Eminem’s Career Explored In Podcast Hosted By His Longtime Manager Paul Rosenberg

SiriusXM has announced a new podcast celebrating the release of Eminem’s greatest hits compilation Curtain Call 2.

Eminem’s longtime manager Paul Rosenberg hosts Paul Pod: Curtain Call 2, a seven-episode podcast about the latter half of Slim Shady’s career. The first episode, which features Interscope Records vice chairman Steve Berman, premieres on Wednesday (August 3) at 9 p.m. EST.

“This podcast gives a look inside the making of the albums from the last 15 years of Eminem’s career; the processes, struggles and triumphs from some of the key people that made it all happen,” Rosenberg said. “The guests I talked to share a unique perspective and we were able to pull stories from each other that most people haven’t ever heard before – for better or worse – and we didn’t really hold back.”

The Rosenberg-hosted series includes interviews with Royce Da 5’9, Skylar Grey, James Larese and Adam Blackstone. The final two episodes feature conversations with Eminem.

Every episode of Paul Pod: Curtain Call 2 airs on SiriusXM’s Shade 45 channel. The show will also be available on SXM App, Stitcher and other podcast platforms.

Eminem’s Curtain Call 2 compilation drops on Friday (August 5).

View the album’s tracklist below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Marshall Mathers (@eminem)

Snoop Dogg To Star In Football Comedy Backed By MGM And Kenya Barris

Snoop Dogg is starring in a new film based on an original pitch by himself and his business partner Constance Schwartz-Morini.

The Hip Hop legend has teamed with Black-ish creator Kenya Barris to produce a football comedy titled The Underdoggs for MGM. Snoop Dogg plays a former NFL star who agrees to coach a youth football team after getting into legal trouble.

“Snoop’s longtime commitment to his community via his youth football league is hugely inspiring to all of us at MGM,” MGM’s chief operating officer Chris Brearton said. “We are thrilled to be working alongside this incredible creative team to bring this great comedy to moviegoing audiences, and to further MGM’s commitment to the theatrical exhibition when it hits theaters next October.”

Charles Stone, the director of Drumline and Paid in Full, will direct The Underdoggs. The Snoop Dogg-led film hits theaters on October 20, 2023.

The Underdoggs is a real personal project for me considering that I’ve been coaching football for 15+ years with the Snoop Youth Football League that I started with my long-time business partner Constance Schwartz-Morini,” Snoop Dogg said. “Giving back to the community through football has taught us so many invaluable life lessons that we’ve been able to share with kids in similar situations like mine when I was growing up. My hope is that this movie will shed light on the realities that kids and adults face in the hood and within the complex world of football.”

Fans won’t have to until 2023 to see Snoop Dogg in a new film though. The Death Row Records owner appears in Netflix’s vampire movie Day Shift, which premieres on August 12.

Check out Day Shift’s trailer below.

50 Cent Launches G-Unit Audio With “El Chapo”

50 Cent is jumping into the podcast business with Lionsgate, the parent company of STARZ.

The rapper-turned-media mogul will host an upcoming podcast about drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. 50 Cent’s latest venture G-Unit Audio will produce the show for the newly established Lionsgate Sound, a podcast production company.

50 Cent and G-Unit Audio’s El Chapo podcast is one of the multiple titles launching under the Lionsgate Sound banner. The podcast division will release shows about iconic characters in TV and film, the FBI’s first kleptocracy department and near-death experiences.

Most of Lionsgate Sound’s shows will be available on a variety of podcast platforms. But the El Chapo series is an exclusive for the iHeartPodcast Network.

Pilgrim Media Group, a Lionsgate subsidiary, is a minority owner of Lionsgate Sound. Pilgrim, under the watch of producer Craig Piligian, will handle the podcast company’s day-to-day operations.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson and the other talented creators behind our upcoming shows,” Piligian said. “With our strong lineup out of the gate, we are well-positioned to reach the next generation of consumers.”

50 Cent’s podcast collaboration adds to his already long list of projects for Lionsgate. He currently produces multiple hit shows for STARZ, including several Power spinoffs and BMF.

