Hip-Hop
Beyoncé’s Black Is King Seeks to Change the Way We See Ourselves: Review
The Pitch: “I can’t breathe.” These were some of the final words uttered by George Floyd, an African American man killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as a result of police brutality. Due to the frequency of its usage by countless others during similar situations in the past, this phrase has come to be synonymous with the Black Lives Matter movement. While the self-worth and regard for the life of a person of color has continuously come into question, the healing power of art (particularly music) has always been used as remedy in times of despair. Historically, the slaves residing on various plantations would receive momentary comfort by harmonizing hymns of perseverance, hope, and religion. To this day, artists are still sought out to deliver a message that is reflective of the times through...
Toni Braxton to Release 10th Album ‘Spell My Name’ Next Month, Drops ‘Dance’ Single
Grammy award-winning R&B artist Toni Braxton announced Friday (July 31) she’ll release her 10th studio album Spell My Name on Aug. 28 via Island Records. In tandem with the news, she released the single “Dance,” a nu-disco club-ready banger that serves as an antidote for any heartbreak, which R&B hitmaker Antonio Dixon (Beyoncé, Teddy Riley, Ariana Grande) produced. She previously released the Dave Audé remix of “Dance,” which went No. 1 on the UK’s Commercial Pop Club chart. The new single follows “Do It,” which peaked at No. 3 on Billboard‘s Adult R&B Songs chart two weeks ago and was remixed by Missy Elliott last month. Spell My Name, which fans can pre-order here, is her first...
jxdn on the Influence of Juice WRLD, Working with Travis Barker, and Pushing Against Southern Values
Kyle Meredith With… JXDN Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Play | Stitcher | Radio Public | RSS jxdn gives Kyle Meredith a call to talk about the seemingly overnight success of his music career after making a name for himself on TikTok over the last couple of years. The rising star discusses how seeing Juice WRLD in concert inspired him to be a songwriter, signing to Travis Barker’s new label, and writing/recording with the pop-punk legend. Texas born and Tennessee raised, JXDN also talks about pushing against the judgmental Southern environment that he grew up in, having supportive pastor parents, and the stories behind “Angels & Demons” and “So What!”. Kyle Meredith With… is an interview series in which WFPK...
Lil Uzi Vert and Future Reconnect on “Over Your Head” and “Patek”: Stream
Lil Uzi Vert and Future have linked up for a new two-song collaborative project called Pluto x Baby Pluto. Take a listen to “Over Your Head” and “Patek” below. The songs arrive on Lil Uzi Vert’s 26th birthday (happy birthday!), and add to what has been an already massive year for the Philadelphia rapper. Back in March, he released his long-awaited sophomore album, Eternal Atake, along with the sequel to his 2017 mixtape, Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World. Future, meanwhile, has kept up his prolific ways, even amidst a pandemic. He dropped his latest album, High Off Life, in May. Beyond his work with Lil Uzi Vert, he’s also collaborated on tracks with DaBaby, Lil Yachty, Teyana Taylor, Jhené Aiko, and the late Pop Smoke. [embedded content] [embedded content] You Deserve to Make Money Eve...
What’s Your Favorite Beyoncé Album of All Time? Vote!
Beyoncé had the BeyHive swarming Disney+ early Friday morning (July 31) to watch her Black Is King visual album, but which of her solo albums still has you buzzing? Excluding her work in Destiny’s Child and her Everything Is Love LP with husband Jay-Z under the name The Carters, Queen Bey has six No. 1 albums to her regal title, from her debut studio album Dangerously in Love to her surprise eponymous project Beyoncé. Then, of course, there’s her new Black Is King visual album, which celebrates the journey of a young Black king and is accompanied by a deluxe edition of The Lion King: The Gift, which adds three new tracks and eliminates the audio snippets from the Disney live-action remake of The Lion King. Bey also gav...
Beyonce’s ‘Black Is King’ Visual Album Has Arrived
Beyonce‘s new visual album, Black Is King, arrived on Friday (July 31). Bey initially announced the news with a surprise one-minute trailer for the visual album — which has also been described as a film — on her website in June, giving fans a first look at the Lion King-inspired release. Written, directed and executive produced by Beyonce, Black Is King premiered globally via Disney+ about a year after the theatrical release of the Lion King remake, which Beyonce voiced Nala in. Black Is King is based on the music from Bey’s 2019 soundtrack for the animated film, The Lion King: The Gift. Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell, Jay-Z and Blue Ivy Carter all made appearances on the set. A release promised that...
