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After Overcoming His Inner Battles, HighDefRazjah Is Striving To Conquer The World

(AllHipHop Features) Standing on a balcony of the Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center, Vaquan “HighDefRazjah” Wilkins looks out onto the city’s radiant skyline. The lights pouring from the skyscrapers’ windows drown out the glow from the heavens, almost like a reflection of the young producer’s own inner powers sometimes being overshadowed.

“Where I come from you don’t see this. It’s probably like seven buildings there. So when you see abundance, it’s more than just the view. It’s seeing people’s hard work to put those buildings up,” says Razjah. “So I see opportunity and hope every time I look out. It’s like [the buildings are saying,] ‘Keep going.’”

[ALSO READ: Meet HighDefRazjah – The Artist/Producer Cosigned By Lex Luger, Mike Will Made It & Rae Sremmurd]

HDR has come a long way from his adolescent days playing basketball in Suffolk, Virginia. An unfortunate injury ended his hopes of taking his athletic talents further.

So instead, Vaquan connected with childhood friend-turned-mentor Lex Luger, the super-producer behind hits like Rick Ross’ “B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast)” and Jay Z & Kanye West’s “H•A•M.” The two VA representatives have been building together ever since.

“What I can tell you from my experience knowing him all my life and being his understudy, he’s an amazing person. He’s smart, a great father, a great teacher,” declares Razjah about Lex. “He will wake me up at six in the morning like, ‘Alright, bro. Let’s work.’ He’ll have a phone call with PartyNextDoor or Juicy J. I’ll ask, ‘You’re talking to Juicy?’ He’ll say, “Yeah, it’s nothing. It’s work.’”

Tha Godz …. Ferg x Lex Luger x Razjah

A photo posted by P###. Of Take It Or Leave It (@highdefrazjah) on

Razjah can now list his own notable production placements. His credits include “Far Away” on Jay Pharoah’s The Resurrection and “Take It Or Leave It” on Rae Sremmurd’s SremmLife 2.  

However, it was an A$AP Ferg cut titled “Let It Go” on the Harlemite’s Trap Lord album that sparked the fire within the 24-year-old creator to take his new profession seriously.

“‘Let It Go’ was my first album placement. I was like, ‘Wow, this is it. I’m on.’ I didn’t really know the business then,” Razjah explains. “After I went through that and got paid, the money was gone. I realized: You still got a lot to do. That’s just one song. It’s just this amount of money. It can be gone.

He adds, “Once that happened, it motivated me because I love living like this. I have to work to eat. It’s written. A man that don’t work, won’t eat.”

The initial payout for his work with Ferg was a nice financial introduction to the music industry, but it also served as a wake-up call to the fact that funds come and go just as quickly as the latest trending topic.

An adjustment was orchestrated. Patience, trust, and communication became the three pillars to the up-and-comer securing victories as a breadwinner in the entertainment biz.

“Without patience, you can rush something. Without communication, you don’t know what’s going on and both sides can over think,” states Razjah. “It’s pivotal to keep those things in mind.”

Spend enough time with Vaquan and it becomes clear the need to maintain the reins of his own consciousness is a fundamental part of who he is.

While drugs and alcohol serve as self-medicating remedies HDR uses to cope with his introversion [he openly admits to taking shrooms in order to be comfortable enough to conduct our interview], books such as The 48 Laws Of Power, Behold A Pale Horse, and The Ancient Secret Of The Flower Of Life feed his hunger for alternative knowledge.

The Literature Shaping The Thoughts Of The Rapper-Producer
The Literature Shaping The Thoughts Of The Rapper-Producer

For Razjah’s spiritual wellness, meditation and manifestation are regular routines. The practice of promoting positive energy is another form of connection to a higher power.

“It’s crazy that I’m now realizing things that are right in front of your face that you’ll never notice until you focus on it. That’s why I say anything is possible,” HDR proclaims.

That bright outlook is clearly embedded in the person who released the Psychedelic EP. But there is a faint dimness to the glow surrounding Razjah. It’s almost as if he has not fully tapped into the dynamism that’s lying dormant somewhere in his soul.

The fog could be left over from a childhood which consisted of peers putting him down for doing well in school. As a result, Vaquan may still have a pocket-sized chip on his shoulder for anyone ignoring his abilities, including the man in the mirror attempting to overcome his own insecurities.

Razjah says, “Stuff will be right in front of my face, and I don’t even know it. I don’t want to say I downplay myself, but I like to earn my worth. I’m just starting to realize it now.”

A struggle with a health concern also shepherded a change of focus in HDR. He learned to balance the complications happening in his life.

