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The calendar says September, but Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B are clearly not ready to give up their Hot Girl Summer in the new video for their latest joint single, “Bongos.” The Technicolor extravaganza that dropped on Friday (Sept. 8) is filled to bursting with a rainbow of high-fashion looks, shoes so impossibly stacked that even Lady Gaga would have trouble balancing in them and, of course, lyrics that will keep censors working overtime.
For their first collab since 2020’s Billboard Hot 200 No. 1 smash “WAP,” the pair tapped Ukrainian director Tanu Muino (Lil Nas X, Lizzo, Harry Styles), who kicks things off with a shot from behind of dancers in brightly colored bathing suits bouncing along to the song’s hypnotic “bong, bong, bong” refrain as they balance on beachside chaise lounges on geometrically shaped high heels.
After a quick glimpse of Cardi laying in the sand in a purple and pink bikini with a gigantic furry matching hat, the “Jealousy” rapper struts her stuff in Carnival-like blue, pink and yellow flamingo headdresses and matching bathing suits for a mansion full of men in bikinis as she busts out the song’s provocative first verse. “N—a eats this a– like a plum/ This p—y tight like a nun/ Better chew it up like it’s gum/ Then wipe your mouth when you’re done,” she raps over the song’s insistent beat.
“I’m hot like Nevada/ P—y get popped, piñata/ B–ch, I look like money/ You could print my face on a dollar,” Cardi adds before the “Beat it up (bong bong bong bong)” refrain comes around and Cardi twerks in front of an open fridge while rocking a burgundy string bikini and matching cascading braids.
Cardi warned fans in a preview DJ Whoo Kid interview that fans shouldn’t expect the “Bongos” video to serve up the same energy she and Meg brought in the eye-popping “WAP” clip, but the two definitely share a similar high-fashion, all-the-colors-of-the-rainbow aesthetic, minus the latter’s celeb (and big cat) cameos, of course.
Cardi kicks off the second “Bongos” verse modeling one of her wildest outfits ever, a body-hugging paisley bodysuit that matches the pattern on a couch she grinds her hips on while dissing unnamed “dusty-a– hoes.” After Cardi’s surfside hip-swiveling routine with a half dozen dancers, Megan gets her spot, entering the action in a provocative green monokini and matching headdress while posing on a diving board.
“This a– sit like the stallion/ All these wannabes my lil’ ponies/ These hoes camped out in the comments/ Always talkin’ like they know me/ Thick b—hes in the black truck, packed in,” Meg raps before busting out her own routine on a swim-up platform in front of a massive mansion while bragging about a purse so big “had to treat it like a person.”
And while Cardi promised Whoo Kid the video was “intricate [and] beautiful” and that it had a “different theme” than the “WAP” visual, don’t worry, there are still plenty of be-thonged butts shaking throughout, as well as a Bollywood-style section where Cardi, Megan and their dancers rock the sand in bright, gauzy outfits featuring billowing material on their hips fanned out like wings.
Along the way the pair pose provocatively on a strip-club-worthy oceanside jungle gym before Cardi steals the show with a final, over-the-top look that includes a flowing curly copper wig, enormous orange and purple earrings and foot-high chunky heels that would make an acrobat topple over.
Watch the “Bongos” video below.
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After The New York Times reported that controversial artist Ghostwriter submitted the A.I.-generated song “Heart on My Sleeve” for Grammy consideration, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. is refuting its eligibility in a short Instagram video shared Thursday (Sept. 7).
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In the clip, Mason Jr. walks back on his original comments in the Times article, in which he had previously deemed “Heart on My Sleeve” — the song that mimics Drake and The Weeknd’s voices — as “absolutely eligible because it was written by a human.”
“I’m sorry, but I have to clear up some of this bad and really inaccurate information that’s starting to float around,” he said in the video. “This version of ‘Heart on My Sleeve’ using the A.I. voice modeling that sounds like Drake and The Weeknd, it’s not eligible for Grammy consideration.”
