djfrosty

25 Apr 2024

Madonna Thanks ‘Incredibly Talented’ Kids for Joining Her on Celebration Tour

Madonna‘s Celebration Tour is a family business. And in a new Instagram post on Thursday (April 25), the pop icon thanked her son David and daughters Mercy, Stella and Estere for serving as both her support system and co-performers on the ongoing trek.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“On the day before our 80th show of the Celebration Tour I need to acknowledge my incredibly talented children who carried me through this Journey,” she wrote, sharing a carousel of snaps with her children on and offstage. “Each of them bringing their own unique talent to the stage.”

Throughout Madge’s latest run, which kicked off in October, each of her adopted kids has gotten their own moment onstage. Mercy joins her mom on piano during “Bad Girl,” David duets with the seven-time Grammy winner on “Mother and Father” and twins Stella and Estere dance along to “Don’t Tell Me.”

Trending on Billboard

“Rehearsals began over a year ago with almost a 2 month break waiting for me recover from a near death experience,” she continued, referring to the shows she had to postpone due to her severe bacterial infection and subsequent hospitalization last year. “They never stopped practicing… they never stopped cheering me on and supporting me … They were also going to school and rehearsing every night. !! . am so very proud of all of them.”

Madonna is also mom to daughter Lourdes Leon, whom she shares with ex-boyfriend Carlos Leon, and son Rocco Ritchie, whom she shares with ex-husband Guy Ritchie. She and the director went on to adopt David shortly after the “Material Girl” singer founded her charity organization Raising Malawi in 2006. Later, she adopted Mercy, then Stella and Estere — all three of whom are also from Malawi — as a single mother.

The new post comes one day after Madonna opened up about touring with her kids in an interview with W Magazine. “When I go on tour, nothing brings me more happiness to know, we are all working on the same show creating the magic together,” she told the publication. “It would be boring if they were just traveling from hotel to hotel, and occasionally coming to watch the show.”

“Of course, I am also their mother so sometimes we get on each other’s nerves,” she added. “We are a family of artists but are also a family and that’s what happens.”

25 Apr 2024

Watch Rising Star Chenayder & MAVI in Delightful New Video for ‘Colors’

Chenayder, the 17-year-old singer from Orlando, Fla., shares her new single “Colors” featuring North Carolina’s MAVI.

Her music first caught my attention when I came across it on TikTok after she posted the original version of this song — sans the guest verse — and the UK drum & bass-inspired “For One Last Time.”

She first found success when her song “Fall” went viral on TikTok back in 2022. Like most of her music, “Fall,” sounds like the soundtrack to a dreamscape, with its lush instrumentation and delightful harmonies. The video she made to accompany it perfectly matches the “Alice in Wonderland” feel of the track.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Chenayder’s sound is a mix of hip-hop, R&B, old-school soul, pop — basically, an amalgamation of all things beautiful and wavy. The song is produced by Padass and the video, directed by Jackie Radinsky, is inspired by French new wave cinema. And while the version of “Colors” without MAVI has become a fan favorite on SoundCloud and YouTube, I’m glad she released this new version because I didn’t want to go through all the drama of converting links to an mp3 because I wanted to support. The North Carolina rapper ended up on the track by chance because he just so happened to be in the studio with Smino and Chenayder at the same time and everything clicked.

Trending on Billboard

Her love of surreal sounds and visuals should come as no surprise, as the Haitian-American’s favorite artist is Tyler, the Creator, who has commented on her Instagram telling her “love this keep running.” Another fave of hers is SZA, who also showed love on social media by reposting her music in her IG Stories. That’s pretty crazy for a high schooler who has to sometimes dip off to the bathroom in order to promote her songs on TikTok.

Chenayder dropped her debut EP Blue Oblivion last May, so definitely go check that out after you watch this wonderful video.

25 Apr 2024

Best Makeup Bags for Travel: Shop Now

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.

