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R. Kelly Sues Federal Prison Bureau for Allegedly Leaking Private Info to YouTube Host

R. Kelly is suing the federal Bureau of Prisons over allegations that the agency leaked private information about the disgraced singer to social media personality Tasha K — the same YouTube gossip host that Cardi B sued for defamation last year.

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In a complaint filed Monday (Nov. 13) in Chicago federal court, Kelly’s lawyers say an unnamed Bureau of Prisons (BOP) agent illegally accessed Kelly’s digital prison records — including recordings of private phone calls with his girlfriend and lawyers — and sold them to Tasha, who then broadcast them online to more than 1 million followers.

“The defendant United States of America breached its duty of care to the plaintiff when it allowed countless BOP officers to access plaintiff’s confidential information without any legal basis to do so,” Kelly’s lawyer Jennifer Bonjean writes.

The lawsuit, which also names Tasha K (Latasha Kebe) as a defendant, claims that the influencer then “rallied her massive following to harass the plaintiff with the use of the stolen information and created chaos in plaintiff’s personal life.”

The leaks left Kelly “isolated and fearful to communicate with his attorneys or other third parties,” the lawsuit claims, because he knew it could be “released to the general public for mass exploitation.”

Kelly was convicted in 2021 on racketeering and sex trafficking charges stemming from accusations that he orchestrated a long-running scheme to abuse women. In September 2022, he was convicted in Chicago on separate federal charges of child pornography and enticement of minors for sex. The singer, who is currently appealing both convictions, was later sentenced to 30 years in prison.

If Kebe’s name sounds familiar, it should. Last year, Cardi B won a $3.9 million defamation judgment against the blogger over false statements Kebe made about drug use, STDs and prostitution on her YouTube channel “UnWinewithTashaK.” Kebe has since filed for federal bankruptcy, citing her inability to pay that huge judgment.

In his new lawsuit, Kelly claims that Kebe first published private information in November 2019, starting with a video called “R. Kelly Can’t Control his Girlfriends while Behind Bars” that contained information Kebe said came from a “phone tap somewhere.” Later posts allegedly divulged more personal information, including highly-sensitive communications with his legal team.

“The communications … related to personal and family problems, romantic interests, health problems, literacy issues, and issues related to the defense of his pending criminal cases,” Kelly’s lawyers write.

According to the lawsuit, an internal BOP investigation revealed that an unnamed officer had pulled Kelly’s records from the agency’s TruView system, a digital database of information on prisoners. The officer then allegedly scanned them and “emailed that scan to third parties, including defendant Kebe.” But that probe ended without any action against the officer, Kelly’s lawyers claim.

“No charges were brought against defendant BOP Officer A, and the government has refused to reveal any details about the investigation including the identity of Officer A,” Bonjean wrote in Monday’s complaint. “In short, there has been a cover-up of the rampant BOP misconduct that is ongoing.”

Kelly’s lawyers claim that illegal leaks continued even after the BOP was made aware of the initial disclosures to Kebe. They cited a report last summer by the Washington Post about Kelly’s $25,000 in commissary funds — a report that resulted in federal prosecutors seizing the money to pay off his victims.

In technical legal terms, Kelly’s lawyers allege that the leaks amounted to negligence, an invasion of his privacy, an intentional infliction of emotional distress, civil theft and civil conspiracy. They also claim that the officer who stole the records violated the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act — a federal statute that makes computer hacking illegal.

A spokesperson for the BOP declined to comment, citing agency policy on pending litigation. An attorney who has represented Tasha K on other matters did not immediately return a request for comment.

Amazon Black Friday Deals 2023 Are Coming: Here’s What to Know

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Amazon is gearing up for Black Friday deals, but rather than give you a few days to take advantage of major savings, the retailer is giving you 10 days. Starting Friday (Nov. 17), Amazon is kicking off its Black Friday sales event with deals on everything from streaming devices, TVs, laptops, beauty, fashion, home and more — and for up to 70% off!

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Whether you’re looking to treat yourself or want to check off your gifting list, Amazon’s Black Friday sale is the time to do it. Fresh deals are expected to drop every five minutes, which means a simple page refresh will provide you with a slew of updated savings.

