Veteran artist Popbelli just dropped his banging new single, “Animal.”
Winner of the 2018 DJ Power Summit new music competition, Popbelli is a Reggae Artist. His single “This One N That One” peaked at # 2 on Serato’s White Label Top 10, four consecutive weeks!
Known for his unique sound and controversial lyrics, Popbelli speaks about real life situations and love in an unruly fashion. Popbelli upholds the credibility in his recordings and looks to bring the audience great music.
This year, his first two releases are “Animal” and “U. R.” There are two words to describe these releases from Popbelli: “Party” and “Comedy.”
It hurt to see Black Rob die in such a tragic way. When it was all said and done, people had questions and demanded answers. How? Who? Where did money for Rob go? Even Jay-Z apparently donated to the cause? Where did Diddy come into all of this? BR’s manager Kal Dawson steps up to to address some of the others like former Bad Boy artist Mark Curry, the social media facade of it all, what Black Rob’s last days were like and what he tried to do for the fallen Harlem soldier. Moreover, he discusses the money…what happened with the money? He also speaks exclusively of the documentary they are making on BR’s final days. RIP Black Rob.
Amidst the insane amount of love and attention these two young rappers have been receiving globally, iann dior and Lil Ghost come together with their latest release “Prospect (Remix).”
The track combines elements from their respective countries, further boosting the globalization of their music.
iann dior was born in Puerto Rico and was raised in Texas. His hit 2020 feature in the track “Mood” with 24kGoldn became a huge success and TikTok sensation. The track hit #1 on the Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and garnered over ONE billion streams to date alone on Spotify.
Lil Ghost, who’s ALSO featured on the most recent remix of “Mood,” impressed Chinese viewers with his talents and personality on the survival show, Idol Producer. The show hosted by Lay Zhang gave contestants a chance to compete to be a part of a boy group. Lil Ghost was voted by oer 7.8 million Chinese viewers to be the 8th member of the group Nine Percent in 2018. Since then, the rap phenomenon has wowed audiences alike as a group member and soloist.
Lil Ghost has continued to attract audiences with his versatile and hard rap style and songwriting.
“Prospect (Remix)” combines the two rap styles of these future hip-hop icons. The rappers flow on a hard 808 trap beat accompanied by a Chinese zither. The combination of two very different elements work together nicely in this track.
The young stars rap about their success, referring to both their recently gained global fame.
Brandon Bill$ went from being a celebrity barber cutting hair for the likes of Travis Scott and Eric Bellinger, to going on tour with his sister DaniLeigh, to now collaborating with Dani on the official bop for the summer: “Unlimited Skills.”
Born in New York, raised in Miami, and going to high school in Orlando, Brandon sees himself as a rockstar. He states, “I got a lot of energy, I’m a rockstar. I’m a pretty fly guy. I’m pretty cool, I step into the room and people feel my presence. I get along with everybody. I’m a pretty likable person. I’m very confident, I see my vision. I’m very ambitious and motivational.”
The rising star has been surrounded by music his entire life, influenced greatly by the genres of hip-hop, rock n’ roll, and Latin music. Being 100% Dominican himself speaks volumes to his roots, and whenever Brandon wants something he’s going to get it. That’s how he’s always been.
You may have seen Brandon’s name featured on “Yo No Se” from DaniLeigh’s debut album, but he’s here to step into his own as a recording artist. AllHipHop caught up with Brandon via FaceTime, who was posted in North Hollywood, California.
AllHipHop: Being from South Florida, what was the household like?
Brandon Bill$: It was good. My mom was a realtor, my mom and dad owned restaurants all throughout my life. I started working around 8 or 9 years old with my mom and dad. I was working in the back of the kitchen, washing dishes, making pizza. My mom had a New York style pizza shop.
AllHipHop: I’ve met your mom before, she’s super sweet.
Brandon Bill$: My mom’s a super hard worker, she’s a hustler. Both of my parents were born and raised in New York, so I got that New York state of mind. Growing up, we’re not from the hood. We come from a good family. My mom moved out to LA when I was 17, so I stayed in Florida and started doing my own thing. At a young age, I was already paying rent and paying bills, which was good because I started early saving my money working. I’ve always been a hard worker. I’ve done construction, pizza, Blimpies (the Subways). I’ve barbered at barber shops, I’ve done it all. I’m a hard worker all-around.
AllHipHop: Talk about your celebrity barber days and what that was like cutting Travis’s hair.
Brandon Bill$: It was dope. When I first moved out to LA, I was a barber. I wasn’t even an artist. I started cutting up a lot of different people, people talking about me about my hair. I started cutting Eric Bellinger. I started cutting Travis Scott. I used to cut Travis Scott before he even blew up. I knew Travis Scott before everything. Just coming up, living in my boy’s house. He was super cool. I used to be in the studio with him and watched him create music.
