R&B/Hip-Hop

Back in 2017, Phillip Leeds dropped the critically acclaimed photography book BIG SHOTS! that captured the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Jay-Z, Pharrell, David Byrne, A$AP Rocky, Questlove, Andre Leon Talley, Justin Timberlake and more.
Now he’s back with BIG SHOTS!! Volume Two: More Shots From the Worlds of Music, Fashion and Beyond. This second volume features SZA on the cover and a foreword from Pharrell with more than 500 Polaroid portraits inside. Some of those portraits include KAWS, Dave Grohl, George Clinton, James Lipton, Ari Melber, Megan Thee Stallion, John David Washington and a slew of other heavyweights in music, fashion, film and media.

“I met Phillip way back, in ’95 or ’96, and he was always the guy who would say, ‘Let’s take a picture,’” Pharrell said of Phillip Leeds in BIG SHOTS! Volume 1.

Born and raised in New York City, Leeds is a well known vet within the music and fashion scene, but only began publishing his work in 2017 and used the Polaroid Big Shot camera exclusively for these photos. In association with Blurring Books, the photographer is hosting a launch party and exhibit on Friday, Aug. 23 in Los Angeles. BIG SHOTS!! Volume Two is set to drop Tuesday, Aug. 27.

We were given exclusive access to share 10 never-before-seen photos of some of your favorite rappers, singers and DJs like Tyler, the Creator, Snoop Dogg, Swizz Beatz & Alicia Keys, Sister Nancy, No Malice, D-Nice, BIA, RZA, Roxanne Shanté and Redman.

Check ’em out below and preorder the book here.

Atlanta fans preparing to see Usher kick off his Past Present Future tour on Wednesday night (Aug. 14) will have to wait as the R&B superstar announced that the opening show at State Farm Arena has been postponed for a later date.
Usher released a statement to social media on Wednesday hours before he was slated to hit the stage where he cited an ailment causing him to slow down and give his “body a second to rest and heal.”

A rep for the singer relayed to Variety that Usher needed extra “time to heal from an unspecified injury.” Billboard has reached out to Usher’s team for comment.

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“For my 30-plus year career, 100% of my blood, sweat and tears has gone into putting on the best performance and creating a memorable experience for my fans. I have every intention of doing that for this tour as well which is why I have to postpone tonight’s show and reschedule it for a later date to give my body a second to rest and heal,” he wrote.

The Grammy-winning singer continued: “You’re still going to get a bit of the past, some of the present and a unique look into the future on the rescheduled date but you’ll also be getting 100% of me. The last thing I want to ever do is disappoint you, the fans who have been eagerly waiting for this tour to start. However, I wouldn’t be the entertainer that I am if I can’t physically give you my best. My team will be sharing news of the rescheduled date soon. I can’t wait to celebrate this legacy with you.”

As of press time, the second and third shows from the original trio of Atlanta dates are still on as scheduled, per Ticketmaster.

The Usher: Past Present Future tour is set to rumble through North America with stops slated for Boston, Toronto, NYC, Detroit, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami and will wrap up in Chicago with a pair of shows to close out October.

The trek will cap off what’s been a banner year for the 45-year-old hitmaker, who headlined the Super Bowl LXVIII Halftime Show in Las Vegas back in February, released his ninth studio album Coming Home and was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 BET Awards in June.

“Getting here has definitely not been easy, but it has been worth it,” he said while accepting the honor at the BET Awards.

A new date for Wednesday’s show is yet to be announced. Usher’s next scheduled to take the stage in Atlanta for a pair of shows on Friday (Aug. 16) and Saturday (Aug. 17). See his full statement below.

Tyler, The Creator has expressed some regret for publicly shading Eminem’s Recovery album in 2010 — and he says a Netflix show inspired his change-of-heart.
The Grammy-winning rapper pulled up to Maverick Carter’s Mavericks show on Wednesday (Aug. 14) and among the myriad topics touched on in the music world, Tyler made sure to apologize to Eminem for his harsh criticism of Slim Shady’s 2010 LP, not understanding what he was going through to make the project at the time.

“When [Recovery] came out I f——g hated it,” Tyler said. “Publicly was like, ‘This s–t is wack.’ Didn’t like it and after watching [2023 Netflix miniseries Painkillers] I felt so bad about those tweets and things like that because thinking from his perspective someone like me publicly saying that stuff and him off drugs and being clean and getting to a point in life where that’s behind him and me implying, ‘Nah, this s–t is wack.’”

