R&B/Hip-Hop

17 Jan 2025

Wallo Tries to Diffuse Cam’ron & Jim Jones’ Beef, Hopes the Duo Can ‘Find That Brotherhood Again’

Wallo has stepped in to try to mediate the recent back and forth between Cam’ron and Jim Jones.

Known for giving motivational pep talks to young rappers, and the Internet in general, through his social media platforms and his Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast with his cousin Gillie, the Philly native wrote a lengthy caption addressing the two Dipset members.

“I’m writing this letter from a place of deep admiration and respect,” he began before referencing the his 20-year bid. “From my prison cell, I witnessed something truly incredible—the bond and brotherhood you two shared. Through BET, MTV, college radio, XXL, The Source, and so many other platforms, you brought Harlem’s energy to the world in a way that was nothing short of legendary.”

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He continued by highlighting their chemistry on songs and the influence their group The Diplomats had during the early 2000s. “The connection between you brothers was unmatched. The energy, the swag, the culture—it was magnetic,” he said. “Watching you both rise together gave people like me something to admire and hold onto, even in the toughest times. Straight up, I HATE seeing the distance now, because what you two had was more than music; it was a movement.”

Adding, “I’m sitting here catching a cold, but before I lay it down tonight, I had to get this off my chest. I needed to let you know how much I appreciated everything you shared with us all. Y’all embodied that Harlem pride and made it feel like we were all part of something bigger. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for giving us that. I truly believe that tomorrow can be better than yesterday, and I’m holding onto the hope that you two can find that brotherhood again. I love y’all, and I’ll forever respect the impact you’ve made.”

Cam and Jimmy have been feuding on and off for years now with this new round being set off by an interview Killa conducted with former foe 50 Cent where they brought up a time when Capo and Juelz decided to make an appearance at a G-Unit concert as 50 and Cam were beefing on wax.

17 Jan 2025

Kai Cenat Reacts to Being Mentioned in Drake’s UMG Lawsuit: ‘I Was Told to Stay On Stream’

Popular streamer Kai Cenat has reacted to being mentioned in Drake‘s UMG lawsuit over Kendrick Lamar‘s “Not Like Us.”

During a recent stream, Cenat was confused at first as he read over the section of the 81-page lawsuit that highlights himself and other streamers like RDC World and Zias! “Wait, why am I in this sh–?” he asks after someone commented in the live chat that he was getting sued. “Wait, hold on! Wait, what the f—? I’m getting sued?! N—a, this night I was told to stay on stream!”

However, it wasn’t the day that “Not Like Us” dropped that he was told to stay on stream by Drake. The Toronto rapper actually DM’d him on Instagram a few nights before as he was getting ready to drop what was supposed be his knockout blow in “Family Matters,” which was immediately answered by Lamar about 30 minutes later with the diabolical “Meet the Grahams.”

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Cenat then reacted to someone in the chat suggesting that Drake allegedly said UMG “slid” Kai some money. “I ain’t gonna lie, chat. N—as ate that week,” he said as he laughed. “Both ways, n—as ate crazy, gang. I wasn’t even complaining. All my sh–s was monetized.”

In the lawsuit, Drake’s lawyers suggest content creators like Kai couldn’t have made money off their reaction videos if UMG didn’t “whitelist” the song in the first place. “These content creators could not have legally republished the Defamatory Material in full or profited from their reaction videos without UMG first whitelisting the Recording,” the document reads.

UMG has responded to the lawsuit, calling it “illogical” and “frivolous.”

17 Jan 2025

Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Hits One Billion Spotify Streams

Kendrick Lamar is kicking of 2025 with a bang. The rapper’s monumental hit, “Not Like Us,” has officially surpassed one billion Spotify streams.

Lamar’s anthemic track, released in May 2024, marked the end of the highly publicized feud between himself and Drake and became a longstanding hit, topping the Hot 100 for two nonconsecutive weeks.

It’s gearing up to be a groundbreaking 2025 for Kenny, who will be taking the stage for the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, set to take place on Feb. 9, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. “Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date,” he said at the time of announcement. “And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one.”

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The 17-time Grammy winner is also up for seven awards at the 2025 ceremony. “Not Like Us” is up for record of the year, song of the year, best music video, best rap performance and best rap song. Meanwhile, his  Future and Metro Boomin’s Hot 100 No. 1 collaboration “Like That” is nominated for best rap song and best rap performance.

Back in November, Lamar surprised fans with his sixth studio album, GNX. The 12-track project features contributions from SZA — who appears on  “Luther” and “Gloria” — Jack Antonoff, Kamasi Washington, Roddy Ricch and more.

