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The 2024 Billboards Music Awards took place this week and honored music’s finest. Drake and Shaboozey won three categories each.
As spotted on Billboard, this year’s festivities went off without a hitch. Hosted by comedian Michelle Buteau, the event featured performances from some of the most beloved musicians throughout several genres. The likes of Cold Play, Jelly Roll, Tyla, Fuerza Regida and Linkin Park took the stage and performed memorable sets of their new and classic material. The night was filled with multiple big moments for the culture. Drake won three times for “Top Rap Artist,” “Top Male Artist” and “Top Rap Album” for his latest solo effort For All The Dogs. Newcomer Shaboozey did numbers as well by taking home the “Top Song Sales Artist,” “Top Selling Artist” and the “Top Country Song” awards.
The star of the night without a doubt was Taylor Swift. She took home 10 BBMA’s, which set a record for the most-awarded artist in one evening. The “Cruel Summer” performer swept all of the major nominations including “Top Artist”, “Top Female Artist”, “Top Billboard 200 Artist”, “Top Hot 100 Artist” and “Top Hot 100 Songwriter.” Her big night should not come to anyone as a surprise given the immense success from her latest full length effort The Tortured Poets Department. The album broke several commercial records with regards to streaming, vinyl sales and more. Additionally, The Eras Tour became the highest grossing tour of all time.
Other notable winners from The Billboard Music Awards include SZA clinching the “Top R&B Artist” spot and her label mate Kendrick Lamar landing the “Top Rap Song” for “Not Like Us.”
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Source: Astrida Valigorsky / Getty
The 2024 Billboards Music Awards took place this week and honored music’s finest. Drake and Shaboozey won three categories each.
As spotted on Billboard, this year’s festivities went off without a hitch. Hosted by comedian Michelle Buteau, the event featured performances from some of the most beloved musicians throughout several genres. The likes of Cold Play, Jelly Roll, Tyla, Fuerza Regida and Linkin Park took the stage and performed memorable sets of their new and classic material. The night was filled with multiple big moments for the culture. Drake won three times for “Top Rap Artist,” “Top Male Artist” and “Top Rap Album” for his latest solo effort For All The Dogs. Newcomer Shaboozey did numbers as well by taking home the “Top Song Sales Artist,” “Top Selling Artist” and the “Top Country Song” awards.
The star of the night without a doubt was Taylor Swift. She took home 10 BBMA’s, which set a record for the most-awarded artist in one evening. The “Cruel Summer” performer swept all of the major nominations including “Top Artist”, “Top Female Artist”, “Top Billboard 200 Artist”, “Top Hot 100 Artist” and “Top Hot 100 Songwriter.” Her big night should not come to anyone as a surprise given the immense success from her latest full length effort The Tortured Poets Department. The album broke several commercial records with regards to streaming, vinyl sales and more. Additionally, The Eras Tour became the highest grossing tour of all time.
Other notable winners from The Billboard Music Awards include SZA clinching the “Top R&B Artist” spot and her label mate Kendrick Lamar landing the “Top Rap Song” for “Not Like Us.”
A federal judge says Sean “Diddy” Combs can’t prove that prosecutors leaked the infamous 2016 surveillance video of him assaulting his former girlfriend Cassie – and is refusing to launch an investigation into his claims that the government is waging a “campaign” of such leaks.
In an order issued Monday, Judge Arun Subramanian denied Combs’ request for discovery and an evidentiary hearing into those allegations. Combs had argued that prosecutors were using media coverage to “taint the jury pool” and deprive him of a fair trial.
Most notably, the judge said that Combs had failed to show that government agents leaked the Cassie video, saying the accused mogul “doesn’t point to any sound basis for this conclusion.”
“Combs never considers the possibility that many people beyond Victim-1 and government agents likely had access to the video, including Combs’s team (who paid security officers at the Intercontinental Hotel “$100,000 in cash to destroy” the video) and hotel employees and contractors,” the judge wrote.
Though he denied the request from Combs’ legal team, the judge also reiterated previous warnings to prosecutors to closely safeguard grand jury materials and avoid sharing other improper information with the press.
