As the cold weather creeps upon us on the east coast, declarations of hibernation for the winter start to pour in accompanied by semi-sincere promises to not attend any social events. Assumedly, those individuals were not planning on Hot 97 to bring their usual summer heat to the colder months this year. Shaking up plans to reside under blankets, the infamous New York radio station has teamed up with legendary hip hop artist Busta Rhymes for the Busta Rhymes & Friends: Hot for the Holidays concert event. Featuring such acts as Puff Daddy, Mary J. Blige, Fetty Wap, French Montana, Sean Paul, Lil Wayne, and Jeremih, this is definitely going to be an event worth ditching the covers for! Not to mention, the renowned songstress herself Mariah Carey and the boss Rick Ross have both been added to the line-up since the initial announcment.

To get more details about this fast-approaching, epic concert, RESPECT. caught up with Hot 97 mid-day host Megan Ryte to talk about crazy experiences with crowds, concert fashion tips, and why Hot for the Holidays is looking like it’s going to be the winter version of Summer Jam.

With Black Friday ticket prices currently in effect, now would be the time to cop your own so you’re not out in the cold for this event!

RESPECT. Magazine: You’re co-hosting the Busta Rhymes & Friends: Hot for the Holidays concert along with the rest of the Hot 97 crew. Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform?

Megan Ryte: You know what? I’m honestly excited to see how Busta Rhymes is performing with the guests because, you know, he’s got hits for days. He’s got a whole catalogue of classics. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him [perform] and I’m very excited to see how the whole show is put on because it’s under Busta Rhymes & friends. I’m assuming everyone’s going to do a bunch of their older classics and Busta’s gonna be on stage, as well. I just want to see the collabs together.

RM: Yeah, that should be interesting. So, as a DJ, you’ve toured the world and played for countless audiences. Tell me about you’re craziest experience with a crowd.

MR: Hmm, let me see. OK, I’ve got one. I was overseas and I was DJing for an artist; her name was Natalia Kills. She use to be signed to Interscope. I don’t know if she’s still signed. I know she was on X Factor for a little bit, but she’s originally from London so we did an European tour. I have really big, crazy, curly hair. I’m very well aware that Sheila E. is a drummer and not a DJ. I don’t know if they didn’t put two and two together, but as soon as I was up on stage, people started screaming, “Sheila E.!” Literally. Like, as I was DJing. See, this wasn’t like decades ago; this was like four, maybe five, years ago. I just remember we would go to these different venues and I would get off stage and it would be crowds of people wanting to take pictures of me because they thought I was Sheila E. (laughs) I don’t know if it was the hair. I don’t know if they really thought that I was her or if they just saw the similarities and saw, you know, there’s this girl and she’s on stage. I wasn’t a drummer though, so I don’t really get it, but it was kind of cool being over there and that whole situation. It was actually really funny. At, literally, every venue we would go to, people would do that!

RM: That’s so crazy! So, I’ve been out to concerts during the time that this concert’s going to take place where it’s not winter yet, but the weather is winter adjacent. Even still, when you’re outside, you see females with their arms out, legs out, what have you in the name of being cute. What kind of fashion tips or suggestions do you have for the female crowd coming out to this event who want to look cute, but not crazy and cold at the same time?

MR: I would keep it comfortable! I’m not a real dress up kind of person for concerts, you know? I see people do that and I have a hard time understanding why people do that because it’s a lot of standing. I would keep it casual; definitely cover up. I would definitely have something that you can take off when you get inside because when you’re jumping around, when you’re Diddy boppin’ when Puff Daddy’s on stage, you know what I’m saying? You’re going to want to be Diddy boppin’ with Diddy! I definitely wouldn’t go for the overdress. I don’t think this is that type of event to be overdressed, over-cute. Do cute-casual.

