R&B/Hip-Hop
Page: 187
They say styles make fights. What we’re seeing here are two rappers standing on top of the game at different sides of the spectrum. There’s Drake, the hitmaking machine who’s never backed down from a challenge. Then there’s Kendrick, the more complicated lyricist who’s managed to collect plaques without chasing commercial appeal, but someone who […]
Kendrick Lamar went back-to-back with the release of “6:16 in LA” taking aim at Drake once again on Friday (May 3).
Produced by Sounwave and Jack Antonoff, fans quickly picked up that the eviscerating diss track sampled Al Green’s “What a Wonderful Thing Love Is.”
The Willie Mitchell-produced song originally landed on Green’s I’m Still in Love With You Album, which was released in October 1972 and peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200.
The soul singer took advantage of the spotlight by tweeting out the YouTube link to his sampled track. “What a Wonderful Thing Love Is,” he simply wrote to X on Friday.
Trending on Billboard
Plenty of fans flooded Al Green’s replies urging the “Let’s Stay Together” artist to clear the sample so “6:16 in LA” could properly land on streaming services. It’s still unclear if he cleared the sample for further commercial use.
Kendrick isn’t the only rapper to sample “What A Wonderful Thing Love Is,” as Kanye West previously used it on “Out the Game,” which landed on Consequence’s Take ‘Em to the Cleaners mixtape om 2004.
There’s even a deeper Drake connection to “What a Wonderful Thing Love Is.” As pointed out by Complex, the original 1972 track’s credits find Mabon “Teenie” Hodges playing the guitar, who is a relative of Drake’s.
Kendrick Lamar continues to be well-calculated while throwing punches in Drake’s direction as he’s now dropped a pair of nuclear bombs on the 6 God. Three days after his scathing “Euphoria” diss, Kendrick unleashed the “6:16 in LA” track firing away at Drake and accusing him of having a leak in the OVO camp.
“Have you ever thought that OVO was working for me?/ Fake bully, I hate bullies/ You must be a terrible person/ Everyone inside your team is whispering that you deserve it/ Can’t Toosie Slide up out of this one, it’s just gon’ resurface,” he raps.
Following the release of “Push Ups” and the “Taylor Made” freestyle, Drake has now received a two-pack combination of disses courtesy of K. Dot. The ball’s now in Drizzy’s court with the rap world awaiting his rebuttal in what will be a pivotal moment in the boiling feud.
Listen to “6:16 in LA” below.
One might say Kendrick Lamar’s “6:16 in LA” is “Taylor Made.” A rep for Jack Antonoff confirmed to Billboard that the Bleachers frontman and frequent Taylor Swift collaborator worked on K. Dot’s latest Drake diss track.
Antonoff co-produced the seething “6:16 in LA” alongside Lamar’s in-house beat maestro Sounwave. (Variety was first to report that Antonoff co-produced the track.) The rapper uploaded the Al Green-sampling diss taking aim at the 6 God to his Instagram account on Friday morning (May 3).
In the track, Kendrick continued his psycho-analyzation of Drake while accusing OVO of having leaks in its camp. “Have you ever thought that OVO was working for me?/ Fake bully, I hate bullies/ You must be a terrible person/ Everyone inside your team is whispering that you deserve it/ Can’t Toosie Slide up out of this one, it’s just gon’ resurface,” he raps.
Trending on Billboard
Lamar continued to hammer home allegations of betrayal behind Drake’s back while spewing: “100 n—as that you got on salary/ and 20 of them want you as a casualty/ and one of them is actually/ is next to you / and two of them is practically tied to your lifestyle.”
Kendrick shared the track on social media with the cover art featuring a black Maybach glove. Fans began to speculate the meaning behind “6:16,” and some brought upon theories of June 16 being 2Pac’s birthday. Drake used AI-assisted Pac vocals in his “Taylor Made” freestyle, which he deleted from social media following a cease-and-desist from the late rapper’s estate.
Others pointed to June 16 being Father’s Day in Canada this year, while producer 9th Wonder reminded fans via X that HBO’s Euphoria debuted on that day in 2019. Drake served as an executive producer on the show, which also doubled as the title of Kendrick’s first diss targeting Drizzy earlier this week.
“6:16 in LA” arrives three days after K. Dot dropped his scathing “Euphoria” diss, and the 6 God is yet to officially respond.
However, Drake appeared to react to “Euphoria” by posting a clip from the 1999 rom-com 10 Things I Hate About You on Instagram, and hinted at his retort while leaving the stage after a surprise appearance at Nicki Minaj’s Toronto stop on the Pink Friday 2 World Tour on April 30. “You know what time it is — you know what I have to do,” he cryptically said at the time.
Antonoff’s work on “6:16” comes as a surprise, and serves as his first collaboration with Kendrick Lamar. Earlier this month, he helmed Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department as the primary producer; the record-breaking album arrived on April 19.