When it comes to makeup bags, finding the perfect one that fits all your items can be tricky. However, once you find it, you’ll be able to keep everything organized and quickly spot your eyeliner. So what are you waiting for? Get ready to gear up for your spring and summer travels in style.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Whether you’re traveling or simply going to a friend’s party, you might want to consider splurging on a makeup bag. This can help reduce the risk of forgetting any of your essential items while keeping you organized.

Trending on Billboard

Lazyher Travel Makeup Bag

This Lazyher travel makeup bag provides lots of space for all your cosmetics, from makeup brushes to toiletries. In fact, this makeup travel bag is designed to keep you fully organized. So if you’re seeking ways to declutter, your bag is an easy solve. According to Amazon, it also includes a detachable brush board to maintain a separate spot for your brushes.

Relavel Travel Makeup Train Case Makeup Cosmetic Case Organizer

Whether you’re traveling or just need a makeup bag that suits your on-the-go needs, consider buying yourself this Relavel makeup case. This high-quality leather makeup bag is perfect for all occasions. It includes adjustable dividers that allow you to move it around and organize your items based on your preferences. You can DIY it and make it your own. It also has plenty of space to fit all you want. With its waterproof and wear-resistant features, cleaning it will be easy. It also comes with an attachable shoulder strap. If you’re looking for a versatile option, add this one to your cart. 

Étoile Duo Vanity Case

Consider one of TikTok’s favorite trendy makeup bags: the Étoile Duo Vanity Case that’s all over my FYP. This limited edition comes in gray, black, beige, lavender pink, and so many other colors. Hurry, though: There are only three left in stock in lavender pink! This makeup bag has you covered with a top and bottom compartment. This bag also includes a fold-out mirror, making it easier for you to apply your makeup or skincare routine when on the go. Its vegan leather material and makeup-stain-proof lining make it truly one of a kind.

Semezuxx Checkered Makeup Bag, Brown 2Pcs Cosmetic Travel Bags

If you’re looking to spice up your style, this checkered two-piece makeup bag is the one for you. Its vintage and elegant brown plaid pattern design is perfect for any outfit and any occasion. According to Walmart, it is super lightweight with waterproof anti-wear and water-resistant interior. This multi-purpose bag can be used not only for makeup, but also as a personal travel bag for both men and women.

Ulta Beauty Clear Sage-Trimmed Weekender

Can’t keep track of what’s in your makeup bag? Don’t fret: Consider this Ulta Beauty clear sage-trimmed alternative with see-through pockets and multiple compartments. Its spacious and sage-green tassel zipper pulls offer a clean look. You’ll get easy access to your items with just one glance.

For more product recommendations, check out other must-have makeup products to add to your makeup bag and discover the best Ulta Beauty deals now.

25 Apr 2024

Brian Tyree Henry The Latest Big Name Attached To Pharrell Williams-Produced Musical

HipHopWired Featured Video

Brian Tyree Henry Joins Cast of Pharrell Williams Musical

Source: Candice Ward / Getty / Brian Tyree Henry

The cast of Pharrell Williams’s upcoming film/musical continues to add some serious star power.

Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta, Godzilla X Kong: A New Empire) will star alongside Kelvin Harrison Jr., Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Halle Bailey in the upcoming musical from Pharrell Williams and Michael Gondry.

Like the news of Bailey joining the cast, there is no word on Henry’s role in the upcoming film. According to reports, the film will take place in 1977 in Virginia and draw inspiration from Williams’ childhood at Atlantis Apartments.

Martin Hynes (Toy Story 4) and Steven Levenson (Tick, Tick…Boom!) will handle the script while Williams and Mimi Valdés are producing under the i am OTHER banner alongside Gil Netter for Gil Netter Productions.

Brian Tyree Henry has become one of the hottest acts in Hollywood after making a splash with FX’s Atlanta, starring alongside Donald Glover and LaKeith Stanfield.

Since then, Henry has starred in Hollywood blockbusters like Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, the sequel, Across The Spider-Verse, Marvel Studios Eternals, Godzilla vs Kong, Godzilla X Kong: A New Empire, and the recently announced animated feature, Transformers One, where he will voice a young Megatron.

