R&B/Hip-Hop
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The wait for City Girls’ new album is almost over, and this new snippet is sure to carry us through the home stretch. On Wednesday (Oct. 18), the “Act Up” rappers took to their official Instagram page to upload a video featuring a snippet of a new song. “Flashy Ft. @KimPetras FRIDAY 10/20 📸✨🩷 #RAW,” […]
“Lyor Cohen changed my life,” said rapper and Drink Champs host N.O.R.E., speaking to the packed open-air space at Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles on Wednesday night (Oct. 18).
He was one of many to express appreciation for Cohen throughout the evening, during which industry titans (such as Lucian Grainge, Sylvia Rhone, Jon Platt, Julie Greenwald and more) mingled with hip-hop royalty (such as Jay-Z, Swizz Beatz, Ludacris, Diddy and others). After all, the genre’s 50th anniversary just to happens to coincide with the 50th anniversary of City of Hope‘s philanthropic partnership with the Music, Film and Entertainment Industry (MFEI) — making Cohen, considering his contributions to and impact on hip-hop, as well as his generous spirit and advocacy for accessible and affordable care for all, an ideal recipient of the City of Hope 2023 Spirit of Life Award.
And though his honor was revealed back in March, the event itself came at an unexpectedly fitting time, as it seemed the entire music industry was waiting to hear from Cohen (the son of Israeli immigrants) on current events unfolding in Israel and Gaza. It seemed that he, too, had been waiting for this moment and platform to share them.
“With all that’s going on in the world, Lyor, you powered though,” said Evan Lamberg, City of Hope’s MFEI board president. Lamberg also called Cohen – current global head of music at YouTube and Google – “indomitable,” noting his 93-year-old mother was in attendance, among many other members of Cohen’s family.
But before Cohen himself could speak, there was the business of fundraising. Diddy kicked things off, becoming the first to donate at the entry point of $100,000. Dozens followed, ultimately raising over $4.3 million. (Over the course of its 50-year partnership with City of Hope, the MFEI has raised a total of $150 million to cure and prevent cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases.)
Next up was the long-awaited performance, for which the crowd was spoiled with a never-ending parade of hip-hop and R&B greats as DJ Cassidy brought his Pass the Mic Live! franchise to the stage (much of which Jay-Z, seated at the Sony Music table next to Platt, bobbed along to). After Cassidy dedicated the set to Cohen (“an icon behind the scenes”), what followed was a 30-plus-minute jaw-dropping show during which the mic was passed nearly 20 times to artists and groups including: Slick Rick, Kurtis Blow, Big Daddy Kane, MC Serch, Nice ‘N Smooth, EPMD, Redman, Onyx, Warren G, Domino, Musiq Soulchild, Dru Hill, Ja Rule, T.I. with Swizz Beatz and Public Enemy, who ended with an all-star rendition of “Fight the Power.”
Just before 9:45 (45 minutes after the event’s scheduled end time), Cohen’s congratulatory video started to play, featuring everyone from Busta Rhymes and Slim to Kevin Liles and Julie Greenwald. Chuck D then returned to the stage to introduce Cohen, delivering a particularly memorable opening line: “[Run-]D.M.C. says hip-hop succeeds where religions and governments fail – and that’s ironic at this particular time right now.”
It’s a sentiment that set the tone for Cohen to deliver his own anticipated speech, which began with the sound of a computer glitching as the lights switched off (“Lights!” exclaimed Chuck, to which Lyor motioned all was well… it was all part of the plan). Cohen opted to open with an excerpt of the famous “final speech” delivered by Charlie Chaplin in the 1940 film The Great Dictator, in which he ultimately calls for unity.
“We came here to help eradicate cancer, but wouldn’t it be great if we could also eradicate hate?” said Cohen once the lights came back on. He spoke of the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack at a music festival in Israel, saying it will never be forgotten and calling for the immediate return of those who were kidnapped and are still being held hostage. “I’m so sorry to hijack this special event to express my feelings as a human,” he said, “just as I express them when injustices happen to anyone targeted because of their race or religion or sexual identity… My heart goes out to all the Palestinian people in the region that have had to endure unnecessary loss of life. I pray for peace – won’t you join me?”
He proceeded to express gratitude for his family, many of whom were in attendance and many of whom, as he said, couldn’t make it “because they are burying Israeli children.” He then thanked the room for “a lifetime of tolerance and kindness and unwavering belief in the mission,” calling out Greenwald (“for always trying to make everyone better with love”), Liles (“you’re a selfless warrior”), Russell Simmons (“thank you for this wonderful life that I live”) and the “great music and great artists that I’ve had the honor of serving.”
