Lyrical legend isn’t a title given freely in Hip Hop, but when it comes to the lyrical talent of Virginia-bred emcee Mad Skillz, that is an understatement. After dominating the rap game for more than 20 years, becoming the most infamous ghostwriter in the game and blessing fans with the long awaited year-end rap-ups, Skillz has successfully transitioned into a new arena, the art of DJing. After successfully crossing over to where few artists have dared to go, Skillz has toured with Nicki Minaj and rocked some of the biggest parties in the world.

Now celebrating his third year as a turntable master, Skillz is once again showing fans that he can’t be boxed in. With the launch of his own radio show on the Beat Junkies Radio station powered by Dash Radio, “Skillz Sets”, which debuted Friday (Sept. 9), with co-hosts Danja Mowf and Mo Wit The Info; Skillz is giving fans a refreshing new show that features a perfect blend of Hip Hop, great chemistry, and hot topics.  

RESPECT got a chance to catch up with Mad Skillz to discuss DJing, what makes a great emcee and why his Snapchat Friday is the coolest thing on social media.

You recently celebrated your third year anniversary of officially becoming a DJ, how does it feel to be so successful in such a short amount of time and how are you dealing with the haters?

Skillz: I mean the fact I made this far is pretty dope and I am excited about that. One thing I have realized is that doing something that people tell you couldn’t do is definitely gratifying and satisfying.

You’ve already spun at a packed out arena with Nicki Minaj, what is your next goal to tackle as a DJ?

I definitely plan to put out original music. I write a lot of songs and some are never heard. I have a few joints that I feel would have legs on their own, so I think I will definitely start putting out some original music in the fall. In fact, I have a record right now that I know could go like right now. With my new project, what’s going to shock people the most is the type of music that it will be because it won’t be Hip Hop. These songs are worldly songs, you know the type you can play for your kids or that soccer moms will play; it’s just feel good music and that’s type of music that I want to put out as a DJ.

https://soundcloud.com/skillzva/live-at-the-bbq

With this new project, will this be a mixtape in the traditional sense or something different?

It will probably be free, it won’t be an album but it will definitely be enough songs for an EP. Although it’s a free project,  I am going to still treat it like an album, by shooting videos for it and including original content. The goal is to reach people who have no idea that I am the same Mad Skillz that does the year end rap-up or that I have been in the game since the 90s.

With the original content, does that mean we will get a song or two with you back on the mic?

Probably not and one of the main reasons is that I honestly don’t have the passion for it anymore like I used to. I told myself a long time ago that the minute it stops being fun, I would stop because I never wanted to be one of those rappers who was a slave to it  and felt like they had to make music or put stuff out when my heart wasn’t in it. Honestly, the further I get from rap the easier it will be for people to accept what I am doing now because I don’t want to confuse people at all.

One thing I have noticed watching your career over the last few years and the events that you are putting together is that you are focusing a lot more on soul music. Even with your impromptu DJ sessions, you are teaching the younger generation the foundation by playing the original Soul sample before transitioning into the Hip Hop song. With that being said are you hoping to decrease the surge of mumble rappers?

I tell people all the time that I don’t think anything stays the same. If Hip Hop still sounded the same it did when you and I first heard it, it would be boring. We loved it, we had our time with it, but it’s theirs now. It’s a different regime, now maybe they should call it something different so it can take away from the expectation that comes with Hip Hop music. I mean as an emcee I don’t particularly like it but if they called it something else, it would be easier to be like, “Oh, that’s what they are doing.”

Do you think because they are labeled as Hip-Hop that our level of expectations may be a little unfair to the newer generation?

I do, because I was reading something on, I think it was Lil’ Yachty, but people were mad because he couldn’t name five Biggie songs and I am looking at the situation like, “He’s 19!” He makes turn up records and records to get people lit, the fans listening to those types of records aren’t listening to them for lyrical content.

With the reduction of the skills required for an emcee and the increase of interest in production, do you think that the DJ is starting to be the main attraction again?

I feel like the DJ never lost his shine because the DJ is the cornerstone. He played the music that the rappers rap to, he played the records that the breakers break to, so you could never ex the DJ out of Hip Hop history because it started with the DJ. Without the DJ to make the pause tapes and DJs like (DJ Grandmaster) Flash and (DJ Kool) Herc, there would be no Hip Hop, but the idea is to expand, so each DJ and artist was responsible for bringing something to the culture; whether it was looping it, or adlibs, we all have the responsibility of making Hip Hop evolve.

Music is a universal language, I have been all over the world and one thing I have noticed is that I could be somewhere where no one speaks not one bit of English, but they know “In Da Club” by 50 Cent because music is that powerful.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the second part of RESPECT’s one on one with Mad Skillz; in the meantime check out Skillz Sets on Dash Radio LIVE every second and 4th Friday of the month 5p-7p EST. To catch last week’s premiere click here or stream it below.

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The post Mad Skillz: Allow Me To Reintroduce Myself-Part One appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Lately, I’ve been noticing a name recirculating that I have missed seeing in the headlines.  Here’s a couple of clues: This duo’s name has carried weight in Hip-Hop since 2002 and their home state is Virginia.  Of course I’m talking about the rap duo, Clipse, which comprised of brothers, Terrence “Pusha T” Thornton and Gene “No Malice” Thornton.  If you’re a true Clipse fan, then you know that this subject is tough on the heart, especially when you’ve been praying and hoping for a reunion tour.

