Outside of Ocean’s vague appearance at February’s showcase Yeezy Season 3 in Madison Square Garden, the leaked track confirms that he has been putting in work despite his vow of musical silence.

The Soundcloud link to the track might be dead, but you can still listen to the rough cut through these videos below: .

New leaked Frank Ocean snippet #3 pic.twitter.com/tJTO8Xg53o

— Frank Ocean Daily (@TeamFrankDaily) February 29, 2016

New leaked Frank Ocean snippet #2 pic.twitter.com/yrSDShs9rT

— Frank Ocean Daily (@TeamFrankDaily) February 29, 2016

Courtesy of Mic News 

The post Leaked Frank Ocean Track Brings Hope of New Music appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Despite being notorious for his heavily featured albums and “no nonsense-taking” antics, The Game isn’t afraid to play Superman when it comes to showing love and dropping a few stacks towards a community in need. The Compton rapper’s red cape made its most recent appearance this morning (Jan. 26) after he announced that he’s having $1 million worth of water delivered to Flint, MI.

“The truth is that the population of Flint is 105,000 people & it takes more than 9 bottles per person a day just to use to brush their teeth, bathe, and cook with…,” Game expressed via Instagram.

With the help of Avita Water, the first wave of the donation (1400 cases) drops today at 1 p.m. at Food Bank East Michigan on Flint’s south side. The rest will be delivered every day until the city receives 1 million bottles.

In true Game fashion, a little shade had to accompany his gracious donation. He called out people who are using the tragedy for their own gain and even challenged Madonna and Jimmy Fallon to donate more.

With Michigan’s governor (Rick Snyder) moving extremely slow to correct the problem and past city officials continuously pointing fingers, it’s no surprise that the industry has taken matters into its own hands.

Salute to Game and others who have made contributions.

The post Game Drops a Milli Towards the #FlintWaterCrisis appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Known for his ability to morph multiple genres into one brilliant and colorful masterpiece (plastic soul), musical icon, David Bowie passed this morning (Monday, Jan. 11) after losing his battle with cancer.

The English legend was not afraid to be different; his music was tailored to those who were often alienated, but would later set the trend for others to follow. His ability to mix jazz, soul and rock accompanied his flamboyant appearance, literally allowing him to stand out from any other artist that tried to perfect his coined genre, glam-rock.

Bowie’s resilience and ability to teleport into multiple musical arenas has inspired a multitude of artists. Before paying their respects to Bowie’s family on social media, dozens of big name artists showed their appreciate by sampling his work.

Check out these five tracks that sampled the industry’s most admired chameleon.

1) Been Around the World by Puff Daddy, Mase & The Notorious B.I.G

Let’s Dance

2) Takeover by Jay-Z

Fame

3) Run and Hide by The Bullitts and Jay Electronica

Quicksand

4) Take Notice by J Dilla feat. Guilty Simpson

Soul Love

5) For Everything by Rapsody

Soul Love

The post Legends Never Die: 5 Hip-Hop Tracks That Praises Bowie’s Creativity appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Chronicling the days before Run-DMC rocked adidas and Kurtis Blow delivered The Breaks, Netflix’s new series, The Get Down, shows love toward the culture’s roots.

Set in 1970s South Bronx, the series follows the lives of several teens whose appreciation for the growing art of djing and graffiti is intertwined with their funkdafied nightlife, foreshadowing Hip-Hop’s humble beginnings.

Director Baz Luhrmann, the genius behind Moulin Rouge!, recruited Grandmaster Flash, one of Hip-Hop’s most profound turntablist, as associate producer; he is as a vital force in the storyline.

Along with tagging Grandmaster Flash, The Get Down features a young and dynamic cast who embodies the free spiritedness that sparked the culture; influencers Jaden Smith, Shameik Moore (Dope), Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad), Herizen Guardiola (Runaway Island), Justice Smith (Paper Towns), Skylan Brooks (Southpaw), and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Crescendo) are set as star in the series.

Along with acting vet Jimmy Smits, newcomers Mamoudou Athie (who portrays Grandmaster Flash), Tremaine Brown Jr. will make appearances.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show is set to debut this year. Check out the trailer below.