Lastly, Cohen addressed “the additional controversy,” saying “I’m so sick and tired of people thinking that celebrity and fame trumps great music and artistry. We’re in a funky monkey moment but don’t get it twisted, quality will always prevail.”
LL Cool J then closed out the night (alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff and Adam Blackstone) with a medley of hits including “Mama Said Knock You Out.” Before stepping off stage, he addressed Cohen directly: “We went through a lot… and it all ended up really great.”
And as the crowd started to shuffle out, he shared one final message – and it perfectly underscored the ethos of the entire night: “Erase the Hate.”
Billie Eilish showed off some new ink in a red-and-black themed photo dump — likely inspired by her current hair color. The back tattoo, which was done by artist Matias Milan, features swirl and scratch patterns down her spine. The dump also featured a name drop from Drake in his “Another Late Night” lyrics, in […]
Jay-Z has been a longtime collaborator of music video visionary Hype Williams, and the rapper sat down for a rare interview with Complex honoring the director’s work to share some memories. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news HOV first worked with Williams back in 1996 for the […]
Drake extends his record for the most No. 1s in the history of Billboard’s Streaming Songs chart, as “First Person Shooter,” featuring J. Cole, debuts atop the Oct. 21-dated tally.
The song reigns with 42.2 million official U.S. streams earned in its first week (Oct. 6-12), according to Luminate.
Drake adds his 19th leader, more than three times the amount of the next-closest acts dating to the survey’s 2013 inception; he’s followed by Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift, with six apiece. Of Drake’s No. 1s, he has logged 15 in a lead role.
Most No. 1s, Streaming Songs:19, Drake6, Justin Bieber6, Taylor Swift5, Travis Scott4, Cardi B4, Miley Cyrus4, Ariana Grande4, Lil Baby
As for featured act J. Cole, “First Person Shooter” is his second Streaming Songs No. 1, following the one-week rule of “Interlude” in May 2021.
Drake now boasts four Streaming Songs rulers in 2023, with his latest preceded by “Search & Rescue” in April, Travis Scott’s “Meltdown” (on which he’s featured) in August and “Slime You Out,” featuring SZA, in September.
Drake first reigned in 2016 as featured on Rihanna’s “Work,” an eight-week No. 1 beginning that March. His first lead No. 1, “One Dance” (featuring WizKid and Kyla), followed that May.
The entire top 11 of Streaming Songs comprises songs from Drake’s new album For All the Dogs, which concurrently premieres atop the Billboard 200. “First Person Shooter” is followed by “IDGAF,” featuring Yeat, at No. 2, with 40.8 million streams.
It’s the third time that a single act has occupied the top 11 or more on Streaming Songs. Drake did so first – claiming the top 14 spots – on the Sept. 18, 2021, ranking with music from his LP Certified Lover Boy. Swift followed on Nov. 5, 2022, taking the top 13 via material from her album Midnights.
Thanks to his latest haul, Drake now boasts 96 Streaming Songs career top 10s, over double the amount of the next-closest act, Swift, with 39.
Most Top 10s, Streaming Songs:96, Drake39, Taylor Swift34, Lil Baby30, The Weeknd28, 21 Savage28, Travis Scott25, Future24, J. Cole24, Kanye West
All 23 tracks on For All the Dogs make Streaming Songs, all the way down to “Screw the World Interlude,” at No. 33, with 11.8 million streams.
As previously reported, “First Person Shooter” also starts atop the multi-metric Billboard Hot 100, becoming Drake’s 13th leader – tying him with Michael Jackson for the most leaders among solo men – and J. Cole’s first No. 1.
Through the ups and downs, Offset’s marriage with Cardi B has persevered, and in a new Call Her Daddy episode, the Migos rapper opened up about re-establishing trust with his Grammy-winning wife after he was caught cheating.
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“First off by like respecting her position, right?” Offset told host Alex Cooper of his process of healing his relationship. “We’re both public figures, we’re both in the eyes of people. Stop being selfish. You’re married to this woman, be dedicated to this woman. And also, just like being more communicative about s—. Like, we just talk more and, because, you know, work was getting in the way, sometimes and it was like, [phew] and we would talk all the time but communication is key. If you don’t like some s—, tell me, and if I don’t like some s—, I’ll tell you. We talk and communication is key. Not communicating f—s s— up.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Offset sweetly shared the qualities that drew him to the Bronx rapper in the first place. “I had seen her online, and I just loved the way how raw she was and how confident she was,” he shared. “She didn’t give a f— what nobody thought, nobody think, nothin’. And it’s just like damn, that’s fire. Funny, great personality, from what I could see, you know I’m saying? Like that’s a funny girl, she’s a cool girl, and then I shot my shot and I swished it.”
