R&B/Hip-Hop
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Queen City music fans will have to wait a while to see Janet Jackson after the pop star announced on Thursday (March 20) that due to “personal matters” she will not be headlining the second night of this summer’s Cincinnati Music Festival.
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“To all my Cincinnati Music Festival fans…. I’m so sorry that I won’t be able to be with you all in July. Some personal matters have come up and I am unable to attend. I look forward to seeing you all soon!” Jackson, 58, said in a statement shared by promoters.
Jackson — who previously headlined the festival in 2022 — was slated to headline on July 26 at Paycor Stadium on a bill that also includes Lucky Daye, 112, The Bar-Kays and a tribute to one of the event’s most beloved perennial stars, late R&B legend Maze frontman Frankie Beverly featuring the TMF Band (formerly Maze) feat. Jubu, as well as special guests Ronald Isley, Joe, After 7, Dave Hollister and Raheem DeVaughn.
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“We just learned that Janet Jackson is unable to perform at the 2025 Cincinnati Music Festival presented by P&G due to personal matters,” the event’s promoters said in a statement. “Festival organizers are working quickly to fill her spot on the lineup.”
Night one of this year’s show (July 25) will be headlined by Earth, Wind & Fire and also feature Anthony Hamilton, PJ Morton, Jazmine Sullivan and a Zapp Band tribute to the King Records legacy featuring Dreion. The beloved summertime classic that draws fans from across the country first took place in 1959 in French Lick, IN with a lineup that included the Miles David Quintet, Duke Ellington’s Big Band, Count Basie and Sarah Vaughn.
It has changed names, and profiles, over the years, but has always remained one of the calendar highlights for both the city and music lovers.
After moving to Cincinnati in 1962, it began to shift from a jazz-focused gathering to one that also incorporated a wide range of blues, R&B and soul, featuring such 1970s headliners as Roberta Flack, Ray Charles, Ike & Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye. In the 1980s and 90s it welcomed everyone from Stevie Wonder and Luther Vandross, to New Edition, Natalie Cole and Patti LaBelle.
Though the 2000s have continued to focus on those genres with sets from D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, John Legend, Fantasia, Maxwell, Jennifer Hudson, Jill Scott and hometown hero Bootsy Collins, in recent years it has added a third night of programming at the adjacent Brady Music Center spotlighting hip-hop. This year’s opening night will feature sets from Scarface, Goodie Mob, the Sugarhill Gang and Young MC.
While Jackson will not be back this year, at press time the singer’s official site still listed a run of six weekend residency shows at the Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas between May 21-31.
It’s been a long road from Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red to Music. King Vamp ended the drought with his first album in four-plus years on March 14.
The loaded 30-track album features superstar guests from The Weeknd to Travis Scott, and showcases Carti’s full artistic repertoire. Billboard Unfiltered returned on Wednesday (March 19) with a new episode covering Carti’s new LP from all angles.
“I think this Music album is probably the best showcase of all the different sides to Carti,” staff writer Kyle Denis said. “You get his pop sensibility side on records like ‘Backr00ms,’ and you get some of the rage rap stuff … I love how throw-everything-at-the-wall it was.”
Denis “sighed” every time Travis Scott popped up for a feature. “The best Travis verse for me that was on ‘Backr00ms,’ and that one wasn’t on the album,” he added. “I love how Kendrick kind of slid into Carti’s world. I think that was the highlight for me, seeing him adapt to the vamp stuff.”
Denis “had a great time with Music,” but thinks that it was way too long at 30 tracks. “There’s a great 16-track album hidden somewhere,” he said.
Music is expected to debut atop the Billboard 200, and all 30 tracks could possibly enter next week’s Billboard Hot 100.
Senior charts and data analyst Trevor Anderson highlighted “Evil J0rdan” as when the album really started to take off for him, and noted Kendrick Lamar’s performance in Carti’s world holding his own. “I think he does a good job of playing in the background, but obviously making his presence known,” he said.
He wonders if Carti can have that pop breakthrough run as a hitmaker, but couldn’t land on one track he thought would take off. “‘Rather Lie’ could be a radio record,” Denis said. “Both Kendrick joints will probably do fine. ‘Fine Shit’ is one that popped out to me.”
