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DJing just got a bit more streamlined, with Apple Music today (March 25) announcing a new feature called DJ With Apple Music. The integration allows DJs to build and mix sets directly from the DSP’s catalog of over 100 million songs.
The technology was made in partnership with DJ software and hardware platforms AlphaTheta, Serato, and inMusic’s Engine DJ, Denon DJ, Numark and RANE DJ. It expands an initial Apple Music integration with Algoriddim’s djay Pro software.
“Apple Music is committed to supporting DJs,” says Stephen Campbell, Apple Music’s global head of dance, electronic & DJ Mixes. “With this latest integration, we’re taking that commitment even further—seamlessly connecting Apple Music with the industry’s leading DJ software and hardware. This innovation brings the full power of Apple Music into the creative workflow, making it easier than ever for DJs to access, play, and discover music in real time.”
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“The integration of djay with Apple Music across mobile, desktop, and spatial devices opens up a world of creative possibilities for both beginners and seasoned pros,” adds Algoriddim CEO Karim Morsy. “With instant access to Apple Music’s catalog of over 100 million songs, DJs can mix anytime, anywhere – transforming the way they discover and play their favorite music. Whether using Automix for a seamless, hands-free experience or crafting their own unique sets with djay’s powerful mixing tools, this integration marks a major milestone in making DJing more accessible than ever.”
With the launch, Apple Music joins the list of DSPs that allow DJing directly from the platform, with Tidal, Deezer, Beatport and Soundcloud all featuring similar technology.
DJ With Apple Music expands the platform’s investment in DJ sets, as last December Apple Music launched Apple Music Club, a live, 24/7 global radio station featuring curated mixes from a wide collection of DJs. Today’s launch also includes a new DJ with Apple Music category page listing, a statement by the company says, “a series of DJ-friendly editorial playlists, along with new curator pages for each DJ software and hardware platform showcasing any mixes or sample playlists that can be used to practice.”
It’s Billboard Women in Music week, so let’s go ahead and give the ladies their flowers. On Saturday (March 29), Emmy winner Laverne Cox will host the 2025 Billboard Women in Music event, honoring aespa, Ángela Aguilar, Erykah Badu, Glorilla, Gracie Abrams, JENNIE, Megan Moroney, Meghan Trainor, Muni Long, Tyla and Doechii. With Badu earning the Icon Award, Big Glo being named this year’s Powerhouse honoree, Muni Long snagging the Rising Star Award and Doechii — who recently bagged her first Hot 100 top 10 hit with “Anxiety” — landing the Woman of the Year title, this year’s event will celebrate the breadth of women running hip-hop and R&B.
Outside of Women in Music, Ye kept the hip-hop world on its toes by dropping a link to his Bully album, Jack Harlow and Doja Cat joined forces for a new bop featuring a cameo-filled music video and Casey Wasserman — the chairman of the 2028 L.A. Olympics organizing committee — teased a possible Kendrick Lamar performance at the forthcoming Games. Oh, and Playboi Carti notched the biggest Billboard 200 debut of his career, as well as 30 concurrent Hot 100 entries, thanks to his culture-dominating Music LP.
