Brazilian Multi-platinum producer, João “JD On Tha Track” Duarte, is a hitmaker influencing the hip hop game in a major way. Backed by Sony Music Entertainment his distinct sound has afforded him the opportunity to collaborate with music hotshots such as Lil Tjay, Polo G, Gunna, Lil Baby, NBA Youngboy, and Rick Ross to name a few.

I caught up with the hitmaker for a candid interview, as he openly discussed transitioning to America, creating hits with Lil Tjay and having an original sound. Check it out below!

JD On Tha Track Interview 

Respect: Who is JD on the Track?

JD: Just a person that had a dream to become one of the greatest producers ever. I’ a person who made it out Brazil that wanted to change the world in a positive way, being a motivation to people and someone to help people through music. I want people to feel my beats in their hearts and souls and change their lives for the better.  I want to my music to make people’s day. I want to change the world. I want to be the best producer ever.

Respect: When did you realize you wanted to pursue a career in music as a producer?

JD: I realized around 2011 when I was listening to Wiz Khalifa’s  “Cabin Fever” album or something like that and I told myself,  “I want to be apart of this” because when I saw the producing credits of the producers, I knew I wanted to make something like this. So that is when I first realized, I wanted to do that. 2012 was the year I actually started making beats. I always loved music.  Since I was a kid, I always listened to Eminem, 50 cent, Akon, The Game, everybody back in the day. I always had that passion for music especially Rap and Hip-Hop.”

Respect: How did you get your start in the music business? When did you catch your break?

JD: I think it was when TJAY dropped “Brothers” and that song started doing well. After “Pop Out”, everything was getting better.”

Respect: Do you mind giving some insight on what it’s been like working and creating with Lil Tjay?

JD: We the got chemistry. Since I met him, we just kept going hard. We have so many songs that are not even out yet and every song that we have could go platinum. Every song that we have a good response from the fans and everybody.

Respect: How does it feel like having a record charting on billboard at the number 11 as one of your major accomplishments?

JD: It feels amazing. Just a blessing.

Respect: How has being a multi-platinum producer changed your life?  

JD: It changed my life on how I see things. I have become so mature. I have learned so many new things.

Respect: As you are a producer who has found your way in the industry, how would you best describe your production style?

JD: I think my production style is melodic with some hard drums. It’s very unique. When people come to me, they want that “JD on the track” style. When they hear it, they will know it is me on the beat once my tag line drops on every song. That is really important for a producer. Producers need to have their own sound and style.

Respect: What prompted your move to America from Brazil as you have recently relocated?

JD: I have only been living in the US for 3 months. Music made me move to the US to pursue my dreams and goals. Respect: What is up next for JD on the Track as the new year is underway, and what are you most excited about in 2020?

JD: I have a lot of songs with a bunch of new people. I am not going to disclose any names but it is a lot of people and you all will see when it drops. You can expect so much more hard work, many more plaques, and an album. I want to drop an album with all my producing credits. You can expect a lot from me in 2020.

Respect: What prompted your move to America from Brazil?

JD: I have only been living in the US for 3 months. Music made me move to the US to pursue my dreams and goals.

Respect: How have things been since moving to America?

JD: It was tough in the beginning but after a while, I have definitely gotten used to it.

Respect: What advice would you give a person looking to break into the industry as a producer?

JD: Just keep going hard. Keep doing what you doing. Do not listen to what anyone has to say about it. Do not lose faith. Just keep going, no matter what.”

To learn more about JD On Tha Track and his future success, be sure to follow him one social media @jdonthatrack.  

The post JD On Tha Track Talks Being A Hitmaker, Working With Lil Tjay & Transitioning To America appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The origin for the stoner holiday of 4/20 has been widely debated for years. With theories such as police codes and chemical compounds nobody really knows the exact truth, but we do know one thing: its awesome. April 20th has been a day for decades for stoners and prudes alike to come together in unison and celebrate their hidden or public love for the tree. With the wide popularity of the holiday, there will sure to be many ganja related playlists that will mostly feature similar songs. This is not that list. With hidden gems such as Azizi Gibson to stoner staples like Wiz Khalifa, check out this hazy playlist we put together for you to sit back, relax and enjoy your smoke sesh to. Light it up.

1. “Let’s Get Blown” – Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell 

 What better way to kick off the holiday than with a silky banger from the Doggfather himself? While other well known Snoop hits like “Gin and Juice” and “Drop it Like its Hot” are certainly classics, it’s this funky album cut off of Rhythm & Gangsta that sets the spark off right like no other. With a funky baseline accompanied by offkey melodies from Snoop and Neptunes front man, Pharrell, this track provides the grooves to get the vibe going. Plus, you can never go wrong with a Snoop and Neptunes collab.

     2. “Smoking With the Gods” – Azizi Gibson

Anybody who’s ever been around stoners knows that when you’re on cloud 9, you tend to think a little deeper into situations than others. Pothead conversation topics usually can range from anything from conspiracy theories to debates about politics. But the number one hotly debated ganja topic has always been and will always be about religion. Trainwreck psychologists have always had crazy and fairly rational theories on our origin and our creator. Maryland hotspitter, Azizi Gibson did his own freethinking on his 2014 track “Smoking With the Gods” in which he explores religion and religious tales with lines like, “Don’t you dare pass the blunt to Judas// He a traitor motherf*****, are you stupid?” The song is paired with a catchy hook and banging production that will get your mind thinking and your head bobbing.

