State Champ Radio R&B/Hip-Hop
Page: 323
This week, Billboard is publishing a series of lists and articles celebrating the music of 20 years ago. Our 2004 Week continues here as we catch up with J-Kwon, the St. Louis rapper who had one of the year’s biggest breakout hits with “Tipsy” — which has now also been revived in one of the biggest breakout hits of this year, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song.”
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
J. Kwon’s rags-to-riches life story could be turned into a movie.
Hailing from St. Louis, Kwon — born Jerrell Jones — went from sleeping in cars and eating out of trash cans to being a millionaire rapper battling Usher on the charts and performing on the season 20 finale of Saturday Night Live (hosted by the Olsen twins). Oh, and all before the age when kids typically get their high school diplomas.
Trending on Billboard
A 17-year-old J-Kwon saved the best for last when it came to recording for his debut album Hood Hop, as “Tipsy” was the final track added to the project. “All I know is I did ‘Tipsy’ and ‘Tipsy’ is forever it,” he asserts when looking back at his trunk-rattling breakout hit. “That’s the No. 1 song ever.”
Kwon’s party-starting ode to underage drinking arrived in January 2004 and carried its club-friendly momentum to No. 2 on the Hot 100, where it was boxed out by Usher’s “Yeah!” (a popular fate for many hits in ’04). Parent album Hood Hop was released through Arista Records that April, and debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 with 125,000 albums sold in the first week.
In conversation with Billboard about his achievements, J-Kwon is charismatic and grateful. In a serendipitous turn of events, Kwon’s name and signature hit has been revitalized in the top 40, thanks to Shaboozey’s chart-schorching new hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”
The Cowboy Carter guest put a country twist on J-Kwon’s counting flow from “Tipsy,” which he interpolates (along with the song’s main hook) on his own “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” The viral track arrived via American Dogwood/EMPIRE earlier this April, and vaulted to a No. 36 debut on this week’s Hot 100 (dated Apr. 27). The singer jumped to No. 1 on the Emerging Artists chart and also topped the Digital Song Sales and Country Digital Song Sales charts.
“I got a crazy percentage,” J-Kwon reveals of the business dealings behind Shaboozey’s interpolation. “The clearance process – can’t nothing go down unless J-Kwon say it goes down. That’s facts. Of course, when I come in, I’m talking strong numbers. That’s all of my song. But I’m proud of him.”
Check out the rest of our interview with J-Kwon, which finds him reflecting on 20 years of “Tipsy,” Shaboozey’s interpolation and receiving Kanye West’s co-sign.
[embedded content]
Take me back — it’s the 20th anniversary of “Tipsy.” Last week was 20 years since it hit No. 2 on the Hot 100.
Hold on now, we can’t just take you back — because we still taking you forward.
What I remember most is probably me needing a sign from God. I needed a real sign from God. I used to look in the mirror and I used to see my face changing. It was so crazy to me, because I was like, “I just need to make something happen.” It was me and [producers] the Trackboyz. It was epic.
When I [met] with L.A. [Reid]. [Producer/affiliate] Memphitz flew down to St. Louis like, “Yo, we gotta take J-Kwon up to L.A. Reid.” I’m like, “You’re lying.” This s–t is not happening. When they took me to L.A. Reid it was so crazy — because this is L.A. Reid.
L.A. Reid pulls out his drumsticks… He’s hitting these drumsticks extra hard. He’s like, “I got millions [of dollars] for you.” I’m like, “Don’t lie, Reid.” Jermaine Dupri was in the room. I think he was the president of Arista Records. That’s how we all connected.
I had this song like, “Diamonds big and blue like Papa Smurf….” I was kinda referencing JD, you little. No disrespect, I love Jermaine [Dupri]. I still love Jermaine, but it was so funny. I put everything on the line to get that situation done. Everybody in the room start rocking. L.A. Reid had the whole office shutdown when J-Kwon came up.
So at that point, when you met [Jermaine Dupri] and L.A. Reid, you didn’t have “Tipsy” yet.
I had “Hood Hop.” That’s my baby. I was like, “I’m so much bigger than…” not “Hood Hop” per se, but I’m bigger than the ears listening to something as such. I wanted something massive. [“Tipsy”] was the last record I recorded [for the album].
I purposely went in there and did it as the last record. They said, “Kwon we got money open on the budget.” I said, “I wanna do one more record, and I want a smash hit.” Everybody would say that once they got a hit. Ask Mark Williams. I was like, “I need one more.” We some people that they thought couldn’t do it.
