R&B/Hip-Hop

27 Sep 2023

Cardi B’s Fans Have Been ‘Begging’ Her to Do ‘Hot Ones’ & It’s Almost Here: Watch a Teaser

The time has finally come for Cardi B to take on the Hot Ones challenge.

The rapper took to Instagram on Wednesday (Sept. 27) to tease her spicy upcoming episode, in which she tells host Sean Evans, “My fans have been begging me to do this show for so, so, so, so long. I have to give it to them and I’m scared.”

In the teaser, Evans then asks her about whether or not she knew that her Megan Thee Stallion collaboration “Bongo” had the “potential to be a hit” after hearing its catchy Dembow drum beat. “As soon as I heard it, I was like, ‘Ayyy, ayyy, ayyy like a drum’” Cardi replied, shaking her behind while seated in her chair. When asked what it’s like to record a “clean” version of her raunchy songs for the radio, the rapper hilariously shouted, “Annoying!”

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She continued, “I’m doing the clean version, and it’s like, alright, ‘Baby, eat it up like a plum.’ Then, it’s like, ‘No, you still can’t play that for pop radio, whatever.’ I’m like, ‘Baby, eat these peaches and plums!’”

For those who aren’t familiar with the First We Feast and Complex Media series, in each episode, Evans and a celebrity guest eat ten chicken wings or vegan substitutes, with each wing prepared with a progressively hotter hot sauce. Meanwhile, the celebrity will answer thoughtful and well-researched questions from Evans while trying to keep it cool amid the heat.

Watch Cardi’s teaser here before the full episode drops on Thursday (Sept. 28). Check out our full list of the best musician Hot Ones episodes here.

27 Sep 2023

Chloe Bailey Blushes After Admitting Who Her Celebrity Crush Is

Chlöe Bailey‘s got a crush on one of the biggest stars in Hollywood.

The 25-year-old “Have Mercy” singer joined The Dotty Show this week, where she revealed that he celebrity crush is none other than Michael B. Jordan. “I’ve been saying that in interviews even, like, years ago,” she admitted.

When asked if she’s told Jordan her feelings, Chlöe said she hadn’t. “I don’t shoot my shot,” she explained. When host Dotty suggested that she might be “blocking her blessings” by not reaching out to the actor, Chlöe replied, “I’m big on blessings, but I’m like, ‘God will bring my blessings to me when they’re supposed to be here.’”

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Dotty then asked Chlöe what it is about Jordan that she likes, and the singer immediately blushed and began to giggle.

It has certainly been a year of blessings for the singer, who released her debut solo album In Pieces back in March via Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records. The 14-track project features previously released singles “Pray It Away” and “How Does It Feel,” featuring Chris Brown, and more collaborations with Missy Elliott (“Told Ya”) and Future (“Cheatback”).  In Pieces marks her first solo project apart from her sister duo Chloe x Halle.

Watch her gush over Michael B. Jordan below.

27 Sep 2023

J. Cole Posts Letter Colin Kaepernick Sent to NY Jets After Aaron Rodgers Injury: ‘I Hope There’s a Spot Out There For My Boy Kap’

J. Cole would like NY Jets fans to change their famous chant from J-E-T-S! to “Kap-Kap-Kap!”

On Tuesday (Sept. 26), Cole posted a letter he said he obtained from exiled NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, in which the player who famously got sidelined after taking a knee during the National Anthem in protest of police brutality and racial inequality in 2016 offered up his services to the Jets in the wake of the week-one injury to Aaron Rodgers. Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers in 2017 after his protest made international headlines and offered himself up as a free agent, but the six-year veteran has not had any offers from another NFL team since.

“I asked Colin @kaepernick7 if I could share this letter with the world. He was reluctant,” Cole said of the note dated Sept. 21. “My argument was that I believe the people and all organizations should know the truth about how hard he works and how much he still wants to play. And always has. In the end, he agreed to let me.”