Listen to “6:16 in LA” below.
Gunna season has arrived just in time for the summer. The YSL rapper unleashed the second single from his anticipated One of Wun album on Friday (May 3), as “WhatsApp (Wassam)” hit streaming services.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Gunna reconnects with frequent collaborator Turbo for a slippery chorus, which Turbo tells Billboard is inspired by a six-figure wire transfer the rapper received to perform at a private party.
“Man, wassam/ They sent the wire through WhatsApp (WhatsApp)/ Hope ain’t nobody to cuss at/ S–t changed but it still get pushed back/ I drop, make these little n—as push back,” Gunna raps.
Trending on Billboard
“WhatsApp (Wassam)” serves as the second single from Gunna’s upcoming album, following the Offset-assisted “Prada Dem.” Gunna also announced that One of Wun is slated to land next Friday (May 10).
“What’s app (wassam) @turbothegreat One of Wun May 10th,” he wrote on Instagram alongside an accompanying clip from the unreleased music video featuring Gunna having a conversation on the phone with Turbo the Great.
One of Wun contains 20 tracks, including the two previously released singles. Prior to the album’s arrival, Gunna will hit the road in support of the LP with The Bittersweet Tour kicking off this weekend in Columbus, Ohio.
Produced by Live Nation, the 16-date trek will make stops in Chicago, Houston, Miami, Denver, Seattle and more major markets before wrapping up with a hometown show at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena.
Gunna’s last album, A Gift & a Curse, was released in June 2023 and served as his first since being released from jail. The effort arrived free of features and topped Billboard‘s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
Listen to “WhatsApp (Wassam)” below.
Mariah the Scientist has been arrested on battery charges for an alleged incident that took place at a nightclub in Atlanta. TMZ was first to report the news.
The singer — born Mariah Buckles — was booked on Wednesday (May 1) on misdemeanor battery and simple battery charges, according to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. Jail records show that the artist has since posted a $5,000 bond.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Billboard has reached out to Mariah the Scientist’s reps and attorney.
Trending on Billboard
According to legal documents obtained by Billboard, Mariah is accused of intentionally causing “bruises and cuts” and “visible bodily harm” to a woman on the night of March 28. The documents say the “Aura” singer allegedly made “physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature” by “grabbing [the victim’s] wig and pulling her to the ground.”
In the Atlanta Police Department’s incident report obtained by Billboard, the victim went to the Zone 2 precinct on March 29 and claimed that a “female grabbed her by her wig and pulled the wig off her head,” then “proceeded to drag her on the table and floor.” The victim said in the police report that she wasn’t wearing her glasses at the time, so was unable to ID her attacker, but later learned that it was Mariah the Scientist, and told police that the alleged incident had been posted to social media. The victim also told law enforcement that in addition to having her wig removed, “she suffered minor scratches on her feet from being dragged while she was wearing heels.”
In the incident report, the reporting officer noted that a call was made to Mariah the Scientist, who said that the night of the alleged incident, she and the club owner had gone over “to talk to the victim and the victim threw a drink at her.” According to the report, Mariah then claimed “a friend that was with the victim swung at her and missed, so she grabbed the victim and friend and the table broke and they all ended up on the ground.”
The victim said “that she never threw anything at the suspect and never touched the suspect,” according to the police report.
As part of Mariah the Scientist’s bond order, in addition to paying the $5,000 fine, she is ordered to have no contact with the victim and will have to stay away from Club Cavo in Atlanta, where the alleged altercation took place. The 26-year-old will also have to take and pay for an anger management class, and may not consume any alcohol or drugs, or possess weapons.
The artist is slated to wrap up her 45-date To Be Eaten Alive Tour in Atlanta on Friday night (May 3), with a show at the Tabernacle.
After a scorching round one display from Kendrick Lamar earlier this week with “Euphoria,” the pgLang stalwart is doubling down and taking a page out of Drake’s book by going “Back-to-Back” with his latest diss track, “6:16 in LA.” Released early Friday morning (May 3), Lamar charges Drake with a barrage of attacks about having […]
Xzibit seems to be teasing a return to the garage. The “What U See Is What U Get” rapper gave fans of his beloved MTV automotive makeover show Pimp My Ride some reason to get revved up when he posted an image on Instagram on Wednesday that suggested he’s rebooting the series. Explore Explore See […]
4batz has finally dropped his debut mixtape U Made Me a St4r on Friday (May 3). The mixtape features previously released singles “Act I: Stickerz ’99,’” “Act II: Date @ 8,” “Act III: On God (She Like),” and “Act V: There Goes Another Vase.” Drake hopped on the remix for his viral smash “Act II: […]
The Game is not impressed with the current rap feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
The Compton rapper — who has been in his fair share of rap beefs — reacted to a tweet from The Joe Budden Podcast co-host Officially Ice in which he says he wants someone to go at The Game so we fans “can see what a proper diss record looks like.”
