State Champ Radio R&B/Hip-Hop
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A Florida judge ordered rapper Kodak Black to drug rehab for 30 days on Tuesday (Feb. 28) after he allegedly tested positive for fentanyl while awaiting trial on a drug trafficking charge.
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Broward County Judge Barbara Duffy allowed the performer to remain free until March 7 so he could perform at the Rolling Loud concert near Los Angeles over the weekend, The Miami Herald reported.
Duffy had earlier issued a warrant for his arrest. The 25-year-old performer had missed a court-ordered drug test on Feb. 3 and then tested positive on Feb. 8. He is awaiting trial from a July arrest on a charge of trafficking oxycodone. He has pleaded not guilty.
“You better get it together,” Duffy told the 25-year-old performer, whose real name is Bill Kapri.
During the hour-long hearing, the singer’s lawyer, Bradford Cohen, suggested that a star-struck drug lab technician may have mixed up the sample or paperwork. The tech who took the sample admitted that is possible.
But when Duffy suggested the singer have his hair tested, the defense declined. A hair test could detect drug use back 90 days compared to the few days urine and blood tests typically capture.
In January 2020, then-President Donald Trump commuted a three-year federal prison sentence the rapper had for falsifying documents used to buy weapons. Black had served about half his sentence.
Black is nominated for the iHeartRadio Music Awards’ hip-hop artist of the year and has sold more than 30 million singles, with massive hits such as “Super Gremlin,” which reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 last year.
De La Soul‘s Trugoy the Dove left us last month, at the age of 54, but the rapper’s vocals live on by way of a surprise Gorillaz song.
The British virtual group last Friday (Feb. 24) released Cracker Island, their collaboration-stuffed eighth studio album, and first since 2020’s Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez.
Now, a three-pack of fresh tracks arrive as part of the “Deluxe” edition, including “Crocadillaz” featuring De La Soul and Dawn Penn, “Captain Chicken” featuring Del The Funky Homosapien, and “Controllah” featuring Brazil’s MC Bin Laden.
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Trugoy the Dove, who also went by the name Dave, contributed a posthumous verse to “Crocadillaz,” which has an unmistakable De La Soul vibe woven into its beats.
Stream it below.
The death of the visionary hip-hop artist, born David Jolicoeur, came just weeks before De La Soul’s classic catalog is set to finally arrive on streaming and digital platforms this Friday March 3, following a 2021 deal struck with Reservoir Media.
Gorillaz’ Cracker Island, meanwhile, is on track for the U.K. No. 1. Led by Blur frontman Damon Albarn and “Tank Girl” artist Jamie Hewlett, Gorillaz has clocked up six top 10 appearances on the national albums chart since their 2001 self-titled debut, which peaked at No. 3. To date, the “cartoon” band has led the U.K. survey just once, with 2005’s Demon Days, and bagged four top 10s on the Billboard 200.
Cracker Island features assists from the likes of Bad Bunny, Stevie Nicks, Adeleye Omotayo, Thundercat, Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, Bootie Brown and Beck, and was the leader on the midweek U.K. chart.
Stream the “Deluxe” version of Cracker Island below.
Chlöe Bailey is gearing up to release her debut solo album In Pieces in March 31, and to celebrate, the R&B star revealed on Tuesday (Feb. 28) that she’s heading out on her first-ever headlining North American tour.
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The 11-date gig will kick off on April 11 at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago and includes stops in New York, Atlanta and more before concluding at The Novo in Los Angeles on May 3. Tickets will go on sale to the public starting March 3 at 10 a.m. local time. See more information — including presale instructions — here.
Chlöe’s In Pieces will feature lead single “Pray It Away” as well as her recently released Chris Brown collaboration, “How Does It Feel.” In an August interview with Essence, the singer — who is one half of the sister duo Chloe x Halle — explained that her album is “everything that I’ve been going through, all the tearing down, people underestimating, telling me I can’t do it — all of those things have gone into the music.” She added, “The album is me picking myself up and talking myself out of any little place or space that the world has tried to put me in, that people and personal relationships have tried to put me in, and even [doing that to] myself. It’s me breaking free.”
See below for the full list of tour dates.
April 11 – Chicago, IL – Riviera TheatreApril 13 – Detroit, MI – The FillmoreApril 14 – Toronto, ON – RebelApril 17 – Boston, MA – House of BluesApril 18 – Philadelphia, PA – The FillmoreApril 20 – New York, NY – Terminal 5April 23 – Atlanta, GA – The EasternApril 25 – Houston, TX – House of BluesApril 26 – Dallas, TX – House of BluesApril 30 – Sacramento, CA – Sol Blume (festival)May 3 – Los Angeles, CA – The Novo
Kelis took to social media on Monday (Feb. 27) to recount how her family ski trip to Big Bear took a scary turn.
