New York City is known for its random displays of entertainment and overall, forms of expression. The recent pop up street art gallery that took place in Soho was no different. Done by the same elusive artist who previously showed their work at Bloomingdale’s, Yule C. is back at it. This time around, the artist created pieces inspired by the designer brands they were shown at, Versace and Diane Von Furstenberg. As the pieces are only showing as part of a limited engagement, be sure to check out the pop up street art gallery before it ends!

Check out artist Yule C.’s art below:

The post Pop Up Street Art Gallery Hits Versace and DVF in NYC appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

If you’ve been acquainted with DVS for more than a few months, you’d know he’s a musical mind without boundaries. His 24-track mixtape audibly conveys his refreshing range, exceeding expectations and debuting straight at number one in the UK hip-hop iTunes chart and number four in the overall British Albums chart. His next step is clear: to conquer America. Not every British rapper succeeds, but DVS seems to be on the right track. We spoke with the rhymester to reflect on his past, dwell on his music, and discuss present state of rap.
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Tell me a little bit about yourself. Is there anything you feel is important for people to know in order to bond with you or relate to your music?

I think they should just take the time and listen. I know people may have an idea of what my music is about from my image, but don’t make untimely opinions until you’ve listened. I make deep, proper reality music that everyone can relate to.

Are there ever moments when you’re not in the mood? When you’re feeling down and just want to give up?

Yeah. I experienced a few of those moments a good number of times during the making of the mixtape, but I cracked on and now we can see the end result.

In a way, it seems like it’s not easy being DVS.

Of course not, especially because music in general is pretty easy to do. However, when you have a lot going on in your own personal life, it becomes a lot harder to focus on just the music.

So what would you be doing if you weren’t making music?

Oh man, I don’t think I’d be so legitimate, so squeaky clean.

Besides yourself, who is your favorite rapper?

Obviously, Tupac and Biggie would have to be my favorites but they aren’t here anymore. So right now I guess — Jay-Z, Meek Mill and Drake. They are carrying the torch for hip hop. Here in the UK, we have a few as well; there are loads of talented people.

 On your song “Versace” you state that you were born in Versace. Is that true?

What I really meant was that I’ve been wearing Versace since I was a baby [laughs]. I didn’t literally come out of my mom with a Versace shirt on me. I mean from a young age, I always had Versace around me but I didn’t really understand it. Even when my mom was wearing it, I didn’t take any notice of it, until one of my friends started talking about it.

Do you wear any other brands or are you mostly a Versace guy?

No, not really. At one point, if you can remember, Versace went out of fashion for a long while. It’s people like 2 Chainz and Drake, who have made Versace cool again. I think that’s one example showing the power of music. But the Versace that they wear is not the Versace that I’m used to, like one side leather, the other zebra. I don’t know about their stuff. I like the old skool Versace.

How did that song come about?

Pretty much everyone including Drake had done a song or remix to Versace, so I thought why not give it a go. So we just brought some Versace, jumped on the beat and put it out there. It was that simple.

Do you feel like you have to be fashionable in order to be successful?

No, not at all. Most people aren’t fashionable. It’s only a few who have a bit of style, taste or class. I don’t believe you have to be fashionable in order to be successful in music.

Do you feel any sense of being plugged in to the grime or rap scene? Or do you feel as if you’re working more in a vacuum? 

Please do not get this confused: I’ve never done grime in my life. Grime is like a form of emceeing and I’ve never done that. I’ve always done music about what I see or experience. Grime is a lot more fabricated, like kidnapping grandmothers or stuff that we’ve never come across in the real underworld [laughs].

Music can sometimes be isolating. Do you ever feel lonely?

Yeah, I did experience that through this mixtape. There would be nights where a lot of my friends would go out to enjoy themselves, but I couldn’t do that. I felt as though I really needed to focus on the music. Then again that comes with anything in life; you have to sometimes work hard and make sacrifices.

How do you feel about being considered part of a movement?

