Musicians Rocky Snyda, and Jay Prob, hosted a subway performance in true New Yorker fashion. “Free Swipe” was held on September 10 on the 6 train.

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Yeah, you read that correctly, the 6 train. Everyone entered the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall Station. The crowd waited in anticipation for the subway performance as the team rolled up in their best drip.

We were given the opportunity to photograph this subway performance; which was nerve-wracking at the start. As someone who is from the DMV, I can say that the trains in D.C. have never experienced anything like Free Swipe.

GIF Courtesy Jade Rodgers

As the night went on it felt more natural to be in that space. People from all creative backgrounds were on the scene ready to experience the show.

There’s something about a show on a subway that brings another level of excitement to viewing an artist live. Intimate shows usually consist of specific space on a stage set to separate the artist from the crowd, but this was different. 

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“Free Swipe” had the perfect team

Rocky Snyda and Jay Prob pushed those boundaries as they stood level with their crowd. They took an everyday means for transportation and turned it into magic.

An artist always needs a team and Rocky and Jay had the perfect lineup to put the show together. They teamed up with vibe curator Rumpus, Concert organizer Arty Furtado, DJ No Promises, and FUTRxLGND to execute their plan. Everyone squeezed into the 6 as DJ Mel set the vibes off, and the artists got ready to perform. 

We could feel the anticipation from the crowd like we all knew we were waiting for a performance unlike any we’d ever been to. Creating images on a moving train proved to be challenging enough but the artists performed using the movement from the train to their advantage.

GIF Courtesy Jade Rodgers

Many photographers go for crisp imagery but in this space, you could definitely use that movement to your advantage. Capturing the energy of the crowd and performers was a top priority.

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Jay Prob takes the Free Swipe stage

GIF Courtesy Jade Rodgers

Jay Prob kicked things off as he commanded the crowd with his energy. Everyone used railings and train seats to get a better view of his set. The train’s turbulence didn’t stop anyone from dancing to his music.

As the train continued uptown, people peered in at each stop to see what was going on. To imagine being on the other side of those train car doors is impossible when you’re immersed in Jay and Rocky’s energy. 

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Rocky Snyda on the rails

GIF Courtesy Jade Rodgers

The artists attracted more people, and some subway goers even joined the Free swipe party to listen to the music. It was a big party, and everyone was welcome.

A few stops before we transferred to head back downtown, Rocky Snyda performed. She stood on top of the train seats, leaning into the crowd as they screamed the lyrics to her tracks.

After her first song, the crowd chanted for her to perform her single, “W”. Rocky’s energy filled up that subway car and seeing everyone respond to the way she spits really set off the night.

As the crowd got off at the transfer point, we followed the sounds of saxophonist, Evan Jacobson. The musician kept the party’s energy going before they headed back. Rocky Snyda and Jay Prob are bringing a new sound and energy to the music scene.

GIF Courtesy Jade Rodgers

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The Future Legends

They truly are future legends (FUTRxLGND) and if there is another Free Swipe in the future, add this to your to-do list. You don’t want to miss out on what these creatives are planning!

The future artists out of  Brooklyn are making waves and changing the music scene. They continue to push the culture, set the stage, so we expect great things to come.

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Follow Rocky Snyda (click here). Follow Jay Prob (click here).

Omar Jones has the potential to be one of the biggest music video directors in the rap game and his recent work with Isaiah Rashad’s latest album, The House is Burning proves it.

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Have you ever watched a new music video from your favorite artist and been underwhelmed? Did it leave you inexplicably disappointed? Could you not quite put your finger on why you didn’t like it? Well, you are certainly not alone.

Music videos have the power to stand with their songs as iconic and memorable and serve as the ultimate power-up to accompany and musical artistry a rapper wants to visualize.

via GIPHY

Take for example The Weeknd’s exploding car video for “The Hills“, or the timeless Michael Jackson “Thriller” video.

They can also be weird, pointless, or simply not fit with the theme and vibe of the song. Getting a music video right is no simple task, there is a ton of room for error. In recent years, the rap genre has been at the forefront of uninteresting, uninspired music videos.

Rappers who are in their box do nothing but aggressively lip-sync, flaunt money in their hand, drive cars in the background. It’s boring. At the same time, I get it.

If you don’t have the resources to make a great video and that kind of video is the only thing you can make, do it for exposure. It just adds very little to the song.

Omar Jones is racking up millions of views

However, there are many videographers, in the hip-hop community, that have come out with unique, memorable videos to match the songs that the videos are paired with.

One of these videographers is Omar Jones, who is currently the mastermind behind two of the videos for the new Isaiah Rashad album “The House Is Burning”.