Nicki Minaj Learns Jail Sentence Of Man Who Killed Her Father In Hit-And-Run

The driver who killed Nicki Minaj’s father Robert Maraj in a hit-and-run crash will spend months in jail.

According to multiple reports, a judge sentenced Charles Polevich to one year in jail on Wednesday (August 3). The 72-year-old man also must pay a $5,000 fine and had his driver’s license suspended for six months.

Polevich pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident without reporting it and tampering with physical evidence in May. He hit Nicki Minaj’s father while Maraj was walking in Mineola, New York in February 2021.

Prosecutors said Polevich exited his vehicle, looked at Maraj on the ground, then drove away from the scene. He returned to his home and put a tarp over his car in the garage.

Nicki Minaj’s father was pronounced dead a day after the incident. He was 64.

Earlier this year, a judge declared Polevich wouldn’t be sentenced to more than a year in jail. Nicki Minaj’s mother Carol Maraj and prosecutors wanted a harsher punishment.

“Given the severity of the defendant’s conduct, the NCDA advocated for a sentence of 1 to 3 years,” Nassau County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Brendan Brosh. “The court did not impose our recommended sentence and the defendant was sentenced to 1 year in jail. We continue to express our condolences to the family of Robert Maraj.”

Nicki Minaj called her father’s death “the most devastating loss” of her life. She hasn’t publicly commented on Polevich’s sentencing.

Go Crazy – Young TeTe Ft. Lil Keed

The Westside of Atlanta Georgia native Young TeTe released for promotional purposes “Go Crazy” featuring the recently passed Lil Keed of YSL Records, he was an American rapper and songwriter. He was signed to Young Thug’s record label YSL Records, as well as 300 Entertainment. His song “Nameless” reached number 42 on the Billboard Hip Hop/R&B Songs Airplay chart.

Lil Keed passed away May 13, 2022, in Los Angeles, California rest in peace Lil Keed. Young TeTe’s upcoming debut mixtape, Came a Long Way. The project is slated to drop later this year and will feature Boosie BadAzz, Young Dro and more.

Lil Keed
https://twitter.com/1lilkeed
https://www.instagram.com/lilkeed/?hl=en
https://www.youtube.com/c/LilKeed/videos

Young TeTe
https://twitter.com/youngtete_
https://www.instagram.com/youngtete_/
https://www.youtube.com/c/YoungTeTe/videos
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0UeJ1eivl3dgchp8abWeab?si=IkSzu2Q_TfqG5rMJL7Ax6A

Kuzey Is Ready To Tap Into More Releases This Year Says “Genre Bending is Up Next”

Just like people, songs have different colors and cultures. Everyone might resonate with different genres. But good music transcends these boundaries. As a recording artist and producer Kuzey can attest, that good music speaks straight to the soul. And it does so because it carries the soul of the artist within the melody.
 
Kuzey’s journey with music is a very personal one. Kuzey had a strong affinity for music since childhood. Kuzey loved listening to songs by the greats like Sinatra, Presley, Tupac, and Fitgerald and often found solace in their tunes. As time went by, Kuzey began writing his own music, inspired by the music of his childhood and his real-life experiences.
 
Over the years, Kuzey honed his skills, collaborating with other musicians, and listening to more songs to widen his horizons. Thus was born Push past perfection, which released and took the world by storm. The honesty in Kuzey’ songwriting struck a chord with people who made the song their own and took both the song and the artist to new heights.
 
So what is good music, according to Kuzey? The music that connects people is beautiful. The music that comforts a heart is beautiful. And above all, the music that stays with you long after the song ends is beautiful music, according to Kuzey. “Beautiful music touches you eternally.” “It goes beyond the quantifiers of good and bad and into the realm of beauty fostered by art. Music is subjective. So if you find a song that touches you, keep it as a good song!”
 
And indeed, there is truth to Kuzey’s words. And with musicians like his on the stage, we’re sure we’ll always have melodies that touch us eternally to look forward to.

Rising Artist TCM Pain Delivers Heartfelt Single “You Should Know”

Music is a healing tool for many people globally, and musicians have continued to put out music capable of having profound impressions on their fans. TCM Pain released “You Should Know” July 1, 2022 in wake of a dear friend who passed away last year.