“My plan was to take the kids to the snow , but we almost fell off a cliff!” the singer captioned the Instagram Reel. “So make the best of what ya got , n always be prepared lol.”
In the clip, Kelis explains, “So here’s the thing: my truck got stuck, it’s, like, hanging off the cliff…We’ve been outside for a while. But we had on our snowboarding gear, so God is good. And I figure, if you’re gonna be in this situation, you should at least look your best.”
While a tow truck attempted to get the singer’s truck safely off the dark and windy mountainside, she proceeded to show off her ski bunny fashion, complete with fluffy layers of mint, pink and white, a head lamp (“thank God because it’s pitch black out here”), a gator-skin purse and reflective silver boots. “You know, things could be worse,” she quips with a laugh. “This is ridiculous. Rescue fashion!”
Earlier this month, Kelis stirred up an amusing rewrite of “Milkshake” as part of Uber One’s Super Bowl commercial also starring Diddy, Montell Jordan, Donna Lewis, Ylvis and Haddaway.
Speaking of “Milkshake,” the song was involved in drama last year after Kelis accused Beyoncé of including an interpolation of the 2003 top 10 hit in her Renaissance album cut “Energy” without giving her a heads up. (Although Queen Bey did get the appropriate permission to use the track from its writers, The Neptunes’ Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, she later cut the interpolation entirely.)
Watch Kelis show off her “rescue fashion” from the mountainside below.
Album titles are like band names: you know you have the right one when you have it, but you don’t always know why, or how. Unless, that is, you are We the Best boss DJ Khaled, in which case you depend on a higher power to deliver the name of your latest all-star collection.
During a couch trip to the Jennifer Hudson Show on Monday (Feb. 27), Khaled described the divine inspiration behind his chart-topping God Did album. Khaled said he was sitting on his couch at home one day last year when he felt a spirit talk to him and the next thing he knew he was saying the album’s title out loud.
“I was on the phone when somebody was just telling me something so disappointing… when you hear something like that you look at the phone like, ‘what’s this person saying?’,” he recalled thinking. He asked if he could call the unnamed person back, hung up the phone and sat with his head down, dejected.
“I was like, ‘damn, they ain’t believe in us… then I was like, ‘God did!’ Like, haha!” He said the moment of clarity reminded him to keep his head up and remember, “God got us and what you just heard… that’s not true,” he said, counseling viewers to believe in themselves when others don’t to the head-nodding approval of several audience members.
Even though he decided it was the name of the five-time Grammy-nominated album — with features from Drake, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem, Future, Quavo, Takeoff, SZA and Tracis Scott, among others — Khaled noted that his fans started using the phrase well before the collection’s release because he kept shouting it on his socials.
“I’m like, ‘oh man, how beautiful it is they connecting with it,’” he said about hearing the catchphrase hollered at him in restaurants. “If I can help to remind people that God is the greatest? Beautiful!”
Khaled also talked about the lavish, circus-themed birthday party he and his wife recently threw for their youngest son, 3-year-old Aalam, featuring rides, clowns and lions.
Check out Khaled on the Jennifer Hudson Show below.
Congolese-Canadian singer-songwriter LU KALA scores her first career entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (dated March 4), thanks to her featured role on Latto’s “Lottery,” which debuts at No. 83.
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The pop-rap collab, released Feb. 17 via StreamCut/RCA Records, debuts with 7.9 million radio airplay audience impressions, 4.2 million official streams and 1,200 downloads sold in the U.S. in the week ending Feb. 23, according to Luminate. It concurrently starts at No. 25 on Rap Airplay, No. 28 on Pop Airplay and No. 30 on Rhythmic Airplay.
“Lottery” marks LU KALA’s first-ever appearance on a U.S.-based Billboard ranking. Before this week, she sent one title onto multiple Canadian charts, as “Pretty Girl Era” hit highs of No. 11 on Canadian Emerging Artists, No. 20 on Canada CHR/Top 40 and No. 36 on Canada Hot AC (all dated Feb. 25).
LU KALA (full name Lusamba Kalala) has released one album so far, 2020’s eight-track collection Worthy.
As for Latto, “Lottery” marks her fourth Hot 100 hit, following “Bitch From Da Souf” (No. 95 peak in 2020), her smash “Big Energy” (No. 3, 2022) and “Budget” with Megan Thee Stallion (No. 87, 2022).
