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Travis Scott finally dropped his fourth studio album Utopia on Friday, July 28 via Cactus Jack and Epic Records. The highly anticipated album arrives five years after his last studio album Astroworld, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and included the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single “Sicko Mode,” featuring Drake, which […]
On Friday (July 28), Offset and Cardi B fired off rounds during their incendiary collaboration, “Jealousy.” Teased earlier this week, “Jealousy” marks the couple’s latest reunion on wax since their multi-platinum song “Clout,” as they take turns throwing darts at their envious adversaries. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and […]
Offset and Cardi B are reclaiming the narrative surrounding their relationship in their upcoming collaboration, “Jealousy,” and the two enlisted Taraji P. Henson for a hilarious promotional teaser shared on Thursday (July 27). Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news In the one-minute clip, Cardi dials up the Girls […]
Grammy-winning jazz pianist Robert Glasper returns to Napa Valley this weekend for his annual Blue Notes Jazz Festival. Headlined by Nas, Mary J. Blige, and Chance the Rapper, Glasper, alongside his superstar cohorts, will provide an enriched Black experience through high-end art, live entertainment, exquisite food, and more during the three-day soiree. Joining Glasper will be three-time NBA Champion and Class of 2023 Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, who looks to bring his brand of fun and excitement to wine country this Friday (July 28).
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“Last year, I came in with eyes wide open to see what the experience was, and I left there like, ‘When are the dates next year?’” says Wade, the appointed director of culture and vibes for this year’s festival. “I wanted to be back here. I wanted to experience this again, which had nothing to do with me. It had something to do with everybody creating this vibe and putting on for us.”
Attendees will feel Wade’s presence beyond the vibes he intends on setting this weekend as his wine company, Wade Cellars, joins a sea of Black-owned vendors and businesses. “We must show how high-level, sophisticated, and dope we are in this game and all the realms of it,” says Glasper on the importance of highlighting the wealth of talent within the Black community. “It’s important that we do that — from the comedy, the music, the visual arts, the wine, and the chefs — because we’re not represented enough [being] at the high level we are.”
Billboard spoke to Glasper and Wade about the upcoming Jazz festival, empowering Black businesses, and their favorite hip-hop albums.
Rob, what went into your decision of giving D-Wade the title of director of culture and vibes for your festival?
Robert Glasper: He’s given so much to the culture already. He’s a champion, he does everything at a high level — not just at basketball, but doing the wine and fashion. You have a high-level family, man. I’m a fan of the father that you are. Just overall, it’s an honor and privilege just to have you. When you pulled up on us last year, I didn’t know you was coming. I just saw him and [his wife] Gabrielle in a golf cart. [Laughs.] I’ve been a fan for a long time, so i’m just looking forward to this collab.
D-Wade, considering the vibes were already present last year, what more can fans expect with you at the helm for this year’s event?
Dwyane Wade: Man, in life, you just always wanna add, and never take away. I just wanna add to the vibes that are already being created. To me, obviously, it’s in Napa [Valley]. I have my own wine brand. I’ve been in this for nine years as a Black vineyard. So when I looked at into that space last year and we had the VIP sections and I saw all the food, I said, “This is what we do. This is where we lay.” We lay in the middle of food and music. I thought it would be amazing if Wade Cellars can have an imprint and be a part of this in Napa.
First of all, a lot of people were coming up to me in Napa while we were there, and [asking], “Yo. Where can we find your wine at?” I said, “Oh s–t. We don’t have any available.” We weren’t ready. So this year, we’ll be ready. We’re gonna make sure we go in there and we create a vibe. It’s just exposure, bro. This culture needs exposure, so that’s what we’re gonna do with our wine brand — expose them to what we created.
Rob, you’re building a place where Black businesses and vendors can showcase their products. Why was that such a priority for you outside of the music for your festival?
Robert Glasper: Because Black people are high-level in so many different ways. I feel like it’s important we showcase that, because we’re not represented at our highest level in the world in a real way. We’re represented in the things you see on TV, and even on the platforms we provide ourselves — it’s like, ‘Why are you showing this?” We have so much more to offer than what people are seeing.
You guys are pushing the Wine Unify Scholarship. What went into bringing that into the forefront?
Dwyane Wade: You always want to have an element of community or charity. So outside of the Blue Note, there’s other things going on. Wade Cellars will be a part of dinners going on Friday and Saturday, so to be able to tap into the community is what it’s about. We’re gonna have fun, we’re gonna create experiences, but what else can we provide?
I’m looking forward to what goes on at those dinners and what kind of relationships that I can build. The wine industry is like sports to me. If I like a team and you like a team, Carl, we may not know each other and come from two different forms of life — but we can high-five, we can chest bump, we can look at each other to a point, because we love Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. So the wine world to me is a connected world, that if you love this experience of what wine brings, no matter where you’re from, you’re gonna end up cheering that glass with somebody. You’re gonna end up having a conversation and getting to know somebody.
