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21 Aug 2023

Rakim & Latto Talk Hip-Hop In ‘Sprite Limelight Season 2’ Clip

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Rakim & Latto

Source: Sprite / SPRITE

While many Hip-Hop heads continue to debate who’s the rap game’s GOAT with names like Biggie, Drake and Jay-Z being tossed around, many triple OG’s would place Hip-Hop icon Rakim Allah at the top of their list as the man truly is one of the greatest lyricists to ever pick up a mic.

Rakim & Latto

Source: Sprite / SPRITE

With Hip-Hop celebrating it’s 50th anniversary, Sprite has decided to pair legendary rap artist Rakim with one of today’s brightest up and coming stars in Latto for their Sprite Limelight Season 2. Latto sat down with the Hip-Hop icon at a diner and listened to what the OG “Microphone Fiend” rhymer had to offer. In the short clip, she soaks up the knowledge the Gawd has to offer before making her way to an underground party and rocking the mic herself with her own spin on “Don’t Sweat The Technique.”

It was pretty cool seeing two generations of Hip-Hop artists chop it up and compare and contrast their styles.

Check out the video below, and let us know your thoughts on their sit-down in the comments section below.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=oiZPIySo3jg&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

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21 Aug 2023

Britney Spears Parties With Her ‘Fav Boys’ Amid Sam Asghari Divorce: ‘Played All Night!’

How is Britney Spears doing amidst her divorce from Sam Asghari, you ask? Just fine, thank you very much.

In an Instagram video post shared Sunday (Aug. 20), the Princess of Pop shared that she’s living her best life following her breakup, partying with friends and showing off her glam looks. The clips feature her trying on a sparkly green dress with knee-high boots before posing with five male friends, who hold her up next to a pool.

“I put my green dress on and show up at my friends !!!” she wrote in her caption. “I invited my fav boys over and PLAYED ALL NIGHT !!!”

Spears didn’t mention her split from Asghari in the post, but she did reveal that her night out followed an incident where someone in her life tipped off the paparazzi to her whereabouts: a Dave’s Hot Chicken in Oxnard, Calif., were she was snapped picking up her order.

“When you go to meet up with a so called ‘friend’ and drive an hour for chicken !!!” she wrote. “Then you have to wait in the car and need to use the bathroom … I knew paps were tipped off because the car I was in was never used before … so how I was I followed ??? Malibu Canyon Road is the most horrible road ever to drive on … so what does a b—h like me do !!??!”

The post comes two days after Spears broke her silence on her breakup from Asghari, who filed for divorce from the Grammy winner on Aug. 16, citing irreconcilable differences. “As everyone knows, Hesam and I are no longer together … 6 years is a long time to be with someone so, I’m a little shocked but … I’m not here to explain why because its honestly nobody’s business !!!” she wrote alongside a video of herself dancing to Janet Jackson’s 1993 hit “If.”

“But, I couldn’t take the pain anymore honestly !!!” she continued. “In some sort of telepathic way I have been receiving so many messages that melt my heart from friends and I thank you !!! I’ve been playing it strong for way too long and my Instagram may seem perfect but it’s far from reality and I think we all know that !!! I would love to show my emotions and tears on how I really feel but some reason I’ve always had to hide my weaknesses !!!”

Asghari has also been active on social media since filing for divorce, and even asked followers for help in choosing his “paparazzi disguise” over the weekend. In a prior statement on social media, he wrote, “After six years of love and commitment to each other, my wife and I have decided to end our journey together. We will hold onto the love and respect we have for each other and I wish her the best always. S— happens. Asking for privacy seems ridiculous so I will just ask for everyone including media to be kind and thoughtful.”

See Spears’ post below:

21 Aug 2023

BTS’ V Drops Teaser for ‘Blue’ Music Video: Here’s When It Arrives

No need to feel “Blue.” BTS’ V has just released the first teaser for his forthcoming music video for the Layover track. On Monday (Aug. 21), the artist shared a 23-second black-and-white clip teasing the storyline for the “Blue” music video.