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With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from JT’s summer-ready banger to Nettspend and Xaviersobased’s new link-up. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: JT, “Ran Out”
After taking the world by star with City Cinderella and cemeting herself as a solo artist, JT is back with some more heat. “Ran Out,” an infectious, Y2K-nodding banger in the nonchalant, self-assuered spirit on “Okay,” introduces the Miami MC’s new era, complete with an artsy music video starring famed content creator Quenlin Blackwell. Perfectly timed to grow into a summer anthem, “Ran Out” finds JT reviving the irresistible, slightly whiny delivery of the OG City Girl days while building on her penchant for hooks constructed out of flipping the meaning of a word or phrase multiple times. “Had to stay down, bitches ran out/ My card ain’t work, so I ran out/ The time for these niggas done ran out/ I’m still gettin’ money, I ain’t running out,” she spits in the second half of the hook over bass-heavy production from Ben10k, Danes Blood & 254Bodi. — KYLE DENIS
Nettspend feat. Xaviersobased, “Impact”
Brace for “Impact,” a pair of Gen-Z’s burgeoning rap stars have linked up. Virginia meets NYC as Nettspend and Xaviersobased connect for a glimmering track. Nett’s syrupy AutoTune-laced melodies pace “Impact” with a catchy chorus while Xavier fills in the blanks and closes out his verse relaying his “Saks in the mornin’, Neimans in the evening” shopping habits. Rap’s next generation is carving out its own lane, despite the genre’s elder statesmen begrudgingly lending co-signs. — MICHAEL SAPONARA
FLO feat. Chy Cartier, “Get It Till I’m Gone (Remix)“
FLO & Chy Cartier’s “Get It Till I’m Gone (Remix)” is a bold, empowering anthem about reclaiming power after being taken for granted in a relationship. Rather than wallowing in heartbreak, the song flips the script by showcasing confidence and self-worth, with the artists making it clear that they won’t settle for less. The remix adds a fiery intensity, with Chy Cartier’s verse turning up the heat, proving that walking away is the ultimate flex. With its catchy hooks and unapologetic vibe, “Get It Till I’m Gone” serves as both a declaration of independence and a warning to anyone who fails to appreciate the ladies of FLO and Chy Cartier. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON
Droogie Otis feat. Boldy James, “Everything Designer”
Madlib and Your Old Droog are dropping a tape this year, which was news to me until I came across this song. And when you think about it, their styles mesh well together. There’s nothing quite like witty bars over Madlib loops, and MCs like Droog and Boldy have raps like that for days. — ANGEL DIAZ
Jada Kingdom, “G.A.D.”
After spending last year sparring in instantly iconic clashes and ruling fetes with global hits like “What’s Up (Big Buddy),” Jamaican dancehall fusion artist Jada Kingdom is back with a terrific new single ahead of her forthcoming EP. Inspired by local slang that unfairly compares women to drugs, Jada flips the slight on its head, spitting, “Word on the street is girls are drugs/ Dem search fi di tightest buff/ Addicted to the squeeze and clutch/ Wan spend it all pon a serious f–k.” As addictive as she paints women to be, Jada is also primarily concerned with infusing a feminist streak in her reimagning of local slang. “Every gyal man a show me love/ Nah fall fi none, mi put mi feelings up/ Just a girl in a money man’s world/ Mi a have my way, but muss!” she proclaims over the electric guitar-infused Zimi Recrods production. — K.D.
Lil Durk feat. Jhené Aiko, “Can’t Hide It”
Lil Durk tied the knot with India Royale last year, and he opens up about marriage with his Deep Thoughts single. “Can’t Hide It” arrives amid the rapper’s murder-for-hire case as Durk remains behind bars while continuing to flood the streets with music. The raunchy yet romantic track invites Jhené Aiko, who purifies the air and floats above with her celestial vocals while Durk taps into his more melodic side. He even harmonizes alongside the R&B singer turning “Can’t Hide It” into a duet. Look for Smurk’s Deep Thoughts album to be released on Friday (March 28) via Alamo Records. — M.S.
Wolfacejoeyy, “Petty”
Wolfacejoeyy’s “Petty” is a playful yet toxic anthem about turning heartbreak into a competition. Instead of expressing vulnerability, he matches his ex’s energy by flexing his lifestyle, flaunting material success, and even mentioning her best friend. The song captures the ego-driven nature of modern relationships, where social media, status, and revenge take priority over honest emotions. With its smooth, melodic flow and catchy hooks, “Petty” masks frustration with a carefree attitude, making toxicity sound effortlessly cool. — C.C.
Shoreline Mafia, “Back in Bidness”
Shoreline could not have picked a better time to make a comeback as the West Coast is currently in somewhat of a resurgence, thanks largely to Kendrick Lamar and his friends over at TDE. This song and video remind me of when Capone-N-Noreaga came back after War Report with the Reunion album. Shoreline hasn’t dropped an album since 2020’s Mafia Bidness, but this is a perfect lead single to get folks ready for the return. — A.D.
