By: Well$

Rising rapper Well$ has officially released his first full body of work of the new year titled  Forza 6. After taking a two year hiatus from music, he has returned to the scene better than ever. Hailing from North Carolina, he is using his musical platform to spark change in a state that is not known for producing many musical acts. On his latest release, you will find a more mature and established sound as Well$ has worked diligently to hone in on his craft.

Within 5 tracks, you will hear this young emcee spitting some of his best flows to date. His raw tone of voice mixed with his conscious lyricism, are two elements of this release that stands out the most. One song that stands out in particular is track 3 titled “Sic Or Sumn”. On this particular song you will hear Well$ saying things like “I’m just a Charlotte n***a, you can tell Dewayne Carter is in him it’s sneak and destroy I got no sense to what’s on I lost some homies out in Boulevard home , so why I care about a lost I’m not on”.

His two year hiatus from music has matured him as a man, creative, and influencer, taking his talent to new heights. Forza 6 is Well$’ statement to everyone who thought he had fallen off. If you enjoy real Hip Hop, you will fall in love with the musical styling of Well$.

Press play below to tap into some new vibes and learn more about the day in the life of one of North Carolina’s budding rising acts.

The post Well$ Releases New ‘Forza 6’ EP appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: Coach Q

Durham, NC artist Danny Blaze is building up quite the momentum: he’s already made waves with the J Dilla tribute “Thank You Mr. Yancey” and his appearance at April’s Art Of Cool Festival. Now, he connects with fellow North Carolinian Well$ on the Austin Taylor-produced cut “Keep It Player,” which can be streamed below and purchased/download via iTunes (Spotify users can also rejoice).

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The post Danny Blaze & Well$ Represent North Carolina Well with “Keep It Player” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The summer is all about good vibes and energy, which music plays a huge part in. As you’re taking road trips with friends or relaxing away from the hot weather, you always need a few nice flows to enjoy, complimented with a sick beat. Raleigh Native, Ace Henderson aka Ace Henny has a new joint for you to rock too. The song is entitled “VENAQUI (Come My Way),” starting off with a mellow feel as the smooth Ace Henny seems to have an urge to see a special or even temporary someone. In the L.Camino-produced track, Ace follows the intermission with a second part, as he is pursing that urge he was talking about in the beginning.

This is just one of the many tracks Henny has made, that he has showed his many talents as a producer, writer and engineer. The swaggy MC is working on his upcoming EP entitled LAP143 (Love Always Prevails); there is not a set release date, but he’s been working hard on it.

Ace has worked with many artists who are becoming recognized daily and getting love from their cities such as Jordan Bratton,  JEDI P , Niya Wells , MadeofOak, Well$ and Marco McKinnis.

“I met Jordan, Jedi and Well$ before I was really making a “name” for myself and I’ve been lucky to have made good music with them at the right time. A lot of my collaboration comes from admiration of an artist and then, fate you know?” says Henderson describing his collaborative work. He also discusses he’s lucky to have crossed paths with these great artist, ” I aim to make good music that I enjoy and that hopefully they can be proud to be a part of.”

Ace also wants to get in the studio with Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter and producer, James Fauntleroy and California rock band, The Neighbourhood.

Henny even took me back to his banger “28,” where he felt he was becoming more recognized. I also had the chance to envision his performance for Hopscotch, where he clumsily stepped on the mic cord and unplugged all the equipment, pretty embarrassing right? But just imagine after that moment a full crowd screaming ‘”ACE!” filling the area with intense and great energy, pretty dope huh? Ace really felt the positive vibes and love that a true artist gets when he did AnalogYouth, where Henny did it for his city!

“That was my story of growing up in one of the most culturally dense cities in America. I love it. I’m so lucky to have spent my adolescent years down in this southern air. After visiting the islands and living in New York – I don’t take the city for granted.”

Overall, Henderson’s favorite moments involve his family and friends.

“I think I got my name by just sticking through the changes that have happened in Raleigh and I’ve been lucky to have my hands in the shifting dynamic. From throwing the first show at Estate Boutique, to throwing a sold out house-show with the chapel hill gang (Danny blaze, well$ & my boy Marcus). That night meant everything to me. It was “Night of The Youth” and so fun and honest.”

It’s looking like a bright future for young Henny as he continues to stay true to himself, his supporters and most of all, the music.

Being from Raleigh, I understand that there is so much talent from sports, entrepreneurs to music, but not even half the dreamers make it out. The ones that do make it, are just the prime examples of the young and gifted that made it through any circumstance and obstacle that tried to break them down. It’s a blessing to see the impact and love the underground music can give to the city, it’s hopeful to dream about, but it’s an aspiration to thoroughly be living it out.

Check Ace Henderson’s latest track “VENAQUI (Come my way)” above & his Soundcloud here.

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The post Get to Know Ace Henderson + Latest Track [LISTEN] appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Well$ is back with another track to keep fans on edge while his upcoming album is being finished. “Coldest Heart” finds the NC rapper speaking on where he sees himself in his career and the industry, and not letting down the people he does it all for. He says this of the track:

“It’s about being loyal to myself, Immaculate Taste and staying true to why I’m even doing music in the first place. It’s not being cocky or pretentious, but having self worth. This is my livelihood, it’s not a hobby for me, I strained my relationship with my parents for this shit, I put every single dollar I own in this shit, I got people that depend on me, nothing was handed to us, we ain’t got the cosign, we come from a state that gets overlooked, its all grind and hard work that got me this far.”

Listen to the Sipho The Gift produced track below.

The post New Music: Well$ – “Coldest Heart” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

NC rapper, Well$, has been touring across the U.S. creating a bigger fan base and all the while cooking up some heat in the stu. Premiered via FADER he dropped, “6:08am In Cleveland” and “Naked Truth”, which are polar opposites of each other. “6:08am In Cleveland” gives an ominous late night thump and “Naked Truth” is more aggressive with production and lyrical delivery with statements like, “b*tch don’t get your man hurt.” Both show you how versatile he can be on tracks and are certified bangers.

Follow Well$ on Twitter.

The post Well$ Drops Two New Tracks – “6:08am In Cleveland” & “Naked Truth” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

While hard at work on his next project, NicX releases a video for “Crack,” his collaboration with Well$ off of Don’t Go Computer On Me. The video, directed by Meechie of A Lit Productions, was shot down in Atlanta, when Well$ came down for a weekend trip. Short but impactful, the track is a sign of what’s to come between these two young artists as they continue to collaborate moving forward. NicX’s next project should come out sometime this summer.

The post New Video: NicX Feat. Well$ – “Crack” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

There’s a corp of talented emcees hailing from the state of North Carolina and Charlotte’s WELL$ is one of the leaders. Vying for the 10th spot on this year’s XXL Freshmen Cover, the 19-year-old delivers a new track that certainly will convince anyone that doesn’t think he is deserving of the nomination. Produced by the trio of PGMW, Lucho, and Alex Lomami, “Vices We All Share” spotlights the budding emcee’s sharp lyricism and vicious flow, which he utilizes to reflect on a week-long binge. Vulnerable and filled with emotion, this promotional cut should bring in a few new fans.

Stream and download “Vices We All Share” below.

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