R&B/Hip-Hop

01 Jul 2024

2024 BET Week in Photos: Coco Jones, Queen Latifah & More

Plus photos of Ari Lennox, Ice Spice, Latto & more.

LL Cool J names NLE Choppa as one of his favorite new artists at the BET Media House on June 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

LL Cool J names NLE Choppa as one of his favorite new artists at the BET Media House on June 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

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Once again, Black excellence stood front and center during this year’s dual celebration of the BET Awards and Black Music Month. Kendrick Lamar’s surprise The Pop Out – Ken & Friends at the Kia Forum and T-Pain’s co-curated concert at the Hollywood Bowl — both held on the Juneteenth holiday in Los Angeles — catapulted everything into high gear in the days leading up to BET Week 2024.

Those six days before the BET Awards (June 30) were jam-packed with opportunities to hear new music, reunite/network with industry colleagues or just plain chill. There were album listening parties involving a diverse array of artists including Eric Benét, Lucky Daye and Marsha Ambrosius. There were also artist showcases, including Columbia’s featuring R&B newcomers Aqyila, Iniko, Qing Madi and Q and SiriusXM Pandora Presents Coco Jones. There were other awards events such as ASCAP’s annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards honoring Usher, Victoria Monét and Lil Baby, YouTube’s second Leaders and Legends gala honoring Cash Money’s Bryan and Ronald Williams and the 12th annual Culture Creators fete honoring Teyana Taylor, BET executive vp Connie Orlando and more. Also celebrating in full effect on different evenings: Interscope Geffen and Republic with its own “kickback” hang.

Among the weekend highlights were two BET-affiliated concerts. The first (June 28) featured Cardi B, Gunna, Sexyy Red, Davido and Jordan Ward. The next evening (June 29), in partnership with Live Nation Urban, the Roots Picnic: Hip-Hop Is the Love of My Life rolled into the Hollywood Bowl. The 44-song setlist included compelling performances by The Roots (also the night’s back-up band), The Pharcyde, Common, Arrested Development and more. But it was the ladies who brought the house down. Queen Latifah started out the gate with several songs including “Had It Up To Here” before ushering fellow female rap trailblazers The Lady Rage, Monie Love, MC Lyte  and Yo-Yo to the stage — all of whom came together for a rousing take on Latifah’s Grammy-winning hit “U.N.I.T.Y.”

So without further ado, here’s a gallery of photo highlights capturing BET Week 2024.

01 Jul 2024

Ice Spice Gives Her Pick for Song of the Summer: ‘I Don’t Think We Have a Choice’

Ice Spice knows a thing or two about cooking up hits (she has four top 10 Hot 100 entries to her name), and she’s given out her pick for song of the summer this year.

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Today caught up with the “Barbie World” rapper looking glamorous on the 2024 BET Awards red carpet, and Ice Spice doesn’t think there’s much debate when it comes to the summer’s top tune.

“I think it’s ‘Espresso.’ I don’t think we have a choice — it’s ‘Espresso,’ yeah,” she said while saluting Sabrina Carpenter’s anthem.

“Espresso” is spending an 11th week on the Billboard Hot 100. It currently sits at No. 4 on the latest chart installment reaching a peak of No. 3. “Espresso” has rebounded to spend a sixth week atop the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart.

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Carpenter might be competing with herself as she produced another song of the summer candidate with her “Espresso” follow-up “Please Please Please,” which topped the Hot 100 for her first No. 1 hit and is now at No. 5.

With her first pair of Y2K! singles, Ice Spice doesn’t appear to have a song of the summer contender just yet, but not all hope is lost. The 24-year-old’s anticipated debut album arrives on July 26 and there’s plenty of time for another single to catch fire between now and the end of the month.

Carpenter and Ice Spice met up in February 2023 at a pre-Grammys party in Los Angeles. Footage captured the two having a warm exchange and posing for photos together.

Watch the clip of Ice Spice picking the song of the summer below.

01 Jul 2024

Mickey Guyton Calls Kendrick Lamar an ‘Incredible Lyricist,’ Wants to Collab With Snoop Dogg on Country Record

Mickey Guyton pulled up to the 2024 BET Awards on Sunday (June 30), and the country singer stopped to chat with Billboard‘s Carl Lamarre while walking down the red carpet in a pair of Andrea Wazen strappy heels.