Jones directed the brilliant video for the song “Lay Wit Ya” back in May when Rashad released the song as a teaser for his album The House is Bruning. Then their video for the banger “From The Garden” was released right after to an overwhelmingly positive fan reception.

Jones’ work is so remarkable because of his ability to match the vibe, and pace of the song. Take for example the “From The Garden” music video. The video starts black and white with a slow pace focusing on Rashad, but the pace gradually speeds up as the song intensifies.

The camera drifts into an overhead view showcasing various street activities. As this is happening color drifts into the frame. Then, when Lil Uzi begins his feature, the video transforms into a trippy black and white scape.

The scape features a constant, well-paced zoom into evolving shapes that have Uzi, Rashad, and differing scenes inside of them. The remainder of the song alternates once more between these two styles and remains interesting, well-paced, and hypnotic throughout.

Omar also directed the video for Young Thug and Gunna’s smash hit “Ski” back in April. The video was also true to the theme of the song, which is more of a braggadocious, melodic, colorful track.

The video features more typical rap video aspects like lavish mansions, expensive cars, beautiful women, and a whole lot of drip. But in many ways, it is differentiated from typical videos.

The muted blue tints and heat signatures, as well as the snowy background, keep true to the song’s title “Ski”, while also creating a memorable aesthetic.

The moving blank white slate featuring Gunna and Young Thug rapping is also an interesting, well-executed change of scenery that breaks up potential monotony. Overall, it is a unique, well-balanced video for a song whose potential for a forgettable video was relatively high.

Keep up with the Jones

Omar Jones has the potential to be one of the biggest video directors in the rap game.

He has shown proficiency in creating different ideas that match different kinds of hip hop, which is not something that can be said for every director.

If you like these videos and are interested in Omar Jones and his director work, we got you. Follow him on Instagram, and Twitter, and check out his website to keep up to date with his projects.

Make sure you catch whatever he puts out next. We promise you won’t regret it.

Lot 45 garnered quite the range of eclectic individuals on July 10. Under one roof, garnishments, arrangements, apparel, and hip-hop accentuated the aura at Top Shelf Premium’s Supply & Demand showcase in Brooklyn.

Top Shelf Premium put on one hell of a show…

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Whether your eye locked in on the myriad of underground merchandise, vinyl records, caricatures, clothing, food, or performances – not much was left unturned.

Entering the Lot45 venue, the first stand to your right hoisted towels with three distinct graffiti letters stylized, RRR. And upon arrival, it was easy to see that Top Shelf Premium and their basketball-themed tees moved from shelves to bodies via hand-to-hand bartering.

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Top Shelf Premium hosts local vendors and more…

Throughout the front half of the venue, people distributed the creative fruits of their labor. Without a doubt, artwork from the likes of 1000 Words, Bernard Rollins, and LAAMS NYC caught the attention of many.

The swirling streetwear connoisseurs intertwined brilliantly with local vendors. The more one tried to solicit – the less their product sold. Rather, genuine energy and illumination via visual attraction reigned supreme.

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Real Recognize Real (RRR)

Certainly, zero substitutes arrive in lieu of the intangibles. The ability to magnetize your presence and create a distinctly identifiable persona cannot be iterated enough.

Clearly, the corridor just beyond the entrance brought together many different individuals from countless walks of life. The ones who discerned themselves from their character on wax flourished mightily. 

Starker, YL & Zoomo embodied their primetime 7:30 PM slot on stage. Indubitably, the “Lo Ceasar” combination commanded the attention of all patrons. 

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A post shared by Starker Ltd © (@ghostnacekillah)

RRR (Real Recognize Real) presence radiated throughout the establishment from the jump. When they hopped on stage – the thirst for additional songs grew. Concert goers really began to jive and the abundant energy left many yearning for a longer setlist.

Click here to watch our interview with RRR member MID

Immediately following their set, we turned the block with Starker, YL and Zoomo to capture an exhilarating post-game interview. The following conversation took place curbside adjacent to Starker’s BMW.

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YL: We literally fresh off stage right now. 

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A post shared by YL (@youngwhy)

Kulture Hub: So going right into it. What’s a wallaby rap? 

Starker: Wallaby’s are an attitude. You know about Wallaby’s you put them on – you got different sneakers. Wallaby’s are like oh, you on some other shxt. So a Wallaby Rap is when you’re on some other shxt.

Kulture Hub: So with all the different people out there, they say good artists copy great artists steal what does that mean to y’all?

Starker: It means that you got to do what you can to take something that people aren’t familiar with and make it yours. 

“There’s nothing in this world that ain’t already been done that’s a fact.”

