R&B/Hip-Hop
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It’s Kendrick Lamar Week for Billboard Unfiltered following the Thanksgiving break. Lamar unleashed his GNX album without any sort of warning on Nov. 22, and the LP debuted atop the Billboard 200 with 319,000 equivalent units earned.
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Dot also took up a ton of real estate on this week’s Billboard Hot 100, with seven out of the top 10 and the entire top five. He even announced an accompanying 2025 North American stadium trek called the Grand National Tour, on which his “Luther” collaborator and former Top Dawg Entertainment running mate SZA will be joining him.
There was a clean sweep of approval from the quartet of co-hosts, with GNX launching Lamar into the album of the year conversation and stamping his banner year of rap domination.
Deputy Director of R&B/Hip-Hop Carl Lamarre believes K. Dot’s ’24 rivals some of the great years rap’s seen in the last 25 years. “Him being able to land three No. 1s this year on the Hot 100 … Him announcing this tour, him having a No. 1 album,” he said. “I think his run this year is probably comparable to what we’ve seen from an ’08 [Lil] Wayne, an ’03 50 [Cent], a 2018 Drake with what he’s been able to do.”
Editorial Director Damien Scott credited Lamar with “blanketing the culture” and compared GNX to Jay-Z’s The Blueprint with how direct and to the point the project is while releasing digestible hit records. “To me, this album feels like a Jay-Z album. It feels like The Blueprint. It’s very direct, it’s very to the point. Here’s Jay at the height of his powers being like, ‘I run this s–t. F–k all of you.’ Just like Kendrick is on the opening track,” Scott opined. “First it was f–k this one guy, now it’s f–k all of you … It’s an amazing rap record.”
The Debbie Deb-sampling “Squabble Up” launched at No. 1 on the Hot 100, and Senior Charts Analyst Trevor Anderson didn’t expect to hear a hit record like that. “Coming off ‘Squabble Up,’ I was up there looking like Jonathan Majors in my apartment doing the little civil rights dance,” he joked. “One thing we missed with Mr. Morale was a clean Kendrick hit.”
Elsewhere during Billboard Unfiltered, the staff discussed Drake making a pair of legal filings against Universal Music Group in November, alleging that his record label artificially inflated the popularity of Lamar’s “Not Like Us.”
Staff Writer Kyle Denis was confused initially by the 6 God’s legal actions, but believes the first pre-filing has a chance to be a landmark case if it indeed heads to trial and there’s a ruling in Drake’s favor that shakes up streaming’s landscape. “If this does end up going to trial and we get a decision that actually impacts the very model of streaming, this would be an important case,” he stated. “All of that is still colored by the timing of it all, and this arriving during GNX week. It’s a little bit pathetic … It just feels a little bit ‘Let me do what I can to muddy up this guy’s release week any way that I can.’”
Watch the full episode above.
Solana season appears to be on the horizon. After promising a pair of albums, SZA has teased the deluxe edition of her record-breaking SOS album. The Grammy-winning singer posted a photo to her Instagram Story on Friday (Dec. 6) featuring a whiteboard that appeared to have a tracklist for the upcoming deluxe, but SZA made […]
In this episode of Billboard Unfiltered, Billboard staffers Kyle Denis, Trevor Anderson, Carl Lamarre and Damien Scott discuss Kendrick Lamar’s GNX chart takeover, along with their initial reactions to the surprise drop, Drake’s legal battle with UMG over “Not Like Us,” J. Cole’s Inevitable podcast series and his 10-year anniversary show at MSG for Forest Hill Drive.
Carl Lamarre:I think his run this year is probably comparable to what we see maybe from like an ‘08 Wayne, an ‘03 50, a 2018 Drake.
Kyle Denis:I don’t like this arriving during, you know, GNX week, it’s like … it’s a little bit pathetic.
Trevor Anderson:Oh I already know I love this. I just haven’t had access to it and you mean to tell me it’s right here, you know, on the app that I already use. Like, let’s go, let’s download it, let’s play it.
Carl Lamarre: Before the break, Compton superstar Kendrick Lamar did a surprise drop. Now I’m here to talk about it with you guys. GNX, his sixth studio album, 12 tracks, featuring SZA, a slew of up-and-coming L.A. rappers. The project came No. 1 on the 200, 319 album equivalent units, seven records in the top 10 of the Hot 100. He’s occupying the top five, No. 1 with “Squabble Up.” Mr. Lamar is back in full force, gentlemen. How do we feel about this album?
Damien Scott:Fire, in a word.
