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Mastering engineer Nicolas de Porcel — who’s credited on Drake diss songs “Euphoria,” “Meet the Grahams,” and “Not Like Us” — spoke with EngineEars a few weeks back in a clip that’s starting to make the rounds on social media. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news While on […]
For all intents and purposes, July was Jamaica’s — and the island solidified that fact on the very last day of the month. There’s still some time before the track and field events get underway at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics — led by JA’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson and Hansle Parchment — so the universe gifted Jamaica another reason to celebrate: the release of dancehall icon Vybz Kartel.
On Wednesday (July 31), just over a week before Jamaica’s Independence Day (Aug. 6), Kartel regained his freedom after the Court of Appeal unanimously ruled that he and his co-accused — Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St. John — will not face a new trial for the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams. Although he was originally sentenced to 35 years in prison after a historic 64-day trial back in 2014, Kartel (and his co-accused) have always denied their involvement in Williams’ death. In March 2024, the Privy Council of the United Kingdom overturned the convictions and sent the case back to the Court of Appeal to decide whether it would be retried.
The news of a free Kartel reverberated across the Caribbean diaspora, with fans rejoicing from Kingston to Brixton to New York. Naturally, Kartel had a new project ready to go, with First Week Out dropping the night of his release. While one of the project’s tracks appears on this month’s round-up, there are still plenty of non-Kartel releases to sift through.
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Naturally, Billboard’s monthly Reggae/Dancehall Fresh Picks column will not cover every last track, but our Spotify playlist — which is linked below — will expand on the 10 highlighted songs. So, without any further ado:
Freshest Find: Boyzie, “Chaotic”
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Reigning Spicemas Corporation groovy soca monarch Boyzie offers a new addition to the soundtrack for the road to 2024 Spicemas with “Chaotic.” A superb slice of power soca, Boyzie completely embodies the exuberance and catharsis of power soca with this new banger. “Watch everything just to start to lift, lift, lift/ And shift, shift, shift,” he bellows in an ascending melody that pairs perfectly with the amalgam of hyper-frenetic drums and buoyant horns, courtesy of producers PeckJonezz, Wetty Beatz & Ras Stickle. “Chaotic” sounds and feels incredibly lush — but nothing can take attention away from the seemingly gravitational pull of Boyzie’s voice. If anyone is looking for permission to truly feel joy in every last one of their joints, they’ll find their license through his evocatic, expansive vocal performance.
Vybz Kartel, “Terror by Night”
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From “Fever” to “Romping Shop,” Vybz Kartel has more hits than there are stars in the sky, so the anticipation for his first post-prison project were through the roof. To the delight of his fans, the World Boss didn’t keep anyone waiting, with the 12-track First Week Out arriving the same night he regained his freedom. One of the standout tracks on the project is “Terror by Night,” a dark slice of modern dancehall accented by choir-esque female backing vocals that offer a nice contrast to his raspy conviction-filed voice. “Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night and the arrows that fly by day,” he proclaims three times over in the hook, flipping Psalms 91:5-12 into his own self-mythologizing scripture that’s equal parts ominous and uplifting. Sure, it’s technically a 2023 release, but “Terror” finds a new weight in the context of First Week Out.
Stalk Ashley, Kraff Gad & Skeng, “Senseless”
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Whenever dancehall gets to mixing with drill, the results are almost always impressive. With “Senseless,” Stalk Ashley, Kraff Gad and Skeng fashion the classic gun chune into the drill-indebted dancehall anthem that doubles as a warning to all of their respective opps. “You mussi think mi defenseless/ Run up on mi, see if yuh nuh headless,” Ashley warns over the gritty Jaxx and KingBNJMN-produced beat. As strong as her hook is — Skeng’s contributions are as lively as ever, as well — it’s Kraff that’s the star of the show with his menacing delivery and slick flow switches.
Etana & Mr. Cheeks, “Weh Di Weed Deh”
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The relationship between weed and reggae is well-documented, and Etana adds to the lexicon of reggae weed anthems with “Weh Di Weed Deh.” A collaboration with Queens rapper Mr. Cheeks — perhaps best known as a member of Lost Boyz and for his 2003 feature on Lil Kim’s “The Jump Off” — “Weh Di Weed Deh” finds Etana crooning over a swaggering guitar-based groove, conjuring up odes to the wonders of Mary Jane. There’s a levity in both her and Mr. Cheeks’ tones that brings some humor to the whole affair, but the sincerity of this dedication to marijuana is never in question.