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He continued: “He probably felt like I was attacking him. I thought I was just like, ‘I don’t like the music.’ He was in a different part of his life and probably felt like I was attacking him. Now I feel so bad about saying that stuff because my perspective was so limited.”

Tyler gushed about his appreciation for Em and his assistance in teaching him how to rap without even knowing it. “I love Eminem. That dude taught me how to rap,” he added. “I learned how to put words together in rhythm because of some of the Eminem stuff I was hearing and storytelling and things like that.”

The Odd Future alum wants to apologize to Em in person if he ever runs into the Detroit legend. “After watching that show, that gave me perspective — this was a few months ago — and I felt so terrible about some of the things I said about that Recovery album because I realized that was a big step and meant a lot to him and my f—ing stupid a– is like, ‘I wanna hear the same song and dance and I loved The Eminem Show,’” he said. “But he’s not there anymore. I felt terrible. If I ever see him, I want to tell him that in-person.”

Despite Tyler’s criticism, Recovery was still a major commercial hit with a No. 1 debut atop the Billboard 200 with 741,000 total album units sold in the first week. The LP went on to take home best rap album honors at the 2011 Grammy Awards.

Eminem and Tyler, the Creator have had an icy relationship over the last decade-plus. Slim Shady flagrantly dissed Tyler on Kamikaze‘s “Fall” in 2018. “Tyler create nothing, I see why you called yourself a f—-t, b—h,” he raps.

However, Em later admitted that he regretted his choice of words during an interview with Sway following the album’s arrival. “I think the word that I called him on that song was one of the things where I felt like this might be too far,” he said. “Because in my quest to hurt him, I realize that I was hurting a lot of other people by saying it. It was one of the things that I kept going back to and going, ‘I don’t feel right with this.’”

With olive branches extended, there appears to be a path to reconciliation for Em and Tyler — and who knows, maybe they’ll work together down the line. Watch the full episode below.

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Doechii is ringing in her 26th birthday Wednesday (Aug. 14) with a special gift for her fans: a new mixtape titled Alligator Bites Never Heal. The Florida rapper/singer revealed the cover art for the new project, which features her holding an albino alligator on her lap while she’s sitting in an antique wooden chair. “Happy […]

Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin sat down with The Breakfast Club Wednesday (Aug. 14) morning ahead of Fanatics Fest in New York City this upcoming weekend (Aug. 16-18). Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news During their conversation, co-host Loren LoRosa brought up the rumor that he banned Kendrick Lamar‘s […]

After spending four years rebuilding her confidence as an independent artist following her toxic split from RCA Records, Tinashe became open to partnering with a label once again and she signed with Ricky Reed’s Nice Life Recording Company last summer.

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Less than a year later, Nashe’s intuition paid off when she hit the jackpot with the release of her “Nasty” single in April, which is co-produced by Reed and arrived under exclusive license to Nice Life.

Tinashe appeared poised to usher in a new era of R&B when invading the scene in 2014 with Mustard’s Cali bounce alongside ScHoolboy Q for “2 On,” but she wouldn’t find her way back to the Billboard Hot 100 as a main billed artist until about a decade later with “Nasty,” which broke through in June.

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While some hits seemingly pop out of nowhere, “Nasty” had a rise that felt more organic — with the track exploding on social media platforms like TikTok thanks to a viral dance choreography that Tinashe herself leaned into. From Janet Jackson to Christina Aguilera and Rihanna, co-signs from legends that Nashe looked up to began to pour in one after the other.

Billboard “matched her freak,” with “Nasty” sitting at No. 69 on this week’s Hot 100 chart after reaching a No 61 peak — her highest on the chart since 2014. It’s also become a steady force at rhythmic radio as well (No. 3 on Rhythmic Airplay chart). The 31-year-old has become a people’s-choice contender in a robust Song of the Summer category this year with ladies like Chappell Roan, Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter also churning out major hits.

Moments like these aren’t always promised for artists. It’s a testament to Tinashe’s raw talent, relentless determination to stay the course and refusal to sacrifice artistic integrity. “Just having all this — I guess it’s like validation,” she tells Billboard over Zoom. “It just feels like I’m on the right track and doing the right things. It’s been an extra boost for this whole rollout, and it’s been fun.”

