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23 Oct 2023

Cardi B Gives Husband Offset Props For ‘Starting Fresh, Staying Focused,’ Promises ‘MY TURN’ Next

Cardi B gave husband Offset props this weekend for being his own man and inspiring her to do things her way. “So proud of my baby!!,” Cardi wrote on Sunday evening (Oct. 22) of the Migos member and solo star.

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“Going against all odds… leaving his label, starting fresh, staying focused determined and not letting nothing break him… he did that!” she added. The “Bongos” MC then cryptically added, “MY TURN.”

At press time spokespeople for Offset and his former label, Quality Control, had not returned Billboard‘s request for comment.

Back in August, Offset ended his lawsuit against Quality Control Music, the label that helped launch him and the Migos into superstardom. TMZ reported at the time that Offset would not work with QC moving forward as a solo artist and that “all disputes and differences were smoothed over.” A year earlier, the MC born Kiari Cephus filed paperwork in Los Angeles seeking a declaratory judgement “that Quality Control has no rights, title, or interest in or to Offset’s recordings” since he bought out his deal with the company in 2021. He alleged at the time that despite buying the rights to his solo works, QC continued to claim ownership over his recordings.

Billboard previously reported that Offset signed a production agreement with Quality Control in 2013 that covered his work in Migos and as a solo artist. According to court documents, as of January 15, 2021, Offset “negotiated a deal in which he reclaimed the rights to his own solo recording and songwriting from Quality Control,” and the new arrangement made the star the “sole owner of all rights, title, and interest in and to his services as a solo recording artist, entertainer, and songwriter.”

A judge formally dismissed Offset and QC’s suits against each other on August 16.

Despite that agreement, Offset claimed that QC continued to assert an ownership interest in his 2022 single “54321,” even though the track was credited to his then label, Motown Records; he is currently signed to Capitol Records.

Cardi has been teasing the long-in-process follow-up to her 2018 major label debut album, Invasion of Privacy, for much of this year, with no formal release date set at press time.

See Cardi’s tweet below.

23 Oct 2023

Blueface Unloads On Mom Karlissa Saffold Harvey After Proposing To Jaidyn Alexis

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Blueface and his mother, Karlissa Saffold Harvey, have resumed their war of words after the California star proposed to Jaidyn Alexis over the weekend. Ever since Karlissa Saffold Harvey took a shot at Jaidyn Alexis after her booty photo leaked, Blueface has defended his woman’s honor in epic fashion.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, the “Thotiana” artist shared details of him proposing to Alexis before launching into an all-out verbal assault on his mother.

“I don’t gotta look no further,” Blueface wrote in a series of X replies, which also featured an emoji of a diamond ring. “Today was the best day ever. I got somebody who ain’t never been with nobody else. can’t nobody say they ever had my wife I won.”

Harvey did make mention of the engagement and talked down on her son’s purchase, which inspired her son to keep unloading the clip.

“Post yo ring an ima post mine you wanna compare bootys right karlissa ? let’s compare rings let’s see what typa ring that old Booty got an what typa ring that new Booty got my wife gone always win,” Blueface added.

He continued with, “My mother is a whore been married 3 times 3 kids by 3 different men an never married none of them men only random men she liked with a lot of money so she could divorce an take from them an at the end of it all she’s sleeping with a bum every night sad story fr could never respect her as a women.”

On X, fans are chiming in with their thoughts on the whole situation, including throwing Chrisean Rock into the mix. We’ve got the reactions from all sides below.

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Photo: Icon Sportswire / Getty

23 Oct 2023

Inside the Big Loud Model: ‘Radio’s Honestly the Last Thing We Talk About’

Head versus heart; science versus art.

In the digital era where data abounds, old-fashioned music skills and modern spread sheet analysis can coexist, but deciding when to employ them is part of the art.

That was a key takeaway from an Oct. 18 panel discussion featuring two Big Loud executives, senior vp/GM Patch Culbertson and senior vp of A&R Sara Knabe, presented by the Association of Independent Music Publishers at SESAC Nashville.

In the Big Loud model, gut-level assessments dominate in signing artists and writers, while number-crunching drives the decisions when the label takes singles to radio. But with digital consumption providing the bulk of record-company revenue, getting onto the nation’s airwaves isn’t even a consideration unless the numbers justify it.

“Radio’s honestly the last thing we talk about with any artist that’s interested in partnering with Big Loud,” explained Culbertson. “It is the last thing we talk about in terms of your marketing strategy and campaign. What I want to equip all our radio team with is the power of the audience telling those stations that [something] is a hit, not that the radio person has to convince them.”

