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Drake is heading back to Australia and New Zealand in early 2025.
On Thursday (Nov. 28), the Canadian superstar revealed the dates for his upcoming The Anita Max Win Tour, which marks first visit to the region since 2017.
The Live Nation-produced tour launches with two nights at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on Feb. 9-10 and wraps with back-to-back shows at Auckland’s Spark Arena on Feb. 28 and March 1. The seven-date tour will also make stops in Sydney and Brisbane. See the full tour itinerary below.
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Tickets will be available for purchase through various presales beginning Tuesday (Dec. 3). The general onsale begins Dec. 6 at 12 p.m. local time.
The Anita Max Win Tour is named after a viral moment from Drake’s December 2023 livestream on Kick, where he introduced a new “alter ego” named Anita Max Win. The name is a playful pun on the gambling phrase “I need a max win,” referring to hitting the maximum payout on a slot machine.
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Drizzy first hinted at the tour on Nov. 24 during a livestream with gaming streamer xQc, saying, “February 9th for anybody that’s watching from Australia, I’m coming back to Australia for the first time in eight years. Coming back to Australia on tour. Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast… February 9 ’til like… March something.”
This marks a major return for Drake’s Australian and New Zealand fans, who last saw him live during the Boy Meets World Tour in 2017. “Funny enough, it’s actually called the Anita Max Wynn Tour,” the Toronto MC said during the xQc livestream.
In August, Drake also announced his forthcoming collaborative album with PARTYNEXTDOOR. PND recently went live on Instagram, sharing exciting news about the joint project. “Guys, I have one more show left on this tour,” PARTYNEXTDOOR told his followers. “Then the album is getting finished. That’s all I gotta say.”
Drake’s tour announcement is especially noteworthy as it coincides with Kendrick Lamar’s highly anticipated Super Bowl Halftime Show performance on Feb. 9 — the same date as the start of Drake’s tour. The two rappers have been at the center of a well-publicized rivalry in 2024, trading shots through diss tracks like Lamar’s “Not Like Us” and Drake’s “Push Ups.” Lamar also recently dropped his surprise album GNX, adding more fuel to the fire.
See Drake’s Anita Max Win Tour dates below.
Feb. 9: Melbourne, Australia (Rod Laver Arena)Feb. 10: Melbourne, Australia (Rod Laver Arena)Feb. 16: Sydney, Australia (Qudos Bank Arena)Feb. 17: Sydney, Australia (Qudos Bank Arena)Feb. 24: Brisbane, Australia (Brisbane Entertainment Centre)Feb. 28: Auckland, New Zealand (Spark Arena)March 1: Auckland, New Zealand (Spark Arena)
Ye has dropped a futuristic music video for “Bomb.”
On Wednesday (Nov. 27), the superstar rapper — formerly known as Kanye West — unveiled on YouTube the post-apocalyptic visual, which features his daughters North and Chicago racing through a barren desert alongside monstrous creatures.
In the surreal clip, North, 11, and Chicago, 6, take the wheel of a Tesla Cybertruck, speeding past furry gremlin-like beasts that evoke the hot rod monster art of Stanley Mouse. Rapper Yuno Miles also makes a cameo, joining the high-speed chase while wearing a black mask.
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North, dressed in an oversized jacket with a furry hood, raps in Japanese, while Chicago, sporting cute buns, chimes in midway with the catchy lines: “I like to have fun/ I like to go to the beach/ I like the sun/ You know it’s Chi/ I only wave when I’m telling them ‘bye.’”
Proud mom Kim Kardashian reposted the video on her Instagram account, writing, “BOMB ft. North West & Chicago West.” Ye and Kardashian are also parents to sons Saint West, 8, and Psalm West, 5.
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“Bomb” is featured on Ye and Ty Dolla $ign’s Vultures 2, which was released in August and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
In September, Ye brought all four of his children on stage for a performance of his shelved Vultures track “Everybody” during a concert at the Wuyuan River Sports Stadium in Haikou, China. Earlier this year, North joined Ye at his Vultures listening event in Paris, where she sang along to the track “Talking” from the album.
Watch Ye’s “Bomb” music video on YouTube below.
TDE founder Top Dawg weighed in on Kendrick Lamar‘s latest album GNX, suggesting rivals might not want to engage with the red-hot rapper. “Dot is a dangerous man right now,” Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith said on his Instagram Story. “Everything I thought he would be at 16 years old is here right now. Everybody stand […]
Many were taken aback when they played Kendrick Lamar‘s surprise album GNX and the first voice they hear is a woman singing in Spanish: “I felt your presence here last night, and we started to cry.” Well, that voice belongs to 49-year-old mariachi singer Deyra Barrera from Tucson, Arizona. Barrera became good friends with Mexican baseball player […]
Three of Nelly’s former St. Lunatics bandmates have now formally dropped out of a lawsuit seeking royalties from the rapper’s breakout album Country Grammar – two months after they said they hadn’t wanted to sue him in the first place.