So we just want to continue to create that vibe and more exposure to things. So to be able to be a part of exposing them to so many things in the Blue Note week, that’s what it’s all about. It’s always great to have that charity aspect to it.
Rob, how has music become that central connector to everything going on in sports, comedy, media and so many other sectors in the world today?
Robert Glasper: I mean, music has been the connector since the beginning of time. It’s how people communicated in many ways. It’s how slaves communicated to each other and let you know where to go and where to be. It’s one of the reasons we have a Martin Luther King Day — songs. Music is literally the universal connector. That’s the one artform where, if you don’t know somebody who doesn’t have a favorite song, you can’t trust them. Period. With music, you don’t have to have a favorite visual artist or favorite dancer — but music is such a communicator in such a way of connecting people within all walks of life all over the planet. You don’t have to speak the language, because music is the language. That is literally the language.
Because it is Hip Hop 50, I need you both to list out your three go-to albums.
Robert Glasper: Three?
Dwyane Wade: Three go-to albums?
Robert Glasper: I’ll go first so I don’t have to think about it. I’m gonna go Chi-Town. I’m gonna go Common, Like Water For Chocolate. Part of the reason because I was there when he was making that in New York. I was at some of the sessions and it’s also nostalgia for me. Two, whew. Midnight Marauders, Tribe. Classic. One more album? My son is giving me the look. [Laughs.] You gotta have this one because it is what it is, Illmatic, Nas.
D-Wade, the pressure is on you now.
Dwyane Wade: Let me go Chicago first. I’m actually gonna go Kanye West, Graduation. I’m a Chicago kid and “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” is one of my favorite songs. I feel like you can’t tell me s–t. I love Graduation.
Robert Glasper: Wade, you know I’m on “Touch the Sky.” That’s my first hip-hop recording. I did it in 2004 when Just Blaze called me into the studio. I played on “Touch The Sky.”
Dwyane Wade: Wow. OK. Now, my favorite artist is Jay-Z and it’s so hard to pick, but I’m gonna go with — because at the time of my life it was important — The Black Album. That’s when I got into the league, I just got a little money. You couldn’t tell me s–t boy, I’ll tell you. And the last one? This is tough. I’m playing between 2Pac and Lil Wayne right now in my mind. I’m just going with some of my favorite artists, and I’m trying to think what album of Lil Wayne I would pick.
Were you a Carter II or Carter III guy?
Dwayne Wade: I’m going Tha Carter ’cause that was 2003, 2004 as well. That’s when I was in the Olympics. Matter fact, I’m gonna put that on when I get in the car and go to the meeting.
Go play some “Go DJ”, D-Wade.
Yeah, I’m gonna do that now. That was my s–t. [Laughs.]
As he gears up to release his new album Austin Friday (July 28), Post Malone wants to set the record straight. In his Wednesday (July 26) interview with Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe, the 28-year-old singer-rapper opened up about his drug and alcohol usage, emphasizing that — while he may have gone a little wild in the earlier days of his career — it’s definitely not what it used to be.
“I mean, first off, I shouldn’t have to really justify anything to anyone, but I appreciate the concerns,” he began, sitting casually on a couch with Lowe. “But then the rumor starts that I’m doing hard drugs, which I’ve never done in my entire life.”
“Yeah, I take shrooms … I like shrooms,” explained the musician, confirming he made his last album, Twelve Carat Toothache, while taking the psychedelics. “I like shrooms. Not as much as I used to. It’s really affected my short-term memory. … Maybe it was just a stint of habitual overuse. Daily.”
“But now I take a little bar of chocolate with my buddies, a little square chocolate and just laugh and laugh and laugh,” he added. “It’s interesting because it’s improved. It has improved my view on things. Making the last record, I was so, so, so … Well, writing it, I was so, so sad. But now I’m so happy and it’s definitely improved my viewpoint on life.”
The “White Iverson” artist also gave an update on his current relationship to alcohol, which he noted is “very much” a weakness for him. “It’s very frustrating,” Post admitted. “I have a very hard time expressing myself via recording if I’m not a little f–ked up. It’s a good spot now because if I’m not recording or I’m not talking to people or if I’m not doing shows, I really do drink just to have fun. It’s having a beer with my dad or with my bud.”
Posty also acknowledged that family life with his fiancée, with whom he welcomed a daughter last year, has helped to keep him grounded. “I really love hanging out with my baby, hanging out with the lady, playing video games, and in my garage working on projects,” he told Lowe. “That’s what I love to do. And so it hasn’t been that hard, but there’s times to where you have … It’s that one drink that sets you over.”
