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Alexander Gumuchian, aka bbno$, always felt called to help people. After his initial dream of professional swimming ended, he wanted to become a chiropractor. The Vancouver, B.C., native did graduate with a degree in kinesiology, but solidified his future in music upon completing his education. Since, successful albums like recess, eat ya veggies, and most recently, bag or die have earned the 27-year-old agency to fulfill his original purpose — both in his music and in giving back to his community. “I’m definitely helping more people than I ever could have touched,” he says.
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Foundation
Growing up home-schooled by his mother, bbno$ was encouraged to learn how to read music and play piano. In 2008, as a young teenager, his brother’s friend suggested music production, too. But it wasn’t until high school, when he broke his back and derailed his aspirations of professional swimming, that he considered it. Soon enough, playing around with AutoTune during a casual hang with a friend led to an “epiphany” for bbno$ — and helped ease his depression following the injury. “I wish I had started earlier,” he says, “because I didn’t know there was this much fun in creating.”
Discovery
While studying at the University of British Columbia in 2017, bbno$ started writing two songs a day and releasing one a week. The momentum, he says, was fueled by the success of his now-friend and collaborator Yung Gravy, who bbno$ initially cold DM’d. (The two have since created two full projects and numerous singles together, including recent releases “touch grass” and “C’est La Vie.”) “I was like, ‘I’m going to spend every breathing moment trying to make [music] work.’ ” The payoff came two years later, when he released his cheeky, melodic rap single “Lalala” with producer Y2K on his college graduation day. By the summer of 2019, it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 21 weeks on the chart, peaking at No. 55. The song’s success earned him five record deal offers, though he ultimately remained independent.
Future
“My financial adviser just told me I am essentially rich forever,” says bbno$, who in October released his seventh project since 2018, bag or die. He’s now thinking about his impact beyond music, including a desire to create a nonprofit organization on the downtown east side of Vancouver to combat the city’s opioid crisis. But don’t expect his output to slow: He’s already working on music for next year, starting with a project full of ballads that he hopes will draw in listeners outside of his current fan base. His 2023 goal, he says, is simple: “Drop as much music as I humanly can.”
This story will appear in the Nov. 5, 2022, issue of Billboard.
The hip-hop world is reeling from the loss of Migos rapper Takeoff, who was killed during an early morning shooting on Tuesday in Houston. And while police are still on the hunt for the shooter in the incident, Drake took a few moments on the night of the album release for his 21 Savage collab album Her Loss to eulogize his fallen comrade.
“Before I get into the pleasantries, I’d just like to send our deepest condolences from the family to the entire QC, to our brother Quavo, to our brother Offset, to the friends and loved ones of the legendary, unprecedented Takeoff — a guy that I knew for a long, long time,” Drake said in the open of his Table For One show on Drizzy’s Sound42 SiriusXM channel on Thursday night.
The OVO boss nodded to the remix of the Migos 2013 debut single, “Versace,” that he was featured on as the origin story of their close connection before emotionally diving deeper into their bond. “And from there, you know, we formed a brotherhood. I always talk about the fact that this was one family. My friends in the music industry are not friends, they’re family,” he said. “So, our deepest condolences — tragic loss for all of us and, you know, a dark cloud over this business that we love so much.”
Takeoff (born Kirsnick Khari Ball), 28 was killed after suffering gunshot wounds to the head and torso early Tuesday at downtown Houston’s 810 Billiards & Bowling while hanging with uncle and Migos bandmate Quavo when investigators say shots rang out during an afterparty. Takeoff was pronounced dead at the scene, and two other victims — a 23-year-old male and 24-year-old female — checked themselves into a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. At press time police had not yet announced a suspect in the case.
In his eulogy, Drake encouraged everyone to “lock into” a mindset of honoring life as he became the latest in a long list of fellow musicians paying homage to the man considered by many to be the musical heartbeat of the Atlanta-bred trio. “It’s a life that’s worth living, and everybody deserves that chance,” Drake said. “It’s unfortunate that one of our dear, dear brothers had to leave us this week. And it’s tough to even talk about, I don’t even know how to really — I don’t have the words, I feel like I’m rambling, but, yeah… Again, our deepest condolences from the family. We love you, and I appreciate the memories, appreciate the memories.”