To be honest, I feel like that’s an understatement. I think people like me, Jaja Soze and PDC were the start of this movement. When we were rapping in straight English back in early 2000, everyone else was rapping with an American accent or either doing grime. Rap wasn’t even popular, so I truly believe myself and a few others were at the start of this hip hop movement here in the UK.

I have a theory that your mixtape, London Boy American Dreaming, is actually your memoir.

Yeah, in fact, all of my work could also be my memoirs.

Where did the idea for the title come from?

I originally did a song a little while ago and there was a part in the intro of that song where I’m saying, ‘We’re just London boys American dreaming…’ I don’t think the Americans respect us over here. It’s like they don’t really respect the UK, they think we all drink cups of tea and eat scorns, like nothing happens over here. So that’s why I decided on that name. I wanted to give them an insight into my life and let them know we’re not fabricating their style or copying them. We don’t need to do that because we’ve got our own strong culture over here, that’s one aspect of it. Secondly, what they consider to be the American dream is actually what we are living over here — a lot of people can relate to it.

Can you identify with the American dream?

Yeah, of course, if the American dream is what I think it is.

You have a lot of guest collaborations on the mixtape. The only genre you haven’t really covered is dance. I’m assuming, you’ve got David Guetta and Pitbull lined up for your next project?

You know what; I’m going to do the whole Chris Brown thing and go all out with blonde hair for my next project [laughs]. Obviously, I wanted to branch out into other genres. I was even going to put a house and afrobeats track on this mixtape. I think those two styles are really relevant right now, but it’s not the end of the world. I will find the time to work on those for next time round.

Looking back, what sort of statement do you think you were making on London Boy American Dreaming?

The thing about me is that I never try too hard. I just knew the fans needed some new music and I provided it for them. I wasn’t trying to make no statements. My main intention was to get the music out there for everyone who had been waiting patiently for a long time. The only big decision was, was I going to sell and believe it or not, this is my first ever sold project.

How did you write “Black Waterfalls?”

I wrote that about a year ago. I have also had feedback from the song, and a lot of people really seem to think when I say “sisters” I’m referring to Muslim girls, but I am not. I’m talking about good girls in general and out of respect that’s why I said “sisters”.

The song is very different from the other tracks. Was it difficult for you to go to such a mellow place like you did?

No. There are a lot of other mellow songs on there and I really kind of like the flow and simplicity. No heavy beat, just a piano, my voice and a guitar.

I noticed throughout the song that you identify with everyday issues, male and female relationships.

If you’re a female who is a bit loose and you’re listening to the song, you’re bound to start checking yourself, no matter what you do. It’s probably not going to stop you acting the way you are, but it will make you think twice. If you’re a guy and you don’t really know about females, the song will give you a good blueprint on what not to go for. I know everyone likes it and have been going crazy about it, but I feel it’s more powerful than what people actually think.

Let’s talk about your great collaborations with Wretch 32 and Sneakbo, who both appear on the mixtape. Why did you choose them?

Sneakbo is from my area in Brixton, and he’s always been one of my favorites. I had to put him on there; he’s even on there twice. Wretch is just out of this world and he’s a really great rapper. Our collaboration “Celebration” was recorded before I even started work on the mixtape.

Wretch 32 has a real knack for capturing emotions and putting them in song, doesn’t he?

Yeah. That’s something he’s very good at doing.

Did you have any concern that they or your other guests would have maybe tried to upstage you? 

No. If you’re a real artist you don’t worry about those things, you just go and do your art. There’s no need to worry if another guy next to you can paint a better picture. If he paints his picture in a different way, that’s his picture. I don’t worry if the other person sounds better than me or if they are upstaging me. I have enough confidence in my own work to know whatever I add to the table is good enough.

Is there a rapper that you feel is on your level?

I’m not conceited, so I’m not going to say no one is on my level. Like I said, when you’re an artist you don’t worry about the competition because when you have self-belief, there’s no room to worry about the opposition. There’s no room for jealousy or fear, none of those things.

So, do you think that some people feel threatened by you?

Yeah, a few people, especially because the way I am with myself and my work. I never can understand it when people are frightened.

