Image credit: Republic

Ski Mask The Slump God fans rejoice: the Florida star has delivered his debut album, Stokeley. The project clocks in at 13 tracks with appearances from Juice WRLD, Austin Lam, Lil Baby and Lil Yachty.

Lil Baby – Street Gossip

Image credit: QG/Motown/Capitol

More of the same high quality tunes from one of Atlanta’s biggest current Hip-Hop stars. Today sees a new release from Lil Baby titled Street Gossip, which sees 13 tracks and appearances from Meek Mill, 2 Chainz, Gucci Mane, Young Thug, Gunna, Offset and more.

KAYTRANADA – Nothin Like You/Chances

Image credit: RCA

First, you’ll be happy to hear that KAYTRANADA will have his official follow-up to 99.9% sometime next year. In the meantime, he’s holding his fans over with his new EP titled Nothin Like You/Chances, which is essentially 3 new cuts and a couple of instrumentals to enjoy. Check out the Canadian producer’s appetizer below.

Earl Sweatshirt – Some Rap Songs

Image credit: Tan Cressida/Columbia

It’s been three years since Earl Sweatshirt delivered I Don’t Like S***, I Don’t Go Outside, and he’s been rather dormant (save for the festival circuit) since. Now, the Odd Future alum returns with a new project titled Some Rap Songs, of which some of those Rap songs are striking given the family-oriented subject matter (his mother, Cheryl Harris, and late father, South African poet Keorapetse Kgositsile, makes appearances on the album). Essentially, this is progressive Hip-Hop at its finest.

The Alchemist – Bread EP

Image credit: ALC

Following some amazing collabs with Wiz Khalifa, ScHoolboy Q, Curren$y and others, the legendary Alchemist is back with a short trip EP of his own titled Bread (would love to hear the explanation for the title and artwork). The release sees 8 tracks (four songs and their accompanying instrumentals) and additional appearances from Conway, Earl Sweatshirt, Black Thought and Roc Marciano. Vibe to Al’s latest below.

[SIDEBAR: It just dawned on me: he dropped Lunch Meat earlier this year. Duh.]

Los Unidades – Global Citizen – EP 1

Image credit: Parlophone

First off: Coldplay has changed their name to Los Unidades, for some reason. Second, they’ve teamed up with Global Citizen (I guess) to deliver a new four song EP, the first of many volumes which sees assistance from Stormzy, WizKid, Pharrell Williams, David Guetta and more. Check it out below.

Meek Mill – Championships

Image credit: MMG/Atlantic

Last but not least: Meek Mill arrives with his new album Championships, which sees 19 tracks and appearances from Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Fabolous, Ella Mai, Kodak Black, 21 Savage, Jeremih and more. Not much else to say expect to press play below.

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The post NEW ALBUM FRIDAY: Meek Mill, Alchemist, Lil Baby & More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: Tan Cressida

This Friday, both Earl Sweatshirt and The Alchemist will be delivering new projects: Earl’s Some Rap Songs and Al’s Bread EP. In lieu of the big day, you can check out two songs from both releases that both happen to feature Earl Sweatshirt: “E. Coli” and “Mint” (featuring Navy Blue). Hip-hop.

The post Earl Sweatshirt Drops Off New Single “Mint,” Connects with The Alchemist on “E Coli” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Curren$y, Freddie Gibbs & Alchemist – Fetti

Image credit: ESGN/Jet Life/ALC/EMPIRE

Despite being announced early last year (January 2017), fans weren’t able to enjoy Curren$y and Freddie Gibbs long-awaited EP Fetti until today — and with the addition of The Alchemist, this will probably be the only thing I play for the remainder of the week. Enjoy the nine-track project below.

