I swear, the right combination of album releases can make some Fridays feel like straight holidays. Today is definitely one of those days:

Ralo – Free Ralo

Image credit: Famerica

Despite his current incarceration, Atlanta’s Ralo continues to push out music to the masses through his Famerica imprint. Following last year’s Conspiracy comes a new release titled Free Ralo, which sees 12 strong cuts and features from Young Dolph, Tee Grizzley, Shy Glizzy, VL Deck, Derez De’shon and more. Press play below.

Valee – Runnin’ Rich

Image credit: G.O.O.D./Def Jam

Having previously dropped this at the top of the month, Chicago’s Valee re-releases his latest EP Runnin’ Rich, which now sees eight tracks over the previous version’s six. Additional features all come from fellow Chicagoans Vic Mensa, King Louie and G Herbo.

Chris Brown – Indigo

Image credit: RCA

Chris Brown is back with a new album (his eighth) titled Indigo, which features enough quality music to last fans for the rest of the decade. The thirty-two track offering also sees a slew of assisting performers, including Drake, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, G-Eazy, Gunna, Trey Songz, H.E.R., Tory Lanez, Tank, Justin Bieber, Tyga and more.

Expect to hear plenty of dope cuts from Indigo and all of your favorite functions this Summer.

Twista – Summer 96

Image credit: GMG Entertainment

The legendary Twista returns with a new project since 2017’s Crook County. Below lies Summer 96, a (presumably) nostalgic release that sees 15 tracks and appearances from Berner, (the equally legendary) Do Or Die, Bandman Kevo and more. The Chicago don is still lyrically healthy as ever.

Daniel Caesar – CASE STUDY 01

Video screenshot

Following his seemingly-random and very ill-advised support of YesJulz (also, whatever the hell happened with Dave Chappelle), Daniel Caesar presumably opted to fall back and focus on creating some quality music for his fanbase. Today, a surprise new album arrives from the Canadian artist titled CASE STUDY 01, which sees 10 new cuts and features from Brandy, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, John Mayer and more.

If you haven’t cancelled him yet, feel free to press play below.

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Bandana

Image credit: RCA

Here’s your hard-hitting Rap entry of the day: the Indiana-to-California connection that is Freddie Gibbs and Madlib created more heat rock to follow the criminally slept-on Piñata. Titled Bandana, this Hip-Hop masterpiece sees 15 new tracks from the duo and assists from fellow top-tier emcees Black Thought, Pusha T, Killer Mike, Yasiin Bey and Anderson .Paak. Whew.

Check it out below. Bandana is also the second part of a trilogy — here’s hoping that the third installment, Montana, isn’t too far in the distance.

Mustard – Perfect Ten

Image credit: Interscope

Last but not least, West Coast super-producer Mustard delivers his new project Perfect Ten, which — as the title suggests — sees ten quality cuts and appearances from Migos, Tyga, A$AP Ferg, A$AP Rocky, (10 Summers artist) Ella Mai, Young Thug, Meek Mill, Roddy Ricch, (longtime collaborators) YG and Ty Dolla $ign and more.

Plenty of infectious cuts to choose from below.

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The post NEW ALBUM FRIDAY: Chris Brown, Freddie Gibbs, Mustard & More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: Audiomack

G.O.O.D. Music’s current golden child, Chicago’s Valee, is back with a new EP titled Runnin Rich, which follows last year’s GOOD Job, You Found Me and sees 7 new tracks. Fellow Chi stars G Herbo, King Louie and Vic Mensa make appearances, while TYMadeIt, Narcowave, ChaseTheMoney, Young God and Rio Mac assist Valee on the production end.

Press play on Runnin Rich below. In related news, Valee also recently made a high-profile appearance on YG‘s new album; check that out here.

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The post Valee Delivers New EP, ‘Runnin Rich’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

RESPECT.: What do you have going on today?

Nothing much, really just chilling and looking for something to eat.

RESPECT.: I see that you are a proud vegan!

Yes, I have been vegan for a year and 2 months.

RESPECT.: What made you want to do that?

A lot of reasons. I had peers around me wanting to get into it. One day we were smoking and watching YouTube videos. One of my homies said he was going to stop eating meat and he told us it wasn’t going to be hard to do. My pops is a vegetarian so it wasn’t new to me.

RESPECT.: Is it true that eating meat does something to your spirit?

What we are eating and putting into our bodies kind of messes with our head. There is a lot of different stuff being put into our food that we don’t know about. People would know this if they did their research. I made the right decision going vegan. There was a time in my life where I was over 250 lbs and going vegan brought me down to 180 lbs.

RESPECT.: I am glad I got that vegan info out of you. Let’s talk about production. How’d you get into it?

I was probably in my freshman year. FL studio was at my moms house and she had the program on the computer. I started playing with it then went to my pops house and downloaded the program. I learned how to make beats. It started off simple but over the years youtube became popular and I watched the videos and learned.

