Hip-Hop
Topaz Jones Unveils Album Release Date, Shares “D.I.A.L.”: Stream
Back in February, Topaz Jones announced that his sophomore album was on the horizon by dropping a single called “Herringbone”. Now, the rapper has officially unveiled the record’s release date alongside another preview track called “D.I.A.L.”. Don’t Go Tellin’ Your Momma is due to arrive in the world on April 23rd. It’s the New Jersey artist’s sophomore album, following his widely-regarded 2016 debut Arcade. Like many artists these days, Jones is choosing to keep many of the record’s details (tracklist, artwork, potential guest features, etc.) under wraps until we get closer to its street date, but at least he’s giving us a taste of what it’ll sound like. Whereas “Herringbone” saw Jones channeling College Dropout-era Kanye over a luscious jazz-rap instrumental, “D.I.A.L.” feels m...
Motown’s Black Forum Label Revisits the Past Through Hip-Hop’s Future on ‘Fire in Little Africa’ Album
In announcing the album, Motown Records chairman/CEO Ethiopia Habtemariam said, “Fire in Little Africa is a powerful and timely project that provides a platform and outlet for the incredibly talented and thriving music community of Tulsa. Carrying the legacy of the Black Wall Street community, Fire in Little Africa is a body of work filled with purpose and prolific storytelling. I am honored and privileged to have Motown/Black Forum partner with Stevie ‘Dr. View’ Johnson, the Bob Dylan Center and Woody Guthrie Center to release this impactful hip-hop album.” Johnson, PhD and manager, Education & Diversity Outreach at the Woody Guthrie Center/Bob Dylan Center and the album’s executive producer, commented, “Fire in Little Africa has evolved into a communal hip-hop movement. W...
The Isley Brothers vs. Earth, Wind & Fire in Funk Legends ‘Verzuz’ Battle: See Billboard’s Scorecard For the Event
Hosted (with a somewhat heavy touch) by star comedian Steve Harvey, and with music courtesy of veteran DJ and quarantine-era sensation D-Nice, the event was clearly going to be a special one even before the two groups began spinning. D Nice span ’80s classics from Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan, before Harvey introduced himself, offered a prayer for “down bad” Verzuz veteran DMX, and raved about the formative importance of the two groups in his own life: “These groups made me. This music shaped me.” See Billboard‘s round-by-round scorecard for the epic showdown below — a supersized 25-round match, in accordance with the bands’ stunningly expansive catalogues — with our final winner tallied up and declared at the bottom. Round 1: The ...
DMX in “Vegetative State” Following Drug Overdose and Heart Attack
DMX is in a “vegetative state” having suffered “lung and brain failure,” according to his former manager, Nakia Walker. Walker told Buzzfeed News that DMX’s condition has not improved since he was initially hospitalized on Friday following a drug overdose and heart attack. “We’re just praying and waiting,” Walker said. “Praying and waiting.” The 50-year-old rapper is currently in the ICU at a hospital in White Plains, New York. His family will host a prayer vigil outside of the hospital on Monday evening at 5:00 pm local time. DMX is best known for his platinum-selling albums It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot and … And Then There Was X, which contained signature hits like “Get at Me Dog”, “What’s My Name?”, and “Party Up (Up in Here)”. He also appeared in feature films like Bel...
BLACKPINK’s Rosé Does the ‘WAP’ Challenge & Cardi B Can’t Believe How Clean It Is
How you like that, Cardi B? BLACKPINK‘s Rosé recently hit the 10 million-follower milestone on TikTok, and she celebrated with a little dance — to the rapper’s viral “WAP” challenge, to be specific. “#10M !! Here you go,” the K-pop star captioned a TikTok video of herself getting down to the explicit track featuring Megan Thee Stallion. In the clip posted in the early morning hours of Sunday (April 4), Rosé — barefoot and in an oversized light gray hoodie and sweatpants — starts off with the high kick before quickly making it drop, and giggling as she finishes the dance on the floor. Only 10 hours after posting, the video of her dancing to Cardi B’s Hot 100 No. 1 song had already garnered more than 2.2 million views. And among the...
Lil Nas X Gives God a Lap Dance After Britney Spears Asks on ‘SNL’ Cold Open: See the Rapper’s Response
“Because they’re close-minded idiots? People are afraid of me because I’m different, but really I’m just your typical gay black country rap sneaker entrepreneur. I put my pants on like everyone else — one a–less chap at a time,” joked Nas. He also pointed out a fun fact for the religious folks upset about his intimate dance with the devil. “I would say, ‘You know that wasn’t the real Satan, right?’ It was a dude in a Halloween devil costume because the real Satan doesn’t do, like, music videos. So maybe chill?” Spears then asked — for the sake of fairness — whether the rapper would also twerk on God. As Lil Nas X agreed to do so, God (Mikey Day) came out, sat down on the couch, and received a racy lit...
