djfrosty

Snoop Dogg Recalls Dr. Dre Bringing Gallon Jug of Gin & Juice to the Studio: ‘It Was Some Hood S–t’

“Gin and Juice” wasn’t just an anthem from Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, it was a lifestyle. In promotion of their Gin & Juice cocktails, the iconic West Coast duo linked up with Big Boy on Tuesday (Oct. 1).

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Snoop put Dre’s drinking habits on blast when recalling how the legendary producer would pull up to the studio with a milk gallon jug, but instead of milk, it was filled up with gin and juice as the beverage of choice.

“That’s all we were drinking in the studio. This n—a would come in there with a gallon — you know the milk gallons? He’d pour the milk out — half gin, half orange juice,” Snoop explained.

Trending on Billboard

Dre quickly interjected to provide some context in his defense: “We were in our 20s, man.”

“I come in with the bumpy face gin and juice,” Snoop reminisced. “It just was our drink. Super Socco gin. It was just the s–t. It was our drink. It was some hood s–t. What I love about Dr. Dre is when he work with you, he finna learn everything about you.”

“Gin and Juice” landed on Snoop’s Doggystyle debut album and peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Snoop and Dre are looking to leave their mark on the spirits industry with the launch of Gin & Juice, which arrived in February. The cocktails come in four flavors: capricot, citrus, melon and passion fruit.

There’s also new music on the way from the two. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg are joining forces for their first full-length project since 1993’s Doggystyle. The sequel to Snoop’s debut is fittingly titled Missionary, and is slated to be released in November.

Dre revealed there will be some superstar collaborators involved, including Sting. “We have Sting on the song,” he told Entertainment Tonight in August. “Man, it’s an amazing roster of artists that’s on this album. I shouldn’t have revealed that, to be honest.”

Watch the clip of Snoop and Dre recalling their days of drinking in the studio below.

Flavor Flav Slams ‘Daily Mail’ Over “Disrespect” Of Public Enemy

HipHopWired Featured Video
2024 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals

Source: Taylor Hill / Getty

Flavor Flav slammed the Daily Mail over their coverage of Public Enemy and Chuck D, calling it “disrespectful.”

On Monday (Sept. 30), the legendary Hip-Hop group Public Enemy announced that they had to cancel their Australian tour dates due to Chuck D needing an eye procedure. “I’m sorry to make you wait a little longer but I need to get this eye surgery done, so I can really rock the house for you and Bring The Noise. Stay tuned for the new dates,” he said in the statement. It would go on to express that “all existing ticketholders will be notified of rescheduled dates once confirmed” and that the “original purchases will be valid for the rescheduled date without the need for exchange.”

The Daily Mail, a British tabloid, reported the news with the headline: “Hip-Hop legends Public Enemy cancel entire Australian tour just days out – after Chuck D and Flavor Flav dropped half their Aussie dates from the line-up.” The headline was accompanied by a side-by-side image of Flavor Flav and Taylor Swift that sat at the top of the article. Flavor Flav wasn’t pleased with the publication’s misleading headline and the image, which was snagged from an embedded video where Flav had attended the superstar singer’s show recently.

“So much disrespect and false news in one headline,,, let me set it straight,” he wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “We have to postpone some shows because my partner @MrChuckD requires immediate eye surgery. We put health above wealth. Why use a picture of Taylor for clickbait,?? PE is in the [Rock & Roll Hall of Fame]. We good.”

Public Enemy had been slated to perform in Australia from Oct. 2 through Oct. 24 for their On The Grid 35th Anniversary Tour, with dates in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth included. Chuck D addressed the cancellation through another post on X, writing: “Thx yall im. Not sick. Had 2 torn retinas this year and upon repair the right eye needs cataract surgery this month because it accelerated. The eye is 64 years old those that are in tune with their elders are familiar although they don’t rhyme high speed on a stage. Ish shappens.”