RM: Yeah, exactly. That’s what I always thought until one time I went to a concert with my cousin and her friends and everyone was dressed up. I was like, “Ummm…did I do something wrong?” (laughs)

MR: Yeah! I always see that and I’m just like, “What is going on?” I’m just like, it’s not worth the pain. I want to have a good time and enjoy the show. Definitely for me to have a good time, I’m going to need some sneakers. (laughs)

RM: Busta Rhymes has a lot of friends. Diddy has a lot of friends. Considering that this is Busta Rhymes’ 25th anniversary celebration of being in hip hop, who do you think they might end up bringing up on that stage or who do you hope they bring out on stage that they haven’t announced yet?

MR: Oh, you’re not going to trick me! See, here’s the thing: you have to know that this is Hot 97. We’re known for special guests. We’re known for putting on amazing shows and having special guests. This is also Busta Rhymes, which is the guy with, like I said before, 25 years in the game celebrating a 25th anniversary. He has a catalogue and relationships with all kinds of people. I really think it should be, instead of “Who’s gonna be there,” who’s not going to be there? That’s how I’m looking at it. I feel like there’s going to be all kinds of people that are definitely going to come out and support, especially with these calibers of artists. That’s why I’m super excited about it. That’s why I’m hyped about them all being on stage doing their collabs together. To me, even when I watch Summer Jam, that’s my favorite part of Summer Jam. Like, when Fab (Fabolous) came out and he brought all the people and he did different sets; [he] kind of went through his history and his catalogue. So, it’ll be super dope to see that all unfold.

RM: Yeah because this is looking like it’s going to be like a mini Summer Jam or a Winter Jam or something.

MR: The way it’s being put together, right?

RM: Yeah.

MR: Yeah, and I look at the caliber of artists that are already on. Like, you got Puff Daddy…It’s going to be up there.

RM: Yeah, it should be crazy. So, it’s almost the end of the year; the holiday shopping season will officially start on Black Friday. With that being said, why do you think Hot 97 listeners and RESPECT. readers should come out to this event versus saving that money that they would spend on tickets for holiday expenses like gifts, food, or travel expenses?

MR: I think that it’s going to be an amazing show. We talked about, you know, the show. I’m one of those people who sometimes gives gifts in advance and I’ll be like, “Oh, FYI: this is your Christmas gift.” (laughs) I think that it’s definitely a show that you don’t want to miss. I know people say that and it’s very, very cliché, but again, when you look at who’s putting it on, we always put on amazing shows. To collab with Busta for this knowing that if you look up Busta’s catalogue and you look up what he’s doing and what he’s been doing over the past 25 years, over that span of time, any of those people could show up at the show. I just don’t think that’s something that you want to miss out on because I don’t see it happening again.

Hot 97’s Busta Rhymes & Friends: Hot for the Holidays concert will take place December 5th at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Get you tickets here!

The post Hot for the Holidays: Hot 97’s Megan Ryte Talks Winter Concert with Busta Rhymes & Friends appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

A former X Factor UK finalist already making a name for herself across the pond, Misha B makes her grand entrance with “MishStyle.” For those who haven’t followed her career over the last 18 months, the emcee takes the opportunity to lyrically correct those who doubted her success:

“I went from busking to a handful of people, now I’ve got my hands full of people, way back when it was me and my pen, not a penny to spend, I was broke. All I had was my dream and hope, eating 50p noodles in packs, now I’m out here living, making noodles from scratch.”

K.Lawton takes an ebullient and vibrant approach on the production tip, pairing the singer-songwriter’s fiery style with energetic sung vocals with a dash of Nicki Minaj on the side.  While she has previously been on the pop side of the musical spectrum with previous releases, Misha revisits her rap roots, conquering expectations, and proudly showcasing her versatility. “MishStyle” is tentatively not be included on her upcoming debut album, but we have a feeling that it might well make the final cut. Listen below.

The post New Music: Misha B – “MishStyle” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The sheer mainstream power of the X Factor UK saw MK1 emerge from last year’s competition with more credibility than they ever had before. Undeniably, it was their charisma that got them a shot in the finals, but it was also their intellectual way with fiery rhymes that helped them stay there and eventually steal the show. Although they didn’t win the contest, it got them what they wanted: a platform from which to launch a career far above the average artist. Their debut single, “Let Go” shows that they aren’t afraid to display their vulnerabilities, self-doubts, and even uncertainties.

