R&B/Hip-Hop
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The wait is officially over — Cardi B dropped her “Like What (Freestyle)” Friday (March 1). The rapper teased the new track via her Instagram Story earlier this week. “I ain’t even got dressed / Any L that I took come after YS / Oh man, oh man, oh man, oh man,” she rapped in […]
Drake is sending love to a mother and daughter who were tragically killed after his concert at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Mo. “You never know what somebody else’s reality will be when they walk out of this building,” the rapper told the crowd in Buffalo, N.Y., on Wednesday night (Feb. 28), according to TMZ. […]
Saweetie carries herself with a “boss b—h” mentality when representing as the leader of her Icy Gang. While her confidence is on point as a woman in her everyday life, she’s opening up about how that doesn’t always match when she’s making music. The “My Type” rapper graced the cover of Allure on Thursday (Feb. […]
Beyoncé’s fourth No. 1 on Billboard’s Streaming Songs chart – and first completely solo – comes with “Texas Hold ‘Em,” which rises to the top of the March 2-dated tally. “Texas Hold ‘Em,” which debuted at No. 4 on the Feb. 24 ranking, vaults to No. 1 via 29 million official U.S. streams Feb. 16-22, […]
Freaknik took HBCU spring breaks in Atlanta throughout the ’80s and ’90s by storm. The cultural street party has been turned into a documentary as Hulu’s Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told is set to arrive on the streamer on March 21.
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Ahead of the P. Frank Williams-directed documentary’s debut at SXSW next month, Hulu unleashed a trailer detailing the Black excellence to give those that attended a nostalgic blast from the past and inform those who didn’t have the chance to learn about the history they missed out on.
21 Savage, Jermaine Dupri and Uncle Luke are on board as producers for the film, which also boasts appearances from Lil Jon, Killer Mike, Too Short and more.
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“At its heart, Freaknik is a music documentary. Luke is the soundtrack of Freaknik, [Dupri’s] So So Def label is directly correlated to Freaknik and 21 Savage is the new school. They’re fascinated with the wild stuff we did, the clothes and the music of that era,” Williams told Variety. “The legacy of Freaknik really started in ‘83, I don’t know if people realized that. It was about kids trying to find a place for Black joy. Freaknik wasn’t just about the party. Our goal was to show how it affected politics, culture, race, there was a lot with sexuality, gender.”
Freaknik provided a place for the youth to indulge in debauchery but also celebrate themselves as well as their sexual expression. Lil Jon called the block party the “greatest Black gathering in America.” Killer Mike joked to close out the teaser: “Trust me, your momma and daddy got down.”
However, amid all the partying, there was a dark side of Freaknik that the documentary made sure to not shy away from with scenes of violence breaking out among the overwhelming amount of partygoers and police brutality.
“The turn up, the cars, sexuality, joy, the daisy dukes — that’s the candy of it. But there’s also some vegetables in it – which is the Black empowerment, police brutality was part of it, Black cultural realization, young women realizing their sexuality, young men too,” Williams continued.
“Freaknik is really a coming of age story about a generation who was trying to find a voice in a world that didn’t accept them — but this is a place they created for themselves. Freaknik is the ultimate personification of that.”
Watch the trailer below. Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told arrives on March 21.
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Kanye West isn’t a fan of where his kids go to school in California, and he once again called for ex-wife Kim Kardashian to remove them. In a Thursday (Feb. 29) social media post, the Chicago native put the school, which Billboard is not naming, on blast. “KIM TAKE MY KIDS OUT … NOW IT’S […]
Chance the Rapper has all types of collaborators under his belt, from Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes and Kehlani to Kanye West, Childish Gambino and beyond. However, the 30-year-old rapper has one team-up on his mind.
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Chance stopped by Late Night With Seth Meyers on Tuesday (Feb. 27), where he gave an update on his musical pursuit of Peppa Pig, the children’s show character that his two daughters — seven-year-old Kensli and four-year-old Marli — are huge fans of.
“I have been trying to [reach out]. It’s just really difficult to get in touch with Peppa,” Chance said with a laugh, before Meyers offered that the lack of communication could be due to the time difference, as the animated pig is based out of the United Kingdom.
The rapper’s interest in collaborating with Peppa Pig began in May 2023, during another appearance on Late Night. “[My daughters] do like my music. They’re really, they’re more into, like, Peppa Pig and their contemporaries,” he said at the time. “But, like, I have a few songs that they’ll listen to.”
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Then, out of his “own desperation,” Chance made a plea with Peppa. “If you’re listening right now, like, I’m trying to work or at least get some autographs for my kids,” he said to the camera. “Shoutout to Peppa Pig.”
Upon seeing the clip, Peppa’s official Twitter account wrote, “@chancetherapper tell your people to call mine #toddlermixtape,” to which Chance replied, “Huge fan, will reach out through the proper channels.”
Here’s to hoping a Chance x Peppa Pig team-up will come to fruition soon. Watch the full Late Night interview below.
