By: Thomas Howard

Texas rapper Thomas Howard, has officially released his new single “The Backstory Pt. 1”. Since gaining the industry’s attention in 2015, after being discovered by Bizarre from D12, Howard has only taken his career to new heights. This single dives into a deeper layer of this emcee’s honest tongue, and raw lyricism.

On this song, you will hear the Texas native rapping about his trials and tribulations, as he pushes through pain in order to garner success. As this single is geared to appear on his upcoming EP The M.I.M.O.E, it sets the tone for what we can expect from Howard all year. His storytelling abilities are out of this world, and thrive like never before on his latest material. The most notable element of this release is the consistent, heavy hitting bars that go on from the beginning to the end of the record.

Being heavily influenced by a long list of greats, such as Big Pun, Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Bizarre of D12 and Eminem Howard is figuring out ways to joins the ranks of some of the greats.

With a thriving sound, stead fast fan base, and musical bliss, he is ready to take over the mainstream circuit. Press play below to stream “The Backstory Pt. 1” and tap in with some new vibes.

The post Texas Rapper Thomas Howard Releases An Honest New Single Titled “The Backstory Pt. 1“ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

By: Lil Richye

Rapper and author Lil Richye has returned with the visual for his hit single “I Want The Bag“.  At just age 15-years-old, the Charlotte, NC native is already a performance veteran with over a decade of experience under his belt, having been an entertainer since the age of 3. As an artist, songwriter, entertainer, author, influencer and fashion trendsetter, he has taking his level of creativity to new heights.

Produced by mega hit producer Zaytoven, this release is his biggest and best to date. Being heavily rooted in church and singing in the choir, he and the hit maker connect on many levels outside of rap music. In January of 2019, Lil Richye starred in Lifetime’s The Rap Game hosted by Jermaine Dupri, who dubbed his little brother’s PB3 collective as “the next Kris Kross” when they met. This experience led to him working with Zatytoven, and the rest is history.

On this video you will see the North Carolina native hard at work. One moment he is cutting hair in the barbershop, and the next he is washing the tires on a Mercedes Benz. As he goes hard in the booth to prove his worth and determination to make it big, he links up with Zaytoven and they prepare to take the music world by storm.With authentic storytelling and raw swagger, he draws musical influence from Tupac, Slick Rick and KRS ONE, J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar. Lil Richye is on his way to becoming the hottest millennial rapper in the game.

Be sure to press play below to stream his newest visual “I Want The Bag” produces by Zaytoven.

The post Lil Richye & Zaytoven Link Up For The “I Want The Bag” Video appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

If you can remember how he gets around in the summertime to the most inspirational songs of “Brenda’s Got A Baby.” He has made music for everyone who can’t say how they truly feel. We miss the “California Love” rapper of how he is relentless to America. As a tribute to the rapper’s birthday, we have listed top five visuals.

“Brenda’s Got A Baby”

“Keep Ya Head Up”

“Get Around”

“2 of AmeriKaz Most Wanted”

“California Love”

Suggested Articles:

RECAP: Governor’s Ball Music Festival 2019

Nav Shares “Tap” Visual Feat. Meek Mill

The post Happy Birthday To The Late Great Tupac Shakur appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

ATLiens Outkast was literally in the house as celebrities and actors alike showed up for the screening of USA Network’s Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G..

On February 20th as Big Boi hosted a private advanced screening in Atlanta, held at the mansion of retired NBA baller Theo Ratliff, other attendees at the intimate showing included singer/actor Luke James, Porsha Williams of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Upfront Entertainment’s Devyne Stephens, singer Alexis Branch and Praise 102.5 Radio personality K.D. Bowe.

Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. premieres on the USA Network features veteran actor Bokeem Woodbine while newcomers Marcc Rose and Wavyy Jonez make their intros portraying Tupac and Biggie.

UNSOLVED — “Pilot” — Pictured: (l-r) — (Photo by: James Minchin III/USA Network)

Fresh off of playing Johnny Gill last year in The New Edition Story, Luke James also stars in the series as Sean “Diddy” Combs. The 10-episode scripted true-crime limited series chronicles the dual investigations of Detective Greg Kading (Josh Duhamel) and Detective Russell Poole (Jimmi Simpson) and revisits the controversial murders of the Hip-Hop icons.

