RESPECT: You have fans from all around because you’re multifaceted. You’re a host, you’ve created the theme song for the Brooklyn Nets, you were in VH1’s The Breaks, and you also have your own radio show. How were you able to transition into so many different career paths?

Torae: I think the transition was natural because all of these things go hand-in-hand. I’m naturally a personable person. I feel like figuring out ways to have my personality shine through outside of just a three minute song helped. I have layers, there are many different sides to Torae.

So me figuring out ways to showcase that and in addition to it all going hand-in-hand… If you can stand on stage and perform a record, you should be able to stand on stage and captivate the audience without the rhyme. You should be a master of ceremonies. So hosting came natural.

Acting is something I’ve always wanted to get into— you memorize lines when you write your rhymes.  You’re in front of the camera all the time, you’re shooting videos and doing interviews. So putting those things together and really trying to hone that acting part of it is where I’m at now. IT was all just like a natural transition —everything growing into each other all stemming from my love of the music.

RESPECT: Would you want to do more acting?

Absoluetly, that was always in the plan. When The Breaks came about it was dope because it just thrusted right to the forefront. I came up watching a lot of great MCs transition into acting. That’s what a lot of 2016 is focused on. Its about me getting into these acting classes and workshops and hone the skills and continue to move forward. I have some dope things on the horizon.

RESPECT: You’re a Knicks fan, but how did you end up working with the Brooklyn Nets and creating their theme song for the 2015 – 2016 season?

Torae: That came from having dope relationships just like a lot of opportunities. They say it’s not what you know, it’s who you know— then you combine that with what you know and that makes for a great marriage. Shoutout to Marco Polo, the producer who actually did the theme’s beat. When they [the Brooklyn Nets] turned around and were looking for not only just music but an actual theme song, they reached out to Marco and he reached out to me to jump on it. Even though I’m a Knicks fan, I’m a Brooklyn guy. So, everything I do is all Brooklyn everything. It came out really dope, it was fun working on that.

RESPECT: On Entitled you got to work with Saul Williams, Phonte, Mack Wilds and more. Is there anyone who you haven’t worked with that you would want to work with in the future? 

Torae: As a lover of music, you listen to everything from Jazz to Classical to Soul to Funk to Disco. I like it all so there’s so many different people I’d like to work with. Off the rip, I would say Mary J. Blige, she’s the queen— I think that would make my mom and my wife really happy. Raphael Saadiq, I think he’s amazing. I’m a big fan of No Doubt and Gwen Stefani.

I definitely listen to a lot of different music and I would definitely love to work with a lot of different artists across different platforms and genres. I’ve been here 8 years so far, hopefully I have a few more years in the chamber where I can crank out some of these dream collabs.

RESPECT: Yeah, a Torae and Mary J. Blige collab sounds like something that needs to happen real soon!

Torae: I may have to retire after that to be completely honest. If I get one with Mary, there’s really nothing else I have to do or say. [Laughs]

Entitled is currently available on iTunes.

The post Torae Speaks on Dream Collabs and Newfound Love for Acting appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

In Jan VH1 premiered the TV movie (which served as a pilot) based on the book “The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop” by Dan Charnas. The premise of the book documents the rise of the genre as a writer for The Source Magazine, and former record executive.

Starring Wood Harris, Mack Wilds, and Afton Williamson The Breaks is set in the summer of 1990. Chronicling the journey of Nikki and her friends David & DeeVee. The three friends are all navigating their way through the same industry seeking different avenues, but bonded by their love for Hip-Hop.  Dj Premeir served as the projects executive music producer, while scoring and composing for the movie.

The Hip-Hop series just earned its first season from their highly rated test run. “The Breaks” ranked No. 2 for a cable original movie with the combined 2.6 million viewers from its premiere and encore. No set date or episode number has been given yet, but you can expect VH1 to put this on the fast track.

The post VH1’s ‘The Breaks’ Returns as Series appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Based on journalist Dan Charnas’ book The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop, VH1‘s original movie The Breaks will depict the early days of hip hop industry in NYC in the 90s. Featuring such actors as Tristan Mack Wilds, Method Man, and Wood Harris, familiar faces are sure to help pull the story together and bring in viewership. The Breaks will air January 4 on VH1.

Watch the super trailer for The Breaks below:

The post Watch the Super Trailer for VH1’s, ‘The Breaks’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.