The lawsuit, which claims the Lunatics contributed to the album but that Nelly cut them out of the credits, was first filed in September by Ali (Ali Jones), Murphy Lee (Tohri Harper), Kyjuan (Robert Kyjuan) and City Spud (Lavell Webb). But Lee, Kyjuan and Spud quickly rebelled — saying they never consented to the lawsuit and demanded that they be removed from the case immediately.
In an updated version filed Friday, the lawyers behind the lawsuit finally did so – meaning the case is now a dispute between Ali and Nelly alone. In a statement to Billboard, Ali’s attorney who filed the case, Precious Felder Gates, said her client would “continue to pursue the unpaid royalties he is entitled to.”
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“Our client, Mr. Jones, is deeply committed to protecting his creative contributions and ensuring rightful compensation for his work,” Felder Gates said. “While others may have chosen to withdraw, his dedication to his artistic legacy and his rights as a creator remains unwavering.”
A group of high school friends from St. Louis, the St. Lunatics rose to prominence in the late 1990s with “Gimme What U Got”, and their debut album Free City — released a year after Country Grammar — was a hit of its own, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
In their Sept. 18 complaint, the bandmates claimed that Nelly had repeatedly “manipulated” them into falsely thinking they’d be paid for their work on the 2000 album, which spent five weeks atop the Billboard 200. But they said he never made good on the promises.
“Every time plaintiffs confronted defendant Haynes [he] would assure them as ‘friends’ he would never prevent them from receiving the financial success they were entitled to,” the lawsuit reads. “Unfortunately, plaintiffs, reasonably believing that their friend and former band member would never steal credit for writing the original compositions, did not initially pursue any legal remedies.”
But in early October, Lee, Kyjuan and Spud joined Nelly on stage for his performance at the American Music Awards – a seemingly strange move for jilted bandmates engaged in active litigation. Days later, it made more sense: They never wanted to sue Nelly.
As Billboard reported at the time, a lawyer representing the trio had privately sent a letter just a week after the case was filed, warning the attorneys behind the case that Lee, Kyjuan and Spud had “informed me that they did not authorize you to include them as plaintiffs.”
“They are hereby demanding you remove their names forthwith,” N. Scott Rosenblum wrote in the Sept. 24 letter, which was obtained by Billboard. “Failure to do so will cause them to explore any and all legal remedies available to them.”
In Friday’s updated lawsuit, the attorneys for Ali did just that, removing Lee, Kyjuan and Spud from the list of plaintiffs. But they also included new substantive allegations as part of their amended complaint.
In one major change, they added HarbourView Equity Partners to the list of defendants, citing Nelly’s $50 million catalog sale to the company last summer. Calling it a “substantial transaction,” Ali’s attorneys suggested that the big deal helped spark the lawsuit.
“At this juncture, it became apparent that, notwithstanding defendant Haynes’ repeated assurances … defendant would not fulfill his longstanding promises to compensate plaintiff,” Ali’s attorneys wrote.
A representative for HarbourView did not immediately return a request for comment on Monday.
Jay-Z was in the house to watch the Washington Commanders face off against the Dallas Cowboys.
The 54-year-old music mogul, whose Roc Nation has a partnership with the NFL, attended Sunday’s (Nov. 24) game at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., alongside Fanatics founder/CEO Michael Rubin.
Ahead of the matchup, Jay-Z — dressed in a sleek black sweater, long gray coat, dark pants and a large beanie — was spotted chatting on the sidelines with Commanders general manager Adam Peters.
Before the Commanders were sold in 2023, Jay was reportedly among several high-profile figures, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and media mogul Byron Allen, who expressed interest in purchasing the team, according to Sports Illustrated. Ultimately, the team was sold to investor Josh Harris for a reported $6.05 billion.
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Jay-Z’s presence at the game left many fans on social media curious about his allegiance. “Jay-Z at a Commanders game is random, but I’m not surprised,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Another posted, “Jay-Z at the Commanders vs Cowboys game… wild. I wonder who he’s rooting for?” That sentiment was echoed by another user, who asked on X, “When did Jay-Z become a Commanders fan???”
Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported that Jay and the NFL are continuing their partnership. At the NFL owners’ meeting in Atlanta on Oct. 15, Commissioner Roger Goodell said, “It’s been a mutually positive relationship, I’m not sure either one of us really spend much time talking about contracts. Jay is happy. Desiree Perez is happy. I’m happy, so we’re all good.”
According to ESPN, Roc Nation’s previous deal with the NFL, valued at $25 million over five years, has included overseeing the Super Bowl Halftime Show and supporting the league’s social justice initiative, Inspire Change, which has awarded $375 million in grants.
The partnership has sparked its share of controversy since its announcement in the summer of 2019. Jay-Z faced backlash for aligning with a league that had been accused of blackballing former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for kneeling during the national anthem in protest of police brutality. More recently, Jay-Z faced criticism from some in the hip-hop community after it was announced that Kendrick Lamar — not Lil Wayne — would headline this year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans.
Under Jay-Z and Roc Nation’s stewardship, the Super Bowl Halftime Show has featured a string of hip-hop centric acts, including Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, The Weeknd, Dr. Dre and friends, Rihanna and Usher. This year’s show, featuring Lamar, is highly anticipated as he aims to cap off a stellar year with a headline performance.
Lil Wayne appears to have some thoughts on Kendrick Lamar‘s new song “wacced out murals.”
On Friday (Nov. 22), Lamar surprised fans with the release of his sixth studio album, GNX. The 12-track project covers a range of intense topics, including Wayne’s frustration over being passed over to headline the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show in his hometown of New Orleans.
“Used to bump Tha Carter III, I held my Rollie chain proud/ Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down,” K. Dot raps on album opener “wacced out murals,” referring to Weezy posting a video about how hurt he was about not being chosen to headline the Super Bowl in his hometown.
Lamar continues on the song, “Won the Super Bowl and Nas the only one congratulate me/ All these n—-s agitated, I’m just glad they showin’ they faces.”
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Wayne, having had some time to digest the lyric, seemingly responded in a post on X (formerly Twitter) early Saturday morning.
“Man wtf I do?!” Weezy began the post. “I just be chillin & dey still kome 4 my head. Let’s not take kindness for weakness. Let this giant sleep. I beg u all. No one really wants destruction,not even me but I shall destroy if disturbed. On me. Love.”
Back in September, Wayne openly admitted that being snubbed for the Super Bowl halftime gig in his own city was deeply painful.
“That hurt. It hurt a lot. You know what I’m talking about. It hurt a whole lot,” he said at the time. “I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown. And for automatically mentally putting myself in that position like somebody told me that was my position. So I blame myself for that. But I thought that was nothing better than that spot and that stage and that platform in my city, so it hurt. It hurt a whole lot.”
In early November, during his Lil WeezyAna Fest in New Orleans, Wayne reiterated the sentiment, telling the crowd, “I told myself I wanted to be on that stage in front of my mom, and I worked my ass off for that position. It was ripped away from me, but this moment right here… they can’t take this away from me.”
See Wayne’s full reaction to Lamar’s “wacced out murals” on X below.
Man wtf I do?! I just be chillin & dey still kome 4 my head. Let’s not take kindness for weakness. Let this giant sleep. I beg u all. No one really wants destruction,not even me but I shall destroy if disturbed. On me. Love— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) November 23, 2024
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Kendrick Lamar put the entirety of the greater Los Angeles area on his back with the track “Not Like Us” which was largely a diss of Drake and a call for West Coast unity. Leading this charge, Kendrick Lamar and a collective of other West Coast Hip-Hop artists are enjoying a resurgence that has put the culture at large on notice.
To best examine how the West has won in 2024, or at least why we believe they’re poised to do so, one only needs to look back to Future and Metro Boomin’s “LIKE THAT” single released in March from the pair’s WE DON’T TRUST YOU project that started the mudslinging between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, reaching a culture-shifting zenith by way of K-Dot’s explosive “Not Like Us” track.
The runaway success of “Not Like Us” remains a case study in timing, impact, and the power of directedness. There is no mystery in Lamar’s verse, no esoteric lines to parse, or prose that goes over the head. It is beyond clear that K-Dot’s Canadian rival was his target and that his relentless attacks dug into Drake’s character and image, with some in Hip-Hop crowning Lamar an absolute winner in their feud.
Adding to the layers, the video for “Not Like Us” was another celebration of greater Los Angeles with YG, Dot’s former boss at TDE Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, Mustard, and DeMar DeRozan showing off regional pride via their appearances. It has come to the point that listening back to the relatively light jabs thrown on “LIKE THAT,” it remains baffling that the beef reached the heights that it did.