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Following the guilty verdicts handed down by a jury on Tuesday (Feb. 27) in the trial of the 2002 murder of hip-hop luminary Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay, the fallen legend’s family issued a statement via his son TJ Mizell to Billboard on Wednesday, extending his appreciation to everyone involved in bringing justice and accountability.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to the prosecutors, law enforcement officials and all involved in bringing these individuals to justice. Their unwavering dedication has ensured a measure of accountability for the tragic loss of Jam Master Jay,” the family said. “As we pause to reflect, we are reminded of the profound impact and influence Jay had on countless lives. His legacy endures through his music, his spirit and the cherished memories we hold dear. We remain committed to honoring his memory and celebrating the enduring legacy he leaves behind.”
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“To all who have supported us throughout this challenging journey, we offer our heartfelt thanks. Your love, kindness, and steadfast support have been a source of strength during our darkest moments. We ask that you continue to honor Jay’s memory through his music and the positive impact he made on the world,” the statement continues. “While the pain of our loss will always remain, we find solace in the knowledge that justice has been served. Our family believes in God’s plan and that faith is what helped provide closure for us long ago. We thank all that continue to support Jay’s legacy by honoring his life’s achievements.”
The two men convicted of the murder, Karl Jordan, Jr., 40, and Ronald Washington, 59, each face a minimum of 20 years in prison. They’ll have the option of challenging the verdict with the judge as well as a federal appeals court.
Jay, a renowned member of the legendary rap group Run-DMC, was killed in October 2022 in Queens, NY. His death remained one of hip-hop’s most famous cold cases until 2020, when detectives generated sufficient leads that prompted prosecutors to launch a case against Jordan and Washington.
The three-week trial included more than 30 witnesses who testified against Jordan and Washington, accusing them of murdering the rap pioneer as payback after the DJ cut them out of a cocaine deal.
Following the guilty verdict, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace issued a statement: “More than two decades after they killed Jason Mizell in his recording studio, Jordan and Washington have finally been held accountable for their cold-blooded crime driven by greed and revenge.”
Washington’s attorney, Susan G. Kellman, had a different stance on the matter, as she believed her client wasn’t given the justice he deserved during his trial.
“They made up a motive and they rejected hard facts,” Kellman said to Billboard in a statement. “That they just didn’t give a d–n speaks volumes about where our country is — truth is no longer a consideration — we truly live in a world of ‘alternative facts.’ And that’s not justice.”
After weathering two globe-traversing clashes in January, dancehall spent much of February reeling from those showdowns. If January was focused on the global reach of some of the biggest stars across dancehall, then February was a month of reflection for the most towering icon of West Indian music and culture: Bob Marley.
On Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14), Bob Marley: One Love — directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and starring Kingsley Ben-Adir and Lashana Lynch as Bob and Rita Marley, respectively — hit theatres to the delight of millions of fans around the world. Despite middling reviews, the film has quickly proven to be a blockbuster, crossing $100 million at the worldwide box office in just 10 days and earning the biggest opening day for a film in Jamaica, as per Deadline. As the film continues its formidable box office run, another Marley — namely YG Marley — has been climbing the charts thanks to his breakout hit “Praise Jah in the Moonlight,” which recently became his first Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hot (No. 39, chart dated Mar. 2).
Although One Love kept spirits high, February bid the world goodbye with some devastating news. On Sunday (Feb. 25), Grammy-winning reggae group Morgan Heritage announced the passing of lead singer Peter “Peetah” Morgan. Morgan Heritage’s publicist, Sean ‘Contractor’ Edwards, told DancehallMag that the 46-year-old vocalist passed in the United States following a stroke. Morgan Heritage has released a plethora of albums, including Don’t Haffi Dread (1999), Full Circle (2005), Avrakedabra (2017) and Strictly Roots (2015), which hit No. 1 on Top Reggae Albums.
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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: Eesah, “Behold the Conquering Lion”
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When the opening track to your debut album is stunning as this, you know you’re setting yourself up for quite the career. On “Behold the Conquering Lion,” Jamaican singer-songwriter Eesah delivers a riveting mélange of roots reggae, jazz and gospel. “Immortal and omnipotent/ Carry the world pon your shoulder, you nuh need no help/ The work you do is so excellent/ No fear, no fly by night or pestilence,” he croons. Musically, the mix is so clean that it almost sounds innocent, but Eesah’s subtly gravelly tone alludes to a weariness and maturity that gives credence to the faith he sings of. With “Conquering Lion” — and the rest of his debut LP, Deep Medz — Eesah looks to reggae’s past to envision its future.