The teaser trailer finds V walking down an apartment building hallway. He then rings the Apartment C doorbell and knocks on the door before the screen cuts to black and displays the name of the single in bright blue text. The full “Blue” music video is slated for Sept. 13 release. The visual will arrive less than a week after the release of Layover, V’s upcoming debut studio album on Sept. 8.

V has already shared two songs from Layover. The BTS member released “Love Me Again” and “Rainy Days” on Aug. 10 and 11, respectively. The two tracks simultaneously occupied the top two spots on the Hot Trending Songs chart dated Aug. 19. As the various members of BTS have started to fulfill their military duties, several have pursued solo endeavors ahead of their mandatory service, including J-Hope, Suga and 2023 Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers Jung Kook and Jimin.

This year, the K-pop group celebrated its 10-year anniversary. The members commemorated the occasion with personal heartfelt messages, a live performance video for “Take Two” and the BTS 10th Anniversary FESTA, which turned all of South Korea purple — from Dongdaemun Design Plaza to the Lotte World Tower.

As a soloist, V has earned one entry on the Hot 100: 2022’s “Christmas Tree” (No. 79). Since the group’s arrival on the music scene a decade ago, BTS has earned six No. 1 singles on the Hot 100, including the Grammy-nominated singles “Dynamite” and “Butter.” On the Billboard 200, the group has scored six No. 1 titles in just five years.

21 Aug 2023

Here Are All the Celebrities Who Have Attended Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito Stadium Tour

Colombian superstar Karol G has officially kicked off her Mañana Será Bonito Tour, her first-ever stadium outing, named after her history-making fourth album.

Karol began her trek on Aug. 10 in Las Vegas at the Allegiant Stadium. Then, on Aug. 14, she performed at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. In Los Angeles, stars such as Selena Gomez, Alicia Keys and Lauren Jauregui were spotted jamming to the Bichota’s hits-stacked setlist. Performing two back-to-back sold-out shows at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Karol cemented her superstardom, performing in front of 60,000 each day (Aug. 18-19).

The Mañana Será Bonito Tour is set to visit major markets such as Miami, Houston, Chicago and Dallas and before wrapping up Sept. 28 at the Gillette Stadium in Boston. Karol’s stadium tour follows her 2022 arena $trip Love Tour, which became the highest grossing U.S. tour by a Latin woman in history. It grossed $69.9 million across 33 shows in North America — according to numbers reported to Billboard Boxscore — surpassing Jennifer Lopez’s $50 million-grossing It’s My Party World Tour in 2019 and Shakira’s El Dorado World Tour, which grossed $28.2 million in 2018.

In August, Karol G became the first Latina headliner at Lollapalooza. Subsequently, she unleashed her second album of 2023, Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season) — six months after the original Mañana Será Bonito. The latter set debuted atop the Billboard 200, becoming Karol’s first No. 1 on the tally, and the chart’s first No. 1 all-Spanish-language album by a woman.

From Selena Gomez to Alicia Keys, here are all the stars who haave spotted at Karol G’s first-ever stadium stint (so far), either in the audience or on stage. The list will be updated as Karol makes her way across the U.S. for her tour, produced by Live Nation.

21 Aug 2023

Dua Lipa Celebrates 8 Years of Debut Single ‘New Love’

Anniversary wishes are in order for Dua Lipa, as her single “New Love” just celebrated its eighth birthday.

The milestone is a special one for the pop star due to it being the first track she ever released, kickstarting her career in pop music. To celebrate the occasion, Lipa posted about “New Love” via her Instagram Story on Monday (Aug. 21) with a special shoutout to the people who helped make the song happen.

“8 Years ago I released my first song that I wrote with @wyattish [Andrew Wyatt] and @emilehaynie (and videos!)” Lipa wrote over a shared post that contained several clips from the song’s music video. “19 year old me would be very happy to know we’d get this far.”