As for what to expect, here’s an excerpt from NY Times‘ review:

“So the most conspicuous aspect of “Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G.,” a lightly fictionalized 10-part limited series on USA that has its premiere on Tuesday, is its certainty. Here is a show that offers answers, a ticktock of the various investigations into the killings that have resulted in no arrests but not, if “Unsolved” is to be believed, in no answers. The series is inspired by “Murder Rap: The Untold Story of the Biggie Smalls & Tupac Shakur Murder Investigations,” a book by Greg Kading, who led a task force investigating the shootings in the late 2000s. (There is an accompanying documentary as well.) In that book, Mr. Kading lays out his theories about who pulled the triggers, and why.”

Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. airs Tuesday at 10 p.m. EST on the USA Network.

Check out some of the photos and video of the Atlanta premiere below (All photos below by Marcus Ingram/USA Network).

A post shared by Big Boi (@therealbigboi) on Feb 20, 2018 at 5:43pm PST

Words by Michael Harris

Suggested Articles:

NEW VIDEO: Sean Scott Pays Tribute to a Cash Money Legend for “Bizerk”

Brooklyn’s MoH Preme Brings Positive Vibes with “NRG”

RESPECT. Premiere: Vonte Delivers New Mixtape, ‘N.I.G.G.A.’

The post Outkast Spotted at the Atlanta Screening of ‘Unsolved’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Truth Ali. Photo Credit: Twitter

Truth Ali is on the rise to the top and nothing is holding him back. The Bakersfield, CA native spits fire when he raps in his technical style full of metaphors. Truth is extremely adept lyrically and his deliverance is profound.

The post Scoop B Selects: Bakersfield, California’s Truth Ali appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Today, Austin Poe delivers a new single, in visual form, titled “Picture Me Rollin.” Tapping into that nostalgic West-coast feel, the Windy City artist takes things easy in the ShootersClubLA-directed music video. The title of the track pays homage to Tupac’s All Eyez On Me cut of the same name.

“I just wanted to tell people to keep your vision strong when you on your journey and chasing your goals. If you’re keeping dope energy around you, you can make it happen. Mindset is a powerful thing, so catch these vibes and enjoy the ride,” Austin shares with us.

Watch above, and support on iTunes here.

Suggested Articles:

Machine Gun Kelly Celebrates Certification with New Visual for “Golden God”

G Herbo Heads to Jamaica in “Man Now” Visual

The post RESPECT. Premiere: Austin Poe Pays Tupac Homage In “Picture Me Rollin” Video appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Since hitting the mainstream in 2003, T.I. has publicly made it known that he is the King of the South and in an interview with Montreality he explains why he is not only the king but the father of Trap Music.

“Since (Trap Music) was introduced to the world there were people who enforced it, spread the genre out, and gave it wings & life beyond its origin, but if you go back to who truly started it, I must humbly say myself.”

Although T.I. credits himself for Trap music, he did take the time to speak about another legend in Hip-Hop and why he feels that Eminem and Andre 3000 are similar when it comes to the craft.

“Eminem is one of the most talented, capable, intellectual, technicians of wordplay I have ever experienced. Both times we worked I had the opportunity of watching him actually put this sh*t together, and it was truly of another world. Eminem and Andre 3000 are the most meticulous artists I’ve ever worked with, and they’re very critical of themselves.”

T.I. also took the time to address his feelings on another legend in the game that is no longer with us and why he feels that the passing of Afeni Shakur should solidify to conspiracy theorists that Tupac is in fact deceased.

“If Tupac was around, by all means we would know because he would come to his mom’s funeral so that kinda dispels any rumor for me. Pac ain’t missing his mama funeral even if he did do some wild sh*t like fake his death.”

Check out the full interview below.

Suggested Articles:

Wretch 32 Feat. Donae’o & Kojo Funds – Whistle

Skepta Takes Over Your Television in “Hypocrisy” Visual

P Money & Dot Rotten at Each Other’s Necks With Fire Disses (UPDATE)

The post T.I. Says He Started Trap Music, Compares Eminem to André 3000 [Watch] appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.