Nija, “32nd Floor”
Three-time Grammy-nominated songwrite Nija is back with a new joint, finally giving us the follow-up to last year’s “Unruly.” When we in the hotel lobby, all of them people ‘round me/ Keep calm, but as soon as we go up, boy you know you got me/ Keep it on the 32nd Floor,” she croons over Eliasodt and Mike Hector’s joint production. The privacy of the penthouse suite is a tired-and-true setting for music’s greatest love escapafes, and Nija doesn’t disappoint with her sultry, guitar-inflected take on the concept ahead of her forthcoming new project, her first since 2022’s Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You. — K.D.
TheARTI$T, “Ghost”
TheARTI$t’s “Ghost” captures the raw, haunting aftermath of a love that burns out too soon. With vivid imagery of California sunsets and moonlit drives, the song turns heartbreak into a ghostly presence that lingers long after the love is gone. The ARTI$t’s confusion and longing are palpable as they reflect on what went wrong, leaving them to navigate an emotional void. “Ghost” perfectly blends nostalgia with the painful reality of being left with nothing but memories. — C.C.
Reign, “Lowjacc”
Brooklyn rapper Reign delivers a formidable, fiery tape with It’s Up Forever — and “Lowjacc” is a standout on a project filled with them. Across Dizzy Banko’s high-octane production, Reign spits an impressive stream-of-consciousness verse that finds him balancing talking a big game with dropping incomparable nuggets of wisdom. “What you think we trap for? Push a f–king RAV4/ Run this town you gotta build a f–king rapport/ Live on a prayer and call up a f–king task force/ You know the vibes, what the f–k you gotta ask for?” he spits. — K.D.
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Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty / 23andMe
23andMe has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, so what the hell does that mean for DNA records? Users are understandably worried.
Spotted on Newsweek, the genetic testing company 23andMe is going through some financial hard times and had to file for bankruptcy on Sunday, and now the future of the company is looking shaky, leaving many wondering what in the world is going to happen to the database of genetic profiles for the over 15 million people who have signed up for the service.
23andMe is best known for shipping at-home DNA testing kits to customers to help them discover their roots or see if they are predisposed to specific health issues.
Despite initial success, with its peak market valuation reaching $5.8 billion in 2021, the company has experienced financial woes, and its value has dropped $50 million.
Per Newsweek:
“Importantly, this step allows us to continue operating our business while we chart the path forward.”
In a statement given to Newsweek, a spokesperson for 23andMe said: “There are no changes to the way the Company stores, manages, or protects customer data.
“Any buyer will be required to comply with applicable law with respect to the treatment of customer data and any transaction will be subject to customary regulatory approvals, including, as applicable, approvals under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.”
Changes At The Top For 23andMe
Plenty of changes have already taken place at the top as part of the bankruptcy. The company’s co-founder and CEO, Anne Wojcicki, has resigned.
Wojcicki has been trying to purchase all outstanding shares that she doesn’t already control after failing multiple times to take the company private. This has resulted in pushback from the company’s board and the resignation of seven independent directors in September 2024.
She is still pursuing this option.
What Can Customers Do?
Understandably, those who have used the service are worried about what’s going to happen with their genetic data. There are steps you can take for some peace of mind.
According to Newsweek, any 23andmMe customer can request any data about them being held removed.
Other steps include:
Go to the “Settings” section of your profile. Scroll to a section labeled “23andMe Data” at the bottom of the page. Download your data: If you want a copy of your genetic data for personal storage, choose the option to download it to your device before proceeding. Scroll to the “Delete Data” section.
You can see reactions to 23andMe filing for bankruptcy below.
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Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
Concertgoers looking to attend shows at Forest Hills Stadium might be out of luck this season, after the New York Police Department has not issued critical permits to the venue citing the breakdown of communication between the venue and area residents. The decision was announced in a letter to the West Side Tennis Club and Tiebreaker Productions, the operator of the stadium and its concert promoter, respectively.
NYPD Inspector William Gallagher wrote that the Forest Hills Gardens Corporation, the private group representing the residents of the community around Forest Hills Stadium, refused to let the NYPD close down streets in the neighborhood.