With the added eyeballs from “Nasty,” Tinashe looks to capitalize on her momentum and welcome the new fans to her world with Quantum Baby, a 10-track project that arrives on Friday (Aug. 16).

Billboard enjoyed a laid-back conversation with Tinashe touching on just about everything going on in the ethos of Nasty Nashe. Check it out below.

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When did you feel like “Nasty” was really taking off? Was it the dance that went viral on TikTok?

Yeah, I saw signs in a couple different interesting ways. A lot of my peers were reaching out to me and telling me that the song was dope. That doesn’t really happen every time I drop. I went to China and saw that the song was really big over there, and everyone was doing the choreography to the music video. I thought that was really interesting. Then I started seeing it get meme-ified and then TikTok happened. There were so many different signs along the way. 

Seeing it in real time felt so authentic. Was “match my freak” always a saying? 

No, it came straight from my brain. Straight from my noggin. I was driving and was just kinda freestyling and that’s kinda how I thought of it. I remember thinking after writing those lyrics, “I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say this before.” I just invented it. 

Do you feel like hits need a virality to them or a memeability to give them a boost compared to 10 years ago?

Yeah, I do. I think it can help, obviously, a lot. I think it has a big impact, but I also think it’s fickle. I wouldn’t put all my eggs in that basket. I think there’s plenty of cases of songs that blow up in a viral way that don’t connect to a real audience. I think it’s a piece of the puzzle and part of what makes it successful. 

Is that something you think about while creating?

I think it’s kinda dangerous to keep that in the front of your mind. I think it’s something to consider, but as soon as you start trying to cater your music to a 15-second snippet — once you chase things, period, the energy of chasing is not conducive to good creativity. It used to be chasing something that sounded like a radio hit and now it’s what’s cool on TikTok. Chasing anything isn’t wise.

Is “Nasty” the song of the summer?

Definitely, “Nasty” is the song of the summer. Without a doubt, to me. It’s the song of my summer. There’s been other songs too that are great, but “Nasty” is the one.

What was your reaction to the VMAs snubbing “Nasty?”

Disappointed but not surprised. I’ve never been nominated for an award, period. I did get nominated for a BET award once. Other than that, I’ve never been nominated. I definitely wasn’t counting on that. 

What was your thought process on the “Nasty” remixes getting Tyga and Chloe Bailey on two separate versions?

I was enjoying giving “Nasty” several identities and breathing life into the song in a way that felt like a true remix like you were gonna get a different version. In the way we did the DJ remixes and got different feelings for the songs, I felt it would be great when it came to the artists I collaborated with for them to also have a strong identity. Chloe made so much sense for the “Nasty” girl remix. She’s already got this powerful, feminine, sexy, fun energy and she’s so sweet. I thought that was perfect. Tyga, he was bringing a whole entire different man-ish more club and West Coast energy. It give it a whole other flavor. All of the excitement surrounding the song is so fun and seeing how many people it touched — whether it was legends like Christina [Aguilera], Janet [Jackson]. 

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How much did it mean to you to meet Janet Jackson? I think back to your “How Many Times” with Future sampling her. 

I love Janet and I love Future and I love that song. That’s a whole circle moment for me for sure. She did her “Nasty” version and put in the “Nasty Girl.” Then I got to meet her and told her she’s a huge inspiration. It was really wholesome. 

You mention Christina, and I also saw Beyoncé and Missy Elliott show love.

All of those are really affirming for me. Missy Elliott is someone you look to for having impeccable taste and always being a tastemaker. I think her support means that it’s dope. Christina Aguilera was one of my “Big Three.” My “Big Three” growing up was Christina, Britney [Spears] and Janet [Jackson]. Beyoncé used it in a Sacred ad, and Rihanna used it in a Fenty Beauty ad. That’s amazing. All of the main girls have showed me love. That’s a great feeling. 

What do you hope to accomplish with Quantum Baby?

I think it’s just continuing to tell the story and getting people to know me. Obviously, hopefully “Nasty” has put a few new people on and brought them into the world. Hopefully, this project brings them deeper into the world that’s constantly evolving and genre-blending. 

What’s your label situation right now with Nice Life?

Going independent was a big turning point for me, and a game-changer in terms of how I perceived myself as a creative — and it helped me rebuild that confidence. Because I was able to rebuilt that confidence, I felt like I got to a place where I was more opened to working with another label. It was kinda like the perfect compromise. They’re independent and it’s more direct art. You can talk to the people involved and have close relationships with everyone on your team. It feels very artist-first. I didn’t have to make compromises, but [I] have the benefit of having extra team members to help make everything successful. 

