R&B
R Kelly Found Guilty in Federal Sex Trafficking Trial, Faces Decades in Prison
R Kelly has been found guilty of all counts in his federal sex trafficking case and faces decades in prison. The disgraced R&B singer was charged with one count of racketeering rooted in alleged sexual exploitation of children, kidnapping, and forced labor. Additionally, he was charged with eight counts of violating the Mann Act, a law that criminalizes transporting someone across state lines “with intent that such individual engage in prostitution, or in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense.” Kelly pleaded not guilty to all charges, but on Monday a jury convicted him on all nine counts. Kelly, 54, faces a possible sentence of a decade to life in prison. Sentencing is set for May 4th, 2022. Advertisement Related Video Over the span of 20 days,...
Fugees Perform “Ready or Not” at First Concert in 15 Years: Watch
Earlier this week, Fugees reunited at New York City’s Pier 17 for their first performance in 15 years. A portion of the concert was filmed for broadcast on Saturday night as part of the Global Citizen Festival. Below, watch their performance of “Ready or Not.” All told, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel performed a seven song set pulling exclusively from their classic album The Score. Though they took the stage nearly four hours late, “in the air there was a genuine sense of rebirth that has been present in very few reunion tours — as if they had, in these 25 years, figured out exactly how to fit in the narrow space between nostalgia and modernity,” wrote Valerie Megan in her review of the concert for Consequence. “It was a glorious victory lap, underlined by the nipping breeze...
Lakeyah Breaks Down New Gangsta Grillz Mixtape My Time Track by Track: Exclusive
Our Track by Track feature offers artists the chance to share the inspirations and stories behind each track on their new album. Today, Lakeyah offers insight into her mixtape, My Time. Quality Control rapper Lakeyah has dropped her new mixtape My Time, the latest installment in DJ Drama’s groundbreaking Gangsta Grillz series. Stream it below. Led off by the Milwaukee native’s hard-hitting Tee Grizzley collaboration “313-414,” the 11-track project brings Lakeyah to the next level, as she deftly balances boastful raps and effortless flows with R&B-influenced songs like “A Letter to You.” Other featured artists include Moneybagg Yo, Tyga, and fellow QC signee Bankroll Freddie. Advertisement Related Video Not even at drinking age, Lakeyah has come a long way since she caught the attention...
The Weeknd Sued for Copyright Infringement Over “Call Out My Name”
The Weeknd is being taken to court over alleged copyright infringement on his song “Call Out My Name.” According to a report by Pitchfork, producers Suniel Fox and Henry Strange, who collaborator as Epikker, filed the lawsuit on September 17th alleging that the track from the singer’s 2018 EP My Dear Melancholy is “strikingly and/or substantially similar, if not identical” to their own song “Vibeking” from 2015. The Weeknd’s collaborators Nicolás Jaar and Frank Dukes were also named in the suit. In the filing, Fox and Strange point out several similarities in the two songs, including that “Call Out My Name” uses the same scale degrees as “Vibeking,” particularly in the hook’s melody. “Both works are in a minor key. Both works are in a 6/8 meter that is less common in popular music. Both wo...
Kehlani Announces New Album Blue Water Road, Shares “Altar”: Stream
Kehlani has announced her third album Blue Water Road, which will be released this winter. To preview the record, she unveiled the lead single “Altar” today. The Bay Area singer revealed Blue Water Road on Tuesday via Twitter and shared a dramatic, minute-long album trailer which she described as “coming out of the rubble of It Was Good Until It Wasnt and into the light, on to the road.” Blue Water Road marks the follow-up to Kehlani’s aforementioned 2020 album, It Was Good Until It Wasn’t. “i only want to make things that mean something to me completely void of algorithms or strategy,” she wrote about the project on social media. “approaching my 6th project, i’m not chasing anything but joy with this shit. fuck a box. i love y’all for the way you love me!!!!!” Advertisement Related V...
Drake’s 10 Best Songs
Love him or hate him, Drake is like Thanos: Inevitable. Every album the Toronto rapper drops debuts at No. 1, takes over the Hot 100 chart and radio for months on end, and breaks streaming records. While some part of Drake’s success is due to a knack for marketing, there’s no denying his universal appeal. The OVO boss himself once taunted former rival Meek Mill for “gettin’ bodied by a singin’ n****,” but categorizing him as a singing rapper is too simplistic. As our list shows, the former Degrassi star offers everything from borderline cheesy earworms (“Hotline Bling”) to chest-thumping anthems (“Energy”) to celebratory tracks (“God’s Plan”) — not to mention toxic rambles like “Marvins Room.” While Drake will never be the best rapper alive, his versatility makes him one of a kind. — Eddie...
