R&B/Hip-Hop
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Nominees: “Asteroids” (Marlanna Evans); “Carnival” (Jordan Carter, Raul Cubina, Grant Dickinson, Samuel Lindley, Nasir Pemberton, Dimitri Roger, Tyrone Griffin Jr., Kanye West, and Mark Carl Stolinski Williams); “Like That” (Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, Kobe Hood, Leland Wayne, and Nayvadius Wilburn); “Not Like Us” (Duckworth); “Yeah Glo!” (Ronnie Jackson, Jaucquez Lowe, Timothy McKibbins, Kevin Andre Price, Julius Rivera III, and Gloria Woods)
Analysis: Let’s be real, it would probably be the most shocking moment of the night if Lamar’s “Not Like Us” doesn’t take home best rap song and performance. A two-week Hot 100 chart-topper that transcended its beef origins and became a cultural anthem, “Not Like Us” is far and away the frontrunner here — even if it’s the subject of Drake’s explosive, ongoing lawsuit against UMG.
Lamar is also nominated here alongside Future, Metro Boomin, and Kobe “BbyKobe” Hood for writing “Like That,” the Hot 100 chart-topped that kicked his feud with Drake into high gear. Future has earned three previous nods in this category, but he’s lost each time. A victory for “Like That” would give Future and Metro their first wins here, and help Kendrick break a tie with Jay-Z to become the rapper with the second-most triumphs in this category (five).
But what if “Like That” and “Not Like Us” split votes? Perhaps, the Academy goes for somebody familiar like Ye (formerly Kanye West), who boasts the most nominations (17) and wins (seven) in this category’s history. Ye’s nomination comes from “Carnival,” his first Hot 100 chart-topper as a part of ¥$ (his duo with Ty Dolla $ign). With Playboi Carti and Rich the Kid in featured roles, a win for “Carnival” would reward hip-hop icons and new class alike.
Rapsody and GloRilla are looking to join Megan Thee Stallion as the only female rappers to win this category. This is Glo’s first nod in a songwriting category, and while “Yeah Glo!” was undoubtedly one of her defining hits from last year, she probably won’t be able to beat out the stiff competition here. Rapsody earned her first nomination here in 2018 with “Sassy.” This year, she’s represented by “Asteroids,” the only song in this category outside of “Not Like Us” to feature just one credited writer. While she was able to score an accompanying nod in best melodic rap performance, missing out on a best rap album nod for Please Don’t Cry signals some weakness in her rap field support.
Prediction: Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us”
Look Out For: Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar, “Like That”
Ana Navarro took aim at Snoop Dogg during Tuesday morning’s (Jan. 21) episode of The View, likening the rapper to a “trained seal” after he performed at a pro-Donald Trump event during inauguration weekend. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The host, who is both a GOP Republican […]
Lil Wayne might be one of Travis Kelce‘s favorite musicians, but the Kansas City Chiefs definitely aren’t topping any of the rapper’s lists right now — but the tight end is taking it in stride.
In a pair of posts on X Saturday (Jan. 18), Wayne accused the reigning Super Bowl champions — who that day bested the Houston Texans 23-14 — of cheating during games. “I hate the cheating azz chiefs,” the “Lollipop” musician wrote, followed by, “It’s not even impressive when u cheat and then clearly try to cheat … Just win baby.”
Four days later, Travis — who’s previously been open about his love for Lil Wayne and invited the hip-hop star to headline his Kelce Jam festival last year — reacted to the slight on his New Heights podcast. In the episode posted Wednesday (Jan. 22), the Grotesquerie star’s cohost and older brother, Jason Kelce, was the first to bring up the subject, saying, “I’m sure you saw some of this, but [people] were complaining about the refs again, Trav.”
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“Even Lil Wayne,” continued the former Philadelphia Eagles center before reading the rapper’s first tweet — which prompted Travis to burst out laughing.
“Shout out to Tunechi, man,” the Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? host then said, a big smile on his face.
The rapper’s comments come about eight months after Wayne headlined Travis’ second Kelce Jam music festival in Kansas City, which celebrated the Chiefs’ second Super Bowl win in a row. In an interview with Billboard leading up to the event, the football player called the musician “one of my favorites since I was in high school.”