     3. “How High (Remix)” – Method Man & Redman

Longtime collaborators and known weed connoisseurs Method Man & Redman are a must on any hazy playlist you might throw together today. After helping bring weed to a more popular mainstream mass with their stoner cult classic, How High, they must be acknowledged as legends in the toking business. Meth & Red spit over a hard hitting dusty, Erick Sermon track while trying to reach the top of stoner mountain. Coming off of the duo’s 1999 classic Blackout, this track is a mainstay on many smokey playlists.

   4. “High All the Time” – 50 Cent

While Queen’s emcee 50 Cent has said on many occasions that he doesn’t smoke weed himself, he sure does know how to make a record for the smokers. A hungry young Fif spits over a hard hitting Sha Money XL track about how he’s getting ready to take over the industry, and like it or not he’s doing it stoned. Lyrics such as “You don’t want me to be your kid’s role model// I’ll teach them how to buck them 380s and load up them hollows,” give you the overall gist of his mind state doing the recording of his Freshman classic Get Rich Or Die Tryin’.  The chorus itself could be a ceremonial chant for any weed advocated group. It’ll be the perfect sing along for you and your blunted friends.

   5. “Herb Shuttles” – The Underachievers

The Flatbush based duo features Issa Gold & AK and have been a fan favorite in the underground scene for a few years now. Their forward thinking rhymes and far out theories about many topics have grasped the attentions of stoners across the country. A big reason for that is this wavy cut from their 2013 mixtape, Indigoism which along with the video, drew acclaim from critics and fans alike. Make sure to bump this to help energize you in the middle of a crucial sesh.

   6. “Herban Legend” – Capital STEEZ

Keeping the vibe in the Beastcoast, the next track in the 4/20 playlist comes from the late Pro Era co-founder Capital STEEZ off of his 2012 classic tape Amerikkkan Korruption. The short two minute track shows Steelo going into a lyrical presentation of a day in life of Steez, the weed head. Going in on topics from slangin’ eighths to copping beats from a young Kirk Knight, the “Free The Robots” rapper takes you into his mind for a brief moment. RIP King Steelo.

  7. “Acid Lake” – Jay Bel

Brooklyn upstart, Jay Bel turned some heads in 2015 with the release of his hazy and accurate dive into the mind of a struggling artist with the track “Kate.” He failed to disappoint with a 2016 follow up with the faded and new age sounding “Acid Lake.” With crazy keyboard melodies and nice blends of singing and rapping, the song captures your head and will help ascend your already blunted mind. Keep an eye on the 19-year-old emcee.

  8. “Still Blazin” – Wiz Khalifa

 28-year-old Pittsburgh native, Wiz Khalifa made his way on to the scene as the heir to Snoop Dogg’s stoner throne with his mega hazy 2010 mixtape Kush & Orange Juice which is widely regarded as one of the best new aged mixtapes. The reggae themed track shows Wiz spitting bars about how the weed is making him feel with lyrics like, “You might go to sleep// Your throat might ache// You off that good weed// you need a nice break.” While the flow is simple, any seasoned stoner with many bong hits under their belt will be able to easily relate.

  9. “Crumblin’ Herb” – Outkast

While some people love to use grinders as a means of breaking down their weed because of things like the convenience and the opportunity for kief, any classic smoker will tell you themselves, there’s nothing better than breaking down a good nug by hand. Nobody captured this feeling better than Atlanta natives Big Boi and Andre 3000 with the classic joint off of their 1994 album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. With smooth bars about how all of their troubles are temporary, this is the perfect track to help get you out of your worries and into the sky.

  10. “Mary Jane” – Rick James 

Words don’t do this justice, throw this on to close out your playlist and then check out Rick bully Charlie Murphy. Happy 4/20 y’all!

Suggested Articles:

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The post RESPECT. 4/20: 10 Songs to Celebrate this Wavy Day appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The behind the scenes, master mind of hip-hop, Mike Williams, has finally decided to drop a single of his own. Many listeners know him by his infamous morphed “Mike WiLL Made it” at the beginning of so many hit rap tracks. However, as of late, the producer has been busy with America’s up and coming hip-hop princess, Miley Cyrus. After producing her number one hit and three time VMA nominated “We Can’t Stop,” Williams is pulling Cyrus on board for his debut single “23.”

Appearing for the first time alongside Wiz and Juicy J, this is definitely Cyrus‘ deepest venture into the hip-hop world. Nevertheless, upon the success of “We Can’t Stop,” Cyrus has pulled a successful 180 when it comes to her good girl gone bad image.

Williams is taking a leap of faith, but his musical experience and  track record may just come through for him once more. “23” doesn’t officially drop until August 26, but a snippet was released earlier this week. Based on the 30 second clip, it doesn’t sound like Williams will disappoint. His full album Est. In 1989 Pt. 3 (The Album) has no set release date but is rumored to drop around the holidays.

The post New Music: Mike WiLL Made it ft. Wiz Khalifa, Miley Cyrus and Juicy J- “23” (Snippet) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.