R&B/Hip-Hop
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The 2024 BET Awards — hosted by Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson — provided the big news of the weekend, with some of the biggest names across R&B, hip-hop, gospel and Afrobeats descending upon Los Angeles for the ceremony.
Amid parodies of Kendrick Lamar‘s “Not Like Us” and countless reminders to vote in the upcoming presidential election, Tyla (best new artist and best international act) and Victoria Monét (video of the year and the BET Her Award) took home two trophies each, Megan Thee Stallion opened the show with fiery medley of tracks from her new Megan LP, and Black country stars Shaboozey and Tanner Adell made their respective BET Awards debuts.
Of course, there was also that star-studded Usher tribute — featuring Monét, Teyana Taylor, Chlöe, Tinashe, Keke Palmer, Childish Gambino, Marsha Ambrosius, Summer Walker, Latto and Coco Jones — which had the entire crowd on its feet, as did Usher’s 15-minute acceptance speech for the lifetime achievement honor.
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While the BET Awards swallowed up most of the weekend’s discourse, there were still scores of new releases across R&B and hip-hop to sift through. With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Lucky Daye & RAYE‘s emotional new duet to Flau’jae and Lil Wayne‘s new collaboration. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Lucky Daye feat. RAYE, “Paralyzed”
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Lucky Daye and Raye are two of the most gifted singer-songwriters across contemporary pop and R&B, so their union was always going to be a winner. “Paralyzed,” a standout track from Lucky’s new Algorithm LP, is an exquisite acoustic ballad that allows both artist’s voices to take center stage. Lucky’s luscious layers of background vocals during his opening verse and chrous are an absolutley haunting color to lyrics that grapple with the anxiety that comes with living and leaving this life without your other half. By the time RAYE comes in with her swaggering rap-sung cadence, the sparse production remains mostly unchanged, with her and Lucky’s smoldering, evocative vocal chemistry becoming the song’s life force. “I’m not leaving, paralyzed/ Say love’s easy, a pair of lies/ Know you see me, terrified/ Pair with mine, come pair with mine,” Lucky croons in the final chorus.
Flau’jae & Lil Wayne, “Came Out a Beast”
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The LSU college hoops star checks a dream collaboration off her bucket list when connecting with Lil Wayne for the thunderous “Came Out a Beast.” Flau’jae’s hard-hitting bars go toe-to-toe with Weezy for a competitive sparring session with one of the best to ever pick up a pen. “I’m a millionaire and I don’t got a degree,” she flexes. Wayne takes the baton and floats with ease, proving the rap alien he really is. “Screaming ‘f–k the world’ like a virgin,” Weezy spits in vintage fashion, with a simile that we’ve come accustomed to hearing for over two decades now. Flau’jae should be proud of her performance, but there’s a reason Wayne is a true one-of-one in this game.
Tinashe, “Getting No Sleep”
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Just after scoring her biggest solo hit in a decade with the deliciously salacious “Nasty,” Tinashe has unveiled the next single from her forthcoming Quantum Baby LP. Less in the slinky hip-hop-inflected lane of “Nasty” and more in a drum-and-bass PinkPantheress-esque space, “Getting No Sleep” finds Tinashe continuing her quest to find someone who can “match her freak.” “All week long, keep pressure high/ Got you whipped, all quick replies,” she coos, slyly playing up the tension of time apart that ultimately gives way to passionate sleepless nights. The urgency of the D’n’B beat is the perfect complement to the “we ain’t getting no sleep” hook; lyrically and musically, Tinahse is utterly relentless, and “Getting No Sleep” triumphs because of it.
Wolfacejoeyy, “Finsta (sexy liar)”
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The Staten Island native isn’t slowing down following the release of his Valentino project via Alamo Records in May. Wolfacejoeyy feels like he’s on the precipice of a breakthrough. Joey returns with “Finsta (Sexy Liar)” as part of a two-pack, which finds him meshing the worlds of sexy drill, pop-rap and infectious R&B into a woozy cocktail. There are layers to his simple-yet-complex songwriting, with “Finsta” serving as a prime example of his talents. Someone’s “fake Instagram” is actually a glimpse into their real personality when they’re not performing for society, and only those closest to them have access to it. “I wanna know the real you, can I get your Finsta,” he cheekily asks. Our grandparents would be so proud.