“Let me be extra, extra clear, even though it was written by a human creator, the vocals were not legally obtained, the vocals were not cleared by the label or the artists and the song is not commercially available and because of that, it’s not eligible,” he continued.
He later added, “I take this [A.I.] stuff very seriously. It’s all complicated, and it’s moving, really, really quickly. I’m sure things are going to continue to have to evolve and change. But please, please, do not be confused. The Academy is here to support and advocate and protect and represent human artists, and human creators period.”
The Times reported that Ghostwriter submitted “Heart on My Sleeve” for song of the year and best rap song for the 2024 ceremony. The song was pulled from streaming services in April, and UMG slammed its usage of A.I. to generate vocals, and said that it demonstrated “why platforms have a fundamental legal and ethical responsibility to prevent the use of their services in ways that harm artists.”
Watch Mason Jr.’s full explanation of the song’s non-eligibility below.
On Saturday (Sept. 9), Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris will have Common, Jeezy, MC Lyte, Roxanne Shante and more to celebrate at her home as a part of a Hip-Hop 50 celebration, honoring the genre and its impact on American culture. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts […]
Fresh off the heels of “Bongos” with Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B is deep in her freaky bag. In fact, the Grammy winner told SirirusXM’s Hip-Hop Nation that she’s been itching to get into her freak bag on record with her husband, Offset.
“I do wanna do like more songs with him. I do wanna explore. I feel like we do so much rough songs and it’s like, let’s talk about f–king,” she said on Friday (Sep. 8). “We always talk about the music. Let’s talk about f–king because I feel like we always like on attack mode when we do songs together.”
In a way, Cardi is right. Of the pair’s songs together, none of them are particularly freaky, but they sure are bangers. Two of their collaborations as soloists have hit the Billboard Hot 100: the Grammy-nominated “Clout” (No. 39) and “Jealousy” (No. 55). A further three collaborations between Cardi and Migos have landed on the ranking: “Type Shit” (No. 71), “Drip” (No. 21) and the Nicki Minaj-assisted “MotorSport” (No. 6). Cardi and Offset first joined forces on 2017’s “Lick” remix, a cut from Cardi’s Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2 mixtape.
The “Bodak Yellow” rapper also opened up about the intricacies of her and her husband’s recording process. “He usually just have a song and I be like, ‘I like this song. I want to get on this song because I like this song.’ But like, even with like, ‘Jealousy’ and everything, when I first did it, I was like, ‘I feel like I don’t sound too strong,’” she recounted. “He’s like, ‘Yeah, your voice is a little bit like, why you putting that girly sound on it?’ because I change my voice when I rap … We critique each other a lot, a lot, a lot.”
Cardi’s relationship with Offset and Migos began almost a decade ago. “I got introduced to Migos in the club,” she remembered in a separate interview that aired on SiriusXM’s The Morning Mash Up. “[DJ Spanking] stopped the music and he was like, ‘This is the hottest song right now in Atlanta. I’m telling you right now that this is gonna take over’ and then he started playing ‘Versace.’”
“Versace,” which got a remix from Drake, was the first single from the rap trio’s breakthrough Y.R.N. (Young Rich N—as) mixtape. The song peaked at No. 99 on the Hot 100, their very first entry on the chart.
Offset and Cardi started dating in early 2017. By June 2018, Cardi confirmed that she and Offset got married the September prior, one month before the Migos star publicly proposed to her. A few months before that confirmation, however, Cardi debuted her pregnancy during a memorable Saturday Night Live performance. She gave birth to her first child together, daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus, on July 10, 2018. A second child, a son named Wave Set Cephus, followed on Sep. 4, 2021. After a nearly six-year marriage that has included separations and divorce filings, Cardi hinted at an official wedding via X last year.
“We’re very different from each other, but I think that’s what make us work,” she mused on The Morning Mash Up. “Yin and yang for real. But one thing that we, like, both love: We both love family. That’s one thing, and we both love what we do, like we both, we are each other’s support system. I know that he backs me up a hundred percent and I back him up a hundred percent. I don’t care.”