The duo consisting of Sim and Charlie has that ability to get listeners to identify with their lyrics. There’s something intriguing about their performances, too. Their shows are rife with big dudes in snapbacks throwing their hands in the air and rapping along with songs about letting go off their insecurities. But that doesn’t isolate people. In fact, MK1 is doing the opposite. With long term ambitions to keep their dream alive, we caught up with the duo to talk about their new single, “Let Go,” living life with no limitations, and why they are not in it for the fame.

RESPECT.: What kind of preparation did you go through when recording? Do you have any pre-studio rituals?

Sim: No, we are not ritualistic. All we do is just get in the studio and vibe. Sometimes me or Charlie will have an idea, but if we don’t we just chill and wait for the right vibes to come along. That’s our routine.

So, you don’t sing “Eye of the Tiger”?

Sim: Those kinds of songs won’t work for us [laughs]. We’re happy doing what we do at the moment.

How did you get interested in making music? Was there a hip-hop song that you heard that made you say, “I want to start making records like this”?

Sim: For me, it was definitely growing up listening to So Solid Crew and Dizzee Rascal. I think when Dizzee dropped his album, Boy In Da Corner, that literally changed my whole outlook on music. I was like, ‘This is something I really want to explore to see if I can become a good MC.’

Charlie, this time last year, you were working as a songwriter and a studio engineer in North London. Has becoming famous been what you expected?

So far, it’s been an amazing experience. But to tell the truth, we are not really in it for the fame. If we could do music without the need to be celebrities, we would happily just focus on the music side of things. To us, it’s really not about the fame.

When you listen to music for inspiration, how do you keep that division so it doesn’t become your sound?

Sim: I take it in and appreciate it as a fan. In our writing process, we always make sure we do what sounds right for us and not try to be influenced on anything else. That is something that works for us, especially as we don’t like to be influenced too much even though we listen to a wide range of music. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, we know we’ve got our own sound that our fans know and respect.

Just out of curiosity, are you named after the famous 1974 Volkswagen Golf MK1?

Sim: [Laughs] No. Unfortunately, it’s actually the name of one of Charlie’s pianos—a Yamaha MK1. A lot of people tend to think we are from Milton Keynes or it’s referring to the Mark 1 car, but it’s really not.

You both have huge stage presence. Can you control it? Do you have the ability to turn it on and off?

Charlie: We both go through our own individual phases. When we’re backstage and we hear the words ‘Here is MK1,’ that straightaway triggers momentum and excitement in us. But obviously, everyone needs their downtime so when we’re not performing, we like to turn it down a notch and chill out.

What were each of your preconceptions of the other before coming together as a duo?

Sim: We were really lucky because we met through a mutual friend. I remember looking for a female singer, and at that time, Charlie was working with [former MK1 member] Will , who was also looking for a rapper to join their movement. The very same day we got together we agreed to go into the studio the following day, and as you can imagine, that day was just magical. We knew that was it and whatever we were going to do afterwards would work. It all came together nicely.

When you started, did you feel that it was just a sideline hobby? Or did you have long term, “We’re going to make it big,” goals in mind?

Sim: We definitely had long term goals in mind. When we came together we had the same drive to make sure it was long term. Obviously, we went through those moments thinking, ‘Is this going to end up becoming a hobby?’ But when you do massive shows and see the responses from fans, you realize how much you have to do to make it long term.

There’s so much going on in your sound, how would you describe the relationship between your music, your voice, your personalities and lyrics?

Charlie: All of our motions come out through our lyrics. For instance, I always aim to write the kind of hooks that I know people will straightaway latch onto. Sim will come in afterwards hyping up the song with some clever lyrics, but in terms of the music and both of our vocals, it works really well. Even though they could be three completely separate things, they all gel together really nicely.

