R&B/Hip-Hop
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If you don’t remember 50 Cent‘s name on the original lineup of artists for the iconic 2022 Super Bowl halftime show featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem that’s because, according to 50, “they” didn’t want him there.
In a new feature in The Hollywood Reporter, 50 goes into detail about the drama behind the scenes of the Super Bowl LVI performance that featured him as a surprise guest, but which he said almost didn’t happen. “They wanted to leave me out of it. They didn’t want me there,” 50 said, echoing a since-deleted Instagram post from Sept. 2022 in which he said, “[Eminem] is the man, he wouldn’t do the show without me,” after the performance won three Emmy awards; rapper N.O.R.E. also mentioned the initial snub on his podcast around the time.
Asked who “they” were, 50 said it was Jay-Z’s Roc Nation who didn’t want him on stage that night. “Eminem wouldn’t do it without me,” 50 (born Curtis Jackson) reiterated about Marshall Mathers, who first signed Jackson and helped him release his smash 2003 debut studio album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’. “That’s how I ended up on the show because he was not coming if I didn’t do it. When that happens, you go, ‘Damn, so you just lost Eminem because you didn’t bring 50? Damn. All right. Bring 50 then.’ But if it was up to them, they would not have me there. I’m the surprise. I’m not on the bill at all. But they couldn’t get Em to do it without me.”
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The long history of mutual admiration between the two MCs will extend into the future thanks to an upcoming project from 50’s G-Unit Film and Television company, which he said is developing a series based on Em’s 2002 8 Mile feature film. “50 is like a brother to me,” Eminem told THR. “50 has proven again and again that there’s really nothing he can’t do, and nobody gets in the way of him getting it done.”
The story also notes that 50 is expanding his already sprawling TV holdings with an animated series for Amazon Freevee called Lady Danger Agent of B.O.O.T.I. featuring Nicki Minaj. “He’s a blueprint to what resilience looks like,” Minaj said of 50, whose expansive TV portfolio includes the six-season Starz hit Power — and spin-offs Ghost, Raising Kanan and Force — as well as another Starz series, BMF and upcoming shows including the boxing drama Fightland and Queen Nzinga, about an African warrior queen.
“Whenever he’s been counted out in the real world or within the entertainment business, he’s risen to the occasion and come out triumphant. He’s smart. He’s a businessman,” Minaj added. “I can see past the ‘funny 50’ — I see a very deep thinker. He’s honest. He’s mastered the chess game of reinvention throughout many eras of music, entertainment and social media. Yet he still somehow always seems to remain authentic. That is a very difficult feat.”
50 also said he’s launching his own FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) channel, building his own film studio in Shreveport, LA and working on a novel about a Black female Texas Ranger.
Houston-born rapper Travis Scott has announced an expansion of his Circus Maximus World Tour in Australia, adding a second date at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium due to overwhelming demand.
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The tour expansion is part of a purple patch for Scott, marked by record-breaking album sales and tour performances.
The Australian and New Zealand leg of Scott’s tour will kick off after stops in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Mexico in September.
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On Oct. 9, between the Latin American and Australian legs, Scott will also perform for one night only at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Scott’s latest album, UTOPIA, released on July 28, 2023, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 496,000 album-equivalent units in its first week and earning Scott his third consecutive leader.
UTOPIA held the No. 1 position for four consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running top rap album of 2023. The album’s debut week also saw an impressive 330.68 million on-demand streams.
Featuring collaborations with music icons like Drake, Beyoncé, and The Weeknd, UTOPIA showcases Scott’s ability to create chart-topping hits. The album’s lead single, “ESCAPE PLAN,” peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The North American leg of the Circus Maximus World Tour has proved equally impressive, grossing $95.7 million across 44 dates with a total attendance of 686,000 and making it the highest-grossing rap tour of 2024. He also made history with a show at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, where he became the first rapper to headline the venue in 2023.
Currently on the European and U.K. leg of his tour, Scott has already grossed over $23.6 million with nearly 200,000 attendees across the first seven dates.
His performance at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium drew over 48,500 fans and grossed more than $6.6 million, marking his largest headline show to date and breaking the stadium’s merchandise sales record.
Quavo gave a moving speech during Vice President Harris’ rally in Atlanta on Tuesday (July 30), sharing his support for Harris’ commitment to tackling gun violence and running the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “One of these issues that […]
Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign is in full swing, Billboard has learned. According to a source, Quavo will join Vice President Harris at her rally in Atlanta on Tuesday (July 30), where he will give remarks about Harris’ commitment to tackling gun violence and running the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence […]
Polo G’s long-awaited Hall of Fame follow-up is finally on the horizon. The Chicago rapper announced plans for his Hood Poet album on Tuesday (July 30), with the LP set to hit streaming services on Aug. 9. Before the project arrives, Polo is feeding fans with a final single to warm up the streets as […]
October London scores his second consecutive No. 1 single on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart as his song “Mulholland Drive,” featuring Snoop Dogg and Latoiya Williams, glides 3-1 to rule the list dated Aug. 3. The singer’s previous release, “Back to Your Place,” reigned for 10 nonconsecutive weeks between August and December of 2023. Explore […]
Fans speculated Karrahbooo was no longer affiliated with Lil Yachty and his Concrete Boys collective when some noticed she was no longer included in their Instagram bio. Fans also peeped that she unfollowed group members on Twitter and didn’t perform with them at Broccoli City over the weekend. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and […]
Eminem killed off his alter-ego on The Death of Slim Shady, but Slim Shady made his grand return as part of Complex‘s The Face-Off series, released in full on Tuesday (July 30).
