Hip-Hop
Travis Scott Puts Astroworld on Hold For This Year, Planning 2021 Return
Travis Scott‘s Astroworld festival is taking a break this year amid the raging COVID-19 pandemic, but in a post on Tuesday (Nov. 10) the rapper promised that the event will be back in 2021 in a big way. While the announcement didn’t officially say that this year’s fest has been iced, it read, “See you next year… at Astrofest can’t wait to turn the f–k up! Stay Safe.” The post’s caption promised “THE PARTY NEVER ENDS.” Last year’s festival featured sets from Migos, Young Thug, Megan Thee Stallion, Gucci Mane, Scott, Pharrell, Marilyn Manson, Rosalia, DaBaby, Playboi Carti, Pop Smoke, Young Dolph and others. The 2020 edition was originally slated to take place on Nov. 9. At press time the date for the 2021 event has not yet been ann...
H.E.R. & Chris Brown Lead 2020 Soul Train Awards Nominations: Here’s the Complete List
The show will simulcast on BET, BET Her, VH1 and MTV2 at 8 p.m. ET. A one-hour pre-show will air at 7 p.m. ET. The main show will be followed by the broadcast television debut of DJ Cassidy’s virtual series Pass the Mic. Connie Orlando, BET’s EVP specials, music programming & music strategy, will executive produce the show, along with Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment, and that company’s Jeannae Rouzan-Clay and Dionne Harmon. The show will air on BET Africa on Nov. 29, BET France on Dec. 1, BET UK on Dec. 2 and BET South Korea on Dec. 2. Here’s the complete list of nominations: Song of the year:Beyoncé – “Black Parade”Chloe X Halle – “Do It”Chris Brown & Young Thug – “Go Crazy”H.E.R. Feat. YG – “Slide”Summer Walker & Usher – “Come Thru”Usher Feat. Ella Mai – “Do...
Lil Jon Fires Back at Republican Congressman for Using ‘Get Low’ Lyrics to Brag
To the windows, to the wall, Lil Jon is not a Republican at all. The rapper took Twitter on Monday (Nov. 9) to fire back at Congressman Paul Gosar, who used lyrics from 2002’s “Get Low” to gloat over his win in Arizona. “69.69 damn that’s fine. What say you @LilJon,” the Republican representative tweeted in reference to his 69.69% lead over his Democratic opponent Delina DiSanto. 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.
Rico Nasty Unleashes New Song “OHFR?”, Produced by 100 gecs’ Dylan Brady: Stream
On Monday, Rico Nasty formally announced her debut album, Nightmare Vacation. Due out in just a few weeks, the project is being teased now with “OHFR?”, a new single that reunites the young rapper with Dylan Brady of 100 gecs. Over the summer, the two acts joined forces on Rico track “iPhone”, as well as on 100 gecs’ “ringtone” remix alongside Charli XCX and Kero Kero Bonito. Not unlike those previous offerings, “OHFR?” continues to see Rico and Brady finding their collaborative sweet spot all while disregarding genre barriers. Rico is as fearless and unapologetic as ever as she rap-growls, “I been movin’ how I want/ Fuck how you feel.” Brady’s booming production here is a departure from 100 gecs’ adrenaline-crazed hyper-pop, but fits right in with Rico’s calculated confidence. EditorsR...
Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler Finds Cardi B’s “WAP” Song “Disgusting”
When Black Sabbath first emerged, they were branded as “the devil’s music” by conservative Christians. Now, the band’s founding bassist and chief lyricist, Geezer Butler, has branded the popular Cardi B hit “WAP” (featuring Megan Thee Stallion) as “disgusting,” while also admitting he’s an “old goat.” As the first true heavy metal band, Sabbath experienced their fair share of backlash, having been dubbed “Satanists” by many who didn’t delve into the actual words of the songs. While speaking to Kerrang! about the perception of new artists, Butler brought up his own gripes with the salacious “WAP”. “Whatever new music comes out, it’s viewed as the devil’s music,” explained Geezer. “I remember when Elvis came out everybody said he was Satan. And then in the ’60s and ’70s he became America’s n...
Racism on the Road: The Oral History of Black Artists Touring in the Segregated South
“We were happy, we were singing, we were joyful, we were away from home for the first time, youngsters on a magical show,” recalls Martha Reeves, lead singer of the girl group Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, who toured through the South as part of Motown’s pioneering tours in the early ’60s. “But being met with the hatred, it was alarming — especially when the bus was shot at.” Below, Billboard presents an oral history of Black touring artists in the ’50s and ’60s, including interviews with Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and one-hit wonders, stars from the Motown and Stax soul labels, and veterans of the Motown Revue and Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars. All remain shocked and angry at the racism they experienced, mostly in the South, but a...