What do you remember about the “Tipsy” studio session?
It was definitely crazy. First of all, they bought me a club in [Mark “Tarboy” Williams’] house. The opportunity to show them I could do it is crazy. They bought me a club inside their house, before I got my own mansion. The session was so surreal. It was like American Horror Story. I’m like, “Yo, this is going elsewhere.” I wasn’t 18 yet. Put it like this, the studio session was like nothing you’ve ever heard of. What I remember most is money keep coming.
When did you know “Tipsy“ was a hit?
I was at 100.3 The Beat. It was the St. Louis station, and Kanye West was rolling through town. Kanye called up there and he was like, “Yo, this is a hit.” He was like, “That song is out of here.” Song of the year, decade, century, it never stops. I didn’t need him on the remix, because that would’ve been more money I had to pay out. We could do a new remix right now because my songs never die.
In 2013, Kanye said it was his “No. 1 song.”
And he’s my No. 1 artist. Him, Nelly, Eminem and Jay-Z. Put Kanye up there.
What do you remember about performing on Saturday Night Live with the Olsen twins [Mary-Kate and Ashley] hosting?
If I told you everything I remember, we couldn’t use the interview. I love them twins. I have twins of my own. I have Jason and Jessie. I have twin brothers so I get it. I’m striving to get my twins as high as them. The only thing I remember about SNL is the twins and all I remember is Full House.
[embedded content]
I don’t understand how “Tipsy” is still only certified gold [on the RIAA website]. They have to update the plaques!
When it comes to J-Kwon, if you think about it — I had my own shoe deal, Pepsi deal, grand finales of Saturday Night Live, I did the Apollos all before the internet era. I took Greyhounds up to New York and I wanted to be on. Then I look at the massive s–t I’ve done.
They gave me a gold plaque the first day my record came out. I cried, dog. Big Bob was like, “What are you crying for?” I say, “Because I only got gold.” He say, “It’s only the first day!” My gold means more than n—as’ platinum. Of course, “Tipsy” is like quadruple-platinum. Coming off that, that was a big situation for me. I come from nothing. I came from sleeping in cars, homeless, eating out of trash cans [and] selling drugs.
What do you think about Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” interpolating you and paying homage to “Tipsy?” He debuted at No. 36 on the Hot 100.
It really ain’t even paying homage; I got a crazy percentage… Let’s say it like this, we did that together, and I’m proud of him.
[H-Snow, J-Kwon’s manager, joins the call to interject]: We were compensated. Basically for the song, we do have credit and a deal was worked out in both parties’ favor. Respect the artist and his craft. We license it to somebody and the original artist has to be compensated. As far as the clearance process, artists have to clear their record. They didn’t want to clear Kanye’s “Through the Wire.” Shaboozey has [J-Kwon’s] blessing and the label has his blessing.
J-Kwon: I probably own more than the labels own. You could go on his page and he’s yelling HHM [Hood Hop Music]. Any deal Kwon do, it’s Kwon. We did huge numbers with that and I’m proud of myself because I actually structured that myself. I had consulted with -– I’m just that guy, you can’t move without J-Kwon. Even with the new era, songs still move, but every song that got J-Kwon influences pops. I did a couple deals. Wait and see. You never know.
H Snow: Let’s just say you might be calling us in another month or so.
J-Kwon: I wanna say shout-out to Trackboyz. [Staff member] Lisa Elise Covington. [Co-manager] Sean Caldwell. Memphitz. Jermaine Dupri, did I mention him? If I didn’t, let me mention him now. I got to shout-out L.A. Reid, God and my momma Terry Jones. I gotta shout-out [Empire president] Tina Davis and Shaboozey.
I gotta mention Nelly. Nelly is real big for me. He’s super huge for me. Me and his relationship is crazy. He does things for me that no one has ever done. I try to be as humble as possible, if you look at the way my career is set up, it don’t happen like that.
[embedded content]
Could we see you on the “A Bar Song” remix?
Well, I’m on the original. It might be a remix!
What are you up to now music-wise?
[My new album] Last Call, Sobriety Check. That’s what we doing now. Let’s go, HHM. If I give you a date [for the new release] then I gotta stick to it. One thing about it, two things for sure — the fans gotta know I love them for real. Without them, there would be no J-Kwon. I can’t believe all the love I’m getting. [J-Kwon also mentions his Expen$ive Ta$te clothing line].
“Tipsy” peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100 only to be boxed out by Usher.