Westside Gunn – Hitler Wears Hermes 6

Image credit: Griselda

This is definitely one of the more interesting releases, but not just for the music (put a pin on that). Griselda Records’ own Westside Gunn follows up his Summer release Supreme Blientele with Hitler Wears Hermes 6, which sees 13 new tracks and additional appearances from AA Rashid, Benny, Nick Grant and more (no Comway?). He also delivered a message (a couple of messages, really) via social media in lieu of its release:

View this post on Instagram

From the Beautiful mind of WSG presents…. HITLER WEARS HERMES 6 10/31 (cover 2 of 2) aka “GUCCI MASK GUNN” I’m back on my pure BULLSHIT idgaf about none of this industry shit I’m the FLYGOD the chosen one, I been said it I do too much for the Culture not to get the respect I deserve so now im a take it GXFR is gonna take it I’ve never been more focused and that’s scary, before I sell me soul to get popular I’ll just smack a popular fuck ni55a and get popular from doing that ?⚖️?⚖️?⚖️? #ART #FASHION #theALMIGHTY brought to life by the homie @ellmatik ??????

A post shared by FLYGOD (@westsidegunn) on Sep 26, 2018 at 1:40pm PDT

Adding in the fact that the album is only available via Westside Gunn’s website (until November 9th), it makes me wonder: how is the relationship with Shady Records right now?

BlocBoy JB – Don’t Think That

Image credit: Bloc Nation

Before the year closes out, Memphis star BlocBoy JB follows up the well-received SIMI with a 7-track EP titled Don’t Think That, which sees additional appearances from Lil Uzi Vert and Hoodrich Pablo Juan. Of course, producer Tay Keith — who’s probably most responsible for BlocBoy’s success, aside from his dancing — also contributes to the project.

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The post NEW ALBUM WEDNESDAY: Curren$y, Freddie Gibbs & Alchemist, Westside Gunn & BlocBoy JB appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: ALC

UPDATE: This isn’t a new track. Sounds it, though.

Gotta be honest: this is better than anything I’ve heard on Rolling Papers 2 (a personal preference, to be fair), but that’s no surprise when you’re working with one of the legends in the game. The Alchemist has a series called Craft Singles, and his latest installment is a collaboration with Wiz Khalifa titled “Universal Studios.” And — if you haven’t gotten the idea yet — it’s amazing. Check it out below, along with — if you missed it — Wiz’s recent appearance on First We Feast’s Hot Ones.

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The post The Alchemist & Wiz Khalifa Team Up on “Universal Studios” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Artwork: Dread Solo

Is it the voice? The piercing “ayo” introducing the record? The staple “doopdoopdoop” gun shot sound effects complementing the appropriate rhyme? The likely-drumless choice of production? Perhaps all of it, and some. Allow us to introduce Buffalo, New York’s Westside Gunn – if you haven’t met already.

Comparing Westside Gunn to another emcee is trivial, but take a moment to reflect on first hearing, say, Styles P. and Beanie Sigel. Okay, now try to recall that feeling. If you had any knowledge of inner city wiring, or street life, you will probably agree that Styles and Beans embody the street’s spirit and damn near record songs from the concrete. They are shatter proof, authentic emcees that’re brutally honest and evidently lived everything they’ve put on record. It’s almost undeniable, right? They have the gift of being able to speak to the average street cat very closely. Some do, some don’t – that’s where Westside Gunn comes in.

Buffalo, New York is no walk in the park. Unfortunately we all know what comes as a byproduct from an impoverished, drug ridden city. Westside Gunn has an innate, rather blunt way of rapping about it. Him and his brother Conway have survived every dark crevice of Buffalo and made it out alive, quite literally. As we hip-hop heads get older and grow up with the music, it gets easier to sift through the gimmicks and lies on record. Like Styles P. and Beans, Westside Gunn and all the whole GxFR squadron are the real deal.

How about being compared to a modern day Ghostface Killah & Raekwon? We could talk about how polished Westside Gunn and Conway‘s back-to-back flow is for hours.

It’s crucial to note Westside Gunn’s attitude and respect towards art as a whole, which below you will read a bit more about in our interview. Paying homage to all forms of art is necessarily notable, but let’s pull hip-hop from the deck for a second. Is it important to you, as a fan, that they understand and appreciate the culture? That they understand the importance of who came before them? That they’re actual fans of the music themselves? If your answer is no, close this page. One specific refrence from Westside Gunn that had us sold was his praise to J Dilla. This speaks miles and says a lot without saying a lot. There are way too many new jacks that ignore hip-hop’s timeline.