I saw this story on Reddit going viral about you losing your ticket at a Charli XCX show and they found it and went in with your tickets. I guess you still got in after. Did you see this? Is it true?

Yes, that’s true and of course I saw it. I was like, “You little f–ker. I knew one of you motherf–kers had the ticket.” It was like retrace our steps so quickly. I knew one of those motherf–kers picked it up. Thank God they just let me in anyways. 

Were you looking around like, “Who has my ticket?”

Yes, I was. I was trying to make contact with everybody standing around because I was like, “I know one of you people.” I was right, clearly. 

What do you think about Charli XCX’s moment as well? It’s cool to see her breaking through again after putting in work for a decade-plus. 

It’s amazing, it’s inspiring, it’s exciting. I think it’s great. Any time you see somebody that’s been working really hard get the shine they deserve, we love it.

just saw the latest @Tinashe video and it totally blew my mind. what an incredible dancer. I can’t wait to perform with you tonight ❤️— Charli (@charli_xcx) April 12, 2015

How was working with Kaytranada?

I love Kaytranada. We’ve worked together a handful of times. I feel like every time we work together it’s heat. We have a great vibe in the studio. He’s so cool and down to earth. It feels really natural. 

Did you ever reconnect with Chris Brown after his comments last year? 

I did not speak to him, because I just don’t think he listened to the context of the interview. 

We got a Britney Spears biopic coming. In an alternate universe, is Tinashe playing Britney?

I mean, listen, that would be great. I think I could give — I have a long history of studying Britney’s ways. I think I could hit the moves. 

You were into acting [growing up]?

Yeah, I did a ton when I was young. I did a bunch. I stepped away when I was 16 just to focus on music fully. I’d like to get back to it at some point, but it doesn’t feel like pressing like I need to do it today. Music is my main priority today. 

Are you still playing Warzone?

Yeah, still on the Call of Duty.

I went back to the last time I tweeted you. April 2020, “How does Tinashe have more Warzone wins than me on Call of Duty right now?”

I’m dead, that was the early days of [playing] all day. 

I loved Verdansk. That map is so much better than what we play now. 

I know, I am constantly like, “Bring back Verdansk.” They keep saying it. I’ll believe it when I see it. 

When you’re playing Call of Duty, what are you on? What’s your go-to gun?

PlayStation, PS5. I’m usually on the snipers. They call me SniperNashe. I love to hit a snipe. 

I feel like there’s a lot more girl gamers compared to when we grew up. Have you noticed that?

Yeah, I think it’s less taboo. 

Now it’s like everyone plays video games and streams. I just missed the boat by about five to 10 years here. 

It’s definitely a generational shift in just how people talk about it. There’s no way people weren’t playing before, but people were just more quiet about it. Once people started making money for playing video games, now it’s cool. 

What did you take from touring as an opener for Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry and Justin Bieber?

When you open for people, that’s another level of experience that you have to get because people aren’t necessarily there to see you. So it’s potentially harder to win over a crowd. That’s a good practice in learning how to put on a show that’s gonna engage people who aren’t your core audience. I think it’s really valuable to open for people and get that experience. Also just to build up your performance chops in that way. It’s part of the process. Playing your own shows is a lot easier when everyone’s singing your songs and excited to see you.

It seems like that’s a lost art. Now, I feel like people get one viral moment or hit and they’re thrown out there to the wolves. 

People skip steps. There’s no substitute for experience. That’s why all those things made me the performer I am today.

As a rap fan, did you enjoy the Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef?

I’m here for it. I loved it. I thought it was exciting just to see how much discourse was going on. It just reminded me of a blog era spirit. How quickly everyone was releasing things and it just felt free. It felt real and it wasn’t label politics or on some intricate timeline and rollouts. It was just raw so I love that. 

Who did you have winning?

You know we gotta go with the West Coast. We gotta go with K. Dot. 

What are some of your favorite style trends this year?

I love wearing boxer shorts. I love being comfortable. I love dressing like a tomboy. I love the big oversized and straight leg sweatpant. I love a super-wide leg jean. I love boxer shorts underneath both of those things. 

Are you really from Lexington, Kentucky? How long did you live there?

Three months. I don’t think I’ve been to Lexington since I was three months old. I do not claim that place, although they try to claim me. I don’t know s–t about that place.