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After moving from Texas to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music following her high-school graduation, Guyton is an honorary West Coast resident. It’s impacted her hip-hop consumption as well, with the “Make It Me” artist gushing over California rap legends such as Kendrick Lamar, 2Pac and Snoop Dogg.

“I am here for some Kendrick Lamar,” she tells Billboard. “Him as a lyricist is just so incredible. Obviously love 2Pac, I obviously love Snoop Dogg. I love West Coast hip-hop.”

The 2024 BET Awards host Taraji P. Henson opened the show and showed love to K. Dot by covering Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” performance at his Juneteenth Pop Out concert.

As far as Guyton’s dream collaboration goes in the hip-hop realm, Mickey wants to join forces with Snoop Dogg for a country-tinged team-up.

“I would obviously love to do a little country record with Snoop Dogg,” she proclaimed. “I’m just a huge fan of him — I love his Instagram. I would love to do something with him.”

Fans will have to wait and see if Snoop makes an appearance on MG’s anticipated sophomore album. Guyton unleashed her acclaimed Remember Her Name debut album in 2021, which reached No. 7 on the Heatseekers Album chart. The project was nominated for best country album, while the LP’s title track earned a nom for best country song.

Watch the full interview with Mickey Guyton above.

01 Jul 2024

Too Short Has to Give the W to Kendrick Lamar in Drake Beef: ‘I Think He Held His Own Pretty Good’

Too Short has been in the game long enough to see pretty much every modern rap beef come and go. But when Billboard caught up with the West Coast legend on the red carpet at Sunday night’s (June 30) 2024 BET Awards, the “Blow the Whistle” MC went with the home team when declaring a winner in the recent heated Kendrick Lamar and Drake diss battle.

“I like the way a lot of people stood up and rode with the homie [Lamar] in this one because it seemed like he was supposed to be the underdog,” Short said of fellow West Coast native K-Dot. “I think he held his own pretty good. I think that in this situation… none of us would dispute that this battle was amongst two really good artists.”

And now, with the dust settled and the barrage of songs living out there forever to chronicle the lyrical combat, Short said the culture was still left with “two great artists” vital to the genre. That said, Short is more than ready to retire “gangsta Drake,” but stressed that “R&B Drake” and “Drake for the ladies” should never, ever be put out to pasture.

Wearing a blue t-shirt that read “Cultural Icon,” Short then recalled the first time he heard Drake back in 2007-2008, when the “most beautiful woman in the world” told him that if he wanted to hang out with her he had to spin Drizzy. Though he’d never heard of Drake at the time, Short said he kept hearing the Canadian MC’s music, which made him ask, “who is that? That’s kind of dope!” Short said he then really became a fan once a string of women recommended he check out the Comeback Season mixtape rapper’s work.

“The ladies are good judges of what good music is, they dictate a lot of stuff in the industry, so I say kudos to Drake cuz I wouldn’t have never knew about your music if it wasn’t for the baddest of the baddies,” Short said.

01 Jul 2024

Moneybagg Yo Teases a Possible Country Album After ‘Unexpected’ Success of Morgan Wallen Collab

Is Moneybagg Yo set to release a country album? It seems so, according to the artist’s interview with Billboard on the BET Awards carpet on Sunday (June 30).

Speaking with Billboard‘s Carl Lamarre, the “Said Sum” rapper first discussed his hit collaboration with Morgan Wallen, “Whiskey Whiskey,” which debuted at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Offering up his feelings on the song’s success, Moneybagg Yo said, “It feels good and it’s kind of going how we kind of planned it, where he was really pressuring me on it and I was just like, ‘Ehh,’ but then, you know because it’s always something new for you and unexpected … it’s going crazy right now.”

Asked if the success of “Whiskey Whiskey” is making him think of leaning more into the country space, Moneybagg Yo told Billboard, “After these next two albums I’m fixing to drop before the summer is over, I think after that, going into the winter or something, I think I’m going to do a country album, a country EP or something.”