Lizzo returned last week with her “Still Bad” single as she plots her comeback for 2025. That didn’t come without an X rant, in which she clapped back at haters of the track and called out the mistreatment of Black women artists.
“This is not the first time she has had records that haven’t connected. Right after ‘About Damn Time,’ she tried to push ‘To Be Loved,’ and that didn’t really pop off in a way remotely comparable to ‘About Damn Time.’ I don’t think the culture’s moved beyond corny pop songs,” Denis said. “There’s always going to be an audience for that.”
Watch the full episode above.
Beyoncé is doubling down on Sin City. The singer announced on Wednesday (March 19) that she is going to play a second show at Allegiant Stadium on July 26, with tickets slated to go on sale on March 25 at 12 p.m. local time. A BeyHive pre-sale will kick off on Thursday (March 20) at 12 p.m. local, followed by the artist pre-sale on March 24 at 12 p.m. local and additional pre-sales for Citi cardmembers, Verizon Up and Mastercard ahead of the general on-sale.
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The new date comes after Bey added a July 25 stop in Las Vegas following the initial announcement of the Cowboy Carter & the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit tour last month. Before a single note is sung, the outing is already off to a blazing start. Earlier this week, Billboard reported that barely a month after pre-sales kicked off and six weeks from opening night the global outing is already at 94% capacity across all dates according to figures from promoter Live Nation.
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The tour was first announced on Feb. 3 with a roster of 22 shows in eight cities in the U.S. and Europe, with high demand forcing additional dates to be added in six of the eight markets on the tour celebrating Queen Bey’s Cowboy Carter album, which won album of the year at this year’s Grammy Awards.
When the tour was initially announced, Billboard projected that final earnings of $294 million on sales of 1.1-1.2 million tickets, with the additional dates — not counting the second Vegas show — potentially boosting that figure to more than $325 million.
Check out the announcement and updated full list of Cowboy Carter dates below.
April 28 – Inglewood, CA @ SoFi Stadium
May 1 – Inglewood, CA @ SoFi Stadium
May 4 – Inglewood, CA @ SoFi Stadium
May 7 – Inglewood, CA @ SoFi Stadium
May 9 – Inglewood, CA – SoFi Stadium
May 15 – Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field
May 17 – Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field
May 18 – Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field
May 22 – East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium
May 24 – East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium
May 25 – East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium
May 28 – East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium
May 29 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium
June 5 – London, UK @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 7 – London, UK @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 10 – London, UK @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 12 – London, UK @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 14 – London, UK @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 16 – London, UK @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 19 – Paris, France @ Stade de France
June 21 – Paris, France @ Stade de France
June 22 – Paris, France @ Stade de France
June 28 – Houston, TX @ NRG Stadium
June 29 – Houston, TX @ NRG Stadium
July 4 – Washington, D.C. @ Northwest Stadium
July 7 – Washington, D.C. @ Northwest Stadium
July 10 – Atlanta, GA @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium
July 11 – Atlanta, GA @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium
July 13 – Atlanta, GA @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium
July 14 – Atlanta, GA @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium
July 25 – Las Vegas, NV @ Allegiant Stadium
July 26 – Las Vegas, NV @ Allegiant Stadium
Jermaine Dupri is in the news again, but instead of trying to have a conversation around independence, he’s having one about Drake’s relationship with DJs across the country.
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On Tuesday night (Mar. 18), J.D. tweeted about being impressed by the Toronto rapper’s influence with club DJs. “That boi Drake got a DJ alliance like no other artist I’ve ever seen,” he said. “But most of you n—as probably don’t understand what I’m saying cause [you don’t] be outside.”
That boi Drake got a DJ alliance like no other artist I’ve ever seen, but most of you niggas probably don’t understand what I’m saying,cause uon be outside— Jermaine Dupri (@jermainedupri) March 18, 2025
As usual, folks on X misinterpreted what the record executive said, so he sent out another tweet a couple hours later clarifying what he was trying to say. “Okay, I see people saying ‘DJ alliance’ is crazy,” he followed up. “So, let me tell y’all what I saw. I walked in the club and the DJ was shouting out a group of people from the West Coast and they must’ve been like, ‘Play some West Coast sh—t.”
