Last year, Healthy Chill made his presence known in a major way with the single “Never Lackin’” an anomaly of a record that blended the sound of Chi-town’s Drill music with an unmistakably New York tone. Since then, the emcee—dually repping Queens and Brooklyn—has been grinding, finding himself on bills with hometown heroes such as 821 and 2 Milly, and his most recent joint doesn’t disappoint. “Wake Up” offers a slightly mellowed tone comparatively with a satisfyingly simple hook explaining Chill’s tunnel vision to make it in the game.

Witness the hustle firsthand via his High Lyfe Vlogs and check out the track in its entirety below.

https://soundcloud.com/healthychill/wake-up-new

The post New Music: Healthy Chill – ‘Wake Up’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

If you’ve been watching the news, then it’s no secret about the violence that has been plaguing the city of Chicago. Shedding some light on this and calling for change in his hometown, is Sir The Baptist in his new video for “Wake Up”. Catch Sir taking a walk through his old neighborhood with a gang of his supporters, marching in tow.

“Wake Up was written as a PSA to my community”, Sir says, expressing a strong desire to put an end to the senseless killings in his city.

Check out “Wake Up” above, and be on the lookout for Sir The Baptist’s upcoming debut album, PK: Preacher’s Kid.

The post Sir The Baptist aims to “Wake Up” the city of Chicago in new video appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Fangol’s determination to succeed is how he has established himself as one of the most promising MCs of his time and a true force to be reckoned with. After enduring a rough upbringing surrounded by drugs and gangs, music became his solace. Although he would find it difficult to escape from his surroundings, his musical focus remained constant. Born and bred in Nottingham, UK, the socially conscious MC is assuming command of his own destiny. But that’s just a tiny part of a much bigger agenda. First, he’s releasing Wake Up, a cathartic mixtape filled with a level-eyed insight into his life. Here, he offers an outline of the project, his thoughts on the apocalypse and why he wants his music to empower others.

How do you categorize yourself genre-wise?

My genre is Fangol. It’s my own genre of my musical influences from my past and grime is a small part of it.

So, what’s the story behind your name?

Fangol – it’s a family nickname that I was given by my cousins.

You’re preparing to release your mixtape Wake Up. The title itself conjures a sense of an oncoming apocalypse. What is the backstory on this?

Life seemed a bit like that at the time. I was expecting my daughter and starting a label and had some big transitions that happened in a short space of time.

Is the apocalypse or the doom of the imminent future something you think about?

Not at all.

Say you were told you only had an hour left on Earth after this interview. What would you do? How would you spend your time?

Make sure I see my family and friends.

What’s your last meal?

Full English in Amsterdam.

Will you go to heaven or hell?

Definitely heaven. I’m a good boy.

Now that we’re all about to die, any last minute confessions?

No, I’ve already confessed so I’m keeping quiet.

What was the motivation to having a youth empowerment element to Wake Up?

I didn’t know that it was [about] youth empowerment when I was recording it. I just want to help and to see youths make it out of poverty, so if my words empower them, that’s all good.

On the opening track, “Art Strings,” you talk about the difficulty in having to let go of someone you love.  This narrative style runs through a few of the other tracks. What do you feel is the mirroring that led you to that more passive storytelling?

I wrote it when I was 18, but changed the verses over the years. I had to let go of someone I shouldn’t have been with. It’s a play based around the heart, like a modern-day Shakespeare.

“Things Have Changed” seems to address an emotion so many people experience, which is that roller-coaster journey we all encounter through life.

Yes, it comes from that shift in perception.

If you had to choose one, what’s the song you’re most proud of?

To tell the truth – all my songs are very much like my children and I have a very strong bond with all these songs so I couldn’t really pick one. I love them all the same.

There is a quote in the press release for you in which it says that you were “heavily exposed to gang and crime culture” growing up. How did you manage to avoid that path?

Don’t get me wrong, it took a long time for me to realize that I had to do something to change who I am and to get away from all of that negativity. It was a massive wake up call and I sought out people to help steer me in a more positive direction. The music was a way to express this and a positive thing for me to keep focus on. And I just kept focusing on the good in life and staying positive.

So you felt with this mixtape you pretty much had a ticket to make something that reflected your actual surroundings?

Yes. It was a milestone in my life so I remember how I was living my life at that time, and when the new stuff comes out then that will be something to remind me of that milestone.

How did that experience influence you in the songwriting and recording process?

I just stick to the formula I’ve always had in the studio – practice makes perfect so just becoming more excellent every time.

Wake Up is out on iTunes now.

The post Interview: Fangol, The Lyrical Champion appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The video for the original version is provided below. It’s pretty unique: it features various objects “coming to life” and Aaradhna even does the stanky leg for some reason. Enjoy.

The post New Music: Aaradhna feat. Common – “Wake Up” (Remix) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Lil Twist is gearing up for his 4/20 mixtape release, Wake Up. Now, RESPECT. brings you the premiere of his new video for the single, “Everyday.”  Sean Babas is behind the lens for this one. Watch below.

The post Video Premiere: Lil Twist – “Everyday” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“I believe what I’m listening to.”

-?uestlove

Wake Up! comes out September 21st.

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