The tribute came two days after Drake posted a picture of him on stage with Takeoff, writing, “I got the best memories of all of us seeing the world together and bringing light to every city we touch. That’s what I’ll focus on for now rest easy space man Take 🚀.”
Charlamagne Tha God also had thoughtful words for Takeoff during an episode of his Comedy Central talk show Hell of a Week, where he took a minute to give the MC his flowers while noting that he was much more than just a rapper. “He was a rapper but that man is a human, and a son, and a nephew, and a friend and we’re mourning the fact that we won’t ever get any more new music from Takeoff, but his family is mourning the fact they won’t see Takeoff at Thanksgiving this year,” Charlamagne said. “Rest in power, king.”
Listen to Drake and Charlamagne below.
Proud, proud family! Beyoncé shared a look at her family’s epic Halloween costumes on Thursday (Nov. 3), with her entire brood dressed up as characters from Disney Channel’s The Proud Family.
In the photo, Queen Bey does double duty as Suga Mama and Trudy Proud, while Blue Ivy Carter is a real-life doppelgänger for middle schooler Penny Proud. Meanwhile, Jay-Z does his best Oscar Proud impression — suspenders and all — while wrangling 5-year-old twins Sir and Rumi as BeBe and CeCe Proud.
The superstar and her Destiny’s Child bandmates — Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams — famously served backing vocals for her younger sister Solange on the beloved Zoog Disney-era sitcom’s original theme song back in 2001.
However, the network opted to enlist rising R&B singer Joyce Wrice to remake the bop for the 2021 Disney+ revival The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, which brought back original stars Kyla Pratt, Paula Jai Parker, Soleil Moon Frye, Karen Malina White, Jo Marie Payton, Alisa Reyes and Tommy Davidson, along with new characters voiced by Zachary Quinto, Billy Porter, Keke Palmer, A Boogie with da Hoodie and more.
Recently, the “Alien Superstar” singer also posted a few behind-the-scenes looks on social media of the custom Gucci gown she wore to the 2022 Wearable Art Gala organized by her mother, Tina Knowles-Lawson. During the event’s lively auction, Blue Ivy got into a bidding war over a pair of Lorraine Schwartz diamonds once worn by the superstar, and Bey seemingly confirmed an upcoming world tour in support of her latest album Renaissance by auctioning off a VIP ticket package for the show of the highest bidder’s choice.
Get a look at the Carters as The Proud Family below.
Drake and 21 Savage’s “Jimmy Cooks” collaboration conquers two more Billboard radio charts this week with coronations on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and Rap Airplay lists. Though the song arrived in June, promotional efforts have ramped up in recent weeks, with the song’s official music video release on Oct. 22 and the pair’s joint album, Her Loss, released Friday (Nov. 4). (“Cooks” does not appear on the album.)
“Jimmy Cooks” jumps 5-1 to crown Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay following a 9% increase in plays that made it the most-played song on U.S. monitored mainstream R&B/hip-hop radio stations in the week ending Oct. 30, according to Luminate. With the leap, Drake replaces himself at No. 1 for a seventh time in his career, as “Jimmy” ousts Future’s “Wait for U,” featuring himself and Tems, from the top slot.