In his note, the former San Francisco 49ers QB told the Jets’ GM Joe Douglas that he would be “honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to come in and lead the practice squad.” At press time it did not appear that Kaepernick had posted the letter on his socials, or commented on Cole posting it.

“I’m writing, of course, in response to the unfortunate loss of Aaron Rodgers. I know the aspirations this season were, and still are, to win a championship, and so that Hall of Fame sized hole will need to be filled as best as possible to keep the team on a Super Bowl track,” Kaepernick wrote in his note about the loss of the legendary Rodgers, who went down with a torn Achilles tendon just four plays into his first season with the Jets.

“As of right now, Zach Wilson is charged with that task, and I wish him and the rest of the team the best moving forward,” Kaepernick continued. “However, I know that there are currently depth issues at the position, and I’ve heard that the back-up spot is likely to be filled by a veteran Quarterback. As much as I would love the opportunity to fill that spot, I’m writing you in hopes that you can imagine a much different approach involving me.”

Kaep said he would be happy to lead the practice squad in an effort to help the team’s defense be ready each week by giving them the advantage of getting a “truer read on the more mobile/athletic/versatile quarterbacks it will face in weeks 4, 5, and 6 (Mahomes, Wilson, and Hurts.”

It would also, of course, allow the team to get a look at where Kaepernick is at this point, football-wise, after more than six years on the shelf. Kaepernick assured the Jets that he has not stopped training since his exile, working out every weekday, while attaching a list of references that included Michigan head coach (and former 49ers coach) Jim Harbaugh, Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and UCLA head coach (and former 49ers coach) Chip Kelly.

Rumors about Kaepernick’s availability and interest have been swirling for several weeks, following the Rodgers loss that instantly deflated title chances for the Jets, who are currently mired in the longest active playoff drought in the league at 12 seasons.

“I wish the @nyjets organization luck. My boy @bas is a big ass fan so I saw the heartbreak of every Jets fan when Arod went down,” added Cole, who shouted out CKaep on the 2018 Miguel track “Come Through and Chill,” where he rhymed, “In case my lack of reply had you catchin’ them feelings/ Know you’ve been on my mind like Kaepernick kneelin’/ Or police killings, or Trump sayin’ slick s–t.”

“@richeisen Everyone from players, to coaches, to execs are feeling the pressure I’m sure. I hope y’all can turn it around, and I hope there’s a spot out there for my boy Kap.”

See Cole’s post below.

26 Sep 2023

‘Rap Sh!t’ Announces Season 2 Soundtrack, Led by Sexyy Red Single ‘No Panties’

Issa Rae‘s Max series Rap Sh!t announced Wednesday (Sept. 27) that it’s releasing the season 2 soundtrack on Nov. 3 via Rae’s label Raedio and Def Jam.

Rap Sh!t S2: The Mixtape is meant to showcase the women currently taking over the rap game, including Sexyy Redd, whose single “No Panties” arrived Wednesday. “I’m happy that I got to work on ‘No Panties’ for Rap Sh!t,” she said in a statement. “It’s just me having fun on the beat and talking my sh–. It’s just like the show: The rap girls running this sh–.”

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The soundtrack is a mix of original music created for the series and performed by lead characters Shawna (played by Aida Osman) and Mia (KaMillion) and new songs by Rico Nasty, Kali, Maiya the Don, Enchanting, Cam & China and more. Guapdad 4000, NCognita and Suni MF have writing credits, while Hitkidd, Danja and Bankroll Got It contributed to the production.

Rap Sh!t S2: The Mixtape also marks the first project Raedio is releasing alongside Def Jam, after Rae initially launched her label with Atlantic Records in 2019.

The first two episodes of Rap Sh!t‘s second season will premiere Nov. 9 on Max. Originally slated for an Aug. 10 premiere, the new season was postponed due to the strikes. The Writers Guild of America and the labor group representing studios and streamers announced Sunday that they have reached a tentative deal on a new three-year contract that could potentially end the historic, 146-day writers strike.