As an artist who talks a great deal about the streets, do you think when you’ve financially moved beyond the street life, you will still be relevant?

It would be harder for me to get rich and switch because I’ve been through so much. Everyone can say they’ve grown up in the ghetto, but I was and still am in the thick of it. You could hand me a billion pounds tomorrow, I wouldn’t run out of things to rap about or say. I don’t think it will happen to me, I speak about real-life and whatever I’m going through. The secret is to keep it real.

Do you feel like an underdog?

Yeah, of course. I feel like everyone has had a chance but me. Everyone has had a chance with the major labels. I’ve never even had a music video on MTV. I’ve never had a song on [radio] playlist. I’ve never sold a mixtape until this one, so I don’t want people to pass it around because that’s bootlegging. In fact, we’re going to get all the bootleggers. I want people to go onto iTunes and purchase it.

Do you ever worry about being over-exposed?

I’m not a squeaky clean guy going into the spotlight and then having things emerge about my background or dark past. I’ve come into the game very honest and open. I think it all goes wrong when you try to portray a polished image, because before you know it a sex tape comes out and it all goes wrong [laughs].

I recently cried when OutKast announced that they were getting back together: When was the last time you cried? 

I haven’t cried for a long while, but my uncle recently died and seeing my mother and the rest of my family sad made me feel like shedding a tear.

What do you hope to accomplish as a musician? 

The first and foremost thing I would like is for everyone around the world to hear and understand my music. And secondly, to gain success from all the work that I’ve done.

London Boy American Dreaming is out now.

The post The Secret is To Keep it Real: An Interview with London Rapper DVS appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

30. Dom Kennedy – “Black Bentleys”

Had Dom Kennedy released Get Home Safely in July, this song probably would’ve been launched into the bottom half of this list, but instead, this music that was designed for tropical drinks with umbrellas in them was only available in winter. Still, we couldn’t bring ourselves to leave a gem like “Black Bentleys” off of the year end list simply out of bitterness.

29.  Rapsody – “Lonely Thought” [Feat. Chance the Rapper]

Chance the Rapper provides a signature Chance the Rapper wig-splitting verse on “Lonely Thought,” something we are quickly getting accustomed to. Additionally, Denaun Porter (of D12 fame) loops up a keeper behind the boards, and oh yeah, of course Rapsody is pretty good, too.

28. 2 Chainz – “Feds Watching” [Feat. Pharrell]

Try naming a song in 2013 with more hilarious punches than 2 Chainz’s “Feds Watching.” Trust us, it cannot be done. “This that category five when I walk up in the strip club / Throw it high, make you and George Washington head butt” is the ‘making it rain’ bar we always wanted but never deserved. When it comes to pure entertainment value, 2 Chainz never disappoints.

27. ScHoolboy Q – “Yay Yay”

Boi-1da gave ScHoolboy Q a certified banger: “Yay Yay” is West Coast drug peddling music in its purist form. With ScHoolboy’s major label debut, Oxymoron, receiving continual delays throughout the year, “Yay Yay” served as a constant reminder of how promising the project was and still is. Despite dropping in the rankings, the haunting masterpiece still earns a spot on our year-end list.

26. Action Bronson – “Contemporary Man”

In “Contemporary Man,” Bronsoliño raps over John Mellencamp’s “Jack and Diane,” Phil Collins’ “Another Day In Paradise,” and about four other impeccable Party Supplies finds. Somehow, he makes it work, matching each ridiculous new backdrop with the right flair, from aggressive, to gleeful, to victorious.

25. Future – “Honest”

“Name another nigga this hot; I’m just honest.” Few artists out now that generate hits more effortlessly than Nayvadius Cash. Future deftly walks the genre tightrope at all times, but “Honest” is the epitome of that skill, matching signature rap braggadocio with a falsetto that’d make El Debarge blush. It feels like a rap ballad, yet it’s completely self-absorbed. It’s one contradiction after another, wrapped up with an insanely decadent bow, but its charm is impossible to deny.

24. Busta Rhymes & Q-Tip – “Thank You”

Basically, this was a decade overdue.

23. Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire – “Noble Drew Ali”

Few artists come across as more authentic than Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire. “Noble Drew Ali” is some of his most menacing work yet, carving out a niche for himself as an uncontrollable force of raw rap energy. The song is a manifestation of his authenticity in the form of a warning to the fakes. If he committed to the bars, eXquire could be one of the best out, easy.

22. Jay Z – “Open Letter”

“Open Letter” took quite a dive on our year end list, but it’s still a great record. “Open Letter” was a timely release that followed both Jay’s Cuban vacation with wife Beyonce and his resignation as minority owner of the Brooklyn Nets. In typical fashion, the legendary MC dismisses politics and sports ownership with an indifference that only he can muster. Every line is spewed solely for the purpose of reminding you who he is. He’s Jay Z, rap legend and entrepreneur; the game needs him, not vice versa. The record reeks of hubris.

21. Run The Jewels – “36” Chain”

Killer Mike and El-P clearly bring out the best in each other; Run The Jewels was destined to happen, and thank goodness it did. We picked “36” Chain,” but you can argue almost any Run The Jewels song in its place. That’s just how solid these two are as a unit.

20. Flatbush Zombies – “LiveFromHell”

What do get when you match one of the hottest young producers in the game with the most sinister up-and-coming group? A dark anthem straight out of the fiery depths. Harry Fraud pairs the Zombies with a sample that fits their aesthetic perfectly, and they run with it. Meechy Darko and Zombie Juice trade heretic bars about blaspheming over menacing production befitting of the title. Both entities are on the rise, and as their paths crossed on the way up, we were given one of the year’s best collaborations.

19. Migos – “Versace”

Easily the song of the summer. The list acknowledges.

18. A$AP Ferg – “Dump Dump”

Some songs are designed to be performed and blasted at maximum volume, and “Dump Dump” created more than its fair share of mosh pits at venues across the country this year. A$AP Ferg had himself a hell of a year, legitimizing the A$AP brand in the process, and out of the firestorm that was his exceptionally robust debut album, Trap Lord, came this boisterous jam. The lyrics aren’t exactly something parents can subscribe to, but any show-goer can appreciate its unbridled tenacity and raucous appeal.

17. Pusha T – “King Push”

“King Push” is how you’re supposed to open a rap album named after a phrase from The Wire. It is punch-heavy with percussion that hits like a Liu Kang bicycle kick. Despite losing some of its magic when its true production credits were revealed–“King Push” was originally said to be produced by actor Joaquin Phoenix–the supremely boastful opening still stands on its merits as a powerful and masterfully-crafted tune.

16. Lupe Fiasco – “Animal Pharm”

Just before Lupe reached his breaking point and went crazy, he released this, and it still holds up as a wonderfully complex record that requires quite a bit of studying to understand. All the Rap Genius editors in the world couldn’t unearth the myriad gems hidden beneath the song’s surface.

The post The 30 Best Songs of 2013 (Year End) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Frank Ocean has torn his vocal cord, forcing him to cancel his Australian Tour. In a press statement, promoter Live Nation explained:

“After last night’s concert… it was necessary to seek medical advice due to vocal issues Frank Ocean experienced during the show. It has subsequently been confirmed that Frank has suffered a small tear to one of his vocal cords and has received medical advice that he must rest his voice.”

On Thursday, during his opening night performance, Ocean was off key. He openly told the crowd that it was due to illness. This probably means that the audio to his Versace Remix isn’t coming anytime soon. Rest well, Frank.

The post News: Frank Ocean Tears Vocal Cord, Cancels Australian Tour appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Releasing lyrics to a song before releasing the actual song is a growing phenomenon in the hip-hop world. The artist formerly known as Jay-Z recently used this strange technique to promote his latest LP, but the results were pretty lame. Frank Ocean has done a much better job, probably because he’s not trying to cram an album down our throats.