That’s what really inspired me to do music, being around the Chris Brown’s, the Eric Bellinger’s, the actors. I loved being in the studio. I always thought of doing music, but I never thought I could do it. I never had an opportunity to be in the studio, see how artists create. Cutting hair gave me the opportunity to be in the studio and see how people create music, I thought “man I could do this, and I like it too.” That definitely built a lot of relationships for me, being a barber.
In the 2 years I did it in LA, it was great. I cut J Prince and his whole family, his brothers, his dad, the Rap-A-Lot people. I cut Travis Scott, a lot of actors on set. I worked with Meagan Good for a movie. I cut Trey Songz before in LA, it was dope.
I had to step out of the barber world after I became an artist, because people were putting me in a box, expecting me to be just a barber. I’d moved back to Miami, then came over here 3 years ago. From there it was only music.
AllHipHop: Who are your biggest influences?
Brandon Bill$: Definitely Drake. I always felt like “man, I can sing like Drake. I can do melodies like Drake.” Drake was definitely one. Biggie Smalls, Jay-Z, Tupac, Nas. The new school guys: Travis Scott, Post Malone, Gunna, Young Thug, Future, all those guys inspire me. I don’t listen to too many of them and their music, only when I’m out or doing something, but I definitely respect everything they’re doing.
Every one of those people have brought something new to the game, have changed the game in some type of way and bring a different style. I respect them, they all inspire me. I see myself as one of them real soon, taking over.
AllHipHop: New single “Unlimited Skills” with Dani out now. How are you feeling?
Brandon Bill$: I’m feeling great about it. It’s doing good organically, I’m not forcing it on nobody. I put it out, and people are loving the record. It’s a very hype record. It’s a record you can workout to, you can listen to in your car. You can be at a festival and listen to it as we’re performing it. In the club, it’s a great record. It’s uptempo, it’s fun. I don’t even curse in the whole song, so little kids can listen to it. Matter of fact my sister curses, I didn’t even curse.
It’s a dope record. It’s fun. “Unlimited Skills,” let me see your Trillers and TikToks. Let me see your skills. It’s so easy to become a trend where people can show their skills: you interviewing people, other people cutting hair, boxing, and playing basketball. Anything! Everybody has a skill. It’s a great record, it really has potential to blow up and go global. I love it.
AllHipHop: How’d the record come about?
Brandon Bill$: The funny part is I did this song way before COVID, a year and a half ago. The producer, my boy Milian, after recording it for a couple of months — it was during COVID Dani recorded on it. He said “yo bro, you should get your sister on this. She sounds hard on this.” I listened to it and said “You know what? You’re right, I could see her on this. I’ll have her rap on it, not on some singing.” She don’t really rap like that, so I wanted her to rap on the record. We recorded it during COVID in the studio. She did her verse in 30 minutes. We did it, it was fun. It was organic.
I’ve been planning it out this whole year during COVID, waiting for the right time to drop. I dropped it at the right time. Last year wasn’t a good time to drop with COVID and everything going on. I dropped it at the perfect time. The summer’s coming, everything’s starting to open back up. Hopefully by summer, LA’s completely open. It happened organically with my sister for sure.
AllHipHop: Where did you shoot the video?
Brandon Bill$: We shot it in Dominican Republic. We shot it in La Cabanas, that’s what it’s called. It’s a little house in DR. DR is pretty big, if you drove around DR it’d take you 10 to 12 hours. Where we drove was 2 hours from where we were at. We Airbnb’d 2 different mansions. We wrote a treatment, I came up with the treatment with my mom. She helped me direct the video.
I had an idea, she helped me put it together. We shot it in 2 days: one part in one house, then the other part in the other house the next day. It was fun, we killed it. It was a 4-hour shoot each day, we edited it in 2 days and it was done. I had that video ready to go for the past 6 to 8 months, waiting for the right time to drop.
AllHipHop: Why’s now the right time to drop?
Brandon Bill$: Dani had dropped her album, so I didn’t want to drop anything during her album. I wanted all her attention on her album. It was my birthday, I wanted to do something special for me. I dropped it April 9th, it was only right. In the song, Dani says, “we’re going to kill the summer with this song.” Summer’s in June, songs don’t blow up overnight. In the next couple of months, this record has potential to blow up. I thought it’s the perfect time to drop now.
Leading into the summer, millions of people know the song and are vibing to the song. By June or July, people will know the song already. It’ll be going global hitting the charts, Billboards. I like to speak s### into existence.
Brandon Bill$
AllHipHop: How did Dani’s ascent in the music industry affect your artistry?
Brandon Bill$: It’s dope, it’s awesome. All the time, the sweat, the money, everything you invest, it’s good to see it all coming back. As an artist, we put in so much work. Sometimes people don’t realize how much work artists put in. Money, especially for independent artists. An independent artist like me, I’m the one putting up the bread. I don’t have a machine or a label behind me. If we really want to talk about it, all the money I’ve invested in the past 3 to 4 years, I’d have a house and a barbershop. It’s alright because at the end of the day, it’s all going to add up and be worth it at the end.
