Image credit: Insanity/Sony

This is definitely an artist who’s project release was long overdue: after putting out banger after banger over the last few years, Birmingham’s Dapz On The Map then compiled them all together into last year’s Spring Clean (Froggy, his short-play joint effort with fellow Brum artist JayKae, is still one of the best Grime offerings this decade, hands down). While we still await an official debut, fans are now fortunate to get a new EP from Dapz titled Champion Settings, which sees 7 new cuts and additional appearances from Blay Vision, Scorpz, Bowzer Boss and Jme.

Check it out below.

The Diplomats – Diplomatic Ties

Image credit: Set Life/EMPIRE

This is a long time coming. Without going over the ups-and-down of the core Diplomats (who haven’t released an official album as a quartet since 2004’s Diplomatic Immunity 2), Cam’ron, Freekey Zekey, Jim Jones and a newly-engaged Juelz Santana are finally back with the new project Diplomatic Ties, which sees 9 new tracks and appearances from Trav, Belly, The LOX, Tory Lanez and Un Casa. Stream below, along with — I had to add this — a new EP from former Dipset members JR Writer, Hell Rell and 40 Cal titled The Upstage. Very interesting.

Boosie Badazz – Boosie Blues Cafe

Image credit: BadAzz Music Syndicate

Going for a more creative blend, Boosie Badazz delivers a Blues album titled Boosie Blues Cafe, which is much doper than you might expect (Boosie always possessed a Blues-y vibe with his music anyway, so this was probably effortless for him). There’s only one additional appearance from Big Pokey Bear, leading the way for soulful production and melancholy vocals from the Louisiana native.

Jaden Smith – The Sunset Tapes: A Cool Tape Story

Following the well-received SYRE and it’s remix Electric Album, Jaden Smith‘s back with a new project titled The Sunset Tapes: A Cool Tape Story, which pays homage to his Cool Tapes of the past without actually being a third installment:

November 17th pic.twitter.com/oU5FNf4TnW

— Jaden Smith (@officialjaden) November 17, 2018

Vibe to the 11-track offering below.

Image credit: MSFTS/Roc Nation

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The Diplomats are back with a new single and video entitled “Sauce Boyz“ from their new album Diplomatic Ties, scheduled for release on November 22. Shula The Don and Jim Jones join forces to co-direct this video that features all of the original members of the legendary Diplomats group, together again on the Harlem streets. Overall, ”Sauce Boyz” gives a take on the new generation of hip-hop with classic Heatmakerz production and Diplomats’ style. Most of all, it’s good to see the group working and together after 14 years in the game.

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The post New Music: The Diplomats & The Heatmakerz Team Up For “Sauce Boyz” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: Diplomats

Here’s a surprise: just when you thought Cam’ron and Jim Jones would never reunite as the Diplomats, they — along with Juelz Santana and Freekey Zekey — would bang us all over the head with some brand new heat.

Titled “Once Upon A Time,” the legendary Harlem-based outfit spit that s*** over production from the equally-iconic Heatmakerz. Nothing left to do but press pray and vibe like it was last decade (something we already began doing thanks to Killa’s The Program).

Hopefully, there’s a new project from the Diplomats to follow.

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The post The Diplomats Rise From The Ashes with “Once Upon A Time” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Houston rapper T-Wayne chats with Scoop B Radio. Photo Credit: BET

Harlem, USA representative Cam’ron along with Juelz Santana, Jim Jones, Hell Rell and others inspired a generation of youngsters to live organically, free and creative.

One person who took cues from Cam’ron and the Diplomats is Houtston, Texas rapper, T-Wayne. Best known for his 2015 single “Nasty Freestyle” a track that peaked at # nine on the US Billboard Hot 100, T-Wayne’s Kylie Jenner song is so reminiscent to Cam’ron’s Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.

Check Out T-Wayne’s Kylie Jenner

“I followed some of Cam’ron’s interviews where he talked about how Prince was a legend,” T-Wayne told me on Scoop B Radio.

“And how his legacy lived on even after he died.”

Check Out Cam’ron’s Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

“That’s how I want my legacy to live on,” said T-Wayne.

Check out T-Wayne and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson’s Chat On Radio 

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The post Scoop B: Houston Rapper T-Wayne Says Kylie Jenner Video Was Inspired By Cam’ron and Prince appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

2015 has just begun but it’s safe to say that Funkmaster Flex has just made it the best year! The Hot97 DJ hit up Instagram yesterday to announce that The Diplomats have put aside their beef and will be releasing a mixtape together. Starting on Monday, a “Dipset Takeover” will begin as the crew will take over Hot97 for five hours. After that they will be doing five club performances through out NYC. Once all that goes down, the mixtape will come out! The mixtape will be hosted by DJ Mustard, DJ Khaled, FunkFlex and Swizz Beats. 

Check out what Funk Flex wrote on Instagram:

#DIPSET RADIO X CONCERTS X NEW MIXTAPE MADNESS!!!! I just spoke to @jimjonescapo x I just spoke to @Mr_Camron x I just spoke to @thejuelzsantana !!!!! These 3 men have put the bullshit aside and are ready to rock!!!! #STEPONE 7pm This Monday @Dipsetusa1997 take over @Hot97 for 5Hours!!!!! No gossip bullshit just new freestyles and reuniting like the bosses they are!!!! #STEPTWO @Dipsetusa1997 x @djfunkflex are hitting 5 different clubs for #2015 !!!!! THE OFFICIAL 5 STOP DIPSET x DJFUNKFKEX REUNION MADNESS!!!! PROMOTERS HIT ME DIRECT @ LitDigitalDjs@Gmail.Com !!!!! Promoters get your money up!!! #STEPTHREE The most important one of all!!! NEW DIPSET MIXTAPE AFTER WE HIT THESE 5 CLUBS!!!!! New Dipset Mixtape hosted by @djfunkflex x @Djkhaled x @Therealswizzz x @Djmustard!!!!! The wait is over… I can’t take it any more!!!! This Dipset project has to happen!!!! Street wants it!!!!! @litdigitaldjs #litdigitaldjs #NewTeamInTown @bossladyem

The post Funk Flex Announces New Diplomats Mixtape appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Cam’ron isn’t a name you hear very often when discussing new music. On October 1, this changes, perhaps. “Welcome to My World” is the first single from his upcoming mixtape Ghetto Heaven Vol 1. On the song, Cam gives us a glimpse into his strange world, a land of dog fights, kidnappings and dirty sexual encounters. Cam details this [under]world through his characteristically twisted-yet-comedic lens, but the song is fairly lackluster. The instrumental feels like it’s trapped in very undramatic quicksand, sinking without struggle from either side, the sand or the victim; and Cam’ron follows suit, singing out his rhymes as if to emphasize the misery of his world.

The song isn’t exciting, but perhaps that’s the point: neither is being poor and socially marginalized. Or maybe the song is just bad (that’s probably the case). Listen below and decide for yourself.

The post New Music: Cam’ron – “Welcome to My World” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Killa Cam will be making his return to the mixtape world July 4th. This will be one of the first solo mixtapes he’s released in years, so we know it will be a treat. More importantly, look at this artwork: it’s a picture of Ronald McDonald and the Hamburgular getting really greasy. If we know anything about Cam’ron, he’s at his best when he’s humorous, so he’s already off to a good start.

The post New Artwork: Cam’ron Makes Ronald McDonald Get Greasy appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.