R&B/Hip-Hop
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“I thought we were going to utopia?” “What makes you say this isn’t utopia?” “I mean, I don’t know, isn’t it supposed to be some perfect destination?” SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., was the perfect destination for Travis Scott to make history Sunday (Nov. 5) during his latest Utopia – Circus Maximus Tour stop. But […]
Ms. Lauryn Hill has developed a reputation for hitting the stage after her appointed time. She was tardy again on Saturday night for her show in Los Angeles at the Kia Forum celebrating the 25th anniversary of her landmark The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill solo album and according to video by fans, she had something […]
“F— Kenny G!” Action Bronson playfully exclaimed halfway through his performance at New Balance‘s TCA New York City Marathon Kick-Off Party on Friday night (Nov. 3). The Queens rapper wasn’t really throwing shots at the Grammy-winning smooth jazz saxophonist, he was simply singing the praises of Matt Carrillo (aka Young Mexico), the incredibly impressive saxophonist and keyboardist that served as one of the main anchors of the band’s whimsical set.
At New Balance’s TCA New York City Marathon Kick-Off Party, sports and hip-hop continued their decades-long convergence as Action Bronson helped celebrate the imminent 26.2-mile race, as well as the latest evolution in his partnership with sports footwear giant New Balance.
After Adidas unexpectedly canceled his UltraBOOST collaboration back in 2019, Bronson teamed up with New Balance, officially announcing a new multi-item collaborative capsule with the brand back in March. Among the items in the capsule were the New Balance 990v6 “Baklava” sneaker. A few months later, a second 990v6 sneaker — named “Lapis Lazuli” — arrived exclusively on Bronson’s specializinginlife.com website (Jun. 22), receiving a global release on Jun. 30.
“I’m just enchanted by nature,” Bronson mused backstage before his performance. “Nature’s beauty. It’s natural beauty. It’s whimsical. It’s like stranger than fiction.”
Given the forest green hues and deep blues that appear across his different colorways, Bronson’s relationship with all of nature’s gifts truly inspired the design of his New Balance collaborations. Finding a home with New Balance was a special journey after the less-than-favorable way his Adidas partnership dissolved, but “I’ve been a New Balance guy for years, way before any of this other s—,” Bronson explains. “I’ve come from a family of f—ing chubby feet, flat feet, where you need a good walking shoe and something with stability and comfort as well as performance. This provides all three for my type.” To further explain, Bronson likened his foot type to “a triangle slice of pizza.”
During his set, Bronson tore through lively renditions of “Latin Grammys,” “DMTri,” and “Baby Blue,” allowing his five-member band to riff to both their heart’s desire and the audience’s pleasure. Embodying the whimsy he attributed to nature, Bronson delivered a characteristically charismatic stage show that even featured him literally touching his toes onstage and adding idiosyncratic percussion flourishes.
Cocodrillo Turbo, Bronson’s last studio effort, arrived last year, but the Billboard Hot 100 hitmaker is already formulating his next LP, although he’s purposely keeping his plans lowkey. “Lots of things [are] coming in the new year,” he teased. “Exciting things if you can’t tell how excited I am. I’m just stoned!”
The TCS NYC Marathon launches on Sunday (Nov. 5) at 8:00 a.m. EST.
A stretch of street in Oakland, California, was renamed Friday (Nov. 3) for Tupac Shakur, 27 years after the killing of the hip-hop luminary.
A section of MacArthur Boulevard near where he lived in the 1990s became Tupac Shakur Way, following a ceremony that included his family members and Oakland native MC Hammer.
“Let his spirit live on the rest of these years in these streets and in your hearts,” Shakur’s sister Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur told the crowd, wiping away tears at the end of a nearly two-hour ceremony. The sign for Tupac Shakur Way was unveiled moments later.
MC Hammer, the “U Can’t Touch This” rapper who spent many of Shakur’s final months with him before his 1996 shooting death at age 25, said in his remarks that Shakur was, “hands down, the greatest rapper ever, there’s not even a question of that.”
Shakur collaborator Money-B and Oakland hip-hop legend Too Short also spoke at the ceremony.
Tupac Shakur’s music career began in Oakland, Calif. with the group Digital Underground — and now the city has named a street after the rap star, who died in 1996. Sway Calloway led the ceremony. pic.twitter.com/PJlDrW2aHZ— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) November 3, 2023
Shakur was born in New York and was raised there and in Baltimore, but he moved with his mother to the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1980s. He would live in Oakland in the early 1990s and embraced it as an adopted hometown.