Latto will be honored as Billboard’s 2023 Women in Music Powerhouse on March 1. “My No. 1 thing has been being a girl’s girl. I utilize my power in uplifting others on my way up,” she recently told Billboard. “The content I’m about to roll out is a whole fresh new leaf. I genuinely love to see the new wave of female rap, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
It’s Monday and we’re back with the latest and greatest in emerging R&B and hip-hop. This week, we highlight heat by newcomers like Ayelle, Wes Denzel and rum•gold, as well as from more established names like Don Toliver and Meriba. And of course, don’t forget to share the wealth with our Spotify playlist, linked below.
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Freshest Find: Don Toliver, “Honeymoon”
The collab we never knew we needed? Don Toliver and Kaytranada. The duo — both savants in their own right — joined forces on Toliver’s latest album Love Sick, delivering an out-of-the-box deep cut that seeps with replay value. The pairing brings out under-explored sides of both artists, leaving fans begging for Toliver and Kaytra to book a few more studio sessions together.
Ayelle, “Sweet Spot”
Ayelle’s soft new single “Sweet Spot” is “on behalf of every woman who’s sexuality has been and/or continues to be suppressed.” The Swedish-Iranian singer celebrates female pleasure on the song, as she’s also using it to heal from her own traumas. “As a woman, I’ve had to work through a lot of trauma to reclaim my sexuality and my right to receive pleasure from sex,” she writes in a press release. “My hope is that more and more of us will heal and find joy and power in receiving pleasure.”
Uncommon People, “Had Enough”
Alt-R&B band Uncommon People is sick of routine. On their new single “Had Enough,” the group declares that they’re done with their monotonous lifestyle and are “ready to live the lives of true artists,” as they explain in a press release. The dance-R&B mix will appear on their upcoming project, Peace, I’m Out, which is due out April 6 and will be their final EP as a group.
Wes Denzel, “Some Know”
“Some Know” is Wes Denzel’s bouncy ode to Houston. The new song showcases the San Antonio-based rapper’s charismatic flow and witty rhymes and acts as the first glimpse into his upcoming EP Last Night in Houston. Denzel was inspired to create the project while driving around the Texas city. He also tested each version of the album in the car before landing on the perfect one. “A lot of writing in cars and experimenting on records with the format. A lot of it was just feeling and keeping that feeling,” he says about the process.
Jnr Choi, “Hate Me as You Love Me”
Jnr Choi seems to be no stranger to making hits. On his new drill-injected song “Hate Me As You Love Me,” the Gambian artist merges his smooth, melodic vocals with lyrics outlining the realities of an unconventional love story.
Enchanting feat. Layton Greene, “Tell Me Why”
1017’s Enchanting pairs up with Layton Greene for the extended version of “Tell Me Why.” Crippled by their beaus’ infidelities, the ladies are restive when spilling out their grievances. “Tell me why, oh why? Tell me why do n—as lie/ More than once or twice/ They can’t compromise,” sings Enchanting on the hook. “Tell Me Why” resides on Enchanting’s Luv Scarred / No Luv (Deluxe), including features by Jacquees, Seddy Hendrinx and more.
Jozzy, “Alone”
The Diddy signee and songwriter extraordinaire has dropped her debut EP, Songs for Women, Free Game for N—as on Love Records, featuring standout track, “Alone.” Co-directed by Mike Oberlies and Diddy himself, the visual shows Jozzy galavanting through Paris on her own, as a faraway lover questions her interest. “I don’t wanna be in this world alone/ I really need someone to call my own,” she croons overtop the R&B beat.
LAVI$H, “World in My Hands”
Exuding emotion through his poignant tone, Toronto singer LAVI$H reflects on love and life’s pressures on “World in My Hands.” The OVO signee doesn’t hold back, reaching for sky-high falsettos and showing off his vocal chops overtop a modern day D’Angelo-esque beat.
rum•gold feat. Mereba, “Water My Heart”
Emerging R&B is having quite the week. Atop an outpouring of tranquil piano melodies, Brooklyn-based rum•gold delivers “Water My Heart,” a single sure to cast away the Sunday scaries. The track is pure bliss, a Mereba feature tying together the perfectly transportive offering.
J. Cole and his Dreamville team are ready to bring their hip-hop magic back to Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, N.C., with the third annual Dreamville Festival. Starting April 1 and 2, the two-day affair features a stout lineup headlined by J. Cole and special guest Drake on Sunday night, with Usher bringing the R&B flare the day before.
