R&B/Hip-Hop
Page: 57
Fresh off teaming up for a pair of tracks on Kendrick Lamar’s GNX album, K. Dot and SZA are joining forces for the co-headlining 2025 Grand National Tour. Presented by Live Nation, pgLang and Top Dawg Entertainment, the North American trek featuring the former TDE running mates is set to invade 19 stadiums across the […]
Will Smith appears to be ramping up his return to music with the announcement of a summer 2025 set at France’s Positiv Festival next summer. The Bad Boys actor will mark his first-ever concert in France on July 31 when he takes the stage at the Roman Theatre of Orange.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
According to an announcement from the festival, the Oscar and Grammy-winning star will play a set of hits, including “Men in Black,” “Miami” and “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It,” among others. “A unique performance that will bring together more generations of fans of Will Smith’s inimitable energy!,” read the post.
Smith has not released a studio album since 2005, when he dropped his fourth full-length solo LP, Lost and Found, which topped out at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 album chart. After launching his movie career in the early 1990s, Smith has mostly focused on acting, most recently appearing in Bad Boys: Ride or Die. He won an Oscar for his work in the biographical tennis drama King Richard in 2022, collecting the hardware after he stormed the stage and slapped Chris Rock after the comedian made a joke referencing Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Trending on Billboard
The actor eventually apologized for the incident and resigned from the Motional Picture Academy — which meant he can no longer vote for the Oscars, but can sill be nominated — followed by the organization announcing that he will be banned from the Oscars for the next decade.
Smith has been teasing a return to music, including recently dropping a new single, “Work of Art,” which features his son, Jaden Smith, as well as rapper Russ. In April, Smith made a surprise cameo during J. Balvin’s Coachella set, followed by the live debut of his gospel-tinged song “You Can Make It” at June’s BET Awards.
Earlier this year, Smith first discussed his upcoming album — tentatively titled Dance in Your Darkest Moments — saying, “Over the past year and a half, I’ve been in the studio. I have a project that is the most personal and powerful music project I’ve ever done. The idea of the music is, ‘Dance in your darkest moments.’” In July, Smith, who released his first three albums on Columbia Records and Lost and Found on Interscope, signed to Slang Music Group, home to Big Sean, Mira Black, Niki Lynette, Savvy & Mandy and Syleena Johnson.
Check out Positiv’s Smith announcement below.
With 2024 coming to an end, Apple Music and Shazam are looking back on a great year in music. Apple Music released its year-end charts on Tuesday (Dec. 3), with Kendrick Lamar coming in at No. 1 on the Top Songs of 2024: Global list with “Not Like Us.” Coming in at second place is […]
Kendrick Lamar has done it again. The Grammy-winning rap visionary surprised fans with the release of GNX, which made a No. 1 debut on the ARIA Albums Chart.
This latest achievement cements Kendrick’s reputation as a chart titan in Australia, marking his third No. 1 album Down Under, following the critically acclaimed To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) and Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (2022).
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The album’s arrival couldn’t have come with better timing—or sharper edges. Fresh off a public feud with Drake, Kendrick used GNX to double down on his artistry, showcasing a bold mix of sharp lyricism and genre-pushing production. Fans responded in droves, sending four tracks from the album—“Luther,” “Squabble Up,” “TV Off,” and “Wacced Out Murals”—straight into the top 20 of the ARIA Singles Chart, alongside six others breaking into the top 50.
Trending on Billboard
GNX also delivers a nostalgic nod to Lamar’s chart-topping history. His past hits like “Humble” and “All The Stars” have left a lasting impact in Australia, and GNX proves he’s still got the magic touch, blending vulnerability with the kind of braggadocio only K. Dot can pull off. And with his highly anticipated Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show performance just around the corner, the rap icon is only gaining momentum.
While Kendrick commands the spotlight, Rosé isn’t letting her reign slip away quietly on the ARIA Singles Chart, with her chart-topping collaboration with Bruno Mars, “APT.”, returning to No. 1 for a fourth non-consecutive week, while Rosé’s new single, ‘Number One Girl”, debuts at No. 61 this week. With her solo debut album, rosie, set to drop next week, fans are already bracing for another record-breaking chapter in her career.
Billie Eilish’s “Birds Of A Feather” climbed to No. 31, while Sabrina Carpenter saw multiple entries, including “Taste” at No. 4 and “Espresso” at No. 11.
Elsewhere on the ARIA Chart, Australian talent is making its mark. Sydney rockers RedHook broke into the top 20 with their sophomore effort “Mutation”, debuting at No. 15, while Alex the Astronaut’s “Rage and All Its Friends” landed at No. 19, marking a triumphant return to the charts.
