Brazilian Multi-platinum producer, João “JD On Tha Track” Duarte, is a hitmaker influencing the hip hop game in a major way. Backed by Sony Music Entertainment his distinct sound has afforded him the opportunity to collaborate with music hotshots such as Lil Tjay, Polo G, Gunna, Lil Baby, NBA Youngboy, and Rick Ross to name a few.

I caught up with the hitmaker for a candid interview, as he openly discussed transitioning to America, creating hits with Lil Tjay and having an original sound. Check it out below!

JD On Tha Track Interview 

Respect: Who is JD on the Track?

JD: Just a person that had a dream to become one of the greatest producers ever. I’ a person who made it out Brazil that wanted to change the world in a positive way, being a motivation to people and someone to help people through music. I want people to feel my beats in their hearts and souls and change their lives for the better.  I want to my music to make people’s day. I want to change the world. I want to be the best producer ever.

Respect: When did you realize you wanted to pursue a career in music as a producer?

JD: I realized around 2011 when I was listening to Wiz Khalifa’s  “Cabin Fever” album or something like that and I told myself,  “I want to be apart of this” because when I saw the producing credits of the producers, I knew I wanted to make something like this. So that is when I first realized, I wanted to do that. 2012 was the year I actually started making beats. I always loved music.  Since I was a kid, I always listened to Eminem, 50 cent, Akon, The Game, everybody back in the day. I always had that passion for music especially Rap and Hip-Hop.”

Respect: How did you get your start in the music business? When did you catch your break?

JD: I think it was when TJAY dropped “Brothers” and that song started doing well. After “Pop Out”, everything was getting better.”

Respect: Do you mind giving some insight on what it’s been like working and creating with Lil Tjay?

JD: We the got chemistry. Since I met him, we just kept going hard. We have so many songs that are not even out yet and every song that we have could go platinum. Every song that we have a good response from the fans and everybody.

Respect: How does it feel like having a record charting on billboard at the number 11 as one of your major accomplishments?

JD: It feels amazing. Just a blessing.

Respect: How has being a multi-platinum producer changed your life?  

JD: It changed my life on how I see things. I have become so mature. I have learned so many new things.

Respect: As you are a producer who has found your way in the industry, how would you best describe your production style?

JD: I think my production style is melodic with some hard drums. It’s very unique. When people come to me, they want that “JD on the track” style. When they hear it, they will know it is me on the beat once my tag line drops on every song. That is really important for a producer. Producers need to have their own sound and style.

Respect: What prompted your move to America from Brazil as you have recently relocated?

JD: I have only been living in the US for 3 months. Music made me move to the US to pursue my dreams and goals. Respect: What is up next for JD on the Track as the new year is underway, and what are you most excited about in 2020?

JD: I have a lot of songs with a bunch of new people. I am not going to disclose any names but it is a lot of people and you all will see when it drops. You can expect so much more hard work, many more plaques, and an album. I want to drop an album with all my producing credits. You can expect a lot from me in 2020.

Respect: What prompted your move to America from Brazil?

JD: I have only been living in the US for 3 months. Music made me move to the US to pursue my dreams and goals.

Respect: How have things been since moving to America?

JD: It was tough in the beginning but after a while, I have definitely gotten used to it.

Respect: What advice would you give a person looking to break into the industry as a producer?

JD: Just keep going hard. Keep doing what you doing. Do not listen to what anyone has to say about it. Do not lose faith. Just keep going, no matter what.”

To learn more about JD On Tha Track and his future success, be sure to follow him one social media @jdonthatrack.  

The post JD On Tha Track Talks Being A Hitmaker, Working With Lil Tjay & Transitioning To America appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: Entertainment One

It’s been a few years since The Game dropped off the highly slept-on 1992, and it looks like we’re finally approaching his final album, Born 2 Rap, which we’ve seen him teasing alongside various collaborators through his social media.