Listen to the full Call Her Daddy episode here.
Back in 2017, just two months after Offset proposed to Cardi, a video surfaced of what appeared to be Offset with another naked woman in a hotel. The Migos rapper reportedly claimed that his iCloud was hacked. Days later, a model named Celine Powell claimed to be pregnant with Offset’s baby.
A few months later, in April 2018, Cardi opened up about her situation with Offset with Cosmopolitan. “It’s like everybody is coming down my neck like, ‘Why are you not leaving him? You have low self-esteem.’ I don’t have low self-esteem … I know I look good,” Cardi said in the interview. “I know I’m rich, I know I’m talented. I know I could get any man I want — any basketball player, football player. But I want to work out my s–t with my man, and I don’t got to explain why. I’m not your property. This is my life … I’m going to take my time, and I’m going to decide on my decision … it’s not right, what he f–king did — but people don’t know what I did, ’cause I ain’t no angel.” She wrapped up with a hilarious question for her haters: “Since when are all these women dating pastors and deacons?”
What’s poppin’ in Las Vegas during big race weekend? A major performance from Jack Harlow. The six-time Grammy nominee will be kicking off the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Las Vegas this year with an exclusive concert on Nov. 16 for SiriusXM and Pandora inside The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan hotel. SiriusXM and Pandora Present […]
Early into Sly Stone’s memoir, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) — released this week (Oct. 17) — the music icon recalls collaborating with the late Billy Preston on the song “Advice” from the former’s 1966 solo album Wildest Organ in Town!
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“Billy went hard on organ, churching it up, over lyrics about taking the crowd higher,” remembers Stone. “That’s what I wanted music to do, to elevate whoever heard it. I reminded myself to return to that attitude, and that altitude.”
That same year, Stone made good on his promise when he brought together his brother/guitarist Freddie Stone, sister/keyboardist Rose Stone, trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, drummer Gregg Errico, saxophonist Jerry Martini and bassist Larry Graham as the seminal rock/funk band Sly and the Family Stone. Together with author Ben Greenman, Stone — born Sylvester Stewart — chronicles his journey from gospel choir and doo-wop singer, record producer and radio DJ (San Francisco R&B station KSOL) to front man/creative guru of the racially and gender-diverse band whose game-changing musical vision has influenced multiple generations of artists, such as Prince, D’Angelo and Erykah Badu.
Named after one of the band’s many hits, a lengthy list that includes “Everyday People,” “Sing a Simple Song,” “Dance to the Music” and “I Want to Take You Higher,” the memoir is the first title from AUWA Books, an imprint with MCD/Farrar, Straus and Giroux launched by Questlove who also penned the foreword.
Beyond reflections on the band’s music, Stone takes a no-holds-barred approach to the memoir as he tracks the other ups and downs throughout his storied life from his and Kathy Silva’s famous 1974 wedding and concert at Madison Square Garden (“$8.50 for a wedding and a concert both. A bargain.”) and the birth of his beloved son Sylvester Jr. and daughters Phunne and Novena to various business ventures and finally overcoming his drug addiction. Stone, now 80 and suffering from COPD, writes, “Then came the Four Visits. Fifty years of drugs, plus age, plus stress, made the hospital a regular stop.” His stream of consciousness recall of life experiences, coupled with colorful turns of phrase, makes Thank You a fun and insightful read.
Sly Stone (right) with Kathy Silva and Freddie Stone.
Family photograph / courtesy of the author
Speaking of his children, the three don’t fall far from the tree. Sylvester Jr. does lighting design for film and television, while Phunne continues her late mom Cynthia’s legacy as a member of the band Family Stone with Jerry Martini and Novena hosts the radio show “Morning Becomes Eclectic” on KCRW in Los Angeles. Both daughters shared memories of their dad during a recent phone interview with Billboard.
What’s one of your favorite memories of being with your dad?
Novena: I didn’t get to see my dad a whole lot growing up. But one day, when I was around eight years old, he picked me up in his cool car and he got me a Game Boy — which I really wanted — and some video games to go with it. Then we went to a magic store because he was really into magic stuff too. And he got me this magic penny thing, which was really cool. So we were kind of like being kids together. After that, we went to a boxing match, which was really random. But it actually was really smart that he got me the Game Boy first, because I just played with my Game Boy while he enjoyed the boxing match.