“The NYPD’s crowd control on these private streets is necessary to ensure public safety and welfare when events are hosted at the Stadium,” Gallagher wrote in the letter, which was sent March 19, stating that “until and unless FHGC grants the NYPD permission” there would be no sound amplification permits issued. When contacted by WNYW Fox5, the West Side Tennis Club said that it had not received communication from police about the issue. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the stadium wrote that it is “moving forward with our 2025 concert schedule as planned and our permitting timeline is on its standard schedule. As happens every season, the vocal NIMBY minority of Forest Hills Gardens are attempting to roadblock yet another enjoyable season of music.”
Forest Hills Stadium has been a treasured part of the Queens neighborhood since its construction in the 1920s, and was once home to the U.S. Open tennis tournament. The 14,000-seat venue has hosted concerts since the 1960s, including the Rock The Bells concert in honor of the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop in 2023. But in recent years residents have complained about the loud music, blocked driveways and unruly crowds making their way to the venue through the streets.
The concert series also has the backing of local vendors and business owners who say that the shows bring in millions of dollars and jobs to the area. “The idea that a handful of individuals can wield this kind of outsized influence to the detriment of an entire neighborhood is both outrageous and unacceptable,” Queens Chamber of Commerce CEO Thomas Grech said in a statement on Monday (March 24). “Forest Hills Stadium has done everything right.”
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Source: TMZ / TMZ
Rapper SKG Is Celebrating Big U’s RICO Arrest
Big U, an alleged Los Angeles Rollin’ 60s Crips gang member and community activist, has been arrested, along with other individuals, on a RICO charge. While 58-year-old Eugene Henley is denying the allegations, others associated with him are celebrating his arrest.
Rapper SKG told TMZ that she was a “victim” of Big U, adding, “He’s a monster.”
Helecia Choyce, known professionally as SKG—which stands for “Suge Knight Girl”—is a former Death Row Records artist. She told the gossip site that Big U was responsible for having her assaulted numerous times. She also claims that he extorted her and regularly threatened other artists who wanted to work with her.
She also expressed sympathy for the family of Rayshawn Williams, the 21-year-old aspiring rapper who federal prosecutors allege Big U murdered in Las Vegas back in 2021.
When asked if she believes that Big U had any involvement in the death of Nipsey Hussle nearly six years ago—she noted that the public is likely to be “shocked” once the details of the allegations against Big U are made public, adding that the elder gang leader was “jealous” of the deceased rapper.
For their part, the feds are not alleging that Big U was involved in Nipsey’s death. The shooter, Eric Holder Jr., is the only person convicted in the 2019 murder and is currently serving 60 years to life.
This is not SKG’s first time speaking out about Big U. In a previous interview with Wack 100, she stated that Big U was involved in Williams’s death. She also added that she and her community will be safer with Big U off the streets.
SKG is best known for her 2022 album, Unfinished Business. The indie release featured appearances by Boosie, Paul Wall, Juvenile, Suga Free, Beenie Man and more. She also appeared in an independent film called F Friendship, and directed a short documentary about being mentored by Afeni Shakur.
As previously reported by HipHopWired, in the 107-page federal complaint, officials say that Henley ran his self-styled enterprise similarly to how the Mafia operates, using his “stature and long-standing association with the Rollin’ 60s and other street gangs to intimidate businesses and individuals” across the city.
Big U has denied the allegations against him and says he has contributed positively to his South Los Angeles community.
For years, singer-songwriter Sierra Hull has checked two bags of music gear for free as part of a longstanding Southwest Airlines policy allowing two free checked bags per passenger. But when the troubled, cost-cutting airline announced March 11 that it would strike the musician-friendly perk, the bluegrass mandolinist was outraged.
“The policies they’ve changed over the last year or so have made it tougher for musicians,” Hull says. “Now there’s going to be an extra several hundred dollars for most bands just to get where they’re going. Festivals are going to have to start paying the bands even more for the band to even say yes — which means they’re going to have to raise the ticket price.”
The Southwest announcement, coming when touring costs are “definitely staggering,” as one top agent puts it — particularly buses, hotels, food and fuel — has frustrated artists prepping for spring and summer tours, especially in Nashville. “We’ve got dozens of people on the crew that utilize that airline regularly. Most people have one to two bags,” says Bill Orner, manager of Billy Strings, who’s scheduled to headline arenas, festivals and amphitheaters this summer — most of them after Southwest’s policy takes effect May 28. “Think of the financial implications on any given tour. I guess they’ve got a reason for it, but [it’s] certainly not ideal.”