26 Sep 2023

Kevin Fleming, CEO/Publisher of ‘The Urban Buzz,’ Dead at 65

Kevin Fleming, founder/CEO/editor-in-chief/publisher of the premier Black music and entertainment blog/newsletter, The Urban Buzz, died last Thursday (Sept. 21) in Los Angeles after a valiant fight against pancreatic cancer. Fleming, whose multifaceted career included tenures as a radio programmer and consultant as well as senior-level label executive, was 65 years old.

In paying tribute to Fleming, Rick Nuhn — host of the nationally syndicated program Top 10 Now & Then and the family’s spokesman — tells Billboard, “It’s rare that a PD and air talent become 38-year friends, but that is what happened. I was on the air in Phoenix when a few friends from the record business recommended me to Kevin, who was the new PD at legendary KGFJ in Los Angeles. Long story short, I was hired in 1985 to be the morning man in market No. 2. The doors that opened and the opportunities that I was presented with enabled my career to go in many directions — all thanks to Kevin. Words will never be enough to say how much I and my extended family will miss having Kevin by our side.”

“Look up ‘good dude’ in the dictionary and there will be a picture of Kevin Fleming,” adds longtime friend Herb Trawick, president of Fab Entertainment. “Smart, musical, big heart, goofy and a proud dad; loved by all and for good reason. My guy always.”

A Minneapolis native, Fleming was born on March 28, 1958. Graduating from HBCU Clark Atlanta University with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast management and communications in 1981, he initially worked at Atlanta radio stations WAOK & WIGO and Sumter, South Carolina’s WWDM. Fleming then landed his first major market gig as PD of L.A.’s aforementioned KGFJ in 1984.

Five years later, Fleming segued to the label side of the industry as vp of Black music at Island Records. Following a two-year tenure as vp/GM of Perspective Records, owned by legendary production duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Fleming returned to his radio roots in 1993 as operations manager/PD of Los Angeles outlets KACE & KRTO. During his seven-year tenure there, he also began working as a radio consultant in the areas of programming and overall operations.

It was after serving as Gavin Magazine’s urban radio editor for two years that Fleming launched The Urban Buzz weekly information newsletter and website in 2002, which targeted urban radio, music and entertainment professionals. In addition to being hired to program Radio One’s flagship L.A. station KKBT in 2006 and overseeing its transition to urban adult brand KRBV, Fleming rounded out his radio career with his most recent stint as PD of Pacifica Radio’s KPFK in Los Angeles between 2018-2021.

Notes veteran music executive Ken Wilson, “The industry from radio to records has suffered a big loss. Kevin and I shared many fun as well as teaching moments. Rest well, my great friend!”

Fleming is survived by his wife Maria and son Dylan, parents Cynthia Tyner and Gerald Fleming, sisters Stephanie Fleming, Karen Matthews and Alycia Rivera and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Donations can be made to Fleming’s GoFundMe account at https://gofund.me/e20783bc.

26 Sep 2023

Burna Boy Announces I Told Them… Tour: Here Are the Dates

After releasing his latest album, I Told Them… last month, Burna Boy will embark on a 16-city trek this fall called the I Told Them… Tour. 

Produced by Live Nation, the multi-city jaunt will find Burna performing in not only arenas but, in some cases, stadiums. Beginning Nov. 3, the “City Boys” artist will perform his first-ever Los Angeles stadium show at BMO Stadium before touching down in various cities, including Houston, Chicago and Toronto for his arena stops. In July, Burna became the first Nigerian artist to headline a stadium, performing at Citi Field in New York City for a crowd of 40,000 people.  

I Told Them… spawned a bevy of singles, including his 21 Savage-assisted hit “Sittin’ on Top of the World,” and his Jeremih-sampled song “City Boys.” The album also clinched Burna’s first No. 1 on the U.K. Albums Chart earlier this month.

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Tickets for the I Told Them… Tour will be available starting with a Citi presale beginning Tuesday (Sept. 26). Additional presales will continue throughout the week, leading up to Friday’s general on-sale, which starts at 10 a.m. local time at Ticketmaster.com.