Here’s a rundown of Drake’s seven exchanges at the summit:
Drake’s Self-Replacements at No. 1 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay
“Make Me Proud,” featuring Nicki Minaj, replaced by “The Motto,” featuring Lil Wayne, March 3, 2012
“ Tuesday,” ILOVEMAKONNEN featuring Drake, replaced by “Only,” Nicki Minaj featuring Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown, Jan. 10, 2015
“For Free,” DJ Khaled featuring Drake, replaced by “Controlla” Aug. 27, 2016
“God’s Plan,” replaced by “Look Alive,” BlocBoy JB featuring Drake, April 28, 2018
“Look Alive,” BlocBoy JB featuring Drake, replaced by “Nice for What,” May 19, 2018
“In My Feelings,” replaced by “Yes Indeed,” with Lil Baby, Aug. 25, 2018
“Wait for U,” Future featuring Tems & Drake, replaced by “Jimmy Cooks,” featuring 21 Savage, Nov. 5, 2022
Overall, “Jimmy Cooks” secures Drake’s record-extending 43rd No. 1 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay. He’s clear and away the leader, with more than double the champs of second-place Lil Wayne (20), with Chris Brown (17) in third.
Featured artist 21 Savage, meanwhile, acquires his third No. 1 on the radio list. He previously ruled through a guest spot on Post Malone’s one-week champ, “Rockstar,” in 2017, and again for a week with his own “A Lot” in 2019.
Over on Rap Airplay, “Jimmy Cooks” climbs from No. 2 following a 5% bump in registered audience in the week ending Oct. 30. The new champ gives 21 Savage his second Rap Airplay No. 1, after “Rockstar.” Drake lands a record-extending 39th song to reach No. 1, and as “Jimmy Cooks” dethrones “Wait for U,” a remarkable 12th time knocking himself from the top slot. Here’s the dozen count:
Drake’s Self-Replacements at No. 1 on Rap Airplay
“Fancy,” featuring T.I. & Swizz Beatz, replaced by “Right Above It,” Lil Wayne featuring Drake, Nov. 6, 2010
“I’m on One,” DJ Khaled featuring Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne, replaced by “Headlines,” Oct. 15, 2011
“Make Me Proud,” featuring Nicki Minaj, replaced by “The Motto,” featuring Lil Wayne, Feb. 18, 2012
“No Lie,” 2 Chainz featuring Drake, replaced by “Pop That,” French Montana featuring Rick Ross, Drake & Lil Wayne, Oct. 20, 2012
“F**kin Problems,” A$AP Rocky featuring Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar, replaced by “Started by the Bottom,” April 6, 2013
“Only,” Nicki Minaj featuring Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown, replaced by “Truffle Butter,” Nicki Minaj featuring Drake & Lil Wayne, three, Feb. 21, 2015
“Hotline Bling,” replaced by “Jumpman,” with Future, Jan. 23, 2016
“Controlla,” replaced by “For Free,” DJ Khaled featuring Drake, Sept. 10, 2016
“God’s Plan” replaced by “Look Alive,” BlocBoy JB featuring Drake, May 5, 2018
“Look Alive,” BlocBoy JB featuring Drake, replaced by “Nice for What,” May 19, 2018
“Way 2 Sexy,” featuring Future & Young Thug, replaced by “Girls Want Girls,” featuring Lil Baby, Nov. 27, 2021
“Wait for U,” Future featuring Drake & Tems, replaced by “Jimmy Cooks,” featuring 21 Savage, Nov. 5, 2022
Plus, two other Drake-related tracks have also been direct successors at No. 1 on Rap Airplay. The Young Money collective track “Bedrock,” featuring Lloyd, in which Drake delivers one of six verses from the imprint’s roster yielded to Timbaland’s “Say Something,” featuring Drake, in March 2010. And in October 2018, “Nonstop” ceded to Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode,” which also featured uncredited vocals from the superstar.
Season two of Samsung and Billboard’s NXT singing competition has selected its talented dozen to compete for the crown — and the first challenge has been revealed.
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On Friday (November 4), Flo Milli was announced as the second mentor in the singing face-off, where the rising rap star shared details for the kickoff challenge in the competition. “I’m so excited that I’ll be a mentor for Samsung NXT, a competition in search for the next great unsigned artist. 12 contestants have been chosen to compete for a grand prize,” the star told viewers in an announcement video. “For the first challenge, the contestants will have to perform their own version of the same song. Get creative using your Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and your Galaxy Buds2 Pro.” For the dedicated song, the dozen will have to put their own spin on BTS’ “Butter,” to which they’ll be ranked on a specialty Billboard chart.