Seeing her grow and become the superstar she is, it’s awesome. I’ve also learned a lot from her being signed to Def Jam: being in the label, being in the office, seeing what she goes through as an artist with the label. I’ve learned so much. I’m 29 years old, I’m not a little kid. I’ve been through a lot in life.
Before the industry, I was doing other stuff. My trials and tribulations, I lost everything. I had my ups and downs, I had to go through mad stuff. It’s great seeing everything starting to come and fulfilling our dreams, just go crazy. It’s great.
AllHipHop: Best memory touring with Dani?
Brandon Bill$: The best memory was every city doing a show, that to me is the best part of being an artist. I remember performing in every city, seeing which city shows the most you love. Ohio, Cincinnati, Cleveland, they showed us mad love. Texas showed us mad love, New York City showed us mad love. I’ve learned so much while on tour.
Tour is fun and it’s hard work, but at the same time, it’s not hard work if you love what you do. You have to stay consistent. You gotta make sure you have the right team because everybody has to play their role while on tour. If you got somebody that’s not playing their role, it’s going to f### you up as the artist. You have to make sure you have everybody on your team doing their part. If not, you’re not going to level up as an artist.
People like that you can’t have on your team, you have to cut them off. That’s the reason why my circle is so tight and so small. Everybody around me plays their part. I can’t wait to go back on tour and start performing again. Doing festivals because that’s the best part, being able to perform.
AllHipHop: What can we expect next from you?
Brandon Bill$: A project. I’m going to be promoting this song for the next couple weeks, months. Either you’ll be getting a single or a mixtape from me, for sure. I already have all the songs done. I already have the name of the tape, I’m not going to say because I don’t want anyone to jock my title. It’s a mixtape, 9 or 10 songs. Straight trap. It’s going to be hype, and mellow at the same time. Different types of vibes. All my new listeners want to hear more of what I got so expect a tape from me real soon. This month I’ll be getting everything ready, everybody can listen to the tape during the summer.
AllHipHop: Anything else you want to let us know?
Brandon Bill$: Go stream “Unlimited Skills”, go do your Tik Toks, go do your Trillers. Let’s go up, let’s get it on Billboard. Be ready for what’s coming because Brandon Bill$ got a lot in store. I got a lot going on, we working.
The “When We” star, real name Durrell Babbs, took to Instagram to reveal his heartbreaking situation to fans.
“So I’m going through something right now and I want to use my situation to encourage your situation,” he said. ”I’m going completely deaf in my right ear and I’m kind of losing sound in my left. I’m dizzy (and) can’t walk a straight line. All of this (is) out of nowhere, (I) don’t know how or why. I’m seeing a doctor, (I) got MRI’s going on and medication and, you know, all of that.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CO1LzuzCi19/
“But, it still hasn’t given me a reason to give up. It still hasn’t given me a reason to stop feeling like I can do and be everything that I’ve set out to be. The goals are still the same: to be great, to be the greatest. And I want to say that to you too. No matter what you’re going through, no matter where you find yourself. Whether your body is failing you, whether your mind is failing you, whether your spirit is failing you: keep going, keep pushing.”
In comments on his post, Tank got prayers and well wishes from stars including Monica, LeToya Luckett and Colby O’Donis.
He returned to the social media site on Thursday to share an update, revealing an MRI he had “didn’t see anything crazy” about his brain function, but did discover he had a deviated septum, which he is planning to get “taken care of.”
“Back to the ear. This ear is actually worse. I tested lower today in terms of the things I can hear,” he sighed. “Hopefully that starts to turn around quickly and I can get back out there and do what I do, man. I love what I do.”
Former “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood” cast member Mally Mall was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison on Thursday in a Federal court in Las Vegas for pimping.
The Hip-hop producer and rapper, born Jamal Rashid, has produced for people like Too Short, E40, Trippie Redd, Tyga, French Montana, Blueface, XXXtencion, and Teyana Taylor.
According to a tweet by Investigative Reporter Vanessa Murphy for the local CBS affiliate 8 News Now, prosecutors believe that “he manipulated victims” into following his personally “imposed rules.”
And during the trial multiple “victims discussed … threats of surveillance, verbal abuse & actual violence.”
#BREAKING: Jamal Rashid aka “Mally Mall” is sentenced to 33 months in prison.
Prosecutors: he was pimp for 100s of women for at least 12 years in Vegas, he manipulated victims, imposed rules.
Victims discussed “threats of surveillance, verbal abuse & actual violence.” @8NewsNow
The judge governing the case at first was unsure about accepting his plea, and wanted to give him the maximum number of years for his hands in this prostitution scandal.
Murphy reports, “She talked about how victims are traumatized & how his actions were heinous. She called him a monster in the past & said victims went through a form of imprisonment & enslavement.” Three of the most horrendous claims that emerged from the case include the story of a victim’s therapist, who had to actually go see a therapist.