R.I.P. Malik B., The Roots Co-Founder Dies at 47
Mailk B. of The Roots Malik B., Philadelphia hip-hop legend and co-founding member of The Roots, has died at the age of 47. As EW points out, Malik B.’s cousin, Don Champion, first announced news of his passing on Twitter. A cause of death was not given. The Roots themselves subsequently confirmed the news on their Instagram, writing, “It is with heavy hearts and tearful eyes that we regretfully inform you of the passing of our beloved brother and long time Roots member Malik Abdul Baset.” “May he be remembered for his devotion to Islam, His loving brotherhood and his innovation as one of the most gifted MCs of all time,” the group’s statement added. Malik B. founded The Roots alongside Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter in 1987, and appeared on the group’s f...
Logic Reflects on His Career in ‘Aquarius III’ Video
Logic delivered his final album, No Pressure, last week before shifting his focus to being a good father for his newborn baby boy. He did, however, put on his iconic red jumpsuit one last time for the newly released “Aquarius III” video, in which the rapper is seen walking down the street and reflecting on his life and career. “All I ever gave a f— about was my career / But all that s— out the window now that my son is here / F— sales and streams, none of that s— entails dreams / F— rap, f— press, f— feeling like I’m less / If it ain’t ’bout my happiness, than I could give a f— less,” he proclaims over a sample of The Roots’ 2010 instrumental “A Peace of Light.” Watch the vid...
Malik B., Founding Member of The Roots, Dies at 47
Malik B., rapper and founding member of The Roots, has died, according to the hip-hop band’s social media statement Wednesday (July 29). He was 47. No cause of death has been revealed. “It is with heavy hearts and tearful eyes that we regretfully inform you of the passing of our beloved brother and long time Roots member Malik Abdul Basit. May he be remembered for his devotion to Islam, His loving brotherhood and his innovation as one of the most gifted MCs of all time,” the group wrote on Instagram. “We ask that you please respect his family and extended family in our time of mourning such a great loss.” His cousin Don Champion broke the news on Twitter when he reshared old performance footage of Malik B. at NYC’s The Bowery Electric. “Mourni...
G-Herbo Tabs Saweetie, City Girls, Wale and NLE Choppa For Mental Health Notes Panel
In hopes of aiding struggling Black teens, G-Herbo is collaborating with Audiomack to help restore their mental health with his forthcoming Mental Health Notes Panel, airing today (July 29) at 6:00 p.m. ET on Twitch. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Clemons MD, the star-studded lineup will include Saweetie, City Girls, Wale, NLE Choppa and NAMI CEO Dan Gillison as speakers for today’s festivities. Designed to provide tools to help Black youth maneuver through the ups-and-downs of mental health, this forum will offer a bevy of techniques to help lessen their everyday battles, while de-stigmatizing the importance therapy in the African American community. “I wanted to gather everyone to encourage open dialogue, so that we not only become a support system for one another, but our fans as well, Herbo tel...
Rihanna Wished Megan Thee Stallion a ‘Speedy Recovery’ With Flowers Following Shooting
The embattled rapper also received a get-well-soon gift from Lizzo. Legends supporting legends. Rihanna recently sent flowers and well wishes to Megan Thee Stallion in the wake of the latter’s headline-making recovery from a shooting incident earlier this month. Posing in a white ensemble from the superstar’s Savage X Fenty lingerie line, Megan took to social media to show off the sweet well wishes from RiRi on Tuesday (July 28). “Wishing you a full and speedy recovery, Meg! Just know you’ve got a whole crew over here sending good vibes your way! Love, Rihanna and the Fenty Corp gang,” read the note accompanying the pastel floral arrangement for the rapper. In her Instagram Stories, Megan also showed off the gift of a stuffed animal filled with candy sent by n...
Why Rod Wave Might Be Writing Movie Scripts One Day
Before the age of 21, Rod Wave has become hip-hop’s quintessential rags to riches story. Since his Interscope debut with 2019’s Ghetto Gospel, the St. Petersburg, Florida native has buried the competition with his icy street bangers and frosty melodies. With two Billboard 200 top ten albums within a five-month span, including last April’s No. 2 debut Pray 4 Love, Wave’s climb to rap’s summit has been a sight to see. With a dozen Hot 100 records in his arsenal, most notably his latest hit “Rags2Riches,” Wave’s candor and shrewd ability to tug at listeners’ heartstrings makes him a top candidate for rap’s rookie of the year in 2020 — although he’s lucky to still be here. Wave, born Rodarius Marcell Green, nearly had his life curtailed after being involved in a near-fatal ca...