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In the 11-minute clip, Eminem argues with Slim Shady, with Em calling out Slim for being too aggressive and controversial while Slim says Em’s entire career success can be attributed to him. “You’re not f—ing Taylor Swift. You had one ‘era’ that mattered. Mine. Everything people think of when they think of Eminem is f—ing yours truly,” Slim quips.
The duo make a series of references to a number of stars throughout the series, including Richard Gere as the original title for 2005’s “FACK,” Vanilla Ice in an old age joke, MGK in reference to their years-long feud and Ja Rule, Moby, Fred Durst and Christina Aguilera as the sarcastically labeled “lyrical titans” that Em has dissed over the years.
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Elsewhere in the interview, the duo make references to Drake’s “Family Matters” when the conversation of weight arose. “We cured fatness. There’s literally a shot for it. It’s very popular,” Em tells Slim, in reference to the type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic, which is often used by celebrities for weight loss.
“I hear it’s got side effects of jealousy,” Slim said, mocking Drake’s “Family Matters” lyric, before Eminem dubs Slim “BBL Slizzy.”
At the end of the series, Em and Slim ultimately come to an understanding and settle their beef. “Look at us. Hey, look at us. Who would’ve thought? Not me,” the duo conclude, in reference to Paul Rudd’s Hot Ones episode and the meme it inspired.
The Death of Slim Shady served as the Detroit legend’s 12th studio album and delivered his 10th consecutive Billboard 200-topper. TDOSS debuted with 281,000 total album-equivalent sales in the first week to end Swift’s three-month run atop the chart.
Watch the full face-off via Complex below.
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Snoop Dogg brought a little bit of silliness to the otherwise no-nonsense Olympic Games over the weekend, starting an impromptu dance party with the Team USA gymnasts right in the middle of competition. In a newly shared video from the women’s gymnastics qualification Sunday (July 28), Simone Biles points at a mystery person in the […]
Rapper Chino XL has died at age 50, his family announced in a statement posted to his Instagram account on Tuesday (July 30). Born Derek Keith Barbosa, Chino XL passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday (July 28); no cause of death was revealed.
“Chino is survived by his children, Chynna, Bella, Lyric, Kiyana; his stepson Shawn; grandchildren Emmy, Emery, Chris, Luis, and Dyani; his mother, Carole; and his former longtime partner Stephanie,” the statement shared. “Our father had many titles — King of Punchlines, Puerto Rican Superhero — but the most important one was Girl Dad. And what he gave us most in that role was his strength, straightforwardness, and ability to be super realistic,” Chino XL’s daughters added in a joint message. “The main thing we are feeling now is that our Dad is at peace, and so we are at peace.”
Born in the Bronx and raised in East Orange, N.J., Chino formed the Art of Origin duo with Kerri Chandler, and they signed to Def Jam Recordings via Warner in 1991. Chino XL went on to reach acclaim in his solo career.
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His Here to Save You All debut — featuring collabs with Kool Keith an Ras Kass — arrived in 1996 and reached No. 56 on the Top R&B Albums chart. Chino followed up with I Told You So in 2001 and Poison Pen in 2006, as well as 2012’s Ricanstruction: The Black Rosary.
Chino XL has notched collaborations over the years with Kool G Rap, Proof, J. Dilla and B-Real among others. He also earned some stripes in Hollywood as an actor in movies such as Alex & Emma, while appearing in television shows such as CSI: Miami, The Young and the Restless and Reno 911!
More recently on the music side, Chino connected with Stu Bangaz for their God’s Carpenter joint project in 2023. He also made an appearance on “Pedulum Swing,” which landed on Rakim’s G.O.Ds Network – Reb7rth album last Friday (July 26).
There has been an outpouring of support from the hip-hop community since the news of his death.
“My uncle knew i hate giving the internet even a fraction of my pain if it isnt on vinyl. There are no amount of tears that could ever bring me peace. No amount of words that could ever bring me solace,” his niece Lady London wrote in part in a lengthy Instagram tribute. “Uncie, Thank you for nerding out with me. For gifting me with the love of words and knowledge. Literature and rhythmical composition. For your heart… larger than your body (quite literally) . Your Legacy lives on, forever. I promise im gonna take it all the way there.”
Ice-T also remembered his friend on social media. “This one REALLY hurts… Yesterday morning I got the awful news and did not want to believe it was true,” the musician and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star wrote on Instagram alongside a black-and-white photo of the late artist. “I’ve lost so many homies but THIS one got me Fd up. People know he was an incredible MC. But Chino was a truly GREAT MAN. This is a tragedy. My love and condolences go out to his family. Homie you are loved by so many. Rest in Peace Homie.”
Find more reactions to the news of Chino XL’s death below.
Damn… RIP to the legend Chino XL 🙏🏾— Joe Budden (@JoeBudden) July 29, 2024
We spoke on the phone the other day and laughed. Our careers have been tied together since the Wake Up Show freestyles decades ago. I’m fucked up. Rest in Peace my brother Chino XL 🙏🏾🙏🏾— Crook 🏴🏳️🏴 (@CrookedIntriago) July 30, 2024
Rest in Peace to one of the true Icons of the HipHop Underground CHINO XL. A legendary lyricist, a good friend and a great man. you are missed and loved— R.A. the Rugged Man (@RAtheRuggedMan) July 30, 2024
CHINO XL. That was my man. Smh. RIP.— Alchemist Type Beat (@Alchemist) July 30, 2024
hurts to write, RIP Chino XL.— Evidence (@Evidence) July 29, 2024
RIP to a lyrical warrior, the true one of one, Chino XL. Legends never die, and neither do lyrics, so you’re still here G 🙏🏽— Skyzoo (@skyzoo) July 30, 2024