R&B/Hip-Hop
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Cardi B has taken a stance on the debate surrounding adult content after Candace Owens took to X to call for a ban. “Ban pornography. It is a psychological weapon intended to weaken our men,” the conservative political commentator wrote on the platform earlier this month. In response, Cardi B shared an Instagram comment in […]
T-Pain was enjoying himself dancing on stage during a Las Vegas nightclub performance over the holiday weekend, but ended up having to clarify that he wasn’t trying to make a “political statement.” The king of Auto-Tune performed at Resorts World’s Ayu Dayclub on Sunday (May 26), and one of the hilarious clips that went viral […]
Snoop Dogg has given his thoughts on the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef. While promoting his role in The Garfield Movie during a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, the Doggfather shouted out both rappers for setting a good precedent. “Well, the only thing I want to say about that whole scenario is that I want […]
Cardi B is totally bothered by what haters have to say about her figure … not. In a newly shared video, the rapper trolls body-shamers by eating a plateful of syrupy pancakes, seemingly making fun of the negative comments she’s been receiving about a recent performance between bites. In the clip, Cardi wears a bathrobe […]
21 Savage invaded Canada for his first headlining show north of the border when he took over Toronto’s Budweiser Stage as part of his American Dream Tour on Monday night (May 27). The Slaughter Gang honcho made it a night to remember as he brought out the king of the 6 and his Her Loss […]
Fat Joe added to the excitement for the forthcoming U.S. Open on Tuesday (May 28) by joining forces with the U.S. Tennis Association and lending his voice to their “Spectacular Awaits” campaign. The video finds the Bronx rapper amplifying one of the sport’s biggest live events that will kick off this August.
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“Get ready for the next level of spectacular,” begins Joe in the hype video. “Get your game face on, and your game day fit on, too. Get the squad together. Get another round and get ready. Get loud, no louder, and get legendary. Spectacular waits.”
“Engaging a New York City and cultural icon like Fat Joe with our campaign is a great representation of the U.S. Open experience,” said Nicole Kankam, managing director, pro tennis marketing and entertainment, USTA. “His presence is undeniable, and he’s the perfect match for the growing energy, excitement, and profile of the U.S. Open.”
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The Spectacular Awaits campaign holds a special place in Fat Joe’s heart, as it resonates with his personal life. His son Joey, a tennis enthusiast, has been a source of inspiration for the Bronx MC. Last year, Joe celebrated Joey’s birthday and shared playful pictures of them with oversized tennis balls. Joey, who is 33 and lives with autism, has been a focal point of the musician’s efforts to raise awareness about the condition, notably in his 2023 memoir The Book of Jose.
“He inspires me. He’s such a blessing in our life. He’s almost like an angel,” Fat Joe said last year during an episode of The View. “It’s the gift that keeps giving, little Joey, and I’m so proud of him.”
The U.S. Open’s main draw will begin on Monday, Aug. 26, and conclude with the Women’s Singles Final on Saturday, Sept. 7, and the Men’s Singles Final on Sunday, Sept. 8. Tickets for the 2024 U.S. Open go on sale on June 3.
Watch Fat Joe’s videos for the USTA below:
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The only existing copy of Wu-Tang Clan’s Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, one of the greatest collector’s items in recorded music history, will finally get its public debut.
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There is a catch: you’ll have to visit Tasmania next month to hear it.
The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart, the capital of the Apple Isle, has loaned the one-off record for its upcoming exhibition, Namedropping.
Mona’s Frying Pan Studios will host 30-minute listening parties twice-a-day from June 15-24, where a curated selection of tracks from the album will be played.
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“During Namedropping,” reads a statement, “the world’s only copy of the Wu-Tang Clan’s fabled seventh studio album will be on display in the museum. We’re giving you the chance to hear it, too. At least some of it.”
Tickets are free – if you are lucky enough to secure a ticket, the museum handily warns – and available only for over-18s.
“You hear talk about once-in-a-lifetime opportunities: this is probably one of them,” reads a statement.
The brief history of Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is so unusual, it’s worthy of its own feature film.
The hip-hop pioneers announced the secret, one-of-a-kind pressing in 2015, a rebuff to the digital world in which we now live. And put the record under the hammer.
“When you buy a painting or a sculpture, you’re buying that piece rather than the right to replicate it,” says RZA in a Q&A on the online auction site. “Owning a Picasso doesn’t mean you can sell prints or reproductions, but that you’re the sole owner of a unique original. And that’s what Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is. It’s a unique original rather than a master copy of an album.” The Clan delivered the coup de grâce on the project by deleting all digital files.
The winning bidder was Martin Shkreli, the notorious so-called “pharma bro” who went on a headline-dominating rampage when he both hiked up prices of the HIV/AIDS drug Daraprim and purchased the unreleased double-disc for a cool $2 million.