He added, “Especially for developing artists, you’re talking about the 55- to 60-week debut-single campaign. If you don’t have the hit in your hand, why are you going to go and do three or five months of radio setup and launch with that, and it’s going to be crickets when you are performing those records in front of those fans?”

The label’s roster houses 27 artists, he said, and only three of them were “research signings”: “Everybody else was a story of just either an incredible voice, incredible songs, just flooring us either performing on a stage somewhere or in our own offices, or just star quality they give off when they walk into the room.”

The approach has worked. Since its 2015 launch, Big Loud has signed and developed the genre’s most-consumed current artist, Morgan Wallen, plus HARDY, ERNEST and Hailey Whitters, a Country Music Association Award nominee for best new artist. It has also developed gold singles for Larry Fleet and Lily Rose — signs of strong market penetration, even if the songs didn’t become top 10 titles at radio.

Big Loud’s volume approach to recording may play a part as well. Since core fans demand a constant supply of new music, the label encourages artists to cut songs when they’re ready, even if no album or EP is planned. It’s part of the development process — “Even studio experience is part of their growth,” Knabe said — and more music increases the possibility that something breaks through with strong numbers.

In the Big Loud model, that’s when the head takes over from the heart.

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23 Oct 2023

Sheila E. to Perform at 2023 CARE Impact Awards

Sheila E. is set to perform at the sixth annual CARE Impact Awards, which are set for Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City. The percussionist is a four-time Grammy nominee.

Broadcast journalists Al Roker and Deborah Roberts (a married couple since 1995) will host the event, which will help raise awareness and funds for CARE’s humanitarian and development work around the world.

“Even through all the changes and crises we face as a global community, our team remains steadfast in our mission to ensure people around the world live with dignity, security, and prosperity,” Michelle Nunn, president and CEO of CARE USA, said in a statement. “The Impact Awards is an evening to celebrate the hope we see in our work everyday, and will continue to see as we help families seek a better life for themselves and their communities.”

Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside women and girls.

Here’s a complete list of 2023 CARE Impact Awards honorees:

CARE Impact Award for Visionary Leadership: Radhika Jones, editor in chief, Vanity Fair

CARE Impact Awards for Corporate Leadership: James Quincey, chairman and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company; Bea Perez, senior vice president & chief communications, sustainability & strategic partnerships officer, The Coca‑Cola Company and chair of The Coca-Cola Foundation

CARE Impact Awards for Lifetime Achievement:  Andrew Young, chairman, Andrew J. Young Foundation; Carolyn Young, vice chair, Andrew J. Young Foundation

23 Oct 2023

Ms. Lauryn Hill Postpones Philadelphia ‘Miseducation’ Gig on Doctor’s Orders

Just three shows into her tour in support of the 25th anniversary of her landmark debut solo Ms. Lauryn Hill has had to temporarily hit pause on her celebratory The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill outing. The Fugees MC and solo star posted a note on her socials on Sunday night (Oct. 22) informing fans in Philadelphia that they will have to wait another month to see her live.

“It is with disappointment that I am writing this note to you. On the advice of my physicians, I have no choice but to postpone the show tomorrow,” Hill wrote of Monday night’s (Oct. 23) planned show at the Wells Fargo Arena in the city that was also slated to feature a special guest spot from her Fugees bandmates Pras and Wyclef Jean.

“I need to rest my voice to prevent any more serious strain or damage to my vocal cords,” she added. “The start of this tour has been incredible. What an amazing experience to celebrate this anniversary with all of my family, my friends and all of you. I look forward to giving you the show you deserve with a fully recovered and healthy voice.”

Hill told fans that the show has already been rescheduled for Nov. 25, promising that it will be a “special one.” The next scheduled show is slated for Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena on Thursday (Oct. 26), which Hill said is good-to-go. “Resting for a few days then heading your way,” she promised.

The North American swing of Hill’s anniversary tour kicked off on Oct. 17 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. before jumping to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Oct. 19 and the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 21.

At the Brooklyn show, Hill thanked the crowd from the top for their “grace and patience,” before warning that she was “’bout to sing my voice out.”

See Hill’s statement below.

23 Oct 2023

Watch Snoop Dogg Get a Very Special Birthday Surprise From Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly

The Doggfather only turns 52 one time, so it was fitting that when Snoop Dogg celebrated his half century plus two that his Step Brothers were on hand to give him his flower(s). At Saturday night’s Best Night of Your Life 2 Benefit, Snoop took the stage with host Will Ferrell and the actor’s Step Brothers co-star John C. Reilly to perform that 2008 comedy classic’s signature song, “Boats ‘N Hoes.”