“New Love” appeared on Lipa’s self-titled debut album released June 2, 2017. The track — which arrived ahead of the set two years prior in 2015 — was released as the first of eight singles from the project. While the song didn’t chart on the Billboard Hot 100, another “New” track would make the tally in a major way: “New Rules,” released as Dua Lipa‘s seventh single, marked the star’s first top 10 single on the Hot 100, peaking at No. 6 and spending a total of 48 weeks on the chart.

Revisit the visual for “New Love” in the music video above, and see Lipa’s celebratory Instagram Story post about the track here before it expires.

21 Aug 2023

Sam Asghari Asks Followers Help Choose His ‘Paparazzi Disguise’ Following Britney Spears Split

Sam Asghari is preparing for life as a single man following his split from wife Britney Spears. The first order of business? Choosing a paparazzi-proof new look.

In a Saturday (Aug. 19) Instagram Story, the 29-year-old former backup dancer asked his three million followers to help him decide between three wigs in the hopes of masking himself from any intrusive camera flashes. “Help me choose paparazzi disguise ?,” he wrote, according to People.

The first option was by far the most drastic, with Asghari sporting a voluminous gray wig and a matching wispy mustache. The second option featured a curly brunette wig with sunglasses, while the third saw Asghari wearing a simple wavy brown wig over his natural hair.

It seems that the fitness trainer is anticipating an influx in paparazzi following his split from Spears, which went public last week after Asghari filed for divorce in Los Angeles Superior Court on Aug. 16, citing irreconcilable differences. The next day, he posted a statement confirming the breakup. “After six years of love and commitment to each other, my wife and I have decided to end our journey together,” he wrote on Instagram. “We will hold onto the love and respect we have for each other and I wish her the best always. S–t happens. Asking for privacy seems ridiculous so I will just ask for everyone including media to be kind and thoughtful.”

Spears broke her silence on the matter on Aug. 18. “As everyone knows, Hesam and I are no longer together … 6 years is a long time to be with someone so, I’m a little shocked but … I’m not here to explain why because its honestly nobody’s business !!!” the “Toxic” singer wrote on Instagram. “I couldn’t take the pain anymore honestly !!!”

The two first met in 2016 on the set of Spears’ “Slumber Party” music video. After years of dating, they tied the knot in June 2020.

Following reports of their split, reports emerged that Asghari was planning to challenge his and Spears’ prenup agreement, and allegedly threatening to release embarrassing information and videos of the pop star. Asghari denied the rumors via a statement to Billboard from his reps; he is indeed seeking spousal support from Spears in his divorce filing.

“There are many claims that Sam is challenging the prenup and threatening to exploit his ex-wife with videos,” Asghari’s representative, Brandon Cohen, told Billboard in an Aug. 18 statement. “However, all these claims are false, as no negative intention has ever been directed towards her and never will be. Sam has always and will always support her.”

21 Aug 2023

Memphis Bleek Is STILL Pushing For Jay-Z Collab Album, “I Get Shot Down Like A Clay Pigeon”

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Def Jam Island Records Party

Source: Lester Cohen / Getty

When Jay-Z famously spit, “Bleek could be one hit away his whole career/As long as I’m alive, he’s a millionaire,” on Kanye West’s “Diamonds (Remix)” it didn’t really do his homie Memphis Bleek any favors career-wise. While the fellow Brooklyn rapper has continued to work hard at his craft—despite not really needing to considering his big homie’s billionaire status—he’s still getting curved when it comes to a joint project with Mr. Carter.

Bleek admitted so during a quick interview with TMZ.

“I’m on that boat, too. I wish,” said Bleek about seeking another collab, whether it be a song or even an EP project. The “Is That Your Chick” rapper is realistic about landing that Hov collab, though. “I don’t think so,” Bleek told TMZ. “Hov too far gone, man! I was supposed to try this when he had $100 million, not a billion. When you got a billion, it’s hard to get you in the booth. Only his wife can do it.”

Beyonce and Jay-Z did drop the critically acclaimed Everything Is Love Project in 2018. But besides the occasional guest verses, it’s been crickets on a Jigga album since 2017’s 4:44 (not counting his essentially riding shotgun on Jay Electronica’s A Written Testimony in 2020). Nevertheless, Bleek isn’t giving up.