Check out the tour dates below: 

  • Nov. 3 – Los Angeles, CA – BMO Stadium
  • Nov. 5 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
  • Nov. 7 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena 
  • Nov. 9 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
  • Nov. 12 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
  • Nov. 17 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
  • Nov. 18 – Austin, TX – Moody Center                  
  • Feb. 18 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
  • Feb. 21 – Chicago, IL – Wintrust Arena
  • Feb. 22 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena 
  • Feb. 24 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
  • Feb. 28 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
  • March 1 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
  • March 2 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
  • March 7 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
  • March 9 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena

26 Sep 2023

Eminem’s Daughter Hailie Jade Scott Said Seeing 50 Cent Perform With Her Dad Made Her ‘So Frickin’ Happy’

It’s been a long time since Hailie Jade Scott has seen her dad’s pal 50 Cent in concert. But when Eminem‘s daughter, 27, attended Uncle Fif’s show at Pine Knob Amphitheater in Clarkson, Mich. last weekend, the site of the G-Unit general on stage next to pops Shady really made her day.

“We went to the 50 Cent concert, and I was so freaking happy,” Scott said on this week’s episode of her Just a Little Shady podcast. “I have not seen him perform since, like, I seriously think it was like the sixth grade. It’s been so long.”

Scott said she was “just so happy,” mostly because 50 has “so many bangers” that she thinks people forge about. Sure, there are the legendary club songs, but there are also so many more she enthused, with co-host and friend Brittany Ednie completely agreeing. “There’s so many like… play that you’re like holy s–t!… Bop after bop after bop.”

She also noted that she was discussing the tour’s high-end production values with fianceé Evan McClintock, saying she has not “seen that level of production” in ages, from non-stop pyro to confetti cannons and, of course, 50’s explosive special guest.

“And also dad came out and I don’t know why… that’s just how I have to say it, ‘dad came out,’” Scott laughed about her pops’ cameo on “Patiently Waiting,” which then led to the old friends running through their Grammy- winning collab “Crack a Bottle.”

Scott said she knew Em was going to collab with Ed Sheeran on stage before it happened when Slim Shady jumped out to do “Lose Yourself” and “Stan” at Detroit’s Ford Field in July, but she only found out about the 50 spot right before it happened.

“But still no matter what I get so hype because I could just see the crowd being so happy,” she said of the immediate energy surge when the dynamic duo began performing together. Scott described the moment by recalling that there was a guy in front of her — he was originally in her actual seats, but jumped up a row when her party arrived — and she said “he was living his best live the entire time!… and I was like, ‘Yes! You deserve to be right there, man!”

50’s Final Lap tour will truck on on Thursday when it kicks off the international portion of the trek at Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam.

Watch Hailie Jade talk about seeing 50 Cent live below.

25 Sep 2023

Tory Lanez Shares a Voice Message From Prison: ‘I’m in Great Spirits’

On Monday (Sept. 25), Tory Lanez updated fans on his well-being while announcing the deluxe version of his 2021 album Alone at Prom.

Lanez, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison last month after shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot in 2020, sounded upbeat, exuding positive energy during a minutelong voice message to his supporters on Instagram.

“Ay Umbrellas, man. What’s good? I’m talking to you live from prison right now. Man, I’m just happy to get out from that bullsh– county jail. They was hating on a young fly n—a, ya heard?” he began. “Had me on 24-hour lockdown. Half-sized cell by myself. No windows, no mirrors. Ain’t even see himself in a whole year yo.”

Over the weekend, Page Six reported that the musician is “scared for his life and safety in prison.” “He feels like he is an instant and direct target because of his celebrity status,” the source told the outlet. 

Currently, Lanez is serving his time at the North Kern State Prison in Delano, California. Despite those reports, the “Jerry Sprunger” star appeared optimistic in his message to his fans from prison.