Notnice & Chronic Law, “One Dream”
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Notnice’s “Survivors Guilt” riddim is one of the more introspective and understated compositions of the year, and Chronic Law paints beautifully over the string-inflected soundscape. He employs a slightly despond, but mostly pensive tone as he parses emotional, restless nights and the power of prayer. “Everybody goes through obstacles, man, and that’s life you see,” he says in the intro before singing, “Mi nuh need glasses fi see when my brother god/ Nobody nuh give we umbrella for di storm/ Haffi walk through rain/ Haffi laugh through pain.”
Kranium, “Endless Vibes”
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Kranium has been one of the most dependable dancehall emcees for years, and he keeps the good times rolling with “Endless Vibes.” With a hook that nods to Steam’s late-’60s Billboard Hot 100-topper “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye,” Kranium delivers classic dancehall vibe with healthy dose of spunky synths and a notably melodic vocal delivery that takes him on a journey from chest voice-housed rap cadence to sweet falsetto coos lodged in his background vocal stacks.
Rebnant, “Bring It Back”
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Making a song for the ladies is a tried-and-true dancehall approach, which made the path a no-brainer for Claremont-born U.S.-based dancehall artist Rebnant. “She nuh f–k like mi and das a problem,” he proclaims over a thumping beat courtesy of Cook Shop Entertainment. A taste of an EP due later this year, “Bring It Back” is a classic party track that fits nicely in the high-energy pockets of a night at the dancehall.
Brick & Lace, “Proof”
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Over a decade after splitting up to focus on solo ventures, Brick & Lace (real-life sisters Nyla and Nyanda Thorbourne) are back. The ladies who gifted the world 2007’s Love Is Wicked tap into their Afro-dancehall bag with “Proof.” Produced by The Kemist, son of Marcia Griffiths, “Proof” finds the siblings opting for a more mature vibe as they sing of the wonders of building a sustainable, long-lasting love. “That’s how I know you’re the proof/ This feeling is real and I know it’s true,” they declare over infectious Afropop drums.
Erphaan Alves, Yung Bredda, Pimpin & DJ Hotty, “Bad Gyal Pt. 2″
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For the “Bad Gyal” remix, Erphaan Alves tapped an all-star line-up of artists, including Yung Bredda, Pimpin and DJ Hotty. “Bad gyal kill him wid di wine” stands as the song’s strongest refrain as the three artist conjure up infectious soca vibes over Kedon Charles’ drum-heavy riddim. “Throw that down like yuh carless,” Erphaan demands, expertly toeing the line between sexed-up lyricism and humorous delivery.
Gyptian, “My Woman”
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“Tell me what it is/ When you look at me/ Cause when I see you/ I see my woman,” Gyptian lovingly opens “My Woman.” Always one to venture to dancehall’s depths with a nuanced understanding of true romance in his back pocket, Gyptian sounds right at home over Chambah’s sparse, slinky production. Most Stateside listeners will recognize Gyptian’s name and voice from his classic “Hold Yuh,” and the tender undertones of that track are the grounding force of “My Woman,” a beautiful dedication to the time-tested love between two people.
Vybz Kartel is free, and he dropped a new project to celebrate. First Week Out is 12 tracks long and clocks in at around 33 minutes, with Squash being featured on four songs. The project, courtesy of 21st Hapilos Compilations, serves as a mixtape of loosies that have floated around since the dancehall star has […]
Joe Budden is skeptical that Tory Lanez was the triggerman with intentions of shooting Megan Thee Stallion during the dispute in 2020 that led to the Canadian singer being sentenced to a decade behind bars.
During Thursday’s (Aug. 1) episode of The Joe Budden Podcast, Budden and his co-hosts debated the legitimacy of an affidavit supplied by the driver from the night of the July 2020 shooting in California following a party at Kylie Jenner’s house.
However, the rapper-turned-podcaster voiced his belief that Meg was merely a “pawn” in the situation and there could be higher powers at play when it came to taking down Lanez.