Recently, Vice.com, dropped a heartfelt episode on their original series, Autobiographies,  featuring Pusha T.  When I hit up No Malice with my reaction to viewing the autobiography, he told me, “It seems unique to many, but, it’s actually biblical when siblings travel different paths..”

View Pusha T story Below:

No Malice, also, announced (via HipHopDX) the premiere date of film, ‘The End of Malice‘ which will air on Revolt TV 3/27/16.

‘The End of Malice’ also features Pusha T, Skateboard P, and Iceman discussing the story of famed rapper.

“Take a trip inside the mind of a coke-rap pioneer,” and watch the trailer below:

No Malice also revealed the dates of his 16-city tour promoting the film:

2/15 Evansville, IN – AMC 16 – Hosted by I Am Second

2/16 Louisville, KY –  Cinemark Mall St. Matthews and XD – Hosted by St. Stephen Baptist

2/17 St. Louis, MO – AMC Creve Coeur 12 – Hosted by I Am Second

2/18 Chicago, IL – AMC Showplace Galewood 14 – Hosted by HipHopDX

2/22 New Orleans, LA – AMC Elmwood Palace 20 – Hosted by I Am Second

2/23 Memphis, TN – Malco Studio on the Square – Hosted by Memphis Athletic Ministries

2/24 Birmingham, AL – Carmike Vestavia Hills 10 – Hosted by Restoration Academy

The post The Tale of Two Brothers: Clipse appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Virginia pulled together for a serious issue in our Nation, the Flint Water Crisis.  People statewide united in a means to help their fellow Americans in need.  The people sent over 2,000 cases of water.  Then, some volunteers took the hike from Virginia to Michigan, and, went into neighborhoods and started to hand out cases.  Many were wondering who carried the weight ($$) when it came to the semi-truck used to ship the water.  The answer is rapper, Pusha T, who is known for his works with Partners in the Community member, Kimberly Wimbush in the past on previous charity events.

According to 13NewsNow,

Lines of volunteers showed up to help “Partners in the Community” donate bottled water to Flint, MI.

According to newsplex.com:

“We want to make sure that the people who mostly need it get it,” said Partners in the Community member Kimberly Wimbush. “A lot of people are lacking transportation or they don’t have citizenship or they don’t have IDs that don’t matter at this point in time they need water so we want to make sure that anybody who is in need of water get that water.”

The call for action started with a Facebook post that went viral and along with the seven cities in the Hampton Roads areas, leaders in Charlottesville felt that it was only right to jump on board.

The post PUSHA T SENDS SEMI-TRACTOR FULL OF WATER TO FLINT, MI appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The post K.eYe.D – “As The World Turns” (Prod. By Thelonious Martin) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Remember when Timbaland spoke on Missy Elliot and Pharrell collaborating on a track? Hip-Hop fans, music lovers and Virginia natives, the time has come!

VA! 2 up 2 down! Me & my fam @Pharrell hard at work pic.twitter.com/PwKHJ1k553 — Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) February 27, 2015

The post Missy Elliot and Pharrell Williams set the world on fire with new single! appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Hip-Hop Lives in Virginia!! 

As we know, the history in Virginia is rich.  From the early days of Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg, and especially, when it comes to having a role in hip-hop culture.  From Skillz to Timbaland and Magoo, Missy, Pharrell, Nottz, Bink, Lex Luger, The Lady of Rage, DJ Lonnie B, DJ Bee, Kool DJ Law, The Boodah Brothers, and more.  It’s no surprise that artists emerging out of the Virginia underground scene are starting to make noise internationally. (Example:  D.R.A.M. Cha Cha and Nickelus F). Cutlass Reid has a long history in Virginia’s hip-hop culture. So if you Google him, don’t be surprised to find collaborations with living legends: Nottz Raw, Bink Dog, and 9th Wonder.

In “Jus Like Riding A Bike”, Cutlass brings us vivid imagery through immaculate story-telling.  The production on this project is A1.  Expect to hear sounds of Bink, IAMNOBODI, Knoname Needed, Ologist, and more!

The post New Mixtape: Cutlass Reid – “Jus Like Riding A Bike” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Richmond, Va has a lot to be proud of when it comes to hip-hop artist, Nickelus F.  Recently, it was unveiled that Nickelus F became a piece of art in a mural, pictured below, in the state capitol. Over the summer, he even discussed with Complex Magazine about his business with Drake.

“Complex: So anyone who says, “Nickelus F writes for Drake” would be mistaken?

Nickelus F: Yes. Have I done work here and there? Yes I have. Do I write for him on a regular basis? No. Have I written for him on a regular basis? No.”

As he continues to gain momentum, he drops his “Triflin'” album right on time!  Now, I would stream it for you, but that’ll take from his pockets.  I pay attention to detail.  When you notice that the link on an artist’s Instagram profile is to buy their album, take heed.  Just know, this album is a front to back head-bopping, get hype, pure dopeness. Plus, a majority of the production is by Nick Fury himself. Support the album here. 

He finished it up! Give @nilsrva his props. This meant a lot to my family and to some people in general. It inspires me to push harder and I hope it inspires you as well. Come take a selfie. Bunny Hop Bike Shop in Oregon Hill.. #TRIFLIN drops 8-28-15 Get it on iTunes!

A photo posted by Sweet Petey (@nickelusf) on Aug 20, 2015 at 12:43pm PDT

The post New Album: Nickelus F – Triflin’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.