“He claimed Oakland,” said City Councilwoman Carroll Fife, who led the effort to rename the street. “He said Oakland gave him his game.”
The ceremony came the day after a former Southern California street gang leader pleaded not guilty to murder in the Las Vegas shooting death of Shakur.
Duane Keith “Keffe D” Davis is charged with orchestrating the shooting. He is the only person still alive who was in the vehicle from which the fatal shots were fired and in September, 27 years after the killing, became the only person ever charged with a crime in the case.
Shakur’s relatives have kept their distance from the prosecution and made only passing reference to it Friday. Sekyiwa Shakur said her brother “died at 25 years old in gang violence, by the hands of another Black man, by the planning of another Black man, whoever that man may be.”
City Girls stopped by Billboard News and opened up about their new album, RAW, working with Kim Petras, their relationships with Diddy and Lil Uzi Vert, their support for the transgender community and more!
Catrise J:People were talking about it, talking about you’re in the Illuminati. How do you … what do you say to people that say that to you?
JT:I don’t even, girl … the Illuminati, call me!
What’s up? It’s the City Girls and you’re watching Billboard News. Period.
Catrise J:Hi, everyone. It’s your girl, Catrise J, with Billboard News, and we have the City Girls! Welcome!
Yung Miami:Hello.
Catrise J:So I want to start with the new album, which I’m very excited about. Your first single on the record is with Kim Petras called “Flashy.” What made you want to work with Kim Petras?
JT:We were looking for somebody who was going to sound good on the record. And Kim Petras, I think that she’s dope and she sounds great.
Catrise J:What’s your favorite songs off the album?
JT:My favorite songs change every day. If I could pick my favorite song today, it would be “Work for It.”
Catrise J:Hmm … Why is it that song?
JT:I like the beat because it’s like a sample of one of my favorite songs. I think that’s why I’m so in love with “Work for It” because they remind me of nostalgia and my childhood.
Catrise J:Also, you mentioned earlier we were talking “F–k the D to the A” — that’s an older song. So are some of the songs a mixture of newer songs, older songs that you, like, recorded, never released, or …?
JT:“F–k the D to the A” is the second song we ever recorded. It’s like raw and authentic, just like the name of the project. Like, our day one fans always ask for it to be on streaming, so it’s like a surprise to them. It’s like a gift to our day ones.
Catrise J:That’s exciting. That’s quite a gift.Watch the full video above!
The Weeknd once sang “Metro Boomin turn this ho into a mosh pit” on their Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Heartless,” but last Thursday (Oct. 26), he turned Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre into an entire hip-hop symphony during his Red Bull Symphonic concert. His one-night-only experience marked the West Coast premiere of the Red […]
On Friday (Nov. 3), Megan Thee Stallion made her solo return to the music scene with “Cobra,” her first unaccompanied non-soundtrack single since Tory Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting her in July 2020.
The new song and video are packed with serpentine imagery, with Megan literally “shedding” her skin in the track’s Douglas Bernardt-helmed clip. Over a beat punctuated by rock guitars, the H-Town Hottie spits, “At night, I’m sittin’ in a dark room thinkin’ / Probably why I always end up drinkin’ / Yes, I’m very depressed / How can somebody so blessed wanna slit they wrist?”
Since the song’s release, fans have latched onto Megan’s intensely vulnerable and revelatory lyrics, commending the Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper for her honesty and bravery. “Megan is being extremely vulnerable with this record & I hope we give her, as a Black woman, a safe space that she deserves for sharing this with us through her art form,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter). Another user pointed out that “Cobra” follows a long line of emotional deep cuts from Megan, writing, “I’m crying at ppl acting like this Megan first vulnerable song ever made. This how I know yall not listening to her albums.”
“Cobra” boasts two particular revelations that have dominated the social media conversation. First, the “Savage” rapper reveals that she has recently been battling suicidal ideation and alcohol abuse, spitting, “Shit, I’d probably bleed out some Pinot / When they find me, I’m in Valentino / He pourin’ me shots, thinkin’ it’s lit / Hah, little did he know” and “Damn, I finally see it / I’m killin’ myself when b—es would die to be me.”
The other shocking revelation is her claim that one of her ex-partners cheated on her in her own house. “Pulled up, caught him cheatin’, gettin’ his d–k sucked in the same spot I’m sleepin’ / Lord, give me a break, I don’t know how much more of this s–t I can take,” she raps. With some simple calendar math and a bit of sleuthing, Meg’s Hotties seem to think that the cheating ex-partner in question is Pardison “Pardi” Fontaine, a Grammy-winning rapper and songwriter who dated Megan from 2020 to the top of 2023.
