Ray Medixi

For many people in the Empire State, the name Ray Medixi may be familiar. For others, it would be believable if it wasn’t. Over the last few years,  Medixi has stayed under the radar. We’ve heard him on songs with a multitude of R&B vocalists, sell out venues like the legendary SOB’s and open up shows for billboard charting artists like Serani. We’ve also heard him cover songs from The Weeknd and Ed Sheeran but we haven’t gotten much from him alone.

Who is Ray Medixi besides one of New York City’s own? He is one of the brightest up-and-coming artists in New York and you’ll see him sooner than later. A little over a week ago, Ray Medixi released an dark pop song called “Sunfall” which seems to ride off of the success of his trap-fused R&B single “Heaven Sent” which was released last October following the collaborative work he did with multi-platinum producers Chef Pasquale and Dez Wright most notably known for their work with Drake and Partynextdoor on the More Life and Dark Lane Demo projects. “Sunfall” was produced by the London producer Certified Beats. Check out the new track and let us know what you think.

Checkout Ray Medixi latest single “Sunfall” below by pressing play on the soundcloud link.

The post Ray Medixi Emerges From the Shadows Of The NY Music Scene appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The Sean Ross produced track definitely shows James Kaye has been inspired by the music of Saint Jhn and The Weekend but in a unique way of creating an all-new style of his own.

The LA-based crooner’s style can only be defined as an eccentric blends R&B, Hip-Hop, Pop, and good vibes. After his industry debut single, “Coconut”, received more than one million streams,  it’s clear that Kaye has hit a unique vein with his new sound. After being featured on MTV for his song and music video for “Silver and Gold” with DJ Pauly D, James Kaye is finally out in front creating his own wave as an exciting new artist to watch.

To stay up to date with James Kaye’s music, you can follow him here.

Check out the video for “Hoodie” below.

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The post RESPECT. New Music: James Kaye Is Back, Drops New Visual for “Hoodie” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Over the last 40+ years, Saturday Night Live has had some amazing talent to grace it’s stage and some very well loved co-host too, and actress Margot Robbie is no exception.

On Friday (September 23), SNL has announced that Robbie will host their 42nd season premiere set to debut live on October 1st. Robbie, who has had an amazing year after starring in two major films ‘Suicide Squad’ and ‘Tarzan’, is most well known as the the actress who played Leonardo DiCaprio‘s wife in the major motion film, ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’. Robbie who’s also played in the movie ‘The Big Short’, is no stranger to the big screen – but what about Prime time television? Robbie’s roles on the big screen roles have all been very dramatic, to say the least, so it’ll be very nice to see her let her hair down on the comedy circuit.

According to the NY Daily News, the 26-year-old Australian actress was one of the most frequently requested hosts when ‘SNL’ openly questioned the public for suggestions. After tallying results, SNL took to Twitter to announce that they have given fans their long time wish.

SNL is back next weeknd! pic.twitter.com/YotxBPUFF3

— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) September 22, 2016

SNL, who recently lost cast members Taran Killam and Jay Pharoah, are coming into the new premiere season with a big bang! This season, the show has announced the addition of three new players joining the cast Alex Moffat, Melissa Villasenor and Mikey Day; in addition to two new head writers.  With the show making major changes  and with Robbie as the opener and musical guest The Weeknd, who just dropped his first single ‘Starboy’ on Tuesday as the musical guest; these strategic moves are proving that SNL is definitely headed for a really good season. Hopefully, SNL will have continued success for many more years to come.

You can catch Robbie and The Weeknd on SNL October 1st on NBC.

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Roy Wood$ has been sort of an enigma to me the past year. I enjoyed a couple of tracks off of his Exis EP. More specifically I enjoyed Roy’s single “Drama” that featured his mentor Drake. That track easily showcased the reason why he has been pegged to open for Drizzy and Future during the upcoming “Summer Sixteen” tour.

In preparation for the road, Wood$ releases his debut album, Waking at Dawn . This album would be the first time most people will even hear one of Roy’s songs. So this debut had to make a statement while continuing to develop as an artist.