“The court is sensitive to Combs’s concern about the publication of stories claiming to disclose inside information about this case from unnamed ‘federal law enforcement sources who are involved in the investigation,’” the judge wrote.
“The court has already taken steps in this regard, and it is open to tailored applications for relief as this case continues,” the judge added. “The court once again reminds the government and its agents that if specific information comes to light showing that they leaked prohibited information, action will be taken.”
Combs was indicted in September, charged with running a sprawling criminal operation aimed at satisfying his need for “sexual gratification.” The case centers on elaborate “freak off” parties in which Combs and others would allegedly ply victims with drugs and then coerce them into having sex, as well as on alleged acts of violence to keep victims silent.
A trial is currently set to start on May 5. If convicted on all of the charges, Combs faces a potential life prison sentence.
The star’s legal team has spent months seeking to have him released on bail until the start of the trial. But after multiple failed attempts, his attorneys on Friday dropped their appeal of the bail issue, meaning the hip-hop mogul will remain behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn until the trial kicks off.
In October, Combs’ attorneys warned the judge that there had been “a series of unlawful government leaks” in the case, leading to “damaging, highly prejudicial pre-trial publicity that can only taint the jury pool and deprive Mr. Combs of his right to a fair trial.”
The filing called the Cassie video – a clip that made headlines when CNN first aired in May — the “most egregious example” of such leaks, arguing it had been done in order to “mortally wound the reputation and the prospect of Sean Combs successfully defending himself.”
“Rather than using the videotape as trial evidence, alongside other evidence that gives it context and meaning, the agents misused it in the most prejudicial and damaging way possible,” Diddy’s lawyers wrote at the time. “The government knew what it had: a frankly deplorable video recording of Sean Combs in a towel hitting, kicking and dragging a woman in full view of a camera in the hallway of the hotel.”
In a response weeks later, the government sharply denied those claims – and accused Combs’ lawyers of using such allegations as a ploy to “suppress a damning piece of evidence.”
“Without any factual basis, the leak motion seeks to suppress highly probative evidence … by claiming that it was grand jury material leaked by government agents,” prosecutors write. “But, as the defendant is fully aware, the video was not in the Government’s possession at the time of CNN’s publication and the Government has never, at any point, obtained the video through grand jury process.”
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Jay-Z has responded to a Jane Doe who accused him and Sean “Diddy” Combs of raping her when she was 13 in 2000, this after the woman gave an exclusive interview acknowledging inconsistencies in her story. The woman contends that the assault did take place but said she made “mistakes” in delivering her account of the incident which prompted Jay-Z’s response.
NBC News exclusively spoke with Jane Doe, who now resides in Alabama, who retold her story regarding what she referred to as the “catastrophic event” that took place 24 years ago. Doe told the network that she “made some mistakes” and her attorney, Tony Buzbee, is attempting to vet her account via his resources.
Of note, Doe claimed that her father picked up up after the alleged assault that occurred after the 2000 MTV VMAs but the woman’s father says he has no recollection of doing so. The woman also said she spoke to a celebrity at the afterparty where the alleged assault took place but the celebrity revealed he was not in New York during the VMAs. Further, photos came forth showing Jay-Z and Diddy at a location that differed from the woman Doe detailed in her initial claim.|
In a statement from Jay-Z, the Brooklyn rapper and businessman continued his vocal critique of Buzbee, who he is accusing of treating the claim and lawsuit as a money grab.
“Today’s investigative report proves this ‘attorney’ Buzbee filed a false complaint against me in the pursuit of money and fame. This incident didn’t happen and yet he filed it in court and doubled down in the press. True justice is coming. We fight FROM victory, not FOR victory. This was over before it began. This 1-800 lawyer doesn’t realize it yet, but, soon,” the statement read.
Jay-Z’s attorney Alex Spiro added, “It is stunning that a lawyer would not only file such a serious complaint without proper vetting, but would make things worse by further peddling this false story in the press. We are asking the Court to dismiss this frivolous case today, and will take up the matter of additional discipline for Mr. Buzbee and all the lawyers that filed the complaint.”