Since release, this song has gained a lot of attention and is garnering streams on music platforms. As an artist who has always been passionate about his feelings, his new song talks about a significant life experience in the line that says, “I love you and miss you, I just want you to know.” TCM Pain’s goal with “You Should Know” is to express his feelings and show compassion to the listener as we all have lost something important to us before. In this song, Pain shows his fans a vital side of his artistry they can relate to. 

When pressing play on “You Should Know”, you hear a smooth, soothing melody partnered with a crisp-sounding guitar. Pain slides on this beat providing lyrics about how his life has changed since his recent loss. Pain has shown promising potential with his releases like “I’m Coming Home” and recent hit “Don’t Know Her”.

Another hit to add on to the year will only benefit the young artist looking into 2023. Expect to see more and more tracks from TCM Pain before the year is out. Be on the lookout for “You Should Know” in particular, which you can stream on all platforms to become a fan if you aren’t already!

Connect with TCM Pain: 

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/tcmpain/

Twitter – https://mobile.twitter.com/tcmpainn

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@tcmpain

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/5uegG7eVO4K6k5ryu3AK7o?si=uzTCT7zoQjy0FaLPenOyeQ

Apple Music – https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tcm-pain/1553991230

SoundCloud – https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/9CLvskLimzxLWzV29

Cam Dolla – “Big Booty”

Cam Dolla’s hit single “Big Booty” is going crazy in the streets of Atlanta. This video is definitely something to see. This song makes you want to go to a party and find a girl with the biggest Booty! He definitely has the ladies dancing and showing off their skills and big booties.

This is one of the hottest joints of the year! Subscribe to Lil Cam TV on YouTube and check out his new single now!

Let’s Talk Battle Rap And Black Compass Media List Mid-Year Top 15 Power Rankings

Two respected battle rap media companies released their collaborative mid-year rankings, totally and rightfully disrupting everyone’s top artists listing from 2021. With the introduction of some new phenomenons in the culture and less than five months left in the year, will battlers that have been occupying the top seeds for the last few years be moved aside for fresh blood?

On Wednesday, Aug. 3, Let’s Talk Battle Rap and Black Compass Media presented their 2022 Top 15 Power Rankings.

Tony Bro from Black Compass Media shared his thoughts about the ranking, and said, “In a year defined by underdogs, upsets, and controversy; this mid-year list captures the chaos of another great year in battle rap. The list is largely influenced by tournament victories and career-cementing performances. JC and Bill Collector stand out as Battle Raps Champions – winning 100k tournaments at URL and KOTD, respectively. “

“On the other side,” he continued. “Swamp and Sheed Happens, Nunn Nunn and Snakeyez represent the year of the underdog. Each of these guys defied expectations this year by betting on themselves and putting on consistent performances.”

“Reliable Veterans like Tay Roc, Danny Myers, Rosenberg Raw continued to take the up-and-coming battlers and legends alike – turning in solid performances at all stops in high-risk low reward situations,” he shared.

The list is as follows:

  1. JC
  2. Bill Collector
  3. Tay Roc
  4. Swamp
  5. Eazy the Block Captain
  6. Danny Myers
  7. Charlie Clips
  8. Ms Hustle
  9. Rum Nitty
  10. Fonz
  11. A. Ward
  12. Viixen the Assassin
  13. Sheed Happens
  14. Rosenburg Raw
  15. Nunn Nunn

Most notably missing is 3X COTY Geechi Gotti who has had a pretty rough year and Tsu Surf, who just has not battled.

JC, after the death of his mother and winning the latest Ultimate Madness, has leaped up to the #1 spot, dusting out so many that have counted him out over the years and lining him up for the long-awaited battles with Loaded Lux and Tsu Surf.

Bill Collector, another tournament winner and one of the original three behind the now-defunct Midnight Madness franchise, also is getting his just due. Always a fan favorite, demonstrating one of the culture’s most unorthodox styles, he is now getting his props as one of the best around.

Swamp, Sheed Happens, and Nunn Nunn are noted for getting busy this year— making people take note of their class and the hard work they have been putting in. Sheep Happens, the Crucible Alum from Maryland, actually just started battling and has found himself as a person to watch.

