Photo from @toddzackjr

Ohio crooner Todd Zack Jr. has long been a favorite here at the magazine. After becoming a mainstay on the withalldueRESPECT. series, Todd followed up with last years’ brilliant EP, Evoking Emotions, a highly introspective, yet soothingly enjoyable project.

Gearing up for his next project, Todd returns with a fresh new remix to YBN Nahmir’s “Bounce Out Wit That” as part of his new #FlayFridays series. Usually, I’m not one for melodic remixes of popular rap songs, but per usual, Todd defies the norm.

Check out the track below and be sure to keep up with #FlayFridays.

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Elyria, Ohio. When it comes to naming notable cities in the state of Ohio – or anywhere for that matter – how often would you include the 14^th largest city in The Buckeye State? My guess is probably never—but that might be changing soon. After appearing on the RESPECT. Magazine pages numerous times for slaying hook after hook on guest features, Ohio to Las Vegas transplant Todd Zack Jr. officially jumps in the game with his new EP, Evoking Emotions, a sultry 6-track project that showcases Todd’s vast improvement as a songwriter and melodic presence.

Kicking off the project with the climatic intro, “Waiting,” Zack wastes no time letting you know his intentions with this project—and that’s too literally draw out every emotion that you have. From happiness, to sadness, all the way to hunger on the stand-out lead single, “Euphoria,” in which Zack enlists his woman to join him on a road trip filled with haze, junk food and lust. With the previously mentioned tracks being a bit more melodic, Zack demonstrates the strides he made as a pure vocalist with the track, “Inhibitions,” which see’s Todd examining a broken woman that he dreams of parlaying into a strong presence in his life.

It’s the second track, though, that’s the one I believe stands apart from the rest. On, “Come Here,” Todd complete reaches into his bag and refuses to let up. Set to the tone of what sounds like a stripped down afro-beat with a Gotham City influence, “Come Here,” is Todd at his absolute best. Relaying a tale of an everyday woman who’s contemplating the pros and cons of a girl’s night out, Zack perfectly captures the essence of man trying to get his woman to do the exact opposite—all while still keeping his focus on the benefit of the woman, true player shit. “I think you should put your phone down, airplane mode get in your zone now. Playlist, straight hits, that’s it,” croons the Ohio native on the opening verse of the track, and if you can’t think of three women in your head that this song describes…. You’re not living your best life, trust me.

Overall, Evoking Emotions is Todd Zack Jr. moving a step forward and putting the industry on notice. With a short, but very sweet 6-tracks, ‘Evoking Emotions’ should serve as a teaser for what Zack has in store for 2018. Check out the stream of the project below, as well as the video for, “Euphoria” above.

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RESPECT. Premiere: Todd Zack Jr. & Mike Garrett – “lostinyou.”

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Photo by Milton Amaya

Look, personally I’ve never seen the movie Vanilla Sky before. I’ve heard many things about it, both good and bad. To be completely honest, the closest tie I have to that movie is Kanye’s, “I felt like Tom Cruise on Vanilla Sky” shout-out on, “Through The Wire” and to be quite frank, I don’t rock with Tom Cruise. Something about 5’4, shaggy haired dudes defying the odds and doing bonkers shit doesn’t sit very well with me. So when Michigan City, Indiana native, and RESPECT. Favorite, Richie Bux announced his debut full length would be titled after the movie, I did some head scratching. Though the tape sounds nothing like what I imagine the movie to be — this is a good thing — Vanilla Sky provided a great look into the progression of one of Rap’s most exciting young guns.

Spread out among 13-tracks, Vanilla Sky (The Album) is a deep look into the ever-evolving mind of Richie Bux. One common criticism of the Indiana product was that he was on 10 24/7. Meaning that his aggression in his music could be seen as a turn off to the female demographic. Never the one to leave the ladies hanging, Bux improves on his Bedroom Music ability in real-time throughout the project. Songs like the buzzing single, “Closer” see him scratch the surface, albeit maybe a bit too obviously. The blatant Kush & Orange Juice theme speaks to the hungry passion Bux has to get better and he quickly realizes it on the standout tracks, “Love Letters” a BOOMIN’ jam about the limitations of your phone and “Addicted,” the Kiari The Stone and Todd Zack Jr. assisted joint that will most likely receive a bulk of the post roll-out love.

Photo by @thefuckerybruh

Though the tape has undisguised aspirations of connecting with women, the best love song probably won’t be received as such. On, “Runaway,” the Las Vegas transplant writes his chapter in the infinitely growing Bonnie & Clyde series; crafting clever tales about his girl being a ride or die to the fullest extent. Highlighting his creativity, Bux also demonstrates his ambitious wordplay on the Allen Iverson tribute, “Bubbachuck” as well as the dope-boy-anthem, “Get The Cake.” In short, Richie Bux demonstrates a potential on Vanilla Sky that is rarely seen among rappers in only their second year on the job. Personally, after this album, combined with the monster that was Early Infamy, which dropped during the 1st quarter of 2017; I believe that Richie Bux has had one of the best years out of any west coast underground artist, period.

Listen to the Audiomack stream of the album below and be sure to download it from MyMixtapez, which premiered it yesterday morning.

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Las Vegas has been on the come up lately. The city was rejuvenated by grasping its first professional sports franchise by acquiring an NHL squad, summer temperatures haven’t been as bad as usual — usual is 115 degrees — and the music scene has been thriving. Backed by the constant shoutouts from Vegas native Dizzy Wright and local entertainment company, JamNation bringing in fans; the scene has birthed new regional favorites in Asaiah Ziv, Kiari The Stone, and Wave MMLZ. Bonafide lyricist Richie Bux looks to join that realm with his new track, “Can’t Stop Me“.