YL, RRR

YL: Find your own songs. Yo, there’s nothing in this world that ain’t already been done that’s a fact! Add your spin and make it a different collage of shxt that doesn’t already exist. That shxt comes from within…

Kulture Hub: What’s the overseas bag like? I’m not trying to pocketwatch…

YL: That’s some shxt I do off the strength, just like on some love shxt. That’s just like some mixes I do every month type of shxt. Talking about going to Japan and doing the tour out there. Yeah, we definitely got the bag for that and the flight.

But yeah we bout to do it up even crazier next time. Once the shxt really opens up – but that’s really important. We’re trying to go back to Japan right? 

Starker: Soon as we can. We’re going back to Japan.

YL: Hit up London, Paris. Italy.

Kulture Hub: No doubt. What are you all about Zoomo? I know you’re on the boards and the beats.

Zoomo: That’s it – I’m choppin’ it up. Cookin’ it up, living life.

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A post shared by zoomo (@zoomoguy)

Kulture Hub: Man of few words doesn’t need to say much. How does it feel though? Y’all had everybody on stage rocking with you – Definitely, the most heightened energy I’ve seen all night.

YL: I’m gonna say this was probably the most lit show that we’ve had collectively. This is probably the most – we were just saying – like wow we finally like getting love in our city type shit.

That’s the craziest part. People of all ages really… mean we were here since like 12 o’clock – just signing vinyl, CDs, shirts all day. That’s crazy bro because I see it online. But, it’s been a minute since we had an in-person thing so – you already know man – I see it in person.

Kulture Hub: Word to the man from Genius Rob Markman. You know, sometimes people go from writer to artists, artists to writer. What do you think about that versatility?

YL: Sometimes personally for me, it’s hard – you got to really be nice to convince me if you were just like some journalist and you were tryna change variety.

“You got to really be nice. I don’t really jack this halfway shit.“

– YL, RRR

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A post shared by NVF – OUTSIDE (@newvegasfilms)

Kulture Hub: I know y’all don’t like to reveal too much and I respect that but what can we see on tour when can we see yall next in concert?

Zoomo: When you book us.

YL: Find out – I got a show. August 25. Opening up for Eyedress out here in Elsewhere Lounge Bushwick. 

Kulture Hub: I ain’t gonna hold y’all too much longer. I got one last question. If there was one prominent significant moment, that was the gleaming moment for y’all what was that like? 

Starker: As soon as n*ggas said, “Yo make some f*ckin noise like aaahh.” The first second of the f*ckin set was really locked in – like really in the building.  

YL: I was like, ‘oh we got people’s attention!?’ 

Zoomo: And before the last song Curbcandy – crazy. 

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The conversation concludes as newfound acquaintances share daps and a genuine moment. Something tells me this won’t be the last time we hear from these cats. For sure the quality of their music is top shelf premium.

Check RRR’s most recent visual for YL’s Slowpoke Rodriguez track below.

When I say Caribbean food, what’s the first thing that pops into your head? Is it the jerk proteins of Jamaica? The sweet plantains of Cuba? West Indian curry? Seafood? The answer better be all of the above and way more.

The Caribbean has served as a figurative and literal melting pot of cuisines from around the world for quite some time. And thanks to the concentration of Caribbean-Americans in New York City, the city has become a hotbed for Caribbean cuisines of all kinds.

The beauty of Caribbean food lies in two unique qualities. The first being the nonsingularity of the cuisines. The Caribbean consists of hundreds of islands, 13 countries, and countless different languages, religions and cultures from all over the world. This gives Caribbean food a unique diversity not found in many other cuisines from around the world.

The second is the familial nature of Caribbean cuisine. Every Caribbean dish feels like it was made with love specifically for you and by your favorite auntie. Each bite builds a deeper connection between the chef and diner.

Summer is the perfect time to get your Caribbean grub on, so we picked out a few of the best spots to pull up to that’ll for real have you licking your fingers and coming back for more.

Freda’s

 

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@FredasNYC is serving comfort food like nowhere else in town. #MacaroniandCheese #JerkChicken #CurryPotatoes #ChickPeas

A post shared by Freda’s Cuisine (@fredasnyc) on Aug 15, 2017 at 10:45am PDT

I shouldn’t have to say anything more than Caribbean AND soul food to convince you to hit this uptown spot. Yes, you can get brown stew chicken, Mac and cheese, and fried sweet plantains all on the same plate.

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Glady’s

 

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It’s chicken time! 🐔🔥🤗 #grillmaster #jerkchicken #caribbeanflavors #brooklyneats #youknowyouwantsome #kitchencuties

A post shared by Glady’s (@gladyscaribbean) on May 15, 2019 at 4:15pm PDT

Few NYC area chefs have mastered the art of slow cooking jerk proteins like chef Michael Jacober. Pair that with the extensive cocktail list and homey atmosphere, and Glady’s is definitely somewhere to be this summer.