Discussing Versace and much more, the Odd Future singer flexes his superb writing skills just as gracefully as you’d expect.  Headlines will try to frame the song as a Chris Brown diss, but there’s so much more going on. If you read the lyrics to the cadence of “Versace,” it’s even more rewarding. When the vocals are released, the fun will really begin, but for now, read along below.

The post Frank Ocean Doesn’t Really Like Versace appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

We’ve drawn past the midpoint of 2013, and it has been quite a year thus far. There have been big releases from some of hip-hop’s biggest stars and some surprise newcomers as well. This year, we’ve seen a wealth of diversity with a plethora of artists perfecting their individual sounds. In honor of this growth, we’ve compiled the top records in the genre from an eventful six (almost seven) months. Take a look at the 15 Best Rap Songs of 2013 so far.

Update: Now that the year is over, we have the best songs for the complete year. 

15. ScHoolboy Q – “Yay Yay”

ScHoolboy Q makes his living on gritty street anthems [See: “Oxy Music,” “Nightmare on Figg St.,” “Kamikaze,” etc.] and “Yay Yay” may be his darkest work yet. Boi-1da worked up a haunting masterpiece.  ScHoolBoy doesn’t rewrite the rap bible with this one, but his words still hold weight despite that.

14. Drake – “Started From the Bottom”

Few songs have been more frequently quoted or had more influence than “Started From the Bottom.” So why is it not higher on the list? Despite its catchiness, it’s really just one long, glorified chorus.

13. Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire – “Noble Drew Ali”

Few artists come across as more authentic than Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire. “Noble Drew Ali” is some of his most menacing work yet, carving out somewhat of a niche for himself as an uncontrollable force of raw rap energy. The song is a manifestation of his authenticity in the form of a warning to the fake.

12. Lupe Fiasco – “Animal Pharm”

Read the dystopian George Orwell novel and then read the Rap Genius interpretations. Lupe, a rap genius, is the reason for Rap Genius.

11. Ab-Soul – “The End Is Near” [Feat. Mac Miller]

“The End Is Near” is a Larry Fisherman-produced gem that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. The barren soundscape serves as the perfect backdrop for Soulo’s typical abstract, apocalyptic shtick. Mac Miller adds one of his most technically sound verses yet. Ab-soul presents an early candidate for bar of the year with, “I’m a king and I smoke a lot of weed / That makes sense, there’s ‘bout 33 ounces in a liter (leader).” This was 2013’s sleeper record.

10. Young Thug – “2 Cups Stuffed”

“L, E, A, N, I-N-G (Lean)! LEAN, LEAN, LEAN, LEAN, LEAN LEAN LEAN!!!”

9. Kanye West – “Black Skinhead”

“Black Skinhead” isn’t as provocative as its title suggests, but it is both haunting and hostile. Utilizing a dark sample from Marilyn Manson‘s “Beautiful People,” he spits bars power-packed with quotables. You’d be hard pressed to find a record more brooding, and what it lacks in charm it makes up for in wit. “I keep it 300, like the Romans / 300 bitches, where the Trojans?” he spouts confidently as if he didn’t just make a gross historical error, and that’s because, like everything else he does, it still works.

8. Drake – “5AM in Toronto”

Transparency has been the key to Drake’s success, and “5AM in Toronto” proved to be one of his most candid records to date. Every now and then, Drake really brings his rap shit, and like with “9AM in Dallas,” he flexes his lyrical chops here. Boi-1da, who produced both, seems to bring the best out of the Toronto MC. The greatest thing about this record is that it provides sobering truth. “It’s funny when you think a nigga blew up after Lupe,” Graham spits only half joking—three years in and he’s already considered a rap king. The record, in itself, is another example of why.

7. Kendrick Lamar – “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe (Remix)” [Feat. Jay-Z]

The past, present, and future all collided on what has proven to be the best remix of the year thus far. The “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe (Remix)” was a rare torch-passing moment that saw a young star in Kendrick Lamar one-up one of the all-time greats in Jay-Z. It’s the audible version of watching a young, spry Kobe go head-to-head with Jordan in a Wizards uniform in ’01. Kendrick’s third verse should be studied by all who hope to perfect the craft of writing rhymes. It’s worth mentioning that Jay’s verse was nothing to sleep on either. Together, the two continue to set the standards for rap–Kendrick is displaying what it takes to be a star in this new age and Hov is showing how a legend ages gracefully.

