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Machine Gun Kelly returned to the rap side with his piano-laden “Dont Let Me Go” single Wednesday (Feb. 21), which he quickly followed up with an evocative visual.
The desolate tune finds MGK revealing a “breakdown” that led to his new massive blackout tattoo while he also touches on his shattered relationship with his late father, substance abuse, mental health issues and more contributing to his downfall.
“Just like I wish they would understand me one time/ I had a breakdown and tatted my entire body except one line,” he admits.
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The clip is kept simple for the most part, with MGK looking directly into the lens’ soul with the backdrops jumping from him on the piano to the dark woods and the city skyline of Cleveland.
“Before my dad left to serve/ He made sure I took on every quality I didn’t want/ I was supposed to die at birth/ Gave me a chance and I f—ed it up, give me another one,” Kells raps in brutally honest fashion.
Machine Gun Kelly references the miscarriage his fiancée Megan Fox suffered, which she opened up about in her poetry book last year. “I’ve never been through anything like that in my life,” the actress asserted.
“How can I live with the fact/ That my hand wasn’t on her stomach when we lost the baby?/ I don’t got no one to turn to/ Because everyone’s dead in my life that was tryna raise me,” he raps.
MGK hit the stage at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards and dedicated a performance of Mainstream Sellout‘s “Twin Flame” to his unborn child.
Earlier this week, the “Bloody Valentine” artist blacked out his upper body with a jarring tattoo covering his entire chest and arms. “For spiritual purposes only,” he captioned a post of the new ink. The piece reportedly took 13 different six-hour sessions in Los Angeles to complete.
The Cleveland native’s last rap album came in 2019 with Hotel Diablo, and he appears to be headed down that path once again following his lucrative two-album rock pivot. 2022’s Mainstream Sellout debuted at No. 1 atop the Billboard 200 with 93,000 album units sold.
Watch the “Dont Let Me Go” video below.
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Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) and Ty Dolla $ign’s “Carnival” debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Streaming Songs chart dated Feb. 24, the former’s fourth No. 1 and the latter’s first.
The top-performing song from the duo’s collaborative album Vultures 1 earned 23.5 million official U.S. streams Feb. 9-15, according to Luminate. That’s despite just six days of availability during the tracking week; the album was released Feb. 10.
Ye reigns on Streaming Songs for the first time since “Hurricane” led for a week in September 2021. His other rulers on the list, which began in 2013, include “All Mine” in June 2018 and “I Love It,” with Lil Pump, in September 2018.
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Between “Hurricane” and the release of Vultures 1, which accounts for 13 Streaming Songs appearances in all on the Feb. 24 ranking, Ye’s best rank had been a No. 8 peak with “Hot Shit,” on which he was billed as a lead act alongside Cardi B and Lil Durk, in July 2022.
Meanwhile, Ty Dolla $ign garners his first Streaming Songs leader with “Carnival.” The rapper first reached the chart in 2014 with “Paranoid,” featuring B.O.B (No. 36), and his highest rank on the tally had been his featured turn on Post Malone’s “Psycho,” which debuted and peaked at No. 2 in March 2018. As a lead act, his best had been “Hot Girl Summer,” billed as a lead alongside Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj, which debuted and peaked at No. 6 in August 2019.
The next-highest debut from the 13-song pack of Vultures 1 debuts is “Fuk Sumn,” which bows at No. 10 via 13.3 million streams.
As part of its No. 1 debut on Streaming Songs, “Carnival” also reigns on R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs and Rap Streaming Songs.
Concurrently, as previously reported, “Carnival” bows at No. 3 on the multi-metric Billboard Hot 100. In addition to its streams, the song also earned 4,000 downloads.
Its parent album, Vultures 1, also scored a No. 1 debut, premiering atop the Billboard 200 via 148,000 equivalent album units earned.
North West is officially a Billboard Hot 100-charting artist thanks to her featured appearances on dad Ye (formerly Kanye West) and Ty Dolla $ign’s new album, Vultures 1. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Proud mom Kim Kardashian took to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday (Feb. 21) to share a […]
A month after Tyla’s “Water” ran its course at No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, the hit reaches the top of the Adult R&B Airplay list dated Feb. 24. The track, released on FAX Records/Epic Records, jumps 4-1 following a 25% surge in plays that made it the most played song on U.S. monitored […]
The Kid Laroi seemingly went from being an unknown Australian teenager navigating puberty to a burgeoning superstar with a diamond plaque to his name in the blink of an eye.