So let’s talk about the new single, “Let Go,” which sounds like a big statement. Are you singing from experience?

Sim: When we left the X Factor in October last year, we were performing everyday right up until New Year’s Eve. In January, we had a month off to focus on studio work and “Let Go” was the first song we wrote, [it was] with a producer called Skripture. It literally felt so right for us to talk about letting go of all the insecurities, the negativity and staying positive. Going through a process like the X Factor is kind of like a gift and a curse. You’re put out there and given your moment to shine, but afterwards, you’ve got to get back to work [much] harder. For us this is a track that represents what we are about.

What things in particular influenced how you went about writing this record?

Sim: It was literally everything we experienced coming off the X Factor. Furthermore, performing and meeting so many different people from across the country dramatically changed our lives. That’s why we wanted to incorporate that into “Let Go,” and I think that is something we’ve done quite nicely.

I think the video may be able to back this up, because I feel as though “Let Go” is very evocative. Listening to it, I get the urge to start banging my head on street signs like Kanye. What feelings do you envision when performing the song?

Sim: [Laughs] A few of the fans are convinced that we are talking about something away from letting go off insecurities but Charlie and I literally thought nothing else apart from having fun and living life to the fullest. The video is the way it is because that’s how we get down–always having a laugh and chilling with friends.

Why do you think it’s so difficult for female rappers to have a consistent presence in hip hop?

Charlie: I’m a fairly good rapper. My rap lyrics are always really good but as much as I like rapping, I think it’s a male-dominated genre. It started with guys and the way how I see it, I think it will end with guys. A lot of female MCs believe because it’s a male thing, they have to come really hard, and I think that’s something that alienates a lot of guys. I think it really depends how you come across with your lyrics, because if it’s all about you stating ‘I am this, or I am that,’ then you will push away a lot of people. It can be difficult finding that balance but that’s why I took the decision to only rap on a few of the tracks on our album.

What’s your least favourite thing about rap right now?

Charlie: The things that get on my nerves are lyrics that are not even here or there, some rappers will say anything because something rhymes. I love Nicki Minaj, and when she first came out spitting on Kanye West’s “Monster,” she was unbelievable. Also, when she did Bedrock, she was amazing. But when she started doing a lot of rapping over dance beats, I thought she started slacking a little bit.

There’s the famous cliché about feeling pressure to remain relevant after the X Factor. How does the pressure to do well now compare to the weight to being on the show?

Charlie: It is kind of like the same pressure all over again. The main pressure whilst on the show was conforming and wanting to come across well. Now, it’s that pressure to be even more true to whom we are. It was difficult trying hard to keep it real on the show. Now with everyone being really busy, it might seem as there is animosity, but that’s not the case. Everyone is just doing their own thing.

Sim, you’re known for your impressive array of sunglasses. Do you have one for every occasion?

I think I have only got around two pairs of sunglasses, but I have got a lot of specs.  What I do is I buy a lot of them and then go to Vision Express and get them to replace the lenses with prescription ones. It’s mad [laughs]. I can’t stop myself.

I think Colonel Gaddafi had some of the best shades that money could buy.

I haven’t seen the ones he was rocking. I must go and check them out [laughs].

You guys seem to enjoy spending a lot of time dining at T.G.I. Friday’s. If you could have your own fast-food chain, what would you sell?

Sim: I am a big fan of Caribbean food, especially oxtail. For all the fans, who are crazy about rice and peas and oxtail; that would be all we would sell.

So, what would MK1—flavoured oxtail taste like?

Sim: It would taste sweet but at the same time with some nice kick of spices. You will be begging for more.

Last question: In the spirit of your band name MK1, what would each acronym stand for?

Sim: M would stand for Major—whatever we do we just make major moves. K would represent killer—anything we touch we destroy. And the 1 will be the chart position that we’ll always be aiming for.

MK1’s new single, “Let Go” is out on August 4. Click here to pre-order.

The post Interview: MK1 on their new single “Let Go,” life after the X Factor, and why it’s still difficult for females in hip-hop appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.