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Lolo’s Seafood Shack

 

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Hey buddy, we need to talk.. why don’t you follow me into my belly.. ahem.. I mean office.. Crab Legs w/ Shrimp Steampot – 1 lb. snow crab legs with 1/2 lb. Peel + Eat shrimp & sweet potatoes with choice of signature sauce #homemade #food #foodie #foodlove #yummy #delicious

A post shared by LoLo’s Seafood Shack (@lolosseafoodshack) on Jun 7, 2019 at 12:22pm PDT

This Harlem seafood spot owned by Chef Raymond Moran and Leticia “Skai” Young has everything you need for a dope spot.

The menu is inspired by Caribbean upbringings and a love for travel. It would be foolish of me not to mention the Crabby Dip + Plantain Chips on the menu because that’s just way too hype.

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Food Sermon

 

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The Link to Full Length Episode is in our Bio. @chefrw cooks his Caribbean Inspired Cuisine for @guarnaschelli on the Fix Me a Plate Finale. @foodnetwork #webelieveinyou!

A post shared by THE FOOD SERMON (@thefoodsermon) on Dec 4, 2018 at 10:49am PST

It was only a matter of time before Caribbean cuisine hopped on the fast-casual eatery fad. Chef Rawlston Williams opened The Food Sermon in Crown Heights with bowls inspired by his home island of St. Vincentland the Grenadines.

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Sister’s

Hop on the 4, 5, 6 line to 125th street for this bomb Caribbean food. Just make sure you get there early because dishes have been known to sell out and sell out hella quick.

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The Door

The Door, in Jamaica, Queens offers authentic staples of Jamaican cuisine in an elegant dining atmosphere. The fact that this place has been going strong in Jamaica for almost 20 years is enough of a reason to check this restaurant out.

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The Islands

After being forced out of their old location due to the ongoing gentrification of Brooklyn, The Islands was able to find a new location early last year. Without skipping a beat, The Islands has continued to bring quality Jamaican food to the people of Brooklyn.

New York City is the perfect place for Caribbean food to thrive. Like the Caribbean, NYC is defined by its mixing and blending of different cultures into one unifying identification.

The strong presence of Caribbean-Americans in NYC undoubtedly contributes to this and New Yorkers are smart to continue to embrace the influence of Caribbean culture and the fantastic flavors of their food.

It was a perfect spring day in Brooklyn. The sky was Carolina blue. The breeze was as delicate as Lance Stephenson blowing into LeBron’s ear. The sun was beaming down its warm rays over the Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse.

As you walk closer to the warehouse, you could hear a crowd roaring as if there was a playoff game going on. No, this was something greater (Brooklyn Nets, you had your chance. Sorry not sorry). The Overtime Takeover had arrived.

The morning session of the Takeover was a family-friendly event in which fans tested their skills and agility against Overtime Larry in the Overtime Challenge. It was only fitting that a fan had a perfect OT Challenge on this perfect day.

 

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He had a PERFECT Overtime Challenge 💰 (via @overtimelife) @overtimelarry @nyc.alexeum @conversehoops #ConverseHoops

A post shared by Overtime (@overtime) on May 19, 2019 at 11:40am PDT

Fans also participated in mini-games with celebrities like basketball personality Rachel DeMita, NBA legend Jason “White Chocolate” Williams, street-ball hero Larry “Bone Collector” Williams and three-time NBA slam dunk champion Nate Robinson.

Check out these tricks that Jason Williams put on this fan:

 

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White Chocolate got all the TRICKS 🤫 @jasonwilliams55 #ConverseHoops

A post shared by Overtime (@overtime) on May 19, 2019 at 3:05pm PDT

It’s hard to tell who had more fun, the fans or the celebrities. The afternoon session kicked off with the Girl’s 3v3 in a first-of-its-kind basketball tournament with new, faster rules.

Amongst the highly touted field were Zia Cooke, Jaden Newman, Lauren Hansen, Jordan Horston, and Rickea Jackson. Now, this was no ordinary, organized tournament. It had all the vibes of a streetball game and then some.

 

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Yooo it’s getting really real out here 😳 (via @overtimewbb) @faithmasonius

A post shared by Overtime (@overtime) on May 18, 2019 at 1:58pm PDT

The ladies brought fiery competitiveness to the court and elevated the gym’s energy level to that of a Dyckman Tournament in the middle of the summer.

The last session of the day was the boy’s tournament. All the hype from earlier on in the day was finally culminating into a spectacular finale.

The lineup for the boy’s side included talent such as Julian Newman, Kyree Walker, Jalen Green, Mikey Williams, Niven Glover, Jalen Suggs, Jah Jackson, and Zaire Wade to name a few.