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Laroi — born Charlton Howard — opens up with an intimate documentary titled Kids Are Growing Up: A Story About A Kid Named Laroi, which will be available on Prime Video on Feb. 29. The “Stay” artist released the first trailer on Wednesday (Feb. 21), giving fans a taste of what’s to come.
Directed by Michael Ratner, the documentary takes viewers on an emotional journey of The Kid Laroi’s dealings with fame amid the massive commercial success of “Stay” leading into his The First Time debut album, which arrived in November.
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The two-minute trailer includes a preview of an unreleased song and features contributions from his “Stay” collaborator Justin Bieber.
“The first time I ever actually called him, he was in the shower, and I was like, ‘What’s up, dog? You can call me when you’re done showering!’” the Canadian pop star recalls.
“STAY” spent seven non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, and the diamond-certified anthem won Top Hot 100 Song as well as Top Collaboration honors at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards.
Post Malone also sings Laroi’s praises in the clip: “Laroi, he’s so ambitious. I could tell he was gonna be huge.”
In a more serious turn, The Kid Laroi also gets candid about the lessons he learned from his late mentor, Juice WRLD, who passed away from an accidental drug overdose in December 2019.
“[Juice WRLD] taught me a lot about life,” he says. “He had so much life left to live. That just should not be placed on anybody.”
Prime Video is celebrating the doc’s arrival by hosting an interactive screening watch party and live Q&A between fans and The Kid Laroi from his home in Los Angeles on Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. PT.
Watch the Kids Are Growing Up trailer below and stream the documentary on Prime Video later this month.
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Jeezy is the latest rapper to grace NPR’s Tiny Desk stage as he delivered a concert that took fans on a memorable journey into the depths of the trap houses he once occupied via his decorated discography. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The Snowman made his […]
Tyler, the Creator has long looked up to Pharrell and what he’s been able to accomplish in music as well as the fashion world. Tyler himself has been designing clothes for well over a decade through his Golf Wang brand, and Skateboard P is giving him the opportunity of a lifetime.
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Pharrell, who serves as the men’s creative director at Louis Vuitton, tapped his “Cash In, Cash Out” collaborator to design a capsule collection for the iconic French fashion house.
“Tyler has been my close friend and collaborator for years and we’ve always connected on music and design,” Pharrell told GQ. “This collaboration is unique to Louis Vuitton because it’s a natural extension of our LVERS philosophy, building on our network of incredible artists and creatives. There are so many elements specific to Tyler built into these pieces and it’s been inspiring to see him hone in on his craft and collaborate with him for this Spring collection.”
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GQ got a first look at the colorful garments serving as the brainchild of Tyler, the Creator. The pieces will be available on March 21 as part of the LV Spring 2024 collection.
Dubbed the “Craggy Monogram,” the posh capsule includes an array of items that Tyler himself would sport, whether that be a baby blue V-neck knitted vest, pastel shoes or Bermuda shorts.
“My main focus was making things I would wear all the time,” he told GQ. “I dress the same in a meeting as I do a performance or grocery store trip, so hand drawing the monogram felt like the perfect balance to me.”
Tyler has a keen eye for accessories, and he didn’t hold back with his LV debut. There’s a collectible cereal bowl, as well as a leather golf bag with a Damier towel and club head covers for those hitting the links.
The Grammy-winning rapper, who has an affinity for trunks and boasts one of the rarest luggage collections of any celebrity, leaned into that by designing an entire set of trunks, including the biggest the fashion house has with the Courrier Lozine 110, which will retail for a staggering €68,000, which is approximately $73,560. There’s even one piece that comes equipped with a chess set for those who are ready to sit down for a game at any time or any place.
“The chessboard is one of the greatest things I’ve made and is definitely my favorite thing from the collection,” Tyler added to GQ. “The team was great to work with — it kinda felt like Big with Tom Hanks. P has always left a door open for me, but I still can’t believe this one.”
Find more photos from Tyler, the Creator’s Louis Vuitton collection — which will be available next month — below.
