R&B/Hip-Hop
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Blueface has been arrested in Las Vegas, Clark County Detention Center records showed on Wednesday (June 7). According to records, the rapper born Johnathan Jamall Porter faces a felony robbery charge, though no specific details about what led to the arrest have been provided. According to the Las Vegas Review Journal, Blueface was allegedly taken […]
Tupac Shakur finally received the ultimate Hollywood honor on Wednesday (June 7), 27 years after his tragic death: a star on the Walk of Fame.
The ceremony, hosted by radio personality Big Boy, paid homage to the beloved West Coast rapper’s laundry list of achievements, within music and beyond. “Though his career lasted just five years, Tupac Shakur remains one of the most complex and prolific artists of his generation, with over 75 million records sold worldwide,” Big Boy said.
Speakers at the ceremony included Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur director Allen Hughes, Shakur’s sister Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, chairman of the board of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Matt Fritch, writer and former Black Panther Party member Jamal Joseph and more.
“When we talk about that global influence, we think of Tupac Amaru Shakur,” Joseph said during his speech. “And yes, that impactful time of the world knowing who Tupac was, was a five- or six-year period. But for everybody who knew Tupac, everybody who was here, we knew he was a star from the time he was a little boy.”
Special ceremony guests included Mike Epps, YG, Tupac’s stepbrother and fellow rapper Mopreme Shakur, Money-B and others.
Shakur’s star marks the 2,758th to grace Hollywood Boulevard. While the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce unanimously selected Tupac for star in 2013, it took a decade for it to come into fruition.
“How fitting in the year of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary that the art form’s most transcendent star is finally being placed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?” Hughes asked the crowd during his speech.
In addition to Wednesday’s honor, Tupac was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in April 2017. In 2015, the Grammy Museum unveiled an “All Eyez on Me” exhibit and recently, in 2022, The Canvas @ L.A. Live hosted a “Wake Me When I’m Free” immersive experience, honoring the late rapper, poet, actor and activist.
“Today, we aren’t just honoring a star on the sidewalk; we are honoring the very essence of a person who fearlessly pursued his dreams and fought to turn them into reality,” said his sister, Sekyiwa. “This is Tupac’s moment — the culmination of years of dedication and passion.
“Even before the world recognized his name, he dreamed of having a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame,” Sekyiwa added. “And today, the unveiling of Tupac’s star not only pays tribute to his contributions to the entertainment industry but also speaks volumes about his lasting impact, even after 25 years. I couldn’t be prouder of my brother to watch his star now shine even brighter.”
Season 2 of the Interval Presents podcast Rap Radar kicks off Thursday with guest Tyler, The Creator.
In a preview snippet shared exclusively with Billboard, the Call Me If You Get Lost rapper chopped it up with co-hosts Elliott Wilson and Brian ‘B.Dot’ Miller, doubling down on his previously professed love for NBA YoungBoy. “He’s such a sweetheart,” Tyler begins, before switching gears and sharing that the “WUSYANAME” collaborators went out for ice cream and vintage car shopping.
While in the past, Tyler hadn’t divulged how the collaboration actually came to be, he shares the brief but sweet backstory with Wilson and Miller.
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During the sit down, Tyler explains that he sent YoungBoy the initial song idea and received a verse back within one day. “When I made [‘WUSYANAME’], I just knew I wanted that Louisiana drawl, tone, accent over that loop,” he recounts. “I asked him like, ‘Yo, I kind of got this idea. Want to do this?’ Not only did he deliver for me and sounded great, he asked me ‘Is this OK? Is it good?’”
Tyler, the Creator on Rap Radar S2
Courtesy of Interval Presents
Tyler was impressed with YoungBoy’s focus, sharing that many rappers “just punch in and can’t even stay on f—ing topic of a song. He not only stayed on topic, he just sounded so great.”
The Call Me If You Get Lost collaboration took many fans off-guard, considering their vastly different sounds and images, something Tyler said he found funny. “With my musical knowledge and how much I love it, it’s not that shocking,” he says. “But at surface level, I guess people wouldn’t expect someone like me to even want to associate with a YoungBoy. But I love that s–t. He’s a sweetheart, man.”
“WUSYANAME” debuted at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the highest charting cut from the album. It also became a top 10 record on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at No. 6.
Watch the Rap Radar clip below.
Lil Tjay had fans confused on Tuesday (June 6) when he appeared to get arrested while on Instagram Live. In the video, which has since been circulating social media, the rapper is seen in New York City, telling police officers not to touch him. “No, bro. Hell no. What’s in the car? I don’t know […]
Quantavious Grier, brother of rapper Young Thug, was sentenced Monday (June 5) to nine years and six months in prison after investigators said he violated his probation.
According to WSB-TV, in December, Grier (who performs under the name Unfoonk) pleaded guilty to one count of violating the RICO Act and one count of theft by receiving stolen property as part of the wider YSL case involving Young Thug and several other associates. At the time, Grier was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with two years commuted and 10 years probation.
But on May 4, Grier was arrested again in Atlanta for possessing a firearm by a convicted felon, being associated with a criminal street gang to participate in illegal activity and traffic offenses, WSB-TV reports. According to the outlet, at the time of his arrest, Grier was parked at a BP gas station in a black Mercedes G-Wagon with a group of people around the driver’s side door; in an affidavit, plainclothes officers wrote that they deemed the gathering a possible drug deal. When the SUV pulled away, the officers stopped it, citing a window tint violation and adding that the vehicle smelled like marijuana, which remains illegal in the state of Georgia.
WSB-TV reports that the officer who wrote the affidavit noted a handgun in plain view inside the vehicle: “Mr. Grier advised that the gun was clean, which prompted me to believe he had knowledge of the firearm being there.”