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After a comically long wind-up in which Ferrell and Reilly gave shout outs to nearly every city in the L.A. basin, they busted into “Boats,” before Ferrell stopped the performance that he said lacked a bit of spice. Saying it needed “a little LBC… some Strong Beach in the house,” or, perhaps, a bit of added “Kush factor” in the mix, the duo brought out Snoop, who helped them finish their track before they slid into the Doggfather’s iconic 1994 Doggystyle single “Gin and Juice.”

“Yesterday was a very special day,” Reilly said in a video shared on Snoop’s Instagram. “It was Mr. Snoop Dogg’s birthday. We’re about to sing happy birthday to the greatest rapper in the world!” That wasn’t all though. The pair also rolled out a multi-tiered birthday cake covered in sparklers — with a throne on top, naturally — which Snoop promptly used to help blaze up one of his ubiquitous blunts as the pair lead the audience in a round of “Happy Birthday” before Snoop blew out the candles.

Saturday night’s show was the second installment of Ferrell’s Best Night comedy/music fundraiser benefitting Cancer for College. The gig at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles was hosted by Ferrell and featured comedy greats Jon Stewart, Hasan Minhaj, Jo Koy, Roy Wood Jr., Cory Scovel, SmartLess podcast hosts Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett as well as appearances by Beck, St. Vincent, Dogstar and Jack Black and Fred Armisen playing with Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready and the Casual Acquaintances all-star band.

Watch Ferrell and Reilly perform with Snoop and sing “Happy Birthday” to the rap legend below.

23 Oct 2023

BTS’ V Drops Two Very Different Remixes of ‘Slow Dancing’ Solo Single

If you’ve already been “Slow Dancing” to the latest solo single from BTS‘ V, get ready to switch up your style. The K-pop superstar group singer dropped two new remixes of “Slow Dancing” on Monday (Oct. 23) that put a new spin on the single from his Layover solo EP.

The first, “Slow Dancing (FRNK Remix), cranks up the BPMs and turns the ballad into a slinky dance track with lively percussion and sped-up vocals. The remake is accompanied by a new music video, compiled from unreleased outtakes from the song’s official video, which finds the singer practicing his dance moves on set and chilling in a hotel room amid edits of classic cartoons.

“The animation inserted in between the footage highlights the uplifting, joyous mood of the remix, while the video captures a variety of V’s charms including scenes of him being serious and focused on set to being playful with his facial expressions,” reads a statement about the clip.

The second makeover, “Slow Dancing (Cautious Clay Remix),” strips V’s voice out entirely and really leans into the flute of it all. The woodwind-forward arrangement focuses on the song’s funky instrumental bad with a jazzy mix that retains the yearning chorus over a between-the-sheets vibe courtesy of Cleveland-bred singer/songwriter Joshua Karpeh (who records as Cautious Clay).

V’s six-track Layover album was released on Sept. 8, with the original “Slow Dancing” single debuting at No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100. The collection also features the songs “Rainy Days,” “Blue,” “Love Me Again,” “For Us” and a piano version of “Slow Dancing.”

BIGHIT has suggested playing tracks in order from Nos. 1-5 — saying that “Slow Dancing” should be the focus songs on the collection — describing it in a press release as a “1970s romantic soul style track [that] exudes a laid-back and free-spirited feeling.”

Watch the new “Slow Dancing (FRNK Remix) video and listen to the Cautious Clay remix below.

23 Oct 2023

Kenya Grace Retains U.K. Chart Crown With ‘Strangers’

Kenya Grace is no stranger to the U.K. chart summit.

The South Africa-born, U.K.-based artist enters a second week at No. 1 with “Strangers” (via FFRR), her breakthrough, drum ‘n’ bass-backed tune and first through a major label.

“Strangers” is, once again, the most-streamed track in the U.K. with 4.8 million plays, the Official Charts Company reports, as it holds off the challenge of Cassö’s “Prada” (Ministry of Sound) featuring RAYE and D-Block Europe.

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The leader at the midweek point, “Prada” finishes the week at No. 2, less than 800 chart units adrift.

As previously reported, Grace is just the second U.K. female artist ever to write, produce and record a No. 1 single entirely by herself, following Kate Bush whose “Running Up That Hill” completed a mission impossible last year, hitting the top some 37 years after its initial release.