Flo Milli follows Mariah Angeliq as the second mentor in the singing contest. A third mentor will be revealed as the competition marches on in the coming months. The mentors will share their expertise with the final three contenders ahead of a grand finale in Los Angeles in 2023 and the stakes are high. The winner of Samsung and Billboard’s NXT 2.0 competition will win a special digital Billboard cover opportunity, a meeting with a record label, studio time to record their first single, funding for a music video and tickets to the 2023 Billboard Music Awards.
“As an artist, I understand the importance of having community, mentorship and support coming into this business,” the rap star said in a statement. “I’m excited to be a mentor for the Billboard x Samsung competition. My number one goal is to give someone the knowledge and support that’s needed to take their dreams and aspirations to the next level.”
Earlier this week, the 12 contestants were unveiled to the public, with representation from 10 different states. Click here for more updates on Samsung and Billboard’s NXT 2.0 singing competition!
If you want even more from Flo, make sure you check her out at Billboard Live: R&B/Hip-Hop at Academy LA in Los Angeles on November 17. The evening will be devoted to female rap and see the star open up for City Girls as part of the the first consumer event to celebrate the unveiling of Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players list and issue honoring executives across the business. Tickets to the Billboard Live: R&B/Hip-Hop event are on sale now.
Trailblazing Black women in entertainment will be celebrated with an annual ceremony, the Give Her FlowHERS Awards Gala, Billboard can exclusively reveal.
An initiative of Femme It Forward, the Give Her FlowHERS Awards is set for next Friday, Nov. 11 at the Beverly Hilton Los Angeles, with funds raised on the night supporting Femme It Forward’s mentorship program, Next Gem Femme.
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Femme It Forward, the female-led music and entertainment platform, launches the event to fete trailblazing Black women in entertainment who “empower, uplift, and inspire change.”
First-time Special Awards honorees include breakthrough hip-hop star Latto (“The Big Femme Energy Award”); songwriter and artist Jozzy (“The Pen It Forward Award”), R&B singer and songwriter Muni Long (“The Bloom Award”); Lashon Jones, mother of rapper Lil Baby (“Moms I’d Like to Follow” or M.I.L.F. Award); singer-songwriter Victoria Monet (“The Visionary Award”); and high-profile couple Ciara and Russell Wilson (“The Black Love Award”)
Also, organizers will today announce honorees who have made “an invaluable impact as mentors” as part of the Next Gem Femme program. The list of 22 mentors to be honored — as voted on by their mentees — includes Baroline Diaz (Interscope), Dimplez Ijeoma (Capitol Music Group), Madeline Nelson (Amazon Music), Nicole Wyskoarko (Interscope Geffen A&M), Valeisha Butterfield Jones (Google), Alex Maxwell (Live Nation) and Diana Dotel (MTW), among others.
Emerging artists will also get time in the spotlight on the night, from Baby Tate, Mapy The Violin Queen, Joyce Wrice and Alex Vaughn, while Jasmine Solano is booked to DJ at the afterparty.
The gala “is a realization of the work we do year-round with Femme It Forward to champion, empower, and celebrate the women who are pushing our culture forward every day,” comments Heather Lowery, president and CEO of Femme It Forward.
Lowery and her team “wanted to take it a step beyond a traditional awards show and create a special experience that truly represents everything our culture is about: family, love, sisterhood, entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and artistic brilliance,” she continues.
Initially launched under the Live Nation Urban banner, Femme It Forward is now a joint venture with parent Live Nation Entertainment. Its mission, to celebrate, educate, and empower the industry’s “most creative and accomplished female visionaries through multi-format, multi-market consumer experiences,” according to a statement.
Additional details for the inaugural gala will be announced ahead of showtime.
Visit GiveHerFlowHERS.com for more and buy tickets at femmeitforward.com/gala.