Henry will also star in the upcoming boxing drama from Amazon MGM Studios, The Fire Inside, from filmmaker Rachel Morrison, out August 9, and Apple’s upcoming crime drama Sinking Spring, which he will also serve as an executive producer on.

Of course, he will also reprise his role as Officer Jeff Morales, father of Miles Morales in Beyond The Spider-Verse, the third film in Sony’s animated Spider-Man movie franchise.

Stay booked and busy, Brian Tyree Henry; we are here for it.

25 Apr 2024

Creepy Nuts’ ‘Bling-Bang-Bang-Born’ at No. 1, ME:I’s ‘Click’ at No. 2 on Japan Hot 100

Creepy Nuts’ “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” holds at No. 1 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, now at 13 consecutive weeks on the chart dated April 24.

The MASHLE Season 2 opener continues to rule streaming for the 13th straight week, video views and karaoke for the 6th straight week. Downloads also climbed 5-3 and continues to coast along at over 10,000 total points (13,626).

Jumping 26-2 this week is “Click” by ME:I, the debut single by the 11-member girl group born from the audition program PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS. After being released on April 17, the single launched with 263,399 copies to rule sales, while also coming in at No. 2 for radio airplay, No. 10 for downloads, No. 17 for streaming, and No. 28 for video, collecting points in a balanced way. The track is off to a great start, debuting with a total 12,366 points, only 1,260 points behind “BBBB.”

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s “Lilac” rises 11-3 after bowing on the Japan Hot 100 last week. The opener for Oblivion Battery went on sale on April 12 after the anime series premiered on April 9. The track rises overall metric-wise, jumping from outside the top 100 to No. 8 for radio, while climbing 15-4 for streaming (11,059,001 streams) and 8-3 for video (2,157,523 views) this week.

ILLIT’s “Magnetic,” which topped the TikTok chart this week, holds at No. 6 on the Japan Hot 100. The new HYBE group’s first single reportedly surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify recently (April 22), and overall streams increased by about 16.4% to 12,305,862 streams (3-2). Downloads also rose by about 48% to 2,936 units (25-13), and video by about 24% to 942,054 views (20-15). ILLIT is set to travel to Japan in May to perform at Rakuten Girls Award 2024 SPRING/SUMMER and KCON JAPAN 2024, likely fueling the group’s popularity in the country where two of its five members hail from.

Trending on Billboard



aiko’s new single “mutual love” breaks into the top 10 this week at No. 9, soaring from No. 46. The theme song for the latest Case Closed movie (Detective Conan: The Million-dollar Pentagram) dropped digitally on April 12 — the same day the anime movie hit domestic theaters — prior to the CD version’s release set for May 8. The track comes in at No. 5 for downloads with 5,736 units, while rising significantly from No. 95 to No. 12 for streaming and from No. 21 to No. 3 for radio, probably due to the movie’s release.

The Billboard Japan Hot 100 combines physical and digital sales, audio streams, radio airplay, video views and karaoke data.

See the full Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart, tallying the week from April 15 to 21, here. For more on Japanese music and charts, visit Billboard Japan’s English X account.

25 Apr 2024

Mary J. Blige Is ‘Still Trying to Process’ Her Induction Into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: ‘I’m Just So Grateful’

Mary J. Blige is one of the well-deserved inductees of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024, and the superstar was visibly moved while discussing the honor on a new episode of the Tamron Hall Show.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“I’m still trying to process this whole thing. It’s a big deal. I’m just so grateful because I know it didn’t have to be this way but it is this way, and I give to all the credit to God. I don’t even know what else to do. It’s just so humbling,” she shared, before adding, “I don’t know what to do besides be grateful and thankful.”

Blige will be inducted in the performers category alongside Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & the Gang, Ozzy Osbourne and A Tribe Called Quest. In the musical influence category, Alexis Korner, John Mayall and “Big Mama” Thornton will be inducted and the musical excellence category features Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick and Norman Whitfield.

Trending on Billboard

“I was home and I got the news from some people in my camp, my business, and I was grateful for the nomination because I was next to Cher, Mariah Carey, Sade, all these amazing women,” Blige said of finding out that she’s in the Rock Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024. “When I saw Cher, I was like, ‘We can forget about it.’ [laughs] Let me just sit down and be grateful for the nomination. So, when I heard the news on Sunday, I was like ‘What the—?’”