Eric Benét & Tamar Braxton, “Something We Can Make Love To”
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Ahead of his first album since 2016’s self-titled LP, four-time Grammy nominee Eric Benét has returned with the Tamar Braxton-assisted duet “Something We Can Make Love To.” He opens the slow jam crooning, “I don’t know if he knows what to do when you finally decide to get loose/ Those moments they come far and few/ In between/ I don’t mind If I gotta be the guy that comes to the front of your mind,” painting over Laney Stewart’s production with his heated, soulful tone. Tamar effortlessly matches Benét’s breathy delivery with a vocal performance that helps steer the song’s steady pacing, ultimately ending with cathartic vocables and riffs that pay tribute to the best slow jams of R&B days past.
Jahkoy, “Someday”
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Love can be a hell of a drug. Jahkoy’s “Someday” recalls a classic ‘90s R&B vibe that many from that era wish they could bottle up and implement in today’s music landscape. The Toronto-bred singer is writing checks he might not be able to cash down the line, but knows he needs to do what he can to woo a lover. Jahkoy will do whatever it takes to keep her around even if he can’t live up to her expectations at the moment – a relatable topic for many out there. “Someday I’m gonna love you the right way/ Get you high on satisfaction/ Girl I’m really bout that action,” he croons while painting the picture of a fantasy life. Even if he doesn’t, at least it sounds good. F–k it, we ball!
Beyoncé appears to have given her stamp of approval on Victoria Monét and Teyana Taylor‘s recreation of her and Usher‘s 2004 “Bad Girl” performance during the 2024 BET Awards Sunday night (June 30). The “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer shared clips on her Instagram Story Tuesday (July 2) of the duo performing “Bad Girl” from Usher’s […]
Childish Gambino is ready for his final act. Gambino delivered his grungy “Lithonia” single on Tuesday (July 2) and revealed the release date for Bando Stone & the New World, which will be his last under the moniker.
Co-produced by Gambino himself alongside legends Max Martin, Ludwig Göransson and Michael Uzowuru, “Lithonia” hit streaming services on Tuesday (July 2).
“Cody LaRae/ He had a break/ He’s findin’ out/ That nobody gives a f–k,” he raps following a dynamic church organ intro. LaRae could possibly be a character in Gambino’s Bando Stone & the New World movie. As far as the soundtrack, fans can expect the Bando Stone & the New World to arrive in full on July 19 via RCA Records.
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The multi-hyphenate debuted the trailer for Bando Stone during his appearance at the 2024 BET Awards on Sunday (June 30). Gambino took part in the Usher tribute medley at the award show, which he kicked off with a smooth cover of the R&B icon’s 2002 anthem “U Don’t Have to Call.”
Childish Gambino stars in and directed Bando Stone, and also helmed the soundtrack. In the dystopian trailer, his character is a washed-up pop star who finds himself fending off sci-fi monsters looking to take over Earth. He fights for his survival with his co-star companion, who is played by Jessica Allain.
NYC fans are in luck, as Gambino has announced an interactive experience billed as Childish Gambino Live From Little Island, which will offer a first listen of his project. Tickets for the July 6 show go on sale starting on Wednesday (July 3) at 10 a.m. ET on Ticketmaster.
However, fans across the globe will be able to get a live taste, as the “This Is America” rapper is bringing his show on the road this summer. The New World Tour will kick off in Oklahoma City on Aug. 11 with support from Willow. A 33-stop trek is on the horizon before wrapping up the North American leg in Chicago on Oct. 3.
The U.K. and the rest of Europe will have their chance to see Gambino live throughout the fourth quarter of 2024. Stops are slated for France, Germany, Netherlands, the U.K., Ireland and more. The Atlanta creator will also head to Australia for five dates in early 2025.
Listen to “Lithonia” and watch the Bando Stone & the New World trailer below.
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Eminem returned on Tuesday (July 2) with his second The Death of Slim Shady single, “Tobey,” alongside fellow Detroit residents Big Sean and Babytron. Batting third on the track, Em sliced up the ominous production and even appeared to address Billboard ranking him at No. 5 on the 50 Greatest Rappers of All-Time list, which […]
Jordan Adetunji debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 with his breakthrough viral hit, “Kehlani.” Released May 19 on Indigo Kid/300 Entertainment, the song enters the Hot 100 (dated July 6) at No. 70 with 8.1 million U.S. streams (up 46%) and 510,000 all-format radio audience impressions June 21-27, according to Luminate. It also opens at […]
Drake will forever be immortalized in the Big Apple, as the 6 God has received a wax figure at Madame Tussauds New York.
