Image credit: Dreamville/Roc Nation

It looks like J. Cole wants to continue his KOD momentum for 2019. Last night, the North Carolinian star delivered a new single titled “Middle Child,” produced by T-Minus — and he has no problem letting you know he’s the best out:

To the OGs, I’m thankin’ you now
Was watchin’ you when you was pavin’ the ground
I copied your cadence, I mirrored your style
I studied the greats, I’m the greatest right now
F*** if you feel me, you ain’t got a choice
Now I ain’t do no promo, still made all that noise
This s*** gon’ be different, I set my intentions
I promise to slap all that hate out your voice…

Yep. Check it out below. The Off-Season is on the way.

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The post J. Cole & T-Minus Join Forces on “Middle Child” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Lil Wayne’s new album I Am Not A Human Being II drops on March 26, but till then he’s keeping the music coming. He teams up with 2 Chainz yet again for the track “Rich As Fuck.” With Weezy on the verses and 2 Chainz on the hook, it sounds like we are getting a glimpse of the old Wayne we use to love. A video has already been shot for the T-Minus produced track, and should be dropping soon. Check out the track below. Do you think Weezy is back?

The post New Music: Lil Wayne feat. 2 Chainz – “Rich As Fuck” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Whoever thought that Joe Budden was a one-hit wonder must have lost their mind. As he gears up for the release of his new mixtape Loose Quarter, Joey releases “She Don’t Put It Down”. The T-Minus produced track features Lil Wayne and Tank, and it sounds like this one will be getting a lot of radio play. Take a listen below and decide for yourself.

The post New Music: Joe Budden feat. Lil Wayne & Tank – “She Don’t Put It Down” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Fresh off the release of their mixtape On the House, Slaughterhouse delivers the next record off their Shady debut. This one gives us a guest spot from the Shady capo himelf, Eminem. The song is produced by T-Minus and is available on  iTunes now. welcome to: OUR HOUSE hits August 28th.

The post New Music: Slaughterhouse feat. Eminem – “Throw That” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Kendrick Lamar delivers his new single off his forthcoming Aftermath debut, good kid, m.A.A.d. city, which drops October 2nd. Take a listen to the T-Minus-produced cut down below.

The post Listen: Kendrick Lamar – “Swimming Pools (Drank)” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Nicki Minaj’s sophomore effort, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, is certainly a polarizing album. It seems to be a high-stakes, zero-sum game for Minaj; either it’s a highly creative and flexing body of work, or it’s a major disappointment to the entire culture of hip-hop. Now that the project is out, let’s give it a closer look.

The album starts off with “Roman Holiday”, a glimmer of hope that this album will be nothing like anything Minaj has done in the past. She dives right into character with a high-pitched chorus that may take you off guard a first, but as the beat drops, the record blends together exotic drums and an anxious flow which combine for an innovative sound.

Minaj tones down her wild alter-ego slightly on the next few tracks, but the beat selection is still a bit hectic and fast-paced. On her debut album, Pink Friday, Minaj has a record entitled “Roman’s Revenge” produced by Swizz Beats. The rap tracks on Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded feel sonically similar to that record, with quick instrumentals and darting sound effects. “Beez in the Trap” and “Roman Reloaded” are two stand-out records from the rap portion of the album, and producers include Hit Boy, T-Minus, Pop Wansel, DJ Diamond Cuts, Kane Beatz, and J.R. Rotem.

But starting with the infamously panned “Starships,” the next five tracks, with four produced by RedOne, abruptly turn into squeaky-clean dance pop. Minaj is no stranger to pulling other genres into her music, but this time she’s hurting herself. Songs like “Whip It” are clearly aiming at a pop audience, interrupting the album’s flow, sacrificing originality. Every part of “Automatic”, from the song arrangement to the special effects, is synonymous with Britney Spears’ “Till The World Ends (Remix),” which Minaj is featured on.

Overall, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded is a decent album. When she raps, Minaj is very creative and ambitious; her voice changing antics on “Roman Holiday” and sixteenth-note rapid-fire on “Stupid Hoe” are where she shines. But the corny production style and simplistic lyrics of the rest of the album are a disappointment to hip-hop fans. If tracks 10 through 14 were taken out, good riddance.

The post Album Review: Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Toronto producer Burd & Keyz drops the latest single from his upcoming Keyz of Life project. Luu Breeze, who worked with Game for The R.E.D. Album (albeit uncredited), jumps on the track, as well as A-Game, Jahron B., and OVOXO producer T-Minus, who just so happened to produce the hottest track of the summer with “I’m On One”.

Be on the lookout for Keyz of Life to drop sometime in mid-November.

The post New Music: Burd & Keyz – “Faithful” feat. Luu Breeze, A-Game, Jahron B. & T-Minus appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.