Tate McRae’s “Greedy” (Ministry of Sound) rounds off an unchanged top 3.

Meanwhile, another South African artist is making her move on the Official U.K. Singles Chart — Tyla. Born and raised in Johannesburg, Tyla (full name: Tyla Laura Seethal) enjoys a new peak with her breakthrough “Water” (RCA), rising 7-4.

Close behind is Chase & Status, Bou, Flowdan, IRAH, Trigga and Takura’s “Baddadan” (EMI), up 11-5 for its peak position, while Sonny Fodera, MK and Clementine Douglas’ “Asking” (Solotoko) is up 10-7, a new high.

U.S. alternative pop artist Mitski enjoys her first U.K. top 10 single with “My Love Mine All Mine” (Dead Oceans), improving 13-8. Prior to her latest, viral number, Mitski had never even nudged the singles tally, though two of her seven studio albums have impacted the top 10.

Fred Again snags a second top 20 solo sentry with “Ten” (Atlantic), featuring U.S. artist and songwriter Jozzy. It’s new at No. 16, for the highest debut on the latest tally, published Friday, Oct. 20. That’s the fifth top 40 entry for the hot producer and artist, and the first appearance on the chart for Jozzy.

Finally, Troye Sivan enjoys a hattrick of top 40 appearance on the latest chart, led by “One Of Your Girls,” new at No. 17, followed by lead single “Rush” (34-28) and “Got Me Started” (reentering at No. 36), lifting his career tally to seven U.K. top 40 singles.

All three tracks appear on Sivan’s third and latest LP Something To Give Each Other (via Polydor), which debuts at No. 4 on the national albums tally, for a new career high.

23 Oct 2023

Westside Gunn Delivers Variety & Shifts His Sound On ‘And Then You Pray For Me’ [Review]

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Westside Gunn might exist as one of the champions of the so-called “boom bap” resurgence, but his personal interests are as vast as his stacked discography. With his fifth and reportedly final studio album, And Then You Pray For Me, the Buffalo, N.Y. mastermind embraced audio textures outside his typical sound— and that choice alienated some and indoctrinated others.

Westside Gunn sits at an interesting point in his still ongoing career. In a recent Rolling Stone interview WSG claimed that while he’s not giving up his musical endeavors, the aim of creating a full-length project is over for him.

And Then You Pray For Me, billed as the successor to WSG’s Pray For Paris (perhaps his most acclaimed album at this point) adds to WSG’s transcendental rise as a cultural tastemaker. While Pray For Paris remained centered in the traditional hazy bop that Griselda propelled to the forefront, And Then You Pray For Me fully embraces the sparse production that largely informs the trap sound.

The album opens with “FLYGOD DID” featuring A.A. Rashid delivering one of his signature motivational openers, with “Mamas PrimeTime” coming right after. Beat Butcha and Mr. Green handed over a face-melting track with Georgia’s JID delivering a scene-stealing verse that Conway The Machine slightly overshadows, and it should be noted that Gunn also set the tone vocally alongside his guests.

In an unexpected turn of events, “Kostas” brings together the core Grisdelda members with a booming backing track from Tay Keith & tbeatz. If there is an early knock, WSG’s flow pales in comparison to his cousin Benny The Butcher and brother Conway The Machine. Still, the attempt is admirable and at the very least, Gunn sounds like he’s having a blast.

Speaking of, Gunn’s songs produced by Miguel da Plug dive into a style we only heard him tackle previously on “Flygod Jr” from his 10 mixtape, with Doe Boy and DJ Drama adding their flair. Gunn has made no secret that he spends significant time in Atlanta and takes in the nightlife, so it isn’t entirely shocking he embraces this style of music several times across And Then You Pray For Me.

The differences between Gunn’s rhyme style over trap-influenced beats and the loop-centric boom-bap become all the more glaring in between the tracks “1989” featuring production from Miguel da Plug and a scene-stealing feature from Stove God Cooks, and “Suicide In Selfridges” which features the talents of producer Conductor Williams. On the latter, WSG hands in what might be his best performance on the album.

From an impartial stance, it’s clear where Gunn shines as a rapper but it is entertaining to hear him insert his style of high fashion tough talk into the world trunk-ratting dope boy tracks. A great example of this is “DunnHill” featuring Rick Ross. Rozay sounds more at home on Miguel da Plug’s track but that doesn’t alter the quality of the final product.