I hit No. 1 on every other chart. It’s cool. If I hit No. 2 on Hot 100, you already know what I hit on the other charts. I need people to say it how it really go. The boy was No. 2 on Hot 100. I’m still selling right now.
What do you think about St. Louis rappers now like Sexyy Red?
I love Sexyy Red. My No. 1 artist out of St. Louis right now is I got [a few] – J-Kwon, Sexyy Red, Kane Koca, T Tone and I got Nelly.
Anything you want to leave us with before we go?
I wouldn’t rather be nowhere but right here, right now. I’m driving through all these big-a– houses. With or without all of that, all I know is I did “Tipsy” and “Tipsy” is forever it. That’s the No. 1 song ever. Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song” is the No. 1 song of the year.
The only thing more Detroit than hometown heroes the Lions is D-town legend Eminem. So it was fitting that on the first night of the 2024 NFL Draft at an absolutely jam-packed Hart Plaza on Thursday (April 25), Slim Shady was on hand to help kick off the proceedings. The reclusive hip-hop icon took the […]
Past, present and future stars of the football world were in Detroit on Thursday (April 25) for the 89th annual NFL Draft. But some of the city’s music superstars — specifically rappers Eminem and Big Sean and Motown legend Smokey Robinson — made sure the throngs of fans attending the festivities didn’t forget the Motor City’s rich musical heritage.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
And Eminem added to the celebration by announcing his next album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace), for summer release via an ad during the draft broadcast.
Big Sean was charged with opening the nightly NFL Draft Concert Series, delivering parts of 11 songs during a half-hour long set. Backed by a DJ, drummer and keyboard player, Sean prowled the opulent Draft Theater stage sporting a bandana and a Detroit Lions jersey with the number 97, worn on game days by popular homegrown defensive lineman Aiden Hutchinson. “If you’re excited about the NFL Draft. let me hear you,” he called to a sea of super fans inside the theater and tens of thousands gathered in a public area just beyond – a record-setting crowd of more than 275,000 that forced the NFL to close gates early in the evening.
Trending on Billboard
Playing his first home town show in nearly two years, Sean — who now resides in Beverly Hills — marveled at “the fact I went to school right around the corner from here… I used to record right around the corner at my homie’s studio, and this was all I ever wanted to do, man. So I just gotta say thank you for anybody who’s ever heard a song of mine, sang it at a bar, purchased a song.”
Sean reached all the way back to his first album, 2011’s Finally Famous, for “My Last” and dotted the set with career-spanning hits including “Paradise,” “Blessings” and “Bounce Back.” He also touched on collaborations with Kanye West (“Mercy” and “Clique”) and Drake (“All Me”) and dedicated a rendition of YG’s “Big Bank” to Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who signed a four-year contract extension with the team on Thursday.
Sean also featured his latest single, “Precision,” and told the crowd he was working on his sixth album, the follow-up to 2020’s Detroit 2. In addition, he shouted out his nearly year-and-a-half year old son with Jhene Aiko, saluted this year’s draft prospects — who he called “all my future multi-millionaires” — and gave props to fans from other teams. But Sean made his own rooting interest clear. “I know the Lions are gonna get their shot, you feel me?” he said. “Sooner or later… I can feel it, though.”
The Lions won the NFC’s North division last season, but lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the conference finals, one game shy of reaching the Super Bowl. Ironically some fans held up a “You’re in 49ers” banner in front of Sean throughout the performance.
Robinson was not at the draft in person, but provided a voice-over for the prime time broadcast on ESPN and the NFL Network, with a new mix of the Temptations’ “Get Ready” — which Robinson wrote and produced — playing behind him.
Devout Lions fan Eminem then helped to kick off the draft itself with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, first taking part in a filmed segment in which Goodell proposed a rap battle — to Eminem’s obvious bewilderment. Then, he joined Goodell on stage to turn the crowd’s boos (a ritual when it comes to the commissioner) to cheers. “Detroit, what up! It’s here!” Eminem shouted. “Make some noise for the Detroit Lions,” he added before ushering on current team stars Hutchinson, St. Brown and quarterback Jared Goff and Hall of Fame veterans Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson to more rapturous cheers.
The NFL Draft, as well as the Concert Series, continues through Saturday. The celebrated Detroit Youth Choir performs on Friday, while “Mine” hitmaker Andrew Bazzi, who hails from nearby Canton, Mich. wraps things up on Saturday.
Shady’s back, and he’s hinting that it’s for the last time.
Eminem teases The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), a new album due out in summer 2024.