Phunne: I’m going to fast forward to when I was a little older, early 30s. I’d come to town to visit him. He picked me up in his van and he’s just driving and driving. I’m on crutches because I’d just had a surgery on my ankle. So I’m ready to go and put my foot up. I’m like, “Where are we going?” And he says, “Don’t worry about it…” And he’s dressed all weird in a black vest, no shirt, boxing shorts, boxing shoes and this Shirley Temple wig. I was confused. [Laughs.]
It took us probably 45 minutes to get through traffic. But we’re in a residential area up in the hills. We park and all these people start rushing to the van. I’m like, “What is this, dad?” And he says [mimicking Stone’s voice], “We’re at Eddie Murphy’s house. We’re going to watch the fight.” [Both sisters laugh.] And we sat next to Louis Farrakhan. I met a lot of people and bumped into a lot of people because of my crutches. That was a very interesting and fun day.
When did you understand that your dad was Sly Stone?
Phunne: I was fairly young, four or five. I can remember being at a show. I think Bootsy Collins was opening that for my dad. And mom had to go back to the hotel and grab something. She never left me with people. But she left me with Jerry Martini. So I was having a fit, because I want my mommy. So finally the show begins and Bootsy Collins is on stage. I’m on stage left behind the curtains. But I can see all the way across to stage right and I see my mom is back. I’m screaming “Mommy, mommy,” but the music is loud. But I could see her saying, “Noooooo.” But I just shot across the stage, zigzagging around the dancers. So I knew then that [he] was big, given all the people there.
Novena: For me, it was more so connected to having his albums at home. It was mostly me and my mom spending a lot of time at home in Sausalito (Calif.) And because she loves music, the centerpiece of the living room was pretty much the record player, [with] albums by like Michael Jackson, Guns N’ Roses, Stevie Wonder and then Sly & the Family Stone. I always remember knowing that [those wore] my dad’s records. And maybe actually a little earlier too. I have like a faint memory of being in a limousine with him and my mom — and you know, limousines aren’t a normal way to travel. So I was like, “This is special; he’s important.” You start piecing things together little by little.
Sly Stone photographed in 2021.
Family photograph / courtesy of the author
Is there a surprising revelation in the book that you didn’t know beforehand?
Novena: I feel like the conversations that I have with him haven’t been really long and detailed. It will usually be a quick answer. Then that’s it. So it was cool for me to see what felt like him sitting down and talking for a really long time, and telling stories back to back to back. He has a way with words. I don’t know if “surprise” is the right word. But it just struck me a something that I don’t really get to experience, as far as like a vibe.
Also interesting is his version of how he met my mom, which was different than what she told me. It was just a sample of how different people have different memories of how something went down or add different things to it. That’s an overall theme of the book, which he keeps bringing up: A memory is not necessarily like the truth. It’s like a story. And everybody has different stories, depending on how they look at things.
Phunne: I just started reading it, because I’ve been super busy. But I was there during a lot of the interviews done for the book. And I’ve heard a lot of those stories over the years, through my mom and other band members. So I was already shocked. I haven’t been shocked again yet. [Both laugh.]
Do you have a favorite Sly song?
Phunne: I always say “Thank You…” That’s one of my go-to songs and brings me back to my childhood. We played that a lot in the house. But “I’m a Poet” is one of my favorites too.
Novena: The music is way too good for me to pick one favorite. I can tell you my favorite line in a song. It’s from “In Time,” which is on the Fresh album. And the song plays with the concept of time. When he says the word procrastinating in the line, he says “procrasti” [she pauses] then “nating.” So he procrastinated on saying the word procrastinating, which, I’m always in my head, saying, “Whoa, that is so cool.”
What would you like readers to take away about your dad’s legacy?
Novena: As far as Sly and the Family Stone’s music legacy, the most important thing to me is: How does it make you feel? I think part of the reason that he wrote the book is to tell his story from his perspective and clear a lot of things up. But today, as more and more people learn about the band’s music for the first time, the root of the music is an important takeaway: what they did as a band and how does that make you feel?
Phunne: A lot of people like to [make a superhero out of] my dad. But I want people to also take away that he is just a man, flesh and blood, and he ain’t perfect. I know the music felt perfect. But he’s just a simple human being.
Surely you weren’t expecting Eminem to get all soft and sentimental on his 51st birthday? Marshall Mathers, born on Oct. 17, 1972, celebrated his half century plus one with a classic Slim Shady-ish post on Tuesday in which he posed in a black t-shirt and matching pants in front of a black background with a […]
Who would’ve thought that a WNBA mascot has some serious moves? The New York Liberty’s beloved elephant mascot Ellie took TikTok by storm this week by performing the “Bongos” challenge set to the tune of Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s latest collaboration. In the clip, the mascot is backed by two dancers as all […]