Chance the Rapper, Ja Rule, Missy Elliott & More Pray for DMX Amid Hospitalization
“Prayers for DMX and his family,” Missy Elliott echoed. DMX’s representatives confirmed to Billboard on Saturday that he is currently hospitalized, though they could not provide further details on his condition. TMZ reported that DMX experienced a heart attack triggered by the overdose, with one source saying he has “some brain activity” and another source saying that he is in a “vegetative state.” “Come on X plzzzz,” Lil Kim wrote to the MC upon hearing the reports. “We need you. Prayers all the way up for you bro.” “I love DMX SO MUCH,” said SZA. “praying hard for the king.” “Today is 4/3/21 – it’s only right that we celebrate the talent and genius of my brother @DMX on the 4,3,2,1 song....
Song of the Week: Indianapolis Hip-Hop Trio 81355 Bury the Past in Hope of a Better Future on “Capstone”
Song of the Week breaks down and talks about the song we just can’t get out of our head each week. Find these songs and more on our Spotify Top Songs playlist. For our favorite new songs from emerging artists, check out our Spotify New Sounds playlist. This week, hip-hop trio 81355 return with the second single off their upcoming, full-length debut. If there’s any initial impression to be gathered from hip-hop trio 81355, comprised of three staples of the Indianapolis music scene (Sirius Blvck, Oreo Jones, and Sedcairn Archives), it’s that great music can come from anywhere. It’s commonplace to see artists emerging from the expected staples — Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Nashville — and, so often, it’s harder to find gems like 81355. This collaborative effort has alre...
DMX Hospitalized in Grave Condition Following Drug Overdose
DMX is reportedly in grave condition following a drug overdose. According to TMZ, the 50-year-old rapper was taken to a hospital in White Plains, New York on Friday night and is being treated in the ICU. The overdose reportedly caused DMX to suffer a heart attack. One source familiar with the situation told TMZ that he is in a “vegetative state,” while another source said he has “some brain activity.” DMX has spoken openly about his addiction to crack cocaine, and had received in-patient treatment as recently as 2019. The veteran rapper is best known for his platinum-selling albums It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot and … And Then There Was X, which contained signature hits like “Get at Me Dog”, “What’s My Name?”, and “Party Up (Up in Here)”. He also appeared in feature films like&nb...
DMX Hospitalized in New York
DMX has been admitted to a New York hospital following a reported drug overdose. The 50-year-old rapper, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was rushed to a hospital in White Plains, N.Y., on Friday night (April 2) after experiencing a heart attack triggered by the OD, TMZ reports. DMX’s representatives confirmed to Billboard that the rapper is currently hospitalized, but could not provide further details on his condition. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving you back power. Get to meet Beautiful people, chat and make money in the process. Earn rewards by chatting, sharing photos, blogging and help give users back their fair share of Internet revenue.
Freddie Gibbs Turns Into a “Big Boss Rabbit” on New Single: Stream
Spring is here and it looks like Freddie Gibbs is ready to hop to it. He’s just released a new single called “Big Boss Rabbit” alongside a grainy music video, both of which see him boasting about his undeniable talents in the hip-hop scene. Stream it below. “Big Boss Rabbit” is the third single Gibbs has released since partnering with Warner Records, following “4 Thangz” with Big Sean and his ScHoolboy Q collaboration “Gang Signs”. Over quick trap drums, Gibbs uses the new song to rap nonstop about the fruits of his labor, the cash in his pocket, and the designer luggage he totes around. “I’m the best in the world,” he chuckles at one point. “It’s facts.” In the music video, directed by JMP, Gibbs waxes each line from “Big Boss Rabbit” while strolling around in style. He lounges on expensi...
Post Malone to Launch Rosé-Inspired Merch & New Maison No. 9 Bottle
Cheers to warmer weather! With springtime in full swing, so is rosé season. In celebration, Post Malone, James Morrissey of Global Brand Equities and music manager Dre London announced on Friday (April 2) its 2021 Maison No. 9 launch, including a new vintage and merch. The 2020 vintage rosé will be getting a new look, including an updated logo and color scheme. The merch collection will feature six pieces including t-shirts, hats and hoodies. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving you back power. Get to meet Beautiful people, chat and make money in the process. Earn rewards by chatting, sharing photos, blogging and help give users back their fair share of Internet revenue.