For the most part, Roy Wood$ delivers with this record. With only ten tracks on the album its self, there was a very small margin of error for the Toronto native. Roy opens the LP with “Sonicboom.”

This track only contains one verse but it really opens up on the themes of the album. Wood$ explains the state of mind he has been in lately:

“I could pop another pill tonight/Even though I don’t really want one/The Xanax got me on a flight/I don’t need much
I just want to get a buzz from the blunt/Sipping beverage here on my own/I just want to wyle with you”

These lines set the tone for the record, in my opinion, dealing with issues of love and drug use.

Next, on the tracklist is “You Love It.” This song is one of the highlights of the whole album. Yes, Wood$ is channeling the same flow from “Drama,” however, it shows just how much more refined his sound has gotten. Roy even references that track in “You Love it.” This record really gives the album some momentum going into the other tracks on the album. Which are the two singles “Gwan Big Up Urself” and “How I Feel.”

Both of these songs are full of Roy Wood$ island roots. From the bouncing beats to the accent that he pushes on  both of these songs you can easily see how Drake got influenced to make the highly acclaimed tracks “Controlla” and “One Dance” of his recent chart-topping project Views.

After these two high energy tracks, Roy switches it up with a slow jam called “Down Girl” that houses one of my favorite hooks of the year.

“All that I see in the jawn/Is the girl that every other ni**a wants/Clique turnt up, all burnt up/After this girl, I’mma take you where they won’t”

Wood$ really steps up his songwriting game on this track as well as the following one “Switch,” which really marks a change in the sound on the album as a whole.

From track seven on, the album goes in a new direction. On songs “Got Me” “Why,” “Menace” and “She knows Me,” It really feels like Roy turns into an impersonation of The Weekend.

Not saying that I don’t like any of the remaining songs on the album. Personally, I think “Menace” is brilliant. However, it is a sound that has been done before especially at such high level with Abel’s latest release of Beauty Behind The Madness.

This is a problem because the majority album just feels so original. I understand the need to explore different sounds but when it isn’t broke yet don’t fix it.

All in All, Roy Wood$ debut Waking At Dawn is extremely solid and should be in your rotation this summer and beyond. It isn’t perfect but so far it is my favorite release of the OVO Sound label, next to the DVSN album that dropped in March.

You can stream Waking At Dawn, on Apple Music, here.

For more coverage on Roy Wood$ and all of the OVO crew, keep it locked on RESPECT.

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NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Anna Wintour attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

The annual Met Gala is known to be a night of fashion and last night did not disappoint.  The big event is always star-studded and a night to remember.  From Rihanna‘s 2015 canary-yellow Guo Pei couture gown, that trended for days to Beyonce leaving everyone breathless with her 2015 all sheer Givenchy Haute couture by Riccardo Tisci that slayed for days.  This past Monday, May 2nd was no different; there was some of best to some of not so best fashion that hit the red carpet.  The fellas were out, the couples were out, and the ladies were definitely ready to get the night turned up with the year’s theme “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology.  Check out some of the electrifying moments of the night:

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Beyonce attends “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Kylie Jenner attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Amy Schumer attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Taylor Swift attends “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02:  Zoe Kravitz attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Zoe Saldana attends “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Lupita Nyong’o attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Wiz Khalifa attends “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City.

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Recording artist Rita Ora attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Idris Elba attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Kerry Washington attends “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Demi Lovato attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Actor Colin Farrell attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Ciara attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Zendaya attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Kris Jenner attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Adriana Lima attends “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Willow Smith attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic)

Aside from the fellas looking dapper and the ladies killing the carpet, the couples were in the building rocking the best:

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Kim Kardashian West (L) and Kanye West attend the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: The Weeknd (L) and Bella Hadid attend the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Gigi Hadid (L) and Zayn Malik attend the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Carmelo Anthony (L) and La La Anthony attend the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic)

Last, but not least some of the not so best fashion of the night:

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Solange Knowles attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Ashley Olsen (L) and Mary-Kate Olsen attend the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Lady Gaga attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Madonna attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Katy Perry attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)

Overall, the 2016 Met Gala was another successful year of fashion that will be talked about years to come!

