State Champ Radio Hip-Hop
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Lil Yachty took viewers on a trip during Saturday Night Live on April 1.
For his musical guest debut on the iconic sketch comedy show, the 25-year-old rapper — who appeared on Billboard‘s cover in March — performed a pair of tracks from his mind-bending psychedelic album, Let’s Start Here., which dropped earlier this year.
Yachty transformed the Studio 8H into a swamp-like atmosphere for his performances of “the BLACK seminole.” and “drive ME crazy!” The moody nighttime performances featured backing by singer-songwriter Diana Gordon and a full band.
Abbott Elementary creator Quinta Brunson served as host during the April 1 episode of SNL.
Let’s Start Here., Yachty’s foray into the rock world, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Rock & Alternative Albums, Top Rock Albums and Top Alternative Albums in early February. The set peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200.
“I did what I really wanted to do, which was create a body of work that reflected me,” Yachty told Billboard of Let’s Start Here. “My idea was for this album to be a journey: Press play and fall into a void.”
Watch Lil Yachty’s SNL performances below. For those without cable, the broadcast streams on Peacock, which you can sign up for at the link here. Having a Peacock account also gives fans access to previous SNL episodes.
A restaurant with ties to rapper Yo Gotti was the scene of a shooting on Wednesday that left two people dead and five injured in Memphis, Tennessee. According to WREG, the shooting took place after just after closing time at Prive, the soul food restaurant the hometown MC (born Mario Mims), 41, bought for his mother, Geraldine, who is the establishment’s manager and chef.
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When police arrived on scene that found two male victims, one of whom was pronounced dead and the other who was taken to a local hospital, where he later died. WREG reported that the five additional shooting victims — four as-yet-unnamed males (ages 37, 35, 31 and 30) and one female (25) — were all transported to hospitals in private vehicles after the shooting that police said was sparked by an altercation inside the restaurant.
At press time it did not appear that Gotti had responded to the shooting on his social feeds and a spokesperson for the rapper had not returned Billboard‘s request for comment; a spokesperson for the Memphis Police Department had also not returned a request for comment, or information about any arrests in the incident, at press time.
The station spoke to the owner’s lawyer, Arthur Horne, who said they were devastated by the shooting. “On behalf of Prive, they’ve been in business for ten years, and nothing like this has ever happened at their establishment.” Horne said, contrary to the police statement, the altercation took place outside the restaurant.
“It happened out in the parking lot, and it ended up in a shootout,” he said. “Nothing happened inside the restaurant. Despite any conflicting reports, they were closing, and this happened at the end of the evening in the parking lot.”
Lil Yachty has some very bad news for Saturday Night Live cast member Sarah Sherman in one of the promos for this weekend’s show. “Oh my God!,” a nervous Sherman yelps after this week’s host, Abbott Elementary star/producer/writer Quinta Brunson, introduces herself.
“What?” a surprised Brunson asks.
“I just realized, I haven’t paid my taxes,” Sherman frets about not filling out her forms before tax day descends in two weeks. “Oh, that’s okay. You still have a couple weeks,” Brunson assures the sketch player.
“No, I just realized I haven’t paid my taxes… ever,” Sherman squeaks.
After standing silently through two bits, a shades-wearing Yachty laughs and says, “Damn, you are going to jail.”
Sherman is equally sweaty in the first promo, where Brunson tries to talk the comedian off her hyperventilating edge by revealing that it’s Sarah’s first promo shoot and asking her if she’s okay. “Yeah, sorry, I’ve never done this before,” Sherman sheepishly apologizes as Brunson says she can tell.
“Hi, I’m Quinta Brunson and I will be hosting…,” Sherman stammers with eyes wide open. “Oh, no, see that’s my line,” Quinta explains as she and Yachty comfort the clearly shook SNLer. The third bit, of course, leans into a school/detention joke.
Earlier this week it was revealed that SNL will roar back this month with hree back-to-back shows, including an April 8 episode with SNL three-timers the Jonas Brothers performing alongside former cast member Molly Shannon (A Good Person) in her second hosting gig.