Kendrick Lamar may not be finished releasing new music — at least that’s according to West Coast spokesperson and SiriusXM radio host DJ Hed and Ab-Soul during a recent Instagram Live. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “You see what Dot doing,” DJ Hed began before Ab-Soul interjects […]
Not much cut through the five-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend besides Wicked and Moana 2 — but maybe that’s because the hip-hop world is still reeling from Drake‘s shocking court filings alleging Universal Music Group (UMG) — his label — and Spotify of artificially boosting the popularity of Kendrick Lamar‘s blistering Grammy-nominated, Billboard Hot 100-topping diss track “Not Like Us.”
The filings, of course, came amid the still-unfurling rollout for Lamar’s new GNX album, which became his fifth consecutive No. 1 title on the Billboard 200 (dated Dec. 7). More new Lamar music arrived earlier this month by way of J. Cole‘s Inevitable audio series, in which he played two unreleased songs he recorded with the Compton MC back in 2010. On Friday (Nov. 29), just as people started warming up their Thanksgiving leftovers, Cole announced a special one-night-only concert at New York City’s Madison Square Garden celebrating the 10th anniversary of his Billboard 200-topping 2014 Forest Hills Drive on Dec. 16.
Trending on Billboard
The holiday made this week a bit lighter on new music, but there were still more than a few fresh picks to sort through.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Dante Bowe and Fridayy’s uplifting new duet to 4batz’s response to his Grammy snubs. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Dante Bowe & Fridayy, “Grateful”
The holidays frequently grant us eyebrow-raising collaborations, and sometimes they result in truly great songs. On that front, this year’s offering is “Grateful”: a genre-blending track that marks the union of Grammy-winning Christian music artist Dante Bowe and R&B crooner Fridayy. “And if you never did another thing/ You did enough, you did enough/ You were with me through the lows, and picked me up/ You picked me up,” Fridayy coos in the intro over sparse atmospheric synths that steadily transform into an Afrobeats-nodding percussion line backing Bowe’s powerful, raspy vocal. Sharing a message of gratitude and resilience, “Grateful” is a holiday track that adds a bit of substance to how saccharine the whole enterprise has become. — KYLE DENIS
4batz, “Hood Grammy”
4batz hasn’t won a Grammy just yet, but he’ll be ready for his speech when the moment happens. “Hood Grammy” serves as his manifestation of sorts but also celebrates the early wins in his career as a neighborhood hero with friends and family proud of him for making it out of the trenches and putting on for his city. The Dallas singer’s airy vocals mesh over the sparse yet sparkling production, as Batz adds to his lore heading into his anticipated mixtape set to arrive in the coming months. — MICHAEL SAPONARA
The LOX, “Isley Money”
For their first unaccompanied single as a trio since 2020’s “Loyalty & Love,” The LOX went back to basics. Over a stirring Vinny Idol-helmed beat accented with whimsical strings, Jadakiss, Sheek Louch and Styles P trade verses reminiscing on their past lives and the different ways they used to approach getting money. The introspective track is also a homecoming; the gang is back together, and the three New Yorkers spare no second of the song reminding us of that fact. “We done gave y’all hits, hood s–t/ Dope-ass freestyles, some funny-ass skits/ You probably riding around listening to our shit right now/ Like, ‘I’m glad these n—as from my town!’ Let’s go!” Sheek spits over a soulful loop of an exclamatory riff from The Isley Brothers’ “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” — K.D.
MIKE, “You’re the Only One Watching”
It’s been quite a ride for MIKE fans in 2024 and he’s closing out the year with a two-pack setting the stage for his Showbiz album in January and a world tour to boot. The rapper pays tribute to his late mother, who is his guardian angel watching over him. Jazzy production and a pitched-up sample repeating the track’s title keep MIKE in cruise control. “When I pray, I pray to mama, know she miss MIKE/ She my angel, know I got her on the flip-side/ Huh, I gotta thank you while I’m talkin’ to the big sky,” he raps before a prayer from MIKE’s mom cleanses the outro. — M.S.