While Swamp and Nunn Nunn are re-establishing a footing in Carolina battle rap and living into the high expectation left on their doorsteps as emcees coming after vets T-Top and Brizz Rawsteen.

Two women also are on the list: Ms Hustle and Viixen the Assassin. Both considering their battles against each other and separately, they are pretty much the top Pitbulls in skirts for the genre. Just ask anyone: Smack, Debo, or Remy Ma.

“There’s a lot that could change before the end of the year and like all rankings in the subjective sport/art of battle rap, will certainly engender much debate,” Tony Bro. said. “But that’s the game, that’s what defines the culture. If history serves, by December battle rap fans will squint at their mid-year lists in awe of how the 2nd half turned out.”

Kevin Gates Double Downs On Sexually Explicit Lyrics About Beyoncé On ‘Super General’ Freestyle

On a recent appearance on the Breakfast Club, Rapper Kevin Gates defends his lyrics about having sexual fantasies about Beyoncé in his new freestyle “Super General.” He said he meant no disrespect to Jay-Z but he has always been dreaming about the former Destiny Child singer — even back when he was hustling in the streets.

He asked, surrounded by Angela Yee, Charlamagne tha God, and DJ Envy, “She is one of the most beautiful women in the world … I can’t be a fan?”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Breakfast Club (@breakfastclubam)

“I’m sitting in a trap out around the monsters,” he reminisced. “Just looking at TV… saying ‘Man, I swear to God.’ When I said that, everybody feel like that. They just scared of saying it. I ain’t scared to say it.”

Both male hosts questioned the rapper about saying it to another man.

In his straight-up Gates way, he said, “I said ‘respectfully.’ I meant it with all due respect.”

“If somebody said that about your lady, your queen?” Envy probed, not anticipating the quick answer.

“You’re supposed to. That will feel good. You supposed to fantasize about what I got. Even your dreams every night, [you know] yeah, I’m punching [expletive] her living your dreams. I don’t want nothing that don’t nobody else want.”

In the song, around halfway through, he raps, “Ain’t no disrespect to Jigga, met through Nipsey, that’s my n####. Don’t know if they into swingin’, Beyoncé need to let me hit her.”

“Make her p##s all over this d##k, respectfully, her body shiver.”

He also brings up his desire to make love to Nicki Minaj, telling her she needs “Kevin, she still playing around with Kenneth.”

This is not the first song to ever name names, when it comes down to rappers and their celebrity crushes. Biggie’s “Just Playin’” (also known as “Dreams of F##kin’ An R&B Chick) also listed women and what the deceased rapper would or would not do with them.

The Dream And QuestLove School Songwriter Diane Warren After She Questioned The Number Of Writer Credits On Beyoncé’s Song ‘You Can’t Break My Soul’

Hall of Fame songwriter Diane Warren was taken to school by Beyoncé fans for questioning why the artist had more than twenty writers on one song on her new project. Very quickly, she felt what it feels like to be stung by the Beehive.

The writer behind hits for Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Babyface, Monica and Aerosmith (to name a few) tweeted, “How can there be 24 writers on a song?” adding, “This isn’t meant as shade, I’m just curious.”

The Dream, another noted songwriter and producer, was the first to respond with a stinging clap back, “You mean how’s does our (Black) culture have so many writers, well it started because we couldn’t afford certain things starting out, so we started sampling and it became an Artform, a major part of the Black Culture (hip hop) in America. Had that era not happen who knows. U good?

Warren quickly apologized, feeling the heat from other bees buzzing around her Twitter post like a fully bloomed flower in the summer.

“I didn’t mean that as an attack or as disrespect. I didn’t know this, thank U for making me aware of it. No need to be mean about it,” she wrote.

QuestLove, the co-founder of The Roots crew and famed producer in his own right, tweeted, “In these post ‘Blurred Lines’ times you’re gonna see a lot of it. I actually applaud her giving people a seat at the table who otherwise woulda NEVER been considered otherwise. Like she didn’t ‘have to’ credit the ‘Show Me Love’ crew but just outta respect she did them a solid.”

The Hip-Hop ethnomusicologist referenced the original team that wrote and produced the Robin S 1990s hit that is heavily sampled in Beyoncé’s new song, “You Can’t Break My Soul.”

