R&B/Hip-Hop
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Hours before Travis Scott hit the MetLife Stadium stage in New Jersey, a bus full of elementary school kids are chanting along to his “FE!N” anthem driving up Manhattan’s Upper East Side. La Flame asserted stadium status when performing in front of over 60,000 ragers for his second U.S. stadium show — California’s SoFi Stadium […]
In tandem with today’s observance of World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is unveiling its Never a Bother campaign in partnership with Grammy Award-winning artist and mental health advocate Megan Thee Stallion. The youth suicide prevention campaign is designed to heighten awareness of suicide prevention tools and resources before, during and after a crisis.
The Never a Bother campaign video finds Megan Thee Stallion talking compassionately about her own mental health journey, the need for transparency in conversations about the subject and the free crisis resources available to youth through the initiative. Her comments were drawn from a recent video interview with Billboard executive director of R&B/hip-hop Gail Mitchell.
“It took me a long time to be comfortable talking about my mental health,” the rapper shares at one point. “Asking for help doesn’t make me weak. Asking for help actually built my strength… going to get the help gave me the tools to be stronger. So I just definitely want to talk to the Hotties and let them know it’s OK to ask for help… Hotties, you are never a bother.” View the video below.
In addition to being posted on Megan’s Instagram and TikTok channels, the video appears on the Never a Bother website and its social media channels as well. The campaign was created with and for California youth with oversight by CDPH’s Office of Suicide Prevention to increase awareness about what’s become a crucial issue. According to data cited by the CDPH, suicide was the second leading cause of death among California youth between the ages of 10-25 from 2018 to 2022. A particular focus of the campaign, notes CDPH, are the “youth populations disproportionately impacted by suicide.”
In tune with Megan’s message, the Never a Bother website also underscores to youths that “you are never a bother. Whether it’s a low point, a crisis or something you can’t exactly put into words, get help for yourself or a friend.” The site also features real stories from young people who have felt overwhelmed by life as well as from the friends who have helped. Resources to share with youth and young people can be downloaded as well from the above-referenced website.
Megan Thee Stallion is as well known for her music as she is for her strong advocacy of mental health. Last year, she filmed a PSA in association with the Seize the Awkward campaign. She also established the Pete and Thomas Foundation, which provides resources for women, children, senior citizens and underserved communities.
The Never a Bother campaign is part of the California Health and Human Services Agency’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI). As stated in the press announcement, this latest campaign “continues the state’s effort to increase awareness of suicide prevention and mental health resources, build life-saving intervention skills and promote help-seeking behavior.”
“I’m really happy for you. I’ma let you finish, but Joe Budden had the greatest mixtape run of all time” — or at least the rapper-turned-podcaster seems to think so. On a recent episode of the always-entertaining Joe Budden Podcast, co-host Ice posed the question: “Who has the greatest mixtape discography?” Budden, to his credit, […]
The 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards took place Tuesday night (Oct. 8) at Drai’s Beach Club in Las Vegas. The awards show will air Oct. 15 on BET at 8 p.m. ET. Fat Joe steered the show for the third consecutive year as the host.There was plenty of star power taking over Sin City. Soulja Boy, 2 Chainz, 41, Big Boogie, Skilla Baby, Lola Brooke, E-40, Lightskinkeisha, Odumodublvck and more had the red carpet going up on a Tuesday.
“Joe Crack is back for the three-peat, night night baby,” Fat Joe said in a statement. “It’s been a dream to host the BET Hip Hop Awards the past few years, and I’m looking forward to taking things to the next level in Las Vegas. We’re going to be in a new city and location, but the excitement and entertainment at the awards will be even bigger than ever.”
Travis Scott was honored with the 2024 I Am Hip Hop Award. He follows recent I Am Hip Hop Award winners like Marley Marl, Trina and Nelly. La Flame earned six nominations in total.
“Travis Scott is a visionary artist who continues to push the boundaries of music, culture, and live performance,” Connie Orlando, EVP, specials, music programming and music strategy said in a statement. “With his unmatched creativity and relentless passion, he has redefined what it means to be a captivating, inspiring entertainer within the hip hop genre. We look forward to celebrating him at BET Hip Hop Awards 2024.”
Megan Thee Stallion led all artists with 12 nominations to her name, including hip hop artist of the year and three separate noms in the best collaboration category. This is only the fourth time that the BET Hip Hop Awards have taken place outside Atlanta since 2006.
Tune in on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 8 p.m. ET to watch the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards on BET, and find photos from the red carpet below.
Tyler, the Creator appears to have had a change of heart when it comes to his sentiments regarding tech and business tycoon Elon Musk. The Grammy-winning rapper took the stage to close out weekend one of 2024 Austin City Limits Festival as Sunday’s (Oct. 6) headliner, when he tweaked lyrics to Flower Boy‘s “911/Mr. Lonely” […]
Nobody loves spooky season more than Megan Thee Stallion, who’s promising that Hottieween is going to be “bigger than ever this year.” Meg announced on Tuesday (Oct. 8) that she’s picked Chicago as the host city for 2024’s Hottieween, which will be held on Halloween. “Hottieween is BIGGER than ever this year !!! CHICAGO HOTTIES […]
The mad villains have linked up once again. Madlib, the MF DOOM estate, Stones Throw Records, and Rhymesayers Entertainment have released “One Beer (Madlib Remix)” to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the late rapper and producer’s fifth solo album MM..FOOD. The version featured on the album is also produced by Madlib, but was credited to […]
Scarface recently underwent open-heart surgery, and is assuring fans that he was doing fine just in time for the 2025 Grandmaster Awards in Las Vegas, where he and other legends such as Grandmaster Caz, Kool Moe Dee and Roxanne Shanté were honored. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news […]
With her eyes set on Friday (Oct. 11) for the release of her debut album, Glorious, GloRilla stopped by Billboard News to gush about her blistering 2024 run, which includes three top 10 songs on the Billboard Hot R&B / Hip-Hop Songs chart with “Yeah Glo!,” “TGIF” and “Wanna Be” featuring Megan Thee Stallion.
