“I was in the hospital the day after she was born, and the show ‘I Shouldn’t Be Alive’ came on,” he says, referring to the show where survivors explain how they narrowly escaped various life-threatening situations “It felt like a message to me—like my daughter saved me.”

Later that same year, TreaZon was dealing with a lot of personal strife that came to head with so-called friends who turned on him. He explains that it felt like they tried to “kill” him in a figurative way, and it was with that and his daughter’s birth that I Shouldn’t Be Alive found its meaning. It’s one that chronicles triumph in the face of adversity through the lens of a supremely gifted lyricist and emcee, who also happens to have a stellar ear for production.

There’s a palpable sense of urgency to TreaZon’s bars on standout cuts like “Reason,” “Sleeve,” and “Alive” that goes beyond his blistering delivery. These are anthems for anyone looking to stay true to themselves as they cut toxic people out of their lives. There’s also absolute bangers thanks to the production from L. Williams Beats, Ashotz Beats, and Superstaar Beats, respectively.

But I Shouldn’t Be Alive is more than just massive beats and fired-up rhymes, and there’s a good reason for that. With this LP, TreaZon wanted to let his guard down, which is why a much more personal track like “Tonight” is one of his favorites on the record. In that vein, there’s also the moodier “Before My Eyes” and “L2N,” both of which deal with familial challenges and victories.

“One of the criticisms I got for my previous record, Troublesome, is people wanted to hear more of my personal life and they wanted me to be less surface level with topics,” he says, adding that he set out to do exactly that with I Shouldn’t Be Alive. The result is TreaZon’s best release to date, and it sounds like he’s only just getting started.

RESPECT. is pleased to premiere the album stream for I Shouldn’t Be Alive is available now through all major digital retailers and streaming platforms via Zero Love Records, .

Smart URL: https://smarturl.it/ishouldntbealive

TreaZon Online:
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/treazkenshin
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/treazkenshin
• Spotify: http://bit.ly/TreazonOnSpotify
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/treazkenshin

The post RESPECT. Premiere: TreaZon – “I Shouldn’t Be Alive (Album)” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

With his new project Versus Time dropping today, we sat down with the talented TreaZon to discuss how this one stands out, touch base on how he got here, and talk more about what’s to come. Check out the exclusive interview below, and stream his new project here.

­RESPECT: How does Versus Time standout from your previous projects?

TreaZon: Versus Time is my most accessible album and has my best songwriting to date. The themes are more concise and profound and I personally think it’s my best rapping as well. It’s Zero Love on steroids.

RESPECT: What new heights do you hope to achieve with this release?

T: I want to reach people who may not have been familiar with me and my brand, while satisfying the ones who have been riding with me all this time. I want people to understand that I’m one of the best up­ and ­comers doing this, and I won’t be ignored or counted out.

RESPECT: What’s your take on Cleveland artists like Machine Gun Kelly and Billard?

T: Nothing but respect for them. Cleveland is a city that is constantly overlooked, so anyone representing the city to that level is always good with me. I’ve never met either of them, but one thing Cleveland has is a bad habit of is trying to bring down one another when it shouldn’t be that way. Respect to them.

RESPECT: What’s the biggest difference between being a fan of hip-­hop and participant?

T: I think the biggest difference is when you’re a participant, it becomes naturally harder to be a fan of certain things because it’s your direct competition. A lot of times I have to remember that I’m a fan first, and an artist second. Being a fan is so much better; you have so much more enjoyment of the music.

RESPECT: You’re a big fan of Tinashe. What do you enjoy most about her music?

T: Tinashe is legit my favorite artist in the world right now. I think Tinashe is criminally underrated, although it won’t last long. Her music is next level to me, the fact that she wrote and recorded all of her mixtapes in her bedroom is amazing. I recorded all of ‘Versus Time’ at home so I relate to that. I’ve seen a bunch of her interviews and I respect that she doesn’t sit around and wait on anyone to make something happen for her.

RESPECT: If you made a collaboration record with Tinashe, who would you like to produce it?

T: That’s a good question. Either KEEYNOTE or my guy Oh Genius. He produced the record ‘Tinashe’ that I did and he makes beats that fit her. If you mean someone more established, I’d love to do something with her produced by Metro Boomin because their new song is fire.

RESPECT: What is the biggest misconception about being an indie artist?

T: The biggest misconception about being an indie artist that I’ve seen is that everyone is a struggle rapper. Not everyone is, there is a bunch of talent being overlooked daily. Perception is everything in this game today.

RESPECT: You have worked with Drake in the past. What was that like?

T: It was cool. I never actually met Drake, but doing those songs were cool. I was really young at the time so the songs aren’t as great as I want them to be, so I’d love to work with him in the future since we’re both levels above what we were then.

RESPECT: What are your thoughts on the ongoing Drake and Meek Mill beef?

T: The Drake and Meek beef is entertaining and it’s good to see some competition for the game. Rap definitely got way too friendly at a certain point. As long as it’s on wax and doesn’t go further, it’s fun to pick a winner and decipher the diss records.

RESPECT: As far as today’s top rap artists go, who would you say is your favorite? Whose career is one you admire most and why?

T: Drake is my favorite in the game. I just think he’s one of the best all around rappers in the world right now when you factor every category in. I was a fan since Comeback Season so to watch his progression from that mixtape into one of the biggest artists in the world is crazy.

The post TreaZon Talks New Project, Working With Drake & More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

TreaZon’s tired of people phoning it in. With “Otherwise,” TreaZon portrays a brooding figure, operating in solitude until the track explodes into a ten ton lyrical onslaught. The Mike Obrycki/KEEYNOTE produced cut is the second single from “Versus Time,” which is arriving later this year. Be sure to pre-order Treaz’s “Versus Time.“

The post New Video: TreaZon – “Otherwise” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Stealth Is Metal has been one of my favorite up and comers for a while, mainly because the passion he expresses in all of his music is something that’s become hard to find these days. True artistry is rare, but the passion is evident in Stealth‘s voice on his latest self-produced single, “HappiNess,” as he lets off rapid-fire bars touching on the difficulties he goes through in his journey in this life and the struggles that comes with following your heart and finding your happiness. Cleveland upstart TreaZon adds his two cents on the track as well. Check it out, and get ready for Stealth’s new project “If I Don’t Believe Then Who Will?” coming soon, as well as TreaZon’s new “Versus Time” album.

The post New Music: Stealth Is Metal – “HappiNess” ft. Treazon appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.