Having released multiple quality projects in the past couple of years, Westside Gunn’s work ethic and consistency is one to learn from. Do these cats ever stop? Will they? We hope not. The scattered loosies via SoundCloud (with very little warning), the full projects, and the features are reassuring. This is quality, gritty, fly, luxurious street rap that the east coast sound has been starving for.

We hope you enjoy the interview below – peace and love:

Artwork: @cepenwhy

RESPECT.: It’s no secret that you’re climbing the charts and gaining a lot of traction these past couple of years. Is it getting more challenging for you to focus? Or does Westside Gunn feel even sharper with a rapidly growing audience?

I never, ever felt challenged. Actually the reason I drop so much material is because I get bored easily. I want the people to witness greatness – a new LEGEND. So, I just drop shit to keep reminding people it’s not a game this shit is legendary, haha.

RESPECT.: Do you mind speaking on your choice of production? (On that note, you and Daringer have undeniable chemistry.)

Yea I mean I’ve reached out to all my favs – Preemo, Alchemist, PeteRock, 9th Wonder, etc. and we’re all about to start cooking. However, nobody will ever get me like Daringer. That’s my producer since day one. When you hear him that’s the Griselda sound. The RAW shit you know? I’m where I am today because of what Daringer brought to the table.

RESPECT.: Visual art and fashion are praised often in your music. It’s refreshing to say the least. If you don’t mind naming a few, who are your favorite painters, visual artists and/or fashion designers?

To be honest I love all art. I like going to art exhibits and peeping raw talent. You can learn a lot and develop a different outlook on life by looking at an artists view. Some designers I mess with are Raf, Virgil, Don (Just Don), and Neil Barrett. Also, I love what Kanye is doing. I feel I’m a grimier Kanye.

RESPECT.: You, Conway and the rest of the crew have quite literally been through it all. With that being said, you guys could be inspiring a lot of young bucks and I’m sure are already. Is this important to you?

That means everything. We’re hood dudes and have been thru it all – I mean all. From prisons, murders, drug sales, and almost losing life. I mean, Conway got shot in the damn head. But yeah, we’ve come a long way and I hope what we’re doing can show the people from the same walks of life that if you grind hard and stay focused anything is possible. Changing lifes is more important to me than music. I’m just glad when I make music I’m able to do both.

RESPECT.: What should the world be expecting from Westside Gunn/GxFR for the rest of 2016?

Nothing but WORK! The best work on the block to be exact. We got Conway’s debut album ‘GOAT (Grimiest of ALL Time)’ coming. I’m going to drop again too, just dont know when. And a whole lot of instant drops, like the “SUMMERSLAM 88” I just dropped today with my daughter. Love is love, thank you.

https://soundcloud.com/user-5212897/summerslam-88-prod-by-your-old-droog

Westside Gunn: Twitter | Instagram | AudioMack | iTunes

Conway: Twitter | Instagram

Daringer: Twitter | Instagram

Griselda Records: Official Site | Instagram | YouTube | SoundCloud

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The post RESPECT. Interview: Westside Gunn Discusses Changing Lives, Art Exhibits & Production appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Because each artist is from a different coast–The Alchemist from California and Havoc from New York– the combination between them ties in quaint sounds from their cities. The sound is oddly still very grimy with a New York style. There is a theme in the LP easily reminiscent of an early Jay-Z or Nas with Havoc’s rap style and his hustler mentality. A daunting New York State of mind is found throughout a majority of lyrics in songs including “Seize Power,” “Maintain (F**k How You Feel),” and “The Gun Holds A Drum” feat. Prodigy. The production even seems to have a bit of Dr.Dre‘s production senses just slowed down a bit. Both artist’s do an A1 job at representing different sounds from their upbringing.

There are only a few features on the album including Method Man, Cormega, and Prodigy as mentioned above. Prodigy and Havoc have good chemistry together on songs considering they were in Mobb Deep together. Method Man and Cormega are also from New York and have a similar flow to Havoc. These few features give a couple different sparks throughout the LP which is nice, but Havoc’s flow rides well on its own for the majority of the album.

Make sure to listen to the new LP and catch up on previous works from Havoc and The Alchemist to compare how they work together vs. apart!

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The post The Alchemist and Havoc’s New LP ‘The Silent Partner’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The post New Music: The Alchemist feat. Action Bronson – “Voodoo” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.