Just 24 hours after Kanye West’s temporary “Pablo” pop-up shops opened across the globe, millions of fans have swarmed the streets of their cities searching for the coveted Yeezy tour merch. The Supermarket, based in NYC’s TriBeCa district, opened its doors featuring an array of Pablo items, including “Ultralight Beam” t-shirts, “Famous” sweaters alongside Pablo military jackets and bombers with Cali Thornhill DeWitt’s gothic script in Crusta orange.

Fans lined up outside, enduring the sticky NYC’s humidity/heat all patiently waiting for their opportunity to cop up. Some stood proudly in their previously purchased Yeezus tour merch (mostly t-shirts and hats) Others showed their allegiance by wearing affiliated brands such as Adidas, Virgil Abloh’s Off-White and of course YEEZY sneakers in all flavors. Some even brought folding chairs and camped out overnight, with coolers filled with ration, umbrellas and even camping tents. For die-hard Yeezy fans, it’s definitely worth the wait – even if the line wraps around an entire city block.

Only being available over the weekend, be sure to stop into the Pablo Pop-up if you got a few hours and bucks to blow on rare fashion. The address is below for those willing to take the trip.

The Supermarket
393 Broadway
New York, NY
Hours: Friday to Saturday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. EDT,
Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. EDT

Photographers: Sebastian Ruiz / Hypebeast (In Store)

Clark Jones / hypefresh. (outside store)

**Sourced exclusively from hypefresh for RESPECT.**

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The disgruntlement didn’t start there, however. It had been brewing for some time, dating back to when Kanye West dropped Yeezus, in 2013. There were complaints about his new sound, which could mostly be accredited to Travi$ Scott. There were complaints about the subject matter his songs contained. There where even complaints against his wife, Kim Kardashian West, who many think “changed” Kanye, both musically and overall.

Kanye West hadn’t really addressed the bitching and moaning, until he made a record called “I Love Kanye”, which is featured on his latest album, The Life of Pablo. The song is voiced from the perspective of those who don’t exactly approve of the “new” Kanye and mockingly serves its purpose, with lines like,

“I used to love Kanye/I used to love Kanye/I even had the pink polo, I thought I was Kanye”

Here’s the thing.

What is it with Hip-Hop fans and their fetish for artists to stay the same for their whole career? Hip-Hop is an entity that is, has been and always should be evolving. Kanye West released his debut, The College Dropout in 2004. Twelve years ago, bro. So much has changed for him since then. He lost his mother, who was a huge piece of his life. He had a tumultuous love life that eventually resulted in a happy ending, as he got married and became a father twice. Shit changed. And for real artists, when shit changes, so does the music.

Take Jay Z for instance. There was a point in time where he rapped about his days in the Marcy projects, and all the shit he used to get into. Why? Because when he dropped Reasonable Doubt, in ’96, he wasn’t too far removed from that life. But if you fast forward to his most recent album, Magna Carta, Holy Grail, he’s rapping about Basquiat paintings, and Tom Ford. He’s shooting videos at the MoMA. He’s rapping about a life that he probably wouldn’t have thought twice about living in the 80’s and 90’s.

Again, as the lifestyle changes, so does the music. As the times change, so does the music.

Why would an artist want to remain stagnant their whole career, instead of changing with the times? If Kurtis Blow put out an album tomorrow, rapping in the same cadence as back in the day, nobody would go get that shit. Nobody would listen to a single song, unless Future was on the hook and Metro Boomin was on the beat. So how much do you really “miss” the old version of (insert artist here)?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the new direction Kanye West’s music is going in. It’s creative, it’s forward moving and it doesn’t sound like anything else that’s out right now. Do you know how hard it is to continuously reinvent yourself, while simultaneously staying relevant? How can you hate that? Enjoy the music, man. Embrace the new wave. I think Hov said it best: “Wanna hear my old shit? Buy my old albums”

The post I [Don’t] Miss The Old Kanye appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Until today.

Apparently, the rumors were true. At some point, Yeezy, Miley and Travi$ Scott came together and created what is the previously unreleased remix of the anarchic record; and it’s a banger. Kanye’s verses are relatively unchanged, Miley channels her inner Tears for Fears, and of course La Flame provides his undeniable ad-libs.

We’re pretty sure Kanye didn’t leak this one himself, so enjoy it while you can!

*Sidebar: I have no idea why Lupe Fiasco is listed as a feature on this song.

The post Kanye West’s “Black Skinhead” remix with Miley Cyrus really happened appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Drake is not the only rapper going “Back to Back” in 2015, as Kanye West has become a two-time winner himself. Yeezy wins come from being a style icon for the guys. The 38-year-old rapper was named as the Most Stylish Man Of 2015 by GQ magazine.

This is the second time West nabbed the fashion title by the bible for high-end menswear (he won it in 2014). The “Blood on the Leaves″ rapper took to Twitter to thank the voters who made his victory possible.

The competition was stiff, but the Chicago native came equipped with an endorsement by the Kardashians, including his wife, Kim, who posted tweets urging their followers to support West’s campaign.