41, Jenn Carter & Kyle Richh, “Vibes”
After breaking through with “Bent” last year, each member of 41 has spent 2024 maintaining their momentum. Earlier this year, he cracked the Hot 100 for the first time in his career alongside NLE Choppa (“Or What,” No. 52), and now, Kyle Richh has joined forces with Jenn Carter for the comparatively more romantic “Vibes.” Where “Or What” was concerned with bottling up raw, unfettered horny energy, “Vibes” soundtracks the thought process of determining whether or not a romantic connection is the real deal. “I need you by my side, is you stickin’ wit’ me?/ Is you rockin’ wit’ us or you workin’ wit’ them?” Kyle questions in the chorus of the guitar-accented song before Jenn spits, “‘Cause I got me sleepy, but she wanna see me/ I promise, one call and I’m comin’ to you/ All these feelings, don’t know what to do,” in her verse. — K.D.
Hotboii, “No Feelings”
Hotboii regained his freedom after being detained for over two years when RICO charges against the Orlando rapper were dismissed in September. HB looks to pick up where he left off with the momentum garnered prior to being locked up with “No Feelings.” Hotboii rips the thumping production and swerves through a woozy flow while dissing the case prosecutors attempted to build against him. “That RICO beat, that RICO weak, ain’t got no evidence/ Say who the free? I’m screamin’ bleed like, n—a, f–k that scene,” he spews. Hotboii’s confidence certainly isn’t lacking in his comeback tour either. — M.S.
Snoop Dogg just raised the bar when it comes to wedding gifts ahead of his daughter, Cori Broadus, tying the knot with her fiancé, Wayne Duece.
Snoop and Cori appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show on Monday (Dec. 2), where he revealed a $1 million gift for Cori and Wayne to use toward their wedding — although Snoop believes they should’ve pocketed more for the future.
“The only thing about this gift is she never got to open it or she hasn’t opened it yet. It was $1 million for her wedding,” Snoop admitted. “But Jen, I told her if it was me, my wedding would’ve been for $100,000, and $900,000 would’ve went in my pocket.”
Hudson replied: “Daddy is still teaching lessons, I’ll tell you that!”
Trending on Billboard
It’s far from the only time Snoop has spoiled his daughter, as he also recalled a time he gifted Cori a Mercedes Benz G-Wagon for her 16th birthday, but her mom ended up taking it after Cori got grounded for something she did.
“I bought her a G-Wagon for her 16th birthday and all of a sudden, mama had the G-Wagon,” Snoop added. “She didn’t give it to her — she took it away.”
Cori remained tight-lipped when asked what she got grounded for: “I don’t think I can say on here.”
On the music side, Snoop Dogg is gearing up for the release of his Missionary album on Dec. 13, which is fully produced by his longtime collaborator Dr. Dre. It’s their first full-length project together since 1993’s Doggystyle.
Snoop opened up about the creative process and how there were times even when they didn’t see eye-to-eye. “We see eye-to-eye when it’s necessary. Whenever we do a project, I allow him to drive,” the 53-year-old explained to Hudson. “I allow him to hold the steering wheel. I may be in the passenger seat adjusting the music or telling him to slow down, but he’s the one driving, so I have to allow him to drive the project where it needs to go.”
Snoop Dogg recruited a star-studded cast of collaborators including 50 Cent, Eminem, Jelly Roll, Sting, Russ and more on the project.
“[Sting] was telling me this was meant to be,” Snoop said. “I feel like my career is a testament of working hard, staying true, being original and being me the whole way through to where I can do songs with people I looked up to because I’ve been me the whole way.”
Watch Snoop on The Jennifer Hudson Show below:
Tyler, the Creator always had the moves. The Grammy-winning artist posted some throwback footage from middle school on Sunday (Dec. 1), in which he won a talent show for his choreographed dance routine to Omarion’s “Touch.” The clip finds Tyler effortlessly gliding across the stage and pointing to the girls in the crowd while hitting […]
Jack Harlow had an early Christmas gift for his hometown fans over the weekend when he teamed up with the Louisville Orchestra for a pair of “No Place Like Home 2024” shows at the city’s Whitney Hall. The fourth annual event — where attendees are asked to “dress to impress” — took place on Friday and Saturday (Nov. 29-30) and once again featured the Orchestra and conductor Teddy Abrams backing Harlow during a set of his classically-augmented classics.
Harlow added a bit of extra spice into the mix this year, though, when he busted out a velvety cover of Elvis Presley’s 1961 Billboard Hot 100 No. 2 weeper “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Fan video of the special moment found Harlow, dressed in a dark double-breasted suit with a light blue shirt and black tie, expertly crooning the song over the sweep of strings to whoops of delight from the audience.
Comments on the sold-out shows suggested that fans are ready for the rapper/actor’s pivot to crooner, including one poster who wrote, “he needs to release this,” as well as others who said, “countdown to the ‘i’m not just a rapper, i’m an artist’ interview,” “og fans know he can sing” and “Was so sweet for Jack to dedicate this song to his grandma in the balcony. The whole show was amazing, he should release orchestral versions of all of all his albums.”