In addition, there is clearly a constant battle between immense confidence and hindering anxiety raging in Razjah’s head. The former combatant appears to be on the verge of claiming victory.

“My biggest fear is over thinking what I can’t do. Can’t nobody defeat me but me,” he says. “The music game is crazy. It can draw you away from things. It can draw you toward things.”

Razjah continues, “I was living too fast. After ‘Let It Go’ I was exposed to the life. I started doing drugs more. I was in parties with girls I never thought I’d be around. It’s a confidence booster. People look at you different once you give something to culture.”

HDR is not done offering art to the universe. The rising performer promises he will no longer let personal issues block the formation of the music.

A video for “The Art Of Psyche” has arrived and a body of work called The Frequency is on the way. Besides his own project, Razjah has sent tracks to G.O.O.D. Music’s Pusha T and LVRN’s Raury. His close collaborator Asia Mari is up next as well.

As Razjah progresses through the ascending levels of the music game, he knows history will ultimately define his place as an artist. The legacies of prominent figures such as Prince, Michael Jackson, Jay Z, Kanye West, Dr. Dre, and Rick Rubin are career goals for HDR.

“I want to let the world know I’m here, just know that I exist. When I walk up to a place, I want any race, culture, alien, human, fish – I want them to know me for being a great person. That’s all that matters in the end,” says HighDefRazjah. “[I want people to say,] ‘He made me smile today. You helped me get through my day. You helped me get through my year. You helped me get through my life.’ I want to get to that point. I don’t just want to turn you up.”

Once again Razjah steps out into the Atlanta air stories above Centennial Olympic Park. At the moment, the Omni Hotel serves as a palace for the Virginia-bred prince as he overlooks an artistic kingdom ready to be conquered.

Vaquan Wilkins reflects, “Looking at the [SkyView Atlanta] Ferris wheel, I think about my daughter… Looking over here, I’m thinking: Where can I put my building? When I’m out here and nobody’s here, that’s what thoughts go through my head. What’s about to happen next?

NP- @thatmarimusic – No Clothes x p###. By HighDefRazjah

A photo posted by P###. Of Take It Or Leave It (@highdefrazjah) on

[ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: OnCue Talks ‘You Knew All Along’ EP, Working With Just Blaze & Top 5 East Coast Rap Albums]

Follow HighDefRazjah on Twitter @TheEyeOfRazj and Instagram @highdefrazjah.

Watch the video for HighDefRazjah’s “The Art Of Psyche” below.

Termanology Drops Album “More Politics” Featuring The Lox, Bun B., Saigon, Chris Rivers, KXng Crooked, Bodega Bams…HEAT!!!

Termanology just released his song “Top Shotta” with Joey Bada$$ and now he finally delivers his fully album More Politics.

Term assembled an all-star lineup for his new album “More Politics,” with legend like Sheek Louch, Bun B., Styles P. and KXng Crooked making appearances.

Take a listen to the whole project:

Ludacris Opens New “Chicken + Beer” Restaurant Inside Of The Busiest Airport On Earth

(AllHipHop News) Ludacris opened his new chicken-n-waffles business and he gave followers a quick tour of the restaurant in a short video clip.

“It took me three years, but it’s finally coming to fruition,” he said in the footage. “Anything that’s worth waiting for is worth having. And we are finally here. Chicken + Beer.

“I’ve seen it come from my third album, triple platinum album, all the way to a restaurant. Concourse D, D-5,” Luda said reffering to the restaurants location in the busiest airport in the world, Hartsfield.

“I’m talking about great food, great drinks, great energy, and my employees are the best employees in the world,” Ludacris said.

Chicken + Beer welcomed its first customers yesterday (November 17), and Ludacris was on site to greet hungry fans.

“Our first two guest (sic) at the opening!” he captioned a photo of two guys at the eatery, before joking, “And ironically one looks like he could be my damn cousin. Lol.”

In the lead up to Thursday’s big launch, Ludacris also shared pictures of the menu, which features traditional Southern favorites like shrimp and grits, Luda’s chicken and pecan waffles, battered catfish, sweet potato mash, and Southern fried apple pie.

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Nicki Minaj Clarifies Whether Or Not She Has A Thing For Young M.A.

(AllHipHop Rumors) Lately there has been much talk about the possibility of Nicki Minaj and Young M.A. ever hooking up…. to do more than ummmm music.

Young M.A. is an openly gay rapper, and Nicki Minaj has rapped some LESBIhonest lyrics a time or two suggesting that she may in fact play on both teams.