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Dreamville Fest will be the first time Cole and Drake will headline a show together; the two hip-hop luminaries are considered the pillars of the 2010s rap era. Their first collaboration goes back to Cole’s 2010 Friday Night Lights standout “In the Morning.” In 2013, Drake and Cole united again on the braggadocio track “Jodeci Freestyle.” According to the Dreamville press release, they will perform a medley of hits from their standout catalogs.
Aside from Drake and Cole sharing centerstage, Burna Boy will enjoy a headlining set of his own on a separate stage Sunday night. On the heels of his NBA All-Star Game halftime show performance earlier this month, Burna Boy will continue his fiery run after a dominant 2022 headlined by his Billboard Hot 100 hit “Last Last.” Summer Walker, J.I.D, GloRilla, Bas, Waka Flocka Flame, Mario and more will also perform April 2, while day one will have Lil Durk, Ari Lennox, City Girls, Sean Paul, Earthgang, Jessie Reyez and Key Glock.
GA, GA+ and VIP two-day passes are on sale now at www.DreamvilleFest.com.
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The Weeknd reached a new high-water mark on Spotify this week.
“It’s official: On February 27, The Weeknd became the first artist in Spotify History to reach 100 Million monthly listeners,” the streaming service announced Monday (Feb. 27) via its official social media accounts on Twitter and Instagram.
For context on just how impressive 100 million monthly listeners is, other supernovas currently trail the artist otherwise known as Abel Tesfaye by tens of millions. As of press time, Drake sits at 68.6 million, Taylor Swift is garnering 80.3 million and even with the record-breaking success of current Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Flowers,” Miley Cyrus has 82.5 million.
The Weeknd’s latest streaming accomplishment comes just a few days after he dropped his new remix of “Die for You” with Ariana Grande. The duet version of the Starboy-era hit is the frequent collaborators’ fourth team-up following “Love Me Harder” (from 2014’s My Everything), “Off the Table” (from 2020’s Positions) and the pair’s 2021 remix of “Save Your Tears” (from After Hours).
Over the weekend, The Weeknd: Live at SoFi Stadium — the Canadian crooner’s new concert special filmed during last year’s After Hours ‘Til Dawn Tour — premiered on HBO Max. Earlier this month, he confirmed that the musical documentary would close out his album cycle for 2022’s Dawn FM, tweeting, “HBO concert will be the last piece of Dawn FM. I can see the horizon.”
Meanwhile, Tesfaye’s upcoming HBO drama The Idol, which he created with Euphoria visionary Sam Levinson and Reza Fahim, is set to premiere some time later this year co-starring Lily-Rose Depp, Troye Sivan, BLACKPINK’s Jennie and more.
Check out Spotify’s announcement of The Weeknd’s latest achievement below.
Chance the Rapper recently had an unexpected run-in with Martin Short, and he sang the actor’s praises on social media because of it.
It turns out, the newest coach on The Voice boarded a commercial flight over the weekend, only to discover his seat was separated from that of his daughter, Kensli. “I really ain’t wanna inconvenience anyone by asking them to swap seats,” he tweeted on Sunday (Feb. 26). “But before I could say anything this kind older gentleman offered his seat to Kensli so we could sit together.
“We both said thank you and as he stands up, I realize it’s THE Martin Short!!” Chance continued. “So cool and Kensli freaked out cause she’s obsessed with The Santa Clause 3. What an awesome person! SHOUTOUT TO JACK FROST.”
The rapper also couldn’t resist posting a photo of Short as Jack Frost in the 2006 holiday three-quel along with the story of his kind act.
“But wait did Martin Short know it was thee Chance thee Rapper?” a fan asked after reading the “YAH Know” artist’s tale. “Definitely not, which made it way cooler,” Chance confirmed by quote tweeting the question. “He just a nice dude [I guess].”
Chance is currently gearing up for his freshman season in the spinning chairs of The Voice alongside Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and fellow newbie Niall Horan when season 23 premieres on March 6. Meanwhile, Short is set to return for season three of his hit Hulu series Only Murders in the Building opposite Steve Martin, Selena Gomez, Paul Rudd and new additions Meryl Streep and Emily in Paris star Ashley Park.
Read about Chance the Rapper’s sweet run-in with Short below.
So I just got on this plane with my daughter, and found out our seats weren’t next to each other. I really ain’t wanna inconvenience anyone by asking them to swap seats, but before I could say anything this kind older gentleman offered his seat to Kensli so we could sit together.… https://t.co/EPC5cqFfiy pic.twitter.com/2vFumtpVLa— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) February 26, 2023
