Rocksmith

If you’re anyone that’s anyone, you’ve heard about the raft of OG Maco. Without question, he is a leader, who is recognized as one of the best representations of the new era of urban contemporary music today. His avant-garde image and unswerving message, both transcend the often inelastic realms of our beloved Hip-Hop and R&B. In fact, pigeon-holing any rapper who has a formidable foundation in Rock music and / or any other genres, would be a crippling disservice. The Motown-signee, who is the first rapper to join the label, has worked diligently to create the attractive, larger-than-life OGG brand, in what seems to be such a short time.

Best known for his record, “U Guessed It” and now for being featured on the infamous Freshmen magazine cover, this young and creative entrepreneur recently teamed up with Rocksmith, a well-known streetwear brand from New York City, to bring “OGG Everlasting” the mixtape to the world. Since, he’s signed Doja Cat to his imprint and before that, he released a fabulous 4-track EP (“Tax Free”) with Bob Dylan’s grandson, Pablo Dylan. When it comes to releasing new music with playback value, you can’t beat him to the finish line.

Now, read the five reasons why I think you should listen to “OGG Everlasting” over and over, like me.

5. It features new rappers

Before hearing this mixtape, I didn’t know who any of the artists were. Larry June, Theo Ferragamo, OG Heisman & Hombre, Kushy Stash, Jose Guapo and Losa were just names. Not to say they wouldn’t have “made it” on their own terms, however, packaging and presentation is everything in this business.

4. It features new producers

Personally, I like music that makes me want to “activate” the other members of my body. If I don’t want to dance to, think about or tell someone else about the way a certain song sounds, in my mind, the producer and the rapper were not on one accord. I think the sound of the mixtape is cohesive and every composer shined bright and did their best to showcase their skills. Listed are the outstanding talents below:

Savage Beats
Hugo Black
Phresh Produce
OG Parker
Blackkey Cartel
Brandon Thomas
Roselilah
Tommy Stoner
Soldado
Cash Flow
ProtegeBeatz
Deedotwill

3. I have favourites

“Fortune” – It’s such a thuggy record, and that’s a good thing. It reminds me of something I’ve heard before.

“I Feel Like The Plug” – Selfish reasons aside, you can dance to this song all night.

“Mind Right” – It’s about women, who are beautiful (with a “swole” ass) with brains (mind right).

2. The music is well-produced, evokes nostalgia and emotion

A perfect example of what I’m describing: The irst song samples “You Are Number One” by The Whispers, which reminds me of my favourite Monica record, “So Gone”. It takes me back to the year I graduated from high school, and I was dating a Taurus weirdo.

1. OG Maco

I think this body of music is one of the many reasons why he’s a good leader. Let’s standby, support him and watch his work blossom.

The post 5 Reasons Why You Should Listen To “OGG Everlasting”, Presented By Rocksmith appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

OGG also known as Originality Gain Greatness was been making noise ever since OG Maco’s “You Guessed It” became a sensation. Since then, we have seen OGG come with more & more talent. Theo Ferragamo comes out of the camp with his own style. Theo provides us with high-energy, trap-influenced records but also adds his own clever wordplay.

Give me the story on how you got down with OGG.

I’ve been rapping for a minute. I got like 5 tapes out. I had my own thing called 3rd Eye Vision but I’ve always known Mac. When I was making music with 3rd Eye Vision I knew Mac. When 3rd Eye Vision broke up Mac approached me about him starting some shit & he wanted me to be a part of it. It all just came together the more we kept making music. We were in competition & now we’re still in competition but just as better friends.

Tell me about the moment you decided to be rapper.

I was 14. I went to my friend’s & he had Garage Band on his auntie’s computer. We started playing around & I started writing some shit & I was like I can really do this. Then me, Tommy Swisher, NicX, &  KasFlow starting posting videos of us recording in the closet on Facebook & I decided to make a mixtape.

What’s your biggest goal for 2015?

My biggest goal is I want to do a show in Japan. Sometime before December 31st.

Why Japan?

I’m a big fan of Anime.

Tell me how you would describe your sound.

I would describe my sound as soulful & unique. You would have to really listen to understand it. It’s something you can’t catch the first time listening to it. You would have to listen to it more than once.

Tell me about the message you hope to give out with your music.

I just want everybody to feel comfortable doing what they want to do. There’s a lot of people that rap that are good at it & some that aren’t as good as it, but they have fans because of how they do it. If you feel like you’re good at something then I want you to be comfortable doing it. I’m black, I have dreads, & I skateboard but I’m fye at it so I do it anyways. Surprise somebody doing something they think you can’t do.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned since doing music?

Listen to your own opinion.

Tell me about your creative process when you’re in the studio.

I like a positive vibe. You gotta have the drugs but that’s for everybody. I like to have women around me. I like to hear the beat loud as fuck  & I like the studio completely dark & I just love writing in my phone. I hate writing on paper.

Do you have a preference when it comes to recording & performing?