During Monday’s sentencing, Judge Ural Glanville stated that Grier hadn’t paid $141.08 in probation fees or started his community service, but that the deciding factor in his sentencing was being caught with a firearm. “Part of the special condition was that you weren’t supposed to possess a gun,” he added. While Grier’s attorney had asked for a probation revocation of two years in prison, Glanville ultimately handed down the longer sentence.
“The issue I find aggravating in this particular circumstance are several. You got arrested with a gun within six months of you being placed on probation,” Glanville said during the sentencing. “All you had to do was complete your probation and do what you were supposed to do.”
An attorney for Grier did not immediately respond to Billboard‘s request for comment.
Grier was indicted alongside Young Thug (real name Jeffery Williams), Gunna (real name Sergio Kitchens) and dozens of others in May on accusations that their group, YSL, was not really a record label called “Young Stoner Life” but instead a violent Atlanta street gang called “Young Slime Life.” The charges include allegations of murder, carjacking, armed robbery, drug dealing and illegal firearm possession over the course of the past decade. Though Gunna pleaded out in December, Young Thug remains in prison ahead of trial.
Nicki Minaj confirmed her first album in five years is finally on the way Monday (June 5), revealing an upcoming release date. “10/20/23 The Album,” she tweeted alongside emojis of a CD and a pink bow, sending the Barbz into a frenzy. 10/20/23The Album 💿🎀 — Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) June 5, 2023 Minaj’s upcoming fifth […]
Hip-hop will enjoy its 50th birthday in the biggest way possible this summer when it returns to the genre’s old stomping grounds in The Bronx on Aug. 11. Dubbed Hip-Hop 50 Live, a slew of the genre’s most decorated stars, including Run-D.M.C., Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, and Ice Cube, will take center stage inside the legendary Yankee Stadium to celebrate hip-hop’s origin.
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Along with the names mentioned above, there will be several special sets in commemoration of the event, including Queens of Hip-Hop, headlined by Eve, Trina, Remy Ma, and Lil Kim, along with a Pillars of Hip-Hop set paying homage to the early architects of the genre such as Kurtis Blow, Melle Mel, Roxanne Shante and more. Other performers include T.I., Fat Joe, Common, A$AP Ferg, EPMD, Ghostface Killah, Lupe Fiasco, and Slick Rick, while the DJ set will feature Clark Kent, Marley Marl, Mannie Fresh, and Battlecat.
“I am honored to hit the stage in the Bronx, the birthplace of Hip Hop and celebrate all of my heroes,” said RUN in a press release. “Aug 11th is Hip Hop’s 50th birthday! So…’Up in the Bronx’ where it all started we will be celebrating this historic moment in history! I am honored to pay tribute to the culture that allowed this little shy kid from Queens to grow up and become The Mighty King of Rock! Thank you Hip Hop!!!” said DMC.
Pre-sales begin this Thursday (June 8), from 10 a.m. EST until 10 p.m., with prices starting at $50. General onsale will begin on June 9 at 10 a.m. EST here. Hip-Hop 50 Live will be co-produced by Mass Appeal, Live Nation and the New York Yankees. Emmy Award-winner, BASSic Black Entertainment CEO Adam Blackstone and producer and keyboardist Omar Edwards will be the concert’s creative music directors.
Check out the full lineup below.
With Black Music Month underway, Hulu is beginning to roll out some of its upcoming documentaries catered to the festivities, notably Anthem. Directed by Peter Nicks, Anthem will follow composer Kris Bowers (Bridgerton and King Richards) and Grammy-winning producer DJ Dahi’s trek across the nation to rediscover the roots of traditional American Music. During their quest, they find […]
Fans at the Roots Picnic this weekend got a huge surprise during Lauryn Hill‘s headlining set on Saturday (June 3) when the singer brought out her former Fugees bandmates Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel for a surprise reunion of the beloved 1990s hip-hop power trio. It was definitely a moment to savor, as there’s a […]
Though Gunna has remained mum since his release from jail last December, on Friday (June 2), he finally addresses his skeptics in his new song, “Bread & Butter.”
The black-and-white visual gives the song an ominous tone as Gunna candidly speaks on his plea deal and the snitching allegations pinned against him. “Never gave no statement or agreed to take no stand on’ em /Whatever you n—as on, then trust me, I’mma stand on it/ Lawyers and that DA did some sneaky s–t, I fell for it/ On my P’s and Q’s because this time I be prepared for it,” he raps.
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Gunna continues to stand tall amid the drama and doesn’t relent under the pressure by further skewering his detractors, saying, “You bitch a– n—as got me the topic of the chat/ You switched on me when you know you in business with a rat/And the boy, that’s like your brother, ain’t nobody speak on that.”
“Bread and Butter” is Gunna’s first song post-jail after accepting a plea deal last year. Though his YSL counterpart Young Thug remains incarcerated over charges that include allegations of murder, carjacking, armed robbery, drug dealing and illegal firearm possession over the past decade, Gunna continues to insist he did not snitch on the “Hot” rapper.
“While I have agreed to always be truthful, I want to make it perfectly clear that I have NOT made any statements, have NOT been interviewed, have NOT cooperated, have NOT agreed to testify or be a witness for or against any party in the case and have absolutely NO intention of being involved in the trial process in any way,” the rapper wrote in a statement after his release last December.
Several rappers have been critical of Gunna’s release, including Lil Durk, who recently spoke to Akademiks about his thoughts on his “What Happened to Virgil” collaborator. “[You] should’ve went in there and kept your mouth closed,” he said. “If you a rat, I f–king hate you ’cause I love Thug.”
Watch the “Bread & Butter” video below.