6. Jay-Z – “Open Letter”

“I done turned Havana to Atlanta,” Jay-Z casually raps in his sharp response to critics, openly mocking those who continue to question his limits. “Open Letter” was a timely release that followed both Jay’s Cuban vacation with wife Beyonce and his resignation as minority owner of the Brooklyn Nets. In typical fashion, the legendary MC dismisses politics and sports ownership with an indifference that only he can muster. Every line is spewed solely for the purpose of reminding you who he is. He’s Jay-Z, rap legend and entrepreneur; the game needs him, not vice versa. The record reeks of hubris. “Open Letter” proved there are few artists more clever or potent than Jay.

5. Rocko – “U.O.E.N.O” [Feat. Future & Rick Ross]

The most controversial record of the year (so far) also happened to be one of the best. Rocko’s “U.O.E.N.O” finds Future at his most intoxicating and producer Childish Major at his apex. Rocko himself is one of the games more underappreciated MCs and “U.O.E.N.O” displayed not only his gift of gab, but also his ability to create undeniably catchy records. The term itself has even flowed over into pop culture. Unfortunately, the music itself was overshadowed by the controversy, but even in spite of that the record remains too permeating to deny.

4. Pusha T – “Numbers on the Boards”

Yuuchk. No record this year has been more savage than the destructive “Numbers On The Boards,” which delivers not just punches but haymakers. Pusha T has settled into his role as G.O.O.D. Music enforcer and continues to provide records that pad his résumé. “Numbers On The Boards” is abrasive and aggressive with a nostalgia-inducing retro feel. This is vintage. This is dookie chains and Gazelle frames. This is hip-hop.

3. Chance the Rapper – “Pusha Man/Paranoia” [Feat. Nate Fox & Lili K.]

“Pusha Man/Paranoia,” the seven-minute behemoth divided by seconds of silence, is really two individual records smashed together that serve as two sides of the same coin. The significantly shorter “Pusha Man,” is a manifestation of Chance The Rapper’s goofy, drug-riddled personality. It’s humorous and infectious.  The longer, darker, “Paranoia,” is an embodiment of the Chicago cage Chance grew up in. It’s conscious and cautious. Both songs are filled with masterful wordplay and dizzying flows. Both songs introduced a new force to be reckoned with in the rap game.

2. J. Cole – “Let Nas Down (Remix)” [Feat. Nas]

There’s something supernatural about Nas rapping over No I.D. production. The remix to J. Cole’s somber story about living up to the expectations of a living legend features only a verse from the aforementioned legend himself, and the Queens great pivots beautifully, not only explaining his perspective, but also consoling and crowning Cole at the same time. As the horns cry, Nas in rare form, turns in arguably one of the best verses of his storied career. “Made Nas Proud,” as it has been tagged, serves as a beautiful moment in hip-hop history.

1. Kanye West – “New Slaves” [Feat. Frank Ocean]

Two Kanye records in the Top 10? Yup. Even without the avant-garde guerilla marketing strategy, “New Slaves” would have been the most refreshing record of the year so far. Its hyper-minimalist approach was a stark contrast to Kanye’s previous effort, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, but still maintained the typical Kanye aesthetic. The song once again pitted conscious-Kanye against superficial-Kanye as a sort of yin and yang, creating near perfect harmony. No song was a bigger spectacle and none was of higher quality. Put those two elements together and you’ve got the best song of 2013 (for now).

The post 15 Best Rap Songs of 2013 (So Far) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Trash-talking, beef-starting, neck-rolling, 212-repping emcee Azealia Banks isn’t known for being particularly professional, but we all have our secrets. Rocking a vintage Versace suit with the complimenting hair color, Yung Rapunxel looks ready for a board meeting or a fancy luncheon. #fresh

The post Photo of the Day: Azealia Banks Gets Professional appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.