Pardi appeared to respond to the infidelity allegations via his Instagram Story, sharing a meme clip of Future saying “It’s an evil world we live in,” followed by an image of a laughing Tristan Thompson. He then limited the comments on his main feed.
See what fans had to say about Megan Thee Stallion, Pardison Fontaine and her new song below.
If you’re thinking about suicide, or are worried about a friend or loved one, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, available 24 hours, at 1-800-273-8255. Reach the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Hotline at
pardi cheating on megan in her own house while she was going through her lowest moments. y’all i’m about to get violent . like i need that nigga gone pic.twitter.com/lUvvJRP7tF— keke⁷ 🤍 (@stallseok) November 3, 2023
I actually respected Pardi and bought his whole feminist schtick. But, he’s dead to me.It’s obvious he cheated on her in her own house because Megan Thee Stallion has the rap career he wishes he had. That’s why he’s relegated to being a ghostwriter with flop albums. He knew…— Ola Ojewumi (@Olas_Truth) November 3, 2023
I knew Pardi didn’t stand on business when rappers half his height and weight was clowning Megan for being shot and not one swing was swung.— mina (@MinaLioness) November 3, 2023
I fell asleep before midnight so I’m a little late……but Pardi cheating on Megan in her own bed while the public was dragging her to hell and back because she was shot? And to then get with a supporter of the man who shot her? Pardison Fontaine, the bitch you are…. pic.twitter.com/N0TCP2OZn0— Dumpster Baby 👶🏽 (@makeupbyjoxlyn) November 3, 2023
Not Pardi cheating on our sister Megan. Men will go out of their way to hurt and embarrass us. Smh— 𝙱𝚎𝚌𝚌𝚊 ⚡️ (@MJFINESSELOVER) November 3, 2023
Pardi was getting the gobble gobble by another woman in Megan’s BED?! On top of the cheating itself, she was shot by her former friend and torn down by the public for it during this time. Cut the fucking “FEMINIST” tattoo off his body.— Mo 🌹 (@flwrchldtweets) November 3, 2023
As the NBA season embarks on its inaugural In-Season Tournament Friday (Nov. 3), the league tapped two rap cornerstones to form a triumphant anthem: LL Cool J and The Roots combine two of their classic efforts — “Mama Said Knock You Out” and “Here I Come,” respectively — to create the official anthem. The video […]
Megan Thee Stallion dropped “Cobra,” her first single under her own independent music and entertainment entity Hot Girl Productions, on Friday (Nov. 3). The three-time Grammy-winning artist revealed in an Instagram Live last month that she wasn’t signed to a label anymore. “This part of my album is very much so funded by Megan Thee Stallion […]
Between Teejay and Bryon Messia’s ongoing beef, a brand new From the Block live performance video from Shenseea, and the passing of dancehall star Gully Bop, it’s been a packed month for the West Indian music scene — and most of these things only happened within the past week!
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See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
To help sort through all the new Caribbean music released in October, Billboard’s monthly Reggae/Dancehall Fresh Picks columns returns with a host of new selections for your listening and wining pleasure. Of course, as is the case across genres in today’s age, there’s an overwhelming amount of new music released every day, let alone every month. Naturally, this column will not cover every last track, but our Spotify playlist — which is linked below — will expand on the 10 highlighted songs.
Without any further ado, here are 10 tracks across reggae, dancehall and their cousin genres that are heating up both our personal playlists and late-night functions from Kingston to Queens:
Freshest Find: Teejay, “Unwanted Child”
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Although it’s still unclear what exactly sparked the beef between Teejay and Byron Messia, the new-school dancehall stars are continuing to fire off diss tracks. This week, Teejay sent some more direct hits to the “Talibans” singer with the blistering “Unwanted Child,” a scathing diss track that alleges that Byron is a literal unwanted child (“Act like a we mek him madda disown him”) who doesn’t live the life he raps and sings about in his music. The dark, grimy beat is a smart complement to Teejay’s sinister delivery; his voice drips with equal parts disdain and haughtiness, two of the most important feelings for a proper diss track.
Khalia feat. Shaggy, “Double Trouble”
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On this selection from Stay True, Khalia’s debut project, the Westmoreland singer joins forces with Shaggy for a conversational duet that traces the story of two partners with undeniable sexual chemistry who simply cannot work in a proper relationship. She employs a cadence reminiscent of contemporary R&B as she recounts this roller coaster of a relationship over the slow-burning dancehall-inflected beat. “Anuh any any man can win da spot ya inna my heart/ Keep it premium on a level affi inn a path/ You affi show me all your cards before let dung my guard/ And den I work it and reverse it so I’m keeping him sharp,” she croons.
