genre hiphop

05 Jun 2025

Lil Wayne Returns With ‘Tha Carter VI’ Album: Stream It Now

It’s officially Tha Carter VI time. Lil Wayne is back and he unleashed the anticipated sixth installment to his Hall-of-Fame series on Friday (June 6).

Seven years after C5, Weezy returned with the next chapter for Tha Carter. He brought a star-studded cast with him that includes BigXthaPlug, Big Sean, Bono, MGK, Kodak Black, Jelly Roll and 2 Chainz.

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On the production side, the New Orleans rap legend recruited Wheezy and Ye (formerly Kanye West) behind the boards.

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Tha Carter VI is Weezy’s first solo album since he dropped Funeral at the top of the decade, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The last three installments of the Carter series have topped the charts.

Wayne gave fans an early taste of the first possible single with “The Days” featuring Bono, which was used as part of an NBA Finals promo by ESPN ahead of game one of the Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday (June 5).

Weezy also hopped on a FaceTime call with Justin Bieber ahead of the album’s arrival. “Checking in with [Goat],” Bieber captioned the screenshot on his Instagram Story. “It’s a painful walk but we got each other.”

Friday will be a celebratory night for Wayne, who will be headlining Madison Square Garden in NYC for the first time as a solo artist, while delivering the live debut of Tha Carter VI for the lucky Big Apple fans in attendance.

The performance will kick off Tha Carter VI Tour before going on a hiatus for a few weeks and picking up again later this month for a loaded 34-date trek across North America, which includes stops in Atlantic City, N.J.; Toronto; Cincinnati; Minneapolis; Milwaukee; Detroit; Phoenix, Seattle; Los Angeles; Austin; Dallas; Atlanta and more before finishing in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Oct. 2.

Avid Wayne fans can shop a plethora of C6 merch bundles on his website featuring collaborations with Barriers and BAPE.

Stream Tha Carter VI below.

05 Jun 2025

KATSEYE Heats Up ‘Gnarly’ Summer with Ice Spice Remix: Stream It Now

KATSEYE says it’s going to be a “Gnarly” Summer, especially with Ice Spice on the new remix that dropped Friday (June 6).

“Oh my god, this song’s so lit,” KATSEYE quoted the song’s lyrics on Instagram underneath the remix’s gnarly cover art featuring an anonymous hand ready to cut into a double decker sandwich.

The six-piece girl group – featuring members Daniela, Lara, Manon, Megan, Sophia and Yoonchae – originally dropped “Gnarly” in April. The hyper-pop hit became the group’s career-first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at No. 92 last month. “Gnarly” will be featured on its sophomore EP BEAUTIFUL CHAOS, due June 27 via HYBE x Geffen.

Megan said in a recent Billboard interview that “it’s a ‘Gnarly’ Summer,” which means it’s all about “not being afraid of being cringe … letting your intrusive thoughts win,” she elaborated, while Lara chimed in to say it’s also about “being very wild — and a little bit messy.”

The 2025 Billboard 21 Under 21 honorees will perform “Gnarly” at the 2025 Kids’ Choice Awards on June 21, which will be hosted by Tyla.

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For Ice Spice, the “Gnarly” remix marks the Bronx MC’s first musical release of the year following her 2024 debut album Y2K! and the deluxe edition, Y2K!: I’m Just a Girl. The 10-track LP included Hot 100-charting singles “Think U the Shit (Fart)” and “Did It First” with Central Cee. It reached No. 18 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

Listen to the “Gnarly” remix below.

05 Jun 2025

Jay-Z Makes Seven-Figure Wager on 2025 NBA Finals: See Who He’s Betting On

Jay-Z just “rolled the dice, trying to get some change.” After helping launch Fanatics Sportsbook in 2023 alongside Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, Hov is putting his money where his mouth is for the 2025 NBA Finals.

According to a social media post from Fanatics and Roc Nation, Jay-Z has wagered $1 million on the Oklahoma City Thunder to defeat the Indiana Pacers in exactly five games.

With the Thunder being the overwhelming favorites in the series, disposing of the Pacers in five games would have Jay collecting $3.3 million — a $2.3 million profit on the +230 odds.

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With Game 1 set to tip-off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday (June 5), fans don’t have much time to ride Jay’s seven-figure bet on Fanatics or their sportsbook of choice this postseason, but plenty of fans were hyped to see the Brooklyn rap deity get in on the gambling action. “This is the equivalent of me betting $5,” one person wrote in the comments section. Another joked: “I gave him this play!”