Carl Lamarre:Fire?
Damien Scott: Fire. Also, just straightforward rap. You know, just like … I know that PG, Dave and Kendrick love to be subversive, they love to just do what everyone is not expecting them to do, and I think this album is a great example of that. Every Kendrick album is like a grand affair. It has this big, huge meaning that has to get worked through.
Keep watching for more!
For K-pop girl group TWICE, the second go-round with Megan Thee Stallion is definitely two times dope. The nine-member group dropped their new seven-track mini-album Strategy on Friday (Dec. 6), along with the video for the title track featuring their latest collaboration with the “Hot Girl” rapper.
The brightly colored clip for the bouncy pop bop features members Jihyo, Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu striking sultry poses all around the city as they count down the step-by-step process of catching the eye of a love interest.
“Step one, do my highlight/ Make me shine so bright in the moonlight/ Step two, silhouette tight/ Baby, even my shadow looks good, right/ Step three, when I arrive/ Make you look my way with your heart eyes/ Step four, got you on the floor,” Chaeyoung, Mina, Dahyun and Sana sing as they pose and dance their way through shooting ranges and candy-colored downtown streets before the Houston rapper pops in for some real talk.
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“Do you like that?/ When I smack it and you watch it bounce it right back?/ He really lost it when he saw me do the right, left/ I’m a man eater, you just a light snack/ I got him pressed like he’s workin’ on his triceps,” Meg raps from a rooftop before she joins the rest of the crew to share more advice on her slam-dunk love attack strategy.
The JYP Entertainment group spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the follow-up to their appearance on the remix of Megan’s hit “Mamushi,” explaining why the MC’s persona fits their vibe.
“She has a powerful, strong image. We were wondering, would that fit in with our style of music and our image?” Jeongyeon told the magazine. “Once we recorded, we thought we actually fit really well, a lot better than we imagined. I feel like Megan’s style really enhanced our part of the music. When we were shooting the music video, Megan really wanted to learn Korean, so she kept saying like, ‘귀여운,’ which means cute. That ‘you’re very cute’ or ‘that’s really cute.’ She did a lot of Korean-style jokes and those hand hearts that Koreans do a lot to break the ice.”
The bubbly “Strategy”clip is also TWICE’s first to feature another artist, with Tzuyu saying the group’s members were initially “quite shy” about bringing Meg in because “she’s so famous and well-known… [but] Megan really tried a lot to break the ice. She kept trying to learn Korean and make jokes and just kept saying, ‘Let’s just have fun together.’ I feel like the music video turned out very well.”
Watch the “Strategy” video below.
Quavo has been showing off his versatility as an artist throughout 2024. He’s dipping back into his country bag while expressing his “Georgia Ways” alongside Luke Bryan and Teddy Swims.
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“Georgia Ways” arrived on Friday (Dec. 6), with the trio paying homage to their Peach State roots. An outdoors-themed visual accompanied the release, with Quavo, Luke and Teddy rumbling through the countryside participating in various activities.
“Magic City, tell a country boy what the hell that means,” Bryan inquisitively asks Quavo about the famous ATL jiggle joint to kick off the clip while casting their fishing rods into the pond.
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“In the South we ball, how about them Dawgs/ Waffle House, soaking up the alcohol/ Lemon pеpper, Magic City on a Monday,” Huncho raps on the track.
Draped in camouflage and Chrome Hearts pants, Quavo goes fishing, drives his quad around and heads to the barn with Bryan before inviting Swims into the fold. The Grammy-nominated “Lose Control” artist throws on his cowboy hat and performs from the bed of his pickup truck.
“G-E-O-R-G-I-A/ Where I B-E, baby, let me hear you say/ G-E-O-R-G-I-A/ A-Town stompin’ on that old red clay,” Swims sings.
“Georgia Ways” was initially debuted during the University of Georgia versus Georgia Tech football game last week, for which Quavo was in attendance. The SEC Championship will also be highlighting a clip from the visual during the conference championship game’s broadcast on ESPN on Saturday (Dec. 7).
It’s been a busy year for the Migos rapper, who could be setting up for another solo project in 2025. He previously notched collabs this year with Lana Del Rey, Lenny Kavitz, Yeat, Giggs, The Kid Laroi and more.
Watch the Wyatt Spain-directed video below.