Teejay, “4th of July”
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Last month, Teejay dominated online conversation thanks to his clash with Valiant. In a complete 180°, the “Drift” singer kicked off February with the release of his I Am Chippy EP (Feb. 2), his first formal project under his new Warner Music deal. While the complete tape is impressively consistent, “4th of July” emerges as an instant standout. Featuring what appears to be a haunting interpolation of Billie Eilish and Khalid’s “Lovely,” “4th of July” is a sly bait and switch. The somber trap dancehall instrumental signals similarly bleak lyrics, but, before even starts singing, Teejay assures us, “Me not even a sing no sad song pon di riddim yah, enuh/ Issa frass song hehehe/ Issa high song, dawg.” And that it is. An ethereal ode to the transformative properties of Mary Jane, “4th of July” finds Teejay at his most interesting and ambitious on I Am Chippy.
Sean Paul & Beres Hammond, “Tender Tender”
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Few artists have so seamlessly oscillated between the worlds of dancehall and reggae on a global stage for nearly three decades like Sean Paul has. For his latest single, he joins forces with beloved Jamaican reggae crooner for a sweet love song titled “Tender Tender.” Balancing Hammond’s earthy, raspy tone with Sean Paul’s trademark brassy timbre, “Tender Tender” is rooted in traditional reggae, with heavy emphasis on the sultry guitar licks and steady percussion. “You lift me higher/ Higher than before/ Bonfire’s burning/ Burning to the core,” Hammond belts, his voice dripping with passion.
J Boog, “Always Been You”
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February is the month of love, so it’s not a surprise that some of the warmest reggae tracks of the year made their debut this month. On “Always Been You” — a winning symphony of soothing background vocals, a tasteful rocksteady melody and jaunty horns and percussion — J Boog croons of the inevitability of his one true love. “It’s always been you/ Hunny just you/ Always been you/ Forever babe,” he sings in the simple, but highly effective, chorus.
F.S. & Ireland Boss, “Chasing Dreams”
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There was a period where the innate moroseness of trap dancehall’s sparse soundscapes regularly gave way to deeply introspective tracks. With “Chasing Dreams,” St. Thomas emcee F.S. injects a healthy dose of hope into the dynamic. In an interview with World Music Views, F.S. describes the Ireland Boss-produced track as “ghetto gospel… my life story, what me been through,” and that’s a pretty apt description. The essence of gospel lyricism — the belief in something bigger than yourself and the persistence to keep going in the face of endless trials and tribulations — are all over “Chasing Dreams,” just in a decidedly contemporary dancehall context.
Jah Vinci, “Where Is the Love”
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Taken from the “Breadcrumbs” riddim, Jah Vinci’s “Where Is the Love,” is a soaring, melodic inquiry of where the true love is in a world like ours. “Where is the love that they all speak of/ I have no one that i can truly trust/ Where is the love that they claim to give/ Nobody nuh real again, nuh trust no family, nuh trust no friend,” he belts in the chorus. Is it it a bit grim? Sure, but it also speaks to a very real emotion millions of people have as we collectively witness the implosion and demise of several states and socioeconomic systems around the world. While “Where Is the Love” fits well in the contemporary reggae soundscape, Jah Vinci’s lyrics reveal a steadfast commitment to the genre’s history of speaking truth to power.
ZJ Chrome & Christopher Martin, “The Hate Song”
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Has Valentine’s Day really passed if nobody has made a song flipping the concept of Love Day? For his take on ZJ Chrome’s “Above the Lines” riddim, Christopher Martin rides the electric guitar-inflected reggae jam with heart-wrenching lyrics that trace the interconnected feelings of love, hate, and infatuation. “I hate you/ More than anything in this world/ But you know I like/ And love you for life,” he croons. Martin has a gorgeous, rich tone that pairs well with the wailing guitars and plucky rhythm that comprise ZJ Chrome’s riddim. When he employs that tiny bit of rasp at the end, we get a taste of why rock and reggae are such close musical relatives.
Charly Black, “Oxtail ‘Extra Gravy’”
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Here’s another question: have you lived if you’ve never asked (and faced the inevitable embarrassment of doing so) for oxtail with “extra gravy” from a proper Caribbean spot? You simply haven’t. For his new track, dancehall staple Charly Black put his own spin on the popular culinary request. The spin in questioning? Likening his lady’s nether regions to the delectable dish that is oxtail with extra gravy. With guitar licks and drum patterns sourced from Afrobeats, this culture-bridging track could very well become a sleeper hit as 2024 barrels on.
King Cruff & Runkus, “Fallback”
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At the tail end of the month, King Cruff and Runkus linked up for “Runkus,” a sleek ode to heartache inna di dancehall. “Winter cold, girl you freezing/ By the spring, then you waan come back/ You love me like the seasons (Just fall back!),” they harmonize over the electro R&B-infused riddim. Dancehall tracks are often preoccupied with extolling the escapism of a night of wining, but “Fallback” crashes the party with a tasteful take on the seemingly endless back-and-forth that can sometimes come with dealing with a flaky lover.
Just a few weeks shy of the one-year anniversary of her debut studio album, In Pieces, Chloe Bailey (also known as Chlöe) is back with new solo music. On Wednesday (Feb. 28), the Grammy-nominated R&B star revealed the artwork and NSFW title of her latest single. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See […]