“I pray they win the Grammy just so all 400 participants can get shine they otherwise woulda never seen,” he continued.

After getting schooled (and dragged) she returned to share with her followers, “Ok, it’s prob samples that add up the ammount of writers.”

One fan hit her with, “Probably? Girl, you knew the answer the whole time. Just say you wanted to be shady and go before Mariah pushes you out the way again.”

To that … she posted a silly emoji face.

Chile … you better leave Beyoncé alone … There are about three or four Destiny Child members no one can account for.

Mystikal Held In General Population— Will Get No Preferential Treatment In Rape Case

Rapper Mystikal, once known for having one of the most promising careers out of New Orleans, has found himself in yet another sexual assault case— this time allegations of looking someone up against their will, drug use compound the rape allegation.

Officials are saying, he will receive no preferential treatment just because he is famous.

 A representative from the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, Donovan Jackson, said his celebrity will not yield him any favors and the case inches towards a conviction.

“He didn’t show the victim any sympathy, and he won’t get any sympathy or special treatment,” Jackson declared. “He will be in general population and incarcerated like anyone else.”

According to arrest records, the rapper, whose real name is Michael Tyler, was arrested on Sunday, July 31 and now faces charges including first-degree rape, false imprisonment, domestic abuse battery (strangulation), simple robbery, and simple criminal damage to property. 

WBRZ reports an Ascension Parish judge determined the rapper will be held without a bond during a hearing on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

The former No Limit Soldier’s lawyer, Roy Maughan, said, “We’re extremely disappointed that the judge decided he needed to hold Mr. Tyler without bond.”

Details of the alleged sexual assault were listed in the “Shake it Fast” rapper’s arrest warrant.

It said the incident occurred on Saturday, July 30 at the artist’s Prairieville home.

Allegedly, Mystikal thought the woman stole $100 in cash from him, prompting him to punch, choke and pull the braids out of her hair. He then took her keys and cell phone and stopped her from leaving the premises.

The woman figured she would try and help Mystikal look for the money, hoping this would calm him down. However, while she was searching the place, she told law enforcement she found a “crystalline substance” in one of his drawers.

A later search determined not only did he have meth, a recreational drug that proves to be devilishly harmful to those who smoke it, in his home, but he also had Xanax, heroin, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia to partake in the consumption of the controlled substances. 

In addition to the beating, she reported that the rapper had extreme mood swings throughout the night, going from being angry over the money and becoming “very apologetic” for his actions.

When he said he was sorry, he then asked if he could “feel” her, pushing her on the bed and then raping her.

After the sexual assault, the report says he told her to CashApp him the money he believed she stole. While she was getting ready to pay him, he snatched the phone from her and typed $150 in the app, and sent himself the payment with a $50 bonus.

He gave her the phone and told her she could leave.

She says she jumped in her car, drove away, and contacted a friend who took her to the hospital where she reported the crime. She was given a sexual assault kit. Authorities found that her injuries were consistent with her description of the brutal attack.

This is not the first time he is accused of raping women. Two decades ago, he was convicted of sexual battery and was cleared in 2021 of a different rape and kidnapping allegation.

In 2003, he pleaded guilty to sexual battery and served six years in prison. Before being released in 2021, he spent 18 months in jail on a $3 million bond for that other rape case. This last case was dismissed but the circumstances around it have been sealed.

Drake Introduces His First Girlfriend, Keisha Chante, To The World

During his OVO Festival, an event that came to a close early after Drake was diagnosed with COVID, the chart-topping rapper introduced to the world the woman who inspired the famous line “KiKi … do you love me?” from his hit song “In My Feelings.”

Her name is Keisha Chante and she was, according to the Champagne Papi, his first girlfriend.

“This next person coming to the stage, I used to get in my mom’s car and I used to drive all the way to the west for this one right here, you feel me? So, I have to personally introduce her,” Drake announced while introducing her set. “This is my first girlfriend I ever had in my life. A real legend… somebody I love with all my heart. Make some noise for Keisha Chante.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akademiks)

After the performance, Keisha Chante took to Instagram to thank Drake.