Megan Thee Stallion wasted no time Friday morning (Nov. 4) calling out Drake for a line from his new song “Circo Loco.” Shortly after Drizzy and 21 Savage‘s Her Loss joint album dropped, Meg took to Twitter to air out her feelings about the 6 God seemingly suggesting in a “Loco” lyric that the Houston rapper lied about allegedly getting shot by Tory Lanez.
“This b—h lie ’bout getting shots, but she still a stallion/ She don’t even get the joke/ But she still smiling,” Drake raps on the song, in which he doesn’t mention Meg by name. He then appears to double-down a short time later with the line, “Shorty say she graduated, she ain’t learn enough/ Play your album, track one, ‘kay, I heard enough.”
Megan graduated from Texas Southern University in 2021 and in a June interview she talked about the excruciating, lengthy recovery she went through from the physical and emotional injuries from the July 2020 incident in which Lanez allegedly shot her in the feet after an argument. During a CBS Mornings interview in April, Megan reaffirmed testimony she gave during a pre-trial hearing in December 2021 that Lanez yelled “Dance, bitch!” as he opened fire around her feet. Lanez was charged with one felony count of assault with a semiautomatic weapon and another count of carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle; Lanez has pleaded not guilty and a trail is set to begin on Nov. 28.
“Stop using my shooting for clout b–h ass N—-s! Since when tf is it cool to joke abt women getting shot !,” she tweeted early Friday morning in a series of heated comments which did not call out Drake by name, but which appeared to be a reaction to the “Loco” lines, which The Daily Beast described as a “vile, misogynistic” attack. “You n—-s especially RAP N—-S ARE LAME! Ready to boycott bout shoes and clothes but dog pile on a black woman when she say one of y’all homeboys abused her.” At press time a spokesperson for Drake had not returned requests for comment.
Megan kept going, adding, “People attack me y’all go up for it , i defend myself now I’m doing too much … every time it never ends and this did NOT happen until I came out and said I got shot … y’all don’t fwm okay cool f–k it bye,” she wrote after opening the tweet spree with a hard shot at people who don’t believe women, noting that “a stallion is slang for a TALL THICK WOMAN.”
“I know I’m very popular but y’all gotta stop attaching weak ass conspiracy theories in bars to my name lol N—-s nor hoes EVER address me or @ me WITH a fact or receipts. I AM CLOUT B—H keep sucking my p–y.” She continued weighing in with another a few additional comments, including a warning that the truth will be revealed in court.
“And when the mf facts come out remember all y’all hoe ass favorite rappers that stood behind a N—a that SHOT A FEMALE,” she wrote. At press time it did not appear that Drake had responded to Megan’s tweets.
See Megan’s tweets below.
I know I’m very popular but y’all gotta stop attaching weak ass conspiracy theories in bars to my name lol Niggas nor hoes EVER address me or @ me WITH a fact or receipts. I AM CLOUT BITCH keep sucking my pussy— TINA SNOW (@theestallion) November 4, 2022
Stop using my shooting for clout bitch ass Niggas! Since when tf is it cool to joke abt women getting shot ! You niggas especially RAP NIGGAS ARE LAME! Ready to boycott bout shoes and clothes but dog pile on a black woman when she say one of y’all homeboys abused her— TINA SNOW (@theestallion) November 4, 2022
And when the mf facts come out remember all y’all hoe ass favorite rappers that stood behind a Nigga that SHOT A FEMALE— TINA SNOW (@theestallion) November 4, 2022
People attack me y’all go up for it , i defend myself now I’m doing too much … every time it never ends and this did NOT happen until I came out and said I got shot … y’all don’t fwm okay cool fuck it bye— TINA SNOW (@theestallion) November 4, 2022
People attack me y’all go up for it , i defend myself now I’m doing too much … every time it never ends and this did NOT happen until I came out and said I got shot … y’all don’t fwm okay cool fuck it bye— TINA SNOW (@theestallion) November 4, 2022
Drake and 21 Savage delivered their anticipated Her Loss joint project after a week’s delay on Friday (Nov. 4).
After teaming up for Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “Jimmy Cooks” to close out Drizzy’s Honestly, Nevermind album earlier this year, the “Knife Talk” duo decided to go ahead with a full collab album.