7 Top Moments From the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir’s London Performance With the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Central Hall Westminster was alive with the energy of cross-cultural musical exchange as the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir took to the stage alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to present an evening of musical dialogue. This conversation culminated when both orchestras were joined in concert together in several key moments, chief among them, their rendition of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” mashed up with Saudi classic “Adeet fi Marqab” (I Passed in Marqab) to the stunning medleys of iconic Saudi music presented with a Western twist.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

On Sept. 28, London became the fourth stop in the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir’s “The Marvels of Saudi Music” performance alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in celebration of the 94th Saudi National Day. Under the patronage of Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Music Commission, the concert was a vibrant tribute to Saudi heritage and cultural diversity, blending authentic Saudi music with top-tier international performances at the iconic Central Hall Westminster, featuring a hundred talented Saudi musicians. Here are some standout moments from the concert.

Tribute to the Late Poet Badr bin Abdul Mohsen

Trending on Billboard

The concert opened with a heartfelt homage to the late Saudi poet, His Royal Highness Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen. The orchestra performed “Ana Min Hal Ardh” (I Am From This Land) , a song originally penned by Prince Badr and sung by the legendary Mohammed Abdo. Abdo was celebrated as Billboard Arabia’s first cover in December 2023, with an interview about the artist’s 60-year legacy and deep impact on Arabic music. In the Saudi Orchestra and Choir performance in London, the tribute of his famed song “Ana Min Hal Ardh” (I Am From This Land) elegantly captured the poetic legacy of the late Prince, serving as a significant gesture of appreciation for one of Saudi culture’s most beloved icons.

Samri Art and Esmahili yal Gharam

The Saudi National Orchestra and Choir delivered a captivating rendition of Samri art, a traditional Saudi folk art, set to the enchanting melody of “Esmahili yal Gharam” (The Wound of Betrayal), another iconic Mohamed Abdo song. This intricate blend of traditional art with a contemporary interpretation stood out as a remarkable moment of the concert, highlighting the rich artistic heritage of Saudi Arabia.

Yanbu Art and Hana Talabana Allah

A highlight of the evening was the performance of the Yanbu art through the song “Hana Talabana Allah” (We Ask God), which showcases the depth of Saudi cultural heritage. This performance underscored the importance of traditional arts in preserving cultural identity and demonstrated the orchestra’s commitment to presenting authentic Saudi music to a global audience, celebrating the richness of the 13 regions that the orchestra has been working to present in the “Marvels of Saudi Music” show.

Saudi Twist on Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep”

In a bold and innovative move, the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir concluded the concert’s first half with a unique Saudi rendition of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” This mash-up creatively fused Adele’s song with the Saudi classic “Adeet fi Marqab,” generating exceptional moments showcasing the orchestra’s talent blending international music with an Arab twist. The song was a breakthrough moment in the performance, when the Saudi Orchestra and Choir entered into a contemporary dialogue with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays Zarqa’ al-Yamama

In the concert’s second act, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra showcased a selection of Western and Arabic classical music pieces, including the composition Zarqa’ al-Yamama. The renowned opera singer, Dame Sarah Connolly, added a special touch by singing in Arabic, enhancing the cultural fusion. The opera originally premiered in Saudi Arabia in April 2024, featuring Dame Sarah Connolly performing alongside Saudi opera singer Sawsan Al Bahiti and Italian soprano Serena Farnocchia.

Collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

In the final act, the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir collaborated with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to present medleys of songs by some of Saudi Arabia’s musical icons. They collectively performed various medleys by famed Saudi musicians including Mohammed Abdo, Talal Maddah, Rashed Al Majed, Fawzi Mahsoun, Abdel Majeed Abdullah, Khaled Abdul Rahman and Ayed.

Concert Finale with Ashginag

The concert concluded with Rashed Al Majed’s “Ashginag” (We Loved You), released in honor of the 90th Saudi National Day on Sept. 23, 2020. The song’s lyrics celebrate the beauty and diversity of Saudi Arabia, making it a fitting choice to close the event, spreading the enchantment of Saudi music and culture from the heart of London to the world. It was in these closing medleys that the conversation that was promised between British and Saudi culture culminated with a sense of possibility.

