genre hiphop

25 Apr 2025

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Bring the Heat on ‘Aww S–t’ Single, First Song to Feature All Five Members in 15 Years

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony famously could not re-assemble earlier this month to appear on comedian John Mulaney’s live Netflix late night talk show Everybody’s Live due to what the host said was a scammer posing at the Cleveland rap crew’s phony manager.

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But the clouds have parted and for the first time in 15 years Bizzy Bone, Flesh-N-Bone, Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone have teamed up for a new song, “Aww S–t.” Over a spare beat and spooky keys, the crew known for their double-time, intricately woven lyricism don’t disappoint, spitting rapid-fire lyrics anchored by one of their signature melodic choruses.

The song represents the first time the “1st of Tha Month” crew has all been together since 2019’s Uni5: The World’s Enemy; Krayzie and Wish Bone were not around for the 2013 album The Art of War: World War III and 2017’s New Waves was credited to “Bone Thugs,” which in that case referred to just Krayzie and Bizzy.

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The group is currently on the road, with a show slated for Friday night (April 25) at the Ace of Spades in Sacramento, CA, followed by shows in Detroit (May 1 at Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel), Atlanta (May 16 Buckhead Theatre), Ludington, MI (May 23 at Stix Ludington), Paw Paw, MI (May 24 at Warner Vineyards) and Honolulu, HI (May 31 at Neal S. Blaisdell Arena), followed by a run of June dates, including a spot at the Roots Picnic L.A. on June 8.

They will also join Master P & the No Limit Soldiers and the Lox at Newark’s NJPAC on June 6.

Listen to “Aww S–t” below.

25 Apr 2025

BigXthaPlug Post Moving Video About Autistic Son in PSA for Autism Acceptance Month: ‘This Is Personal For Me’

Dallas rapper BigXthaPlug is speaking out about his journey to understand autism in a new PSA for the Autism Society of America’s Autism Is campaign during Autism Acceptance Month. “To me, autism is a journey,” he says in a new video in which he talks about his 6-year-old autistic son.

“The reason I say that it is a journey is because I have a six-year-old son who has autism,” he continues about his son, Amar. “There’s nothing wrong with him. He’s a perfectly good child. My journey as far as me having to be gone, be able to make funds for my child and him having autism, so the journey is not an easy journey. You can’t make it a hard journey, because if you make the process hard, it’ll all be hard.”

April is Autism Acceptance Month and BigX’s advocacy for his son comes just a week after Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., drew widespread criticism for his latest comments about autism, in which he said it “destroys families,” as well as making broad, unscientific claims about autistic people.

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At an April 16 press conference, Kennedy said that many autistic children were “fully functional” and then “regressed… into autism when they were 2 years old. And these are kids who will never pay taxes, they’ll never hold a job, they’ll never play baseball, they’ll never write a poem, they’ll never go out on a date. Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted.”

According to a PBS report, medical experts and people on the autism spectrum told PolitiFact that Kennedy’s comments were off-base, citing a 2023 study written by CDC officials and university researchers that found that one-quarter of people on the autism spectrum have severe limitations, a figure that is at the high end of studies. It noted that the vast majority of people on the spectrum do not have the kinds of severe challenges Kennedy suggested, nor do many of the people in the one-quarter of the autism population cited in the studies.

A HHS spokesperson later clarified that Kennedy was referring to “those that are severely affected by this chronic condition” and that “this was in no way a general characterization.” Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic who for many years has made false claims that vaccines cause autism, recently announced that his department is launching a “a massive testing and research” effort to determine the long-sought cause of autism by September of this year.

According to the BBC, experts called the effort “misguided and unrealistic,” given that autism spectrum disorder is a complex syndrome that has been studied for decades and that promising a definitive answer in six month is unlikely. At press time Kennedy had not revealed any details on the scope and range of the research project or how much funding will be devoted to it at a time when Pres. Trump’s administration is making drastic, wide-ranging cuts to research grants at HHS.

“As a dad to an autistic son, I’ve seen the importance of being understood for who you truly are,” the “Texas” rapper added in a statement. “This is personal for me — it’s about sharing our journey, showing up for my son, and breaking down the walls around autism. It’s about being real, spreading awareness, and making sure no one feels alone in this.”