As far as Game 1 goes, the Thunder are currently -10 and -700 for the series, according to Fanatics Sportsbook, so Las Vegas agrees that the odds are in Jay’s favor for a short series, seeing the Thunder lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Led by NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder throttled the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games to advance to the NBA Finals, while the Indiana Pacers got the best of the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals to make their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000.

Jay isn’t a stranger to the gambling scene: He’s currently part of Roc Nation’s bid alongside SL Green and Caesar Entertainment to bring a full-scale casino to Times Square in New York City. As part of Jay’s team’s bid, they’re promising to invest $15 million back into the NYC community.

“We are New Yorkers,” Jay-Z said in a 2024 statement. “Supporting and providing opportunities for our neighborhoods and community isn’t just a part of Roc Nation’s ethos; it’s our collective responsibility.”

Billboard has reached out to reps for Jay-Z for comment.

05 Jun 2025

Cam’ron Says He Originally Wrote ‘I Really Mean It’ for Lil’ Kim — Plus This Other Hit Record That Might Surprise You

Cam’ron gave fans a bit of a stunning revelation on Thursday (June 5).

On a recent episode of It Is What It Is, while talking about NBA commissioner Adam Silver telling FS1’s Breakfast Ball that next year’s All-Star Game will be “some form of USA against the World,” Cam and his co-host Mase joked around that the league is stealing their ideas and that they should let them ghostwrite for them.

Cam then gave some high-profile examples of songs he’s co-written, including 3LW‘s 2000 hit “No More (Baby I’ma Do Right),” which features a viral opening line about broken promises. “I wrote for 3 Little Women,” the Harlem rapper said as Mase laughed and egged him on. “The single, I’m in the credits, I wrote that. ‘Promises, promises’? That’s me. I penned that joint. We’re real creative, just tap in, man.”

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He then revealed that he originally wrote the classic Dipset track “I Really Mean It” with the intention of giving it to Lil’ Kim, but the Queen Bee wasn’t feeling it — but said he was glad that Kim decided to pass on it because it’s one of his more popular songs.

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“I did write a song for Lil’ Kim and she didn’t want it, and the lyrics changed and I ended up keeping it for myself,” he began. “It was one of my biggest records, but I wrote ‘I Really Mean It’ for Lil’ Kim. Same format, and she didn’t like it. That’s one of the best things, ’cause that’s one of my close-out songs, to be totally honest with you, and she didn’t want the song. I’m happy she didn’t.”

Cam is, in fact, credited on 3LW’s hit record as a songwriter, and most of the recent comments on YouTube are people asking if they’re there because of It Is What It Is. The Harlem rapper also famously ghostwrote Lil’ Kim’s 1996 classic “Crush on You.”

You can watch the full episode below.

Meanwhile, though Cam and Mase are trying to take credit for the NBA All-Star idea, ESPN journalist Michael Wilbon said back in February on First Take that he’s been pushing the USA vs. the World format for more than a decade.

“I’ve been pushing this for 15 years,” Wilbon claimed during a segment about the popular 2025 NHL Nations Face-Off that replaced the hockey league’s All-Star Game. “This goes back to me talking to David Stern about it and then Adam Silver about it on this air during Finals games when Stephen A. [Smith] and I are sitting there with our colleagues with the commissioner during the Finals. I’ve been asking him about this directly. It even became a joke, where they said, ‘Oh, we know what Wilbon’s gonna ask Adam Silver about.’”

Cam and Mase should reach out to Wilbon and get him on the show.

05 Jun 2025

Kendrick Lamar Leads BET Awards Nominations With ‘Not Like Us’: What to Expect From Awards Show | Billboard News

The BET Awards’ 25th-anniversary show takes place Monday, June 9, and we’re breaking what you can expect, including Kendrick Lamar’s 10 nominations, tributes to Snoop Dogg and Mariah Carey, and more.

Are you excited for the BET Awards? Let us know in the comments.

Tetris Kelly: 

Kevin Hart, Tyla, Kendrick Lamar, Doechii and more will be at the culture’s biggest night. The BET Awards are turning 25 this year, and you already know they’re going to be showing out. Comedian Kevin Hart is back to host the show for the second time, bringing his quick comedic timing, likability and we hope a little playful celebrity roasting. This is Black Hollywood’s biggest night, celebrating the biggest and brightest in the culture. And with any BET celebration, the stars will be hitting the stage with some knockout performances. And this year’s lineup might be the best yet. We’re talking Lil Wayne, Playboi Carti, GloRilla, Leon Thomas and Teyana Taylor, each ready to blow the roof off the Peacock Theater. Oh, and you thought they were finished, nah. Hold up. Wait a minute, because that’s not all. This year’s show will also feature special tributes and appearances you don’t want to miss. Honorees include Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg, Kirk Franklin and Mariah Carey, each being celebrated for their massive cultural impact. Speaking of the biggest, when it comes to this year’s nominations, living rap legend Kendrick Lamar leads the pack with a jaw-dropping 10 nods, including album of the year, best male hip hop artist, and video of the year for his smash hit diss track “Not Like Us.”