As an added bonus, new deals will be popping up for the first-time ever during the Black Friday NFL game featuring the New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins. You don’t need to be a Prime member to score the deals, but you will need a membership in order to watch the game for free. Not a member? Click here to start your 30-day free trial.

Feeling antsy? Amazon’s Holiday Shop features early deals for you to find gifts for music lovers, gender neutral presents and a lot more. Keep reading to shop our picks, so far.

Amazon

EAORUL Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

$28.48

$49.99

43% off

For less than $30, these noise-canceling headphones will connect to your Bluetooth-compatible devices so you can stream and listen to your music or podcasts in peace. Plus, they come in this sleek black and gold shade for added style.

Amazon

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

$24.99

$49.99

50% off

Enjoy the all new Amazon Fire TV Stick, but without the hefty price tag. Now you can watch all your favorite content in 4K definition as well as download apps and use voice controls to open apps and search for things such as a movie, more information on an actor and much more.

Amazon

Ring Video Doorbell

$54.99

$99.99

45% off

Add an extra element of safety to your home with a Ring Doorbell that’s on sale for 45% off. Billboard has tested this item out for ourselves and we love it’s ability to connect to your phone through the app. You’ll then be able to customize what notifications you receive including motion detection, package alerts and when someone rings your doorbell. It also records and saves footage, and you can talk through your ring and listen to live activity.

Amazon

Star Wars Darth Vader Stand for Amazon Echo Dot (4th & 5th Generation)

$29.99

$39.99

25% off

Fans of Star Wars can now add an extra element of the series into their home with these fun stands inspired by characters from the movie/TV series. It’s compatible with 4th and 5th generations of Amazon Echo Dots, and uses voice activation commands to tell you the weather, play music and turn on/off smart home compatible devices.

Amazon

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar

$99.99

$119.99

17% off

Upgrade your entertainment system with an Amazon soundbar that’ll help provide sharper surround sound as you watch everything from The Buccaneers to The Golden Bachelor. It also includes a remote to change settings and personalize the experience to your liking.

For product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best gifts for musicians, gifts for coffee lovers and astrology gifts.

Fall Out Boy & My Chemical Romance to Headline When We Were Young Festival: See 2024 Lineup

My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy are the top headliners on When We Were Young festival‘s 2024 lineup, which was announced Monday (Nov. 13).

The annual punk rock summit will return for a third year to the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, kicking off Oct. 19, 2024. Also on the bill with MCR and FOB are A Day to Remember, Jimmy Eat World, Pierce the Veil, The Used, Simple Plan, Dashboard Confessional and dozens more.

The festival also promises that each group will perform an album in full, with highlights including My Chemical Romance’s The Black Parade, Jimmy Eat World’s Bleed American and A Day to Remember’s Homesick.

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Fans can sign up for tickets now on When We Were Young’s website to receive an access code for the 10 a.m. presale on Friday (Nov. 17). If there are still spots left after the presale, remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public later that day at 2 p.m. PT.

“Now Come One, Come All To This Tragic Affair………………,” wrote My Chemical Romance on the band’s Instagram page, sharing a poster for the festival.

Fall Out Boy also shared the poster to Instagram, writing, “headlining next year’s @whenwewereyoungfest see ya then Vegas ✌️”

The 2024 dates mark When We Were Young’s third year in Vegas, with MCR and Paramore headlining its inaugural festival there in 2022. Last year, Blink-182 and Green Day headlined the bill, which also included 5 Seconds of Summer, All Time Low, 30 Seconds to Mars, Good Charlotte, The Offspring, Something Corporate, Yellowcard and more.

See When We Were Young Festival’s 2024 lineup announcement below:

When We Were Young

Hot 100 Chart Reveal: Nov. 18 | Billboard News

Jung Kook gets his second top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 this year. The Beatles notched their first top 10 since 1996. Can Taylor Swift keep her current hot streak on the Hot 100 going? Watch the full video to find out.

Tetris Kelly:
This is the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 for the week dated Nov. 18.

Morgan Wallen is back in the top 10 with “Last Night,” his “Thinking About Me” is at No. 9.

Keeping it country with “Fast Car” at No. 8.

The Beatles are back with their first top 10 since 1996.

Zach and Kacey are at No. 6.