The interview comes just a couple months after the “Circles” singer took to Instagram to deny he was using drugs, which fans speculated was the reason behind his recent weight loss. “I’m having a lot of fun performing, and have never felt healthier,” he said at the time. “i guess dad life kicked in and i decided to kick soda, and start eating better so i can be around for a long time for this little angel.”
“The difference is I don’t rage in social settings,” Post told Lowe. “It’s usually me and a buddy. And we just stay up super late until the sunrise and we’re just drinking and sitting out on the car and just hanging out listening to music. I used to go nuts, and this is significantly better. There used to be a time, especially at the beginning of our relationship, that I would just disappear and just go for a week. And I was like, oh man, that’s so sh–ty.”
Watch Post Malone’s interview with Zane Lowe above.
Sure, SZA’s album is the one called SOS, but it’s everyone else’s projects that need help.
The singer-songwriter’s titan returns to No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart (dated July 29) to capture a 21st week at the summit. With its latest chart-topping frame, SOS sails into further historic territory, breaking from a tie with Pop Smoke’s Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon as the chart’s longest-leading No. 1 of the 21st century thus far, and the album with the most weeks atop the list since 1990.
SOS rebounds from No. 2 through 43,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending July 20, according to Luminate, down 1% from the prior week. The set had weathered the arrival of several heavyweight albums – Lil Durk’s Almost Healed, the Metro Boomin-helmed Metro Boomin Presents: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack, Gunna’s A Gift & a Curse, Young Thug’s Business Is Business and Lil Uzi Vert’s Pink Tape – in the seven weeks since it last ruled.
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As SOS collects a 21st leading frame, it breaks from a tie with Pop Smoke’s Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon for the most weeks at No. 1 for any album since M.C. Hammer locked up 29 weeks at the top with Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em in 1990. In addition to passing Pop Smoke’s posthumous LP and its 20-week run at No. 1, SOS also climbs above two other 20-week champs – Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life and Rick James’ Street Songs – for sole possession of fifth place on the overall leaderboard.
Here’s a look at the albums with the most weeks at No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums since the list began in 1965:
Weeks at No. 1, Album, Artist, Date First Reached No. 1
37, Thriller, Michael Jackson, Jan. 29, 1983
29, Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em, M.C. Hammer, April 28, 1990
26, Just Like the First Time, Freddie Jackson, Dec. 6, 1986
23, Can’t Slow Down, Lionel Richie, Nov. 26, 1983
21, SOS, SZA, Dec. 24, 2022
20, Songs in the Key of Life, Stevie Wonder, Oct. 16, 1976
20, Street Songs, Rick James, June 6, 1981
20, Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon, Pop Smoke, July 18, 2020
19, Purple Rain, Prince and The Revolution, July 28, 1984
Plus, SOS extends its record for the longest-running No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums by a female artist, adding another frame between it and the second-place title, Aretha Franklin’s Aretha Now, which ruled for 17 weeks in 1968.
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SOS traces its historic feats both to feverish anticipation in the project’s lead-up and executing a consistent string of hits before and after its arrival. The album, released in December 2022, came five years after SZA’s Ctrl, which arrived in June 2017 to critical acclaim and industry praise, including five Grammy nominations, and commercial success, having remained on the all-genre Billboard 200 albums chart every week since its release.
Three pre-release singles also found strong reception on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, “Good Days” (No. 3), “I Hate U” (No. 1) and “Shirt” (No. 4), with the foremost pair also reaching the top 10 of the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Upon the album’s arrival, instant fan-favorite “Kill Bill” exploded into the biggest hit of SZA’s career, topping both the Hot 100 and setting a new record – 21 weeks – at No. 1 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Seven months after its release, the album is still spinning off hits: Current single “Snooze” hits No. 3 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs this week and is just outside the Hot 100’s top tier, sitting at No. 12.
They’re back! Once again, hip-hop power couple Offset and Cardi B are set to join musical forces. This time, they’re teaming up for the Atlanta rapper’s forthcoming new single, “Jealousy.” Offset announced the collaboration via Instagram on Wednesday (July 26). Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news In a […]
Gunna’s “Fukumean” leads Billboard’s Streaming Songs chart for the first time, jumping 4-1 on the July 29-dated list.
In the July 14-20 tracking week, “Fukumean” earned 27.4 million official U.S. streams, according to Luminate, up 16%.
The song leads in its fifth week on the chart. It debuted at No. 5 on the July 1-dated survey (15.2 million streams) and has increased in streams each week since.
“Fukumean” is the first song to rise to No. 1 rather than debuting there since Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma’s “Ella Baila Sola,” which spent its first of two weeks atop the list on the May 6 ranking.