Another one involved his sex workers, who had to beg the big-time producer to go to a gynecologist when they had issues or wanted check-ups. Finally, other sex workers alleged that they also had to plead with him to get “a coat when it was cold in Chicago.”
Mally Mall admitted he was sorry in a canned statement to the courts.
“I apologize to the court, the government, and most importantly, the women involved.”
Known for infectious musical collaborations with Billboard chart-topping artists like Chris Brown, Walé, Summer Walker and Ari Lennox, Afrobeats writer and producer KDDO, formerly known as Kiddominant, will release his debut extended play album entitled Too Late Too Lit on Friday, May 14, 2021. The EP will be distributed via Pentlife Music and Sony Music Entertainment on all digital platforms.
Created to be a feel-good body of work for fans, according to KDDO, it was at the height of the pandemic, having been locked down for several weeks that the hugely celebrated writer and producer realized the importance of cherishing every moment and creating good memories every chance we get, and decided to write and produce this album.
“This is one of the main reasons I put this album together. I want people to be able to create great memories with my music, as I want my music to be the soundtrack of people’s lives,” says KDDO.
Too Late Too Lit is an 8-track project that spotlights Africa’s basking sound templates with features from some of the world’s best artists across various musical genres, including Afrobeats superstar Davido, R&B sensation Jidenna, and Sudanese-American rapper Bas, just to name a few!
The road to the EP began with the premiere of eWallet, a stellar Amapiano production with now over 5 million streams across DSPs and 6000+ spins on African radio. The commercial success of eWallet set the tone right for a sequel release entitled Beamer Body, the lead single from Too Late Too Lit, featuring KDDO frequent collaborator Davido on a record that affirms body positivity.
Noteworthy too, is KDDO’s appreciable vocal effort on the project as he settles into his own element. Having written and produced some of the biggest music hits in Afrobeats history, KDDO is now confidently honing his singing prowess, and, at the same time, offering a spice of variety with super talents featured on his new body of work.
Rapper Drake has shared his pride after learning a fan he had awarded a 2018 college scholarship to has since graduated with a master’s degree.
The “Hotline Bling” star surprised Destiny James with a check for $50,000 while he was shooting his “God’s Plan” video in Miami, Florida, where she had been studying public health at the University of Miami.
The funds helped her obtain her bachelor’s degree in 2019, and she went on to pursue her master’s at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she will soon officially graduate from the public health program.
James shared her excitement at the academic achievement in an Instagram post earlier this week as she counted down to graduation day, captioning a photo of herself dressed in her ceremonial clothing, “Mama, I mastered it. Daddy, I did it… 4 days until I am officially UNC Alum.”
Among the followers applauding the news was Drake, who proudly commented, “LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DES (sic),” prompting James to reply, “THANK YOUUUU (sic)!!”
James, who also made an appearance in the “God’s Plan” promo, previously admitted how important Drake’s scholarship had been for her, after fearing she wouldn’t be able to complete her studies following the loss of her dad to cancer in her first year of college.
“If you would have told me my freshman year that I would be graduating from here today, I probably wouldn’t have believed it,” she wrote on the University of Miami’s website in 2019.
“I’m meant to be doing this work,” she continued. “Everything I went through was so worth it. Thanks to Drake, I’m probably stressing about classes and work, but I’m not stressing about tuition. I’m here to tell future ‘Canes (University of Miami students) to not be afraid of change and trust the process.”
RCA recording artist Gabriella Wilson (professionally known as H.E.R.) began performing in the Bay Area as a young child. The Northern California locale was also the early stomping grounds for future stars Kehlani Parrish and Zendaya Coleman.
According to H.E.R., the three women were nearly part of the same music group prior to their ascension to national stardom. The I Used to Know Her creator spoke about her history with Kehlani and Zendaya with OZY founder Carlos Watson of The Carlos Watson Show.
“Dylan Wiggins – who is D’wayne Wiggins’s son from Tony! Toni! Toné! – we used to be in a band together. We used to perform together when we were really young,” H.E.R. informed Watson as part of her “How Music Moves Mountains” conversation taking place at this weekend’s OZY Fest.
She continued, “Kehlani was actually in our band. We all used to sing together. Zendaya was going to be in it at one point. They all grew up together. I came into the picture in Oakland and we used to perform together.”
Even though the young performers eventually went their separate ways, all three women were able to achieve mainstream success in the entertainment business. For example, Kehlani has scored two Top 5 albums (2017’s SweetSexySavage and 2020’s It Was Good Until It Wasn’t) during her career.
The 26-year-old vocalist from Oakland has created hit records with Cardi B, Justin Bieber, G-Eazy, Jhené Aiko, Charlie Puth, and others. In 2016, Kehlani picked up a Best Urban Contemporary Album Grammy Award nomination for her You Should Be Here commercial mixtape.
H.E.R. is quickly becoming one of the most-awarded entertainers of her generation. She already has four Grammy wins, including taking home the Song Of The Year honor for “I Can’t Breathe” at the 63rd annual ceremony in March. “Fight For You” from Judas and the Black Messiah also earned the 23-year-old singer-songwriter her first Academy Award for Best Original Song.
The 2021 OZY Fest is scheduled to stream live on May 15-16 at ozyfest.com. H.E.R.’s “How Music Moves Mountains” will close out the virtual event on Sunday, May 16 at 8:30 pm ET. The lineup also includes Chance the Rapper, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Condoleezza Rice, Mark Cuban, Malcolm Gladwell, Sevyn Streeter, Big Freedia, Rev. Al Sharpton, Deepak Chopra, Representative Maxine Waters, and more.
Queen of the Ring is back and this time they have a whole new stable of girls that are sure to take the culture by storm.
Mother’s Day weekend birthed a new crop of female battle rap emcees who really should not be slept on. And like always, QOTR has curated the raw talent of today that will be the superstars of tomorrow with their Sparring Sessions.
Setting the day off were the Sparring Sessions that feature first and second-time battlers looking to add their name to the brand’s roster.
Some of the new fire-spitters that are leading the pack are St. Louis’ Aye Beezy and Philly’s Uno. Sure Aye Verb and Hitman Holla have retired, but with her lyrical depth and ferocious scheme ability, she is picking up the mantle that they set down for a minute. I mean … Verb … is she over there on that warrior island you be talking about because she is a straight beast.
Also repping crazy for her city is the drip-crazy Uno. Imagine … Ms. Fit’s swag but with the gutter greasy lingo that artists from Illadelphia have been known to spit. Yeah, that’s her. Her first time battling ever, she managed the stage like she had been born to perform on it. Then she choked but recovered with one of the most seasoned freestyle responses ever and so NO ONE EVEN CARED!
The pretty Mosca Flux mothered TikTok star Bishop Ziah, and it seemed like Aeon sonned the prepared and professional Hope Trilly with the nasty no-show. Another person stood up was Gates of the Garden’s Gatekeeper Pristavia. Perhaps the Christian rapper’s bars were going to be too anointed and manifested a true exorcism (even as she was practicing her bars with her brother Th3 Saga), casting down Diablo before the battle even came to be.
I really wanted to see @PristaviaD go crazy on QOTR last night 🤦🏾♂️
Hopefully @debovision can line something up soon so she can show the world what she can really do‼️
Them rounds were gonna get spooky
— SAGA ✞ (Play Bout Me- OUT NOW) #PraiseGod 🕊🇵🇷 (@Th3Saga) May 9, 2021
Redbangz’s son Lil Slap went viral about a week ago, but her Sparring Session was the opportunity for her to present herself to the QOTR battle rap community on her own and Karma was the perfect opp for her.
The new roster of ladies seemed ready to grab that throne usually occupied by 40 B.A.R.R.S.
Evidence of this, showcasing new rhyme styles and personalities, was the battle between OG Prana and Breezy. O.M.G. You be the judge.
Evolution 5 also brought back some seasoned faces that set the perfect example as to how top-tier battle rapping is supposed to be done.
E5 was a full card. Lady J vs. Nemesis and Shiest Raw vs. Morawsha had good standings, but the battles people wanted to see was the return of two vets: Krissy Yamagucci and Cee the (g######) Boss.
These two put on a show and reminded us why the original girls were such a beast in that ring. Both ladies were still as focused, talented, and dangerous as ever. Krissy. Krissy. Krissy. Damn. Damn. Damn. It was magical watching her … no … enchanting … as she did what all those Harlem girls do when they hit the stage … she cooked with an unorthodox yet charming lyricism … the crowd could not get enough. They simply missed her.
The crowd missed Cee the Boss too. She was like a rabid dog, crazed and possessed. She lyrically attacked Krissy like she didn’t even know the girl. To quote Vada Fly … “When you start rapping like that?” An instant classic, they took their welcome back to the right like the Queens that they are.
Lady Caution stepped in at the last minute for Zan to perform a one-rounder with the Fly KingI. Each one in this intergender match-up had only one week to prepare. Still, it had one of the most entertaining rounds of the night as the Fly KingI made sure that his QOTR debut was memorable.
The last of the highlighted battles is Queens native C3 vs. Long Beach’s BR14. This battle was fire. BR14 is a brilliant thinker and constructs her rounds with the ease of a seasoned thought-leader. Her rhymes weren’t so cerebral that no one could follow, but they were intricate enough to remind us that the West Coast shorty doo-wop should be battling more (don’t retire again).