Jung Kook debuts at No. 5.

SZA’s “Snooze” is back up to four.

Taylor’s “Is It Over Now?” drops from No. 1 to No. 3, and Doja Cat is back up to No. 2.

And back at No. 1 is Taylor Swift with “Cruel Summer.”

Taylor Swift’s ‘Cruel Summer’ Returns to No. 1 on Hot 100, Jung Kook & The Beatles Debut in Top 10

Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” rebounds for a third week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. Three weeks earlier, it became her 10th career leader. It takes over for her 11th, “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) [From the Vault],” which interrupted the reign of “Cruel Summer” with its No. 1 debut a week ago.

Elsewhere in the Hot 100’s top 10, Jung Kook’s “Standing Next to You” debuts at No. 5, marking the BTS member’s third solo top 10, and The Beatles return with “Now and Then,” their landmark 35th top 10 – extending their record for the most among groups – and their first since 1996.

The Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming (official audio and official video), radio airplay and sales data, the lattermost metric reflecting purchases of physical singles and digital tracks from full-service digital music retailers; digital singles sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites are excluded from chart calculations. All charts (dated Nov. 18, 2023) will update on Billboard.com Tuesday (Nov. 14). For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.



In the Nov. 3-9 tracking week, “Cruel Summer” drew 77.8 million radio airplay audience impressions (up 3%) and 13.8 million streams (down 9%) and sold 4,000 downloads (up 17%), according to Luminate.

The single scores a fourth week at No. 1 on the Radio Songs chart; rebounds 21-8 on Streaming Songs, following a week at on top; and falls 12-19 on Digital Song Sales, also after a week in charge.

A week ago, Swift’s “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) [From the Vault]” soared in at No. 1 on the Hot 100, supplanting “Cruel Summer,” which dropped to No. 6, as parent album 1989 (Taylor’s Version) launched atop the Billboard 200 chart and all 21 songs from the set infused the Hot 100.

As “Cruel Summer” reclaims the baton atop the Hot 100, Swift becomes the second artist in the chart’s archives to reign with a song, take over at No. 1 with a different track, and directly return to the summit with that first leader. In 2021, BTS led for seven weeks with “Butter,” halted the song’s command with a No. 1 debut for “Permission to Dance” and then returned to the top the following week with “Butter” (which ran up its rule to 10 total nonconsecutive weeks).

As previously noted, “Cruel Summer” was originally released on Swift’s 2019 Republic Records album Lover before being promoted as a single and gaining new prominence as the superstar has performed it on her The Eras Tour this year.

1989 (Taylor’s Version), meanwhile, notches a second week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) [From the Vault]” descends to No. 3 on the Hot 100, down 34% to 21.1 million streams – as it spends a second week atop Streaming Songs – and down 61% to 2,000 sold. Being promoted as a radio single, it boasts 16.1 million airplay audience impressions, up from 4.7 million the week before, as it debuts at No. 41 on Radio Songs and wins the Hot 100’s top Airplay Gainer award.

In between Swift’s songs in the Hot 100’s top three, Doja Cat’s “Paint the Town Red” rises 4-2, after it led for three nonconsecutive weeks beginning in September. It posts a 10th and 11th week, respectively, atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts, which use the same methodology as the Hot 100.

SZA’s “Snooze” ascends 8-4 on the Hot 100, after reaching No. 2, as it rules the multi-metric Hot R&B Songs chart for a 15th week.



Jung Kook’s “Standing Next to You” enters the Hot 100 at No. 5 with 10.6 million streams, 400,000 in radio audience and 99,000 physical and digital singles sold combined, following its Nov. 3 release on his debut solo album, Golden – which opens at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. (In addition to its original version, seven mixes of the song arrived Nov. 6: its Future Funk, Holiday, Latin Trap, PBR&B and Slow Jam remixes and its Band Version and instrumental version.)

The track is Jung Kook’s third Hot 100 top 10. Here’s a recap of all four top 10s so far by BTS members apart from the group, ranked by peak position. As a group, BTS boasts 10 top 10s, including six No. 1s.