The Game responded, saying that the reason no rappers go at him is because his “level of disrespect has no limit” and he can “actually rap rap.” Moreover, he says that the rap game overall is not the same as the one he came into because fans are unable to objectively pick a winner. Instead, he says, “fans gone choose up with whatever artists is currently safe for the culture to love.”
He then goes on to blame J. Cole for turning a rap game that he views as watered down into “Kool-Aid [with] no sugar” because he apologized to Kendrick Lamar onstage of the 2024 Dreamville Festival. His comments must have struck a nerve, because the West Coast MC doubled down in his Instagram Stories, saying, “Idk who softer these days these rap n—s or the rap fans.”
That said, many fans agreed with Game’s sentiment. The wrinkle of songs possibly being AI have made things equally interesting and annoying. Also, the way music is consumed today has given fans the expectation that diss tracks should be recorded and sent out ASAP. Then there’s J. Cole’s apology, which rubbed listeners and some of his peers the wrong way. All of these variables have turned many fans off of the whole beef.
Trending on Billboard
The Game took a more diplomatic approach to the Drake and Kendrick beef when talking to HipHopDX in 2022. In an interview about his Drake-featuring single “100,” The Game, when asked who he got, said, “I don’t know, man. Kendrick is just too f—ing incredible. And then Drake is so dope too. I mean, I would just like to be a fan of the moment and sit back and watch two of the greatest artists of all time have a go,” he answered when asked who would win in a battle.
The Game has beefed with a plethora of rappers throughout his career, including 50 Cent, Eminem, Jay-Z, Joe Budden, Young Thug and many more.
We’re whipping through the Carnival calendar, and the music just keeps on coming.
April was a characteristically busy month for the world of Caribbean music, with noteworthy performance, album announcements and historic achievements cutting through the noise. Sean Paul, who recently sat down with Billboard for a wide-ranging interview ahead of his Greatest Tour, won his very first Latin American Music Award, triumphing in the crossover collaboration of the year category for his Feid collab “Niña Bonita.”
“I always learn from my collabs, man,” the “Temperature” singer told Billboard. “There’s no time that I don’t learn… I learn something every time and I take that with me, so it helps my songwriting.”
Shenseea, who collaborated with Paul on her 2022 debut LP, announced her forthcoming sophomore studio album on Tuesday (April 30). Titled Never Gets Late Here, the album is due May 24 and features collaborations with Coi Leray, Anitta and Wizkid. “Hit & Run” (with Masicka & Di Genius) serves as the set’s lead single.
Trending on Billboard
In addition, a pair of performances made major waves. Jamaican dancehall artist Pamputtae opened for Nicki Minaj‘s Pink Friday 2 World Tour in Toronto, CA, on Tuesday. “First and foremost I want to give thanks to the most high God,” she wrote in an Instagram post commemorating her performance (May 1). “Big up [Nicki Minaj] for allowing me to open her second show in Toronto.”
Across the globe, Skeng returned to Guyana to headline the Real All Black concert, marking his first live performance in the country in two years. In 2022, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn proclaimed that Skeng and a bevy of dancehall artists were banned from the country due to their behavior and violence-promoting lyrical content. The emcee delivered a high-octane set that included “Likkle Miss,” which Minaj remixed in 2022 for her Queen Radio: Volume 1 greatest hits compilation.
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: Jaz Elise, “Gunman”
[embedded content]
On this deliciously dramatic mixture of R&B and reggae, Jaz Elise pleads for her rude boy lover to leave his life of reckless abandon behind and settle down with her. It’s a story that’s been told countless times before, but Jaz’s emotive abilities inject “Gunman” with nuance and verve. When she sings, “Me nuh wah fi bury you early/ Nuh wah yuh fi live a life a crime/ So, baby, if yuh love me/ Me beg yuh fi leave it all behind,” you can hear every last bit of desperation dripping from each syllable. Of course, the drama truly intensifies in the song’s final minute, with a swirling orchestra of backing vocals, impassioned ad-libs and grandiose strings driving the song home.
Etana, “Thankful”
[embedded content]
For her take on the Engraph Riddim, Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter Etana flexes the full expanse of her vocal range over swaggering guitars that employ just the slightest bit of swing. “I lift my hands to the man from whence my health comes, yes/ And every day I give thanks for the rising sun, yes,” she croons as she somersaults through dizzying riffs as easily as she dips into the depths of her sultry lower register. A laid-back praise and worship song that doubles as a vocal showcase, “Thankful” is a winner.