At one point during the festival, Travis joined Wayne on stage with co-headliner 2 Chainz and held up the Lombardi trophy. While at the event, the tight end also raved about Tunechi’s music to Billboard, gushing, “I’m a huge mixtape era guy. ‘Duffle Bag Boy’ is like one of my favorite songs of all time. I have it on my gameday playlists and everything.”
The Chiefs now have one game standing between them and a third Super Bowl in a row, with Kansas City preparing to face off against the Buffalo Bills at the AFC Championships Sunday (Jan. 26). Throughout the 2024-25 season, some NFL fans have accused referees of giving the Patrick Mahomes-led team special treatment, with one roughing the passer penalty on Houston at the Chiefs-Texans game in particular reigniting those claims Saturday.
Watch the latest episode of New Heights above, and see Wayne’s posts below.
I hate the cheating azz chiefs— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) January 18, 2025
It’s not even impressive when u cheat and then clearly try to cheat. Just win baby— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) January 18, 2025
2025 is only three weeks old and the rap world is in full-swing. Outside of the headlines, album and single releases are starting to pick up once again while the United States heads into a new era with Donald Trump back in the Oval Office.
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As Diddy remains behind bars awaiting the start of his trial, Hollywood has already started peeling back the layers on his downfall. Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy shook up Peacock with the documentary’s arrival last week.
LiAngelo Ball’s “Tweaker” gave hip-hop its first breakout hit of 2025 (debuting at No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100) while Lil Baby’s WHAM album beat out Bad Bunny for the top slot on last week’s Billboard 200.
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All eyes will be on the Grammy Awards and Kendrick Lamar’s anticipated Super Bowl Halftime Show this February, as fans are particularly counting down the days until Lamar hits the stage in New Orleans.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Joey Bada$$’s continued shots at the West Coast to Jorjiana’s spin on elevator trap. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Jorjiana, “Elevator Spaghetti”
Jorjiana is an acquired taste, but buy stock now before it’s too late. She carves out her own niche sub-genre of trap elevator music with the smooth “Elevator Spaghetti.” This is what we need playing in our office elevators going forward. The Indiana native’s flow has a Midwest drawl, but her style leans more toward elements of the DMV scene. While Jorjiana’s freestyles have caught fire on social media, her bars are still as direct as they come. “I’m bubbly as hell but I don’t drink pop,” she boasts over the samba jazz instrumental. As someone on YouTube crowned her, Atlanta Del Rey is here. – MICHAEL SAPONARA
Joey Bada$$, “Sorry Not Sorry”
Joey Bada$$ and Conductor Williams are 2/2 in 2025. The Brooklyn titan continues to represent for the East Coast while poking at the West. “N—-s Wit Attitude mad I’m bigging up my city, that’s something I had to do,” he spews. JB even delivers a possible swipe at J. Cole for exiting stage right from the Kendrick Lamar and Drake feud while he’s ready to stand 10 toes down with more heat on the way. ”Might Deletе Later, I know damn sure that Joey won’t,” Joey raps. He even compares himself to being a combination of Biggie and 2Pac. If “The Ruler’s Back” was a warning shot, the sequel should have the alarms blaring. — M.S.
Jagged Edge, “Just Might Get It”
It’s 2025 and Jagged Edge is still doing the damn thing. Before hitting the road in March to celebrate 25 years of the R&B legends’ 1999 J.E. Heartbreak album, the Atlanta crew sets the stage for their upcoming 11th studio LP with the soulful “Just Might Get It.” Penned by founding member Brandon Casey, the moral of the song is essentially saying to be careful what you ask for, because you “Just Might Get It.” While the sultry track showcases the group’s evolution and maturity, the single doesn’t stray far from their signature R&B sound. Fans can purchase Jagged Edge’s All Original Parts Vol. 1 directly on Jan. 31 before it heads to streaming services. – M.S.
NLE Choppa & Imagine Dragons, “Dare U”
Nobody has NLE Choppa and Imagine Dragons joining forces for an explosive collaboration on their 2025 bingo card. Well, LiAngelo Ball delivered rap’s first hit of the year, so it seems to be another unpredictable campaign. Choppa called teaming up with the band a “dream come true” as they pushed him to tap into another side of his artistry. “Who got the most heart? I’ma show something,” he promises before passing the baton back to Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds. – M.S.