Peak Pos., Date, Artist, Title:

  • No. 1, one week, July 29, 2023, Jung Kook feat. Latto, “Seven”
  • No. 1, one week, April 8, 2023, Jimin, “Like Crazy”
  • No. 5 (to date), Nov. 18, 2023, Jung Kook, “Standing Next to You”
  • No. 5, Oct. 14, 2023, Jung Kook & Jack Harlow, “3D”

“Standing Next to You” concurrently debuts at No. 1 on Digital Song Sales, with 84,000 downloads sold, as Jung Kook earns his fourth leader on the list.

Zach Bryan’s “I Remember Everything” featuring Kacey Musgraves climbs 11-6 on the Hot 100, after it led for a week upon its debut in September. It tops the multimetric Hot Rock & Alternative Songs and Hot Rock Songs charts for an 11th week each and Hot Country Songs for a seventh frame.



The Beatles bound onto the Hot 100 at No. 7 with “Now and Then” with 11 million streams, 2.1 million in radio reach and 73,000 physical and digital singles sold combined Nov. 3-9, following its Nov. 2 release. The song debuted on the Hot 100’s Bubbling Under chart (which ranks the top titles yet to hit the Hot 100), at No. 5, a week earlier, with 2.6 million in airplay audience, 2.3 million streams and 17,000 sold in its first day. A 12-minute film chronicling the cut premiered Nov. 2, while the song’s official video premiered Nov. 3.

“Now and Then” is billed as the final Beatles song, first recorded as a demo in 1977 by John Lennon and initially intended for the band’s three-edition Anthology series in the mid-‘90s before being shelved. The song was completed at last by surviving members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, among others, after new technology helped extract Lennon’s vocals from the original demo, while George Harrison guitar parts from the initial attempt to finish the track were also incorporated into the song.

The song was made available for purchase as a download, on cassette and via six vinyl versions: 7” and 12” black vinyl; 7” clear vinyl; 7” blue/white marble vinyl; 7” light blue vinyl; and a Target-exclusive 12” red vinyl (as well as for pre-order on CD).

With the song’s Hot 100 debut (The Beatles’ second-highest, after “Let It Be” launched at a then-record No. 6 in 1970), The Beatles mark multiple new chart milestones.

Most Hot 100 top 10s among groups: “Now and Then” becomes The Beatles’ 35th Hot 100 top 10, extending their record for the most among groups. The Rolling Stones rank second among groups with 23 top 10s, followed by Chicago and The Supremes, each with 20.

Most Billboard Hot 100 Top 10s:

  • 76, Drake
  • 49, Taylor Swift
  • 38, Madonna
  • 35, The Beatles
  • 32, Rihanna
  • 30, Michael Jackson
  • 29, Elton John
  • 28, Mariah Carey
  • 28, Stevie Wonder
  • 27, Janet Jackson
  • 26, Justin Bieber
  • 25, Lil Wayne
  • 25, Elvis Presley (whose career start predated the Hot 100’s inception)

Longest span of Hot 100 top 10s, excluding holiday songs: The Beatles first hit the Hot 100’s top 10 on the chart dated Jan. 25, 1964, with their iconic U.S. breakthrough single “I Want to Hold Your Hand” – which became the first of their record 20 No. 1s. They now claim a span of top 10s of 59 years, nine months and three weeks, the longest excluding holiday fare. They surpass Elton John, who has logged a top 10 span of 51 years, seven months and three weeks, dating to his first frame in the bracket with “Your Song” (Jan. 23, 1971) and running through “Hold Me Closer,” with Britney Spears (Sept. 10, 2022).

(Including holiday songs, the late Andy Williams holds the record for the longest span of an act appearing in the Hot 100’s top 10: 63 years, two months and three weeks, from his first week in the tier with “Lonely Street” in October 1959 through “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” during last year’s holiday season.)

Beatles get back to top 10 after 27 years: The Beatles achieve their first Hot 100 top 10 since “Free as a Bird,” from the Anthology series, hit No. 6 on the Jan. 6, 1996-dated chart. They end a break of 27 years, 10 months and two weeks between top 10s – the longest for an act, excluding holiday music, with sole billing on bookending top 10s. Among all waits between top 10s (again, not including holiday hits), The Beatles end the fifth-longest break; as a soloist, McCartney ranks third.