The Autism Society — the largest and oldest grassroots autism organization in the U.S. — praised BigX (born Xavier Landum) for speaking out to “authentically” combat the “stigma and stereotypes by sharing his own family’s journey. Through his platform, BigXthaPlug is using his voice to reach fans and families who may be navigating similar paths — especially in communities where awareness and access to support can be limited. His participation in the Autism Is campaign encourages conversation, connection, and compassion.”

Speaking to People, BigX also offered some advice for other parents trying to navigate the sometimes confusing journey of helping their children. “You ain’t alone. I know in our communities, sometimes it feels like you gotta keep stuff to yourself, or like nobody’s gonna understand,” he said. “But there is support out there — you just gotta start askin’ questions, lean into the love you got around you, and don’t be afraid to speak up for your kid… Every kid on the spectrum is different, so take time to learn your child. Be patient, be open, and don’t wait for a ‘perfect’ answer — just show up, every day. That’s what matters most.”

BigX just scored his first top-five hit on the Billboard Hot 100 when his Bailey Zimmerman collab “All the Way” ran up to No. 4 on the chart dated April 19.

Watch BigXthaPlug’s video below.

25 Apr 2025

50 Cent Sues to Block Horror Movie, Says He Never Signed Deal After Filming Starring Role

50 Cent has filed a lawsuit aimed at blocking the release of an upcoming horror movie in which he plays the starring role, claiming he never signed a final agreement and has not been paid.

In a complaint filed Friday against producer Ryan Kavanaugh and others, the rapper (Curtis Jackson) says he filmed the entirety of SkillHouse because he trusted that he would eventually reach a deal covering his compensation for the movie.

“That trust was misplaced. No final agreement was ever signed,” 50’s lawyers write. “Nevertheless, defendants have billed Jackson as the star and producer of the film [and] have shamelessly and deceptively marketed the film as a ‘50 Cent Movie’ and ‘produced by 50 Cent,’ when it is nothing of the sort.”

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Despite being listed as a producer, 50 says he was given “no creative input into the film” – an arrangement he says he “never would have agreed to” because it might harm his “carefully curated and award-winning reputation as a film and television producer.” Adding “insult to injury,” the rapper’s attorneys say the producers “have not paid Jackson a dime” to date.

“Despite plaintiffs’ repeated objections and demands to cease and desist, defendants continue to infringe and misappropriate plaintiffs’ intellectual property rights and intend to release the film in the coming weeks (if not days),” 50’s attorneys write. “Should the film be released publicly, Jackson faces irreparable harm to his valuable brand and reputation.”

The lawsuit isn’t unexpected. Last week, the rapper warned on Instagram: “They can’t release this MOVIE SKILL HOUSE without my signature which they do not have. What kinda business are they doing? I’d hate to have to demonstrate.” In another post, he later added: “This guy Ryan Kavanaugh is doing everything in his power to make me kill this movie. This one is going in the trash can.”

In Thursday’s complaint, 50 says he only draft term sheets were exchanged, and that he believed a full contract would eventually be negotiated and signed. In order to “avoid unnecessary delay and based on a mistaken good-faith belief in Kavanaugh’s promises and reputation,” he says he filmed his scenes without that final paperwork signed.

Without such a deal, his lawyers say that releasing the movie would violate his intellectual property rights, including his trademarks and his likeness rights. And they say the producers are already infringing those rights by using his name and image to promote the movie and Kavanaugh’s GenTV streaming service.

“Defendants have made Jackson the centerpiece of their promotional and marketing efforts for the Film,” the star’s lawyers write. “Despite having raised concerns months ago, Jackson’s name, image, and trademarks still feature prominently across the GenTV platform.”

Kavanaugh did not immediately return a request for comment on Friday.

25 Apr 2025

Kneecap Split With Booking Agent Following Coachella Festival Fallout

Northern Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap have split with their booking agent IAG (Independent Artist Group) following the controversy caused by their recent Coachella performances. 

The news was confirmed by an IAG representative to The Hollywood Reporter. The report states that the Belfast group and IAG, which includes Metallica, Billy Joel and 50 Cent on its roster, split between Coachella’s first and second weekends. A spokesperson for Kneecap told Billboard U.K. that they would not be commenting on the split.

During the first weekend, the group claimed that the YouTube stream of their live performance had been cut following anti-Margaret Thatcher and pro-Palestine chants by the group and crowd. Thatcher was the U.K. prime minister between 1979 and 1990, and played a pivotal role during the violent Troubles in Northern Ireland during that span; she died in 2013, aged 87. The group have long expressed support for a united Ireland, and frequently spoken out on the war on Gaza at their shows and in interviews.