On April 15, Karol G will take the 8H stage for the first time with Oscar nominee Ana de Armas (Ghosted), who will also make her SNL debut that night. Saturday Night Live airs live on NBC at 11:30 p.m. ET and streams live on Peacock at the same time.
Check out this week’s SNL promo below.
Three men were arrested on Thursday (March 30) and booking into the Palm Beach County jail in connection with an assault on rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine earlier this month. According to the Associated Press, Rafael Medina Jr., 43; Octavious Medina, 23; and Anthony Maldonado, 25, were arrested on robbery and assault charges in connection with their alleged attack on the rapper on March 21 at an LA Fitness in Lake Worth, Florida.
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The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said the men were jailed on Thursday night after they allegedly beat the 26-year-old “TROLLZ” rapper (born Daniel Hernandez) in an incident caught in a cellphone video. In the clip, two of the men are seen descending on Hernandez, who is laying on the floor of the gym’s sauna area trying to defend himself as one of the men repeatedly kicks him.
Lawyer Lance Lazzaro told a Florida TV station that Hernandez suffered cuts to his face and bruises in the incident and was hospitalized. “Employees heard the disturbance and the perpetrators fled,” Lazzaro said. “Police in South Florida were called and he [Hernandez] was transported via ambulance to a local hospital.”
Lazzaro told TMZ several men began attacking Hernandez — who did not have any security with him — without warning, with police and EMS responding to the scene before transporting the rapper to an undisclosed hospital.
The site posted pictures of Hernandez’s swollen, bloodied face and reported that he also suffered injuries to his back, ribs and jaw. At press time Lazarro could not be reached for comment on the incident. In the video, a bald man can be heard saying, “take a picture, I’m gonna be famous now,” as he grabs Hernandez by the hair while another man kicks him.
The mother of Flo Rida‘s six-year-old son has filed a lawsuit against the owners of a rental property after Zohar P. Dillard was seriously injured in a March 4 fall from a fifth-floor window of her New Jersey apartment building.
According to People, Dillard’s mother, Alexis Adams, is named as a plaintiff in the negligence suit — along with her special needs son — in documents submitted to the Superior Court of New Jersey on Monday (March 27) against Pitch Perfect 74, LLC, Goldberg Management and others. The legal action came after the child was reportedly seriously injured in a fall in which he landed on a patch of concrete below the window; a spokesperson for Goldberg had not returned Billboard‘s request for comment on the suit at press time.
A spokesperson for Flo Rida (born Tramar Lacel Dillard) did not return Billboard‘s request for comment at press time; the rapper is reportedly not a party to the lawsuit.
According to a copy of the lawsuit obtained by New Jersey’s Daily Voice, Zohar suffered a shattered pelvis, left metatarsal fractures, a grade 3 liver laceration, internal bleeding and collapsed lungs in the incident and he remained in the ICU as of Wednesday (March 29). “As a single mom to a special needs child, this feels like a nightmare,” Adams told the Voice. “My heart is broken into a million pieces. It is devastating to see my child go through such pain and trauma knowing that this could’ve been avoided.”
Adams’ attorney, Steven P. Haddad, demanded a jury trial and claims the building’s managers are at fault for maintaining the building in a “negligent, careless and reckless manner creating foreseeable and dangerous conditions,” according to People. The suit claims that management installed “incorrect sized guards” on the windows on the fifth-floor apartment, “thereby breaching their duty of care.” At press time Haddad had not returned Billboard‘s request for comment on the filing.
The suit is seeking an undisclosed amount of damages for Dillard’s current and future medical bills, legal feels and any ongoing and future medical and mental pain and suffering.
Metro Boomin has been creeping back into the studio just months after dropping his third Billboard 200-topping album Heroes & Villains in December. And it looks like he’s already cooking up another project with none other than J.I.D, which a rep from the rapper’s team confirmed to Billboard on Wednesday (March 29).
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The superproducer took to Twitter on Tuesday to share some pics of the new dynamic duo from the studio with the caption, “Got a lot of new music coming but when me and @JIDsv drop,” followed by a string of fire emojis. The “151 Rum” rapper commented, “I love working with u brudda, it’s an honor,” to which Metro replied, “Honor is mine family,” with a handshake emoji.