One of the album’s highlights, “House of GLORY” is produced by RZA and features another of Gunn’s standout verses. Even with Stove God Cooks’ strong opening verse, WSG found a comfortable pocket that speaks to his ability more than the following track. The track “JD Wrist,” produced by Gunn’s son, Flygod Jr., benefits from strong verses from Stove God Cooks and Estee Nack.

If there is one area Gunn certainly doesn’t deliver, it’s while he’s in the role of a Hip-Hop Lothario. This is highlighted in the sex-drenched raps of “Chloe” featuring a game Ty Dolla $ign and excellent production from Denny LaFlare. However, the song is an uncomfortable listen.

Things pick back up with the excellent “Babylon Bis,” featuring Stove God Cooks. Frequent collaborator JR Swiftz provides the platter for Stove God and WSG to shine brightly and gives way to one of the album’s strongest sectors.

Another of the album’s surprises is Daringer providing production for  “Jalen Rose” featuring Detroit’s Boldy James, a slight departure from the Buffalo, N.Y. producer’s usual style. Once again, WSG alters his rhyme style for the sake of the song, and despite online critics saying otherwise, it works.

The album’s closing title track doesn’t even feature Gunn. Instead, WSG allows KayCyy to capably carry the song on his own over Brother Tom Sos’ mellow production. Even though it stands in stark contrast to what came before it, it is a perfect ending for such a kaleidoscopic journey.

And Then You Pray For Me isn’t perfect. Gunn’s embrace of the trap sound is either refreshing to some ears or frustrating to others. However, those saying Westside Gunn is a one-note rapper will have to eat their words and acknowledge that he once again curated another audio experience that won’t be soon forgotten.

It will be interesting to see where the Griselda honcho goes next if he decides to release more music. If not, And Then You Pray For Me is a neatly-tied bow on one of the best runs the culture has witnessed in Hip-Hop ever.

Find And Then You Pray For Me and your preferred DSPs below.

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Photo: Dave Benett / Getty

22 Oct 2023

Ren Outpaces Rick Astley For First U.K. Albums Chart Title

Ren scores his first U.K. No. 1 as Sick Boi, his independently released sophomore album, starts at No. 1.

The Welsh hip-hop artist (full name: Ren Erin Gill) times his chart race to perfection, overcoming a midweek deficit to Rick Astley’s ninth studio album Are We There Yet? (BMG), before putting on the afterburners to roar home in first place.

In the end, it wasn’t even close. Sick Boi had opened-up a 6,000-unit advantage when the Official U.K. Albums Chart was published Oct. 20, thanks in part to a “spectacular push” in the final 24 hours of the cycle, the Official Charts Company reports.

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Sick Boi is released through The Other Songs, founded five years ago by brothers Alastair and Billy Webber, formerly of Island Records and Warner Records, respectively, according to the OCC. It’s the indie entertainment company’s first ever U.K. top 10.

Ren’s crown “sees him join a long list of Welsh album chart-toppers,” notes OCC CEO Martin Talbot, “from Tom Jones, Bonnie Tyler and Shakin’ Stevens to Manic Street Preachers, Stereophonics and Duffy, among many others – should not be under-estimated, especially given that it’s been achieved as a wholly-independent artist.”

Astley, meanwhile, misses out on collecting a third leader with Are We There Yet?, which arrives at No. 2. It’s the Brit’s seventh top 10 appearance on the national albums tally.

The previous week’s leader, Drake’s For All The Dogs (OVO/Republic Records), slips 1-3.

Also new to the Official Chart this week is Troye Sivan’s Something To Give Each Other (Polydor), bowing at No. 4. That’s a U.K. career high for the Aussie pop artist, eclipsing 2015’s EP Wild (No. 5 peak) and 2018 LP Bloom (No. 8), for his third top tier slot. Something To Give Each Other is the week’s best-seller on wax in the U.K.

Completing the top 5 is 2022 BRITs Rising Star winner Holly Humberstone with Paint My Bedroom Black, her first full length effort. It’s new at No. 5.

Mike Skinner’s The Streets lands its seventh U.K. top 10 album with The Darker the Shadow (Rhino), new at No. 7, while British blues act When Rivers Meet, the husband-and-wife duo of Grace and Aaron Bond, snag a first top 10 album appearance with Aces Are High (One Road), new at No. 9.

Further down the list, new releases from Scouting for Girls (A Place We Used to Meet at No. 17 via Sony Music CG), CMAT (Crazymad, for Me at No. 25 via Cmatbaby), Creeper (Sanguivore at No. 29 via Spinefarm) and Death of Guitar Pop (Be Lucky at No. 30 via Ska Club Essex) make an impression.