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During the band’s second set at Coachella, a projected message stated: “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. It is being enabled by the U.S. government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes. F–k Israel; free Palestine.” The set was not livestreamed on YouTube, but images from the onstage projections were widely shared on social media. 

Since the band’s set, they have faced a wave of criticism from industry figures. Sharon Osbourne, wife and manager of husband Ozzy, called for their U.S. work visas to be revoked, saying that “At a time when the world is experiencing significant unrest, music should serve as an escape, not a stage for political discourse.” She also criticised Goldenvoice, Coachella’s organiser alongside AEG, for allowing the band to be booked. A previous report in The Hollywood Reporter said that Goldenvoice was “blindsided” by the messaging.

On Wednesday, London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed they were assessing a video taken of a band member appearing to say “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” at a headline performance in the capital in November. The two militant groups have been ascribed “terrorist group” status by the U.K. Government and expressing support for either is forbidden under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Following the fallout, the group have shared a number of messages on social media from Palestinians thanking them for speaking out. Kneecap member Mo Chara responded to the criticism on Wednesday, telling Rolling Stone that their message is “about [the Israeli government’s] government’s sickening actions, not ordinary people.”

Kneecap released their second studio album Fine Art in June 2024 on Heavenly Recordings. Their 2024 music biopic Kneecap, starring Michael Fassbender, was nominated for two Academy Awards, and in February director Rich Peppiat won a prize for his work on the film at the BAFTAs (British Academy Film Awards). The group will play a number of shows in Europe this summer including at Primavera Sound in Barcelona, Spain and Glastonbury Festival in England. They will return to North American for a headline tour in October.

25 Apr 2025

Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s ‘Luther’ Continues Historic Crossover, Hitting No. 1 on Pop Airplay Chart

Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” lifts a spot to No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart dated May 3.

Lamar rules Pop Airplay for the third time — and first as a lead artist, following two No. 1s in featured roles, on Maroon 5’s “Don’t Wanna Know” for a week in 2017, and Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” (five weeks, 2015). SZA scores her fourth No. 1, after “Saturn” (two weeks, 2024) and “Kill Bill” (one, 2023) and as featured on Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More” (one, 2021).

“Luther,” on pgLang/Interscope/ICLG, previously made history as the first song to hit No. 1 on both Rap Airplay (five weeks and counting) and Adult R&B Airplay (three weeks in March). It has also topped Radio Songs, R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and Rhythmic Airplay.

Notably, “Luther” joins 10 other songs that have led Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, Adult R&B Airplay, Rhythmic Airplay and Pop Airplay. (All are four individual-format charts. Radio Songs reflects all-format play; R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay blends mainstream R&B/hip-hop and adult R&B reach; and Rap Airplay counts activity on mainstream R&B/hip-hop and rhythmic stations.)

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Here’s a look at the elite mass-appeal hits that have topped Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, Adult R&B Airplay, Rhythmic Airplay and Pop Airplay (which have coexisted since 1993).

  • “Luther,” Kendrick Lamar & SZA, 2025
  • “Talk,” Khalid, 2019
  • “That’s What I Like,” Bruno Mars, 2017
  • “Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey),” The Weeknd, 2015
  • “Happy,” Pharrell Williams, 2014
  • “Blurred Lines,” Robin Thicke feat. T.I. + Pharrell, 2013
  • “No One,” Alicia Keys, 2007-08         
  • “Be Without You,” Mary J. Blige, 2006
  • “We Belong Together,” Mariah Carey, 2005
  • “On Bended Knee,” Boyz II Men, 1994-95
  • “I’ll Make Love to You,” Boyz II Men, 1994

Meanwhile, “Luther” is the first rap hit to lead Pop Airplay since two back-to-back in February-March 2024: Jack Harlow’s “Lovin on Me” followed by Doja Cat’s “Agora Hills.” (Rap titles are defined as those that have hit or are eligible for Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart.)

“Luther” is an ode to late R&B great Luther Vandross and samples his vocals. He charted one Pop Airplay entry as a credited artist: “Endless Love,” with Mariah Carey, hit No. 7 in 1994.