“With all them disadvantages against me, my head has always been held high, man. And I want y’all to know I’m in great spirits. My drive and my ambition is growing stronger and stronger every day,” he said. “And I’m so proud of how y’all been moving in my support. Man, I feel like this a scary time, but don’t be afraid, man. This don’t spark no fear in my heart at all. In fact, I’m more prepared than ever. The music, the videos, and all the projects you wanted, they all ready to drop. So let’s just start with the one we want the most: the Alone at Prom Deluxe.”

Released in December 2021, Alone in Prom debuted at No. 59 on the Billboard 200 and spawned singles such as “Lady of Namek,” “’87 Stingray” and “Enchanted Waterfall.” Earlier this year, “The Color Violent” debuted on the Hot 100 and peaked at No. 63.

Check out Tory’s post below.

25 Sep 2023

Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe, Rick Ross & More Fight for Affordable Healthcare in New PSA: Watch

Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe, Method Man, Rick Ross, Chuck D, and French Montana participated in a PSA that launched Sept. 22, advocating for more transparency in the healthcare system. 

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“Today, we confront a health care system that has been rigged against all of us,” they collectively said in the minute-long video. “Hospitals force patients to sign contracts for services without ever showing us actual prices, stifling competition, overcharging without accountability. And if we can’t pay, these same contracts allow them to take everything we own.”

Partnering with Power to the Patients, they labeled the current healthcare system as an “American healthcare crisis,” and rallied for more honest, affordable and equitable healthcare nationwide. The video also came ahead of the congressional voting on healthcare transparency bills in Washington, D.C. 

“Stifling competition. Overcharging without accountability and we can’t pay. These same contracts allow them to take everything we own,” they continue. “Creating so much fear that millions and millions of Americans refuse to enter a hospital. Our health and our lives at stake. This is an American humanitarian crisis. We demand prices and transparency in healthcare.”

Earlier this year, Power to the Patients, Fat Joe, City Council Members and various union groups in New York City joined forces to advocate for transparency efforts. That resulted in Mayor Eric Adams signing the Healthcare Accountability and Consumer Protection Act in June 2023. The Act launched the nation’s first Office of Health Care Accountability to allow New Yorkers to compare hospital costs for the same services.

Watch the clip above.

25 Sep 2023

Who Should Usher Bring Out to Perform With Him at the 2024 Super Bowl? Vote!

It’s official! Usher is set to headline next year’s Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show, he announced on Sunday (Sept. 24).

“It’s an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list. I can’t wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they’ve seen from me before,” the hitmaker said in a statement. “Thank you to the fans and everyone who made this opportunity happen. I’ll see you real soon.”

With more than 50 Billboard Hot 100 chart entries, Usher’s catalog will lend well to his Super Bowl performance, which is scheduled to take place at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Feb. 11, 2024. And his many collabs over the years offer plenty of opportunities for surprising guest performances during his game-day set.

Fans may be hoping for Lil Jon and Ludacris to join Usher for their 2004 smash “Yeah!” It’s no wonder why: The single stands as Usher’s most successful to date on the Hot 100, peaking at No. 1 and maintaining the top position for 12 of its 45 charting weeks on the tally.

The R&B crooner has the chance to dazzle the crowd with more club bangers, either with “OMG” with Black Eyed Peas’ Will.i.am, or “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” featuring Pitbull. Both tracks, released in 2010, earned him solid placements on the Hot 100, peaking at Nos. 1 and 4 respectively, and spending over 30 weeks on the all-genre chart.

Surprises may also be coming for the eight-time Grammy winner’s Super Bowl set if he decides to slow it down with a romantic throwback (“My Boo” with Alicia Keys), add more rap moments (“Lil Freak” or “She Came to Give It to You” featuring Nicki Minaj), or even shine light on his former protégé (Justin Bieber). Other huge collabs to potentially hope for? Beyonce and Lil Wayne, who featured on “Love in This Club Part 2,” and of course, Jay-Z, who appeared on “Hot Tottie.”

Who are you hoping Usher will bring out during his performance at the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show? Vote in our poll below.