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Reflecting on her path to making Glorious, GloRilla shares, “Last year, I was supposed to drop my debut album, but I was still just getting used to stuff and working a lot. When the top of the year came, I had the project basically done. I was like, ‘OK, I gotta give them the mixtape before I give them the album,’ because I went the whole year without dropping anything. That’s why I said I was gonna give them the mixtape first, get em’ back used to me first, give ’em a feel of me, and then that’s gonna prep me for the album. The mixtape did good and did what it was supposed to do, which prepped me for my album.”
Released earlier this year, Glo’s mixtape Ehhthang, Ehhthang caused tremors in the rap world as she rebounded from a quiet 2023 with two scorchers in “Yeah Glo!” and “Wanna Be.” Both records soared on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming top 20 songs, with the latter peaking at No. 11 courtesy of her seamless chemistry with tour bestie, Megan Thee Stallion.
“I don’t really have a lot of industry friends,” says Glo. “I got associates and they’re cool, but me and Meg really got cool. I didn’t expect it. She FaceTimed me when I was getting on the plane, just talking crazy and funny. We really gained a bond.”
This spring, GloRilla opened up for Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour, and after the release of Ehhthang, Ehhthang, kept her torrid run on the Hot 100 intact when she doled out her third hit of the year with “TGIF.” Glo’s signature bravado, husky raps and cogent hooks have become a staple for the Memphis star, who earned a shiny cosign this year from Rihanna, after she rapped “TGIF” on social media over the summer. Glo’s winning streak continued when she caught up with Beyonce while out with Megan Thee Stallion, earning more praise for her noteworthy wins.
“Riri [was] asking for the album and dancing to the song,” recalls Glo. “She don’t be dancing to people’s song. When she did that, I was like, ‘Wow,’ ’cause you know, people be saying that’s my twin. They be hatin’ on me. I love Rihanna. I’m a big fan of Rihanna. I love Beyoncé. I’m the biggest fan of Beyoncé. This was my third time meeting her and she’s always so sweet every time. I love her.”
Watch GloRilla’s full interview with Deputy Director of R&B / Hip-Hop Carl Lamarre above. During her chat, she shares her love for Rod Wave, clears up dating rumors between her and NBA star Damian Lillard and reveals which feature on Glorious she’s most excited about.
Mariah the Scientist was on her way to visit Young Thug at the Fulton County Jail on their third anniversary earlier this week when she claims she was denied a virtual visit with the incarcerated rapper.
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The R&B singer hopped on Instagram Live on Monday (Oct. 7) to vent to fans and voice her frustrations about not being able to virtually see her man (born Jeffery Williams) and the jail official wasting her time. She even brought a decorated “Happy Anniversary” sign and some Scotch tape to spice up the visit.
“It’s my three-year anniversary with Jeff. I done drove all the way to the motherf–king jail. The jail is 30 minutes from the city, first of all,” she began. I done drove all the way to the jail and stopped at Party City in between so I could tape up my little ‘Happy Anniversary’ sign in the back because there’s not much space. It’s through a screen, by the way.”
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Mariah added that she was “devastated” and “sad,” but will try again at another time.
“I done drove all the way to the motherf–king jail with my ‘Happy Anniversary’ sign and my Scotch tape and get inside for them to say, ‘The system is down.’ I’m devastated. I’m looking cute,” she continued. “I put this ponytail in my head. I done did all this s–t and I can’t see my man on my anniversary and I am sad, devastated. That is so crazy … I had to let you in on my trials and tribulations. It’s always some s–t, huh?”
Billboard has reached out to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office for comment.
Young Thug remains behind bars as part of the ongoing YSL RICO trial. He’s been imprisoned since his arrest in May 2022, and is now part of the longest trial in Georgia’s history.
Mariah has held Thug down throughout his prison stint, and will make appearances at his court dates to show her support for the Atlanta rapper. In the past, they’ve connected for Mariah the Scientist tracks such as “Ride” and “Walked In.”
Billboard spoke to Mariah the Scientist earlier this year where she spoke about him still being supportive of her from behind bars and how they essentially talk “every day, all day.”
“I talk to him every day, all day,” she said in May. “When I have the opportunity to go to court and tune in physically, I am there. I feel like he appreciates, respects and encourages the fact that I have a strong work ethic and am actively working as much as I can. It’s good to do that, because if I didn’t I probably would be a little more down and out about it. He’s done a lot of the things I’m doing now, but he’s, like, living vicariously through me again.”
She continued: “We talk about it all the time. I feel like he pushes me to do more things. He’s very encouraging. He’s definitely supportive. I feel like sometimes they expect me to say he’s down and out. He’s not really that kind of guy. It’s very rare that he’s like that. Obviously, everybody doesn’t have perfect days every single day. For the most part, I have more down days than he does.”