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17 Jan 2025

‘Billboard Unfiltered’: Drake’s UMG Lawsuit & LiAngelo Ball’s Def Jam Deal

2025 is off to a fast start in the hip-hop world as Billboard Unfiltered returns with another brand new episode on Friday (Jan. 17).

The fellas swerve and bend that corner while discussing LiAngelo Ball’s reported $8 million deal with Def Jam, which is worth up to $13 million, Drake going ahead with his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group and more.

Gelo’s “Tweaker” hit debuted at No. 29 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100, but staffers Kyle Denis and Damien Scott aren’t too confident he’ll be able replicate this kind of success going forward. “He might get $2 [million] of that. The rest of it is going to be put toward actually making his music a success. And signing and producing music under his label,” Scott said. “I’m utterly shocked that they gave him a label deal. He’s shown no experience at making music. We have no idea how this song was made.”

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Denis doesn’t think there’s any “singular song worth a deal like this. And if that song exists, it’s not ‘Tweaker.’”

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He continued to say there’s a philosophical misjudment by the labels latching on to who makes the viral track rather than understanding why something is going viral. “[People] wanted to hear stuff like that. Maybe they didn’t want to hear more Gelo,” Denis added. “The label saw that and said, ‘Y’all want more LiAngelo.’”

Both Denis and Scott would’ve rather seen Def Jam spread out the millions of dollars to other emerging artists rather than betting big on Gelo.

The rap world thought Drake was backing down when he withdrew his legal petitions against UMG, but hours later, returned with an official lawsuit against his label filed in New York for defamation surrounding Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” earlier this week.

“It’s gonna be a tough case for him,” Scott suggested. The debate went on to the lawsuit being a ploy in his contract renegotiation for his next deal. “Someone will give Drake the money he wants. He’s too big — it’s Drake, bro. This is craziness.”

Kyle Denis hasn’t taken the lawsuit seriously because the “suit hinges on the idea Drake’s reputation was pristine before ‘Not Like Us’ and that’s just a fantasy.”

He added: “Look at how people reacted to For All The Dogs, look at how people reacted to Her Loss when he came at Megan [Thee Stallion]… I can’t really sit here and act like ‘Not Like Us’ is the source of all this Drake hate.”

At one time, Drake could make this go away by dropping his next hit and that just hasn’t happened. “Your bread and butter used to just be drop a banger and you’d be back,” Denis stated. “And that hasn’t worked for you yet, and now you ran to the Southern District of New York.”

Watch the full episode below.

17 Jan 2025

Carmelo Anthony Explains His Viral Rihanna Met Gala Meme: Watch

Carmelo Anthony has finally explained the context behind the photo of him and Rihanna that went on to become a viral meme in the mid-2010s. He cleared the air during the Thursday (Jan. 16) episode of 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, where he detailed the situation that originated from a 2014 Met Gala afterparty.

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Anthony claimed on the podcast that Rihanna blew up his spot when all he wanted was an area to chill at the party with no cameras, which is why he’s seen giving her a side-eye as she poses for photographers, and that’s how the “Risk It All” meme was born.

“It was after the Met, we already in there having a good time. Every time a celebrity come in, the cameras go crazy,” Melo said. “I finally walk in and get through the cameras and sit down. Now I found my comfort zone … Ri walks in and [the] cameras go crazy.”

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The former NBA superstar continued: “There’s only one area to go to and I’m like, ‘Please don’t come over here.’ The flashes going, so I put my head down, and I look up and she’s right there posing and the cameras is going.”

Melo was married to Lala Anthony and playing for the New York Knicks in 2014, while Rihanna was between her Unapologetic and Anti albums.

Anthony and Ri’s “Risk It All” meme has withstood the test of time, and still gets resurfaced on social media even more than a decade later.

Watch Melo discuss the Rihanna meme in the clip below.

17 Jan 2025

Reacting to Drake’s UMG Defamation Lawsuit & Def Jam Signing LiAngelo Ball | Billboard Unfiltered

In today’s episode of ‘Billboard Unfiltered,’ Billboard staffers Trevor Anderson, Kyle Denis and Damien Scott react to LiAngelo Ball signing a deal with UMG & Def Jam after “Tweaker” became a viral sensation, Drake’s defamation lawsuit against UMG over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” and more!

Kyle Denis:

Like give to people who actually do this for real a million dollars versus giving it all to this one guy, for all we know, got lucky.

Trevor Anderson:

They’re calling it like the Pizzagate of, you know, the music industry. 

Damien Scott:

If you’re Drake, is that really what you want to be tied to? You really want to be tied to Pizzagate?

Trevor Anderson:

Gentlemen, glad to see you again. This is round two of 2025, how’re we feeling?

Kyle Denis:

We’re living. We’re living. I’ve been better, but also been worse. I can’t complain.