Watch her chats below with SiriusXM:
A man was shot and critically wounded during a Lil Baby show at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN on Thursday night (Sept. 7) according to an Associated Press report. According to a statement posted by the Memphis Police Department, officers responded to reports of a shooting at the venue at 10:23 p.m., with “one adult male shooting victim [was] located and transported to Regional One Health in critical condition.”
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At the time of the tweet from the Memphis PD, the identity of the shooter was unknown and no other injuries were reported in the incident during Baby’s It’s Only Us tour, which also features The Kid Laroi and Glorilla. At press time a spokesperson for Lil Baby had not returned Billboard‘s request for additional comment on the shooting.
The venue released a statement on the shooting, saying, “A person was shot tonight at FedExForum during the Lil Baby concert. The incident is under investigation and we are fully cooperating with the Memphis Police Department.”
WREG 3 reported that Baby (born Dominique Armani Jones), 28, was performing and had to be rushed off the stage after the shots were fired in the venue. “I heard a pop,” concert attendee Clarissa Johnson told the station. “I’m not sure what happened but I had a suite, so I told all my crew, ‘get down.’ So we evacuated. Once we evacuated, did a head count. I’m still not sure what happened. It’s not so sweet tonight, though.”
Memphis Police said the shooting took place on the first floor of the 19,000-seat arena that is home to the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies; concertgoers reportedly told WREG that the shots were fired during the first 30 minutes of Baby’s headlining set, after which the venue was evacuated. MPD public information officer Sgt. Louis Brownlee told the Commercial Appeal that it was unknown if the shooter and victim knew each other, how many times the victim was shot or how many shots were fired.
Brownlee also said it was not clear how the firearm got into the venue; the venue requires concert attendees to go through a metal detector while entering.
Baby was scheduled to play the KFC YUM! Center in Louisville, KY on Friday night (Sept. 8), but the venue announced that the gig had been cancelled with no explanation, with refunds available at point of purchase. At press time it appeared the rapper’s show at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Saturday night (Sept. 9) would go on as scheduled.
See the Memphis PD statement below.
You thought it was over? Think again! Record-breaking “WAP” collaborators Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion are back with a new single titled “Bongos.” The song officially hit all digital download and streaming platforms on Friday, Sep. 8.
Obviously, “Bongos” serves as the first collaboration between the two rap queens since 2020’s “WAP,” but don’t make any rash assumption about the new song. “I wonder how people are gonna react to this vibe because they’re really, like, expecting ‘WAP,’ like, ‘oh, here they go again talking this and that,’” Cardi said. “We are talking a little, you know, about some p—y, but not like ‘WAP’ type of stuff.”
Cardi first announced “Bongos” via social media on Monday, Sep. 4. She shared the track’s cover art, which features her and Megan sucking on lollipops while posing in elaborate multi-colored wigs and skimpy swimsuits. The song’s announcement came less than two weeks after the Bronx rapper told Vogue México y Latinoamérica, “I’m not going to release any more collaborations, I’m going to put out my next solo single.” While it is still unclear if “Bongos” will appear on Cardi’s forthcoming sophomore studio album, fans can bask in the song’s “intricate… beautiful” accompanying music video.
“Bongos” is the latest in a string of Cardi B collaborations this year. Prior to this, she scored Billboard Hot 100 hits alongisde Latto (“Put It On Da Floor Again,” No. 13), Fendi DaRappa (“Point Me 2,” No. 82) and husband Offset (“Jealousy,” No. 55). The new collaboration will also serve as Megan Thee Stallion’s first release of the year. The Houston rapper has been taking sometime for herself to focus on her physical and mental health following her shooting at the hands of Tory Lanez and the lengthy trial and media circus that followed.
“WAP” debuted atop the Hot 100 on the chart dated Aug. 22. The song debuted with 93 million official on-demand U.S. streams in its first full week of availability, the greatest total for any song in history. The culture-shifting collaboration — which spurred thousands of FCC complaints after the two artists performed it at the 2021 Grammys — ultimately spent four weeks atop the Hot 100.