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Although Southwest has yet to announce how much the checked bags will cost after May 28, Brian Ross, manager of Thievery Corporation, Blackalicious and others, estimates that a quartet traveling with two crew members will soon have to pay an additional $35 to $40 for each set of two bags, which adds up to $840 to $960 per round-trip flight. “It’s really bad,” he says. “You get diminishing benefits and increasing fees, and everything is getting like that on airlines.”
A-list touring stars won’t notice an additional $800 to $1,000 in costs, and smaller artists generally drive in vans and buses, meaning mid-level artists who play 1,500-to-2,000-seat theaters will be most impacted by Southwest’s policy change. “It’s a big bummer,” says Kevin Spellman, who manages bluegrass singer Molly Tuttle. He calls Southwest the “airline of choice for the musician community, particularly Nashville artists” — until now — and says artists traveling with a crew of 15 people could lose “a couple thousand dollars” from their bottom line. “If you’re doing really well, you’re trying to aim for 25% of the gross [ticket sales] as your profit margin,” he says. “It starts cutting into it tremendously.”
Reps for Southwest declined to comment, pointing to a company statement at a recent financial conference suggesting the change would lead to “significant new revenue initiatives.” The company took in $73 million from bag fees in 2023, according to the Department of Transportation, a crucial revenue source for an airline that laid off 1,750 employees in February. (Southwest will continue to offer two free bags for “A-List Preferred” customers.)
Some airlines see opportunity in Southwest’s change, although it’s too early to say whether they’ll go after the touring-musician community. On Tuesday (March 25), Frontier Airlines announced it would offer free bags for customers who book flights on its website, as well as “economy bundles” that include a free carry-on and other benefits. Kristi Gordon, owner of Fuzed Travel, which helps negotiate airfare, hotel and vehicle costs for touring artists, predicts top airlines such as American and United will pay close attention to Southwest’s revenue in the first two quarters of 2025 and consider promotions geared to lure the airline’s lost musician customers.
Until then, Gordon advises artists to sign up for frequent-flier programs at a particular airline and build up miles for future discounts. And if she could speak to a Southwest exec who authorized the free-bags policy change? “I would just say: ‘You lost an opportunity to have all the entertainment business.’”
Days after Kathryn Frazier lost her Altadena home in January’s Los Angeles wildfires, she returned to survey what was left. “On my property, I had four little sheds and [one] was a healing room. There was a 300-pound citrine crystal in the middle and a Reiki table,” she says. “When I drove up there, the entire street was gone. Everything on my property was gone — except for that healing shed.”
Frazier has worn many music industry hats across her 30-plus year career. In 1996, she founded the publicity firm Biz 3, which has staffers working remotely in several states. Its roster of 200-plus clients, who are primarily in the music business, includes The Weeknd, Lil Yachty, Chappell Roan and Victoria Monét, as well as known figures in film, TV, sports and comedy. In 2011, Frazier co-founded independent label OWSLA with Skrillex and others. And in 2018, she became an International Coaching Federation-designated Professional Certified Coach, enabling her to guide clients on professional and, if they choose, personal matters. She also teaches at the University of California, Los Angeles, is a certified reiki master and authored an upcoming book about co-parenting.
“All of the tools, routines and perspective that I’ve been cultivating for the last 30 years literally felt like I had the world’s biggest, best insurance policy for emotional and mental health when something devastating or tragic happens,” Frazier says, reflecting on the fires. “And it saved me.”
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Frazier used those tools to keep working despite the personal devastation she had suffered. The fires had upended clients’ plans and her expertise was needed to, for example, help deal with the cancellation of The Weeknd’s Los Angeles show and postponement of his sixth album, Hurry Up Tomorrow.
“A lot of times, you have to keep going because it’s your livelihood,” she says. “And of course all my camps were so loving and like, ‘Please take what you need.’ But there was a certain drive in me [to be] of service to others, whether it’s in a philanthropic way or [the way] I’ve dedicated myself to helping [their] art. It does take you out of yourself in a healthy way. It’s like walking on a tightrope, but because of all the years I’ve been doing this, my tightrope is a wider path, almost like a bridge.”
