Culture
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For the latest stop on her Pink Friday 2 promo run, Nicki Minaj returned to The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Wednesday (Dec. 20) to chat about her new album and trade freestyle bars with the Emmy-winning host.
“I’ll do the beat, you just be entertained,” Minaj quipped as Colbert clumsily attempted to make a lunchroom beat on his desk. “That’s not the beat I taught you last time I was here!”
Five years ago, when she was promoting her Queen album, Minaj showed Colbert how to make a simple beat and freestyle to it. Evidently, the Late Show host has spent the past half-decade honing his skills, because his retorts to Minaj’s bars shocked even the “Super Freaky Girl” rapper herself.
In a flow and rhythm taken from Pink Friday 2 breakout hit “FTCU” — lovingly renamed “F–k the Colbert Up” — Nicki spits, “High heels on for Stevie/ If I marry Stevie, he ain’t ever gon’ leave me.” In response, Colbert raps, “High heels or not, Nicki / You better hope you never meet my wife, Evie!” The hilarious comeback shocked Minaj into a few moments of silence before she and the audience broke out into uncontrollable laughter.
On the Billboard Hot 100 (chart dated Dec. 23, 2023), “FTCU” was one of 14 Pink Friday 2 tracks to appear on the ranking — the most of any female rapper in history. Over on the Billboard 200, Pink Friday 2 became Minaj’s third No. 1 LP, making her the female rapper with the most chart-topping efforts. The new album is both the Queen of Rap’s long-awaited fifth studio album and the sequel to Pink Friday, her Billboard 200-topping 2010 debut album. The ever-expanding 24-track set sports collaborations with Drake, J. Cole, Lil Uzi Vert and more. Recent singles including “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” “Last Time I Saw You” and the Hot 100-topping “Super Freaky Girl” also appear on the tracklist.
During her interview with Colbert, Minaj revealed that she’s “still working” on the album. “I put more songs that entire week,” she said in reference to late-stage additions such as the 50 Cent-assisted “Beep Beep.” “My entire label looked like they were about to have heart attacks!”
With the promise of more new music, it looks like Minaj is prepping for an extended stay in Gag City — the A.I. kingdom her fans created in anticipation of Pink Friday 2. According to Minaj, who presumably is the head of state in Gag City, everyone is entitled to “a free mansion, free car and free canned goods” in her kingdom.
The “Super Bass” rapper’s conversation with Colbert also touched on her 3-year-old son, affectionately nicknamed Papa Bear. Minaj spilled about being a first-time mom, watching her son grow right before her eyes and, in turn, growing as a person herself. “My life was so selfish before he came here,” she gushed to the comedian. “Since this little human came onto Planet Earth, I can’t do anything without thinking about him first. There’s this thing that happens every day when I see his face, which is more than anything money could buy in the world. So, I’m really happy I pushed him out!”
Check out Nicki Minaj and Stephen Colbert’s hilarious rap battle above, and more clips from her interview below:
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The Masked Singer unveiled its season 10 winner on Wednesday night (Dec. 20) after a tight battle between finalists Cow, Donut, Sea Queen and Gazelle.
In the first hour, Sea Queen was revealed to be Macy Gray and Gazelle was unmasked as Janelle Parrish, so the final two came down to Cow and Donut.
After a heartwarming season performing jaw-dropping renditions of “Hooked on a Feeling” by Blue Suede, “I Do (Cherish You)” by 98 Degrees, “Georgia on My Mind” by Ray Charles and more, Donut was ultimately the runner-up of season 10 and was revealed as The Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider.
As a result, Cow was crowned The Masked Singer’s season 10 winner — and was unmasked as Grammy-winning R&B superstar Ne-Yo. Over the course of the season, the smooth vocalist performed songs like “Bones” by Imagine Dragons, “Treasure” by Bruno Mars, “Cry Me a River” by Justin Timberlake, and “Ring My Bell” by Anita Ward.
Before Ne-Yo was unmasked, the judges guessed celebrities like Boyz II Men singer Shawn Stockman, Usher, Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr., Trey Songz, Mario, Nelly, Jason Derulo and Taye Diggs.
So far, the stars eliminated from this season 10 competition include Keyshia Cole (Candelabra), Hall & Oates’ John Oates (Anteater), Skid Row’s Sebastian Bach (Tiki), Ginuwine (Husky), Ashley Parker Angel (S’More), NBA alum Metta World Peace (Cuddle Monster), The Real Housewives‘ Luann de Lesseps (Hibiscus), Teen Wolf star Tyler Posey (Hawk), tennis legend Billie Jean King (Royal Hen), Michael Rapaport (Pickle), Vanderpump Rules‘ Tom Sandoval (Diver), Anthony Anderson (Rubber Ducky) and a special unmasking of Demi Lovato.
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Another cycle of The Voice has wrapped! The season 24 finale aired live on Tuesday night (Dec. 19) and saw the competition come to a close after weeks of blind auditions, battle rounds and last-chance performances, culminating in the reveal of the show’s latest champion.
Jacquie Roar, Ruby Leigh, Mara Justine, Huntley and Lila Forde were the final five contestants left in the competition, after having one last chance to prove themselves solo with two performances on Monday’s episode, which served as the first part of the finale.
The Tuesday installment of the finale saw the hopefuls performing covers alongside their coaches — Huntley and Niall Horan teamed up for a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Knocking on Heaven’s Door.” Horan pulled double duty as Mara Justine was also in the running to win the competition, and sang the Eagles’ “Wasted Time.” Reba McEntire also had two chances to win, and performed Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and Wynonna’s “No One Else on Earth” with Ruby Leigh and Jacquie Roar, respectively. John Legend also sang a Christmas hit with Lila Forde, putting their spin on Ella Fitzgerald’s “Sleigh Ride”
After a series of all star performances from Earth, Wind & Fire, AJR, Tyla, Teddy Swims, season 22 winner Bryce Leatherwood, season 25 coaches Dan + Shay and more, the season 24 champion was crowed. Huntley took home the title, providing Horan with his second consecutive coach win. Ruby Leigh finished in second place during the finale, though 32 percent Billboard readers — the majority — voted her their pick to win the competition.
Following his big win, Huntley revealed in an interview with Entertainment Tonight that he “was so surprised” with his victory. “Ruby [Leigh] is so talented and I think that she is a force to reckon with, so the fact that it was us two standing up there, it was right. … She’s super talented, and when my name got called, I genuinely couldn’t believe it.”
The winner continued, “This has all been so worthwhile … I just want my career. I’m so hungry for this. John [Legend] said he can see me singing in arenas around the world, and that’s something I’m very hungry for. Y’all are not getting rid of me!”
The Voice will return for season 25 in February.
Revisit the finale performances with the coaches below, and watch Huntley get crowned the winner above.
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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.
BLACKPINK’s Jisoo is joining the Dyson family. The K-pop star has been named Dyson’s newest brand ambassador, the company announced earlier this month.
On Monday (Dec. 18), Jisoo took to Instagram to share her excitement for the new partnership and gush over the Dyson Airstrait hair straightener. “Excited to partner with the Dyson family! Love Airstrait that gives me straight, shiny hair,” she captioned the photo.
Dyson’s Airstrait, the newest edition to its lineup of hair dryers, hair straighteners and multi-stylers, was introduced in May. Not to be confused with the Dyson Corrale flat iron, the Airstrait dries and straightens hair at the same time by utilizing directional airflow technology while protecting it from heat damage.
Jisso is also featured using the Dyson Airwrap in the limited-edition Ceramic Pop colorway (get it on sale here). The viral multi-styler retails for $599.99 at Dyson, Amazon, Best Buy, Ulta Beauty, Sephora and other major retailers.
Although Dyson has long been known for vacuums, and more recently for fans, heaters and air purifiers, the Airwrap helped put the company on the map as it relates to hair tools.
The Airwrap is available in a variety of colors, including the limited-edition vinca blue/rosé, blue/blush, silver/copper and other colors. The tool works on short hair, long hair and a range of different hair types including wavy, curly, coily and straight hair.
Looking for a last-minute Christmas gift? Place your order with Dyson by Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 3 p.m. ET to have it delivered by Sunday, Dec. 24.
Dyson is currently offering $100 off the Airwrap and $200 when you buy the Airwrap and Airstrait together. The Airwrap is also on sale at Best Buy and Bloomingdale’s.
Shop the Dyson Airwrap and Airstrait below.