As part of the multimillion-dollar investment into the Times Square staple, the concert floor experience has been taken to another level, and the latest addition was the unveiling of the 6 God’s wax figure on Monday (July 1).
The music area’s theme essentially recreates the energy behind a lively New Year’s Eve in NYC with confetti-engraved floors, countdowns and bright lights across the room with tunes bumping from speakers.
Drake’s realistic wax figure finds him rocking crispy white Air Force 1s, tie-dyed jeans and a patterned sherpa jacket over a distressed T-shirt. Accessory-wise, the creators of the wax figure kept the OVO boss clean with a diamond chain, a bracelet and earrings, and went with the braids for his hairstyle. They even have Drizzy throwing up his signature OVO sign with his hands.
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“It’s good but the only problem I see are the eyes,” a fan wrote in reaction to seeing Drake’s wax figure on X. Another chimed in: “As if drake could look anymore plastic.”
One more added: “Idk why but this s–t creep me out. It’s better than Lil Wayne’s statue tho…”
Other sculpted A-listers on the music floor include Harry Styles, Dua Lipa, Megan Thee Stallion, J Balvin, Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Anitta and more.
“Our new music experience is one of those magical spaces within the museum that guests are immediately drawn to, so we’re confident the reimagined area, which is more immersive than ever, will bring a new level of excitement to the experience,” marketing manager at Madame Tussauds New York Eliza Rose said in a statement. “Plus, with so many A-list musicians surrounding you, who wouldn’t feel like a star here?”
Find photos of Drake’s wax figure below.
Step into the ultimate concert experience at Madame Tussauds New York! Our newly revamped Music area brings New Year’s Eve vibes every day. And guess who’s here? Drake’s brand new wax figure! 🌟Learn more: https://t.co/0ZOuqdlxd5 pic.twitter.com/lyEmH3CN6P— Madame Tussauds USA (@TussaudsUSA) July 1, 2024
Throughout her career, R&B star Kehlani has spoken up about her identity time and time again. But in a new set of videos posted to her TikTok on Sunday (June 30), the “After Hours” singer shut down anyone who still hasn’t gotten the memo.
In the first clip, the singer spoke about the importance of prioritizing female voices in their life in order to find happiness. “I was bisexual my entire life, and then I came out as a lesbian almost four years ago now,” they said. “But when I realized, recently actually, all of the f–king elevation in my life that has come from de-centering men in every f–king area of it … when I prioritized women and also just centered myself and women? When all the bad b—hes decide what planet we’re going to after we f–k this one, invite me, because I will thrive.”
While most fans in the comments section were supportive, a few began questioning the star’s sincerity, saying that she’d been in multiple relationships with men. So Kehlani made a second video responding to the claims, clapping back at those attempting to invalidate their sexuality.
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“Bringing up the fact that I had a child, or bringing up ex-boyfriends from four years ago or before, bringing up situations from when I was 20? I’m 29. I will be 30 next year,” she said. “I don’t know why there’s this inability to fathom that I’m a raging lesbian.”
She continued, adding that her identity as a lesbian naturally bleeds into her artistry. “And yes, my music is gay! Who I perform to and for is the gays,” she said. “And if you’re stuck in the past, it’s between you and your god. If you’re a man still bringing up my ex-boyfriends, just say you want to f–k ’em.”
In a since-deleted TikTok from April 2021, Kehlani let their fans know that they identified as “gay, gay, gay, gay, gay,” adding that it seemed everyone in their life seemed to know already. “When I want to have these heart-to-hearts with my family and my friends, and I’m like, ‘Guys, I finally know that I’m like gay gay,’ and they’re like, ‘We know, duh,’” they said. “I want you to fall on the floor and be like, ‘Congratulations, we had no idea!’”
Kehlani recently debuted her fourth studio album Crash, which officially debuts at No. 25 on the Billboard 200 dated July 6. The album’s lead single “After Hours,” meanwhile, reaches a new high of No. 72 on this week’s Hot 100, just two slots under Jordan Adetunji’s viral single titled “Kehlani.”