How have you coped these last few months?
I’ve done a lot of surrendering, a lot of acceptance. For the first month, did I [use] all my tools? No, I was waking up every day in fight-or-flight [mode], just trying to emotionally process. Grieve. Get my family set up so we have somewhere to live. You’re really, truly kind of starting over. And then also taking care of business. The day I woke up from the fires, I had the launch of The Weeknd’s album campaign with a magazine cover. And I just didn’t stop. It was a really big test of how I operate or show up when shit hits the fan. And all the tools absolutely served me.
Why did coaching feel like a necessary next step in your career?
I was becoming very disenchanted with the industry and felt really empty. Then I started to see a lot of people suffer — and not even people I work with. A lot of addiction, a lot of mental health stuff, a lot of just being worn. Resentment, anxiety, depression, all of it. I had a bigger calling, and why not be able to help people [spread their] art? Whether it’s me doing their press or marketing or getting someone into a better headspace. That’s why labels and managers want me to see their artists. And I always encourage people to have [their artists] see me when they’re just beginning so that they don’t go off the rails. Versus bringing me someone who’s totally at the bottom and struggling and now has to cancel a hundred-date tour or something. It’s preventative medicine.
How big is your coaching client list?
I have a waitlist that I operate from. But because my coaching clients travel so much, I can always get people on the list. I coach a lot of large artists. I coach [senior] executives. And I also coach people who have nothing to do with any of that. The one thing I find is it doesn’t matter who they are or what their position is in life. The inner self-talk tends to be the same. The obstacles tend to be the same.
Since you’ve started coaching, have you seen a shift in how the music industry supports the wellbeing and mental health of its artists and executives?
I still constantly hear of people or see people being pushed and propped up, and I don’t think the music industry is negligent. It’s more that people don’t know where to go or they don’t have the resources. They don’t know what to do with a drug-addicted client. Like, “Who do I call? Do you know any sober coaches?” Often, it’s not knowing how to have the hard conversations when you see someone struggling. Many times over the years, I have gone up to artists — and again, a lot of them are not people I rep — when I can tell they’re struggling, in particular with addiction, or when I hear that they’re canceling a lot of tours and shows, I’ll be like, “Sweetie, tell me what’s happening. I can see you’re struggling.” And almost every time, they literally fall into my arms. They want to talk. They want help.
How are you working to broaden a community that can help?
It’s what I’m teaching. My course at UCLA is about the music industry, and it has become really popular. The kids call it “the manifestation class.” It’s half “What do you need to do to move forward in music?” Almost all of them are musicians, as well as people who want to be in the industry working. It’s also [half] “How do you navigate your own inner voice?” The negative self-talk, the imposter syndrome, the scarcity mindset, the indecision, compare-and-despair. And then, “How do you navigate and handle the outer voice?” The media voice, the public voice.
Your partner Dana Meyerson represents Chappell Roan. How did you feel about Chappell’s Grammys speech regarding the industry supporting artists’ mental and physical health?
I got tears in my eyes immediately and I had a resounding “Fuck yes” come through me. Because we do need to take care of the people who are actually creating the business of this entire business. And I so applaud anyone with a platform using it in service of helping other humans, especially with their mental and emotional health. It made me very proud that [Chappell is] a part of Biz 3. It made me so proud that I have a business partner in Dana that can recognize amazing talent and also have artists that say something on our roster. Dana has truly done the come-up in this industry and now is the reigning queen of PR, in my opinion. She finds the best, most amazing artists and builds them up to massive success.
Have you thought about helping other music companies establish career and wellness coaching?
That would be my dream. The main thing that would require is a budget. If even the smallest amount of earnings could go into hiring a couple of [personal and professional] coaches that could help your staff and your artists for 45 to 50 minutes every other week, you would have such a different company culture. When I quote unquote retire, it’ll just mean I’m fully coaching, writing books and teaching. And maybe that’s me trying to spearhead coaching divisions at companies.
How has the role of a publicist expanded over the years?
All the big press stuff is still there, but there’s also a lot of paid media. That’s been the most disheartening part for me. I’m afraid for it to go too far because then we stop having editorial, we stop having curatorial voices, we stop having people who are truly discovering what is amazing out there versus what got paid for. So I’m really hoping that doesn’t usurp the true editorial and curatorial.