Keep watching for more!

05 Jun 2025

Here’s What Fans Think of SiR Claiming Drake Had His 2024 Toronto Show Canceled

Top Dawg Entertainment singer SiR had his 2024 tour stop in Toronto canceled, and he made his return north of the border for a show on Wednesday (June 4).

During his performance, SiR placed the blame for his original cancellation on Drake. In a clip from the performance, SiR says that he was “caught in the middle of a beef I ain’t have s–t to do with,” referencing the ongoing feud between the Toronto rapper and Kendrick Lamar. However, SiR quickly walked back the claims and said it was the venue — which is co-owned by Drizzy — that cancelled his show.

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“Then when we tried to switch venues, the venue was like, ‘Nah, we ain’t f—ing with it. I ain’t taking no motherf—ing chance you gon’ get your ass beat,’” he says in the clip.

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Billboard has reached out to Drake’s team for comment.

The clip from Wednesday’s concert went viral on social media as fans had plenty to say about SiR’s claims, who himself wondered, “Why is this news?”

Plenty of OVO fans were riled up at SiR’s comments and hopped into his replies on X. “It’s news because you said Drake name,” one person said. Another added: “Why you mentioning Drake when he has no clue who you are?”

At the time of the 2024 show, SiR blamed the venue in a statement to fans on X. “So sorry to my Toronto fans. The show has been canceled. We’re working on rescheduling for a later date,” he wrote, per VIBE. “For those wondering, we sold that show out. It was canceled by the venue. Not sure why. My apologies again to those that came just to see me.”

SiR wasn’t the only TDE-affiliate to have issues touring in Canada, as ScHoolboy Q also had a show scrapped in Toronto last summer. “THey just canceled my sHow in TORONTO,” he said at the time. “CANADIAN POLICE DONT WANT NOBODY FROM TDE PERFORMING.”

See how fans reacted to the clip of SiR talking about his 2024 cancellation below:

05 Jun 2025

Travis Scott’s First-Ever Barcelona Performance Is Now a Streamable Concert Film

A day ahead of El Clásico, Travis Scott made his debut in Barcelona with a thrilling concert on May 10, which Spotify has now turned into a short film.

Spotify Presents: Travis Scott Live From Barcelona arrived on the streaming service’s platform on Thursday (June 5) about a month after Scott hit the Spanish stage at Parc de les Tres Xemeneies.

La Flame brought the rage to the intimate show, which saw him perform a pair of unreleased JACKBOYS 2 tracks as well as catalog staples such as “FE!N,” “Goosebumps,” “Highest in the Room,” “4×4,” “Butterfly Effect” and “SICKO MODE.”

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“This film is a piece of the energy we created in Barcelona,” Scott said in a statement. “The fans showed up for my first performance there and it was a wild, real moment. Now fans around the world can tap in and feel that same vibe.”

The 18-minute performance film will remain a Spotify exclusive until Friday (June 6) when it comes to YouTube.

Scott and Spotify have enjoyed a lucrative partnership, as they previously teamed up for the 10th anniversary show of Days Before Rodeo in August 2024 in Atlanta.

“This partnership with Travis is a perfect example of how Spotify is deepening the connection between artists and fans,” said Marc Hazan, who serves as the vice president of partnerships and marketing at Spotify, in a statement. “Bringing a global icon like Travis Scott to perform in Barcelona created a once-in-a-lifetime moment for fans on the ground — and capturing it on film, exclusively for Spotify, allows us to share that with fans around the world. It’s about offering new ways to experience video, and to feel closer to the artists they love.”

The Houston native designed Cactus Jack jerseys for Barcelona’s soccer team to wear at El Clásico, which Barce won 4-3 over rival Real Madrid on May 11. The rare jersey collaboration saw a public release and sold out within minutes.

Watch Spotify Presents: Travis Scott Live From Barcelona on Spotify.

05 Jun 2025

Erykah Badu to Release New Music Independently on Her Own Label Control FREAQ Records

Erykah Badu has announced that she’ll be dropping music later this summer on her own record label, Control FREAQ Records.

Having been with Motown since at least 2007, this newly independent venture is a huge deal for Badu. The neo-soul pioneer established Control FREAQ Records in 2005, representing her “desire to foster creativity and innovation in the music industry,” according to a press release.