This London concert marked the fourth stop in the “Marvels of the Saudi Music” series, following successful performances in Paris’ Théâtre du Châtelet, Mexico City’s Grand Teatro Nacional and New York’s Metropolitan Opera House. The Saudi National Orchestra and Choir plans to continue its journey, bringing its art to additional locations around the globe. Their mission is to introduce the international community to the masterpieces of Saudi music and foster cultural exchange worldwide.

OG Tea Spiller Wendy Williams Chimes In On Sean Diddy Combs Charges

HipHopWired Featured Video
Pitbull's New Year's Eve Revolution 2015

Source: Johnny Louis / Getty

For decades, Wendy Williams has been suggesting that Diddy had become Hip-Hop’s version of Caligula, allegedly. Without being able to provide any proof of her knowledge, people wrote it off as just another rumor about one of the most hated on artists in the music industry.

Now that authorities have taken Diddy into custody and his dirty laundry is being aired for all to see, Wendy Williams is chiming in on the shocking revelations. In an exclusive interview with Daily Mail UK, Williams says everyone is giving her the proper just due for calling out Diddy for his alleged behind-the-scenes behavior. Speaking to the publication from across the pond, Williams reiterated what people have been telling her since news broke about Diddy’s many crimes against humanity.

Per Daily Mail UK:

What is really weird is that I have been told by so many people “Wendy you called it,”‘ she told DailyMail.com exclusively. ‘Including some people from my family who have said the same.’

The popular TV host, who said she was ‘doing good’ in the wake of her aphasia diagnosis and health concerns, said she was horrified at the video of Combs abusing his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a hotel lobby.

You know how I feel about that? It is about time,’ she said. ‘To see this video on TV of [Cassie] getting pummeled … it was just horrific. 

‘But now you have to think, how many more times? How many people? How many more women? It’s just so horrible.’

We’re low-key surprised that it took this long for someone to reach out to Wendy Williams to get her reaction to the news as she’s been alluding to this kind of stuff for as long as we can remember.

After being hit with sex trafficking, racketeering and a slew of other charges, Diddy pleaded not guilty but was denied a $50 million bail bond as the court probably feels the billionaire might make a run for it and hop on the first flight out the country.

Interestingly enough, Diddy’s lawyer suggested that the Bad Boy Records founder can’t wait to take the stand in his defense, which spurred many social media users to suggest that Diddy is ready to take down an entire cabal of rich and famous sex offenders a la Nino Brown in New Jack City.

What do y’all think will come of Diddy’s trial when it’s all said and done? Let us know in the comments section below.

Amazon’s $41 Stadium Seat Has Back-Supporting Qualities That’ll Upgrade Your Concert Experience

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Seeing your favorite artist live can be a euphoric experience, but having to sit on a hard stadium seat for more than an hour can leave you with a numb butt. With some of the biggest tours and festivals taking place this year, there are some concert gear items you need to bring beyond a venue-approved bag to keep you comfortable while you listen to your favorite songs live — including a plush stadium seat cushion.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Rather than succumb to the hard plastic material most stadiums and major venues provide for seating, Amazon reviewers are praising Sheenive’s Stadium Seat for its “back supporting” qualities that’ll have you prepared to get through an entire concert or game in total comfort.

Trending on Billboard

More than 6,000 shoppers have purchased the seat cushion this month, and it’s easy to see why. The travel necessity comes with a built-in back constructed with a quilted material that’s waterproof and provides additional back support. You can secure the seat using the velcro strap that will securely attach the cushion to the stadium seat and eliminate any slipping and sliding. And did we mention it’s only $41?

Keep reading to learn more and shop the deal below.

Amazon

Sheenive Stadium Seats

Sheenive is ready to transform how you attend concerts with a cushy stadium seat that’ll support your back and bottom for a more comfortable viewing experience. In addition to having a 2.8-inch foam seat, the cushion comes with a flap with mesh pockets for storing your drink, ticket and even merch. When you’re ready to leave, Amazon’s stadium seat can fold down into a compact size with a built-in handle that you can carry from place to place and store away.