“Luther” has notched nine weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It has drawn 896 million in radio audience and 582 million official streams and sold 50,000 downloads in the U.S. through April 17, according to Luminate. It’s from Lamar’s LP GNX, which has ruled the Billboard 200 albums chart for three weeks and spent its first 21 weeks on the chart in the top five.

All charts dated May 3 will update on Billboard.com Tuesday, April 29.

24 Apr 2025

Young Thug & Future Reunite to Make It Rain With ‘Money on Money’ Single: Listen

The Super Slimey duo has reunited. Young Thug is back with his first single since being released from jail in October as the Future-assisted “Money on Money” arrived on Friday (April 25).

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“Money on Money” is slated to appear on Thugger’s upcoming UY SCUTI album, which has a rumored release date of May 9 and marks exactly three years since Thug and 27 others were indicted and taken into custody on RICO charges.

Young Thug made “Money on Money” official with a brief 10-second clip posted to X on Thursday (April 24) that finds the YSL logo surrounded by a circle of flames.

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Prior to “Money on Money” hitting streaming services, Thug has laid low for much of the first four months of 2025 outside of appearing on Lil Baby’s “Dum, Dumb, and Dumber” with Future.

Future and Thug have an extensive collaborative history as two of the rap titans calling Atlanta home. They previously joined forces for the Super Slimey joint album in 2017, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.

Other standout collabs from their catalogs include “Relationship,” Gunna’s “Pushin P,” Drake’s “Way Too Sexy” and “Sup Mate.”

After serving more than two years behind bars as part of the longest-running trial in Georgia’s history, Thug secured his freedom when he was released after reaching a plea deal on Halloween that saw the rapper sentenced to 15 years of probation.

Earlier in April, Thug announced UY SCUTI on X and launched the album’s official online shop equipped with vinyl records, CDs and merch bundles.

“It’s Time. Red Planet,” he wrote alongside the link to the UY SCUTI store. According to Nine Planets, Uy Scuti is a supergiant red star that’s located in the constellation named Scutum.

Stream “Money on Money” below.

24 Apr 2025

Megan Thee Stallion Launches New Era With Fiery ‘Whenever’ Single: Stream It Now

Megan Thee Stallion season has returned with plenty of time to heat up before the summer. The Houston Hottie has kicked off her next era with the arrival of “Whenever” on Friday (April 25).

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The fiery track serves as Meg’s first single of 2025 after she announced plans for the song earlier in April while in the midst of the Coachella madness.

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Thee Stallion revealed the Western movie poster-styled cover art this week, which finds her in a cowboy hat and also reads taglines such as, “It’s whatever b—-, it’s whenever h–!” It’s unclear if “Whenever” is slated to land on Meg’s upcoming Act: III album, which she confirmed during a recent TikTok Live that the album was “being made.”

“I’m really just trying to figure out who do I want to do features with at this point in life,” she said. “I only want to do features with people that … one, I haven’t done a feature with yet, and two, that I listen to on my own time — people that I actually, you know, f— with.”

Details about the album remain scarce, however, Megan did admit that she’s hoping to work with Doechii, who is on her “album wish list.”

Megan delivered one of the more memorable sets at Coachella this year. During weekend one, she brought out plenty of special guests including Queen Latifah, Ciara and Victoria Monét. Unfortunately, her mic was cut off after she appeared to run over her set time while performing “Mamushi.”

Stream “Whenever” below.

24 Apr 2025

Quavo Says He Could Be Best Rapper-Turned-Actor in History

Quavo has been building his acting résumé over the years, and he’s hoping to get better at it — in fact, he’s hoping to be one of the best.

TMZ caught up with the Atlanta rapper and asked if he could eventually become the best rapper-turned-actor ever and was asked if he could be better than Tupac Shakur, Will Smith, Queen Latifah and Ice Cube. “I’m a great guy, yessir,” he answered. “They can’t f— with me.”

So far, Huncho has been in seven movies and five television shows, most notably in a season 2 episode of Netflix’s Narcos: Mexico and in a season 1 episode of FX’s Atlanta alongside Migos bandmates Offset and the late Takeoff.

He starred in High Rollers, a sequel to 2024’s Cash Out, alongside John Travolta, Gina Gershon and Lukas Haas, as well as the recently released Sneaks animated sports comedy centered on talking sneakers, starring Anthony Mackie, Martin Lawrence and a bunch of other music artists like Chloe Bailey, Young Miko and Mustard, among others.