Erykah Badu hasn’t dropped new music since her 2015 mixtape But You Can’t Use My Phone, and while there’s no confirmed date for Badu’s return, she previously told Billboard her next album would be entirely produced by The Alchemist. She also spoke about the birth of Control FREAQ back in 2005, saying it was built as a “profitable home for artists, with fair contracts that will return ownership of the music to the artists after a period of time.” The label’s first signee was Jay Electronica, the father of Badu’s third child.

“I didn’t develop him at all. I just wanted to be near his greatness,” Badu told Billboard. “He needed to be heard and I had a platform. I wasn’t interested in building an artist from scratch. I was interested in artists who were building their own platforms.”

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The crooner said in a press release that she’d return with her new music sometime this summer, though no specific date is listed. The album would be Badu’s first official album in 15 years.

“I tour eight months out of the year for the past 25 years,” she told Billboard of the delay. “That’s what I do. I am a performance artist. I am not a recording artist. I come from the theater. It’s the immediate reaction between you and the audience and the immediate feeling. The point where you become one living, breathing organism with people. That’s what I live for. It’s my therapy. And theirs, too. We’re in it together. And I like the idea that it happens only once.”

05 Jun 2025

Lil Wayne’s Unreleased ‘Tha Carter VI’ Song With U2’s Bono Soundtracks NBA Finals Promo

ESPN is giving Lil Wayne fans a sneak peek at his The Carter VI album mere hours before it arrives.

Unreleased track “The Days” featuring Bono has been used in a promo ad for game one of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday (June 5).

“I pledge allegiance to what I believe in/ Live to fight another day,” he raps. “I ain’t getting younger, but I’m getting better/ No time to waste that’s another man’s treasure/ They say every dog has hit day.” The U2 frontman then takes the baton to handle chorus duties. “These are the days,” Bono sings.

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Without a single ahead of the album, “The Days” snippet is the first taste fans got of C6, and the partnership makes sense with Lil Wayne being an avid hoops fan.

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“Basketball’s been in my blood since day one, so to team up with ESPN less than 24 hours before the drop of Tha Carter VI for the NBA Finals is an incredible honor,” Wayne said in a statement. “My music and the NBA are vibin’ on the same frequency because it’s perfect timing for fans to hear Tha Carter VI on the game’s grandest stage.”

ESPN has been using numerous Wayne tracks to soundtrack NBA Playoffs ads this season, including “I Am Not a Human Being,” “Uproar” and the “Glory (Remix).”

“Lil Wayne brings the energy, edge and emotion that define the NBA Finals,” Curtis Friends, vice president of sports marketing at ESPN, said in a statement. “Integrating his music into our NBA Playoffs coverage has been a strategic brand flex — amplifying our storytelling and connecting with fans as we showcase today’s rising stars on the league’s biggest stage.”

Game one of the NBA Finals tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC inside OKC’s Paycom Center as the Pacers and Thunder gear up for a hard-fought series. After the contest, look for Weezy’s Tha Carter VI to hit streaming services at midnight ET on Friday (June 6).

Get a taste of “The Days” with the NBA Finals teaser below.

05 Jun 2025

Tiësto & Sexyy Red Get Slinky on New Collab ‘OMG!’: Stream It Now

Tiësto and Sexyy Red are revving their engines with the just-released collab “OMG!”

The slinky song, in which Sexyy Red opines about maxing out credit cards, breaking the rules and being “too high to be cool” over the Dutch producer’s woozy beat, comes from the forthcoming soundtrack to the Brad Pitt-starring racing film F1.

“Who would have thought that Tiësto would have a collab with Sexyy Red?” the producer recently told Billboard backstage at EDC Las Vegas. “No one, absolutely no one, but here it is, and it’s an amazing track. I think people will really like it. It’s super dance.”

“OMG!” has been in the works for awhile, with Tiësto playing it during a huge performance in October at the annual dance gathering ADE. The track comes from the F1 the Album soundtrack, with the corresponding film hitting theaters on June 27, the same day the soundtrack will be released.

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This soundtrack brings together a collection of musical titans including music by Dom Dolla (who’s slick contribution “No Room For a Saint” came out last month), Doja Cat, ROSÉ, Peggy Gou, Chris Stapleton, Ed Sheeran, Raye, Burna Boy, Roddy Rich, Madison Beer, Tate McRae, Don Toliver and Myke Towers.

Tiësto, a known racing fan, also makes a cameo in the film, which stars Pitt as an aging F1 driver who returns to the sport after a long absence, along with Damson Idris, Kerry Condon and Javier Bardem. F1 The Movie was directed by Joseph Kosinski, who also directed the global blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick.

Listen to “OMG!” below: