"Respect" is the fourth
single from
Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets' self-titled debut album. The verses are performed by the Modern Day Poets (MDP), with Turner contributing the chorus, bass and beatbox backing. A piano riff was supplied by Mefi Puni and Bryan Bouro.
The song is essentially a social comment on the lack of respect that exists within the hip hop community. It also alludes to the gang wars that have claimed the lives of several American rappers, and is a warning and a plea that the Australian hip hop scene does not follow suit.
On release, the single's video caused a slight controversy, as some people criticized the use of images of murdered rapper
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur ( ; born Lesane Parish Crooks, June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), also known as 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper. He is widely considered one of the most influential rappers of all time. Shakur is among the b ...
, which were interspersed with footage of Turner and MDP from previous video shoots and the 2005
West Coast Blues and Roots Festival. In addition,
ABC
ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet.
ABC or abc may also refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting
* American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster
** Disney–ABC Television ...
video show ''
Rage'' censored the lyric "When peeps knock on your door / And force you to the floor / Put a gun in your mouth / Blow your brains out all over the wall". Shortly after the video's release, a second clip for the song emerged in which most of the original content (including Shakur's likeness) was replaced with colour scenes of the group performing the tune for the camera.
"Respect" was released in Australia on 17 October 2005. It debuted in the top 40 of the
ARIA
In music, an aria ( Italian: ; plural: ''arie'' , or ''arias'' in common usage, diminutive form arietta , plural ariette, or in English simply air) is a self-contained piece for one voice, with or without instrumental or orchestral accompa ...
singles chart, peaking at number 29 and reaching number 2 on the Queensland charts.
The ARIA Report (PDF)
/ref>
Track listing
# "Respect" (Radio Edit)
Writers: J. Turner, T. Turner, C. Heiner, M. Puni, B. Bouro
Producers: Joel Turner, Craig Porteils
# "Respect" (Live Freo's West Coast Blues and Roots Festival)
Writers: J. Turner, T. Turner, C. Heiner, M. Puni, B. Bouro
Producers: Joel Turner, Craig Porteils, B. Bouro
# "Respect" (Video)
# DVD trailer
Charts
References
{{Joel Turner
2005 singles
2005 songs
Joel Turner (musician) songs