While the Zeta came ready to represent ACEs all across the Divine 9 in her contest, she fell a little short to the seasoned Goonie. This was a different C3 and perhaps BR14 pushed her pen to a different limit. C3’s freestyle ability and swift wit just are unmatched. She also had a glow around her that only comes with a) experience, b) skill sets, c) being comfortable with the entire environment, and most of all d) a desire to re-establish herself as one of Debo, Vague, and Babs top gunners. Welp… with this extraordinary performance, she did it!
Indeed, give it up for the ladies. Also, give it up to Debo, Vague, Babs, Coffee Brown, and Fred from M3S3 for producing one of the best female battle rap events of the year.
Emerging “emo hip-hop” artist Armani Jackson just dropped his latest single and visuals for “Haunted.”
Being no stranger to the spotlight, Armani is best known for his acting roles, starring alongside Vin Diesel in “The Last Witch Hunter”, Lionsgate’s “Cooties”, and for his upcoming lead role as the character “Joey” the TBS/HBO Max series “Chad.”
The newbie is confidently stepping into the hip-hop and R&B scene with flying colors, recently working with producers such as the Morgue (Lil Yachty, Saweetie, Quavo) and with upcoming collaborators and legendary Grammy-winning producers Stargate (Rihanna, Khalid, Beyonce, Trey Songz).
His songwriting has a stripped-down way of sharing his life lessons in an uncomplicated and vulnerable way, causing his lyrical delivery to land with sincerity.
“Haunted” gives a raw glimpse into the artist’s inner struggle with sleep paralysis while at the same time overcoming loss and heartache after a devastating break-up.
“I often suffer from something called sleep paralysis (a temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or upon waking which usually results in disturbing hallucinations during an episode) so I wrote this song about battling sleep paralysis while simultaneously battling the memories of a past relationship.”
The song features swooning vocals, infectious yet still emotive R&B production, and a winning hook.
“Haunted” makes you feel like you’re drowning—in despondency, in self-reflection, in escapism. It’s dipped in many shades of the artist’s melancholia, illness, and pain. Armani Jackson is an artist on the rise and we can’t wait to follow his journey.
Frazier “Trae Tha Truth” Thompson III will be the recipient of the Change Maker Award at this year’s Billboard Music Awards. The Houston native is being recognized for his activism, philanthropy, and community-based work.
Besides being a veteran rapper, Trae Tha Truth has also fully embraced his role as a social activist. He was on the frontlines during the 2020 #BlackLivesMatter protests. Trae and others called for the police officers who killed George Floyd in Minneapolis as well as the police officers who killed Breonna Taylor in Louisville to be held accountable for their actions that led to the death of those unarmed African-Americans.
“Trae exemplifies what it means to be the change you want to see,” said Datwon Thomas, Billboard Music Awards Consulting Producer/Vibe Magazine Editor-In-Chief.
Thomas added, “[Trae Tha Truth] is always in a city near you, helping those in need after natural disasters, fighting for justice after tragic events, and giving supplies to families to make it to another day. His name, ‘Tha Truth’ fits perfectly with who he is as a community activist and we are honored to celebrate his tireless efforts and giving spirit.”
In addition to receiving the Billboard Change Maker Award, Trae Tha Truth’s Angel By Nature non-profit is partnering with the Billboard Music Awards to create the first-ever official award show non-fungible token. Beginning BBMAs weekend, fans will be able to purchase Trae Tha Truth Change Maker Award NFTs via Bitski for a limited time. The proceeds from all NFT sales will be donated to Angel by Nature.
Quavo, Offset, and Takeoff are part of one of the most successful Hip Hop groups of all time. Migos already have two #1 albums, four Top Ten songs, and classics like the 4x-Platinum “Bad And Boujee.” Plus, each member triumphed as an individual as well.
Migos are looking to add more accolades to their already impressive résumé. This week, the trio dropped a music video for their new single “Straightenin.” The track is expected to appear on Migos’ highly-anticipated Culture 3 album.
All three Migos recently spoke to veteran media personality Zane Lowe for Apple Music’s New Music Daily. The conversation included Offset, Takeoff, and Quavo talking about their “Straightenin” song, Culture 3 studio LP, and more.
“That’s that chip on our [shoulder]. We rap like we got a chip on our [shoulder],” said Offset about Migos’ approach on “Straightenin.” Takeoff added, “You got to let them know sometimes. They forget. Yeah, let them know.”
After the release of 2017’s Culture and 2018’s Culture II, Migos were not as active in 2019 and 2020. Some fans began to question if the Atlanta-based faction was falling off.
“We came to remind them. We came to take them down a modern-day stroll. They seemed to forget. So, it’s time to bring the boys back together and come back strong. Stronger than ever,” Quavo told Zane Lowe.
Turn a Pandemic Into A Bandemic U Kno That’s The S### That We On!!!#Straightenin
“We just had come off the tour and we were also doing other records and featuring on songs. So, we just started getting pulled away and just started grinding solo,” explained Quavo about the delay for Culture 3. All three members produced their own respective studio LPs between 2018 and 2019.