Smino released his fourth studio album Maybe in Nirvana on Friday (Dec. 6) via his independent label Zero Fatigue. “I actually just said ‘maybe in nirvana’ in one of the songs — but honestly, it was an album I was being indecisive about putting out. And I was just like … when I’m in a […]
Stephen A. Smith has a message for Drake. During his YouTube series The Stephen A. Smith Show, the sports media personality revealed that the Toronto rapper may be upset with him about previous comments he made about his battle with Kendrick Lamar and that Drake should answer “Not Like Us” with a song instead of […]
Cam’ron has a new interview series entitled Talk With Flee and his first guest was his old foe 50 Cent and, of course, the conversation was entertaining. One of the topics they broached was that of an old friend of theirs in Jay-Z. Both have had hot and cold relationships with the Brooklyn rapper and […]
Fresh off an exciting NBA season that saw him lead the Boston Celtics to their 18th championship, Jaylen Brown is embracing new creative heights. The Finals MVP has been making waves both on and off the court, proving he’s more than just a basketball star. Known for his powerhouse presence on the hardwood, Brown recently showcased his versatility by dropping his debut single, “Just Do It,” featuring A$AP Ferg this past August. The track, he says, was born out of post-championship celebrations. “We were just vibing after the parade, freestyling, and decided to hit the studio,” Brown shared with Billboard. “It was celebration mode, and the song came naturally.”
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Though music might seem like a detour, Brown sees it as another way to express himself. “Basketball is poetry in motion, and music is just another form of that,” he continued, while drawing parallels between his passions. His laid-back yet poetic sound reflects a deep love for creativity that extends to his other ventures, including 741, his self-funded sneaker brand that began after Brown turned down over $50 million in endorsements from major sneaker companies.
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Brown also revealed to Billboard that this venture marks a deeper exploration into his creative side. Despite the complexities of the music industry, he’s open to future collaborations, naming artists like Burna Boy and Kanye West as inspirations.
But perhaps his most impactful work lies in his 7uice Foundation, where he addresses educational inequities in underrepresented communities. By introducing kids to STEM and STEAM opportunities, Brown aims to create lasting change. In a time when many athletes are diversifying their brands, Brown’s journey stands out for its depth and purpose. Whether through music, design, or philanthropy, he’s crafting a legacy that goes far beyond the hardwood.
In this exclusive interview with Billboard, Brown reflects on his journey, balancing basketball with his creative pursuits, and the driving mission behind his work: using his platform to inspire change while staying true to himself.
Your new song, “Just Do It,” with A$AP Ferg is a vibe. How did you guys link up for the track?
We were at dinner, just vibing after the parade. Ferg came down, and there was a Chris Brown concert that week. After dinner, we went straight to the studio and started freestyling. It just happened naturally.
Is this your entry into music and do you see yourself doing more?Part of me wants to say one and done. I’ve got tremendous respect for people in music, but learning about streaming, licensing, and samples—it’s a lot. The industry gave me a headache, but music allows me to express myself differently than basketball.
Why did you title it “Just Do It?”
It just fit. We’d just won a championship — that’s what we did. It’s my way of telling the haters I’m having a great time.
If you had to describe your sound in a few words, how would you define it?
Laid-back, chill, a little poetic. I grew up writing poetry, and that influences my sound. My voice has a deep tone, but it’s calm and reflective.
Who were some of your musical influences growing up?
Kanye, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, Kendrick, and Future are my top five. From an OG perspective, Tupac, Biggie, and OutKast were big for me too.
Did you ever see yourself making music as a career, or was your heart always set on basketball?
Never thought I’d make music, but I love it. It’s a good hobby — keeps you out of trouble. Winning the championship made me say, “Why not?”
Would you be open to more collaborations if the right opportunities came up? If you had more free time, I think people would love to hear more music from you.
Yeah, I’d love to work with people who inspire me — like Burna Boy, Chris Brown, Kanye. We’ll see. If we win another championship, I’ll definitely drop something.
Your 7uice Foundation is making a real impact. What’s its mission, and what kind of work are you most proud of?
We’re focused on education inequalities. I grew up in a household where education was non-negotiable—my mom and her family were all teachers. We expose kids from underrepresented communities to STEM and STEAM, helping them explore new opportunities.
You launched 741 as a self-funded, self-designed brand. Why bet on yourself instead of taking those $50 million endorsement deals?
I’ve been on a creative journey, from designing with Yeezy to starting my own brand. I wanted full control and to create solutions for athletes who face challenges in this space. It’s more than sneakers; it’s a platform for innovation.
What’s been the biggest challenge so far of designing your own brand?
Delays. From switching factories to fixing minor details, it’s been a learning curve. But every day, my team focuses on incremental growth.
