The post The Boy Illinois Releases New Freestyle “Othello”; Will Perform At Chicago’s Biggest Festival appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The Boy Illinois. Photo Credit: Swank PR

Since the successful release of The Boy Illinois mixtape “WINDY”, Illi infectious music has taken off, from killing freestyles at Sway in the Morning to recently completing a 5 high school tour of Chicago Public High Schools with the Obama Foundation.

There to raise awareness about upcoming Black History Month, The Boy Illinois performed & encouraged students to get excited about the upcoming festivities.

The Boy Illinois is also set to headline his first show of 2018 at The Wire (6815 Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn, IL 60402) Feb. 6th with special guests Adam Ness, London Lo, Vo & Tynece Allen including a live band and DJ.

“I get to show and prove on the grand scale,” The Boy Illinois told me today by phone.

“I like showing people what I’ve got. This is my stage now and I’m going to show what I’m going to do with it. We’ve got a live band and we have an MTV Unplugged-like show.”

The show was recently featured in Chicago Reader and is making noise around the city.

He has also been busy working in the studio with industry vet Poo Bear (Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Lupe Fiasco) along with dropping new video 90/94 Freestyle with partner in rhyme YP. Directed by Dhope Films and produced by Rel Elite, the visual sums up true lyrical and clever wordplay displaying YP and Illi as expertise emcees that have crossed into a different tier from their peers.

For those tardy to the party, 90/94 is the Dan Ryan Expressway, which connects all parts of the city of Chicago. “It’s a city thing,” said The Boy Illinois.

“This is as Chicago as Harolds Chicken Shack is to the city!”

While you’re at it, check out The Boy Illinois’ “WINDY” mixtape: SoundCloud, Itunes , Spotify

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The post Scoop B Selects: The Boy Illinois launches “Get Ready” Campaign for Obama Foundation, headlines show Feb 6 & drops 90/94 video appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Like when Mike step in the Garden. #Yer #SwayInTheMorning pic.twitter.com/uLxH8x1CG3

— illi (@theboyillinois) November 13, 2017

The Boy Illinois, or Illi, also released a new visual for his song titled “Didn’t I” off his latest mixtape titled ‘Windy’. In the video, which is directed by Marco Simmons, Illi makes use of the dark and smoky scenery by providing his usual high, upbeat personality over an energetic beat with horns that make this the perfect song to vibe too.

For more of Illi’s interview with Sway, as well as his social media to stay up to date, clink the link after the jump.

Follow Illi on Instagram and Twitter: @TheBoyIllinois

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The post The Alternative: The Boy Illinois Kills Sway In the Morning Freestyle & Drops New Video “Didn’t I” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The Boy Illinois drops WINDY mixtape. Photo Courtesy of Swank PR

After 2 years, The Boy Illinois resurfaces with the essence of a classic project that displays his perspective of Chicago.

Check out The Boy Illinois Chat with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio

After recruiting major producers HearonTrackz (Shawnna, Kanye West), J Bravo (Waka Flocka, Chaz French), Lord Haiti, Sounds By Coop & More, “Illi” garners the essence of growth and development with WINDY. Used as a metaphor to describe Chicago, WINDY is a mixture of raw vibes, lyricism and catchy hooks that carry the project in its entirety. Tracks such as Cool ft. Saba create a unique vibe along with Run It ft. Rico Reckelzz add a wavey edge to the story line.

Check Out The Boy Illinois’ WINDY Mixtape

Priority Records’ The Boy Illinois. Photo Credit: Swank PR

The newly minted Priority Records affliliate shows that he is ready for the majors and isnt backing down anytime soon. The initial track “Didn’t I” sets the tone for the project while that tenacity is carried til the end with favorite bonus track “100.”

While WINDY encompasses the many aspects of Chicago, this is a project not to be slept on and Illi shows that he perfect storm waiting to happen.