The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul concluded, “I work so hard mentally, spiritually, physically, intellectually. I’ve been through everything in front of the world, from taxes to shame to abusive relationships. All kinds of stuff I’ve been through. I figured out how to come out classy and strong, you know? Just keep moving to the next thing. It’s just about being grateful. Amazing things have happened.”

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2024 ceremony will stream live on Disney+ on Oct. 19, be available on Hulu the following day and air in edited form on ABC at a later date. Watch Blige’s interview will Hall below.

25 Apr 2024

Gucci Mane Takes Aim at Diddy With Fiery Diss Track ‘TakeDat’: Watch

Gucci Mane has returned and he’s throwing haymakers in Diddy’s direction with his latest single trolling the embattled Bad Boy mogul’s signature phrase “TakeDat.”

Guwop delivered the buzzworthy track along with the Omar The Director-helmed video on Wednesday, which finds Gucci uttering “No Diddy” 119 times throughout the song to be exact, as counted up by Complex.

“No Diddy” is a phrase that has gone viral on social media since the myriad of sexual assault and misconduct allegations have been levied against Diddy, particularly one by producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones Jr., who accused Sean Combs of groping him, grooming and forcing to take part in sexual acts.

Trending on Billboard

“The CEO in the video but no Diddy/ ‘Cause I ain’t dancin’ like a ho, no Diddy/ Can’t go out like Pac, no kizzy,” he raps while seemingly attaching a “No Diddy” to every bar.

Gucci Mane also references Cassie’s lawsuit against Diddy, in which she accused him of blowing up Kid Cudi’s car out of jealousy because of their brief fling.

“But I blow a n—a car up like Kid Cudi’s/ I’m on the yacht, takin’ shots, no Diddy,” Gucci spews.

Back in December, Diddy denied all of the allegations against him. “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH,” he wrote to social media. “For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”

In the lavish clip, Gucci Mane and his wife Keyshia Ka’Oir recreate a champagne toast bubble bath scene from The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Big Poppa” video, which arrived in 1994 courtesy of Hype Williams (The “Big Poppa” visual starred Diddy with his girlfriend Misa Hylton at the time).

Diddy isn’t the only person name-dropped by Gucci as he pokes at Drake, 50 Cent, 2Pac, Yung Miami, Biggie and more throughout “TakeDat.”

“Some n—-s wanna boss me, I’m not 50/ But get a nigga ass touched like Biggie, no Diddy,” Guwop rhymes. The jab didn’t seem to bother 50 as he reposted the clip looking to antagonize his enemy Diddy even further.

“Oh s–t WOP TOOK DA HIT this Diddy POPPED That’s what you get,” 50 wrote.

Watch the “TakeDat” video below.

25 Apr 2024

K.Flay on Social Media & Drawing a Healthy Boundary Online

“I treat Instagram like CVS,” Kristine Flaherty, better known by her stage name K.Flay, tells Billboard’s Behind the Setlist podcast. “Like, I buy my makeup remover cloths and I pick up my migraine prescription, and I’m out.”

Most artists see social media as a lifeline that connects them directly to the world. The reasons the “Blood in the Cut” singer treats social media like a trip to a drug store says a lot about the 38-year-old singer/songwriter.

Flaherty acknowledges the practical value of social channels for communicating with her fans and providing updates about her music career. “It’s part of my work,” she says, which also includes her latest album, Mono, released in September 2023, and her most recent single, “Carsick,” released in January.  “It’s part of how I communicate with my fans, and how I publicize what I’m up to.”

Trending on Billboard

But Flaherty wants to set up a “healthy” boundary and is wary of getting trapped in a never-ending quest to gain attention. It’s all too common for an artist to think they’ll be happy getting to a certain number of followers, she says. Reaching 100 followers leads them to think they need 1,000 followers, then 10,000 and then 100,000.

“If you buy into this kind of if then thinking, there will never be enough,” she says. “And you’re kind of in the trap. You’ll never extricate yourself. So you just have to self-extricate from that type of thinking, in my opinion. So I try to just not engage with with that.”

Flaherty’s comments come at a time social media is under attack from a spectrum of critics. Professor Jonathan Haidt has recently been on a media tour supporting his book, The Anxious Generation, that details how smartphones and social media have re-wired adolescents’ brains and led to spikes in psychiatric problems. In the political sphere, President Biden signed a law a TikTok ban — inserted by the U.S. Congress into a $95 foreign aid package — that will force the company out of the hands of its Chinese owner, Bytedance. Old-school flip phones and so-called “dumb phones,” cell phones purposefully stripped of most capabilities, are becoming popular with people seeking refuge from distractions. 

Still, social media can be necessary to bring Flaherty’s music and performances to some fans. Although she covered much of the U.S. supporting Mono, and traveled to Australia for a string of performances in February, Flaherty naturally doesn’t travel to every corner of the globe. Social media helps her connect with people in cities where she hasn’t performed. “That’s the only way they’re ever going to get to interact with my live shows,” she says, “seeing a video online. And so that stuff matters to me. But I try not to try not to put too much time and energy into the the vicissitudes of the internet.” Plus, Flaherty adds, “I don’t really read comments.” 

Listen to Behind the Setlist’s entire interview with K.Flay in the embedded player below or at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart or Amazon Music. 

25 Apr 2024

Lainey Wilson, Tyler Childers, The War and Treaty & More to Open Shows for The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones will launch the group’s Hackney Diamonds North American tour on April 28 at NRG Houston, and the lineup of openers for various dates on the tour includes a few heavy-hitters from country and Americana circles.

Reigning CMA entertainer of the year Lainey Wilson, as well as Tyler Childers, The Red Clay Strays and The War and Treaty are among the openers, joining Carin León (who made his own Grand Ole Opry debut earlier this year and has a country-tinged album in the works), The Pretty Reckless, Ghost Hounds, Bettye LaVette, Gary Clark Jr. and The Linda Lindas.

Wilson will open for The Rolling Stones on June 30 at Soldier Field in Chicago, while Childers, who released his sixth album Rustin in the Rain in 2023, will perform June 3 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The Red Clay Strays, who earned their first major Billboard Hot 100 entry this year with “Wondering Why,” will open for the rockers on May 30 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass. Grammy-nominated duo The War and Treaty, who just released the video for their song “Stealing a Kiss,” will open for The Stones on July 10 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Trending on Billboard

The tour supports The Rolling Stones’ album Hackney Diamonds, their first project of new, original material in nearly two decades.

Notably, Wilson and The War and Treaty were part of a 2023 tribute album to The Rolling Stones, Stoned Cold Country, which featured several country artists performing Stones classics.

See the full list of tour dates below:

The Rolling Stones 2024 Tour Dates:
April 28 – Houston, TX @ NRG Stadium w/ Gary Clark Jr
May 2 – New Orleans, LA @ Jazz Fest
May 7 – Glendale, AZ @ State Farm Stadium w/ Carin León; Electric Mud
May 11 – Las Vegas, NV @ Allegiant Stadium w/ The Pretty Reckless
May 15 – Seattle, WA @ Lumen Field w/ Joe Bonamassa
May 23 – East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium w/ TBA
May 26 – East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium w/ Lawrence
May 30 – Foxboro, MA @ Gillette Stadium w/ The Red Clay Strays
June 3 – Orlando, FL @ Camping World Stadium w/ Tyler Childers
June 7 – Atlanta, GA @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium w/ Ghost Hounds
June 11 – Philadelphia, PA @ Lincoln Financial Field w/ Kaleo
June 15 – Cleveland, OH @ Cleveland Browns Stadium w/ Ghost Hounds
June 20 – Denver, CO @ Empower Field at Mile High w/ Widespread Panic
June 27 – Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field w/ Betty LaVette
June 30 – Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field w/ Lainey Wilson
July 5 – Vancouver, BC @ BC Place w/ Ghost Hounds
July 10 – Los Angeles, CA @ SoFi Stadium w/ The War and Treaty
July 13 – Los Angeles, CA @ SoFi Stadium w/ The Linda Lindas
July 17 – Santa Clara, CA @ Levi’s® Stadium w/ The Beaches

25 Apr 2024

HHW Tech Review: Flux Reloop DVS Interface

HipHopWired Featured Video

Reloop Flux

Source: Reloop / Reloop

Change is inevitable. For DJ’s, the switch from analog (think: heavy…very heavy vinyl) to digital mixing has been a godsend to everyone in their orbit—except their chiropractors.