You can even choose from seven colors, including black, red, green, dark brown, light brown, navy blue and cobalt blue depending on your style preferences

Amazon reviewers are in awe over the comfort and support the stadium cushion provides, which has earned the seat a 4.6 star rating. One verified shopper even claimed that the cushion is the “best stadium seat I have ever sat on! My back never got sore, nor my buns!”

For more product recommendations, check out ShopBillboard‘s roundups of the best beach chairs, picnic blankets and glamping gear.

Goose Announces Cabo Destination Fest Viva El Gonzo

American jam band Goose is launching its own destination festival, Viva El Gonzo, taking place May 8-10, 2025, in San José del Cabo, Mexico. Presented by 100x Hospitality, the destination festival promises “an immersive discovery journey where attendees can choose their own adventure” with an “all-in-one ticket purchase [that] includes festival access as well as customizable lodging, wellness offerings, beach access and more in Cabo’s tropical desert oasis,” according to a statement from the band.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Anchored by three consecutive nights of performances by Goose, the festival will feature sets from The War on Drugs, Tycho, Dawes, LA LOM, LP GIOBBI and more. Goose, known for its genre-blending sound and exploratory live performances, will deliver two sets each night, setting the stage for a weekend full of unforgettable musical discovery.

Travel packages for Viva El Gonzo go on sale Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 1 p.m. ET via VivaElGonzo.com, with a presale starting Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 1 p.m. ET for fans who sign up in advance. More than a dozen hotel choices will be available, from intimate boutique stays to luxurious all-inclusive resorts. A limited number of “music only” tickets will be available for those who want to attend the festival and take care of their own lodging and transportation.

Trending on Billboard

“We’re stoked to be headlining Viva El Gonzo in such a beautiful spot like San José del Cabo,” says Rick Mitarotonda of Goose. “This festival is going to be something special — a chance for us and our fans to dive into the music, the vibe and the incredible surroundings. We’ve got some wild stuff planned, and we’re really looking forward to sharing this adventure with everyone who takes the ride with us.”

“Viva El Gonzo is the first event of its kind in Cabo, offering a multifaceted experience where music, art, and culture intertwine. The heart of the festival is El Ganzo Oasis, where Goose will perform amidst lush tropical growth, open fields, and elaborate installations,” according to a release from the band. “The venue, just steps from the Sea of Cortez, will host multiple stages, pop-up experiences, wellness events, and an eclectic marketplace of local vendors and cuisine, all designed to create a sensory-rich environment that reflects the festival’s ‘choose your own adventure’ ethos.”

Each night, fans can take a short walk from the El Gonzo Oasis leads to Crania, a beachside club that transforms into “a post-apocalyptic neon world of art and music,” the band explains, noting “festival-goers can explore immersive installations and dance to rhythmic music that channels the vibrant energy of the West Coast, creating a unique late-night experience.”

Visit VivaElGonzo.com to learn more.

Viva El Gonzo

Viva El Gonzo

Courtesy Photo

Drake’s Camp Denies Blocking Kendrick Lamar From Performing “Not Like Us” At Super Bowl

HipHopWired Featured Video
Cleveland Cavaliers v Houston Rockets

Source: Carmen Mandato / Getty

The Drake and Kendrick Lamar storyline refuses to die down. Champagne Papi’s camp has denied trying to block K Dot from performing “Not Like Us” at the Super Bowl.

Last week, music executive Wack 100 made a wild claim that Drake was attempting to limit what songs the Compton, California, rapper could perform during his halftime set. “He’s trying to get the NFL to restrict Kendrick,” Wack explained. When pressed further on whether he thinks the request would be honored by the league he replied, “No, if Jay-Z got something to do with it, it ain’t.” As with most of his claims Wack’s statement soon went viral. Page Six has now exclusively reported that Drake’s camp has refuted the rumor with one of his representatives simply saying it’s “not true.” Another unnamed source tells the celebrity gossip site “There was never any intention or plan to send a cease and desist to anyone.”

Last month, the National Football League revealed Kendrick Lamar as the Super Bowl LIX halftime show performer. Given the game is taking place in New Orleans the announcement was met with a lot criticism, with many crying foul that Lil Wayne should have been given that slot. Since then, show producer Jesse Collins confirmed that Jay-Z chooses the headliner, which further added to the speculation that there was a conspiracy against Weezy. Days later, Lil Wayne revealed that he was hurt by the snub but was humbled by all the support he received from his fans and peers.

Super Bowl LIX takes place on Feb., 9 2025 at Caesars Superdome. You hear Wack 100 discuss Drake and the Super Bowl below. 

Judge Won’t Rule on Jay-Z’s ‘Reasonable Doubt’ Rights Before Damon Dash’s Roc-A-Fella Auction

A federal judge is refusing to wade into whether Jay-Z can use copyright termination to retake control of the rights to his debut album Reasonable Doubt — meaning that the complex issue won’t be resolved before a court-ordered auction of Damon Dash’s one-third stake in the company that owns the album.

The judge had been asked to decide that tricky question because of allegations that Jay-Z was using “false” threats of a looming termination to drive down the auction price for Dash’s stake in Roc-A-Fella Records Inc., which controls the rights to the famous album.

But in a ruling Monday (Sept. 30), Judge Robert W. Lehrburger flatly refused to do so — saying he had no legal power to add complicated questions of copyright law to the already-messy fight over Dash’s stake.

Trending on Billboard

“The asset that is the subject of the auction is Dash’s one-third interest in RAF [Roc-A-Fella] itself, not the work owned by RAF,” the judge wrote. “The Court does not presently have jurisdiction over the validity of Carter’s copyright termination notice.”

As early as next month, the U.S. Marshals Service will sell off Dash’s 33.3% interest in Roc-A-Fella Inc., an entity whose only real asset is the sound recording copyright to Reasonable Doubt. The rest of the storied label, which Dash co-founded with Jay-Z in 1994, is not involved.

Though the court-ordered auction was originally intended to pay off an $823,000 judgment in a civil lawsuit, it has since expanded to include other Dash creditors. New York City’s child services agency wants some of the proceeds to go toward more than $193,000 that Dash owes in unpaid child support; New York state says they must pay down roughly $8.7 million that Dash owes in back taxes and penalties.

The owners of the other two-thirds of Roc-A-Fella — label co-founders Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) and Kareem “Biggs” Burke — have already attempted to stop the auction, including making changes to the company’s bylaws and intervening in the lawsuit. But a federal judge rejected such opposition in February, and the sale could take place as early as this month.

As the auction has approached, one major unresolved question for any potential buyer is just how long Roc-A-Fella will continue to own its only real valuable asset.

The so-called termination right, a provision created by Congress in the 1970s, empowers authors to reclaim ownership of copyrighted works decades after they sold them away. If Jay-Z is eligible for it, termination would allow him to take back the rights to his sound recording of Reasonable Doubt roughly 35 years after he released the album, meaning 2031. That would set a clear time limit on the amount of revenue a Roc-A-Fella buyer would derive from their investment.

But last month, attorneys for New York City filed court papers arguing that Jay-Z was not, in fact, eligible for termination — and that he and others were using “false” threats of an approaching termination to drive down the price of Dash’s stake in his company.

“Jay-Z’s statements to the press have poisoned the environment for the auction,” wrote Gerald Singleton, an attorney for the city, asking the judge to halt the auction and issue a ruling on whether or not Jay-Z could use termination to win back control of Reasonable Doubt.

Days later, Jay-Z lawyer Alex Spiro responded that there was “no merit to NYC’s accusations,” and that the Dash case was not the proper place to decide Jay-Z’s rights to the album: “Put simply, this is not the appropriate time, forum, or case to litigate any issues relating to Jay-Z’s notice of termination.”

In Monday’s ruling, Judge Lehrburger agreed with Spiro and Jay-Z: “[NYC]’s motion to stay the auction for purposes of having this court determine the validity of the copyright termination notice filed by Shawn Carter a/k/a Jay-Z in connection with the work Reasonable Doubt, an asset owned by RAF, is denied.”

The judge also rejected New York City’s attempt to conduct discovery into Roc-A-Fella’s holdings, saying that kind of investigation was also beyond the scope of the current litigation. An attorney for the city declined to comment on the order.

The auction is currently scheduled for Oct. 21, but it has been postponed multiple times and could be delayed again. A minimum purchase price has been set at $3 million.

Lady Gaga Details How Fiancé Michael Polansky Proposed: ‘It Was So Super Cute’

Lady Gaga has anything but a bad romance with Michael Polansky, who proposed to her in April.

And during an interview with Jimmy Kimmel Tuesday (Oct. 1), the pop superstar detailed the full story of how the entrepreneur popped the question during a rock-climbing trip. “He proposed to me right after my birthday, so my birthday passed and I was like, ‘Well, I thought he was gonna propose …,’” Gaga began, an enormous diamond glittering on her left ring finger. “I do [rock climb] now. I would do anything for love.”

The 13-time Grammy winner went on to say that Polanksy waited until after they had finished their climbing expedition to ask her to marry him. “We were just walking back to the room and talking,” she continued. “He actually — it was very Michael — asked me if he could ask me. He wanted to know if it was OK to propose before he proposed. And I was like, ‘Yes, it’s so OK!’”

“He had the ring in his backpack, so it was so super cute,” Gaga added, noting that Polansky didn’t get down on one knee for the occasion. “But you know what? I’m a modern lady. I like what he did.”

Trending on Billboard

Kimmel then pressed the “Rain on Me” singer about her plans for the wedding, something Gaga said has her feeling conflicted. “We actually talk a lot about just going to a courthouse just the two of us and ordering Chinese food,” she explained. “But knowing me, it could become like a circus with unicorns.”

Gaga previously confirmed that Polansky proposed to her during a rock-climbing trip in an interview with Vogue, during which she also revealed how her mom set them up before the couple’s first meeting at Sean Parker’s birthday party. In September, the pair made their red carpet debut at the Venice International Film Festival, where the musician promoted her new film, Joker: Folie à Deux.

“I just love my fiancé so much,” she told People Sept. 30. “He’s my best friend. He’s my partner, and I just feel like when you are with your best friend, everything changes.”

Watch Gaga tell the story of her proposal on Jimmy Kimmel Live! above.

Lady Gaga Thinks It’s ‘So Cool’ That Miley Cyrus Introduced Her Music to Joaquin Phoenix

Despite co-starring alongside Lady Gaga in Joker: Folie à Deux, Joaquin Phoenix wasn’t always a Little Monster.

In a new interview with Capital FM, Gaga reacts to a throwback video in which Miley Cyrus introduces the actor to her music 14 years ago. In the video, a teenage Cyrus tells Phoenix that she’s a fan of the “Poker Face” singer.

When asked if he is familiar with Gaga, Phoenix jokingly replies that he knows her “very well,” adding, “She has a song, ‘Everybody Goes Up.’ She also does the one, ‘Two Lashes at a Time.’” Cyrus playfully dismisses Phoenix, and begins singing Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” which, again, the actor doesn’t recognize.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

While watching the video, Gaga is seen laughing, before she adds, “I know what I’m showing him later. That’s so cool.”

Joker: Folie à Deux follows Phoenix’s return as Arthur Fleck, a.k.a the Joker, who is now confined in Arkham Asylum. There, he meets Gaga’s Harleen “Lee” Quinzel, and they form a powerfully chaotic bond with the goal of causing mayhem across Gotham City. 

Trending on Billboard

Gaga previously told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe that filming the Joker film with Phoenix was a “really soulful experience” for her. “It’s like these two people find love in this really dark place and it brings them all the light,” she explained.

Joker: Folie à Deux hits theaters on Oct. 4. Watch Gaga’s reaction to Phoenix and Cyrus’ conversation here.