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“What is more likely? Tory leaves the studio, goes to Kylie Jenner’s house, is having a blast, thinking he’s about to get the foursome popping off,” Budden asked. “Meg gets jealous — we know how they got in the car. What is more likely? That Tory was so angered in that car that he took Kelsey’s gun and shot her?”
Budden didn’t understand the reason as to why Tory Lanez would get so angry to the point he’d shoot Megan. “Y’all think a man is just shooting a girl for no reason? Give me a reason,” he said. “‘Cause the only reason we got was, ‘[Megan] said that I have more No. 1s than him.’”
“Or what’s more believable? Two people that was running around as best friends, new in the music industry, one gets COVID, comes back, finds out her best friend is f—ing the n—a that she’s f—ing on,” he theorized. “And this n—a was just about to get some Kylie Jenner a– … That guy is shooting? No, that guy wants to go back!”
Joe Budden speculated that Meg was a “pawn” in the ordeal and didn’t want to publicly give up the name of the person behind who “made it up.”
“I think it’s above her,” he continued. “I don’t think she made it up. She’s a mere pawn in this. This play is greater than her. She didn’t make nothing up. I ain’t gonna say who I think made it up … But it wasn’t her. N—as out there know who it is. I know exactly who it is, I know how that gun got there, I know who gun it was.”
The third party involved in the drunken dispute was Meg’s former friend Kelsey Harris, whom the “Pump It Up” rapper alleged slid into his DMs requesting that he not discuss her and the Meg-Tory shooting anymore on his podcast.
“The last time we talked about this sh–, I thought it was weird Kelsey jumped in my DMs like, ‘Hey, don’t talk about this no more.’ Why, ’cause you got immunity? That’s odd,” he added.
Tory Lanez remains behind bars after being sentenced to 10 years in prison in August 2023. Months prior, Lanez was convicted on three felony counts related to shooting Megan in the foot.
“If I could turn back the series of events that night and change them, I would,” he reportedly told the judge. “The victim was my friend. The victim is someone I still care for to this day.”
Following the December 2022 conviction, Budden changed his tune and apologized to Megan for joking about her mental health. “I’m apologizing to Meg,” he said on his podcast. “Meg, the people that love her, her handlers, her team, the people that have to support her through what has to be an exhausting trial. I listened back. I got a few phone calls from women that I love and appreciate and admire.”
While in prison, Lanez got his hands on recording equipment and released his “Wish I Never Met You (Prison Tapes)” single this past Friday.
Watch the episode below. The talk about Tory Lanez starts around the 21-minute mark.
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Vybz Kartel is a free man. After 13 years behind bars, Vybz — born Adidja Azim Palmer — was released from prison on Wednesday.
Per FOX 5, the Jamaica Court of Appeal voted unanimously not to have a retrial in the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, which led to the dancehall star’s release along with his three co-defendants, Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St. John.
Even though Williams’ body was never discovered, Vybz was convicted in the murder in 2014. Kartel and his co-defendants faced accusations of killing Williams over two unlicensed firearms that weren’t returned to them.
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“We conclude that the interest of justice does not require a new trial to be ordered,” Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop stated, per BBC.
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One of the reasons the court cited was also because of Vybz Kartel’s deteriorating health situation, as he’s been diagnosed with Graves’ Disease and a heart condition. FOX 5 also reported that the Jamaican icon was battling a thyroid disease, while his lawyers said his prison conditions were “inhumane.”
Vybz regaining his freedom became a possibility when the U.K.’s Privy Council overturned the conviction against him and the co-defendants in March, citing juror misconduct due to an alleged bribery attempt.
Once King Charles signed off on the matter, Vybz’s fate was back in the Jamaican Court of Appeal’s hands.
In addition to the “Summer Time” singer’s health situation, the appeal court said the amount of time and lack of witnesses and financial resources needed also played a role in the decision against a retrial.
A celebratory scene broke out as fans were sent into a frenzy outside the Jamaican courthouse after learning that Vybz Kartel would be walking away free.
Vybz Kartel has worked with Rihanna, Eminem and Jay-Z in the past. The 48-year-old artist has launched seven different projects into the Reggae Albums chart’s top 10. His most recent LP arrived in 2021 with Born Fi Dis (Prelude).
