of things mattered – in a time where it’s almost expected for newer artists to ignore, even disrespect, their timeline’s frontrunners. And ultimately the culture. Now, Halloween day, we’re offered part four.

We had some fun and ran down a list of highlights that we’ve gathered from Hitler Wears Hermes 4. The title lists four reasons that your collection needs this, but there are far more.

Conway’s unrepentant transparency.

It’s common to hear Conway, the blood brother of WSG, compared to Beanie Sigel and Styles P. in 2016. It comes as no surprise. He’s cut from the same cloth, and we wholeheartedly agree that he belongs in the “hardest rapper” ranking at this point. There was a time when Hell Rell was mentioned on the unofficial list, but if anyone replaces him it’s Conway now next to Beans and SP. Perhaps that list is arguable. Isn’t everything?

“The Cow” is a welcomed surprise and the frame work for the 11-track Halloween day release. Conway has always been truthful and convincingly honest about hardships, street tales and hands on experiences. But this opening verse peels another layer of the onion off of the brawny wordsmith who, lets be honest, is one of the coldest personalities on record this year. It’s embraced and ultimately what makes him Conway the Machine. Hints of spirituality when referencing a close friend Machine Gun’s murderer, “..maybe that was a sign, maybe God ain’t want me killin’ them niggas and doin’ time, maybe God wanted me here to kill ’em with the rhyme, maybe that was part of his plan and part of the design. I don’t know, I’m not religious..” followed by a quick dose of gratitude while reliving the tragic shooting where he took a bullet in the head and almost lost his life. He wanted to quit pursuing hip-hop during and after recovery, now having to live with a slightly slurred delivery and a face “twisted up lookin’ ugly as shit.” Needless to say, we are glad he didn’t throw the towel in, as we’re sure hip-hop fans are in addition.

Thankful for his close relationship with WSG and Daringer, working with Kool G Rap, and still being alive to create today, it’s evident that he penned this verse with natural emotion. Grateful tears perhaps were shed. It may be one of the most convincing verses from him all year, and certainly builds even more anticipation for his forthcoming full-length G.O.A.T. (Grimiest Of All Time).

Art. And More Art.

An open invitation to controversy, the title Hitler Wears Hermes is unapologetically blunt. It’s a beautifully confusing and compelling label for a series. The title itself is drawn off of the Devil Wears Prada, but WSG needed something to stamp the newly wrapped package with his own flavor, a few years ago from his docu-series stating, “..some of the grimiest but flyest shit I could come up with. As soon as you hear it you think it’s crazy but fly at the same time,” explaining that’s what defines him – fly, grimy and luxurious. I don’t think an elaborate explanation is necessary for the title, much like most esteemed and admired artwork.

We’re here on the fourth installment. The cover art could be the most visually experimental piece we’ve seen from Griselda Records – an unbalanced, disproportioned digital collage of Hitler, well, wearing static Hermes attire. And a transparent mid-section (we think we see a spine there), which adds to the satisfying distortion. They’re quickly becoming known for their conceptual approaches on the visual art spectrum, adding another layer to the army’s flair. WSG is not shy about admitting his love for art, whether it be painting, drawing, fashion, emceeing or poetry. FLYGOD, his newly released debut record, exhibits a young stylized WSG wearing a careless, sincere smile and three gold chains. With his head wrapped in a tight crown of thorns and blood dripping from both his forehead and eyeballs, it raises questions. Art imitates art. Life imitates art. The questionability, the doubt, the curiosity and measurable conclusions.

Daringer’s canvas.

There’s a moment when listening to this piece where four songs, back to back, are built primarily off of gorgeous looped guitar riffs – “Aunt Rosie’s”, “Mr. Fuji”, “Ringside Rocking Furs” and “Nitro” to be exact. It’s not the first time we’re hearing Griselda’s in-house producer Daringer get loose and ornamental with guitar strings, but it’s the first time we’re hearing over fifteen minutes of display where guitar is the focal point. It’s uniformed. “Ringside Rocking Furs” is the lightest of the four, the guitar playing more of a backdrop as a result of the heavier drums – seeing fit considering its invitation to a new Keisha Plum spoken word piece and an introduction by singer Tiona D.

Daringer’s most enticing qualities lies is in his vocal samples. It may take a listener 10 minutes into any Griselda Records piece that he’s worked on to notice the highlighted skill set, though HWH4 finds only two songs where a looped vocal sample is the centerpiece – “The Almighty” and “Walked on Water Interlude”. A lot of their best work together is rather minimal. That’s chemistry in its purest, natural form. When it’s meant to be, you hear it. Again, sometimes art is like that. You can’t exactly put your finger on it. It’s a feeling. An indescribable one, bearing resemblant chemistry of Madlib and MF DOOM or Black Moon and Da Beatminerz. Daringer has even been called a young Alchemist, respectively.

All of his soundscapes leave us instantly in need of more. It’s not soul music, but it feeds the soul. There’s soul in the process and there’s undeniable passion. Real do indeed recognize real, and at the end of the day upstart producers should take note of the Buffalo, New York native’s work ethic. We like to think there’s folders of unreleased production that could, like WSG has been doing with rare, collectable vinyl records and clothing, be sold at a high number on the internet. HWH4 is another sure sign that Daringer is one of the most distinctive beatsmiths in hip-hop music right now.

Bringing out one of Stalley’s best guest verses in a while.

Griselda Records have yet to overwhelm a body of work with overbearing features. They generally keep the guest appearances within an arm’s reach – a healthy amount that seems to be the ideal recipe for an unabridged, contemporary hip-hop record. We’ve yet to think there were too many invited artists across their discography. HWH4 holds the door open for Conway, Tiona D, Benny, Smoke DZA and most notably Stalley, Maybach Music Group’s promising and often overlooked wordsmith. As for authentic Ohio representatives, it’s safe to put him up there with the Hi-Teks, the J. Rawls and the Kid Cudis. His latest (2014) full-length Ohio welcomed listeners globally into his classic apple red Chevy Impala with the boomin’ system. A wide, homely body of work that acquired additional trust for true-school rap fans.

Stalley’s Ohio, The Laughing Introvert and Saving Yusef releases all have their acclaimed highlights, whether it be debut sales, ideational subject matter or pure emceeing. As far as guest verses “5x a Day” may have brought one of the best moments out of him. We recently heard him on Skyzoo and Apollo Brown’s latest The Easy Truth. “Payout” is too an incredible contributing verse, but WSG and Daringer brought an edge out of him that we haven’t heard in a while. Maybe it’s the nature of the song’s reality, the nature of knowing when you’re invited into Griselda’s territory you let the pitbulls out. And the nature of a barbaric, reflective Daringer soundscape. Though notably topical, it’s more so a feeling you get that we’re referencing here.

iTunes | Spotify | AudioMack | XXL Magazine Feature

WESTSIDEGUNN: Twitter | Instagram | AudioMack | iTunes

Conway: Twitter | Instagram

Daringer: Twitter | Instagram

Griselda Records: Official Site | Instagram | YouTube | SoundCloud

The post 4 Reasons You Need ‘Hitler Wears Hermes 4’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.