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Adding, “And before he dropped ‘Not Like Us,’ he said, ‘I might get in trouble for this’ and I was like, ‘Whoa!’
Ok I see people saying DJ alliance is crazy, so let me tell y’all what I saw, I walked in the club and the dj was shouting out a group of people from the west coast and they must’ve been like play some west coast shit and before he dropped not like us, he said I might get in…— Jermaine Dupri (@jermainedupri) March 19, 2025
Last week, the So So Def founder posted a video clarifying a question he had about independent artists where he asked, “Can somebody tell me what the goal of being an independent artist is today because all of the things that people are chasing is sh—t major artist do, what’s the thing that indie artist do that make it special?”
Many fans jumped on him, assuming that he was speaking down on independent artists, but apparently he was legitimately trying to understand why some artists chose to not to sign with a major label and admitted that “you never know everything.”
In other Drake news, UMG has asked a federal judge to put a hold on discovery a day after requesting the case be dismissed. The record giant alleged that Drake and his team have been requesting “highly commercially sensitive documents.”
In today’s episode of ‘Billboard Unfiltered,’ Billboard staffers Carl Lamarre, Trevor Anderson and Kyle Denis are reacting to Playboi Carti’s first album in five years, ‘MUSIC,’ and sharing their thoughts on everything he delivered on the album. They also go into Lizzo’s X crash-out over ‘poptimism,’ the public’s reaction to Leon Thomas putting out the “Mutt” remix with Chris Brown and more!
What do you want to hear more of? Drop your suggestion in the chat!
Carl Lamarre:
Yo, yo yo, yo what’s going on y’all and welcome to a fresh episode of Billboard Unfiltered. Gentlemen- what it do, what it do, what it do?
Kyle Denis:
Chilling man, how are you?
Carl Lamarre:
I am good. No complaints, well rested. Not bad at all.
Trevor Anderson:
Okay? What got you so well rested out here?
Kyle Denis:
I mean sleep, probably.
Trevor Anderson:
Well… that tends to be the number one ingredient.
Carl Lamarre:
It’s nice outside.
Trevor Anderson:
Yeah springtime is starting a little bit out here in New York.
Carl Lamarre:
Concerts are picking back up outside shortly, we got a couple in NYC this week so…
Kyle Denis:
Had Jordan Adetunji at Mercury Lounge last week, it was a great show.
Carl Lamarre:
Bowizzle, Omarion, yeah you know I might have to bring it back.
Trevor Anderson:
That is some millennial sh– right there.
Carl Kamarre:
I’m an old head, but you know in the midst of all this old head sh–, I’m trying to have some YN moments with this new Playboi Carti ‘MUSIC’ album. Whoo we are talking about this colossal 30-track project, which has some heavy-hitters with Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, we should say Kendrick Lamar thrice because we got three Kendrick Lamar records on there.
Keep watching for more!
50 Cent is never one to shy away from just about anything these days, but even he’s distancing himself from Ye (formerly Kanye West).
While West sniped at plenty of his peers — from Drake to Playboi Carti and Kendrick Lamar — he actually showed some love to 50 Cent.
“50 Cent is one of my favorite people,” Ye wrote to X on Tuesday (March 18). “He will be one of the people who brings back Black economic independence.”
However, 50 was hesitant to associate with the rapper, who has been criticized for his repeated hate speech. “Damn it Ye ya dangerous right now, what you say about the kids man,” 50 replied with a repost to his Instagram hours later.
Fans had plenty to say about the interaction between the hip-hop titans. “50 the only n—a who Ye didn’t crash out on this week,” one person wrote in the “In Da Club” rapper’s comments section.
Another chimed in: “50 like ‘leave me out this ish ye, not the time.’”
During a 2024 interview with Billboard, 50 said nobody’s been through more or had as many reasons to crash as Ye, but credited him for powering through to have one of the most decorated careers in rap.
“I don’t think anybody’s been through more or have more reasons to fall apart than Kanye,” he said at the time. “The success of his project comes, and his mom passes away. So what you been praying for — the gift is a curse. You lose that, and he had real reasons to f–king be out of it. He did the right thing. He went to work.”