You’ve also invested in Hapbee, a wellness tech company. What drew you to that space?
Wellness is essential as an athlete. Hapbee uses frequency technology to improve focus, sleep, and recovery without putting anything in your body. It’s cutting-edge, and it works. I use it all the time—it’s been a game changer for me.
With everything — basketball, music, 741, and tech — how do you balance it all?
Discipline. I stay focused, avoid distractions, and prioritize what matters. Getting good sleep, limiting accessibility, and remembering the legacy I want to leave keeps me grounded.
Ice-T is a multi-hyphenate already, but the gangsta rap legend might want to consider adding diplomat to his extensive resumé. On The Tonight Show on Wednesday (Dec. 4), Ice sat down with Jimmy Fallon to explain how he managed to get two of the most bitterly divided men in rock to finally agree on something.
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Falllon noted that the new Body Count album features a cover of Pink Floyd’s iconic 1979 song “Comfortably Numb,” which Ice-T somehow got clearance to record despite the rock band never granting such clearance due to the long-running animosity between former singer/lyricist/bassist Roger Waters and singer/guitarist David Gilmour.
“Not only David Gilmour, but David Gilmour and Roger Waters,” Ice-T confirmed. “Who haven’t agreed on anything in 20 years!” Explaining that rappers are always listening to old tracks to find something they can sample or rap over, Ice-T said he always loved Waters’ rumbling bass part on the original, so he wrote new lyrics to rap over the song from the landmark The Wall album.
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“We lay it out and then I just don’t think about the politics. So they go, ‘Okay, you gotta send this to Pink Floyd to get it approved,’ and everybody’s like, ‘That’s not gonna happen,’” he said. So, he sent it to the band’s publishers, who immediately said no, explaining that Pink Floyd doesn’t allow samples or covers. “So it was dead in the water, I was ready to trash the song,” he said of the update that features his new narrative about his fears for humanity’s future amid perpetual war and strife.
But then his manager found a way to reach Gilmour’s manager, who sent it along to his client, who was “blown away” by the new lyrics. “He said, ‘I totally approve it’” Ice-T told Fallon of the unexpected thumbs-up. Then, they had to get Waters’ approval, with Ice-T admitting that he had no idea what the origin is of the decades long beef between the two men.
So, Waters listened and asked who was singing on the track, and when he heard it was the rapper, he approved it as well. “So now you’ve got two people on opposites sides that approved the song, which made me feel really good, ’cause that means that the song is honest and real,” Ice-T said. Then came the cherry on top: Gilmour said he wanted to perform on the cover and appear in the video as well.
“Body Count’s version of ‘Comfortably Numb’ is quite radical, but the words really struck me,” said Gilmour, 78, in a statement about the new version featuring his guitar work when the single was released in September. “It astonishes me that a tune I wrote almost 50 years ago is back with this great new approach. They’ve made it relevant again. The initial contact from Ice-T was for permission to use the song, but I thought I might offer to play on it as well. I like the new lyrics, they’re talking about the world we’re living in now, which is quite scary.”
The rapper also told Fallon about celebrating daughter Chanel’s ninth birthday on Thanksgiving and described how his wife Coco “does all” the planning for the Christmas holiday. “If it wasn’t for her there wouldn’t be no holidays as far as Ice-T is concerned,” he said. Ice then dropped a stone cold fact that might get him in trouble with the Recording Academy.
“I won a Grammy recently and I’m like, ‘It didn’t come with no money, right? It’s just a Grammy,” he said of his 2021 best metal performance award for “Bum-Rush” from Body Count’s Carnivore album. “And then all my boys were like, ‘I want a Grammy!’ So I had to actually go make duplicate Grammys — I don’t even know if that’s okay, but I did it — and it cost me money to win the Grammy!”
The long-running Law & Order: Special Victims Unit co-star later returned for a performance of Body Count’s metal-edged cover of “Comfortably Numb,” filling the Tonight Show studio with the strains of their ominous take on the Pink Floyd classic. Bathed in green light, his eyes obscured behind black wrap-around shades, Ice sang/spoke the iconic “hello, hello, is anybody out there/ can anybody hear me?” over pealing guitars and down-tuned, rumbling bass.
Body Count’s cover appears on their eighth studio album, Merciless, which features collaborations with death metal howler Corpsegrinder, Light the Torch singer Howard Jones and Soulfly vocalist/guitarist Max Cavalera.
Watch Ice-T talk “Comfortably Numb” and perform on The Tonight Show below.