“I’m trying,” added Bleek. “I sending joints. I get shot down like a clay pigeon. Something going to stick one day. If we can drop an EP together come on now.”

Will Bleek and Jay-Z be able to close that “Coming of Age” trilogy? He wants y’all to hold your breath, but Jay-Z is notoriously frugal when it comes to his collaborations. For example, 2 Chainz is another artist who has been petitioning for a collab with Jay-Z to no avail.

But don’t let the lack of joint material let you think Bleek and Jay-Z ain’t still cool. He’s a perennial Roc Nation brunch attendee and Jay-Z was there at Bleek’s wedding back in 2014. See Bleek’s interview with TMZ below.



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21 Aug 2023

Quavo Pays Tribute to Takeoff With Touching New ‘Hold Me’ Music Video: Watch

Quavo has unleashed the official music video for “Hold Me,” a heartfelt BNYX-helmed track off new solo album Rocket Power that grapples with the intricacies of grief and mourning. In the visual, which he uploaded to YouTube on Saturday (Aug. 19), Quavo shares footage from a memorial for Takeoff in Atlanta. Attendees convene and foster community with one another while wearing shirts adorned with the late artist’s face as they come together to honor him. The second half of the music video finds Quavo in Paris flaunting merch, greeting fans and performing for crowds.

Takeoff (né Kirshnik Khari Ball) was shot and killed during a private party he attended in downtown Houston with his uncle and Migos bandmate, Quavo, on Nov. 1, 2022, something that still weighs heavy on the rapper and looms over much of Rocket Power. The album, Quavo’s second solo studio effort, marks his first full-length release since Takeoff’s untimely death. From its somber themes to its title — Takeoff’s only solo studio album was titled The Last Rocket — Rocket Power functions as a touching tribute to the late star. Takeoff even appears on a pair of the album’s tracks: “Patty Cake” and “Back Where It Begins.” Other features that appear on Rocket Power include Future, Young Thug, Hunxho and BabyDrill.

Rocket Power follows Quavo Huncho as Quavo’s sophomore studio album. In 2018, Quavo Huncho peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 — the highest ranking for a solo LP from a Migos member. In 2022, Quavo and Takeoff teamed up for a joint album under the name Unc & Phew. Titled Only Built for Infinity Links, the album peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard 200. On the Billboard Hot 100, Quavo has earned six top 10 hits, including the No. 1 single “I’m the One” (with DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne).

21 Aug 2023

Lucian Grainge Weighs In On the ‘Potential’ of AI Innovation — Positive and Negative

Universal Music Group announced on Monday (Aug. 21) a partnership with YouTube to create a set of principles and best practices around the use of artificial intelligence within the music community, as well as a Music AI Incubator bringing together several UMG artists and producers to help study the effect of the technology, including Anitta, Juanes, Yo Gotti, Louis Bell, ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus, Ryan Tedder and the estate of Frank Sinatra, among others.

In announcing the new incubator and the three principles — which boil down to embracing the new technological possibilities while protecting creators and establishing content and safety policies — UMG chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge penned an op-ed for YouTube’s blog, in which he acknowledged both the possibilities and the potential dangers of AI.

“Given this tension, our challenge and opportunity as an industry is to establish effective tools, incentives and rewards – as well as rules of the road – that enable us to limit AI’s potential downside while promoting its promising upside,” Grainge writes. “If we strike the right balance, I believe AI will amplify human imagination and enrich musical creativity in extraordinary new ways.”

In reference to the collaboration with YouTube, Grainge points to the video streamer’s development of its ContentID system, which helps screen user-generated content uploaded to the service for copyrighted works, and helps get creators (and copyright owners, such as UMG) paid for their use on the platform. That type of collaboration between DSP and music companies is foundational to the work YouTube and UMG are beginning with respect to AI, Grainge says.