Trevor Anderson:

That’s a good way to put it.

Damien Scott:

We are here which feels like a triumph in and of itself. 

Trevor Anderson:

Yeah, a lot of things are going on. Before we really get into all news, analysis and commentary, I know we all want to make sure and start with the acknowledgement of what’s going on in the greater Los Angeles area. These wildfires that have just been devastating. So many people have lost their homes, have been forced to evacuate, just really upending normal life for a lot of folks. We want to offer our thoughts, prayers, support to everybody that has been affected by this in any way. I know there’s a lot of events that are planned around the Grammys, that’s what people are talking about in particular, which is supposed to come up on February 2nd. 

Keep watching for more!

17 Jan 2025

SZA Argues With Fans Over ‘Lana’ Updates Delay

SZA promised fans updates and new songs would be added to her Lana project earlier this month, but nothing has changed yet 11 days later.

Fans voiced their frustrations with the Grammy-winning singer on X, and she clapped back in a series of messages posted shortly after midnight ET. “Punch was right,” she began by saluting her former manager. “U been told me stop sharing snippets and tea .. thought I was on to something . I’m clear now.”

Others chimed in as one dubbed SZA “unprofessional” and called her out for not delivering on her release date earlier in the month.

“Cause sample clearances always happen within the preferred time frame lmao? I shoulda NEVER tried to give yall what u asked for,” she continued. “It wasn’t professional . It was KINDNESS AND A WILLINGNESS TO APPEASE u lunatics.”

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That wasn’t all, as she went after another fan who slammed her for the missed release date and keeping them in the dark. “Yea atp you gotta just go to hell . I don’t work for you baby . All I can do is my best . Take care,” SZA wrote.

SZA didn’t provide an update on when exactly the new tracks and mixes would arrive, but encouraged fans to try again tomorrow. “Apologies I’ve reached my maximum entertainment of complaints for the day . Pls try again during business hours tomorrow,” she said.

The Lana deluxe was released in December and vaulted SOS back atop the Billboard 200 to kick off 2025. SOS earned 130,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. for the week ending Jan. 2, per Luminate.  The album has spent the most weeks atop the chart for a hip-hop or R&B album by a woman since Whitney Houston’s self-titled album notched 14 weeks at No. 1 in 1986.

Find more of SZA’s tweets below.

17 Jan 2025

Black Music Action Coalition, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Present Third Annual Music Maker Grants in Conjunction With ‘ReStore & ReBuild L.A.’ Fundraiser

The Black Music Action Coalition, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are announcing their third annual BMAC x Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Music Maker Grants. Presented in association with ASCAP and Wasserman Foundation, the grants will be awarded at a ReStore and ReBuild L.A. fundraiser on Jan. 29. Proceeds from the Los Angeles-held event will benefit the BMAC LA Fire Relief Fund to assist residents and local small businesses affected by the area’s ongoing fires.

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With additional support from Amazon Music Rotation, HarbourView Equity Partners and Independent Artist Group, Grammy Award winners Jam and Lewis will honor emerging music creatives selected from a nationwide search. The BMAC x Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Music Maker Grants were established in 2023 in honor of the duo’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The grants provide financial support, mentorship, studio time and networking opportunities to Black music producers and songwriters.

In a release announcing the awards presentation and relief fundraiser, BMAC co-founder and president/CEO Willie “Prophet” Stiggers commented, “Black Music Action Coalition is proud to continue our partnership with the incomparable Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis to celebrate the future of the music industry and to create a night of healing to raise funds for L.A. fire relief efforts. Our annual gathering, kicking off Grammy Week, is where we will announce this year’s BMAC x Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Music Maker Grant recipients as well as raise funds to benefit the BMAC L.A. Fire Relief Fund, an urgent and immediate relief fund with a focus on Black residents and small businesses of the L.A. area affected by the ongoing and devastating fires. We hope to address the immediate needs of L.A residents, support local businesses and musicians in need of revenue and continue our ongoing work to create access and opportunities for the next generation of songwriters, producers and artists — emphasizing the importance of not only restoring businesses and rebuilding homes, but restoring hope and rebuilding the spirit.”

In a joint statement, Jam and Lewis said, “Music is a divine art that has always played a vital role in healing during times of adversity. From ‘That’s What Friends Are For’ to ‘We Are the World,’ ‘Wake Up Everybody’ and our own ‘Optimistic,’ songs have the power to uplift and raise our spirits while also providing critical financial support for rebuilding. We encourage these young music makers to create the soundtrack for recovery and healing.”

Emerging songwriter and artist Mondaii was the first recipient of the pair’s Music Maker initiative in 2023. Its 2024 honorees were ZXIRE and Mikaili Ector. During last year’s event, the platform’s scope was expanded with the announced addition of the BMAC x Victoria Monet Music Maker Grant.