With such athleticism and skill on the court, there were bound to be fireworks.

 

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Write your name across the sky ☁️ @zmane2

A post shared by Overtime (@overtime) on May 20, 2019 at 4:21pm PDT

The fireworks did not disappoint. The highlights from the tournament made the court seem like the Fourth of July night sky. The dunks were loud and spectacular.

The cross-overs had fans in the stands falling over. The energy was exuding from every part of the building by the time the tournament had come to a closure.

However, the Takeover still had plenty more to offer.

 

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I almost forgot this shit happened 🤮 @kyreewalker1

A post shared by Overtime (@overtime) on May 20, 2019 at 1:40pm PDT

A special guest appearance was announced at the start of this event, but no one knew who it was. Could it have been a prominent NBA/WNBA superstar? A prolific sportscaster? It was neither.

Out of the crowd appeared the ‘drip gawd’ himself, Gunna!

 

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GUNNA SHUT DOWN THE TAKEOVER 😈 @gunna @aidanigiehon @kyreewalker1 @_mikeywilliams_ @zmane2

A post shared by Overtime (@overtime) on May 18, 2019 at 9:12pm PDT

 

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YOU AIN’T MY SLIME 🤮 @gunna

A post shared by Overtime (@overtime) on May 20, 2019 at 7:02pm PDT

With such a successful event and an enormous showing, Overtime came, saw, and took over Brooklyn for the day. This event was not only a fun family-friendly affair but it made a statement.

Props to the basketball community for showing out in Brooklyn. Props to Overtime and Converse for organizing this experience. Also, props to all the young athletes out there with aspiring dreams.

Tekashi 6ix9ine, born Daniel Hernandez, is facing 32 years to life in federal prison on Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (aka RICO) according to the prosecuting U.S. attorney at the rapper’s arraignment on Monday night.

Let me be the first to say it: got damnit I’m happy.

I’m not quite sure where I first heard it or where it’s written but all I know is that you’re not supposed to wish prison on another man or woman. It’s like an urban proverb or one of those unspoken rules in baseball, except for the hood; whenever something typically goes wrong, especially for black men, it’s usually “don’t call the cops” or “don’t wish prison on that man.”

And I get it — prison reform is desperately needed and it’s not set up with intentions to rehabilitate. Essentially, hoping that someone gets jail time is supporting systems that aren’t statistically constructive.

This generation is so fucked up I never seen so much people happy a nigga got locked up.Yall niggas different and y’all supposed to be street niggas.I want my opps dead not in jail.I wouldn’t wish jail on my worst enemy cause I know how it feels.I hate y’all niggas death to yall

— CASANOVA (@CASANOVA_2X) November 19, 2018

But I want to challenge that notion. Some people actually deserve to go to prison and it’s totally okay to root for that outcome. Such is the case with the platinum billboard topping self-proclaimed ‘king of New York’, Tekashi 6ix9ine.

The 22-year-old Brooklyn rapper sounded a little shook when he told The Breakfast Club during an interview last week when he told them,

“Only two things I’m scared of in life, God first and the FBI.”

Now we know he had a reason to be legitimately afraid. His arrest was a joint effort between the ATF, NYPD and Homeland Security in what has been a five-year federal investigation of Tekashi and his Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods crew.

Along with 6ix9ine, four of his associates — ex-manager Kifano “Shottie” Jordan, Faheem “Crippy” Walter, Jensel “Ish” Butler and Jamel “Mel Murda” Jones — were also taken in.

This was the same crew he fired and dissed on The Breakfast Club and the same crew investigators fear were going to take his life after overhearing them say they wanted to “super-violate” him over wiretap.

Tuesday Tekashi’s legal team asked for bail, offering to turn over the $1 million in his bank account including his passports but was denied and will remain in custody pending trial.

You can now find Tekashi 6ix9ine at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. This is prison-prison. MDC is notoriously brutal, with inmates that are “extremely dangerous, violent, or escape-prone,” according to the U.S. Justice Department.

This is the place we’re generally not told to wish upon people but what if they’re legit an endangerment to society?

Am I trippin’ ….. super irritated watching everyone (DJs & Labels)who celebrated Tekashi & made money with him, knowing the money was coming cause he was reckless, act like they have nothing to say today….

— the Old Man Ebro (@oldmanebro) November 20, 2018

The Brooklyn-born artist is a member of the Nine Trey Gangsta Blood gang that allegedly peddled fentanyl and other narcotics and engaged in “brazen acts of violence,” Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said in a statement.

Furthermore, court papers allege that Tekashi took part in a gunpoint robbery of Nine Trey rivals in midtown Manhattan back in April of this year, videotaping the heist from a nearby car. According to prosecutors, he even took the stolen backpack to his apartment, where investigators found it — the victim’s ID still inside — during a search earlier this fall. Also recovered was an AR-15 pistol.