Given that Usher was honored with the lifetime achievement award at the BET Awards, Moneybagg Yo also noted that his favorite Usher album is the 2004 project Confessions, which included the massive hits “Burn,” “Yeah!” and “My Boo.” Usher was feted with an all-star tribute that included Childish Gambino, Latto, Keke Palmer, Teyana Taylor and Victoria Monét.

“Whiskey Whiskey” is from Moneybagg Yo’s album Speak Now, which was released June 14. The project also features collaborations with Rob49, Chris Brown, Lil Durk, YTB Fatt, and Kevo Muney.

Watch Moneybagg Yo’s interview with Billboard above.

01 Jul 2024

Flavor Flav Is Getting His Own Signature Meal at Red Lobster: ‘My Fave Dishes’

Flavor Flav is doing everything he can to make sure Red Lobster survives its financial woes. The Public Enemy rapper has partnered with the seafood chain for his own signature meal.

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Red Lobster announced the launch of Flavor Flav’s Faves on Monday (July 1), featuring all of the New York native’s go-to items when ordering at the restaurant. Hand picked by Flav himself, the off-menu Faves order includes Maine lobster tail, snow crab legs, garlic shrimp scampi and a bacon mac and cheese plus a choice of any one side.

Once Flavor Flav got word that Red Lobster had filed for bankruptcy protection in May, he sprung into action. Flav actually ordered every item off the menu for dinner to feed him and his family one night in June.

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“Ya boy said he wuz gonna do everything to help Red Lobster and save the Cheddar Bay Biscuits,,, ordered the whole menu,” he captioned a photo of his spread on Instagram in June.

About a week later, conversations were productive enough between Flav and RL to have him star in a Crab Your Way campaign ad. In celebration of Crabfest, Flav voices the commercial announcing the launch of new Cajun butter and roasted garlic butter flavors.

According to the Associated Press, Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy protection in May after closing dozens of locations across the United States. However, the chain promised to continue operating its 600 restaurants while looking for a sale. 

“This restructuring is the best path forward for Red Lobster. It allows us to address several financial and operational challenges and emerge stronger and re-focused on our growth,” company CEO Jonathan Tibus said at the time.

It’s a busy summer for Flavor Flav, who is also serving as an ambassador for the USA women’s and men’s water polo teams as they gear up to head to Paris for the 2024 Olympics. Flav signed a five-year sponsorship deal and made a contribution to the women’s Olympic team.

Flavor Flav was inspired by a post by the women’s water polo team captain Maggie Steffens looking for financial help for the team, and that’s when the rapper stepped in. Steffens and Flav joined CBS Mornings on Monday (July 1) to officially announce the sponsorship deal.

“These women out here, first of all, the women’s water polo team out here busting their butt to make the United States look good. And they chasing this dream, you know what I’m saying? And I learned they got three back-to-back gold medals,” he said. Flav added that he didn’t know much about water polo, but became aware of the team’s story through his manager and wanted to help as their hype man.

Find more about the Red Lobster meal and Flavor Flav’s involvement with the Olympic water polo team below.

01 Jul 2024

Usher Honored with 2024 BET Lifetime Achievement Award: Celebrating a Legacy of Unmatched Talent and Influence

Under the dazzling lights of the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on June 30th, Usher Raymond IV, affectionately known as Usher (or Ur-Shur, if you’re fancy), received the night’s highest honor: the BET 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Usher, a name synonymous with R&B and pop, has continually redefined the music landscape with his smooth vocals, dynamic stage presence, and innovative artistry. From his breakout hits in the late 1990s like “My Way” and “You Make Me Wanna…” to the chart-topping success of “Confessions” and “Yeah!,” Usher has consistently delivered anthems that resonate across generations. His influence extends beyond music, impacting dance, fashion, and culture, including a longstanding relationship with Rémy Martin.

In a collaboration that epitomizes luxury and excellence, together, they have created a synergy blending music and refined living, producing exceptional cognacs and unforgettable cultural moments. Their partnership started with the OMG World Tour over a decade ago and includes exclusive celebratory events, and integrations in Usher’s projects, as well as the “Life Is a Melody” and “Team Up For Excellence – The Film” campaigns over the last three years, marking a mutual appreciation for excellence, and continuing to elevate entertainment, music, and spirits, celebrating the past and inspiring the future. Usher’s influence is as profound as his talent is unparalleled.