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And the show must go on…

Rihanna’s ANTI world tour seems to finds itself with another dilemma. The tour, which had to re-schedule its first eight dates due to production problems, and later getting postponed before beginning, has not lost its opening act for its European leg.  It was announced yesterday that The Weeknd has decided not to join Rihanna on the road.  Live Nation sent out the following statement Wednesday morning (March 23):

“Due to some unforeseen changes with upcoming projects, The Weeknd will no longer be joining Rihanna on her upcoming international Anti World Tour.”

The Weeknd was scheduled to join RiRi overseas in Amsterdam on June 17th, for the kick-off of the European leg.  A source to The Weeknd’s camp told Billboard that “Abel [The Weeknd] has hit a stride on his new album and decided not to interrupt the process.” I guess it’s safe to say he took his bow before even getting stated.

As of now Rihanna’s camp haven’t released any information on who will be his replacement or if Big Sean will remain as the only opening act. Travis Scott is currently opening for the U.S. leg of the tour.

Rihanna better get to work, work, work, work, work..

The post The Weeknd Drops Off Rihanna’s ‘ANTI’ World Tour appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Ed Sheeran was on hand to co-host the show, and he spoke a little bit about Canada’s significance to his career. “Canada was one of the first places outside the UK to accept me,” he told the press backstage at the show. Fittingly, Sheeran nabbed two awards that night, Most Buzzworthy International Artist and Best International Artist for his ballad “Thinking Out Loud”.

The MMVA Red Carpet pre-show has also become an essential part of the night. Artists compete to have the most over the top entrances. This year pop-punk band Marianas Trench walked the carpet in jet skis and colourful underwear, meanwhile Jamican singer Omi had a group of cheerleaders in tow.

MUCH also peppered its awards show broadcast with original content from comedian Jus Reign, who is one of the network’s digital content creators. The limelight on artists who’ve proven themselves over the Internet is a testament to how far media has come. MUCH is definitely owed some credit for adapting to that shifting paradigm, and giving Canadian content creators a voice.

Josh Ramsay Matt Webb, Mike Ayley, and Ian Casselman from Marianas Trench

R&B crooner The Weekend, who grew up in a suburb not to far from the award show’s venue, was one the most acclaimed artists of the night. He took home four awards including Most Buzzworthy Canadian and Best Pop Video . As an artist who pretty much always skips interviews and press appearances- as he did at the MMVA’s- it’s remarkable he’s been able to generate so much enthusiasm for his career.

The Weekend accepting his award from Ed Sheeran and model Gigi Hadid

Toronto hip-hop made a strong showing at the awards as well. Rapper P.Reign picked up an award for Best Hip-Hop Video for “DnF”. Drake, who was a guest feature on the original track, made an appearance to present the award. “I never really expected to win awards,”  said Reign, discussing his career in the pressroom. Drake’s fingerprints were on more than just Reign’s award, his past collaborators and OVO label signees Majid Jordan got acclaim for their video for “Forever”, which won Best MUCH Fact Video. That particular nod is reserved for artists supported by a MUCH grant to produce their video.

Drake and P.Reign share a moment at the 2015 MMVA’s

“Who the fuck doesn’t love Canada?” said Nate Ruess , front man from the band fun.,while speaking to the press backstage. Ruess’ sentiments definitely speak to the overwhelming love that the artists showed to Canada and Toronto on Sunday. “We’re definitely at the forefront now with some of the biggest talent,” said Reign, speaking on Canada as a destination for music, and Toronto as a hip-hop city.

The MMVA’s were no doubt another chance for the city to establish its relevance as a hub for culture, original content and great talent. The stacked roster of presenters, performers and artists on Sunday speaks volumes on what to expect from the great white north.

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