Lu City, “Sexy Love”
[embedded content]
St. Lucian duo Lu City has a catalog that stretches across the scenes of dancehall, reggae and electronic music, and their latest LP — I Miss You, the official follow-up to 2022’s Lucidity — offers more of that intoxicating amalgam. On “Sexy Love,” which feels like a dancehall-bred cousin on the Ne-Yo song of the same name name, the duo marry their respective AutoTune-tinged voices over a relatively sparse soundscape that relies on moody synths and a healthy dose of Afrobeats percussion. “Sexy Love,” like all of I Miss You, is a true testament to how the African diaspora’s myriad genres all lead back to each other.
Anika Berry feat. Lil Jelo, “Safe”
[embedded content]
Soca always gets the body moving, and “Safe,” a new collaboration from Anika Berry and Lil Jelo, is no different. Here, their joy isn’t sourced from the Road March or the general Carnival mood. They find their joy in one another and their monogamous love. Their vocal chemistry is strong, with Anika’s vibrato anchoring her “You safe with me / Youn in good hands, you in proper hands” refrain. Their call-and-response structure also helps play up their complementary tones while remaining true to the anthemic nature of power soca.
Subatomic Sound System, Mykal Rose & Hollie Cook, “Get High”
[embedded content]
For the first taste of their forthcoming collaborative album, Subatomic Sound System, Mykal Rose and Hollie Cook have teamed up to deliver a new 4/20 anthem. Although the brooding bass signals a more forward-looking sound, classic reggae production — including ominous conga percussion courtesy of Larry McDonald and sultry brass from Troy Simms — is ultimately the name of game in “Get High.” Most impressive is the track’s mixing, the way Hollie’s upper harmonies are layered evoke the ever-unfurling clouds of marijuana smoke. Mary Jane enthusiasts, your time is now.
Mr. Vegas, “Dancing Grung”
[embedded content]
On this sweet ode to the eternal life of dancehall, Mr. Vegas pays tribute to both the physical and creative spaces that comprise the sound and culture. His flow is catchy and the breakdown at the end is fun, if not a bit on-the-nose. Nonetheless, what’s interesting about “Dancing Grung” isn’t how easy it is to start bussing a wine to — Mr. Vegas has plenty of those — it’s the way he subtly flips the notion of “exerting dominance.” Instead of crowning himself king, he casts himself as Lord of the Vibes on “Dancing Grung.” “Dancehall will never die,” he proclaims at the song’s start, and with a deejay as infectious as him on the helm, he’s absolutley right.
Marcia Griffiths, “Looking Up”
[embedded content]
Reggae legend Marcia Griffiths has still got it. With “Looking Up,” the former I-Threes member offers a slice of sanctified reggae. At 74 years old, not only does her voice still sound like it’s in pristine condition, she also remains a gifted and intelligent vocal performer. Between her pitch-perfect diction and her introspective delivery, her storied life clearly informs every last phrase that she sings. Her conviction is the song’s ultimate anchor. When she sings, “It’s the only life that’s worth living” with that slight tinge of darkness before the light comes in by way of her exclamatory “Looking up!” quip — that’s magic.
Shenseea, “Neva Neva”
[embedded content]
After delighting dancehall fans with Di Genius and Masicka-assisted “Hit & Run” earlier this year, Shenseea introduces a more pop-forward sound with “Neva Neva,” the new single from her forthcoming Never Gets Late Here LP. The song oscillates between straightforward pop and dancehall with more finesse than anything on Alpha, Shensea’s debut album. She remains deep in her dancehall cadence and attitude during the verses, but the hooky chorus pushes her into a space that essential U.S. top 40 radio — and she sounds great. Moreover, “Neva Neva” — with its rumination on the endlessness of a good relationship — offers a smart contrast to the hit-it-and-quit-it energy of “Hit & Run.”
Chippa Don, “Clubscout”
[embedded content]
From the tinny background synths to the breakneck flow switches, Chippa Don flexes his chops as both an emcee and a sonic world-builder on “Clubscout.” Firmly entrenched in the modern dancehall take on gun chunes, “Clubscout” is inherently sinister; “Gwan f–k around around/ Whole place haffi move/ Di glock, di clip long / But di K me a use,” he spits. It’s Chippa’s delivery, however, that makes this song stick. He’s playful, but there’s some bite and snarl to his voice that subtly reiterates that he’s calling his opps out because he knows he can handle them.
Masicka, “Forever”
[embedded content]
Kicking off with contemplative country-adjacent guitar strums, “Forever” is a stunning ballad from Masicka, who released his latest album, Generation of Kings, last year (Dec. 1, 2023). “Forever brave, forever strong / Forever me, that’s who I am,” he croons, making for a ballad that makes the evergreen question of authenticity an introspective one while also showcasing yet another side of Masicka’s sprawling artistic profile. There’s a reason Sean Paul named him dancehall’s current leader.