Rap
Kendrick Lamar Announces Final Album with TDE
Kendrick Lamar has shared an update on his long-awaited next project, revealing that it will be his final album with his longtime label home Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). The Compton rapper announced the news in a letter posted to a new website called oklama.com. “I feel joy to have been a part of such a cultural imprint after 17 years,” Kendrick wrote. “The Struggles. The Success. And most importantly, the Brotherhood. May the Most High continue to use Top Dawg as a vessel for candid creators. As I continue to pursue my life’s calling.” Advertisement Related Video “There’s beauty in completion. And always faith in the unknown,” Kendrick added. “Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts. I’ve prayed for you all. See you soon enough.” Kendrick also signed the letter with the name “oklama.” ...
Kevin Abstract Shares New Solo Track “SIERRA NIGHTS” feat. Ryan Beatty: Stream
Following up on his “SLUGGER” collaboration with slowthai and $snot from last month, Kevin Abstract has shared another new solo single called “SIERRA NIGHTS.” This time, the BROCKHAMPTON leader has re-teamed with frequent cohort Ryan Beatty. Described as an “ode to the end of summer” (oh God, too soon), “SIERRA NIGHTS” has the West Coast beat and echoing vocals of the perfect top-down jam. The track comes accompanied by a music video directed by Abstract himself that finds him and Beatty making moves around California. Check it out ahead. Both “SLUGGER” and “SIERRA NIGHTS” serve as precursors to Abstract’s third solo studio album. Abstract has been teasing the project for a few weeks now, and a press release confirms the effort is expected out “before the year is over.” The LP will be his ...
R.I.P. Steve “Zumbi” Gaines, of Zion I, Dead at 47
Steve “Zumbi” Gaines, a co-founding member of the Bay Area hip-hop group Zion I, has died at the age of 47 due to complications from COVID-19. According to a statement from Gaines’ family, the rapper passed away Friday morning (August 13th) at Alta Bates Hospital in San Fransisco, California. In the mid-1990s, Gaines teamed with producer Amp Live and released their debut album, Mind over Matter. Their breakout release came with 2005’s True & Livin’, which boasted collaborations with Gift of Gab, Talib Kweli, and Aesop Rock. The following year Zion I released the first of two collaborative LPs with Oakland rapper The Grouch. Advertisement Related Video Amp Live left Zion I in 2015, but the duo recently reunited and had planned to tour together prior to Gaines’ passing. “He was working o...
Nicki Minaj and Husband Sued by His Attempted Rape Victim for Harassment and Witness Intimidation
The woman who was sexually assaulted by Nicki Minaj’s husband, Kenneth Petty, has filed a lawsuit against both Minaj and Petty, accusing the couple of harassment and witness intimidation. TMZ reports that Jennifer Hough says Minaj and Petty “have directly and indirectly harassed her and threatened her to not speak about the incident.” The assault occurred in September 1994, when both Hough and Petty were 16 years old and living in South Jamaica, Queens. According to a complaint filed at the time, the victim had been walking to school when Petty came up behind her, pressing an object against her back and instructed her to “keep walking.” The two eventually arrived at Petty’s residence, where he allegedly forced her upstairs and began to rape her at knifepoint before she was able to strike h...
Rap Song of the Week: Denzel Curry Plays “The Game” on Expert Mode
Our newest feature, Rap Song of the Week, breaks down and talks about the rap and hip-hop tracks we just can’t get out of our head each week. Check out the full playlist here. For our first installment, Denzel Curry returns with his first solo release in over a year. With one of the most versatile and technical flows out there, Denzel Curry has a multitude of ways to approach production like G.O.O.D. Music affiliate Charlie Heat’s lowrider beat on “The Game.” Choosing a carefully measured flow so listeners can hear every word, the Carol City rapper assesses the current state of hip-hop culture and tips off his contemporaries to lessons he’s mastered over time. Zel comes in hot from the start, setting the record straight to people who call him a sellout (“I told the hood that I’ma come back...
Benny the Butcher Shares Pyrex Picasso EP: Stream
Benny the Butcher has released his new EP Pyrex Picasso via Rare Scrilla. The seven-track project contains numerous collaborations with Elcamino (“PWRDRL”), Conway the Machine (“Fly With Me”), and Rick Hyde (“’73,” also with Elcamino), as well as solo tracks “1st Name Basis,” “Flood the Block,” and “The Iron Curtain.” Pyrex Picasso follows the March release of the rapper’s The Plugs I Met 2 with producer Harry Fraud, itself a sequel to the 2019 first volume of the same name. Advertisement Related Video Stream the EP and check out its illustrated cover art and complete tracklist below. On the same day as his new EP, Benny also contributed a guest feature on Boldy James and The Alchemist’s new album Bo Jackson. In June, he teamed up with Fraud for new single “Sink”, just weeks after teaming ...