On the Hot 100, Cardi B has earned five No. 1 singles, including “Bodak Yellow,” “Girls Like You” (with Maroon 5) and “Up.” Invasion of Privacy, her debut studio album, peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and has spent over 220 weeks on the ranking. Megan Thee Stallion has earned five top 10 titles on the Billboard 200 and three top 10 singles on the Hot 100, including the No. 1 single “Savage” (with Beyoncé).
Stream “Bongos” here:
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After shooting his video “Wish U Well” with Swae Lee last week, French Montana donated 500 canoes to the community of Makoko in Lagos, which served as the primary location for the visual. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Local craftsmen will build approximately six boats a […]
On Thursday afternoon (Sept. 7), BET announced their nominations for this year’s BET Hip-Hop Awards. Slated to take place live in Atlanta on Oct. 3, the 18th annual awards show will showcase the genre’s brightest talents. The ceremony will premiere on Oct. 10 at 9 PM ET/PT on BET. 21 Savage and Cardi B lead the […]
Cardi B and 21 Savage are the leading nominees for the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards with 12 nods each. The two stars are going head-to-head in seven categories – best collaboration, lyricist of the year, hip-hop artist of the year, hustler of the year, best hip-hop video, sweet 16: best featured verse and song of the year.
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Drake is next in line with nine nods. He is followed on the leaderboard by Burna Boy and DJ Khaled with seven nods each; J. Cole with six nods; Coi Leray, GloRilla and Jay-Z with five nods each; Lil Uzi Vert with four; and DaBaby, Kendrick Lamar, Latto, Lil Durk, Megan Thee Stallion and Metro Boomin with three nods each.
Five women rappers rank among the most nominated, with Cardi B followed by Leray, GloRilla, Latto and Megan Thee Stallion.
The show will tape in Atlanta on Tuesday, Oct. 3, and will premiere on BET one week later, on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
“This year’s BET Hip Hop Awards will mark the culmination of our yearlong celebration of hip-hop’s storied creation and the art form’s sonic and cultural expansion,” Connie Orlando, BET’s EVP specials, music programming & music strategy, said in a statement. “We are honored by this year’s roster of nominees as they continue to carry the creativity and diversity of hip hop into the future. We congratulate each nominee on their accomplishments as they take hip hop artistry to new heights.”
Orlando will oversee the annual show along with Jamal Noisette, BET’s vp, specials & music programming; Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment; and Jeannae Rouzan–Clay and Dionne Harmon, top execs at Jesse Collins Entertainment.
BET promises that “the telecast will salute 50 years of hip-hop with not-to-be-missed moments and performances.”
Fans can start voting for DJ of the year, producer of the year, and best hip hop platform on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at noon ET on the BET website, where more information about the awards is also available.