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Quavo is also set to star alongside Billy Zane in a movie called Takeover and is currently shooting the third installment of the Cash Out trilogy, where he’ll reprise his role as Anton.

Maybe Cube can get him a role in the new Friday movie.

As far as the music side of things goes, the former Migos member dropped two singles already this year in “Trappa Rappa” and “Legends,” featuring Lil Baby, so maybe that means that he’s planning to release his first solo album since 2023’s Rocket Power. He hopped on the country-rap wave late last year when he linked up with Luke Bryan and Teddy Swims for the Peach State anthem “Georgia Ways.”

24 Apr 2025

Ye Disses Kendrick Lamar & Tyler, the Creator Again: ‘The Two Most Overrated So-Called Artist’

As Ye (formerly Kanye West) continues to spend time in Spain, he’s still finding time to fire away on his X account. West once again went after Kendrick Lamar and Tyler, the Creator, whom he deemed to be “overrated” and to be on an “equal” playing field when it comes to their rapping ability.

“Name one good Tyler The Creator bar Name an actual good Kendrick line Like you really wish you had said that level bar,” he wrote on Wednesday night.

Ye went on to say that Lil Wayne has “way more” bars than Kendrick and the Compton native doesn’t have any rhymes that “I wish I said.”

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“Broooo Kendrick Lamar can not rap,” he claimed. “Wayne got waaaay more life bars I got more bars Kendrick doesn’t have one bar where I say I wish I said that Kendrick and Tyler the two most overrated so called artist Please order more security… Kendrick and Tyler raps are about equal honestly.”

West has continued to jab at Lamar since Playboi Carti recruited K. Dot for multiple tracks on his Music album and left Ye off the project altogether in the process.

“Everyone knows I washed Kendrick on No More Parties in LA,” Yeezy said in March of their 2016 The Life of Pablo collaboration.

At this point, it’s unclear why West is feuding with Tyler, the Creator. Ye claimed that Tyler has “never made a memorable song” during an X rant in March.

This n—a has never made a memorable song,” West argued. “He’s like if an artist checked every box other than having any good verses or songs, and his last album ripped off my whole language.”

Ye has considerably changed his tune when it comes to Tyler, the Creator. Back in 2015, following their “Smuckers” collab, West credited Tyler and Odd Future with putting a “battery in [his] back” to continue pushing the boundaries of hip-hop with projects like Yeezus. “I don’t think there would have been a Yeezus if it wasn’t for you,” he said during a studio session.

Find all of Ye’s tweets below.

24 Apr 2025

Kendrick Lamar Becomes First Musician in Gatorade Commercial & More | Billboard News

Kendrick Lamar makes history as the first musician in a Gatorade commercial, Shaboozey stars in the NBA’s playoff commercial, and celebrities are sharing their playoff predictions. Keep watching for the latest updates of musicians in sports!

What did you think of Kendrick Lamar’s Gatorade commercial? Let us know in the comments below!

Tetris Kelly:

Kendrick Lamar becomes the first musician to star in a Gatorade commercial, Shaboozey makes a cameo in the NBA Playoffs kick-off commercial, and the playoffs have started with all your favorite artists showing up and supporting their teams. Here’s your Billboard News sports roundup. Kendrick Lamar continues to top the charts and make history. The ‘GNX’ rapper becomes the first musician to appear in a Gatorade commercial. Set to his song “Peekaboo,” Kendrick stars in the commercial alongside NBA and WNBA superstars like Jayson Tatum, Luka Dončić, Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson, as well as former Colorado quarterback and NFL prospect Shedeur Sanders. And Kendrick is not the only one starring in sports commercials. Country star Shaboozey also made a cameo in the NBA Playoffs commercial. Set to the tune of Aerosmith’s “Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” the ad features some of the NBA’s biggest stars of the season, such as Jayson Tatum, Nikola Jokić, Donovan Mitchell, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Karl-Anthony Towns. Speaking of the NBA Playoffs, the stars are showing out for their favorite teams. A bevvy of celebs showed up to support the Knicks for Game 2 against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the Knicks were not able to win Game 2 after winning Game 1 on Saturday. On the west side, celebs also showed out to support the Lakers in their second game against the Timberwolves. This time, the Lakers were able to win Game 2 and even out the series.

Keep watching for more!