However, high-end DJ equipment has always been known for lasting for years, which presents a problem when you have a cherished mixer you ain’t trying to give up. (My Technics mixer used to be top of the line, damn it). Enter the Reloop Flux which basically allows any OG mixer the ability to use Serato to your heart’s content. In tech speak, it’s the “next-generation USB-C interface for using Serato DJ Pro with turntables, CDJs or other media players.”

Reloop Flux

Source: aqua / Hip-Hop Wired

For background, this mission started when I was tasked with DJ’ing at my college reunion weekend (shout out to UVA’s Black Alumni Weekend, Wahoowa!) and figured it would behoove me to get really acquainted with Serato in advance. Since my essential retirement from DJ’ing (more years than I’ll admit) years ago, I was always curious about that little device you would see connected to the back of mixers that connected to a laptop and pretty much deaded the necessity to lug around crates filled with records. Any skepticism of this new DJ paradigm was eventually and essentially dismissed when the great DJ Jazzy Jeff embraced the tech that made telling the difference between a DJ rocking a party with vinyl versus digital music files an impossibility.

But doing my Googles to see what was available to get back in the DJ saddle quickly turned into information overload. There are what seems like hundreds of products on the market that include mixers, turntables, CDJs and all types of hardware that make the old “two turntables and a mic” (and a mixer) look like a history museum installation.

Reloop Flux

Source: aqua / Hip-Hop Wired

So with no desire to drop hundreds of dollars on one of those pricey, Serato-ready mixers—for now—I figured that mixer thing-a-ma-jig (called an interface) that connected to a laptop would be easy, right? Not really. It turns out all the previous models (the RANE SL range, the Denon DS1, etc.) have gone the way of the Dodo bird and were discontinued. But, what is still on the market—and is actually relatively new since it was only released in 2023—is the Reloop Flux, and it makes for a clutch hub for a Digital Vinyl System (DVS) interface.

The good folks at Reloop were kind enough to provide a review model to Hip-Hop Wired, and the Flux checks all the boxes needed to get an old DJ back in the mix. Installation was relatively simple, and if you know your way around phono, line jacks and RCA chords, getting connected is a breeze. And even if you don’t, the instructions are right there on YouTube.



Once you’re set up and Serato DJ Pro is running, the intuitiveness of the hardware and software combo is evident. The hardware is bus-powered, so once you plug it into your laptop, it lights up—there are signal flow LEDs for all inputs and outputs as well as a thru status indicator. It also has an AUX outlet to let you record your mixes, and there are three stereo inputs and outlets, which let you run a third turntable or media player if you’re nice like that. And if you want to get extra technical, it features 24-bit/96 kHz, high-quality digital/analog converters and ultra-low latency, which makes for club-quality sound.

Reloop Flux

Source: aqua / Hip-Hop Wired

The true beauty of the product is that after it’s plugged in, you can forget about it since it’s doing everything it needs to do. If your music collection is legit, you now have access to all your tunes via Serato DJ Pro, without having to rifle through your crates to get to that piece of wax; a simple search will suffice. And even if you don’t have that deep cut on MP3, you can click a passthrough button on the Flux that will let you play your conventional vinyl as well. Or, if you have a Tidal account, Serato lets you access the app’s entire music library—that’s just cheating.

With that in mind, the Reloop Flux is buttery smooth gateway for anyone trying to dip back into the DJ waters without breaking the bank. It retails for $449 and is a worthy investment that bridges the gap between the past and the future for you to get busy right now.