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From topping the charts with iconic hits like “Yeah!” to mentoring the next generation of artists on The Voice, and his recurring role on the 90s sitcom Moesha, Usher’s multifaceted career exemplifies versatility and impact. His recent triumph of reclaiming a top 20 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, following an illuminating halftime performance, further cements his enduring relevance.

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis took the stage and shared heartfelt words about the King of R&B, and the room roared in agreement, praising the act for still having more to come.

The award presentation was preceded by a medley of Usher’s greatest hits, performed by music’s hottest acts including an opening from Childish Gambino, and cameos from Keke Palmer, Victoria Monét, Teyana Taylor, Tinashe, Summer Walker, and Chlöe Bailey, before closing out the sixteen-minute compilation with Latto’s infectious Atlanta energy rapping to “Yeah!” Dressed in a suave white top and black-out shades, a proud Usher stood nearly the entire time at the front row of the theater cheering on the performances on stage and singing along to his hits.

With a career spanning over three decades, Usher’s comrades’ electrifying performances, soulful voices, and undeniable stage presences ensured all eyes were glued to the screen. It was clear that this Lifetime Achievement Award celebrated not just past accomplishments but an enduring legacy. Usher’s contributions to music, culture, and the arts continue to inspire and influence, making him a true legend.

Babyface and L.A. Reid and others then joined Jam and Lewis on stage as Usher made his way up to accept the honor. Usher then delivered a heartfelt speech off the cuff, a decision he said was rooted in being present in the moment rather than preparing a monologue in advance. Last night’s honor saw a humble artist reflecting on his journey from a young artist with a dream to a global superstar. He expressed deep gratitude to his fans, family, and mentors who fueled his rise to fame.

“You have to express your goals outwardly, no matter what people see, no matter what they feel…because that is the only way it will ever become a reality – you have to see it first and then move in action and decide this is what I am going to do, this is what I am committed to…so long as you stay connected to what you feel and love, something major will happen,” reflects a proud Usher as he takes the audience, both within the theater and watching at home, through his 30-year career culminating in this prestigious award tonight.

As he stood amidst roaring applause, the room filled with ad-libs and head nods in agreement at every word he said (regardless of how passionate or profound the delivery) and the world at home celebrated not just a performer, but a legend whose legacy continues to shape the sounds of today and tomorrow.

01 Jul 2024

Which Performance at the 2024 BET Awards Was Your Favorite? Vote!

From rising stars to certified greats, a litany of the world’s biggest hip-hop and R&B artists took the stage at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater to celebrate Black musical excellence at the 2024 BET Awards Sunday evening (June 30).

And in case you missed it, every single one of those musicians brought the fire — in some cases, quite literally. After Megan Thee Stallion kicked off the show, Will Smith made his comeback by rapping his new song “You Can Make It” while standing in the center of a fearsome ring of flames, while Ice Spice’s twerk-filled performance of “Phat Butt” got so heated, her Y2K gas station set went up in a blaze.

In between awards, GloRilla, Victoria Monét, Latto, Sexyy Red and Heiress Harris also all delivered show-stopping musical numbers, as did Lauryn Hill with help from YG Marley and Tyla in partnership with Gunna and Skillibeng. Plus, Tanner Adell and Shaboozey brought a little bit of country to the ceremony following their breakthrough Cowboy Carter collaborations with Beyoncé earlier this year, with the former singing “Buckle Bunny” and “Cowboy Broke My Heart” and the latter performing “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” with J-Kwon.

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And though an honorable mention definitely goes to host Taraji P. Henson for opening the broadcast by impersonating Kendrick Lamar’s viral “Not Like Us” performance at his Juneteenth concert, the Usher tribute medley toward the end may have stolen the show. Ahead of the R&B icon accepting his lifetime achievement award, Childish Gambino, Keke Palmer, Coco Jones, Summer Walker, Marsha Ambrosius and more all covered songs from his extensive catalog, with the highlight being Monét and Teyana Taylor recreating his and Bey’s legendary “Bad Girl” choreography.