Trending on Billboard
According to WLKY, that wasn’t the only singing detour Harlow took, as he also very capably covered Frank Sinatra’s beloved standard, “Fly Me to the Moon” on night two, which he dedicated to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday — and to his granny on Saturday, alongside hits from his catalog. The Courier-Journal noted that a couple got engaged during “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
Harlow dropped his first new single since 2023’s “Lovin on Me” last month, the samba-esque “Hello Miss Johnson,” which he performed live for the first time at the shows. The song’s release was accompanied by a video that plays out on CCTV, where Harlow flirts with Miss Johnson’s daughter. The track is the second single from the rapper’s as-yet-untitled, unscheduled fourth album, Jackman, which was released in April 2023.
During a show at New York’s Brooklyn Paramount in September Harlow teased his next musical era, telling the audience, “I do got some very special s–t on the way… Next time I see you, we gonna have something to talk about.”
After contemplating for four years, Smino is ready for the world to hear his debaucherous side. The St. Louis, MO native stopped by Billboard‘s NYC office for an episode of Billboard Gaming, just before the release of his Maybe in Nirvana album arrival on Friday (Dec. 6).
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Maybe in Nirvana is a reflective and experimental album that explores themes of love, loss and self-discovery, while maintaining Smino’s signature innovative style. The project is anticipated to expand his artistic limits, fusing profound lyricism with immersive soundscapes that showcase his evolution as a musician.
We faced off with the rapper in several rounds of Mario Kart while discussing the inspiration behind his album, being an independent artist, and more. “Passenger Princess” has been getting a lot of love. Can you tell us about the creative process for that track and how it was working with Aminé on it?
Trending on Billboard
It’s cool because one of my favorite ways to end up working with people is just by being their homie. Aminé is a cool dude, so he just texted me and was like, “Hey, Smee bro, I got this song I want you to get on.” I ain’t even respond to him — I just sent it back the same day. That’s how it happened. And he was like, “Oh my God, we got to do a video.”
So it was that simple? Let the track speak for itself and just sent it on over?
Yeah. It was hard. I try to send s–t back as soon as possible. I love doing that s–t. Show people how you focus.
The lyrics of “Passenger Princess” feel personal and laid-back. Was there a specific experience or inspiration behind the song?
I mean, it’s no secret that, you know, I’m a lover boy, so. You feel me? Yeah. I’m just really talking about shorty, you know. Shorty I dealt with, what I learned. For real.
Your upcoming album, Maybe in Nirvana, is set to drop on December 6. How did you decide on this title, and what does it represent for you at this point in your career?
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, s–t, well, maybe, you know, when I’m in a place where I’m at peace with my mind, you know, I’d be able to put this album out.
You feel me? ‘Cause I had made this album before I made Luv 4 Rent, the last album I put out.
Oh, so it’s like a bunch of old tracks?
Yeah. Yeah. It’s from 2020. And it’s mixed by Ali. And the pandemic happened, and I just started feeling like, d–n, I need to be like — I don’t know.
I wanted to just talk about peaceful things. I wanted to talk about things that were kind of a little more, I don’t know, thought-provoking. And on this album, it’s a lot more debaucherous. I’m talking about a lot more like — it’s just my young ass mind at work, just saying s–t, not really understanding my emotions and s–t like that. So, I felt like at the time it was just bad timing for it. But then when I went back and listened to it, I’m like, “This s–t is amazing.” Like, it still works.
Since these tracks were mostly from 2020, do you feel like you’ve grown since then, or do you still feel like the same person?
Nah, I definitely grew way much more since then. I was just telling the homie the other day, I feel like — I used to be a lot more ignorant just about s–t, just ’cause I could be. I was kinda like privileged as an artist who had some success, you know, to not have to worry about a lot of stuff in my own personal life. Like, my business ran itself when, truly, there were people running my business, and everything around me just kind of worked out for me.
After the pandemic, s–t — I don’t know if you did or anybody else did, but it forced you to do a lot of reflecting. And like, I was just like, “D–n, I’m low-key out here wilding. And I don’t know a lot of s–t. I don’t know what’s going on here.” I wasn’t hip financially with what I had going on. I knew I had money, but you know, all type of s–t I wasn’t paying attention to.