Syd Drops New Single “Right Track” Featuring Smino: Stream
Back in February, Syd returned with her first solo music in nearly four years. The Internet member has been keeping herself busy since, leading up to today’s release of her new single “Right Track,” which features vocals from Smino. Stream it below. “Right Track” is a love song that stays true to Syd’s usual laidback R&B groove. Backed by a fluttering, Latin-influenced guitar riff, the track details the beginnings of a relationship that’s going well, and the excitement of taking things to the next step. “Everything feels so right, don’t you love it when things go right?” Syd coos in the bridge. “Now can somebody tell me why you would fight that?” Along with the new single, Syd has also announced her only show of 2021, where she’ll take the stage with the LA Philharmonic at The Ford on ...
SZA Shares New Song “The Anonymous Ones”: Stream
As SZA fans await news of her next album, the New Jersey singer has unveiled “The Anonymous Ones,” a new song off the soundtrack to the film adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen. Stream it below. The track was written specifically for the coming-of-age movie by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, and Amandla Stenberg. The latter artist stars as Alana Beck and performs the song in the Dear Evan Hansen musical film, which hits theaters nationwide on September 24th. Production was handled by Rob Bisel and frequent SZA collaborator Carter Lang. “The Anonymous Ones” features SZA pointing out that everyone has hidden insecurities and fears no matter how well they seem put together. “All those anonymous ones/ Never name the quiet pain they bury,” the TDE signee sings. “Keep on keeping secrets that they ...
Tasha Announces New Album Tell Me What You Miss the Most, Shares “Perfect Wife”: Stream
The first leaves in Chicago are beginning to turn, which means it’s the perfect weather to listen to the Windy City’s own Tasha. The singer/songwriter has announced her new album Tell Me What You Miss the Most, out November 5th, and shared the lead single “Perfect Wife.” The follow-up to 2018’s Alone at Last was produced by Tasha alongside Eric Littman. As she tells it, the new album shows significant artistic growth. “When I made Alone at Last, I had only been writing songs for two years. I hardly even knew what kind of song writer I was,” she said in a statement. “But this record feels much stronger as far as a representation of my songwriter and musicianship. I did feel like I was piloting it in a way that I haven’t really felt before.” You can hear some of that...
Golden Sand Destination Hip-Hop Festival Brings 50 Cent, TLC, Ludacris to Riviera Maya
Pollen Presents, a technology company known for its event experience packages, has announced the lineup for its first-ever Golden Sand destination music festival. Taking place January 12th-16th, 2022, Golden Sand aims to present an immersive weekend filled with classic hip-hop and R&B, luxury resort amenities, and adventures all along the gorgeous beaches of Riviera Maya, Mexico. The Phase 1 lineup includes 50 Cent, TLC, Kelly Rowland, Ludacris, Nelly, Flo Rida, Sean Paul, T-Pain, Fat Joe, and Lil’ Kim, with more artists to be announced soon. Beyond the music, attendees will be able to indulge in the all-inclusive services of the Barcelo Riviera Maya resort. That includes all premium food and beverages from over a dozen restaurants and bars, 11 swimming pools, jungle adventures, yoga, ...
JoJo on How Mental Health, Depression, and Joni Mitchell’s Blue Shaped Her New EP
Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Pocket Casts | Radio Public | RSS JoJo sits down with Kyle Meredith to discuss her new EP, Trying Not to Think About It, it’s firth single “Worst (I Assume).” and the building the new songs around mental health, negative patterns, and how depression affects your relationships. Advertisement Related Video The singer/songwriter/actress talks extensively on how the new songs were built around mental health, negative patterns, and how depression affects your relationships. JoJo also discusses how Joni Mitchell’s Blue lent a heavy dose of inspiration when looking towards lyrics, while the classic sounds of Usher, Justin Timberlake, and Aaliyah along with...
Yola Belts Out “Diamond Studded Shoes” on Kimmel: Watch
Yola has one of the best voices in modern country right now, in part because of the undeniable soul she brings to the genre. Last night, she got to reintroduce her show-stopping voice on Jimmy Kimmel Live! with a rousing rendition of “Diamond Studded Shoes.” Watch a replay of her performance below. For the occasion, Yola broke out the Stand For Myself track in a cozy room back home in Nashville, Tennessee. What starts out with the warm vibe of a local band at a bar quickly turns into a powerhouse country-pop song worth dancing along to. Yola shows off her voice with subdued verses and effortless trills, but it’s her massive belted notes towards the end that steal the show. All told, it’s a goosebump-raising live version of “Diamond Studded Shoes” that further drives home the song’s an...