The Rock Hall-inducted emcee breaks the news by way of a viral video in the style of real crime show Unsolved Mysteries, which tells a narrative of how Em meets his end and asks the question, “who killed Slim Shady?”
It’s a tongue-in-cheek job, and features fellow rapper 50 Cent (who declares “he’s not a friend, he’s a psychopath”), vintage footage of the Detroit rapper, a bloody knife, and a pixelated, bearded Em in the hot seat.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“Through his complex, tongue twisting and oft criticized rhymes, the blonde anti-hero known as Slim Shady has had no shortage of enemies,” explains the trench-coated narrator of the parody program, Detroit Murder Files. “The same rude lyrics and controversial antics might have ultimately led to his demise.”
The Death Of Slim Shady is the followup to the rapper’s 11th studio album from 2020, Music to Be Murdered By. That album landed at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, for Em’s historic 10th consecutive leader. Prior to that Eminem delivered another surprise with Kamikaze, which dropped in 2018 without any warning.
Trending on Billboard
Eminem was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, in a class that included Duran Duran, Eurythmics, Dolly Parton, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Lionel Richie and Carly Simon.
Em’s longtime collaborator Dr. Dre did the honors at the Rock Hall, and it was Dre who announced that a new Eminem album was on the way, spilling the beans on late night TV last month.
“Let me tell you something, let me explain something to you right now: Eminem is working on his own album which is coming out this year,” Dre said to cheers from the studio audience for Jimmy Kimmel Live, for his first late night appearance in 30 years. “And I actually talked to him and he said it okay for me to make that announcement right here on this show. So he has an album coming out, I’ve got songs on it and it’s fire. I’m actually gonna hear the entire album for the first time for tomorrow.”
The Rap God has dominated our news feeds in recent days. With the 2024 NFL draft upon up, Em, a Detroit Lions superfan, teamed up with commissioner Roger Goodell for a new ad hyping the 89th annual draft, taking place in Marshall’s hometown from April 25-27.
Also, the official video for Eminem’s 2004 song “Mockingbird” flew past 1 billion views earlier this week on YouTube, and the MC posted a single, powerful image on Instagram on Sunday honoring his 16th sober anniversary.
A day after Tupac Shakur‘s estate threatened to sue over the use of AI-generated vocals from the late rapper, Drake has pulled his “Taylor Made Freestyle” down from social media. Last Friday, Drake posted the Kendrick Lamar diss track — which also includes AI Snoop Dogg vocals — to his social accounts. The song made […]
Jeezy has responded to the allegations of domestic abuse and child neglect made by his estranged wife Jeannie Mai. The Snowman released a statement to his Instagram on Thursday (April 25) denying the “disturbing ” accusations.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“The allegations are not only false, but also deeply disturbing, especially coming from someone I loved. This malicious attempt to tarnish my character and disrupt my family is ridiculous,” Jeezy wrote to social media. “It’s disheartening to witness the manipulation and deceit at play and at this time my main concern is being an active father to our daughter as I continue to fight for court mandated joint custody. Rest assured, the truth will prevail through the proper legal channels.”
Per a court filing made on April 25 obtained by Complex, Mai accused Jeezy — born Jay Jenkins — on four different occasions. She claimed that the rapper choked her from behind and pushed her down the stairs during a stay at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in San Francisco in April 2022.
Another January 2022 incident alleges that Jeezy struck Mai in the face with a closed fist just weeks after giving birth to their only daughter, Monaco. She claimed the force from the blow caused a hemorrhage while he hurled insults at her.
“[Jeezy] has a history of threats, violence, and bodily harm. [Mai] mistakenly believed [Jeezy] when he convinced her prior to their marriage that he was a changed man, and his past was in his past, but as one can see from the examples of abuse [Mai] endured during the marriage that has not turned out to be the case,” the filing reads.
Two other incidents in the filing include one where Jeezy operated a golf cart while allegedly intoxicated and crashed which injured himself and Mai. Another reportedly went down following the 2022 Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball.
Jeezy allegedly verbally abused Jeannie Mai on their way home and when the argument continued outside their ride home, the “Put On” rhymer grabbed and ripped her dress around the neckline. Mai claimed the incident stemmed from Jeezy being unhappy she went to the bathroom without telling him at the gala.
Jeezy and Mai welcomed their daughter Monaco in 2021. The trap pioneer and Mai tied the knot in March 2021 after meeting in 2018. However, their relationship deteriorated and Jeezy filed for divorce from the former The Real co-host in September 2023 after two-and-a-half years of marriage.