Longest Breaks Between Hot 100 Top 10s, excluding holiday songs:

  • Ozzy Osbourne: 30 years and three months, between “Close My Eyes Forever” with Lita Ford in 1989 and Post Malone’s “Take What You Want” featuring Osbourne and Travis Scott in 2019
  • Dobie Gray: 30 years, two months and one week, between “Drift Away” in 1973 and Uncle Kracker’s cover featuring Gray in 2003
  • Paul McCartney: 29 years and two weeks, between “Spies Like Us” in 1986 and “FourFiveSeconds” with Rihanna and Kanye West in 2015
  • Santana: 28 years, seven months and two weeks, between “Black Magic Woman” in 1971 and “Smooth” featuring Rob Thomas in 1999
  • The Beatles: 27 years, 10 months and two weeks, between “Free as a Bird” in 1996 and “Now and Then” in 2023
  • Billy Ray Cyrus: 26 years and eight months, between “Achy Breaky Heart” in 1992 and Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” featuring Cyrus in 2019
  • Aqua: 25 years, nine months and three weeks, between “Barbie Girl” in 1997 and “Barbie World” with Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice in 2023

Top 10 in a fourth decade: The Beatles become the lucky 13th act with Hot 100 top 10s in four or more decades, having now ranked in the region in the 1960s, ‘70s, ‘90s and 2020s. Michael Jackson and Andy Williams lead with top 10 placements in five decades each. The Beatles join Aerosmith as the only groups in the elite club.

Click here for a look at all 13 acts with Hot 100 top 10s in four or more decades.

Most Hot 100 hits among bands: “Now and Then” also marks The Beatles’ 72nd Hot 100 hit overall (and their first since Anthology single “Real Love,” which reached No. 11 in 1996 as the follow-up to “Free as a Bird”). They extend their mark for the most entries among bands that play their own instruments (and rank second among all multi-member acts only to TV troupe the Glee cast’s 207).

Among all bands, The Beatles lead over The Rolling Stones (57 Hot 100 hits), The Beach Boys (55) and The Temptations (53).

Below The Beatles on the latest Hot 100, three country hits round out the top 10: Luke Combs’ No. 2-peaking “Fast Car” (13-8) and Morgan Wallen’s “Thinkin’ Bout Me” (17-9), after it reached No. 7, and “Last Night” (15-10), following 16 weeks at No. 1 beginning in March – the longest reign ever for a non-collaboration.

Again, for all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram and all charts (dated Nov. 18), including the Hot 100 in its entirety, will refresh on Billboard.com tomorrow (Nov. 14).

Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published.

PinkPantheress Isn’t Afraid to Label Her Biggest Hit To Date ‘Crap’

One of the most useful tools in a young artist’s toolbox is the ability to know when they’ve missed the mark. And though she’s only a few years into the game, British singer PinkPantheress (born Victoria Beverley Walker), 22, told The Guardian in a new interview that she, frankly, thinks the remix of her high-energy UK No. 2 Jersey Club-style hit “Boy’s a Liar,” as well as the original, are “crap.”

“I didn’t expect that it to be my biggest song,” said the singer of the track that has become her most-streamed song to date; the remix featuring Ice Spice is also the rapper’s top-streaming track. “I thought on an internet level it was going to be big. I didn’t expect it to be big on the radio.”

To be clear, the singer said both the original single and the “Boys a Liar, Pt. 2” remix with Spice — the latter hit No. 1 on Billboard‘s radio airplay chart in May and No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, while the original also charted on the pop airplay and adult pop airplay charts — are “crap.” She explained that she’s convinced that “the songs that are not my greatest are the ones that do better.”

Don’t get her wrong, she does like some of her songs, such as her personal favorite, “I Must Apologise,” from her debut 2021 To Hell With It mixtape. But even some of the tracks on her just-released debut album, Heaven Knows, are already prepped for the rubbish bin in her mind. She dubbed the mellow R&B song “internet baby” a non-starter, though she is quite psyched about “Angel,” her dreamy contribution to the Grammy-nominated Barbie soundtrack.

“It was so much fun. I was really excited to be asked,” she said. “I loved the actual process of meeting the director. I got to meet [soundtrack producer] Mark Ronson. I went on set.”

Check out the “Boy’s a Liar, Pt. 2” remix video below.