“It was like for a good cause, because we already knew like, ‘Okay, cool. Maybe these records can fit the three, but if it fit one of us, we could go to the moon, and we still going to pull each other, and still bring us to the top, and once we get together and do our records, it’s going to make it just even bigger,'” said Quavo.
The Quavo Huncho album creator continued, “It wasn’t no strain on us. And we just felt like it wasn’t time yet to put music out. We felt like we were just super grounded, and working, and always on the moon. We had to come back to Atlanta to get to work.”
So where exactly do Migos sit in the pantheon of Hip Hop groups? Are they in the Top 20? Top 10? Top 5? Zane Lowe asked the Quality Control Music recording artists for their thoughts on the legacy of the Migos.
“GOAT status. It’s time to put our statues outside of the stadium. That’s how we feel,” declared Quavo. The 30-year-old hitmaker went on to talk about Migos continuing to influence the musical landscape like the way their “Versace” flow reignited that style of rapping in 2013.
“We want to set the tone and continue to set the trends. We’re here for the youth, and we’re here for the next culture to come up and we got to teach them ourselves. We’re here to do that. The greatest group in the world,” Quavo stated. An official release date for Culture 3 has not been confirmed yet.
The Ville is finally back. J. Cole returned today (May 14) with his sixth studio album The Off-Season. While he famously went Platinum with no features in the past, this time Cole brought some friends with him.
“Took years to reach this form. The Off-Season. My new album. Available now,” tweeted J. Cole at midnight on Friday. His latest musical effort joins an album discography that includes Cole World: The Sideline Story, Born Sinner, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, 4 Your Eyez Only, and KOD.
The Off-Season opens with an introduction by New York Hip Hop legend Cam’ron on the song titled “95 South.” Atlanta’s Crunk pioneer Lil Jon provides an outro for the track.
Plus, Cole recruited hitmakers 21 Savage and Lil Baby for The Off-Season. Fayetteville, North Carolina’s finest also tapped NBA star/rapper Damian Lillard for a record. Morray, 6LACK, Bas, Puff Daddy, and James Fauntleroy made appearances as well.
J. Cole also switched his regular routine by working with different beatmakers. Production for The Off-Season was provided by T-Minus, Tommy Parker, Boi-1da, Timbaland, Frank Dukes, DJ Dahi, Tae Beast, Jake One, and others. Cole produced several tracks too.
Earlier this week, J. Cole let loose the “Interlude” as a preview for his latest body of work. The Dreamville Records co-founder also posted the Scott Lazer-directed “Applying Pressure: The Off-Season Documentary” to YouTube on May 10.
The Off-Season is J. Cole’s first studio LP since 2018’s KOD. In between solo albums, the Grammy winner helped curate Dreamville’s Platinum-certified Revenge of the Dreamers III compilation in 2019. Last year, he released the Lewis Street EP with “Lion King On Ice” and “The Climb Back.”
Nicki Minaj spent the last week teasing that new music would arrive this week. On Friday (May 14), the New York native delivered her 2009 mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty to streaming services and added some new tracks to the project.
The 2021 version of Beam Me Up Scotty includes “Seeing Green” featuring Minaj’s longtime Young Money collaborators Drake and Lil Wayne. “Fractions” and a remix of Skillibeng’s “Crocodile Teeth” are part of the collection too.
Prior to the Beam Me Up Scotty teases on Twitter, the veteran rapper born Onika Tanya Maraj was relatively quiet on social media. It had also been a while since she released a song as a lead artist or as a featured artist.
In June 2020, Nicki Minaj teamed with controversial rapper 6ix9ine for “Trollz.” The collaboration opened at #1 on the Hot 100 chart before it suffered the biggest drop in history for a No. 1 debut, at that time, by falling to #34 in week two.
“Seeing Green” and “Fractions” have both entered the Top 5 of the current iTunes all-genre songs chart which signifies they have a good chance of making it onto next week’s Hot 100. If any of the new Beam Me Up Scotty records do land on the Billboard tally, Minaj would increase her historic total of 114 career entries on that chart.
Beam Me Up Scotty was Nicki Minaj’s third official mixtape. It followed 2007’s Playtime Is Over and 2008’s Sucka Free. The 38-year-old emcee went on to release four studio albums. 2010’s Pink Friday is certified 3x-Platinum. 2012’s Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded and 2014’s The Pinkprint are certified 2x-Platinum. 2018’s Queen is certified Platinum.
Alicia Keys is inviting fans to join her on The Path to Wholeness as part of a new meditation program with spiritual guru Deepak Chopra.
Alicia will join the self-help expert as a guide on Activating the Divine Feminine: The Path to Wholeness, a 21-day audio course aimed at helping listeners “find harmony with the feminine and masculine energies within each of us, and return to peace in mind, body, and spirit”.
The singer will kick off each 20-minute installment with a little storytelling, before Chopra takes fans through a meditation session.