Buzbee claims that Jane Doe’s case was a referral from another firm outside his own and said that Doe’s statements were vetted, according to an email he sent to NBC News.
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Photo: Getty
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Source: Alex Livesey – Danehouse / Getty
Jay-Z has responded to a Jane Doe who accused him and Sean “Diddy” Combs of raping her when she was 13 in 2000, this after the woman gave an exclusive interview acknowledging inconsistencies in her story. The woman contends that the assault did take place but said she made “mistakes” in delivering her account of the incident which prompted Jay-Z’s response.
NBC News exclusively spoke with Jane Doe, who now resides in Alabama, who retold her story regarding what she referred to as the “catastrophic event” that took place 24 years ago. Doe told the network that she “made some mistakes” and her attorney, Tony Buzbee, is attempting to vet her account via his resources.
Of note, Doe claimed that her father picked up up after the alleged assault that occurred after the 2000 MTV VMAs but the woman’s father says he has no recollection of doing so. The woman also said she spoke to a celebrity at the afterparty where the alleged assault took place but the celebrity revealed he was not in New York during the VMAs. Further, photos came forth showing Jay-Z and Diddy at a location that differed from the woman Doe detailed in her initial claim.|
In a statement from Jay-Z, the Brooklyn rapper and businessman continued his vocal critique of Buzbee, who he is accusing of treating the claim and lawsuit as a money grab.
“Today’s investigative report proves this ‘attorney’ Buzbee filed a false complaint against me in the pursuit of money and fame. This incident didn’t happen and yet he filed it in court and doubled down in the press. True justice is coming. We fight FROM victory, not FOR victory. This was over before it began. This 1-800 lawyer doesn’t realize it yet, but, soon,” the statement read.
Jay-Z’s attorney Alex Spiro added, “It is stunning that a lawyer would not only file such a serious complaint without proper vetting, but would make things worse by further peddling this false story in the press. We are asking the Court to dismiss this frivolous case today, and will take up the matter of additional discipline for Mr. Buzbee and all the lawyers that filed the complaint.”
Buzbee claims that Jane Doe’s case was a referral from another firm outside his own and said that Doe’s statements were vetted, according to an email he sent to NBC News.
—
Photo: Getty
Universal Music Group’s Virgin Music Group said on Monday it agreed to buy Downtown Music Holdings for $775 million cash in a deal that will bolster the world’s largest music company’s slice of the independent music segment. Founded in 2007 in New York, Downtown Music Holdings is the parent company of the direct-to-creator distributor CD Baby, […]
By day, LISA‘s character in White Lotus appears in a new teaser to be a buttoned-up hotel staff member. But by night?
Exactly two months ahead of the premiere of the hit show’s third season, HBO dropped a minute-and-a-half trailer Monday (Dec. 16) featuring the BLACKPINK band member as an employee of the fictional titular hotel chain’s Thailand location. In one clip, she smiles professionally while telling guests, “Welcome to The White Lotus in Thailand, ka.”
But in another clip, LISA looks like an entirely different person. Dressed in a traditional-looking headpiece at what appears to be an after-hours bonfire celebration, the star makes smoldering eye contact with someone offscreen while giving a sly smile.
With Leslie Bibb, Dom Hetrakul, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey and more actors also starring in the next chapter of White Lotus, the rest of the teaser shows the new season’s characters exploring the city streets and nature of sunny Thailand before quickly succumbing to the temptations of nightlife. “Everyone runs from pain towards pleasure,” says a voice-over. “But they get there only to find more pain.”
Trending on Billboard
HBO first announced the Thai rapper’s casting in the show’s third season in February. In August, LISA opened up about securing her first onscreen gig in an interview with Elle, telling the publication, “I’m super excited and nervous, because it’s my first acting project.”
Calling White Lotus director “a genius,” the performer added that she “cried” when she learned she’d been tapped for the season. “I was happy for a second, and then I was like, ‘Oh, wait, wait, how am I going to deliver this?’” she said. “It’s pretty new to me, but I think it’s similar to shooting music videos. I’m excited for my fans to see it. I feel like people are going to fall in love with Thailand even more.”
