Nicki Minaj has overtaken Taylor Swift to become the second most prolific female hitmaker on the Billboard charts. “Run Up,” the latest track to feature the hip-hop star, debuted at number 66 on the Billboard charts on Monday, giving Nicki the edge over Taylor with 71st appearances in the Hot 100. Nicki Minaj has two more to go to tie Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, who is also the queen of the countdown with 73 hits.
Chicago rapper, Dreezy, is celebrating the platinum certification of her single “Body” featuring Jeremih. The single is taken from the 22-year-old South Side native’s new album “No Hard Feelings.” According to Dreezy, she knew the record was a hit when she heard it. “When I heard the track, I immediately knew I could do something with it,” Dreezy said. “It was a different type of record for me, but it sounded good … I knew right away I wanted Jeremih on it.”
Beyonce is facing a $20 million lawsuit amid allegations she illegally sampled a late rapper’s lyrics in the video version of her hit song “Formation.” Messy Mya’s raspy voice can be heard at the start of the promo, asking, “What happened after New Orleans?” as footage of Beyonce standing on top of a sinking city police car flashes across the screen. A few other lines from the YouTube star, real name Anthony Barre, are featured elsewhere in the video, but now his estate officials claim Beyonce used the lyrics from his 2010 track “A 27 Piece Huh?” without permission. Now the Barre family is taking Beyonce to court, demanding $20 million in back royalties and other damages. The New Orleans, Louisiana rapper was shot and killed in 2010.