This weekend, the Compton Rap veteran delivers the new single “West Side,” which sees production from LongLivePrince, DONTMINDIFIDUKE and Wallis Lane. Nothing but dope, iron clad bars and reppin’ his hometown:

Step off the porch, rag hangin’, West Side, that’s what we bangin’
Crucifix swingin’ off my t-shirt, twistin’ my fingers
Impala Off-White, ski mask all black
Adidas tracksuit, drawstrings, chokin’ the MAC
Got a couple bullets in it, gangstas slide in the rented
Dumpin’ out the window, f*** the world and everything in it…

Check it out below, along with a recent visit to L.A. Leakers‘ show on Power 106, which he delivered a killer freestyle that lasted 10 minutes. Needless to say, very excited to hear this album when it makes landfall.

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The post The Game Drops Off New Single “West Side,” Freestyles for L.A. Leakers appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The Game might have him another chart-topper. Courtesy of L.A. Leakers, West Coasters were blessed with a premiere of Jayceon’s new single “Down To F***,” which sees assistance from fellow A-listers YG, Ty Dolla $ign and Jeremih. The laid-back cut may or may not appear on The Game’s (retirement?) album West Side Story. Check out the Bongo By The Way-produced cut below.

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The post The Game, YG, Ty Dolla $ign & Jeremih are All “Down To F***” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Check out the catchy cut — which samples Eugene Wilde’s “Gotta Get You Home Tonight” and is (probably) inspired by Foxy Brown‘s “Get Me Home” — above and pick up your copy via iTunes.

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The post The Game Taps Young Thug, Sevyn & Jeremih for “Oh I” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUD4tS1FkIu/?taken-by=losangelesconfidential&hl=en

Earlier in the week, The Game had made a post on Instagram that was full of praise for Lamar’s new album DAMN., implying that he got a lot of inspiration from listening to the album, saying that “I studied the album & im proud of this s**t my n***a !!! K-Dot, you know where we from & what it took for n***as like us to not only make it out the HUB alive but to achieve greatness on the same accord is nothing short of a blessing….. this s**t got me beyond motivated.. glad REAL RAP still exist….” He ended his post with a mention of his own upcoming release Westside story, which is reportedly going to be the rapper’s final album. With that in mind, it is perhaps not that great of a surprise that they will be working together, and not for the first time. Lamar has also appeared on other albums of The Game including The R.E.D. Album and The Documentary 2.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BToD32JFyiA/?taken-by=losangelesconfidential&hl=en

So far we do not have a release date for Westside Story, only a promise that it is “coming soon”. Fans will eagerly await to see what else The Game’s final album will have in store for them.

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The post The Game Confirms Kendrick Lamar in ‘Westside Story’ Album appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

With Celebrities such as Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, Nas, E-40, Young M.A., YFN Lucci and countless others, R-Mean is committed to exposing the submerged truth about his history. West Coast legend, The Game, joins him on the track properly titled, “Open Wounds X”. Sharing a similar ancestral past, the two artists intend to use music as the powerful voice of the people to educate the world and raise awareness about all crimes committed against humanity.

The Game, takes a stab at Donald Trump for not even mentioning the Armenian Genocide in the news, so you can clearly see this record is fresh off of the press.   Give it a spin at the top of the post and let us know your thoughts!

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The post New Music From R-Mean – “Open Wounds” (Feat. The Game) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

In the heels of Dreamchasers 4 release, Meek Mill has been all over headlines,  and it  hasn’t all been about music. A year later, the hip-hop world still talks about him and Drake’s beef and now we can add The Game and Beanie Siegel to his sh*t list. But, Meek says he is done with the drama…face-to-face that is.

Making a recent club appearance in NYC with Funk Flex, Meek entertained the crowd with an inspiring speech — mentioning his enemies along the way– saying:

I ain’t going back and forth on no Internet. I ain’t doin’ no more talkin’, none of that, n*gga. Any n*gga you hear say somethin’ about Meek Milly, tell ’em to handle me on sight.

Peep the video below.

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A post shared by djcountrythetruth 🇬🇾🇬🇾 (@djcountrythetruth)

The post Meek Mill Says He’s Officially Done With Internet Beef appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.