Young M.A. recently did an interview with FUSE where she touched on Nicki Minaj having a thing for her, and what she felt Nicki really meant by that.

M.A. says she felt like Nicki was really just giving her props instead of saying she has a “real thing” for her.

Before M.A. addressed it, rumors already hit the fan suggesting that there may have been more going on between the two female rappers.

We suspect Meek Mill may have been giving Nicki the side eye as she took to her Instagram to shut down the rumor that she “had a thang” for Young M.A. Nicki posted,

“I love a good joke, But s/o to the ONLY human I have a THING for.”

Meek Mill must be putting it down because we certainly didn’t expect their relationship to last this long.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BM7Cs98jMIo/

WEEN Awards Red Carpet: Valeisha Butterfield Talks About WEEN and Empowering Women

Valeisha Butterfield, founder of WEEN and the WEEN Awards, talks about how and why she started The WEEN Awards, which honors great women in the entertainment business.

“Four of us, friends who work in the entertainment industry, and we wanted to create balance in the way that you and I are portrayed. Nine years later, we have 100,000 members…” Valeisha Butterfield told AllHipHop.com.

EXCLUSIVE: Nick Grant Talks Working With Organized Noize For “Luxury Vintage Rap” Single

(AllHipHop News) Many observers are calling Nick Grant the future of Southern Hip Hop.

Grant added to his down south rap credentials by connecting with the legendary Organized Noize for his new single “Luxury Vintage Rap.”

The award-winning production team is responsible for classic cuts by TLC, Goodie Mob, OutKast, and others.

Now Nick can add his name to the list of artists to be blessed with the Organized Noize sound, and the South Carolina native is appreciative of the collaboration.

“There were times where I had to pinch myself being in the studio with these guys. They contributed to one of the greatest groups of all time,” Grant says about Organized Noize’s work with OutKast. “One of my favorite rappers [Andre 3000] was also a part of that group. These guys helped create the soundtrack to my life.”

“Luxury Vintage Rap” will appear on the forthcoming debut studio album Return of the Cool.

Before that highly-anticipated project arrives in stores, fans can stream N.G.’s 88 mixtape and his Solange cover EP titled A Seat At The Table (Plus One).

Purchase Nick Grant’s “Luxury Vintage Rap” on iTunes.

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WEEN Awards Red Carpet: Meagan Good Discusses Her New Movie “10th Date”

Meagan Good stopped and talked to AllHipHop.com on the red carper at the 2016 WEEN Awards. Check out what she has to say about her new movie “10th Date” and her new book “The Wait A Powerful Practice for Finding the Love of Your Life and the Life You Love.”

WEEN Awards Red Carpet: Brave Williams

Singer Brave Williams has a new release titled Fearless, but her official album is coming in 2017. She’s also working on a few movie projects.

Brave Williams recently made an appearance at the 2016 WEEN Awards and talked with AllHipHop.com about her latest release.

Kanye West Gets Donkey Of The Day Over Donald Trump Support

Charlamagne awarded Kanye West Donkey of the Day. And a lot of people agreed with Charlamagne during the recent episode of “The Breakfast” Club on Power 105.1.

At a recent concert, Kanye West: “I didn’t vote but if I did, ‘I would have voted for Trump.”

Are Drake And Taylor Swift Working On A Diss Song For…Rihanna?

(AllHipHop Rumors) There was a lot of talk on the internet about a possible partnership between Drake and Taylor Swift.

At first, the rumors centered on accusations the two superstars were dating.

Then reports began flying claiming Drake and Taylor were working on music together.

In Touch Weekly now has an “insider” claiming Rihanna could be the target of a collaboration from Swift and Drake.

“There will definitely be some digs at [Rihanna],” the source informed the gossip publication. “Drake’s still devastated by his breakup from Rihanna and is hoping that this will get under her skin.”

Remember Drake confessed his love to Rihanna at the VMAs before the “Work” singer curved him on a kiss in front of the whole world.

Besides the fact that RiRi and Drizzy were once a couple, Swift’s ex-boyfriend Calvin Harris also blasted Taylor for revealing she wrote his song “This Is What You Came For” featuring Rihanna.

“[Taylor] is hoping the song is a major hit — better than Calvin Harris’ song with Rihanna,” the source said about the alleged Taylor/Drake track.

50 Cent Clowns Ja Rule’s Latest Endeavor

(AllHipHop Rumors) 50 Cent really refuses to let Ja Rule be great!

50 cent just doesn’t get tired. He’s relentless. He’s the undisputed King of Petty!!!

Years later Fif is still poking fun at Ja Rule.