Haviah Mighty Teams with Mala Rodríguez on New Single “Flamenco”: Stream
Haviah Mighty’s recent singles are continuing to solidify her status as one of the most exciting voices in today’s underground hip-hop scene. As another preview of her forthcoming mixtape, Stock Exchange, the Toronto rapper has shared the new single “Flamenco,” which boasts guest vocals from Latin Grammy Award-winning artist Mala Rodríguez. Co-produced by Haviah and her repeat collaborator Taabu, “Flamenco” expectedly draws from Spanish and Latin influences. Its reggaeton beat calls to mind sardine-packed dance floors, or — perhaps more appropriate for the times — sweltering block parties in city streets. “With this one, I wanted to try something different,” Haviah said in a statement. “Inspired by the cultural influences behind flamenco, this song allowed me to be a guest in a new genre. ...
Lizzo and Cardi B Set the Record Straight on New Single “Rumors”: Stream
Lizzo has finally released her new single “Rumors” featuring Cardi B. It’s been a long time since Lizzo last treated her fans to some new music — more than two years, to be exact. Before now, Lizzo’s most recent track was her Charli XCX collaboration “Blame It on Your Love” from May 2019. “Rumors,” perhaps needless to say, more than compensates for the time that’s passed, as it sees both Lizzo and Cardi B doing what they do best: injecting some seriously fun attitude into the pop side of hip-hop. Watch the song’s accompanying video below. Lizzo has been making music for quite a while now, but she got her belated breakout moment courtesy of Cuz I Love You, her smash hit LP and one of the best albums of 2019. It skyrocketed the Minnesota rapper to become a household name thanks to her massiv...
Eminem’s Ex-Wife Kim Scott Hospitalized Following Suicide Attempt
Eminem’s ex-wife, Kim Scott, was hospitalized following a suicide attempt on July 30th. TMZ reports that police and EMS were called to Scott’s home in Michigan for a welfare check. She was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment and a psychological evaluation, and has since been released. After meeting in high school, Scott and Eminem initially married in 1999, but divorced in 2001. They later remarried in 2006 only to separate again later that year. They have one biological child together, Hailie Jade, who was born in 1995. They also share two adopted children. Advertisement Related Video Scott has long battled addiction and mental health issues. She previously attempted to take her own life in 2001, and again in 2015. The couple’s relationship has inspired numerous Eminem s...
DaBaby Retracts Apology for Homophobic Rant
DaBaby has retracted his apology to the LGBTQ+ community which he made in response to the growing controversy over his homophobic rant at last month’s Rolling Loud Festival. Amidst public outcry, the rapper posted the apology to Instagram on August 2nd. “Social media moves so fast that people want to demolish you before you even have the opportunity to grow, educate, and learn from your mistakes,” DaBaby wrote. “As a man who has had to make his own way from very difficult circumstances, having people I know publicly working against me– knowing that what I needed was education on these topics and guidance– has been challenging. I appreciate the many people who came to me with kindness, who reached out to me privately to offer wisdom, education, and resources. That’s what I needed and it was...
With King’s Disease II, Nas’ Second Reign Is Better Than His First
A good sequel is rare. Every now and then, we get a part two on par or better than the original, but for every Dark Knight, there are 50 Hangover Part IIs. It’s a feat even more challenging in music, because each album is about a particular time in an artist’s life. Asking for a new version of that same thing is basically asking them to hop in a time machine and relive the past. Which, until someone says otherwise, is impossible. Never one to shy away from an impossible task, Nas surprised the world when he announced King’s Disease II, a sequel to his Grammy-winning 13th album, just one week ago. Out today, August 6th, it finds the rapper and producer Hit-Boy continuing their flourishing tag-team partnership. Their first endeavor, released in August 2020, felt designed to make fans fo...
Boldy James and The Alchemist Share New Song “Turpentine/Steel Wool”: Stream
Last month, repeat collaborators Boldy James and The Alchemist shared “First 48 Freestyle,” a teaser for their upcoming album, Bo Jackson. Now, the rapper and producer have unveiled a new video for the songs “Turpentine/Steel Wool,” along with details about the much-anticipated record, which is out August 13th. Bo Jackson includes collaborations from Freddie Gibbs, Earl Sweatshirt, Benny the Butcher, Curren$y, Stovegod Cooks, and Roc Marciano. Notably, “First 48 Freestyle” doesn’t appear on the tracklist; instead, the final song is called “Another 48 Freestyle.” As for “Turpentine/Steel Wool,” it’s a single music video for two Bo Jackson tracks. The first half is a virtuoso display of bars, as Boldy James raps, “She a ballerina, Boy Meets World after Topanga/ Told me sh...