Check out Kehlani’s TikTok videos below:
Shady’s back, tell a friend! Eminem unveiled the second single from his upcoming album on Tuesday (July 2), and for “Tobey,” he tapped fellow Detroit natives Big Sean and Babytron as the featured artists. The song’s corresponding music video is set to arrive on Friday (July 5). “Tobey” marks Em’s first collab with Babytron and […]
Cardi B has given more hope to the Bardi Gang in regards to her long-awaited sophomore album being released in 2024 by teasing another snippet on her Instagram Story on Monday night (July 1). The clip finds the Bronx native showcasing a softer side of her typically fiery raps, and the possible CB2 single samples […]
Flavor Flav admittedly doesn’t know much about water polo, but the Public Enemy rapper is all in on the U.S. Women’s team this summer when they travel to Paris for the 2024 Olympics. After the rapper responded to a comment by team coach and three time gold-medal-winning captain Maggie Steffens calling for support for the team earlier this year, the dynamic duo appeared on CBS Mornings together on Monday (July 1) to talk about their unlikely partnership.
Flav — who has signed a five-year sponsorship deal for both the men’s and women’s U.S. water polo teams — was dressed in his finest red, white and blue team USA olympic gear for the chat, including, of course, an enormous, blinged-out Team USA medallion. “These women out here… the women’s water polo team they out there bustin’ their butt to make United States look good,” Flav told co-hosts Nate Burleson and Gayle King.
“And they chasin’ this dream, you know what I’m sayin’?,” Flav said of the team that scored back-to-back-to-back gold medals in 2012, 2016 and 2020. The Public Enemy hype man admitted that he didn’t know much about the sport before and had only seen it briefly on TV during previous Olympics. But when his manager showed him Steffens’ post about how team members — like many Olympic athletes — have to have two or three jobs to support their sports careers he said he had to get involved.
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“I was definitely surprised. I was really excited,” Steffens said of her reaction when Flav responded to her post and pledged to help out. “When Flav responded it was definitely not who I expected. But it has been a beautiful, beautiful expectation and relationship that has changed and he’s really opened up a lot of doors and truly been a hype man for us. It’s been amazing.”
On May 4, Steffens wrote in an Instagram post that she and her fellow athletes could really use some financial support before this summer’s games. “You all are truly the team behind the team and we feel it and we need it! Many of my teammates aren’t just badass champions, but also teachers, business owners, coaches, physicians assistants, and more. Some may not know this, but most Olympians need a 2nd (or 3rd) job to support chasing the dream (myself included!) and most teams rely on sponsors for travel, accommodations, nutritional support, rent/lodging, and simply affording to live in this day and age,” Steffens wrote on Instagram in paying tribute to her hard-working mates.
Father of four girls Flav, 65, responded at the time, “AYYY YOOO,,, as a girl dad and supporter of all women’s sports – imma personally sponsor you my girl,,, whatever you need. And imma sponsor the whole team. My manager is in touch with your agent and imma use all my relationships and resources to help all y’all even more. That’s a FLAVOR FLAV promise.”
During their interview Flav said that he’s since learned that the intensely physical sport in which players can swim in excess of two miles during a match while treading water most of the time is “one of the hardest games to play.” Blown away by the amount of work they put into their sport for what is typically very little remuneration, Flav said he was happy to step in, which Steffens said has already made a difference.
“He’s always making us laugh and definitely brings a lot of positivity,” Steffens said of the shine Flav has brought amid the anxiety that has begun to creep in as the July 26 opening date for the Paris games approaches. “To have Flav’s really positive, optimist and fun energy it brings a great perspective to our team.” After Flav noted that he can swim, Steffens pledged to get the rapper in the pool to test out his water polo skills.
In a surprise that lit up Steffens already beaming face, Flav revealed that his sponsorship will come with a Virgin Voyage cruise as well as a $1,000 bonus. “That’s amazing,” a shocked-looking Steffens said with a wide grin on her face. “I’m elated, that’s amazing. Thank you so much!”
For now, though, Flav is planning to be in Paris to cheer the team on and, he added, he hopes his effort will open the doors for other celebs to sponsor Olympic athletes.
Check out Flav and Steffens below.
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