I love both. I can’t even lie. I think I might like performing more. Performing just makes you feel like a fucking rockstar. My dreads be swinging & shit; the girls be throwing their hands up & shit. It’s life.

Tell me about your upcoming releases.

I’m not going to give an exact date but I have a project coming called Salvatore. The OGG tape is on the way.

Take a listen to Theo Ferragamo’s exclusive new track “Fortune” here:

The post Interview: A Conversation w/ OGG’s Theo Ferragamo appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

by Phoenix Vazquez

HOA Bossman has been making waves as of late, especially with the release of his introspective L.I.F.E. project, which details life growing up in Brooklyn with gritty imagery and finesse that will make you think you’re back in ’93 again. His unique style, coupled with an effortless flow is reminiscent of East Coast hood classics, such as Juice, New Jersey Drive and Above the Rim. With a Bobby Shmurda co-sign and features on major media outlets, HOA Bossman is well on his way to carving out his own lane.

After a crazy week with the release of his “Trust,” featuring Theo Ferragamo, HOA Bossman gave us a few minutes of his time to discuss the impact growing up in Bed Stuy,Brooklyn had on his childhood, social media and that special when he fell in love with hip-hop. Check it out below.

RESPECT: What’s the story behind your stage name, HOA Bossman?

HOA Bossman: Well, the HOA part comes from a media website called House of Aura I started with a few of my close friends. Bossman comes mainly from my mom because I was a stubborn child and that was her nickname for me, but it also comes from the moves I’ve made in the streets and in my life, and the way I carry myself and make decisions.

RESPECT: Your music has a surprisingly nostalgic sound, who were your major influences while growing up?

HOA Bossman: Well, being lucky enough to be born in Brooklyn in 1991 & living in Bed Stuy has been a huge influence, so it goes without saying that my favorite rapper is Biggie. I am also blessed to be in love with sounds; I’ve always had an open ear to music. I try to hear everything I can, going from Toro Y Moi to Wu Tang to ‘N Sync in 5 minutes. I’m always wanting to hear more, which helps as well.

RESPECT: When did you know you wanted to pursue a career as a hip-hop artist?

HOA Bossman: I’ve always wanted to make music, since I was a kid. When I was around 10 years old, I would remix lyrics to songs on the radio and throw my own words into it, or blend songs together. I took music more seriously when my grandmother passed away in front of me a few years back, so I was able to express how I felt about all of my life situations at that moment. Since she was one of my closest friends, I decided to just write about it all, and that’s how I ended up writing my first song, “Long Days, Longer Nights”

RESPECT: How did you come up with the concept for your deeply personal, latest project, L.I.F.E.?

HOA Bossman: It sounds really cliche but life is why I made L.I.F.E. I didn’t want to go crazy by bottling up emotions, and plus I really just rap about my life 24/7. I don’t believe in speaking about experiences that I never had. I don’t fear expressing myself or sharing my life because we’re all human and I know that I’m not the only person who deals with these problems. I think people need to put down their phones and hold more real-life, genuine conversations, because we all have more in common then we’d ever know.

RESPECT: What was it like growing up in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn and how did is shape your outlook on life?

HOA Bossman: Seeing the sh*t I saw in Bed Stuy and all over Brooklyn helped me grow up fast, and made me a man before my time. It was bittersweet because it prepared me for life but kinda robbed me from my childhood.

RESPECT: You’ve been buzzing as of late, with features in The Source, MTV and Vice. Has social media played a big part in building your fan base or do you take the more grassroots approach?

HOA Bossman: The internet is everything nowadays. You can’t really name any new artists who blew up without it. However I look at every performance and interaction with people in real life as opportunities to gain new fans and supporters.

RESPECT: Describe that exact moment when you fell in love with hip-hop.

HOA Bossman: It’s hard to say. It might have been when I first heard “Suicidal Thoughts” by Biggie in like 1994 or 1995. That sh*t was crazy. I never knew you could express or talk about such deep emotion in songs like that. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to die because no one really dies, but I feel that a lot of people have had the thought that if they weren’t here, maybe it wouldn’t be as bad. I guess this was why I wrote “My Escape.”

RESPECT: What do you define as success?

HOA Bossman: I view success as being able to make music, tour the world, and live off of music while providing for my family and friends, and also helping the world. I want to help everyone, from children to students to the elderly & everyone in between: better housing complexes, schools, policing, everything that needs improvement worldwide. I want to be a part of fixing everything if it’s possible.

The post Exclusive: HOA Bossman Talks Brooklyn, Success and Social Media appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Brooklyn rapper, HOA Bossman lets it be known that he lends his trust out to very few with the Theo Ferragamo assisted “Trust.” The WordNerd produced track, with it’s Curren$y/ Blaxploitation
soundtrack vibe calls out fakes, liars, opportunists and other negative influences that make it hard to trust anybody. Give it a listen below, and stay tuned for HOA Bossman’s next project dropping this summer.

The post New Music: HOA Bossman-“Trust” ft. Theo Ferragamo appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.