Honor is mine family 🤝🏾— Metro Boomin (@MetroBoomin) March 28, 2023
Metro later wrote “Yessir!!” in response to the Debating Hip-Hop Twitter account, announcing, “we’re really getting a @JIDsv x @MetroBoomin album.”
He might’ve hinted at the album earlier in the year when he sat down with Streetz Is Watchin Radio and told DJ Drama about a collab project that he was releasing this year. “I’mma just say when this drop, honestly, it’ll be like one of the biggest things of this generation,” the producer said. “And you know I be chilling, I don’t like to just jump out and say that, but I can confidently say that.”
In his Flaunt cover story, Metro confirmed a collab album with Future is also on the way, affirming, “I would bet on it. I would definitely bet on it.” Metro is clearly no stranger to collab albums, having worked on Without Warning alongside 21 Savage and Offset in 2017, Double or Nothing with Big Sean the same year, and Savage Mode II with 21 Savage (with special narrative assistance from Morgan Freeman) in 2020.
In honor of HipHop50, ESSENCE Fest looks to have a splashy return this year in New Orleans, with Ms. Lauryn Hill and Megan Thee Stallion headlining this year’s festivities, Billboard can exclusively report.
On June 29-July 3, ESSENCE Fest will be a rap-centric event, with Hill performing her landmark 1998 solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The five-time Grammy Award-Winning femcee will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of her game-changing debut effort. As for Megan Thee Stallion, the slot marks another major headlining performance, as she will embark on her first concert this year at March Madness Music Festival in Houston this Friday (March 31). Megan will also take her talents to the West Coast later this year as she’ll co-headline L.A.’s Pride in the Park.
The 2023 ESSENCE Fest will also feature sets from Wizkid, Monica, Coco Jones, and Kizz Daniel for their Festival of Culture stage. There will also be a special performance curation by Doug E. Fresh while DJ Spinderella, DJ Kid Capri, and DJ Clark Kent will hit the turntables during the weekend’s festivities. Another noteworthy milestone that will be marked over the weekend is the 30th anniversary of So So Def, which will be spotlighted in a performance from label owner Jermaine Dupri and Friends.
Music lovers can also enjoy some laughs in the evenings, with Deon Cole, Affion Crockett, Spice Adams and Janelle James hosting nightly activations.
“For nearly three decades, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture has been an international and joyful gathering that empowers community throughout the global Black diaspora,” says newly-appointed Vice President of ESSENCE Festival of Culture, Hakeem Holmes. “As the nation’s largest festival by per day attendance, it continues to be a crown jewel of Black culture and plays a pivotal role in the amplification and celebration of the contributions of the Black community through business, music, and more. As we gear up to celebrate the ’50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop’, we couldn’t think of a better way to honor the contributions that genre has made on global culture and the impressions that these artists and their deep musical catalogs, which we all know so well, have been ingrained into the fibers of our day to day lives. This year, we are excited to have everyone join us in celebrating 50 years of musical excellence, experiencing our diverse daytime and nighttime offerings, and in highlighting the importance of Black economic inclusion.”
More acts will be added to the lineup soon.
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PUMA is one of the most respected athletic brands in the game and has a deep connection to Hip-Hop culture, and an ongoing collaboration with celebrated designer Rhuigi Villaseñor adds to that legacy. The two unveiled the third part of their capsule collection that honors the birthplace of Hip-Hop and its massive global influence on culture overall.
As Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary looms just ahead, PUMA and Rhuigi Villaseñor’s latest drop takes us back to the 1970s and the early days of Hip-Hop by honoring the b-boys, b-girls, and the city that never sleeps.
The collection boasts the T7 Track Top and Track Pants, both stylish and functional for those ready to hit the floor and show off some moves as only the best breakers can. Along with the top and pants are an array of graphic t-shirts and a customary bucket hat. Completing the set is the Suede BBOY, which brings everything in the capsule drop together in the best of ways.
For the campaign drop, New York’s W.A.F.F.L.E. dance crew modeled the designs, as seen in the images below. Pieces range from $40 to $185 and the capsule will officially drop on April 1 at PUMA.com, PUMA’s mobile app, PUMA NYC’s flagship store, and retail locations around the globe.