All of this has naturally overshadowed other crowning achievements from West Coast artists, and we’ll do our best to examine the year that was.
Groovy Q
Source: Billboard / Getty
ScHoolboy Q also dropped in March with his sixth studio album, Blue Lips, an album that we at Hip-Hop Wired reviewed and enjoyed immensely. To date, no other major Hip-Hop release has taken as many risks sonically as Blue Lips and further cements the legend of ScHoolboy Q as a streetwise but spiritually grounded lyricist. And as much as the production stood out on Blue Lips, the maestro in the middle of the maelstrom was always Q.
Vince Staples Continues Strong Run
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The buoyancy and chaotic energy of Blue Lips is not overtly present on Vince Staples’ sixth album, Dark Times, another example of the Long Beach native’s ability to find a reflective thread in even the starkest details surrounding his upbringing and rise to fame. Dark Times is not an overjoyous album, at least not overall. As the album reveals, Staples consistently presents himself as an artist who isn’t interested in being dissected or even understood. The album is an audio missive of someone who hopes to exist on their terms without the weight of expectations.
T Says He’s The Biggest Out The City Since Kenny
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Tyler, The Creator —no longer just the talented, if foul-mouthed, producer-rapper that fronted the sprawling Odd Future crew — is now a veteran act and eight studio albums deep. His latest, Chromakopia, is an audio hodgepodge of all of Tyler’s sounds from rapping, singing, jazz, rock, you name it, it’s here. Continuing some of his chest-out rapping that appeared on CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST, T acknowledges K-Dot on “Rah Tah Tah,” signaling that the coast is unified. Chromakopia follows a concept that aims at rabid fans, tackles the abortion debate, and bashes the upkeep of fame. Some have crowned the record as the best to release this year.
Soul-O Hoe!
Source: Jason Armond / Getty
Ab-Soul’s sixth studio album, Soul Burger, was seen as a surprise considering the staggered release schedule that TDE typically employs. Dedicated to his good friend Doeburger, who passed away in 2021, Soul Burger finds the “Martin Luther King of Carson” paying homage to his friend and his roots while once again showing why he might be the strongest lyricist to emerge from the Top Dawg Entertainment camp.
New Kung Fu Kenny!
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This brings us to the surprise release on Friday (November 22) of Lamar’s latest album, GNX, a body of work that seems to be a continuation of the sound examined on “Not Like Us” and features the full version of “squabble up,” a track we only heard as a snippet previously. GNX, at least on our first listen, doesn’t stick to a theme or sound and will take some time to take in all the finer points. That said, K-Dot shows off his extraordinary abilities, and the autobiographical “The Heart Pt. 6” is a highlight. And yes, there are shots at Drake, mentions of the Super Bowl, and maybe even a dig at Lil Wayne? You be the judge.
Other standout albums that highlighted the West Coast’s dominance this year include the likes of Jay Worthy and DāM FunK’s funky Magic Hour collaborative album, Tha Dogg Pound’s We All We Got, Larry June’s Doing It For Me, Big-Hit, Hit-Boy, and The Alchemist’s Black & Whites, and JasonMartin (FKA Problem) and DJ Quik’s Chupacabra.
We also got potent bar work from Planet Asia and his Trust The Chain II EP with 38 Spesh on production. TiRon and Ayomari’s The Adventures of TiRon & Ayomari, Thurz’s Yannick Koffi: In Time, and Casual’s Starbuster EP should all be included in this concise roundup.
Regional biases and arguments aside, it will be determined over time if the West Coast can sustain its momentum into 2025. But if 2024 is any indication, the West had a lot more than just something to say. It appears that the entire coast is ready to move together as a cohesive unit, and as the smoke continues to clear, any challenge to the respective thrones will be sufficiently met.
—
Photo: Getty
This article was created in partnership with White Claw®.
White Claw® Sessions Powered by Billboard is a premier event series that celebrates music, creativity, and social connection. On Monday night, this free experience touched down in LA, delivering electrifying performances from some of today’s most exciting acts. Fans were invited to bring themselves and their crew out to enjoy an evening of musical sets from New York rapper FERG, West Coast rapper Larry June, and DJ/producer Zeemuffin.
The evening kicked off with an intimate discussion with FERG, bringing his VIP fans closer to the multihyphenate. FERG gave insights into his storied career, ranging from stories behind his new album DAROLD to his fashion journey, in conversation with Billboard host Tetris Kelly.
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When asked about the legacy he wants to leave behind, FERG enlightened fans: “If I can do anything, it’s to inspire the next generation, or somebody, to want to do better for themselves, you know what I’m saying?” he shared, “And do better for humanity. Figure out your purpose, figure out your ‘why.’ Why are we here? Why are we doing what we do?”