That same month Tekashi was photographed at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn with an associate, Fuguan “Fu Banga” Lovick, who is accused of firing shots at gang rivals. And three months later, prosecutors said Tekashi and his crew agreed to shoot someone who had disrespected the gang. The result was an innocent bystander being wounded at a barbecue in Brooklyn, they alleged.

https://twitter.com/nohipstersblog/status/1064782875508260866

You can not want prison from an individual all you want but if they’re consistently endangering the well-being of civilians it’s kind of the right thing to do, no?

Tekashi does undergo a five-year investigation, get denial bail for $1 million and face life in prison for nothing; the charges against Hernandez are significant.

To top it all off, at the bare minimum he at least has to serve four years for violating the probation set last month at his sentencing hearing for his ongoing case for the use of a minor in a sexual performance. Besides the surmounting evidence against him, Tekashi has moved in a way that hasn’t been respectable either.

From inciting violence in Chicago hoods to openly telling renowned hip-hop journalist, Angie Martinez, that he doesn’t try when he raps and just puts anything together, he makes it hard to root for him.

Yeah, prison needs reform, but I believe it can be reformed with Tekashi behind bars.

Growing up in the Clinton Hills section of Brooklyn, Jay Critch is an NYC rapper on the rise. He first started making music when he was 19, uploading his songs to SoundCloud and fast forward to just two years later, he’s one of the hottest artists in the game.

Blowing up just a year into getting into music, Jay’s success has been calculated. His song “Did It Again” finally allowed him to achieve his goal with over 800K views on YouTube and over 6 million plays on SoundCloud within the first week of being released.

His potential was seen by many and he was offered a deal with Rich Forever, Rich The Kid’s record label, upstarting his career. Rich The Kid liked the song so much he offered to record a remix of “Did It Again” featuring himself. They even shot the video for it.

This collaboration blew up across the internet with over 3 million views on YouTube and over 5 million plays on SoundCloud. This was only the beginning for Jay Critch.

His other collaboration with big-time artist PnB Rock allowed many to see his talent. Releasing “Okay Fine” with PnB in April of 2017 gained themselves another 1.4 million views on YouTube just making Jay Critch’s name even bigger.

Growing up as the middle child in Brooklyn can make it very difficult for a kid to rise up and be successful in any industry. But it’s also what separates him from most of the new rappers today.

We was Brothers before anything

A post shared by Hood Favorite (@jaycritch) on Jun 20, 2018 at 2:17pm PDT

Jay’s unique style, which appeals highly the streets of New York, has now spread across all over America and is something kids in different cities can relate to. Basing most of his songs on his experiences while growing up in NYC gives him a unique perspective.

During an interview with Genius, he gave insight on the lyrics of one of his hit songs: “Fashion.” He explains his lyrics:

“I get the bag (Ahh)
Like the north face”

Critch said because growing up “everybody that went to school in New York knows if you ain’t have the North Face your bag was no good.” Adding in details like this make his music so relatable for many.

His music is relatable to many. His lyrics are true and that is what makes his songs likable to all. Once again in his song “Fashion,” he talks about his life and the struggles he has gone through.

Had to flex up On these n—-s ‘Cause they doubtin’
I’ve been ballin’ on these n—-s so they foulin.”

He explained how “When you’re doing your thing, n—-s gonna try and shoot you down and gonna try to do what they can to stop your shit.” Working through the hate and the setbacks, Critch has dropped over 32 songs within the past year.

Thousand Ways the Movie in Theaters now Link in bio❌______✍️ @goldwatch @spike_tarantino @harryfraud

A post shared by Hood Favorite (@jaycritch) on May 21, 2018 at 6:09pm PDT

The story of all the haters trying to bring him down gave him the power to pull through and achieve success.

Perhaps he is trying to make his music give hope for others as well. Keep an eye out for more Jay Critch joints dropping from his SoundCloud.

He still hasn’t even released his first solo project yet, so you know he’s got a lot in store. The sky is the limit for the NYC rapper.

Listen to Jay Critch’s hottest tracks on the Kulture Hub Spotify and follow us:

Peaches has been a part of the Bed-Stuy neighborhood for about 10 years now, and has always given us flavor, love, and most importantly that family cookout feel.

Although Bed-Stuy has had an exorbitant demographic shift in these last 10 years, Peaches has stayed true to the community they serve. Not a chair, table, menu item, or song on the playlist has changed. The vibe is still as black and as proud as ever.

The place is covered with artwork displaying the roots of the owners, and the food that they serve. The music is a mixture of hits from artists like Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, The Gap Band, Frankie Beverly and Maze, and many more. It feels less like a restaurant and more like a family reunion with aunts, uncles, and cousins you haven’t seen in a while.