According to documents viewed by Billboard at the time, the filing stated that the former pair were “living in a bona fide state of separation.” The rapper also states that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” with “no hope for reconciliation.”
Billboard has reached out to Jeezy’s reps for comment.
Chenayder, the 17-year-old singer from Orlando, Fla., shares her new single “Colors” featuring North Carolina’s MAVI. Her music first caught my attention when I came across it on TikTok after she posted the original version of this song — sans the guest verse — and the UK drum & bass-inspired “For One Last Time.” She […]
Mary J. Blige is one of the well-deserved inductees of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024, and the superstar was visibly moved while discussing the honor on a new episode of the Tamron Hall Show.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“I’m still trying to process this whole thing. It’s a big deal. I’m just so grateful because I know it didn’t have to be this way but it is this way, and I give to all the credit to God. I don’t even know what else to do. It’s just so humbling,” she shared, before adding, “I don’t know what to do besides be grateful and thankful.”
Blige will be inducted in the performers category alongside Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & the Gang, Ozzy Osbourne and A Tribe Called Quest. In the musical influence category, Alexis Korner, John Mayall and “Big Mama” Thornton will be inducted and the musical excellence category features Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick and Norman Whitfield.
Trending on Billboard
“I was home and I got the news from some people in my camp, my business, and I was grateful for the nomination because I was next to Cher, Mariah Carey, Sade, all these amazing women,” Blige said of finding out that she’s in the Rock Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024. “When I saw Cher, I was like, ‘We can forget about it.’ [laughs] Let me just sit down and be grateful for the nomination. So, when I heard the news on Sunday, I was like ‘What the—?’”
The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul concluded, “I work so hard mentally, spiritually, physically, intellectually. I’ve been through everything in front of the world, from taxes to shame to abusive relationships. All kinds of stuff I’ve been through. I figured out how to come out classy and strong, you know? Just keep moving to the next thing. It’s just about being grateful. Amazing things have happened.”
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2024 ceremony will stream live on Disney+ on Oct. 19, be available on Hulu the following day and air in edited form on ABC at a later date. Watch Blige’s interview will Hall below.
[embedded content]
Gucci Mane has returned and he’s throwing haymakers in Diddy’s direction with his latest single trolling the embattled Bad Boy mogul’s signature phrase “TakeDat.”
Guwop delivered the buzzworthy track along with the Omar The Director-helmed video on Wednesday, which finds Gucci uttering “No Diddy” 119 times throughout the song to be exact, as counted up by Complex.
“No Diddy” is a phrase that has gone viral on social media since the myriad of sexual assault and misconduct allegations have been levied against Diddy, particularly one by producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones Jr., who accused Sean Combs of groping him, grooming and forcing to take part in sexual acts.
Trending on Billboard
“The CEO in the video but no Diddy/ ‘Cause I ain’t dancin’ like a ho, no Diddy/ Can’t go out like Pac, no kizzy,” he raps while seemingly attaching a “No Diddy” to every bar.
Gucci Mane also references Cassie’s lawsuit against Diddy, in which she accused him of blowing up Kid Cudi’s car out of jealousy because of their brief fling.
“But I blow a n—a car up like Kid Cudi’s/ I’m on the yacht, takin’ shots, no Diddy,” Gucci spews.
Back in December, Diddy denied all of the allegations against him. “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH,” he wrote to social media. “For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”
In the lavish clip, Gucci Mane and his wife Keyshia Ka’Oir recreate a champagne toast bubble bath scene from The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Big Poppa” video, which arrived in 1994 courtesy of Hype Williams (The “Big Poppa” visual starred Diddy with his girlfriend Misa Hylton at the time).
Diddy isn’t the only person name-dropped by Gucci as he pokes at Drake, 50 Cent, 2Pac, Yung Miami, Biggie and more throughout “TakeDat.”
“Some n—-s wanna boss me, I’m not 50/ But get a nigga ass touched like Biggie, no Diddy,” Guwop rhymes. The jab didn’t seem to bother 50 as he reposted the clip looking to antagonize his enemy Diddy even further.
“Oh s–t WOP TOOK DA HIT this Diddy POPPED That’s what you get,” 50 wrote.
Watch the “TakeDat” video below.
[embedded content]
Ye (the artist formerly known as Kanye West) has deleted his X account seemingly after receiving a wave of backlash for announcing a new adult content website. On Wednesday (April 24), the rapper tweeted a six second video with the phrase “Yeezy Porn Is Cumming,” directing viewers to “go to yeezy.com.” According to TMZ, Ye is […]