Hip-hop fans have been waiting for Cardi B‘s next album for more than five years. And while the “Bongos” rapper has repeatedly teased that the follow-up to her smash 2018 major label debut, Invasion of Privacy, is just around the corner, as of now there is still no information or release date out there. The […]
North West and Bump J are both officially Billboard Hot 100-charting artists thanks to their featured appearances on Ye (formerly Kanye West) and Ty Dolla $ign’s new album, Vultures 1. The set by the pair debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 (dated Feb. 24) with 148,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in its opening week (Feb. 9-15, following its Feb. 10 release), according to Luminate.
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North West is featured on the album’s “Talking,” which debuts at No. 30 on the Hot 100 with 12.33 million official U.S. streams.
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At just 10 years old, North, the eldest child of Ye and Kim Kardashian (who divorced in 2022), is now one of the youngest acts ever to reach the chart. Among other precocious charted talents, Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s daughter Blue Ivy Carter hit the Hot 100 at just 7 years old in 2019, thanks to her featured turn on Beyoncé, Saint Jhn and Wizkid’s “Brown Skin Girl.” She made her overall chart debut just after making her debut in the world, as her coos are heard on Jay-Z’s “Glory,” featuring B.I.C. (her initials). The song hit Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs in 2012, making her the youngest billed artist ever on any Billboard chart.
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“Talking” isn’t just North West’s first entry on the Hot 100, but on any Billboard list. She also debuts at No. 32 on the Emerging Artists chart.
As for Bump J, the Chicago rapper hits the Hot 100 for the first time thanks to his featured credit on Ye and Ty Dolla $ign’s “Vultures,” also featuring fellow Chi-Town rapper Lil Durk. The song debuts at No. 34 with 12.28 million streams.
Bump J (real name Terrance Boykin) has been releasing music for more than two decades. After releasing multiple mixtapes, he signed a deal with Atlantic Records in 2005 and released his solo single “Move Around,” which Ye produced. The track reached No. 91 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs in March 2005. His career was detoured in 2007 when he was arrested for an armed robbery. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2009 and was released through a plea deal in 2017.
Since then, he’s released two full-length projects: 606 God in 2018 and I Don’t Feel Rehabilitated in 2019. Plus, he teamed with Chicago rapper G Herbo in 2017 for “Crown” and again in 2021 on “Revolutionary,” also with Hit-Boy. The latter track is from Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album, which hit No. 1 on the Soundtracks chart and No. 12 on the Billboard 200.
Taylor Swift isn’t the only one who’s expert at sprinkling Easter eggs all over the place. In an interview with The Breakfast Club on Monday, Usher said that his Super Bowl LVIII halftime performance was packed with subtle nods to a number of his R&B favorites, many of which you may have missed.
While you probably spotted the empty drum kit that served as an homage to late drummer Aaron Spears, Usher said there were many more subtle nods. “What you don’t realize is that there are so many gems you have yet to unlock. You only caught one,” Usher told Charlamagne Tha God after the co-host noted that Ush paid homage to Michael Jackson’s dance moves during the 13-minute career retrospective.
“You caught Michael. Did you catch Marvin [Gaye]? Did you catch the back leg pop for James Brown?,” Usher asked, adding that his shirtless bit was a nod to Bobby Brown and his tank top was a tribute to R&B icon Teddy Pendergrass. Among the other superstars Usher said he alluded to were Luther Vandross and a “piano moment” that was a tip to Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway.
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“I’m delivering in all things that I do when I bring the culture of what I am and what has made me who I am everywhere I go, even right now,” Usher said, adding that he also slipped in allusions to Ron Isley, the Gap Band, the Jackson 5, Zapp and Earth, Wind & Fire. “If you go back, it’s an entire education that’s happening right in front of your eyes.”
Before the Super Bowl set, Usher, 45, told GMA that he planned to use his time on the biggest night in TV to pay homage to Black artists who paved the way for him. “I think about what our country has kind of represented for Black artists, you know, having to at some point go through kitchens to even be able to perform for an audience, but they had to leave back through that same door, fear for their lives as they went to the next state to do the same thing,” he said. “So I’m coming through the front door with this one.”
The singer told GMA that he was well-aware that he didn’t start where he is now and didn’t get to the Super Bowl stage by himself. “So, everybody that has been a part of it, I’m carrying them with me. All of my fans, my loved ones, the people who may have felt like they have been forgotten, they haven’t. I’m carrying you right with me when I walk on that stage that night,” he said before taking the stage during the break in what became the Kansas City Chiefs’ third Super Bowl win in the past five years.
See Usher’s Breakfast Club interview below.