The food is as amazing as the atmosphere. We started off with the chips and artichoke dip, which is so fire. The chips are seasoned, the dip is served fresh and hot and it’s the perfect way to start a meal.

When the real meal hit the table, the story changed. We went from “laughing and chillen with your favorite cousins” happy, to “doing the electric slide with your plate in your hand” excited.

https://giphy.com/gifs/cornbread-vows-postgraduation-QXL23pDFpvGzC

We were like little kids again, faced with ribs, wings, mac n cheese, grits, and a po’ boy. It was like we were transported to comfort food heaven. My soul was at peace, and it was finally time to feast.  

The ribs were cooked to perfection, the meat falls off the bone, the sauce is sweet and tangy, and most importantly, the seasoning combo is out of this world. Each bite will caress your taste buds.

The wings are not just special, they’re orgasmic and deserve an article of their own. The sauce they coat them in is sweet heat. Each bite is juicy but packs incredible flavor.

Normally mac n cheese at a restaurant is a no go, being that my mom makes the best mac n cheese I’ve ever had, but this mac n cheese right here, bruh! An absolute banger, Peaches knows what they’re doing.

This Po’ boy is a show stopper. Each jumbo shrimp is seasoned and fried to perfection, placed on a toasted french baguette with lettuce, tomato, and a sauce that is astounding. Every bite I took I could feel happiness slowly taking the wheel.

The only cons about the overall Peaches experience are that the wait time is too long for a table and seconds aren’t free. This place is def top 10 in my heart, and is worth the visit and the wait, maybe even worth calling for a reservation. Do not pass up an opportunity to enjoy everything that Peaches has to offer.

Respect yourself, respect the kulture, one love.

There are a handful of female emcees that can keep a steady flow while delivering heavy bars. For Diani Eshe, a 19-year-old rapper based out of Brooklyn, she does just that, effortlessly.

Growing up, Diani split her time between living in BK and touring the country with her father, Talib Kweli, New York City hip-hop legend. In an interview with Kulture Hub she said,

“I spent a lot of time either on tour all around the country with my father, or living a regular life back in Brooklyn with my mother. I grew up with the best of both worlds.”

taken by – @ariaherbst

A post shared by DIANIESHE (@dianieshe) on May 23, 2018 at 7:31pm PDT

Diani jokingly compares her childhood aesthetic as a “Hannah Montana” or “Cheetah Girl” look, but she has always held an affinity for rap. She cited Eminem and Kanye West as her musical influences.

“Music was always in the air in both homes, so it became both a hobby and career path since I was a child.”

💋 performing at 355 bowery tonight pop out

A post shared by DIANIESHE (@dianieshe) on Oct 2, 2017 at 5:52pm PDT

During her rise, Diani has continued to put her education first. She recently graduated from Brooklyn School of Music and Theatre. Now, she’s attending college part-time while setting up her future as an artist.

Music, specifically rap, followed her throughout her life as she got to have many experiences with her father on the road and her brother in the studio. Diani continued,

“I was always around rap just from touring with my father before school became super hard and time-consuming. I also would attend my older brother’s studio sessions whenever I could. Although singing has been a passion since six years, rapping was always my life’s background music. Eventually it caught up and thought nothing of it. It became natural.”

In her single “His Novel”, Diani shows all of her musical talents in one song.

She raps alongside the beat and takes us on a ride through her innermost thoughts, every line is woven into another blunt statement, as Diani never filters her words.

This is opposite “Perfect” with Alfa Simmonds, where she shows off her aptitude for singing.

https://soundcloud.com/eshe-ah-shay/perfect-ft-diani-eshe

Diani’s goal right now is to continue creating music and drop more singles over time. She says the next five years of her life will garner her a following stronger than her already supportive one, and a stronger sense of community beyond her music.

“In the next 5 years I want to be able to provide to my community with more than just music. I see myself having a strong following that supports and accepts me. By that time I should at least complete a third album or project, and working with whoever I find talent in, big name or not.”

Her free time is kept fun and simple. 

“I love inviting my friends over to make music. It’d usually be making beats on Logic, or writing until we get tired and binge watch Rick and Morty. Painting has also been a hobby for 2 years.”

“Confident, humble, and optimistic,” were the three words she used to describe herself.  A quick peep on her Instagram shows that this statement is very true. She keeps her page light, beautiful, and notably make-up free.

To Diani, art is stepping out of her comfort zone.