To keep up with all things PUMA, click here.
To keep up with Rhuigi Villaseñor, click here.
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Photo: PUMA
It’s been 10 years since Ariana Grande dropped “The Way,” the debut single from her first studio album, 2013’s Yours Truly. The song, featuring the singer’s then-boyfriend, late rapper Mac Miller, peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in April of that year.
After a fan account noted the anniversary of the song’s release on Sunday, along with a clip from the flirty video for the song and the message, “can’t believe it’s been a whole DECADE (and more) in this road together 🫶 how are u guys celebrating today?,” Grande responded “I love you.” The singer then reposted the video on her Insta Story with the same loving caption.
Grande and Miller reportedly began getting friendly in mid-2013 after “The Way” blew up and teamed up again for the remix of her song “Into You,” before going public as a couple at the 2016 MTV VMAs. The singer announced that they’d broken up in May 2018, just four months before Miller was found dead at age 26 of an accidental overdose of fentanyl, cocaine and alcohol.
On Monday, Grande previewed her next act via a sneak peek at the eagerly anticipated Wicked movie musical. The preview included behind-the-scenes pics from the set in which she elegantly posed with co-star Cynthia Erivo with the caption “up to (no) good,” followed by bubbles and a broom emoji.
While director Jon M. Chu has kept things tightly under wraps during the shoot, an excited Jeff Goldblum spilled some secrets last week on Jimmy Kimmel Live! when he confirmed that he had joined the cast of the film. “I was just on the set of Wicked. I’m not supposed to talk about that. But it’s been out and about,” Goldblum said with a wicked grin.
It’s still not confirmed what role Goldblum will play, but he had nothing but praise for his co-stars, adding, “you should see our witches, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, very good.” The film based on Gregory Maguire’s novel and the hit Broadway musical adaptation, will also feature Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, as well as Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Bowen Yang, Adam James, Keala Settle and Bronwyn James.
Check out “The Way” video and the fan post below.
Lil Nas X came to “Carpool Karaoke” to play. On Monday night’s (March 27) Late Late Show, the rapper hopped into the passenger seat with James Corden and hit all the musical high notes of his career, of course, while also realizing his soap opera dreams, spilling about celebrity dating apps and proclaiming himself a “woman of God.”
Rocking a powder blue gauzy top with a large silver cross on it, Lil Nas explained that it’s all about connection, leading Corden in a recitation of the mantra “I… am… a woman of God.” But when James said it was all very Mary Magdalene, turns out Nas skipped that part of the good book and, like, wasn’t familiar.
Regardless, the two easy segued into the MC’s 2019 breakthrough hit, “Old Town Road,” moseying down the road to the song’s languid beat before Corden surprised the former first chair trumpet player with a shiny horn. “I’m not really sure how to play this that well anymore,” Lil Nas stammered as Corden pulled out a matching instrument and they ripped some scales together.
“This sounds incredible,” Lil Nas bragged. “When I came up with this I thought, ‘oh this will be hilarious because we’ll be so bad,’” Corden admitted. “But now I’m here and it’s just two women of God playing the trumpet,” he said to Nas X’s delight. They then busted out a pretty credible horn intro to “Industry Baby,” before running through the 2021 hit that featured Jack Harlow.
Lil Nas also talked about how he dates these days, confessing that he has used celebrity dating app Raya, but now tries to find his partners in the real world. “I’ve met quite a few famous guys,” he said, without naming names, prompting Corden to ask if any of them had done “Carpool” in the past. “For sure,” Nas X said to Corden’s glee. But even as Lil Nas seemed determined to keep his dating life private, Corden kept poking around trying to suss out who it could be.
The new best friends bounced through “That’s What I Want” before Corden sprung a big surprise on budding actor Lil Nas by taking him to the set of the daytime soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful, where they played a pair of busboys in an emotional restaurant scene. Annoyed that he didn’t get any lines — to Lil Nas’ nine — Corden complained bitterly as the rapper tried, and failed, to deliver his dialogue without cracking up.
His SAG car punched, Nas X slipped back in the car for a final performance, going out on “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name).”
Check out video of Lil Nas X’s “Carpool Karaoke” trip below.