Fans got their very first look at LISA’s acting in February, when she briefly appeared in a teaser welcoming hotel guests to the resort.
The new teaser comes about a month after LISA announced that her debut solo album, Alter Ego, is slated to arrive Feb. 28. The project is preceded by “Rockstar” — which reached No. 70 on the Billboard Hot 100 — “New Woman” with Rosalía and “Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me).”
The third season of White Lotus arrives on HBO and streams on Max Feb. 16. See LISA in the new teaser above.
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Rap concerts have become some of the most profitable events in the music industry, and 2024 is proving no exception.
With fans flocking to stadiums and arenas worldwide, the genre continues to demonstrate its incredible earning power.
From large-scale solo tours to collaborative extravaganzas, rap artists are raking in millions, redefining live music revenue records.
This year alone, rap tours have collectively grossed over $1.2 billion globally, solidifying the genre’s dominance.
Major factors contributing to this success include high ticket demand, dynamic performances, and the ability of artists to connect with their audiences on an emotional and cultural level.
VIP packages and exclusive merchandise sales have also amplified revenues, with some tours generating an additional 30% of their gross income through these channels.
Another key driver of 2024’s impressive numbers is the international appeal of rap. Tours across Europe, Asia, and South America have seen exponential growth, with venues selling out in record times.
Fans overseas are hungry for live performances from their favorite artists, making global expansion a lucrative strategy for rappers.
Additionally, rap’s impact on streaming and social media has played a pivotal role.
Artists use platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to share tour highlights, driving engagement and ticket sales.
RELATED: Here Are The Top Rap Songs For Every Month Of 2023
The hype often builds months in advance, with many shows selling out within hours of going on sale.
2024’s success is a testament to rap’s cultural influence and the devotion of its fanbase.
As these tours continue to break records, they set a new standard for live music experiences across all genres.
Fans and industry insiders alike are eager to see just how high the numbers can climb by year’s end.
The Year in Hip-Hop: Top Rap Tours of 2024
was originally published on
hot1009.com
1. Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday 2 World Tour
Source:Getty
Kicking off in March 2024, Nicki Minaj’s tour celebrates her chart-topping album Pink Friday 2. The first leg, running through North America and Europe, spans March to June, with a second U.S. leg starting in September and concluding in November.
Start: March 2, 2024
End: November 15, 2024
2. Drake & J. Cole – It’s All A Blur Tour
Source:Getty
The dynamic duo brings their collaborative energy to 22 cities across North America. The tour runs for three months, offering fans an intimate experience with two of rap’s biggest stars.
Start: February 2, 2024
End: April 27, 2024
3. Future & Metro Boomin – We Trust You Tour
Source:Getty
This summer, Future and Metro Boomin team up for a hard-hitting tour. Spanning July to September, their shows highlight their chart-topping collaborations.
Start: July 30, 2024
End: September 9, 2024
4. Doja Cat – The Scarlet Tour (European Leg)
Source:Getty
After a highly successful U.S. tour, Doja Cat takes her show across Europe. Fans can catch her from June to July in major cities such as London and Paris.
Start: June 1, 2024
End: July 14, 2024
5. Ice Cube – Legends of Rap Tour
Source:Getty
With Bone Thugs-N-Harmony as co-headliners, Ice Cube’s tour celebrates decades of hip-hop excellence. The run lasts nearly three months, offering nostalgia-filled performances.
Start: August 30, 2024
End: November 15, 2024
6. Offset – Set It Off Tour
Source:Getty
The former Migos rapper embarks on his first solo tour, treating fans to music from his recent solo projects. The spring tour spans two months.
Start: March 1, 2024
End: April 30, 2024
7. Busta Rhymes – Blockbusta Tour
Source:Getty
Busta Rhymes celebrates his latest album with this high-energy tour, lasting six weeks. Fans can catch him from March through mid-April.
Start: March 13, 2024
End: April 21, 2024
8. Vince Staples – Black in America Tour
Source:Getty
Known for his introspective lyrics and captivating performances, Vince Staples’ tour runs throughout October and November, giving fans a fresh taste of his latest album, Dark Times.