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The post Scoop B Selects: The Boy Illinois Pays Homage To Chicago On WINDY Mixtape Featuring All Stars Saba, Rico Recklezz & YP appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The Boy Illinois is on the move. The Chicago lyricist’s new single “Cool”  is an ode to an ongoing love affair.

The track provides a soundtrack for its listeners and their #relationshipgoals. Meshing Chicago’s westside flair with the city’s eastside sauce, Saba, Frsh Water and The Boy Illinois have genuinely mastered the essence of a dope collaboration.

Produced by Saba, this single is a taste of what’s next for “Ill’ and his upcoming project “WINDY” with major features including Rico Recklezz, YP and major production from Lord Haiti, Hearon Trackz, 25th Hour & more.

Check Out The Boy Illinois and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson Chat On Scoop B Radio

The Boy Illinois has been trending on the internet since 2008, when he released his first solo project Inhale Part 1: State Representative. He left college at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to pursue his music dream full-time.

Illi once told me that he began rapping at around 11 years old, but says he didn’t take his craft seriously until age 15. He did have some precedent in his life in regards to performing as his father was also a singer.

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The post Scoop B Selects: Priority Records’ The Boy Illinois Teams With Saba & Frsh Water In “Cool” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Tauzha Drops Kobe Bryant-inspired 5 Rings Volume 1 Mixtape & 5 Rings Music Video. Photo Courtesy of YouTube

Retired Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant inspired a generation; especially in hip hop. Meet Tauzha. Previously featured in my Scoop B column in RESPECT Magazine and lauded for creating her own lane, Tauzha’s style blends unique vocals and thoughtful lyrics with a confident attitude and personality that represents the true sentiment of Chicago.

Related content: Kobe Bryant and Scoop B talk about legacy.

New to the game but not music, Tauzha has been performing and making music since she was young.

“5 Rings” Volume 1 is the follow up to her debut mixtape “Capone” which received great reviews with features in Hip Hop Weekly, Source Magazine and more.

Check It Out

Simply put: her new video  for“5 Rings” is inspired by Kobe Bryant and winning in every aspect. Directed Gravitii Films, Tauzha displays the story-line of rags to riches from grinding to shining with major appearances by Chicago artist Rico Recklezz, Chella H and The Boy Illinois.

Related Content:  Scoop B: Hate Him Or Love Him, At Every Level Kobe Bryant Did It His Way

Check The Visual

Tauzha drops 5 Rings Volume 1 mixtape and music video. Photo Courtesy of Brianhna Gatlin/Swank PR

With her 12-song mixtape released on July 11th and after an amazing performance opening for Waka Flocka on a sold out show, Tauzha is truly proving her unique flow to be superior. With 5 songs released as singles, including Blew a Bag featuring Lil Dirk and her hit song, Welcome to the Weekend, you can expect an all-time list of music that will keep the party going.

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The post Scoop B Selects: Chicago’s Tauzha Drops Kobe Bryant 5 Rings Volume 1 Mixtape & Music Video appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The Boy Illinois, Briahna Gatlin and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Provided By: Swank PR

Prepping for his official BET performance tomorrow in Los Angeles,  Chicago’s The Boy Illinois drops his highly anticipated video, “Dancing Like Diddy.”

The Boy Illinois comes full blazing with a colorful 90’s feel visual fused with a Chicago edge. The concept of Dancing Like Diddy was inspired by The Boy Illinois mentor & Big Bro Lupe Fiasco after a bar from another single “Ruling Class.” The video kicks off with “Illi” riding through the city spreading love and bending blocks. From the clear sky to the 1-2 step, Dancing Like Diddy video paints a picture of fun, positivity and great music.

Check Out The Boy Illinois and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson Chat On Scoop B Radio

Throughout the visual, the colors contrast creating vivid engagement from recreating “Mo Money, Mo Problems,” video,  Illi white shoes and colorful balls rocking to the bass. Stating his claim from the jump, “Dancing Like Diddy” is set to reach the masses.

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The post Scoop B: Chicago’s The Boy Illinois Drops Dancing Like Diddy Before BET Awards Weekend Performance appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.