Valiant, “Beer & Salt”
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When you reach the top of of the food chain, there are always going to be those people waiting for you to slip up — even Valiant can’t escape that phenomenon. After a less-than-impressive performance at Miami Carnival and a subsequent social media backlash, Valiant uses “Beer & Salt” as way to respond to his detractors and reflect on his tumultuous past few months. “And if a badness, just talk, make me load me strap/ I see them lurking on my IG/ I know your profile private/ All of this was a dream but you can’t ketch the flows I’m finding,” he spits over the slinky DJ Mac-produced beat.
Mavado, “No Sorry”
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Taking a similar approach to Valiant, Mavado uses “No Sorry” to champion his lack of regrets for the way he has chosen to live his life. Backed by a skittering trap dancehall beat, Mavado sings, “A ghetto youth pon the top of the mountain ah di greatest story,” once again reaffirming that his intentions are genuine and pure, even if his actions may garner mixed reactions from some. He’s unapologetic in who he is and where he comes from as he reflects on his life and success across the self-affirming track. After all, “Don’t make excuses, we make sacrifice,” he sings on “No Sorry.”
Chronic Law, “War Cycle”
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Moving away from the self-motivating introspection of Valiant’s and Mavado’s new tracks, Chronic Law opts for despondent piano to anchor his stab at trap dancehall — a solemn reflection on the emptiness he sometimes feels in spite of his success, likening the dynamic to the ongoing violence that plagues his home country. “What a cycle/ The likkle scheme warm than Grove Street turf/ Me a drink and pretend mi don’t feel hurt/ Cyaa describe mi pain with no real words,” he croons.
Mystic Marley, Nailah Blackman & Walshy Fire, “Jump”
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This new track from the granddaughters of Bob Marley and Lord Shorty, respectively — with production contributions from Walshy Fire of Major Lazer — combines bits of dancehall, reggae and soca for one of the most undeniable party records of the year. With bubbly brass stitching together elements of Marley’s “Rainbow Country” (1971) and Shorty’s “Endless Vibration” (1974), Mystic and Nailah balance the familiarity of old-school reggae guitars and infectious soca percussion as they implore their listeners to, well, “jump!”
Intence, “Lesson”
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Rising Jamaican dancehall artist Intence delivers a heartfelt reflection on the most pertinent lessons life has taught him. Staunchly within the modern trap-inflected dancehall arena, Intence offers up several nimble flows as he recounts various life-altering experiences that remind him of both his mortality and his divine protection. “Just another ghetto youth and if you ask me I would have tell you from the start the amount a times them double cross me/ Me a real youth me don’t need to tell you that so let them talk cause me don’t care as long as God see,” he spits in an impressive rapid-fire delivery.
Zagga, “Believe & Pray”
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Released near the top of last month (Oct. 13) as the penultimate song on his Energy Never Lie album, “Believe & Pray” finds Zagga both talking with God and encouraging his listeners to have faith and trust in the power of prayer. “Prayer move mountain, prayer with faith, dawg/ Jah Jah eva on time, never yet late, dawg/ Whula we a sin but mi no ready fi graveyard/ Conscious, but the world mek mi behave bad,” he sings over the solemn, uplifting beat, which is part of a new riddim produced by Shane Creative.
Talia Goddess, “Forever Young”
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Guyanese-British multi-hyphenate Tayahna Walcott, aka Talia Goddess, perfectly captures the buzzing sensuality of hot summer nights during the prime of your youth with this smooth dancehall and R&B-inflected banger. In the hook for “Forever Young,” which is built around a thumping dancehall riddim, she reaches for high-pitched, Amaarae-esque tone as she sings, “Tell me is you really mine my lover?/ Cah you make me feel alive, so true/ I can take you to the light my darling/ I just wanna live my life with you.” Both the track and its globe-trotting music video are testaments to the rich global legacy of West Indian music and culture.
Roze Don, Countree Hype & Konshens, “Unch It Remix”
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Some of the best dancehall tracks are the instructive ones; they’re inherently interactive and personable. For the official remix of their function-rocking “Unch It,” Roze Don and Countree Hype recruit dancehall star Konshens to add his own spice to the steady, percussive beat. Their tones are calm, just shy of nonchalant, but glimpses of staccato flows and the sneaky sensuality of a whisper add dynamics that elevate the song nicely. From the booming bass to irresistibly danceable melody, the “Unch It” remix is nice update of the August orignal for the autumn season.
For good measure, here are two bonus Fresh Picks that are only available to stream via YouTube.