The post New Netflix series pays homage to Hip-Hop’s funkdafied beginnings appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Right before crossing over into the New Year, the industry was slated with heartbreak from the passing of singer Natalie Cole, daughter of famed jazz guru Nat King Cole (Dec. 31).

Although she spent the beginning of her career walking in her father’s shadow and combating Aretha Franklin comparisons, Cole found her voice in R&B, birthing tracks that entertained the highs and lows of love.

The legacy she created for herself opened doors for admirers to show their appreciation in different sectors of the entertainment industry. From her most popular song, This Will Be,  being featured in The Parent Trap, to Mary J. Blige covering Our Love, the industry has continuously showed favor to the woman who wasn’t afraid to praise the beauty of romance.

In honor of Natalie Cole’s life and prestigious legacy, here five tracks that sampled her work.

1) Wake Up Mr. West/ Heard Em Say by Kanye West

        Sample: Someone That I Used to Love

2) All I Need by Jay-Z 

Sample: I Can’t Break Away (From You)

3) Heard It All Before by Sunshine Anderson 

Sample: I Can’t Break Away (From You)

4) Karma by Lloyd Banks feat. Avant

Sample: Inseparable

5) Losing You by Keyshia Cole feat. Anthony Hamilton

Sample: Sorry

The post Everlasting Legacy: Five Times Hip-Hop Sampled Natalie Cole appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

1) Punch Drunk by Dave B

Known as Dave B – or DaveBSpaceDot if you’re on Twitter — the indie artist delivered his rendition of feel good music in “Punch Drunk,” a nine-track EP that is provided the chill that was needed in 2015.

The project, which dropped, Oct. 30, offered tales of self-discovery, relationships, and illegal pleasures. Blending the experimentalism of new wave hip-hop instrumentals with recycled content that alludes to the early to mid 90s, Dave B created a sincere, yet nostalgic sound.

The soul infused in his music makes it contagious, slowly covering the wound left by Frank Ocean’s musical departure. His mellowness creates positive vibes – offering a break from the turn up that rocks the airwaves.

2) Calling Brio by Amine

Holding down the Westside of Portland is Amine, a starving artist whose drive for recognition is humbled by tribal-inspired instrumentals. With Kaytranada, Tek.Lun, and Pasque´ on production, Amine was able to channel his inner Mowgli and lyrically deliver a feel-good tape.

Showcasing his flexibility, Amine was able to deliver both trap and new wave hip-hop, adding his own style to both. Flipping his pace from rapid to smooth and kosher, Amine’s rhyme scheme is unpredictable, heightening the interest of his entire project.

3) The Beautiful EP by ChanThePharoah

Pounding out six tracks that live up to the project’s, ChanThePharoah fused his Houston roots with the unpredictability of experimental hip-hop. From the subtle bounce association with riddim to the hithat driven knock drafted by the South, he produced pure riding music, mellowing down the hardness of his delivery.

4) Hours Spent Loving You by SPZRKT & Sango

While linking up with Sango — one of Soulection’s most famed producers–, SPZRKT (pronounced Spazzy Rocket) poured his soul in this seven-track project. Though soft spoken, the intimacy behind his lyrics allows him to vocalize his story, complementing the beauty in Sango’s interpretation.

The collaboration between the two evokes happiness, love and beauty, moving a mountain of emotions in those who care to listen.

5) Sang 4 Me by Chavis Chandler

Behind the boisterous raspy voice is a kind-hearted soul whose appreciation for women is showcased throughout his five track EP. Throughout the tape, Chandler willingly confesses his wants and desires with his future maiden, delivering his admiration over coffee shopped-inspired instrumental.

The post 5 Soundcloud Projects That Went Under The Radar in 2015 appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Aside from his heavy plant watering and constant jet ski legal troubles, DJ Khaled has become the Uncle Rush of 2015.

His coined phrase, “another one,” has inspired fans to create memes and videos that capture the humor, yet inspiration of Khaled’s keys to success and words of encouragement.

As an act of appreciation, Snapchat has devoted a holiday filter to Khaled and his inspirational snapstories.

Follow DJ Khaled (DJKhaled) on snapchat to get your daily dosage of wisdom.

The post “The Key to Success”- DJ Khaled Gets His Own Snapchat Filter appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.