“The truth is, great entertainment doesn’t just reach audiences on its own,” he writes. “It also requires the global infrastructure, new business models, scaled distribution, innovative partnerships and effective safeguards that enable talented artists to create with freedom and receive fair compensation. … Today, our partnership is building on that foundation with a shared commitment to lead responsibly, as outlined in YouTube’s AI principles, where Artificial Intelligence is built to empower human creativity, and not the other way around. AI will never replace human creativity because it will always lack the essential spark that drives the most talented artists to do their best work, which is intention. From Mozart to The Beatles to Taylor Swift, genius is never random.”

Read his full op-ed here.

21 Aug 2023

R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: Jessie Reyez & Miguel, Larry June, Dylan Sinclair & More

Happy Monday! As we inch towards the end of summer, you can count on this week’s Fresh Picks to keep things hot. From the R&B sounds of Jessie Reyez (with Miguel), Samaria and Dylan Sinclair, to rap bops from 4TUNAT, Larry June and Lil Darius (with Nardo Wick) — we’ve got something for every moment of your week.

Explore

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See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

And of course, don’t forget to check out this month’s Fresh Picks (so far) in our Spotify playlist, linked below.

Freshest Find: Jessie Reyez feat. Miguel, “Jeans”

Jessie Reyez and Miguel “fit better than a pair of jeans.” The two join forces here for a sexy, stripped-back collab about a couple being each others’ better halves. “You fit, like your mama made you just for me, baby/ Stroking making me forget to breathe, baby,” Reyez sings. “Jeans” is the singer-songwriter’s first offering since her sophomore album, 2022’s Yessie. She is gearing up to release her first poetry book, Words of a Goat Princess, in the fall. Meanwhile, Miguel has been rolling out music of his own ahead of his new album, also due this fall.

Samaria, “Tight Rope”

Samaria’s “Tight Rope” was created from a place of uncertainty for the Bay Area singer-songwriter, who brings listeners on a journey of losing herself, then discovering her self-worth on her own terms. “‘Tight Rope’ was a final plea to make something work at the time that was showing me exactly why it absolutely would never work,” she shares in a press release. 

4TUNAT feat. Destroy Lonely, “LOOK AT IT GO”

4TUNAT proves his synergy with Destroy Lonely on their new track, “LOOK AT IT GO.” “ The Geffen Records newcomer is carving a lane in Atlanta rap’s scene with his glitchy, high-energy SEE YOU SOON EP, on which this collaboration appears.

Dylan Sinclair, “Fly Girl”

Dylan Sinclair only likes fly girls. While he makes his preferences known, the song marks a sonic expansion for the JUNO-winning artist, who first gave listeners a glimpse into his sound with his 2022 EP, No Longer in the Suburbs. “Keeping this girl ‘round me, I like the way that she talk/ Sending me playlists straight to my phone, she putting me on,” he sings in a soft falsetto.

Lyfe Harris, “Sunkiss” 

“When you’re alone, does the sun kiss you just like me?” asks Lyfe Harris. The Atlanta singer likens his love to the sun’s warmth, delivering an infectious hook and lingering chorus. With “Sunkiss,” Harris captures the essence of intimacy with a bit of a nostalgic touch, as he uses a talk box effect for his vocals.

Larry June & Cardo, “The Good Kind”

Catch Larry June “looking at the ocean, eating smoothie bowls.” The Bay Area rapper links with Cardo Got Wings for “The Good Kind” — a typical West Coast-feeling track where June raps about riding his bike while maintaining his “street n—a” attitude.

Lil Darius feat. Nardo Wick, “Lamborghini Boys”

Known for crafting hits for Drake and Travis Scott, Memphis producer Tay Keith connects with Georgia upstart Lil Darius for his new song “Lamborghini Boys,” featuring Nardo Wick. The two rumble through Keith’s trunk-rattling production seamlessly, racing to the finish line with their unmatched wit. “Fine, she lookin’ like GloRilla, eat it like Tianna Trump,” spits Darius. The rapper and producer duo’s forthcoming mixtape, Young & Turnt, drops later this month.