He continued to capture headlines when promised to share the album publicly, but only if Donald Trump was elected as president. That happened, and Shkreli shared a small series of videos, all of which featured him with snippets of the album playing in the background – despite being under orders from the Clan to not play the album for 88 years.
Shkreli attempted to sell the album on eBay, chastened by the backlash he’d received from a member of the Clan and the music world. The sale didn’t go through and, in 2018, following Shkreli’s conviction for securities fraud, he was forced to part ways with the album under a federal court-ordered seizure of assets.
In 2021 the US Department of Justice reportedly sold the album for $4 million to digital art collective PleasrDAO, its current owner.
On Saturday (May 25), Jack Harlow kicked off his inaugural Gazebo Festival in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Though the “Lovin’ on Me” MC didn’t enjoy the whole experience because the second day of Gazebo Fest was canceled due to inclement weather, he reveled in the event’s escapades during its opening day.
Whether parked at Rich Homie Quan’s set, singing “Lifestyle” in animated fashion or crooning his heart out to Majid Jordan, Harlow immersed himself in the experience as one of the fans. “What he’s done for the city is amazing,” Faith, an Uber driver and long-time Louisville resident, told Billboard.
Slated to have 26 performers, Gazebo Festival was Harlow’s brainchild, which he first announced last February. Harlow’s musical adventure featured him and SZA as headliners while boasting a formidable crew of performers, including Vince Staples, Larry June, Veeze, Pink Panthress, Amaraee and more.
Harlow’s vision to give back to the city that raised him seemed promising after an impressive first day that was diverse. Unfortunately, Gazebo Festival couldn’t make it to Day 2 due to unforeseen circumstances. A tornado watch was issued, which posed a significant risk to the safety of performers and attendees. This decision, though disappointing, was made in the best interest of everyone involved.
“Well. We have to cancel day two of Gazebo,” Harlow wrote. “We are currently on a tornado watch. I know things cleared up a little bit, but the bad weather has damaged the site and there’s more storms and dangerous winds on the way. This means everyone on Day 2, including myself, won’t be performing anymore. I’m trying to focus on the positive because all I felt was happiness yesterday. I’m grateful for our flawless first day and for the way this city came together. Thank you so much. I’m sorry.”
Despite the cancelation, Billboard was on-site to capture the five best moments from the first day of Harlow’s Gazebo Festival.
Raven Lenae & Jordan Ward Bring R&B Shine to Louisville
Due to inclement weather, the reminder of Jack Harlow‘s inaugural Gazebo Festival was canceled on Sunday (May 26). The Louisville, Kentucky, festival released a statement early Sunday afternoon after deliberating the day’s event’s status, opting to call things off for the safety of everyone involved.
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“The safety of our patrons, artists, and staff is paramount. Due to continuing hazardous conditions throughout the early afternoon and a second wave of weather expected this evening, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel the remainder of Gazebo Festival,” reads the statement. “All Sunday ticket holders will receive a refund in full. All Weekend ticket holders will receive a 50% refund. Refunds will be issued within 30 days.”
Harlow chimed in on the difficult decision of canceling the remainder of the festival via an Instagram Story. “Well. We have to cancel day two of Gazebo,” he wrote. “We are currently on a tornado watch. I know things cleared up a little bit, but the bad weather has damaged the site and there’s more storms and dangerous winds on the way. This means everyone on Day 2, including myself, won’t be performing anymore. I’m trying to focus on the positive because all I felt was happiness yesterday. I’m grateful for our flawless first day and for the way this city came together. Thank you so much. I’m sorry.”
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Day one of Gazebo Fest featured several exciting performances headlined by SZA, Vince Staples, Majid Jordan, Larry June, Raven Lenae, Jordan Ward and a DJ’ing set by James Blake. With a blend of hip-hop, R&B and DJ sets, Gazebo Fest was off to a promising start, as the two-day event brought in thousands of fans, especially out-of-towners, excited to see Harlow’s vision come to life.
“It sucks. I always wanted to see Jack Harlow in person, and I was excited to see him. I’m pretty disappointed that the concert was canceled. Still, I understand that our safety comes first,” Olujimi Awoliyi, a fan who traveled from New York to see Harlow perform this Memorial Day Weekend, tells Billboard.
Sunday’s lineup initially featured a headlining performance by Harlow and buzzing acts such as Pink Pantheress, Amaraee and Omar Apollo, continuing the “Lovin on Me” star’s theme of eclecticism. And though Harlow didn’t exactly get to put a proper bow on his first festival tonight, he still thanked his city for showing out with him as he posted a picture of himself enjoying yesterday’s festivities on his Instagram Stories.
“Yesterday was a perfect day. Thank you, Louisville,” he wrote.
T.I. appeared on DJ Whoo Kid’s SiriusXM Whoo’s House Podcast and naturally pulled out the thesaurus. The Atlanta rap legend called the beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake “probably one of the more exacerbated beefs” he’s seen before suggesting the pair should do a tour together. “I got respect for both of them,” he said. […]