It’s been a deceiving yet fascinating rollout for Her Loss as Drake and 21 cooked up a fake Vogue magazine and teased a Tiny Desk Concert that won’t be debuting on NPR anytime soon. The 6 God even joked about his porn fetishes in a sham interview with radio legend Howard Stern, which led to his bizarre hentai posts on his Instagram Story hours before showtime.
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Drake is certainly no stranger to the art of collaboration as he’s been dishing out assists like an NBA point guard for more than a decade. Her Loss is a rollercoaster ride, boasting 16 tracks with a lone credited guest appearance sprinkled in from Travis Scott.
Pour up and run through our song rankings below.
16. “Privileged Rappers”
Being a “privileged rapper” is a label Drake is tired of hearing about. He calls out those walking around the industry with their head high even though they haven’t made a hit in years while 21 uses his 16 bars to get raunchy about a certain love interest. Either way, this isn’t going to be anyone’s favorite record.
15. “Treacherous Twins”
There’s not enough bromance in rap. The Atlanta-bred rhymer and Drake show love to each other as “Treacherous Twins” — or they might be talking about other people altogether. Regardless, there are times when simplicity wins. That was the case for 21 Savage when he gets off a cheeky bar about how he never gets ID’d at night clubs because they already know he’s 21.
14. “Hours In Silence”
The pace is slowed down for a six-minute intermissions of sorts. Drake refills his glass of wine and recalls some of his mishaps in romantic encounters. “Hours in Silence” finds Drizzy running into the same toxic women issues that plagued him on Take Care while essentially boxing 21 Savage out of the marathon. Whether it’s the regret of buying her a Rolex or even a condo within the first month, that’s simply a reality most listeners can’t relate to.
13. “Broke Boys”
21 Savage finally gets the best of Drizzy on a record by a unanimous decision. The “Sneakin” duo won’t talk to broke boys, but unfortunately for fans, that’s about 99.99 percent of listeners compared to Drake and 21. They both flip the middle finger to adidas while proudly wearing their Nike stripes, which should make Kanye happy. “Broke Boys” sits toward the back of the line when it comes to album favorites though.
12. “I Guess It’s F–k Me”
First off, what a song title for a worthy album closer. Drake is always calculated and precise with what message he wants to leave fans with before heading into the next era of music. Here, Drizzy gets evocative about a certified lover girl where he painfully admits at times he has no choice but to avoid the truth even if that’s followed up with a flex about how his Air Drake plane couldn’t even land in the small Hamptons airport. “Truth or dare, I’ma take a double dare/ Truth is a suicide/ I would rather live a lie, keep you on the outside,” he raps.
11. “Pussy & Millions”
The solo credited feature comes to the rescue on “Pussy & Millions” giving the album a different texture thanks to the Houston rager. Travis Scott heats up while leaving fans feigning for more as UTOPIA‘s landing shortly awaits.
10. “More M’s”
Metro Boomin’ reuniting with 21 Savage is always a dangerous yet welcomed combination. “More M’s” adds to the list of Metro-21-Drake collabs that includes “No Complaints” and “Mr. Right Now.” The 6 God invades the beat “skating like a Montreal Canadien.” Drake confidently claims a Verzuz match with his catalog is an unfair advantage as no opponent is worthy of his time.
9. “Jumbotron S–t Poppin”
Drake on a F1LTHY beat is the upset of the year. Although, Drizzy doesn’t embarrass himself while trying to find his pocket inside the distorted sound where the likes of Playboi Carti and Destroy Lonely call home. We’re even letting Drake get away with referring to himself as a Vamp at 36 years old because he’s the 6 God.
8. “Major Distribution”
Drizzy’s pompous singing about success leads the listener astray before the dark beat makes a hard left turn off the road. The OVO boss stick shifts up a gear and tries to match the acceleration with the fastest he’s rapped all year. He hands the baton to 21 for one of his more forgettable verses on the album outside of somehow name-dropping NBA players Steve Francis and Andrew Wiggins in back-to-back bars.