From the absolute get go on this soulful Cmplx produced track, Bux separates himself from the pack of today’s rappers. Utilizing a chipmunk soul sample that would make Kanye blush, the Las Vegas native commands this track with introspective bars such as, “That’s ambition/ branding up black business/ and me I’m building foundation/ ni**a, I’m paper chasing.” What gives the track even more flavor is the appearance of RESPECT. favorite, Todd Zack Jr. and his sincere, fervent melodies on the hook.

“I wanted to showcase my drive and will on a track,” said Bux in an email to RESPECT., “I genuinely feel like I have too much heart and drive to ever be stopped.” Bux also stated that this may or may not make the cut on the upcoming project. “I haven’t decided yet. Over the past year I’ve recorded hundreds of songs, and right now I’m just throwing around concepts.”

Check out, “Can’t Stop Me” below and be sure to keep an eye on the sin city native.

The post RESPECT. Premiere: Richie Bux – “Can’t Stop Me (Feat. Todd Zack Jr.)” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

(From left to right) Mike Garrett & Todd Zack Jr.

From the beginning of time, it’s been a well known fact that most singers do not write their own lyrics — and apparently some rappers. All Drake jokes aside, it’s always a gem to catch a songwriter who has the vocal chops to pull of their lyrical pictures. Enter Elyria, Ohio native Todd Zack Jr. After releasing this years masterful betterwithtime., the U.S. Air Force member is back with the new infectious track,  “lostinyou.” which features photographer Mike Garrett in his musical debut showing off some very impressive vocal range.

Produced by DrewsThatDude and Gravez, “lostinyou.” is a track that delves into the emotions of a man that is deeply in love, or feeling very lustful. With Zack and Garrett trading off soulful falsettos over the wavy production, “lostinyou.” is the perfect way to set off the evening with your woman. Check out the track below and be sure to keep up with Zack and Garrett, as Garrett hinted that more music could be coming soon.

A new project could be coming with @toddzackjr and myself.

— M I K E G (@Ay_Yo_MikeG) July 13, 2016

 

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I, Young ‘Vito, voice of the young people/ Mouthpiece for hustlers I’m back motherf**kers

–Jay-Z

We’re baaaaaaaack! Although a Jigga track these days could never be slept on, what way to better start the segment than by quoting the goat? Don’t worry I’ll wait… Okay exactly. This week we’re back with With All Due RESPECT.: 5 Songs You’ve Been Sleeping On and this one might be the best yet. Featuring rising artists from all over the country like Alex Wiley and Trade Voorhees, this weeks segment focuses on diversity. Check out the 5 tracks below and let us know what you think in the comment section!

Alex Wiley – “Untitled 3”

Coming in off his recently released project, Tangerine Dreams, Chicago native Alex Wiley delivers straight heat with the track, “Untitled 3“. Going in over a 3 minute track produced by The Burnin Giraph, Wiley delivers mind numbing bars like, “Matter fact let me lead you/ Matter fact I don’t need to/ I would only mislead you” that make you ponder over those maybe not so smart decisions you might of made over the weekend (we’re talking to you JR Smith). Okay just joking, I just wanted a reason to include that fantastic video. Check out the track and be sure to give a listen to Wiley’s Tangerine Dreams.

Todd Zack Jr. – “nextlevel.”

Throughout the past year I’ve heard rumblings and rumors of a rising new singer from the Midwest named Todd Zack Jr. The chitter chatter did not disappoint. The 25-year-old Ohio native combines his strong songwriting prowess with melodic falsettos. No where is this more apparent than on “nextlevel.” which is a sensual ode to the ladies off of his recently released project betterwithtime. With an infectious beat produced by Ke Yano$ and a hook that will surely get the ladies feeling warm, “nextlevel.” is the perfect soundtrack to a night in with that special someone…. or that special someone for the night. With less than 3 thousands plays under it’s belt, be sure to hop on the bandwagon now before the seats are occupied. Check out the track below and stream the project betterwithtime. here.

RaH – “Favor”

Keeping it in the R&B lane, the next track comes from Detroit singer RaH who absolutely kills it with the single, “Favor“. Combining his soft voice and raw — pun intended — vocals with his ability to command the track with simple adlibs like, “Bout to kill it right now”, RaH delivers a summer banger for the ladies. RaH also pays homage to R&B legend R. Kelly with the “Your body’s calling me” references throughout the hook. RaH definitely has next. Check out the track below.

Malik Burgers – “Thunder”

Known for his trap flow and his highly energetic verses with his 1207 crew, San Diego rep Malik Burgers slows it down a bit for the self reflective “Thunder“. The track features Burgers spitting perspective bars such as “Off that acid when I ask him why my dreams are getting closer/told me don’t run from the heat/ when the world is getting colder, it’s just a part of getting older” over a perfectly placed Erykah Badu sample. The mellowed out track is definitely a different route for the young artist, but one that shows promise and with his 1207 brother Rob $tone getting the RCA Records nod recently, the sky is the limit for Burgers. Check out the track below.

Trade Voorhees – “Back”

The pure definition of being “slept on”, Las Vegas native Trade Voorhees has been releasing nothing but heat for years at this point. “Back” is no different, a single of his upcoming EP, PS. 1995. A reflective track about his journey from snotty tott to Vegas’ favorite son, Voorhees showcases his lyrical chops with bars such as, “What’s his naaaame?/ Call me confucious/ that bullsh** you sayin it confuses.” Anybody with love for their hometown and family will be able to relate to this banger from Voorhees. Be sure to check out the track below, and be on the look out for PS. 1995, which is slated to be released this fall.

There you have it! Let us know how we did, did we get it right? Are we still sleeping on your favorite local artist? Let us know in the comment section below!

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