She wrote, “I’ve never seen the city come together like that!! It was everything. A dream only @champagnepapi could make true. The most heartfelt and meaningful introduction I’ve ever had. Aubs I love u for life.”

She continued “performing songs I dropped in my teen years and hearing you sing all the words, made my soul so happy. Such a beautiful memory I will cherish forever. Toronto you have been riding for me since the very beginning and I am so grateful for the love.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Keshia Chanté (@keshiachante)

Kelis Says Her Beyonce Brouhaha Hit The Target – Pharrell

Kelis finally come into on the situation she has been with Beyoncé. She didn’t say a lot, but she said a lot. And I say that because if you look at my last rumor, I mentioned her relationship with Pharrell as the real target.

Beyoncé was just the conduit to get at, and possibly hurt Pharrell. As you already know, bro – along with Chad – owns the rights and publishing, and whatever music industry jargon you can name to Kelis’s musical catalog. Obviously, as an artist, and a more wiser, older person she knows that’s where most of the money is.

So when someone like Beyoncé jumps in and has a sample that includes your music and Pharrell gets more money than you, it probably presents an issue. Also, it really seen that she legitimately was upset that nobody said anything to her or got her permission to use the sample. I don’t think she would have cleared it and I don’t think they wanted to talk to her either. Now, when I heard the song, I couldn’t even begin to tell that it was a version (interpolation) of a Kelis record. And I am a fan. I just couldn’t hear it. So it was very small and minor to me.

But, with Kelis it was a big deal. And she made a huge stink.

Anyway, she didn’t make a lot of commentary, but she leapt into the comments of somebody’s post and remarked exactly what her goal was. And she basically said it was mission accomplished.

In the comments, she basically indicated that Pharrell would no longer be getting paid off the song. She did this by agreeing with a comment from another random person. She significantly regarded this as a win. I have to say though, my source said he would still be entitled to monies from the song, even though it was taken off the record. I am no musical insider or genius, so I don’t actually know which is the truth.

Kelis certainly would know more than me, but she may not even know. She may just be celebrating the actual victory, as it is in her head. It should be noted, although probably irrelevant, that Kelis and Pharrell dated briefly in 2001.

At the end of the day, I just hope this is over. And we can move on with our lives.

The Rumored Reason For Ne-Yo And Crystal’s Marital Fatality

Ne-Yo.

The singer Ne-Yo might have a bigger problem on his hand. As you know, his wife recently exposed him, in her way, with scathing allegations charging that he has sex with prostitutes, now known as sex workers. The news vibrated across the Internet, through social media and into the palms of people holding their favorite cellular device.

Ne-Yo made a response that requested privacy, but you know that isn’t how things work in this world. Plus they have done media together addressing their past issues. People have been prying deeply and looking to find out what caused this incredible explosion. At face value, it is because he has been having unprotected sex with other women, according to his soon to be ex-wife Crystal Renay. On the underbelly of it all, there may be something deeper.

According to rumors, his purported side chick alleges that she is now pregnant with his baby. Right now there is very little evidence of this being true but this is what the streets are now saying. Apparently that is what set of the chain of events that led to that massive letter from his wife Crystal Renay.

Renay said:

“8 years. 8 years of lies and deception. 8 years of unknowingly sharing my life and my husband with numerous women who sell their bodies to him unprotected…every last one of them!” 

To say I’m heartbroken and disgusted is a[n] understatement. To ask me to stay and accept it is absolutely insane. The mentality of a narcissist. I will no longer lie to the public or pretend that this is something it isn’t. I choose me, I choose my happiness and health and my respect.”

We already know that they had issues in the past with cheating and she stayed with him, but it could be a baby that made it turn into another level. They’ve had their ups and downs for years! This may be just for the best.

This could all be nothing too, by the way. Seriously, a flare on the sun was so big, it might hit Earth. So, this is a small thing. Also, the deadly Marburg virus has hit Ghana. So, be glad for that lil STD. I kid and yet I am so serious.

Illseed Out!

Stacey Abrams Blasts Brian Kemp Over Music Midtown Festival Cancelation

November’s Georgia gubernatorial election will be a rematch between incumbent Republican Governor Brian Kemp and Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams. The canceled Music Midtown event is now an issue in the campaign.