R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: BJ the Chicago Kid, Sinkane, Kevin Gates, Elmiene & More

Nothing stops New Music Friday — not even Grammy nominations.

Although 2023 MVPs like Ice Spice, 21 Savage, Drake and Nicki Minaj racked up the rap field nominations for the upcoming 66th annual Grammy Awards, last Friday (Nov. 10) offered a litany of music beyond those four 2023 Billboard Music Awards finalists. Last week saw new albums from the likes of Brandy, YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Kodak Black, but those weren’t the only notable releases to update your weekly playlists with.

With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from BADBADNOTGOOD’s gorgeous rework of an Elmiene standout to BJ the Chicago Kid and Chloe Bailey’s sultry, synthy link-up.

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Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.

Freshest Find: Sinkane feat. Tru Osborne, “Everything is Everything”



For his first new song since 2019’s Dépaysé album, Sudanese-American singer Sinkane chose to ground his lyrics in the harsh realities of the Black living experience. Written and composed by bandleader Ahmed Gallab with vocal contributions from Harlem-bred artist Tru Osborne, “Everything Is Everything” is an amalgam of free jazz, Sudanese pop, gospel, funk and rock. A hearty choir provides a strong anchor for the arrangement, while Sinkane and Tru’s harmonies add splotches of color throughout the track. “The tides of change / Serve great purpose in our every day / My people, we will find our way,” Sinkane sings, with a hopefulness that consistently permeates the darker truths that the song explores.

Elmiene, “Marking My Time (BABDBADNOTGOOD Edit)”



Elmiene dropped off his debut major label EP, Marking My Time, last month, and to continue his promotion of the project, he’s released a reworked version of the title track, helmed by Canadian experimental jazz collective BADBADNOTGOOD. Here, the group reimagines Elmiene’s original with heavy splashes of R&B and psychedelic, specifically of the ’70s persuasion. Elmiene’s vocal is predicated on allegiance to subtle dynamism, and it’s that steady build that grounds the winning remix.

Rick Ross, Meek Mill & Cool & Dre feat. BEAM, “Go To Hell”



Hip-hop heavyweights Rick Ross and Meek Mill unleashed their highly anticipated Too Good To Be True joint album last week (Nov. 10), and this collaboration with BEAM and Cool & Dre is an immediate standout. Heavily nodding to Tears for Fear’s “Shout,” “Go To Hell” finds the two rappers deep in their braggadocio as they trade bars about their wealth, their escapes from the feds, and how much status and clout they have in whatever room they choose to walk into. “Bitch boys run to social media / Rich n—a, name in Wikipedia / If I f–k her once, she wanna f–k me twice / All the real n—as clique up, let’s get rich tonight,” Rozay raps.

Kevin Gates feat. B.G. & Sexyy Red, “Yonce Freestyle”



In a way, Kevin Gates and Sexyy Red are perfect foils: two devil-may-care rappers who are unafraid to embody and celebrate the grimiest parts of sex and sexuality, with a healthy dash of humor to add some levity to the whole affair. On “Yonce Freestyle,” the pair’s new collaboration which also features NOLA rapper B.G., the two maximize their similarities — even if the end result is a bit tamer than what some may expect. “Yonce Freestyle” is a well-crafted club banger, with a murky Southern hip-hop beat courtesy of ProdByJM, EJ Grimes and Juko, and a perfect laid-back ratchet tone from Sexyy.

BJ the Chicago Kid feat. Chlöe, “Honey”



BJ the Chicago Kid also released an album last week (Gravy), and that project featured loads of collaborations for R&B lovers. Among those impressive duets is the Chloe Bailey-assisted “Honey.” Landing squarely in the disco-tinged pop that has dominated mainstream top 40 for most of the young decade, BJ and Chlöe deliver a sexy, synth-laden collaboration that balances come-hither euphemisms with some outstanding harmonic choices. Between a surprisingly smooth vocal blend and a bright, clean mix, this just might be Chlöe’s best release of the year.

Ben Hughes, “What Was It For?”