Gunna now boasts two Streaming Songs rulers. The rapper first led in 2018 as a co-lead on “Drip Too Hard” with Lil Baby, making “Fukumean” Gunna’s first fully solo No. 1.
Since “Drip Too Hard,” his best had been a pair of No. 2 peaks: “Lemonade,” a co-lead with Internet Money (2020) and “Pushin P,” a co-lead with Future (2022).
“Fukumean” spends its fourth week at No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs and Rap Streaming Songs, now his longest leader on both.
Concurrently, “Fukumean” lifts 7-6, a new peak, on the multimetric Billboard Hot 100. Gunna’s all-time best, “Drip Too Hard,” peaked at No. 4. On Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs, he’s No. 1 for a second week.
The song has begun to receive radio airplay, peaking so far at Nos. 17, 25, 32 and 34 on Rap Airplay, Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and Rhythmic Airplay, respectively.
“Fukumean” is from A Gift & a Curse, Gunna’s fourth studio album. It debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 dated July 1 and concurrently ranks at No. 9 on the July 29 tally with 40,000 equivalent album units earned to add to its all-time total of 277,000 units.
After Live Nation debunked reports on July 18 of Travis Scott’s Utopia concert being canceled by the Egyptian government, it issued a statement on Wednesday (July 26) officially announcing the show’s cancellation due to “complex production issues.” “We regret to inform you that the Utopia show, originally scheduled for July 28th at the Pyramids of Giza in […]
Ice Cube took a drive around South Central Los Angeles with fired Fox commentator Tucker Carlson on the latest episode of the controversial host’s new Twitter (né “X”) show on Tuesday and held forth on his opposition to the COVID-19 vaccines. “I never wanted to be controlled,” said the rapper born O’Shea Jackson, 54, during the chat.
“It wasn’t ready. It was six months, kind of a rush job. And I didn’t feel safe,” added Cube about the more than 670 million doses of vaccine administered to U.S citizens between Dec. 2020 and March 2023, which the CDC deemed “safe and effective,” with “rare” side effects; in fact, the CDC to date has confirmed just 9 deaths directly attributable to the COVID-19 vaccines as a result of a rare blood clot caused by the Johnson & Johnson shot. In addition, a December report from the Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy claiming that through Nov. 2022 the vaccines prevented more than 18.5 million U.S. hospitalizations and 3.2 million deaths, while saving the country $1.15 trillion.
The segment opened with Cube giving a smiling Carlson a driving tour through his childhood South Central neighborhood, during which the host was asked if he’d gotten vaccinated during the pandemic. “Of course not,” Carlson chuckled, noting that “they told you you were safe” in reference to the shots that were swiftly developed by the Trump administration to combat the global pandemic that killed nearly seven million people and resulted in 768 million cases of the disease.
A piece of tape rolled out in the 12-minute interview reported that Cube lost out on a $9 million payday for the film Oh Hell No because of his refusal to get the jab. “I know what they said. I heard what they said, I heard them loud and clear,” Cube said of his decision to not get vaxxed. “It’s not their decision. There is no repercussions if they are wrong. I get all the repercussions if they are wrong.” Cube said he wanted to be an example for his children and to ensure that they also declined to get vaccinated.
“Show them that I was wiling to stand on my convictions and that I was willing to lose $9 million and more,” he said in reference to the comedy he was slated to star in with Jack Black. Carlson then posited that America typically holds up people who stand by their convictions as heroes, noting that Cube was not treated that way for his stance on vaccines while rolling an SNL bit mocking the rapper for his vaxx veto.
“I never told anyone not to get vaccinated publicly,” Cube said of the shots that the New York Times reported went into the arms of more than 5.55 billion people around the world, representing nearly 72.3 percent of the global population. Actually, he added, he didn’t want anyone to know whether he’d been vaccinated or not, saying he was “pretty upset” when the information leaked. “I was going to quietly not take it and deal with the consequences as they came,” he said.
And, despite the low reported adverse reactions to the shots, Cube claimed he knows people who “suffer every day” from vaccine injuries. “It’s hard to watch,” he said without offering any details about the alleged injuries.
Cube also noted that he doesn’t give money to politicians because he doesn’t “believe” in them due to what he deemed their “hidden agendas.” He did, however, say he was “proud” that America elected Pres. Obama, before lamenting that “not much changed for people I know,” as Carlson loaded up a montage of news footage of Black Lives Matter protests and street violence.
The next episode of the conversation is slated to have the pair sitting down in Cube’s studio. Carlson was fired from his top-rated Fox News channel show in April after the network settled a massive lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems for $787 million over the conservative outlet’s admission that it aired false claims about the company’s ballot-counting machines. Carlson launched his Twitter show in June with strong ratings, but Business Insider reported recently that his viewership tanked by 86% within a month.
Check out the Cube chat here.