Though it may be hard to choose, Billboard wants to know which performance at the 2024 BET Awards was your favorite. If you need a refresher or missed the show, watch the sets here and see our own ranking, then vote below.

01 Jul 2024

Rick Ross Appears to Get Attacked Following Vancouver Festival Performance, Videos Show

Rick Ross appears to have been assaulted in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday night (June 30) following his performance at Ignite Music Festival. Video footage online appears to show Rozay being sucker punched, which starts a brawl.

According to TMZ, The Biggest Boss wrapped up his set around 10:30 p.m. local time and looked to be departing from the main stage area when he was punched, with video showing Kendrick Lamar’s Drake diss “Not Like Us” booming through the venue speakers amid Ross’ own feud with the 6 God, who is a Toronto native.

Punches flew as the situation escalated. Another video angle of the brawl appeared to show one of Rozay’s associates knocked unconscious and being carried away to safety.

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“White boy,” one person can be heard shouting, which may be a reference to what Rozay nicknamed Drizzy on his “Champagne Moments” diss track.

Ross told TMZ on Monday morning that no one with him was seriously injured, and added that he “can’t wait to go back” to “beautiful” Vancouver, B.C.

Ross also posted a photo of himself laughing in front of a private jet on Instagram Stories Monday morning (July 1). “Vancouver, it was fun. Until next time,” he wrote over the image.

Billboard has reached out to Rick Ross’ reps, the Ignite Music Festival as well as the Vancouver Police Department.

50 Cent didn’t waste any time in clowning his rival Ross. He posted an alleged clip on Instagram of Ricky making a “great escape” to safety as the brawl went down. “LMAO THE GREAT ESCAPE! MEEKA CALL THE CHASERS, THEY ARE CHASING ME. LOL,” he captioned the post.

Drake, who was not involved in the incident, liked a post from Keep6ixSolid on Instagram recapping Sunday’s altercation that appears to involve Rozay.

It’s unclear what sparked the feud earlier this year between Drake and Ross, who were close collaborators throughout the last 15 years. Drake had sniped at Ross on his “Push Ups” diss track in April, and Rozay returned the favor with his “Champagne Moments” diss, in which he claimed the OVO honcho had a nose job and continued to call him “BBL Drizzy” because of the alleged cosmetic work.

01 Jul 2024

Watch Every 2024 BET Awards Performance

The 2024 BET Awards on Sunday night (June 30) had something for everyone, including Will Smith’s gospel rap return to music, host Taraji P. Henson channeling Kendrick Lamar’s Juneteenth Pop Out concert look during a “Not Like Us” parody, as well as Ice Spice putting the censors into overdrive with her runs through “Phat Butt” and “Think U the Shit (Fart).”

Sexyy Red also served up a two-fer with “U My Everything” and “Get It Sexyy,” as did Latto (“Sunday Service,” “Big Mama”), while GloRilla proved she deserves to be on the big stage with a medley featuring “Yeah Glo!,” followed by “TGIF,” and a team up with her current tourmate Megan Thee Stallion on “Wanna Be.”

Meg made her own mark with a show-opening treat for her Hotties, continuing her rebirth theme by popping out of an egg in a bikini to perform “Hiss,” “Boa” and “Where Them Girls At?” There were also nods to country courtesy of Tanner Adell (“Buckle Bunny,” “Cowboy Broke My Heart”) and Shaboozey, who was joined by J-Kwon for his breakout Billboard Hot 100 No. 2 hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”

The night also featured a lifetime achievement award honor for Usher, whose hit records were performed by Childish Gambino, Coco Jones, Keke Palmer, Summer Walker and Marsha Ambrosius, as well as Tinashe, Teyana Taylor, Victoria Monét and Latto. In addition to a medley from Lauryn Hill and son YG Marley, one of the night’s most talked-about bits was when Smith debuted his new inspirational song, “You Can Make It,” with help from the Sunday Service Choir, Kirk Franklin and Chandler Moore from a stage rung in fire.

Watch, or rewatch, all of the 2024 BET Awards performances below.