Start: October 14, 2024
End: November 7, 2024
9. Schoolboy Q – Blue Lips Weekends Tour
Source:Getty
In celebration of his sixth studio album, Blue Lips, Schoolboy Q hits the road for a month-long summer tour focused on festival-style weekend performances.
Start: July 18, 2024
End: August 11, 2024
10. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony – Anniversary Tour
Source:Getty
Commemorating 30 years of hits, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s tour includes special appearances by Talib Kweli and Ice Cube. Their tour runs from August through November.
Start: August 9, 2024
End: November 21, 2024
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Source: Nike / NIke
With 2025 shaping up to be the year of the coveted Nike retros of yesteryear, the swoosh brand just revealed that they’ll be adding yet another classic sneaker to their highly-anticipated calendar year as they’re coming for all the money in your bank account.
Source: Nike / NIke
According to Sneakernews, Nike revealed that they’ll be bringing back the OG Nike Air Max 95 in the classic “Neon” colorway in the Spring of 2025 for the first time since 2020. The revelation came during a SNKRS livestream in which Nike showcased come of their upcoming releases for 2025 and immediately viewers noticed that the “Neon” Air Max 95 was amongst the trove of upcoming sneaker releases.
Yes, it hasn’t been that long as we’ve seen these hit the shelves and as a matter of fact, these classics have been re-released quite a few times over the last two decades.
Per Sneakernews:
While the striking mashup of neon green and neutral greys would’ve been influential even without later revisits, how often the model has returned unquestionably plays a role in its lasting impact. We’ve seen retro efforts in 2020, 2018, 2015, 2010 and 2001, with scattered reimaginings and spin-off editions interspersed between. What genuinely sets the 2025 pair apart is a return to OG construction.
While host Brandon “Jinx” Jenkins noted that it’s not necessarily a “Big Bubble” a la the Air Max 1’86, sizing up the air unit in the heel is just one a few ways that this re-release aims at reconstructing the 1995 classic. Additionally, the phrase “premium materials” cropped up multiple times throughout the showcase, but was again attached to the pair at hand, signalling a sturdier build on top of the faithful hardware at play.
Though no release date has been announced as of yet, many already speculate that these will be releasing on or around Air Max Day of March 26, 2025.
Check out pics of the classic “Neon” Air Max 95 and other upcoming sneakers below and let us know if you’ll be copping those or any other joints in the comments section.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Nike / NIke
With 2025 shaping up to be the year of the coveted Nike retros of yesteryear, the swoosh brand just revealed that they’ll be adding yet another classic sneaker to their highly-anticipated calendar year as they’re coming for all the money in your bank account.
Source: Nike / NIke
According to Sneakernews, Nike revealed that they’ll be bringing back the OG Nike Air Max 95 in the classic “Neon” colorway in the Spring of 2025 for the first time since 2020. The revelation came during a SNKRS livestream in which Nike showcased come of their upcoming releases for 2025 and immediately viewers noticed that the “Neon” Air Max 95 was amongst the trove of upcoming sneaker releases.
Yes, it hasn’t been that long as we’ve seen these hit the shelves and as a matter of fact, these classics have been re-released quite a few times over the last two decades.
Per Sneakernews:
While the striking mashup of neon green and neutral greys would’ve been influential even without later revisits, how often the model has returned unquestionably plays a role in its lasting impact. We’ve seen retro efforts in 2020, 2018, 2015, 2010 and 2001, with scattered reimaginings and spin-off editions interspersed between. What genuinely sets the 2025 pair apart is a return to OG construction.
While host Brandon “Jinx” Jenkins noted that it’s not necessarily a “Big Bubble” a la the Air Max 1’86, sizing up the air unit in the heel is just one a few ways that this re-release aims at reconstructing the 1995 classic. Additionally, the phrase “premium materials” cropped up multiple times throughout the showcase, but was again attached to the pair at hand, signalling a sturdier build on top of the faithful hardware at play.
Though no release date has been announced as of yet, many already speculate that these will be releasing on or around Air Max Day of March 26, 2025.
Check out pics of the classic “Neon” Air Max 95 and other upcoming sneakers below and let us know if you’ll be copping those or any other joints in the comments section.