Fresh off the release of his most recent mixtape ’88, Nick Grant comes through with new visuals for his outstanding track “The Plan”. The video places Nick Grant in the position of planning and executing a dangerous heist. Surrounded by a squad of sultry female criminals, Nick successfully escapes with a shipment of classic vinyl records (Big L, Wu-Tang, etc.) but not before tying up a few loose ends. This video couldn’t be a better metaphor for Nick Grant himself. Nick is proving to be a classic vinyl record among a sea of MP3s. Through his incorporation of golden age mentality, flow, ideals and style, Nick Grant has once again separated himself from his peers in a special way.

The video itself was directed by Spike Jordan who is known for his previous work with Future, ASAP Ferg and up and comer Lil Uzi Vert. We caught up with Nick to get his take on working with Spike Jordan.

Nick Grant: “”The Plan” was directed by the great Spike Jordan, which was a collaboration of our ideas. I had the idea in my head to shoot this video that had a Dead President’s-type storyline, but not robbing people, I’m a hip hop dude. The classic albums at the end are symbolic to me taking the game back. Finding all these dope albums like they’ve been hidden for so long, like ‘where have they been?’ People weren’t making albums like this so I’m stealing the game back and bringing real music back to the forefront for the people.”

Nick has new music on the way, and while we’re not quite sure when that will be, we’re excited to see the wave continue. Hit up @nickgrantmusic for more information.

The post New Visuals: Nick Grant – “The Plan” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“This cassette was made with dust, vinyl, drum machines, breaks, kicks, snares, chops, kicks, loops, and soul.”

We witnessed this entire project unfold. Ologist, by way of Virgina and a proud Better Beat Bureau member, reached out to “some of the dopest producers” he knew via Instagram in the summer of 2015. The project’s original title, or concept rather, was The IG Beat Collective – which is self explanatory and simply amazing if done properly. But that is no issue for Ologist and producer Analog Burners, who both formulated the project now known and available as ‘When Crates Create‘.

Toggling back and forth on the which physical format to release the 18-track collaboration, they chose cassette. Oh yes, a good old classic beat tape. Boy how we miss those, huh? Perhaps this doesn’t tickle the fancies of the average radio listener or trap star, and that is totally okay. This predominately caters to an audience of true school, and old school, hip-hop heads – but not limited to. Your grandmother or country ass brother in-law could easily ride out to the wide, yet cohesive body of work.

There are too many names to list for you, but check the track list out as you stream it. If you’re not familiar with a lot of the beat smiths throughout the tape, do know they all take this craft very seriously and give eternal praise to the culture – as you should too. Yeah you. Enjoy the stream and keep up with the lords. Peace and love:

If you missed Analog Burners & Starvin B‘s ‘Starvicide‘ release feel free to splurge. It’s something you should probably be familiar with. One love.

Ologist | Analog Burners | When Crates Create

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At it since ’87, Cut Chemist (Jurassic 5, Ozomatli) is still very well delivering, having released his Funk Off Mega Mix last month (10/31) for the digital heads. But the vinyl fixing is now available for pre-order! A limited run of 1,000 pressings will be shipping out November 27th. They’re equipped with specially designed foil and carefully embossed jackets. Still not convinced your wax collection should have this? Give the release a spin below.

Brace yourself for 29 minutes of a beautifully mixed pot of French Synch and drum machine-based sounds collected from cassettes and records by Cut Chemist himself. Inspired and executed in a similar fashion to a lot of his previous works, it’s more or less an ode to early 80’s drum machine and synth material. Having had the chance to catch him live on a few occasions, it’s safe to say the listener or viewer’s satisfaction is always guaranteed. You may start dancing or snap your neck a few times. Let your body make those decisions and enjoy. Peace and love:

The post Cut Chemist’s Vinyl Release Of “Funk Off Mega Mix” + Stream appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Artwork: Adri Cakes

For those who’ve been following Brown Bag AllStars since the Fat Beats days you should have a clear understanding that these cats work their asses off. Audible Doctor (having produced for the likes of 50 Cent, John Legend, Sadat X, Onyx, Astro and more) is predominately known for his carefully crafted, soulful production. We’ve heard him step away from the hardware in the past and bless the mic, but since the 2014 release of Can’t Keep The People Waiting there has been a wave of new fans supporting him as a consistent lyricist. Is Audible Doctor equally as successful on the mic as he is on the boards? You can draw your own opinions. In a recent sit down with RESPECT. Magazine‘s Dread Solo he stated:

“I’ve been rapping for longer than I’ve been producing but my production has kind of always overshadowed my rapping. In the last 2-3 years I’ve put an emphasis on releasing more solo material where I’m rapping and really focused on getting my bars up so I think lyrically I’m in a good place at the moment. I’m never going to stop producing but I’m definitely going to be focusing on the rapping aspect more moving forward.”

Can’t Keep The People Waiting made multiple headlines and nudged its way into a handful of notable media figures’ “top of 2014” lists. With that being said – if you missed the release you should probably catch up and have this in your collection now. The physical/vinyl releases are now available as well. Take a trip on this beautifully dark, dramatic journey while the Doctor battles his demons on the acclaimed “The Burial Plot”:

Just in case you are in doubt about the release, we’ve attached the full stream below. If you’re a real hip-hop junkie we are one hundred percent certain you will love this. Peace and love:

The post The Audible Doctor Returns With New Visual For “The Burial Plot” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

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“This sh*t might be too real for the untrained ear.” – Chuuwee

JR & PH7 and Chuuwee‘s collaborative record The South Sac Mack is finally available to the public. For those who’ve been trailing our posts at RESPECT. Mag leading up to this release we know you’ve been waiting for this. Just getting on board? It’s all good. Let’s briefly take a look at the album and walk through the details together before you tune in to this jewel.

If you’ve been living in the dark, German production duo JR & PH7 are two beat smiths who have an extensive resume and an acclaimed reputation on the hip-hop scene. This is not the first go-around for a collaboration with Sacramento’s Chuuwee, but the first full length effort and certainly their most crafted, complete body of work. There’s no denying that the three of them have ridiculous amounts of chemistry.

This may be the closest you get to a ride through Sacramento streets without actually visiting, while Chuuwee displays solid story telling and situational endeavors over JR & PH7’s convincing soundscapes. Aside the locational execution, relatable subjects were addressed – growing up, family ties, relationships and the power of a dollar. The features are tasteful, but don’t overwhelm the lp, with help from the wests own Blu, St3wart KooL, Bueno and Sean LaMarr. In total the record is an amazing release for 2015, as there is still a lot of phony “hip-hop” being released. This is one for your collection, so be sure to grab the digital copy, physical copy, or your 2LP vinyl version in a few weeks. Peace and love.

Below System Records

JR & PH7 on Twitter | Chuuwee on Twitter

JR & PH7 on Facebook | Chuuwee on Facebook

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