Fans broke down barriers to mob attorney Isat Buchanan as he emerged from the Court of the Appeal in downtown Kingston on Wednesday, after his client and dancehall star Vybz Kartel was just freed of a murder charge. “Free worl’ boss!” the fans shouted. 📹: Sashana Small pic.twitter.com/HmzIEnZ6Jm— Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) July 31, 2024
Music star Vybz Kartel is now out of the State’s custody and is back on Jamaican streets. The 48-year-old artiste, who is battling ill health, was met by adoring fans as he left prison in Kingston, hours after the Court of Appeal freed him of a 13-year-old murder charge. pic.twitter.com/QYGtuD6dI3— Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) July 31, 2024
Snoop Dogg has spoken out about his special bond with the late Queen Elizabeth II.
In an interview with U.K. radio station Capital FM, the rapper sat down for tea at the posh Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel in London with interviewer Jordan North, where they touched on the “Gin and Juice” hitmaker’s relationship with the longest-reigning British Monarch.
“I’ll go by the palace, see if they let me in,” he said during the interview on July 23, presumably referring to Buckingham Palace. North replied, “Well, I’ve heard the future king, William, is a huge Snoop fan.”
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“Well, the Queen was a fan too,” Snoop remarked, adding, “Rest in peace to the Queen, that was my girl. You know what I’m saying? So, just may want to go up and, you know, see what you do.”
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This isn’t the first time Snoop has spoken about the Queen. In a 2015 interview published in The Guardian, he revealed that Queen Elizabeth II had intervened in his deportation from the U.K. amid calls for him to be kicked out of the country while he was touring back in 1994.
“When they tried to kick me out of England, the Queen made a comment that her grandbabies loved Snoop Doggy Dogg, and he had done no wrong in the U.K., so she gave me permission to be here,” he shared.
Snoop added, “Those grandbabies grew up to be Prince William and Harry, so I had influence on them, and they had influence on their grandmother, which enabled me to get into this beautiful country. They love my music, and it is what it is. There’s a mutual love and respect.”
Elsewhere in the Capital FM interview, Snoop spoke about another one of his unlikely friends – Martha Stewart.
As Jordan showed Snoop the ropes when it came to high tea etiquette, the rap star quipped, “Oh etiquette is key, I have a friend named Martha Stewart who loves teaching me that word etiquette. Yeah, in the hood we don’t have etiquette, we just get cracking, like a breakfast egg.”
In more Snoop-related news, the artist-turned-unofficial Olympic Ambassador has been busy exploring everything the Paris 2024 Olympics has to offer.
He has been a fan-favorite correspondent all over NBC broadcasts, providing lively coverage of the 2024 Olympic Games.
Recently, he caught up with swimming icon and 23-time gold medalist Michael Phelps for some tips in a video shared by NBC Sports on Monday (July 29). The 52-year-old has been spotted across the Olympic Village, cheering on gymnastics competitions, chatting with Simone Biles’ mother, and serving as an official torchbearer for the United States.
Boldy James and The Alchemist go together like peanut butter and jelly, like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, like a Backwood and an eighth. Earlier today, they let go of a warm-up loosie that hopefully leads to another full project from Rap Game Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars. “Ten Pints” shows off their undeniable chemistry […]
Back in June, Druski posted behind the scenes footage of what looked like a skit of himself playing a UK drill rapper. However, it turns out that he was filming a music video.
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Today, the social media comedian dropped “No More Social Media” featuring UK rapper Kairo Keyz. Druski directed the video himself and he provides some humorous bars like, “Spank the opp like a baby’s bottom/That’s naughty, naughty,” delivered with a funky British accent. Kairo comes through with some funny bars, as well and references Druski’s Coulda Been Records and the Ugliest Rapper Alive from the Atlanta comedian’s Coulda Been House YouTube series.
There’s also the fact that Druski is wearing a white t-shirt sleeve as a Shiesty mask. The video and song are ridiculous in the best way possible and the beat — provided by producer Muddy — kinda bangs. Hopefully, we get more parody songs from Druski. This is his second parody song of the year, so far. He dropped “Standin on Bihness” featuring Snoop & DJ Drama in February. He put out a call to action for Coulda Been Records London auditions, as well, but that sure to be classic footage hasn’t been released yet.