For the opening track of his forthcoming Manha EP, UK musician Ben Hughes opts for a breezy guitar and drum-forward groove. “What Was It For” fits nicely in the landscape of contemporary British R&B, and Hughes’ careful vocal approach works alongside the instrumentation instead of towering over it. It’s a very soft and lush number — an air that offers a smart counterbalance to the melodrama of the lyrics. “Bring me peace / And heal my wounds / I’m bleeding out / Just for you,” he croons.

Jimmy Jam on Celebrating Women, Upcoming Singers To Look Out For & More | Give Her FlowHERS Awards Gala 2023

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Hilarie Burton Predicts Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Will ‘Be Engaged by May’

Hilarie Burton is calling it: Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift will be “Mr. and Mrs.” by spring 2024.

Following Swift’s adorable lyric change at her Argentina Eras concert this weekend, in which she gave Kelce a special shoutout by altering the bridge of “Karma” — “Karma is the guy on the Chiefs coming straight home to me” — Burton tweeted her prediction on Sunday (Nov. 12) that wedding bells will ring in the new couple’s near future.

“They are gonna have the most flannel lined, pie and red ribbon kinda Christmas….,” tweeted the One Tree Hill actress, re-sharing a video of Kelce smiling at the pop star’s gesture from his VIP tent in the audience. “And then these babies are gonna be engaged by May.”

Burton went on to theorize that Swift decided to change her lyrics just for Kelce because, unlike the Kansas City tight end, “every other guy made her feel like she had to downplay her own work.” “This big ol beefy tree of a man is holding up signs and singing along! Catching her as she runs offstage?!?!” she added. “Get a man who lights up when you win. ?”

The White Collar alum is far from the only fan placing bets on Swift and Kelce’s future nuptials, with one person commenting on her post, “I say February if he wins the superbowl! February 14th precisely.” Others speculated that a proposal will be in the books by summer of next year, while one Swiftie reckons it’ll happen within the next six months.

Why is the internet suddenly certain that Swift and Kelce are end game? It probably has something to do with the fact that shortly after her “Karma” lyric switch, Swift was captured in a now viral video running into the athlete’s arms and planting a big kiss on him backstage. Fans also loved how supportive Kelce looked while watching the pop star perform, with videos showing he danced along and held up a “We will stay” sign throughout the night.

In addition to recently being nominated for six Grammys, Swift is the top finalist at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards with 20 nods. The ceremony will stream on Sunday, Nov. 19, and will be available at BBMAs.watch, as well as Billboard and the BBMAs’ social channels.

See Hilarie Burton’s tweets predicting Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement below:

RZA Shocks World With True Origin of Method Man’s Name

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Wu-Tang Clan And Nas In Concert - Brooklyn, NY

Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty

RZA revealed the real story of how Method Man got his name in a recent interview, stunning fans tuning in as well as the hosts of the show.

The RZA was a guest on the EBROINTHEAM show on HOT97, co-hosted by Ebro and Peter Rosenberg last Thursday (November 9), and Rosenberg played a snippet from the hit “Method Man” off of the Wu-Tang Clan’s debut album, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). It prompted him to ask, “Why did Method Man get his own song on the album? And again, did you have a hunch that this one would go off?” The RZA replied, “Method Man was Shakwon until he made that song — Shakwon the Panty Raider. Then, after he made that song, everybody in the hood called him Method Man.”

Rosenberg and co-host Laura Stylez were both surprised. Ebro then asked, “So Method Man was just the chorus, it wasn’t his name or the concept?” “It was the concept because meth is weed. He’s the king of smoking weed. So he’s the method man. A year later, he’s Method Man,” RZA responded. When asked if the streets were the major weight behind the decision, he said it was the Clan’s decision ultimately. “It was a conscious decision by us as a crew, but the streets did push it.”

The revelation caused a shockwave among the hosts. “That makes so much sense! Now that I think about it,” Rosenberg said before continuing: “See, RZA, this is something that to you is so built-in that it’s a nothing burger, whereas to us, it makes so much sense! It was always a little weird that there’s one song on the album named after a member. We thought it was named after the member, but that’s not what it was; it was the name of a song that then became the name of a member!”

Method Man himself talked about the name change in his appearance on the Drink Champs podcast hosted by N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN, specifically citing legendary funk artist Bootsy Collins along with John Legend, Masta Ace, and Hall & Oates as inspirations for the song.