Here’s the complete list of 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards nominees:
Hip-hop artist of the year
21 Savage
Burna Boy
Cardi B
Drake
Glorilla
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
Lil Uzi Vert
Song of the year
“All My Life,” Lil Durk feat. J. Cole
“God Did,” DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z , John Legend & Fridayy
“Just Wanna Rock,” Lil Uzi Vert
“Players,” Coi Leray
“Put It On Da Floor Again,” Latto feat. Cardi B
“Rich Flex,” Drake & 21 Savage
“Sittin’ On Top Of The World,” Burna Boy feat. 21 Savage
“Tomorrow 2,” GloRilla & Cardi B
Hip hop album of the year
Anyways, Life’s Great…, Glorilla
Coi, Coi Leray
God Did, DJ Khaled
Her Loss, Drake & 21 Savage
Heroes & Villains, Metro Boomin
Jackman, Jack Harlow
Pink Tape, Lil Uzi Vert
Traumazine, Megan Thee Stallion
Best hip-hop video
“Just Wanna Rock,” Lil Uzi Vert
“Players” (DJ Smallz 732 – Jersey Club Remix), Coi Leray
“Put It On Da Floor Again,” Latto feat. Cardi B
“Shake Sumn,” DaBaby
“Sittin’ On Top Of The World ,” Burna Boy feat. 21 Savage
“Spin Bout U,” Drake & 21 Savage
“Tomorrow 2,” Glorilla & Cardi B
Best collaboration
“All My Life,” Lil Durk feat. J. Cole
“God Did,” DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend & Fridayy
“Players” (DJ Saige Remix), Coi Leray feat. Busta Rhymes
“Princess Diana,” Ice Spice & Nicki Minaj
“Put It On Da Floor Again,” Latto feat. Cardi B
“Sittin’ On Top Of The World,” Burna Boy feat. 21 Savage
“Tomorrow 2,” Glorilla & Cardi B
Impact track
“30,” Nas
“All My Life,” Lil Durk Feat. J. Cole
“Anxiety,” Megan Thee Stallion
“Can’t Win for Nothing,” Symba
“Champions,” NLE Choppa
“God Did,” DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend & Fridayy
“Scientists & Engineers,” Killer Mike & André 3000 feat. Future & Eryn Allen Kane
“Therapy Pt. 2,” Robert Glasper feat. Mac Miller
Best duo or group
City Girls
DJ Drama & Jeezy
Drake & 21 Savage
Earthgang
Larry June & The Alchemist
Quavo & Takeoff
Rae Sremmurd
Best live performer
Burna Boy
Busta Rhymes
Cardi B
Coi Leray
Dababy
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Megan Thee Stallion
Best breakthrough hip-hop artist
Armani White
Central Cee
Doechii
Finesse2tymes
Ice Spice
Kaliii
Lola Brooke
Sexyy Redd
Lyricist of the year
21 Savage
André 3000
Burna Boy
Cardi B
Conway The Machine
Drake
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
Producer of the year
Atl Jacob
DJ Khaled
Dr. Dre
Hit-Boy
Hitmaka
Kaytranada
London On Da Track
Metro Boomin
The Alchemist
Video director of the year
Anderson .Paak
Cole Bennett
Colin Tilley
DaBaby & Reel Goats
Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
Dave Meyers
Travis Scott
DJ of the year
Chase B
D-Nice
DJ Cassidy
DJ Clark Kent
DJ Drama
DJ Jazzy Jeff
DJ Khaled
Kaytranada
Metro Boomin
Best hip-hop platform
AllHipHop
Caresha Please
Drink Champs
Hiphop Dx
Million Dollaz Worth Of Game
Rap Caviar
The Breakfast Club
The Joe Budden Podcast
XXL
Hustler of the year
21 Savage
50 Cent
Burna Boy
Cardi B
Caresha
DJ Khaled
Drake
Jay-Z
Sweet 16: best featured verse
21 Savage, “Creepin’” (Metro Boomin feat. The Weeknd & 21 Savage)
21 Savage, “Peaches & Eggplants” (Young Nudy feat. 21 Savage)
André 3000, “Scientists & Engineers” (Killer Mike & André 3000 feat. Future & Eryn Allen Kane)
Cardi B, “Tomorrow 2” (Glorilla & Cardi B)
Cardi B, “Put It On Da Floor Again” (Latto feat. Cardi B)
Drake, “Oh U Went” (Young Thug feat. Drake)
J. Cole, “All My Life” (Lil Durk feat. J. Cole)
Jay-Z, “God Did” (DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z , John Legend & Fridayy)
Best international flow
Aka (South Africa)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
Central Cee (UK)
Gazo (France)
J Hus (UK)
K.O (South Africa)
Major Rd (Brazil)
Ninho (France)
Sampa The Great (Zambia)
Tasha & Tracie (Brazil)
The ongoing feud between 50 Cent and Ja Rule has gained another layer: The G-Unit star mocked his adversary over his theatrical performance on Wednesday night at the 2023 BMI R&B / Hip-Hop Awards (Sept. 6). Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news In the video shared by 50 […]