And after all of the votes were in, which topped out at over one million, West nabbed 520,119 votes in comparison to 445,073 for Lucky Blue.

From making the biggest splash at New York Fashion Week by debuting his Yeezus line for Adidas, to turning the sneaker game on its ear with his popular Yeezy Boost releases, it’s clear he made an impact in the fashion world in 2015.

The post GQ Names Kanye West “Most Stylish Man of 2015” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

As we know, Yeezus enjoys nothing more than sharing words of wisdom, so it seems just fitting that he hit up Oxford University to do just that. Inspiring students at the Museum of National History; the selected 350 students were more than ecstatic at the appearance of Kanye West, who undoubtedly embraced this powerful moment every step of the way.
Needless to say, the well-rounded artist has a unique touch on the industry with a strong mind, and well, distinctive thoughts.
Although the Flashing Lights icon swerved any attempts of photographs at the event, luckily for the streets, it wasn’t long before a thread of Kanye’s quotes streamed across networks. Take a look at the inspirational collection below:

“Beauty has been stolen from the people and sold back to them as luxury”

“If I, Kanye West, can remove my ego, I think there’s hope for everyone.” #KanyeBelieveIt

“We have the resources as a civilisation to make a utopia, but we’re led by the most greedy and the least noble”

“People say I’ve got a bad reputation. I think I’ve got the best reputation in the building.”

“Clothing should be like food. There should never be a $5000 sweater. You know what should cost $5000? A car…”

“I don’t think there’s a living celebrity with more weapons formed against him, but I don’t think there’s one more prosperous.”

The post Kanye West Brings Words Of Inspiration appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

This is not to take focus off of Kanye West‘s recent moves and successes, but to shed light on an old sound he used to offer from 1996 to 2000. If you study Kanye’s production over the years you will certainly notice a development in sound, as expected from any artist with longevity in this hip-hop game. We will be breaking down strictly production in this article, while also take note of his early emceeing days as well. In the summer of 1996 Fat Beats made a big store-front shift, and during their grand opening night Kanye could be found alongside Al Tariq, Butter Lee and Black Attack on some raw, smooth 90’s tip. There is a good chance you will learn something new from at least one or two of these audio clips below. If not, take it as a refreshing reminder or something that you can talk to your brother or co-worker about later on today. Enjoy:

Chicago emcee Grav released his heavily slept on Down To Earth in 1996 under Correct Records. Kanye West produced a total of eight records on this album, making it his debut appearance on wax. Notice the raw boom-bap sound he was rocking here. Aside from Grav’s lyrical debauchery, the album’s production alone was given a lot of credit. “Sick Thoughts” is a standout record. So much so, that all hip-hop heads should have it in their stash.

In 1998 Jermaine Dupri released his debut Life in 1472 LP, with “Turn It Out” featuring Nas serving as the introduction track. This is a straight up party record, really highlighting those early So-So Def days we all remember all too well. Kanye West had some fun with this joint, tastefully utilizing some Willie Hutch and Davy DMX on the samples.

After Foxy Brown‘s successful 1996 Ill Na Na, she returned in 1999 with her sophomore release China Doll. The album is loaded with concrete features and production, with Kanye being the producer on “My Life.” Kick back with this dreamy, relaxing hook while scratching your head in shock if you didn’t already know Ye was on the boards.

Harlem World was a short lived collective, with only one album release titled The Movement, also from 1999. “You Made Me” appears near the beginning of the album, and features Carl Thomas and Nas. Kanye West appeared to keep this one pretty simple, allowing the emcees to do what they do.

Do you remember the voice on the introduction to Biggie‘s “Kick In The Door?” How about Black Rob‘s “Whoa!?” That is producer/emcee D-Dot (The Madd Rapper) who released his debut LP in 2000 titled Tell ‘Em Why U Madd, with Kanye West on the science. This is a real zone-out, mellow cut from Kanye’s super early catalogue.

With all that being said, we hope you learned at least one thing from this article about Ye and his early production. If you didn’t learn anything, maybe this was simply a refreshing reminder for you hip-hop junkies that he has been doing his thing for quite some time, and not just some overnight pop star that the younger generation may view him as.

Wait, here goes that bonus footage from 1996 at Fat Beats, as mentioned in our introduction. You’re welcome:

The post Vintage Kanye West: Pre-College Dropout (1996-2000) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Praise Yeezus. The new Kanye West album has proof of existence, we just can’t listen to it yet. Yesterday, Thelophious London, who’s allegedly heavily featured on Kanye’s new record posted a photo on Instagram of himself and Kanye at Paris Fashion Week. London writes that he remembers “Kanye playing his new album 3 times” and “moshing drunk with mad babes.” We can only wait patiently and until the new Kanye is released, be jealous of the 20 people who were able to listen to this at his private listening party. Get ready Balenciaga fan-boys/American pop culture, Yeezy season approaching.

The post Kanye West plays new album three times at Paris Fashion Week appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.