We’re also seeing an uptick in influencer-based media. How does that affect your approach to publicity?
It changed the scope. There are more conversations with YouTubers that review or do music or certain shows [on] TikTok. I am 1,000% a glass-half-full person — I’m a recovered cynic. I’m like, “All right, what new opportunities are there for us?” There might be some magazines shuttering, but what other interesting way can you get good art out to the masses? Like, I’m not going down with the ship. Let’s keep it moving.
Maren Morris has announced the release date for her anticipated fourth studio album, Dreamsicle. The 14-track LP is slated to drop on May 9, with the first single, “Carry Me Through,” slated for release on Thursday morning (March 27). Morris has been doing a slow reveal of the new album on her newly wiped Instagram […]
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Source: Prince Williams/WireImage / Prince Williams/Wireimage
Sexyy Red recently made headlines after claiming she is the “most hated female rapper” in the game.
During an interview on Big Boy’s Neighborhood, the St. Louis rapper was asked if she noticed the negativity directed at her. “Your personality is contagious, but do you see the hate too?” Big Boy asked. Sexyy Red responded by acknowledging that while she receives plenty of love, the criticism against her is growing. “I feel like the hate is getting bigger. I feel like I’m the most hated female rapper, they hate on me the most,” she said.
Despite the criticism, Sexyy Red continues to rise in the rap industry with her unfiltered lyrics, catchy beats, and unapologetic personality. She first gained a bunch of clout online with her viral hit “Pound Town” in 2023, followed by her debut mixtape “Hood Hottest Princess”, which featured tracks like “SkeeYee” and “Hellcats SRT’s.” Sexyy’s energetic style and raw delivery have earned her both a loyal fanbase and industry co-signs from artists like Nicki Minaj and Drake.
Sexyy Red has also stayed consistent with new music. She recently dropped several singles and collaborations, solidifying her presence in the industry. With her bold persona and ability to create viral hits, she continues to push forward despite the hate. Whether people love or criticize her, one thing is clear, Sexyy Red is making a lasting impact in the rap game.
Check out the full interview with Sexyy Red at Big Boy’s Neighborhood below:
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Earlier this month, former En Vogue singer Dawn Robinson revealed that she’d be living out of her car for the past three years and while many assumed that she was going through hard times and was unhoused, she says that’s not the case at all.
According to People, Robinson is responding to her fans who worried that the “Hold On” singer was down and out and assuring them that she’s actually fine and is choosing to live life out on the road as a personal journey in growth. In a personal statement to People, Robinson cleared up her current situation saying, “I want to make it clear: I am not homeless. I am temporarily choosing car life as part of my journey of healing and self-discovery.”
While it’s hard for some to comprehend that sometimes people will choose to disconnect with what’s familiar in order to find some balance in their own personal lives (especially when the person is a celebrity), the 58-year-old artist is taking the time to explain herself and also warned people to look out for scammers as some people are looking to exploit her situation for their own financial gain.
Per People:
“I took a risk and jumped headfirst into this lifestyle, and WOW, what a crazy, fun, sometimes scary ride it’s been,” continued Robinson’s statement. “For me, failure is NOT an option. Being vulnerable sucks, but here I GROW. This is about embracing freedom, trusting the process, and finding strength in the unexpected.”
The “Free Your Mind” singer also issued a warning to fans looking to support her. “I’ve been made aware that some individuals may be requesting funds on my behalf through platforms like Cash App, GoFundMe or other means,” she said. “I want to be clear: I have not authorized any fundraising campaigns, and I do not want anyone—especially my loyal fans—to be scammed or taken advantage of.”
As for the outpouring of support and genuine worry that many people expressed when she first announced her situation, Ms. Robinson said if she wanted to she could get herself an apartment, but would rather live life on the road for the time being saying she’s “proud of what I’ve accomplished out here.”
Well, we’re just glad that Ms. Robinson isn’t unhoused, technically, and we totally support whatever steps she feels she needs to take to get the clarity she’s currently searching for.
What do y’all think about Dawn Robinson’s choice to live on the move? Let us know in the comments section below.