Music Midtown organizers called off this year’s festival in Atlanta. According to reports, the decision was the result of concerns about a Georgia law that allows firearms in public spaces. Music Midtown was set to take place at Piedmont Park.

“Hey Midtown fans – due to circumstances beyond our control, Music Midtown will no longer be taking place this year. We were looking forward to reuniting in September and hope we can all get back to enjoying the festival together again soon,” reads a statement on musicmidtown.com.

Stacey Abrams is putting some of the blame for the Music Midtown cancelation on Brian Kemp. Republican Governor Nathan Deal signed the Safe Carry Protection Act, aka the Guns Everywhere Bill, into law in 2014. Then in April, Kemp also legalized carrying concealed handguns in public without a permit or background check.

Music Midtown Controversy Comes As Stacey Abrams & Brian Kemp Compete In Tight Race

“Brian Kemp’s dangerous and extreme gun agenda endangers the lives of Georgians, and the cancellation of Music Midtown is proof that his reckless policies endanger Georgia’s economy as well,” stated Stacey Abrams. “It’s shameful, but not surprising, that the governor cares more about protecting dangerous people carrying guns in public than saving jobs and business in Georgia.”

At the moment, the Real Clear Politics average of polls has Brian Kemp leading Stacey Abrams in the current race by three percentage points. Kemp won the governorship over Abrams in 2018 by a 50.2% to 48.8% margin.

2022 Music Midtown announced several Hip Hop acts as scheduled performers. Atlanta rappers Future and 2 Chainz were among the top talent tapped for the festival. The lineup also included My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Jack White, Denzel Curry, Key Glock, Tinashe, and more.

Sounwave: Kendrick Lamar Is Working On ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’ Follow-Up Album

Kendrick Lamar scored his fourth #1 album when Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers landed atop the Billboard 200 chart in May. According to Lamar’s longtime production partner, Sounwave, the pgLang co-founder is already creating a new project.

Complex‘s Jessica McKinney recently interviewed Mark “Sounwave” Spears for the outlet. The lengthy conversation includes the Californian talking about what is next for Kendrick Lamar as far as musical releases.

“Oh, we always start, immediately after. Like, we’re starting on the next one now. That’s never going to change, all the way from the Kendrick Lamar EP. The next day, we started on Section.80. It’s just the ideas never stopped,” said Sounwave.

He also added, “That’s one of the main reasons I go on tour with him, is to create the next album. We can’t skip a beat. We have to just keep it going. There’s no breaks. There’s no such thing as a vacation when you’re doing what you love. Everything you do is what you love to do, so you’re excited.”

Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers is Kendrick Lamar’s first studio LP since 2017’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Damn. His discography also contains the critically-acclaimed albums Section.80 (2011), Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012), and To Pimp a Butterfly (2015).

While Kendrick Lamar took a five-year break between dropping Damn and Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, the 14-time Grammy winner and Soundwave apparently continue to make new songs for another body of work. Sounwave explained why this method of recording works best for him.

“We’re like kids in a candy shop. Personally, once I release an album like this, I don’t go back to it for a while, because I lived it so much. It’s like, it’s not for me anymore. It’s time for me to clear my head, so the best thing to do is to think about the next project,” said Soundwave.

Monica Lewinsky Wants Beyoncé To Remove her Name From “Partition”

Yet another celebrity is calling out Beyoncé following the release of her Renaissance album. Infamous former White House intern Monica Lewinsky called on the singer to remove her name from a 9-year-old song.

“He popped all my buttons and he ripped my blouse. He Monica Lewinsky’d all on my gown,” sings Beyoncé on “Partition” off her 2013 self-titled fifth studio album.

That particular “Partition” line referenced Monica Lewinsky’s extra-marital affair with then-President Bill Clinton. The scandal eventually inspired the Republican-led House of Representatives to impeach Clinton in 1998.

Lewinsky took this time to revisit Beyoncé name-dropping her on “Partition.” Her request came after news broke that the Texas native altered lyrics on Renaissance. Some listeners complained the word “spaz” used on “Heated” is an ableist slur.

“Uhmm, while we’re at it… #Partition,” tweeted Monica Lewinsky on August 1. The Twitter post included a link to a Variety article titled, “Beyoncé to Remove Offensive ‘Renaissance’ Lyric After Ableist Backlash.”