One of the many headline-snatching lyrics comes when Drake references a beautiful girl trying to rap, but he’s not impressed “She a 10 tryna rap, it’s good on mute,” he admits. Many fans tried to connect the dots to emerging “Munch” rapper Ice Spice, whom Drake unfollowed on Instagram after an initial meet-up in the 6. The first solo venture is a bullseye for Drizzy.
7. “Spin Bout U”
While Her Loss might be the album title, Drizzy stands up for women while jabbing U.S. politicians fumbling decisions about their reproductive rights. He then flexes on broke boys who can’t get reservations at Italian hotspot Carbone while he’s got the last table any night.
Savage also gives out free game when admitting he asks girls for their “Finstas” to find out who they really are instead of their actual Instagram accounts. However, it’s almost halftime and Drake has shined while bringing 21 along for the ride to this point of the album.
6. “On BS”
The tag-team champions pass the baton back-and-forth with one looking to outdo the other. The braggadocios rhymes reach a crescendo when the Slaughter Gang CEO and Drake flex about their feature prowess. 21 admits he has no issue turning someone else’s song into his own while the 6 God boasts about how his simple presence will have labels blowing up an artist’s phone.
“I jump on your song and make you sound like you the feature,” 21 raps over OZ’s ethereal production before Drizzy hops in. “I jump on your song and make a label think they need ya, for real!”
5. “Backoutsideboyz”
Lil Yachty tags in for 21 and provides ad-libs across the horn-tinged record. Drake is back to his bragging ways while simultaneously second-guessing his romance decisions. It’s rare to hear the king of Canada comment on politics where he admits he’s never voted, but if he did adult film star Teanna Trump has his ballot.
4. “3 AM On Glenwood”
With Drake not breathing down his neck, 21 Savage enjoys another bona fide moment defining Her Loss. It’s usually Drizzy blacking out over pitched-up samples, but 21 shows that two can play this game as he took a page out of the 6 God’s book by making use of a time stamp song title, which is usually reserved as a Drake specialty, but the OVO captain even had to be impressed.
21 displays his matured lyrical sparring ability with Steph Curry and Stephon Marbury references and then disses Mase’s artist relations. He even gets candid about turning to Kim Kardashian to get his brother out of jail while taking listeners on a journey of what’s going on in his turbulent life.
3. “Rich Flex”
Drake takes his intros very seriously and he and 21 don’t miss here by setting the tone for the project. The 6 God steals the show on the menacing Tay Keith beat switch in the second half where Drake interpolates T.I.’s classic “24’s” flow while flexing on the industry, which he then shrewdly flips into an homage to the late great Kobe Bryant.
2. “Middle of the Ocean”
This is peak Drake in his Goyard bag. A pitched-up sample and plenty of space to breathe — just give Drizzy enough room on the tarmac to take off like LeBron James in 2008. Drake opens up about his opulent life of luxury eating food most people can’t even pronounce and in the same sentence takes a snipe at Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, letting him know they still got beef. That’s the type of versatility lacking in hip-hop.
He even checks the box for hip-hop nerds with the shrewd AZ and Nas “Mo Money, Mo Murder” sample. Isn’t that what Drake does? He checks every box as a rapper. Receiving a Birdman TED talk was a nice touch for the outro too.
1. “Circo Loco”
A certified standout from Her Loss. Sampling a classic like Daft Punk’s “One More Time” can easily go corny — which it did on DJ Khaled’s “Staying Alive” — but Drake bottles this up into greatness. He wants smoke with everybody and even admits he only agreed to stand alongside Kanye West at the Larry Hoover concert last year because of his admiration for industry titan J. Prince. Megan Thee Stallion has already responded to a bar Drake possibly targeted her with when referencing the shooting case she’s entrenched in.
Drake used this album as the chance to reassert himself as the top dog on the rap food chain once again with Her Loss serving as a stark reminder for fans who may have been distracted by his dance-leaning Honestly, Nevermind album from earlier this year that he is not to be played with.