Ja Rule recently got a check from Foot Locker, for poking fun at the rise and fall of his career as he starred as an Uber driver in one of their “Week Of Greatness” commercials.

50 who was basically responsible for the decline of Ja’s career, saw another opportunity to hit Ja where it hurts, and of course 50 jumped at the opportunity and took advantage of it.

The rapper-turned-mogul/entrepreneur posted a post of Ja in the commercial with the caption,

“He really driving a uber now Damn? LMAO.”

Someone find 50’s chill. It seems non-existent. 50 will beef with folks until the end of time.

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Dot Demo hits a homer with Roberto Clemente.

The writing is on the wall.

Bronx Native Dot Demo is coming.

After the  release of his O.B.E. (Outer Body Experience, Revolt premiered the video for “Me” & Hot97’s DJ Enuff let the Bronx native to air out his HotBox Series.

 

Now, Dot Demo releases his newest heater Roberto Clemente!

If you were sleeping before, consider this your wake-up call.

Twitter: DotDemoMusic

Instagram: @DotDemo

YouTube: Dot Demo – Me

Donald Trump Invited AJ Calloway on a Private Jet

Veteran media personality/journalist AJ Calloway sat down with Sway earlier this week and discussed his interaction with Donald Trump.

AJ reported on the election, and he talked to Sway about what he was doing when he found out Donald Trump would win.

AJ’s high profile interview with Trump from The Trump Towers aired on “Extra.”

Check out the video below to see more of what they discussed.

Eminem Returns To Roots With Remixed “Infinite”

(AllHipHop News) Eminem goes back 20 years and resuscitates a largely unheralded gem, “Infinite.”

The song has been remixed and re-released as the song celebrates 20 years since its initial release. Fortunately The Bass Brothers has remixed the whole Infinite album. The Bass Brothers have worked with the Detroit rapper for the duration of his career. Infinite was initially released on November 12, 1996 and sold about 1,000 units.

The remixes were crafted by replaying the original samples.

The song sounds eerily like Nas and AZ, who were extremely influential at the time.

Listen to “Infinite” below.

There is also a new documentary that documents the making of Eminem’s album, which dropped before he signed to Dr. Dre.

Method Man Not Sure Wu-Tang Clan Will Ever Reunite Again

(AllHipHop News) Rapper and actor Method Man fears the Wu-Tang Clan may never come together to record another album following the drama linked to their 2014 release.

A Better Tomorrow was savaged by critics and band members alike, and, despite coming together for the one-of-a-kind Once Upon a Time in Shaolin project last year, the “Bring The Pain” hitmaker can’t imagine another reunion.

“We gave it one last shot,” he told Playboy magazine, “but, you know, it wasn’t received well by the fans. And some of the Clan members didn’t like it either – the way it was done, the process and all that.

“For me, if you don’t love what you’re doing anymore, it’s time to leave that s##t the f##k alone.”

However, Method Man insists if one of his bandmates started planning another Wu-Tang project, they could count on his involvement.

“Dudes in the Clan still have that itch, and I’m a team player,” he adds, “so, if they want to go back and make another album… I’m here for it.”

Method Man’s comments emerge days after fans got the chance to hear tracks from the rare Once Upon a Time in Shaolin album, which was auctioned off for $2 million a year ago.

It was purchased by controversial pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli, and last month, he vowed to release it to the public for free if Republican candidate Donald Trump won the race to the White House.

The property mogul and reality star stunned supporters and critics alike last week when he beat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, and Shkreli subsequently made good on his promise by streaming the new material online.

Travis Scott Talks Being Homeless Before Connecting With Kanye West

(AllHipHop News) Travis Scott is now a critically acclaimed Hip Hop artist with two studio albums under his belt.

Before the Houston native dropped his debut LP Rodeo and recruited for Kanye West’s Very G.O.O.D. Beats production crew, Scott was living out of his car.

“Yeah, it was crazy. Me and my homie Jason, we were both just trapping out of that whip. It was just a time when I was mad hungry like I am now. I still sleep on my couch at my crib even though I have a bed,” said Scott in an interview with Oyster magazine.

In September, the 24-year-old rapper/producer released his sophomore album Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight.

The project included a record called “lose” where Scott confesses his nervousness about losing what he has gained.

“Yeah. And my whole thing is like, in that song, ‘Man, I have so much right now, and I feel like if I was to make the wrong decision I could lose it all,'” conveyed Scott. “I feel like that applies to all the young n-ggas out there right now. Even creatives and brands, if you make the wrong move your whole brand is f-cked!”