Describing the “divine feminine” as an “extremely powerful” force within each and every person, Alicia states: “It helps you grow, it helps you create, it cultivates who you are.
“There’s a major imbalance in our world, and we can all feel it. To counteract it, we have to open the door to the Divine Feminine in us and its ability to repair and create.
“It’s been an adventure to travel on this journey of self-exploration with my brother Deepak Chopra. He believes in wellbeing for everyone, as do I, and knows we could all use some extra healing vibes in this moment.”
Chopra adds: “The Divine Feminine is often overlooked or silenced by structures that promote an imbalance of masculine energy.
“Love, compassion, and receptivity exist at the source of the Divine Feminine and when we allow these energies to emerge in our lives, we create space for nurturing and healing both personally and collectively.”
Alicia is the latest big name to join forces with Chopra as part of his 21-Day Meditation Experience brand – he’s previously worked with Oprah Winfrey, and recruited Latin superstar J Balvin to launch a bilingual program last year (20).
To register for the free Activating the Divine Feminine: The Path to Wholeness program, visit: https://chopracentermeditation.com/.
DMX’s young daughter is set to honor her late father with a performance at a planned tribute show in Texas.
The hip-hop icon, real name Earl Simmons, had been booked for a concert at the Wildcatter Saloon in Katy on May 29th, but following his death on April 9th, the owner decided to turn the event into a special salute for devotees.
Officials have since managed to secure DMX’s fiancee, Desiree Lindstrom, and their four-year-old son Exodus, to make an appearance and deliver a short speech at the gig.
The rapper’s eight-year-old daughter Sonovah Hillman, Jr. will take center stage for a spoken word piece, just as she did at DMX’s memorial in Brooklyn, New York, where she wowed mourners with a revamped version of his 1999 classic Slippin’.
The youngster earned wild applause after turning the introspective song about the tragic star’s troubles into a musical testimonial, crediting him with helping her in “growing, learning to hold my head up.”
The bar owner also reveals to TMZ that Sonovah will likely perform just before fellow Ruff Ryder’s member, rapper Drag-On, closes out the show.
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This week, the legendary emcee stops by to speak with Tim Einenkel on everything from his debut album, Word…Life to the night Big L was murdered. He also speaks on the project the two artists were working on before Big L’s passing, and his sharp criticism of the upcoming biopic on Big L titled “Put It On.”
O.C. also shares stories when working with fellow artists such as Fat Joe, Lord Finesse, M.O.P, Diamond D, AG, Buckwild, Organized Konfusion, and tells an epic tale of almost signing to Bad Boy, and why Diddy “threw him out of” his office!
SKG is back. The Los Angeles-based lyricist, known to be once signed to the infamous Death Row Records, returns with a hit song with Houston’s very own Paul Wall. On her last foray, titled “I’m Tired,” SKG represented the harsher side of life, the year 2020 which was filled with so much stress and strife and death. That collaboration, which featured soul singer Anthony Hamilton, touched a nerve and the soul of listeners, reaching deep within the recesses of the nation’s consciousness.
The Paul Wall song – appropriately called “Big Chain, Big Grill” – is a dramatic, but a welcome departure since it’s reflective of a more positive outlook. Also, people in Texas are definitely outside. AllHipHop catches up with SKG to get the lowdown on her latest single, what is up next and what did actually takes to get with a lady like her.
AllHipHop: How and why did you link up with Paul Wall? How was your connection?
SKG: I was in the studio working with my producer Cavi and he played me this track and as soon as I heard it had a H-Town vibe to it. So, I reached out and sent it to Paul Wall and his manager Gu and the rest is history.
AllHipHop:The video is visually stunning, but you are really just right there in Houston. What was it about Houston that made you do it there?
SKG: Yes that’s actually one of my favorite videos. The director and videographer Keith really helped bring my vision to life! I wanted something that represented the vibe of the song and I wanted to represent Houston because when I think of the song and I listen to it that’s what it reminds me of.
AllHipHop: It has been some time since you dropped “I’m Tired” feat Anthony Hamilton. This is a different look. How do you feel these days.
SKG: You know I always say I’m really a diverse artist. I love showcasing my diversified personality through my music.
AllHipHop: You touch on it in “Big Chains, Big Grill,” but give us the things a man or person has to be to get with SKG?
SKG: At this point, I’m so focused on my goals I’m just going to stay single for some years. Relationships can become a distraction and I don’t want to get into another relationship until I fully work on myself mentally, physically, spiritually and financially. I don’t want to come into no relationship with baggage and a broken soul and I don’t want no man coming to me that way neither. So at this time, can’t nobody get with SKG…I’m just focused on catching flights not feelings.
AllHipHop: What are your future plans now that it feels like the pandemic is opening up a bit.
To go harder than I was going before and during the pandemic. I just put together a 25-city tour to perform my music so I’m focused on that and also working on a few TV and film projects. Just staying determined and motivated.