While representing different pillars of hip-hop, 50 and Kanye have been pop-culture fixtures for more than two decades. They famously matched up for a memorable 2007 sales battle, which saw them face off at the MTV Video Music Awards and join forces for the cover of Rolling Stone.
Kanye’s Graduation ended up throttling 50’s Curtis (957,000 versus 691,000 first-week album sales), which elevated West’s superstar status in music to another level.
“We made the highest sales week for hip-hop culture, doing that and being competitive,” 50 told Billboard when looking back at their battle. “People that were participating as fans were buying more than one copy of it, because of the competitive side of it. When you look at it… we had to stand together to face off, but we never had an issue.”
Cardi B also seemingly responded to one of Ye’s X messages, in which he broke down how he sees the hierarchy of female rap and claimed Megan Thee Stallion replaced the Bronx native. “WHERE CARDI B GONNA BE 10 YEARS FROM NOW THEY USED HER,” he wrote.
The “WAP” rapper appeared to respond on X, flexing her staying power even without dropping an album going on seven years now. “7 years 1 album… STILL being a topic and STILL being asked about my music,” she wrote. “I’m anointed and I have a real fanbase. They come and go but The Brim is still here and will stay!”
Ye has been embroiled in controversy again in recent weeks due to his repeated antisemitic rants and willingness to engage in beef with just about any of his collaborators outside of 50 and A$AP Rocky. However, he did drop his Bully album as part of a short film starring his son Saint on March 19.
Lil’ Kim is paying tribute to The Notorious B.I.G.’s mother, Voletta Wallace, who died in February at age 78. Kim posted a carousel of pictures, text message screenshots, and videos along with a lengthy caption where she spoke on how they became closer over the last decade. “We spent the last nine-10 years strengthening our […]
Jack Harlow announced his first collaboration of 2025 — he’s teaming up with Doja Cat for their new duet, “Just Us.” The Louisville native revealed on Wednesday (March 19) that the single will hit streaming services this Friday (March 21). Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Just us […]
PlaqueBoyMax has something special with his “In the Booth” series. He’s had artists like Skepta, Cash Cobain, and went viral when Fivio Foreign made a diss song about him because Max didn’t let the Brooklyn rapper and Lil Tjay smoke in his Airbnb. The rising streamer can now add Will Smith to that list, as […]
Ye (formerly Kanye West) surprised fans with the leaked release of his Bully album early Wednesday (March 19), which became available on a file-sharing app through a short film directed by the rapper himself.
The 30-minute wrestling-themed flick was edited by rap video dignitary Hype Williams and stars Ye’s eldest son, Saint West.
There are 11 tracks showcased in total, including previously teased records such as the Kden Drip-sampling “Preacher Man,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Highs and Lows” and “Close to You.” Playboi Carti and Ty Dolla $ign are the lone features on the album closer “Melrose.”
The project drew a polarizing reaction due to Ye’s antisemitic tirades and hate speech, as well as his support for Diddy and since-deleted attacks on Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s children. Others were willing to overlook his recent behavior and enjoyed the project, as he recalled some of his 2000s brilliance chopping up soul samples and themes from 808s & Heartbreak.
“Of course BULLY is sonically the greatest s–t Kanye has worked on in years lmao,” one person wrote to X. “This clown is so annoying dawg.”
Another replied, “I will never listen to his crap let alone support it. You don’t have to intentionally hurt folks to promote your music. Time out for rewarding bad behavior.”
Don’t expect the project to land on streaming services anytime soon. “I may stop using DSPs cause streams are fake and the French and Jewish record labels treat artists like prostitutes,” he wrote.
However, it appears West will be turning his focus to his next solo effort, which looks to be Donda 2 — a sequel to his 2021 album named after his late mother.
Find more fan reactions to Bully below.
Yeah Kanye ain’t gonna be able to clear no samples off BULLY but that shit sounded nuts— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) March 19, 2025
BULLY IS FUCKING INCREDIBLE— Kent Escobar (@yzyscholar) March 19, 2025
Listening to Bully, the album Kanye West leaked himself after working on it for a year, it is so clear musically nobody is even close to him. Its so sad he is in this state, knowing we won’t get this from him. So much talent and nobody around to help him. Hope he gets it together— O (@ashahzy) March 19, 2025
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