“I’ve always found it important to limit hesitation and doubts. My inspiration is the people I surround myself around. I love to be around people who can take action without a concern of what other people say. I can say it’s really been rubbing off on me!”

wherever forever is 📍#portrait #humanmagazine #black

A post shared by DIANIESHE (@dianieshe) on Feb 23, 2018 at 12:32pm PST

Her favorite rapper to mirror in her music is Kendrick Lamar. She describes his ability to translate the events of his life into lyrical poetry as his hallmark trait as a rapper. 

“He translates his life story in his music and makes his audience piece it together like a puzzle. I find it absolutely nuts the way he can tackle any rap style and make it still sound like Kendrick.”

She also shouts out her brother, Amani Fela as the heaviest influence on her music. The seemingly mellow tone of “Glossary” loops over itself, neatly sending you into a vortex of textured beats resting underneath smooth verses.

“Kendrick definitely has influence on my music but the heaviest influence on my music is my brother, Amani Fela. His musical composition has always been different from the people I find myself around. His music inspired me to be different and explore my creativity.”

A post shared by DIANIESHE (@dianieshe) on Aug 27, 2017 at 8:58pm PDT

Though she hasn’t made any music with her father yet, she promises it’s definitely happening in the future.

“Music with my father is definitely something to look forward to and be patient with. I think it is very important to make sure people recognize me as ‘Diani Eshe’ before ‘Talib Kweli’s daughter,’” she says, “I can ensure that there will be some great projects from him and me in the future.”

To others on the come-up, she cites confidence as the most important quality to have when breaking into the music industry.

“When you lack confidence, it shows more than you think so. It determines whether or not you get to the next step in your journey. If I always had confidence and self-validation, I would be a lot farther than I am now. Don’t feel like you can’t do something because it hasn’t been done yet or it’s not accepted. With confidence all of that vanishes and next thing you know, people are craving more. Many young girls lack self-assurance and self-validation and I’m here to bring it out all of them.”

Keep an eye out for her new EP and accompanying visuals, Diani is doing big things!

The vertical screens on our smartphones are the first thing we stare at in the morning and the last thing we stare at before we knock. Think about it.

When you close your eyes to sleep at night, I bet the last thing you picture is a blurry outline of your phone screen left from the brightness you were trying to turn down.

At this point, almost everything our minds absorb is soaked up vertically. The way that we watch the news, funny videos, makeup tutorials, or anything else that can capture our eight-second attention spans is watched on a vertical mobile screen.

TBH, the vertical video trend is here to stay and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. The primary screens in our lives are our mobile phones.

Keep up with the trends. There is a creative movement bubbling that is focused on bringing unique vertical content straight to your mobile device. To prove it, let us put you on to a low key Brooklyn event that’s happening this Saturday, December 2, at 8 pm.

Slim Cinema is throwing a Vertical Film Festival:

Only 5 more days until showtime – It’s not too late to get your tickets. 👇Grab them with code “CYBERMONDAY” for 30% off only today 👾

A post shared by Slim Cinema (@slimcinema) on Nov 27, 2017 at 7:37am PST

Slim Cinema VFF goers will have the opportunity to enjoy the vibes of 10 carefully selected vertical films. To Slim Cinema all of the films selected are important to the culture.

They hope that having a vertical film screening will capture each viewer like never before, submerging the audience into a unique storyline and captivating them until the very end of the movie.

The founders crafted this vertical demension for the neo-cinephile. Their original idea was to create the first full-length vertical film. However, they noticed a gap because people weren’t really thinking about that dimension at all.

The idea then ballooned into creating a platform for filmmakers to explore the depths of the vertical film while exposing audiences to this new format of storytelling.

Peep last year’s event:

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came through on Saturday! It was definitely a night that we will never forget – the love and support was too real 🙏 We are honored to have experienced with all 350 of y’all a night filled with vertical films, art, music, new wave projection photography, live tattoos, and just good vibes all night! We couldn’t have done it without our amazing sponsors @bareburger @ciroc @thebronxbrewery @genius @monsterenergy @kast.d & our partners #expwithus and @bettermedia! We will be posting recap vids, pics, and announcing the winner this week so stay tuned! 📸: @paulosalud

A post shared by Slim Cinema (@slimcinema) on Dec 6, 2016 at 6:24am PST

Alongside the vertical flicks, experimental music platform, NVR SLEEP will be curating the sounds of the night and dope sponsors will be providing drinks and bites to eat.

All of the sponsors involved believe in the vertical vision and plays a role in the overall experience. Plus, Slim Cinema knows you can get down with Heineken, Monster Energy, Insomnia Cookies, Brain Juice, and Williamsburg Pizza.

It will all be going down at The Muse. Don’t miss out on an event you’re going to wish you attended while your watching updated vertical videos on your Instagrams or Snapchats.

Cop a ticket, enjoy an open bar, some good tunes, and some good people. Click Here.

Don’t be shook of vertical!