Rico Nasty Officially Announces Debut Album Nightmare Vacation
Rising rapper Rico Nasty has officially announced her debut album Nightmare Vacation. The Nightmare begins on December 4th. Over a string of acclaimed mixtapes, the 23-year-old Maryland MC has claimed a punk-inflected corner of the hip-hop universe for her own. She blew up with 2017’s Sugar Trap 2, made her major-label debut with 2018’s Nasty, and proved she was ready for the spotlight with her 2019 Kenny Beats collab Anger Management. At every step along the way, her ascension has felt both thrilling and inevitable. Nightmare Vacation arrives as one of the most anticipated first albums of recent memory. Rico has already shared a few previews including “Own It”, “iPhone” with 100 gecs, and most recently “Don’t Like Me” featuring Don Tolliver and Gucci Mane. Th...
Here Are All the Livestreams & Virtual Concerts to Watch During the Coronavirus Crisis: Week of Nov. 9
Nov. 10: Halsey is hosting a livestream event for the release of her poetry book, I Would Leave Me If I Could. The event begins at 6 p.m. ET. To receive a ticket, pre-order a copy and show proof of purchase. Kellie Pickler, Justin Moore and others are joining Robert Irvine for his Salute to Our Heroes virtual fundraising concert. The event will celebrate not only Veterans Day, but also first responders and veterans. The show begins at 9 p.m. ET; watch and donate on the Robert Irvine Foundation’s website. Nov. 11: 311 is performing three shows — also on Dec. 11 and Jan. 11 — with each set to feature one of their classic albums. The November show will focus on Music, the December show on Grassroots, and the January show on 311. The ba...
Lil Nas X Teases New Single ‘Holiday’
Lil Nas X embraces a little “Holiday” magic in the comedic trailer for his new single, which first aired during the New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game Sunday night (Nov. 8). The teaser clip for “Holiday” — the title of the song that will be released on Friday (Nov. 13) — brings Lil Nas X back to an “Old Town Road” setting, but takes him to new places. “You are the new Santa,” he reads on the tag of a fallen Santa’s hat, as some new music kicks in. 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 a...
Suspect Arrested, Charged With Murder in Shooting Death of King Von
Billboard has reached out to the Atlanta Police Department for comment. Bennet, 26, was among three men killed outside of Atlanta’s Monaco Hookah Lounge on Friday. The shootings took place around 3 a.m. when an argument between two groups turned into a fight in the nightclub’s parking lot. The rapper, who grew up on the South side of Chicago, was known for his sing-song style on tracks such as “Crazy Story” and “What It’s Like.” He was also childhood friends with fellow MCs Lil Durk and Chief Keef. Following the tragic news of Bennett’s death, hip-hop stars such as Chance the Rapper and Big Sean took to social media to mourn his loss. See their tributes here. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking fo...
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions Lose Luster Without Live Element: Review
It’s been a strange year for the music industry. Case in point: we’re finally watching the 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions in November, it’s all being done remotely by tape, and there are no musical performances. Nothing about this is normal, of course, and fans will surely miss the who’s who of rock royalty that can usually be seen rubbing shoulders at the ceremony, not to mention the opportunity to see our heroes climb on stage together — sometimes for the first time in years — to accept hardware and even take a stab at performing our favorite songs. Obviously, the raging COVID-19 pandemic made a normal induction ceremony impossible, and those who produced or took part in Saturday’s telecast deserve credit for finding a way to safely honor the best of the music industry. <i...
Beyonce Shares Throwback Photos of Biden and Harris to Celebrate Historic Election Results
Beyonce shared a third picture of modern-day Biden and Harris excitedly clenching hands in front of a large American flag at what appears to be a campaign rally. “Congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden & Vice President-elect Kamala Harris,” reads a message below the pic. Earlier in the week, the 39-year-old superstar singer proudly displayed her “I Voted” sticker and “Biden Harris” face mask to show which 2020 ticket was getting her stamp of approval. “Come thru, Texas! #VOTE,” Beyonce captioned the black-and-white Instagram boomerang. See more artist reactions to the historic White House win here. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with...