After the most creative media(less) rollout of the year– a Vogue cover and NPR Tiny Desk included–Drake and 21 Savage finally unleashed their joint album, HER LOSS, on Friday (Nov. 4).
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The 16-track offering was originally slated for Oct. 28, but according to Drizzy was postponed due to his righthand producer and engineer Noah “40” Shebib contracting COVID shortly before the release date. “Our brother [Shebib] got Covid in the middle of mixing and mastering the crack,” the Toronto rapper wrote on an Instagram story. HER LOSS marks Drizzy’s second collaborative project, following his cult-favorite 2015 mixtape alongside Atlanta-made powerhouse Future, What a Time to Be Alive.
Holding a little more experience in that arena, HER LOSS is 21 Savage’s fourth collaborative project. He released three others alongside Metro Boomin, one of which included the Migos rapper, Offset.
Considering Drake and 21 Savage’s undeniable synergy, fans welcome HER LOSS with open arms, ready to be re-upped after the pair’s tease in June with “Jimmy Cooks,” the only rap track on Drake’s house album, Honestly, Nevermind. “Jimmy Cooks” debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart and foreshadowed the collaborators’ latest offering.
Ahead of the album, Drake and 21 Savage didn’t do too much talking, instead letting their marketing strategy speak for them. They let loose rapid-fire content after announcing the project on Oct. 22, including a Vogue cover story that wasn’t, a deepfake interview with Howard Stern about porn, love and dating, and their own mock-Tiny Desk set up.
On the topic of settling down, Drake told Stern, “I’m sure I could. I think that eventually once all this is said and done for us, that addiction of work and success and forward movement is over, I feel we’re all going to need something real. Hopefully it’s not too late.”
What’s real when you’re Drake? Combining the best of four or five women, which seems to be what keeps the lover boy rapper within the grips of serial dating.
Previously, Drake and 21 Savage joined forces on “Knife Talk” from Drizzy’s Certified Lover Boy, “Mr. Right Now” from 21 Savage’s Savage Mode II collab album with Metro Boomin in 2020, Drake’s stand-alone release “Sneakin’” in 2016 and more.
Listen to HER LOSS in full below now.
Few images are more Philly than Rocky running those steps at the Museum of Art, or Dr J throwing one down on a hapless defender. Add to the list Meek Mill performing at a full Citizens Bank Park, ahead of the World Series Game 5.
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Mill hyped the Phillies faithful with a rendition of “Dreams and Nightmares,” the lead song and title track from his debut album.
The two-time Grammy Award nominee entertained tens of thousands of fans ahead of the contest between the Phillies and Houston Astros, with both teams entering the ballgame with two wins.
After breathlessly busting out his 2012 number, and urging the stadium to “make some noise,” Mill took a ride out with franchise mascot Phillie Phanatic.
Away from the field, Meek recently struck an arrangement with WME that sees the MC form a “strategic partnership” with the talent agency, focusing on his new initiative, Culture Currency, and representing him in all areas. Earlier, the Philly native separated from Roc Nation Management after 10 years. He stated on social media that the split between both parties was amicable.
Earlier in 2022, Meek expressed frustrations with his label Atlantic Records after scoring a No. 3 debut on the Billboard 200 with his fifth and latest album, Expensive Pain. “They didn’t put nothing into expensive pain and then said I can’t drop another project for 9 months at the end of my contract after I made them 100’s of millions ….. how would can anybody survive that … most rappers can’t speak because they depend on these companies “I don’t,” he tweeted.
Last year, Meek received the Nelson Mandela changemaker award, which honored him for his altruism and social work with REFORM Alliance. Meek serves as the organization’s co-chair alongside his friend and Philadelphia 76ers partner, Michael Rubin.
Across his career, Meek has landed seven top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 chart, including No. 1s for 2018’s Championships and 2015’s Dreams Worth More Than Money.
He’s also impacted the Billboard Hot 100 with 64 songs, his peak position a No. 6 for 2018’s “Going Bad” featuring Drake.