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Later this year he’ll be putting on the inaugural comedy and music festival Coulda Fest on September 7 at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. DC Young Fly, 21 Savage, Lil Baby, Kai Cenat, Soulja Boy, Waka Flocka Flame, Young Dro, Roscoe Dash, Travis Porter, Yung Joc, among others and special guests are all set to make appearances.
Check out his statement explaining the festival below:
“Coulda Fest won’t be a traditional music and comedy festival. It’s going to be a celebration of Atlanta’s culture and a night full of hilarious sketches that bring us back to the special times in our city’s music history. This concept has never been done before, so I’m looking forward to bringing this vision to life.”
You can cop tickets here.
Charli xcx is really your favorite reference, baby. Aminé is getting into the Brat Summer hype by dropping his “360.5” freestyle Tuesday. His 2-minute, 11-second video features a sublime Euro summer backdrop, with the sun setting behind the rapper, who’s wearing neon-green swim trunks and holding a glass of wine, in Ischia, Italy. “Yeah, 360, […]
Lil Yachty has developed a close bond with Drake over the last few years, and he’s had a front-row seat to the 6 God’s recent career moves as a collaborator.
Boat stopped by the Flagrant podcast with Andrew Schulz on Wednesday (July 31), where he claimed that Drake was “genuinely unfazed” by the Kendrick Lamar feud, and has been able to tune out the deafening noise and “Not Like Us” trolls coming from the outside world.
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“He’s still that n—a. They both still that n—a. What’s gon’ change? They both gon’ do they thing,” he said. “I talked to him and that sh– didn’t bother him. As it shouldn’t — he’s the f—ing guy. If I had $700 million you couldn’t talk to me either.”
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While Yachty still kept in contact with Drake, he was actually overseas in Europe when the battle with Kendrick was reaching its peak.
“I never saw him down. I never saw him kicking his f—ing foot holding his head down, to the point where I stopped talking to him about it because I felt like I was the one bringing him the negativity,” Yachty continued around the 1:36 mark.
He continued: “I was bringing the cloud when I’d be like, ‘Man, I hate that this person said this.’ I was showing him sh– he hasn’t seen. Then I realized I’m bringing you the negativity, let me stop. I just realized his energy wasn’t down, so I wasn’t going to try [to bring him down].”
Earlier in the episode, Yachty and the co-hosts debated why a contingent of hip-hop fans were “energized about the elimination of Drake,” as Ye put it in April.
The “Minnesota” rapper hypothesized that people had Drake fatigue and were tired of seeing him winning and dominating the rap game for over a decade.
“I think people just hate on Drake because he’s the guy,” he speculated. “It’s also because he f—ed everyone’s bi–h. He’s also that guy, though. All the records, all the numbers. He’s the one.”
However, Lil Yachty regretted inserting himself into the commentary surrounding the beef. “I just wish I had never spoke on it,” he admitted.
Kendrick Lamar actually name-dropped the Atlanta native to jab at Drake on the scathing “Euphoria.” “Yachty can’t give you no swag neither, I don’t give a f— ’bout who you hang with,” Lamar raps on the diss track.
50 Cent had a similar theory to Yachty when it comes to his belief about Drake’s rap peers being jealous of his success.
“Look, our culture loves to see you go up because it’s confirmation that they can go up,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “But when you stay up — ‘I want this sh– forever, man’ — they go, ‘Well, goddamn. When you going to come down? If you don’t come down, I ain’t going to have my chance to go up.’ And then it’s these clouds that come over you, and that cloud is doubt, a shadow of doubt that doesn’t come from material or your work ethic.”
50 continued: “It’s doubt from the artist community, where they say, ‘I don’t know, his new sh– is cool, but it’s not his first sh–.’ They do that to you and Drake’s just experiencing what you experience as a backlash from success, from the consistency he’s delivered over and over. I don’t see a loss for Drake. The people who bought Drake material are going to buy Drake material when his next song comes out.”
Drake and Kendrick Lamar exchanged diss tracks from April into early May. Billboard hailed K. Dot as the victor, and he’s gotten the last laugh with his “Not Like Us” diss dominating the Billboard Hot 100, where it stands at No. 3 on this week’s chart after spending two nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1.
Listen to the full podcast below. The pair of Drake segments take place around the 51-minute and 1:33 marks.
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