4Fargo & Eric Bellinger, “Your Love Is Gold”
4Fargo kicks off 2025 with his new single “Your Love Is Gold,” a heartfelt collaboration with none other than R&B powerhouse Eric Bellinger. The track dives into themes of deep appreciation, commitment, and the priceless value of a genuine relationship. Comparing love to gold — a symbol of beauty and lasting worth — 4Fargo and Bellinger express their devotion and admiration for a love they see as rare and irreplaceable. Lines like “You’re the prize, you don’t need no contestants” and “She authentic, I don’t need to see no proof” highlight unwavering trust, while “I’ll put you up somewhere safe” conveys a desire to protect their bond from outside influences. With smooth vocals and heartfelt lyrics, “Your Love Is Gold” is a soulful celebration of love’s enduring value. – C.C.
Bryant Barnes, “Why Can’t You”
19-year-old rising singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Bryant Barnes is proving unstoppable with the release of his deeply personal track, “Why Can’t You.” The heartfelt song dives into themes of unrequited love, longing, and emotional vulnerability. Barnes explores the painful reality of loving someone who doesn’t feel the same, with the repeated plea “Why can’t you be in love?” echoing his frustration and confusion. The track touches on feelings of loneliness and the fear of a future without love, expressed in the line “I don’t wanna be alone for the rest of my life.” Balancing hope and heartbreak, “Why Can’t You” captures the universal struggle of holding on to a love that may never be returned. – C.C.
THEY., “Choosin’”
R&B duo THEY. seems to be having a hard time with love. The pair dives into the complexities of love and success in latest track “Choosin’.” The song delves into themes of superficial relationships, trust issues, and the fast-paced lifestyle that often comes with fame. Through lyrics like “She don’t really love me, she just want the money,” the duo captures the frustration of feeling desired for status rather than true connection. The recurring term “choosin’” reflects a culture of opportunism, where love is secondary to material gain. Despite recognizing the transactional nature of their relationships, the protagonist finds themselves caught in a cycle of luxury, nightlife, and fleeting romance — painted vividly through references to flashy cars, champagne and the allure of the fast life. – C.C.
Ye — formerly known as Kanye West — is returning to womenswear. The rapper teased early samples of his YZY women’s clothing line with an explosive post to his Instagram Story on Tuesday (Jan. 21). Yeezy teased the first black bodysuit, which is quite revealing. West’s wife Bianca Censori was actually spotted rocking the YZY […]
It’s well known that SZA and Drake dated way back when — but is the Certified Lover Boy a good kisser? That’s what Keke Palmer set out to uncover on First We Feast’s latest episode of Hot Ones Versus posted Tuesday (Jan. 21). While taking on the spicy-wing challenge alongside Issa Rae, the Nope actress […]
Central Cee shared the tracklist for his long-awaited debut album Can’t Rush Greatness on Tuesday (Jan. 21), days ahead of its release via CC4L and Columbia Records. The 17-track LP features previously released singles “BAND4BAND,” featuring Lil Baby, “Gen Z Luv” and “GBP,” featuring 21 Savage. “BAND4BAND” hit No. 1 on the U.K. Hip-Hop and […]
Metro Boomin has revealed that he’s currently working on Young Thug‘s album — which will be the rapper’s first since being released from jail in November after spending more than 900 days in custody. The St. Louis producer made the revelation on his Instagram Story while also seemingly addressing the alleged news that his rental […]
A$AP Rocky declined a final plea deal offer from prosecutors as jury selection kicked off in Los Angeles on Tuesday (Jan. 21) in his 2021 shooting case. Per The Associated Press, prosecutors offered the Harlem native — born Rakim Mayers — 180 days in jail as part of a deal that would see him plead […]
Andra Day, Nick Cannon and Mario were among the lineup of stars who helped raise funds on behalf of Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts at the 1500 Day Benefit Concert. This year, 1500 or Nothin’ — the Grammy-winning creative collective behind projects by Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, Usher and others — partnered with the City of […]