RESPECT.: Did you ever want to be an artist and record tracks yourself?

I used to be a rapper. I used to want to make my own stuff to rap to. I had a homie in 8th grade and we would send each other beats. He started putting them on the internet and I was just holding mine and I just had a collection. I started working with artists and I got better.

RESPECT.: So you’re a producer, engineer, and DJ?

Yeah I can pretty much do anything. I can do a lot of background work. There was also a time I did graphic design.

RESPECT.: I can tell you’re somebody that doesn’t wait on anyone.

No I don’t wait on anyone. I guess it depends too. It all depends on their work ethic. If they’re slow I’m not waiting.

RESPECT.: I’m a VA girl and I’m always playing Chicago rap. When people get into my car I’m always playing Z Money and Valee. I have to know how you all linked up. You’re usually working with them so let’s start with Z first. How did you end up working with him?

He came to the studio one time and we didn’t get to work but there was another time with Chase The Money. Me and Chase’s relationship started building from Valee. One day me, Valee, and Z money linked in the studio and that’s the day we made Two 16’s. Me and Z started getting cool ever since the making of the track.

RESPECT.: Two 16’s is a classic. Do you know that?

That’s what they say.

RESPECT.: You are all the perfect team! What is your relationship with Valee?

I was working out of my homies studio. I came in there because I was engineering a session. Throwback kid said I got somebody you want to meet and I know you can help put him together. He came to the studio and I played him a couple of beats. I never heard him rap. He said what he liked and didn’t like. We got to the point where we just drove around the city high and he told me what kind of beats he liked. I made 2-3 beats the next day and played it for him. That day Valee made his first full song ever. Everybody kept asking me who he is because he sounded different from everyone else. One of these guys I know had a nice little buzz to him. His name is Ty Money and he hopped on the song. Ever since that happened we started working and making music. He never had anybody on him team. He always moved by himself. I started djing him for him and engineering for him. It was almost like he didn’t need anybody else. Our relationship just got stronger and stronger.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmBiSsBAYU0/

RESPECT.: What was it like growing up in Chicago? What’s a common misconception?

Not every single place is rough. I feel like growing up it was cool and it all depended on what decision you make. For better or for worse. The way people see it on the media is not what every place is like.

RESPECT.: How did it make you as a person or build your character?

It makes you stronger and gave me a better understanding. Just makes you look at life differently. It made me not sit on my ass and hustle harder. Everyone is out getting it. I learned how to move different.

RESPECT.: So what’s the best music scene? Chicago, NY, or ATL?

Of course I’m going to say Chicago because that’s where I’m from and I love working with my artists.

RESPECT.: What is it about them?

Certain artists that come out of Chicago they are saying a story that i can relate to.

RESPECT.: Do you think people bite your sound and Valee’s?

Umm.. yeah. I understand every artist that came out bit something from someone. They took something from somebody and put their own twist to it but when people do it and show no type of homage that’s the part that gets frustrating. You know you sound exactly like this person. You know you can pay some type of homage. That’s how he made it the way he did. He was a fresh sound.

RESPECT.: Out of all the tracks you produced do you have a favorite?

I can’t say a favorite it’s like picking out kids. Every song gives you a different vibe there’s a lot of unreleased stuff I can say that’s my favorite.

RESPECT.: Did you produced anything for Juice WRLD?

I have a song with him and Valee but it’s unreleased. It’s in the vault.

RESPECT.: Is there anything else from you that we can look forward to?

I’m trying to put a project out myself by the end of the summer with all my production and with all the artists I rock with.

The post RESPECT. Interview: Chicago’s Rio Mac on His Plant-Based Life and Music Production appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

This week, Valee drops off a Toinne-directed visual for said single, which sees him more or less keeping the same addictive energy newer following hopped on via GOOD Job, You Found Me. Check it out below and pick up the single here.

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The post Valee Returns with New Visual for “You & Me Both” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

For his latest, he connects with Virginia star DRAM on the ChaseTheMoney-produced cut “About U.” Check it out below.

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The post Valee & DRAM Join Forces on “About U” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: G.O.O.D./Def Jam

UPDATE: New video added below.

Chicago’s Valee really is one of the most talented artists of the new generation — mainly because he’s eschewing what everyone else is doing in Hip-Hop right now (this is more in terms of flow than subject matter, but it’s all dope nonetheless). For his latest, he brings forth a surprising collaboration with teenage Philly rapper Matt Ox titled “Awesome,” produced by go-to beatsmith ChaseTheMoney. Check out the properly-titled cut below.

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The post NEW VIDEO: Valee & Matt Ox Join Forces on “Awesome” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The other release is a collaboration with fellow Chicagoan Lil Durk titled “Do The Most” (produced by Young Chop), which should easy garner some late Summer spins. Check out both below.

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The post Valee Drops “Vlone” Visual, Connects with Lil Durk on “Do The Most” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.