17 Jan 2025

Mac Miller’s Posthumous Album ‘Balloonerism’ Is Here: Stream It Now

Mac Miller’s estate has finally gifted fans with Balloonerism, a posthumous album that has been the subject of speculation for years.

Released on Jan. 17, the album arrives days ahead with what would have been Miller’s 33rd birthday. The Pittsburgh rapper died in 2018 at age 26 of an accidental overdose.

Balloonerism is a 14-track journey that showcases Miller’s experimental side, blending neo-soul and jazz elements. The album kicks off with “Tambourine Dream” and features standout tracks like “5 Dollar Pony Rides,” “Friendly Hallucinations,” “Mrs. Deborah Downer,” “Stoned,” “Manakins,” and “Rick’s Piano.” Notably, the album includes collaborations with artists such as Thundercat, SZA, and Ashley All Day.

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The origins of Balloonerism trace back to 2014, a prolific period for Miller during which he was also working on projects like Faces. Despite its significance, the album was shelved in favor of other releases, leaving fans to piece together unofficial versions circulating online.

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Following the circulation of leaked songs amongst fan communities, the record’s official release was teased with a trailer at November’s Camp Flog Gnaw festival.

Miller’s family previously shared a statement on his Instagram explaining why they’ve decided to release the project. “Many of Malcolm’s fans are aware of Balloonerism, a full length album that Malcolm created around the time of the release of Faces in 2014,” they wrote.

“It is a project that was of great importance to Malcolm — to the extent that he commissioned artwork for it and discussions concerning when it should be released were had regularly, though ultimately GO:OD AM and subsequent albums ended up taking precedence.”

They added, “We believe the project showcases both the breadth of his musical talents and fearlessness as an artist. Given that unofficial versions of the album have been circulating online for years and that releasing Balloonerism was something that Malcolm frequently expressed being important to him, we felt it most appropriate to present an official version of the project to the world.”

Based on the lyrics and music of Miller, and directed by Samuel Jerome Mason, the animated Balloonerism “follows a group of school friends who are transfigured by the music of a chord organ and launched into a shadow world”, a synopsis of the film reads. “Swallowed by the turtle of time, they must plod through the underbelly of adulthood.”

The film was released on Jan. 15 throughout the U.S., with international fans receiving it one day later. A series of “One Night Only” advance theater screenings were scheduled around the world, including in New York City and Miller’s native Pittsburgh, as well as Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, France, Canada, and the U.K.

Miller’s debut studio album, Blue Slide Park, topped the Billboard 200 upon its release in back in 2011, the first independently distributed debut album to do so since 1995. Over the course of five studio albums, Miller evolved into one of the most eclectic artists of the 2010s, delving into alt-rap, soul and R&B with equal fervor.

Following Miller’s untimely death in September 2018, his music saw renewed interest on the charts. His album “Swimming” re-entered the top 10 of the Billboard 200, jumping from number 71 to number 6.

Fans can cop a physical version of the album, which includes a limited-edition deluxe two-LP pressing that features a rainbow foil-wrapped slipcase with white splatter cloud vinyl and a 32-page color booklet featuring photos and lyrics, as well as a limited one-time pressing that features clear vinyl available now on balloonerism.com.

Stream Balloonerism below.

16 Jan 2025

Wendy Williams Believes Diddy ‘Will Go to Prison for Life’

Wendy Williams and her niece called in to The Breakfast Club recently to speak with her old protégé Charlamagne on her health, the conservatorship she’s apparently in and her thoughts on Diddy, who is currently awaiting trial on multiple charges which includes sex trafficking.

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Towards the end of the conversation, Charlamagne brought up the time Wendy was allegedly fired from her job at New York’s Hot 97 to prove that she’s not impaired. “As far as Diddy, Diddy will go to prison for life, people,” she said. “You don’t know things that I do about Diddy back in the day. And you wanna know what? It’s about time, people. It is about time. Diddy done.”

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In October of last year, British tabloid the Daily Mail got in touch with Wendy to get her thoughts on Diddy in which she said, “It is about time.”

When it comes to her health and the conservatorship, the former talk show and radio host said that she’s not impaired or incapacitated and is capable of making her own decisions. “I am not cognitively impaired, but I feel like I am in prison,” she said in the beginning of the interview. “I’m in New York City. … I’m in this place where the people are in their 90s and their 80s and their 70s.”

She alleges her current guardian Sabrina Morrissey is abusing the conservatorship and controlling her money. Wendy also says she doesn’t have access to a laptop or iPad, and can only make calls one-way to family and friends, while they can’t call her.

Back in 2023, Williams was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia. At least that was according to a press announcement.

You can watch the full interview below.