When a Twitter user asked Lewinsky if she reached out to Beyoncé or her team, the 49-year-old activist replied, “No, I haven’t. I did mention it in the first Vanity Fair article I wrote in 2014… which was the first public thing I’d done in 10 years. But you make an interesting/fair point.”

Other people questioned why Monica Lewinsky had “rap song muse” in her Twitter bio if she disagrees with musicians writing song lyrics about her. Lewinsky stated, “Because learning to laugh about things which hurt or humiliated me is how I survived.”

Another person wondered why Lewinsky has not taken aim at other recording artists that rap or sang about her in the past. The Lewis & Clark College graduate tweeted, “When articles about the 125+ other artists changing lyrics to a song cross my TL, I promise I’ll do the same. ✌🏼.”

There has been significant controversy surrounding Beyoncé’s Renaissance studio LP. In addition to the ableist critiques, R&B singer Kelis had a problem with an interpolation of “Milkshake” used for the “Energy” track. Beyoncé reportedly changed the song’s production in response.

Future Earns 150th Entry On The Hot 100 Chart

Hate it or love it, Nayvadius “Future” Wilburn is one of the most commercially successful music artists of the last two decades.

The Atlanta-born rapper maintains a regular presence on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This week, Future reached an impressive milestone on those weekly rankings.

Houston-raised rapstress Megan Thee Stallion’s new single “Pressurelicious” features Future. The Payday and HitKidd-produced collaboration debuted at #55 on the most recent Hot 100.

The Epic signee now has 150 career entries on the Hot 100 chart. Only Drake (278), the Glee Cast (207), Lil Wayne (182), and Taylor Swift (168) also have at least 150 tracks to make the chart.

Nine of Future’s 150 Hot 100 entries made it into the Top 10 region of the chart. The 38-year-old southerner has two Number Ones throughout his run in music.

Drake’s “Way 2 Sexy” with Future and Young Thug peaked at #1 for one week in 2021. Future and Drake reconnected for 2022’s “Wait For U” with Tems. That song held the top spot for a week in May.

Over on the Billboard 200 album chart, Future’s résumé includes eight leaders. He earned his latest chart-topper when I Never Liked You opened at #1. That 2022 studio LP debuted with 222,000 first-week units.

2015’s DS2, 2016’s Evol, 2017’s Future, 2017’s Hndrxx, 2019’s The Wizrd, and 2020’s High Off Life topped the Billboard 200 as well. Plus, the Freebandz frontman and Drake’s What a Time to Be Alive also reached the pinnacle of the tally.

Chance The Rapper Reacts To Critics Saying He Fell Off

Chance The Rapper became a mainstream Hip Hop star thanks to his 2016 Grammy-winning Coloring Book mixtape. However, 2019’s The Big Day studio album was not as well-received.

Some critics began questioning if Chance The Rapper’s popularity has waned in the last three years. The 29-year-old entertainer spoke about the idea he “fell off” in a new interview with The Breakfast Club.

“I can do one of two things. I can either agree with it or I can live my life,” said Chance The Rapper. “If I agree with it, then that means The Breakfast Club fell off because y’all don’t have people that fell off sitting in your chair.”

The Chicago native added, “N##### was saying I fell off when I was in high school. I made four mixtapes. N##### was telling me in high school, ‘Your last tape was better.’ I’m like, ’N####, I’m 15!’ I can joke about it, but it is tough. But it’s like, I don’t know, what can I say? Tell people that my feelings are hurt?”

Meanwhile, Chance The Rapper continues to release new music. He recently teamed up with Brooklyn emcee Joey Bada$$ for “The Highs & The Lows” single. They performed the collaboration on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Chance The Rapper has also linked up with longtime friend Vic Mensa for the “Wraith” music video. Last month, Chance and Mensa announced the creation of the Black Star Line Festival in Accra, Ghana.

In addition to Coloring Book and The Big Day, Chance The Rapper’s catalog includes the 10 Day (2012) and Acid Rap (2013) mixtapes. Chance was also heavily involved in The Social Experiment’s Surf album in 2015.