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In addition to the exclusive Q&A, White Claw surprised a select group of superfans, who arrived at Sessions first in line, with a meet and greet and photo op with FERG.
Ferg shares insights into his career and new music at White Claw® Sessions Powered by Billboard in Los Angeles.
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The party continued as doors opened, filling the room with excitement as concert goers grabbed their favorite White Claw® beverages and got ready for a night of fun and music Anticipation was high as the crowd waited for the show to begin, knowing that they would be some of the first to hear songs from FERG’s new album DAROLD live. Zeemuffin warmed up the crowd with today’s biggest hip-hop hits as fans enjoyed drinks, dancing, photos and merchandise to commemorate the night. Larry June followed her set with an energetic performance that got his fellow Californians moving, showing off his dance moves to hits including “Clocked In.”
FERG closed out the night with a set balancing tracks from his new album DAROLD with earlier fan favorites. He opened the set to the explosive new track “Thought I Was Dead,” following it with other star-studded DAROLD selects including “French Tips” featuring Coco Jones and “Demons” with Denzel Curry. Despite the fact that DAROLD had dropped less than two weeks before the event, many fans knew the words and rapped along. “Now last but not least, you know I can’t leave this place without doing this one song that I got,” teased FERG as he approached the end of his set, “What song y’all think I’m finna do?” After the crowd chanted in response, the headliner gave fans one last performance of his biggest song to date: “Plain Jane.”
From can’t-miss shows and fly away festival experiences to partnerships with top charting artists and exclusive fan giveaways, White Claw® is no stranger to the music space. The White Claw® Sessions Powered by Billboard will continue to bring fans closer to the music they love throughout 2024. Don’t miss your opportunity to Grab Life By The Claw: make sure you’re signed up to be notified about all-access gigs, epic drops, everyday thrills, and community vibes. For you and your crew.
See more from White Claw® Sessions Powered by Billboard with FERG, Larry June and Zeemuffin.
DJ/producer Zeemuffin got the celebration started at the White Claw® Sessions Powered by Billboard in Los Angeles.
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White Claw surprised a select group of superfans with a meet and greet and photo op with FERG.
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Larry June performed his biggest hits at White Claw® Sessions Powered by Billboard in Los Angeles.
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Fans enjoyed their favorite White Claw® beverages at White Claw® Sessions Powered by Billboard in Los Angeles.
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FERG shared songs from his new album ‘DAROLD’ onstage at White Claw® Sessions Powered by Billboard in Los Angeles.
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Louisiana-based rapper NBA YoungBoy pleaded guilty Monday to his role in a large-scale prescription drug fraud ring that operated out of his multimillion-dollar home in Utah.
The 25-year-old artist, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, walked into a courtroom in Logan, Utah, with his head hung low as he entered the plea for his part in the alleged scheme, KTVX-TV reported.
Gaulden was originally charged in the Logan District Court with 46 charges related to the alleged crime. On Monday, he pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree felony identity fraud, two counts of third-degree felony forgery, and six counts of misdemeanor unlawful pharmacy conduct. Gaulden entered a “no contest” plea to the remaining charges.
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As part of a plea deal, Gaulden will not serve prison time in Utah. Instead, his four felony charges were reduced to Class A Misdemeanors and he was ordered to pay a $25,000 fine, the television station reported.
District Judge Spencer Walsh agreed to suspend a prison sentence as Gaulden is expected to serve a “substantial” 27 months in federal prison for related charges in a case stemming out of Weber County, Utah. Following his release, Gaulden will then be placed on five years of federal supervised probation.
“This is somewhat of a unique case where there have been multiple jurisdictions involved both in the federal and the state systems,” said state prosecutor Ronnie Keller. “This is just really a smaller cog in the bigger wheel of ultimately seeking justice.”
Gaulden had been living in Utah under house arrest having previously been allegedly involved in a 2019 Miami shooting. His relocation to Utah came as part of a deal in 2021 in which his lawyers argued that “moving to Utah would keep YoungBoy out of trouble.”
During his hearing Monday, Walsh said it was clear that Gaulden was a very talented young man.
“I’ve seen so many times where you have young men and women who have a lot of talent and potential. They can be robbed of that potential when they start to really struggle with their addictions,” Walsh told Gaulden. “I don’t want that for you.”
Walsh continued saying, “I’m sure that in your future, once you’re done with your federal prison time, you can be really successful on federal probation and have a really bright future where you can reach your full potential in every aspect of your life. Best of luck to you, Mr. Gaulden.”