With Maybe in Nirvana, I was in a place where I’m just full-on rock star — like, fresh off tour, you feel me? Like, f–k it, bro, you know, I ain’t have to worry about s–t. But I think now I just naturally pay way more attention ’cause I’m a little older… You know, the pandemic made everybody age 10 years and s–t.
What can fans expect from Maybe in Nirvana? Are there any particular themes or messages you’re excited to share?
I was just being very honest and very blatant about my emotions. It was like single-era Smee, you know? So, I was having my little roster, talking about, you know, just being — basically, I was just wilding. The music still sounds grown though… a kid in a grown man body, that’s what it sounds like.
So, you mentioned having a roster. Do you still have a roster now, or have you calmed down since then?
Nah, nah, man. I’m chill as hell. I have zero roster. No way. No roster. I don’t need it. There’s only one on the roster.
Okay, so are you dating someone right now?
Oh, yeah. It ain’t no secret. Everybody know that.
What would you say is your favorite song from this new project?
It depends on the day. I’ll probably say the intro. It’s called “Dear Fren.” It’s like the most personal one. I wrote a letter to my grandma and to my little cousin, who both aren’t here anymore. They passed away. So, I’d probably say that song is my favorite personally, but I think everybody’s favorite song is “Taquan.” Because it’s Tequila and Wine, and that’s “Taquan.” Yeah, it sounds like a night in Kingston.
Kingston Jamaica? Why Jamaica?
I don’t know, bro. It’s like, it’s like reggae vibes on the beat and s–t like that. And I’m talking about getting lit. The whole song, I’m talking about getting lit, and I’m also just talking about like, somebody about to leave out of my life. So, I’m just outside, trying to, mask them emotions and s–t.
How’s your relationship with J. Cole?That’s my boy. Good people. Changed my life for sure. Definitely raised my price. Shout out to Jermaine. That’s a good dude.
I was watching one of your interviews earlier, where you mentioned giving Cole a track and then taking it back. Does that happen often?
Never happens. That actually never happens. I ain’t gonna stunt. I was almost scared to ask for it back, because I’m like, “I might blow this.” Blow the whole feature. But it was real cool, and [he] did the video, you know. Invited me to the crib, to his house, his actual home to finish it. He’s a solid dude. He had told me a long time ago that he originally wanted to sign me. And that’s some crazy s–t.
But you know, I’m glad I went my route that I went, you know. I got my own s–t, Zero Fatigue records.
How was it going independent and starting your own label?
It’s a lot more to do, it’s a lot more challenging, but it’s also, it feels good to know that I own my s–t.
It feels good to know I always own my masters. I never gave no masters up, it’s always licensing, but it feels good to own s–t. You just gotta pay a lot more attention to, like, spending money and all that, but it’s cool. It’s my first release independent like this though — this one that’s coming out.
So hopefully you guys support it.
What inspired you to own your own masters?
Ray Charles, no cap. Ray Charles ran up one of the best deals in American history.
So, you knew from the jump that you always wanted to own your own music?
It’s hella funny — this is a random story, my boy Chris Classic can attest. We was on the airplane, my first time ever coming to L.A. This guy, he randomly said –I must’ve looked like an artist to him. But I swear this dude just looked at me on the plane, and he was like, “Bro, never sign your publishing away.” I’m like, “What? What made you say that?” He was like, “Just never sign it.”
I swear it was like a sign or something, because I was literally going out there to talk to, what was it, Post Recordings or something like that? And it’s a publishing company. I’m like, “What the hell?” So, I don’t know, from that day I was just like, “I want to own all my stuff.” Like, I always have been scared.
I heard horror stories. I got family that was in the music industry and s–t like that, that went through a whole lot of s–t, never got paid. I don’t want to be that guy, bro. I’m trying to be around.
You said earlier this is your first album released independently. What challenges have you faced so far?
None. I record myself. I think the only challenge is having to budget — like, that’s some growing-up s–t. So I’ve been having to make sure I pay attention to budgeting myself.
Usually, the label would distribute the funds and all that s–t, give you what you need. But, yeah, I’ve been having to just pay a lot more attention to just little things like that.
Do you feel any pressure when it comes to budgeting?
Nah, man, my manager definitely does a good job of making sure I still feel like I’m just an artist. But being a businessman? It’s fire. I think it’s some fly s–t. It’s something I think I can do. I like challenging myself. Y I’ve been, like, a fire-ass, underground legend for years… at this point, it’s [just] stepping up my business and my business mind and all of that stuff. Like, that’s naturally the progression. I want to be like Hov and s–t like that.
You mentioned being underground — do you think you’re underrated at all?
Hell nah. Man, when people say that, I be like, “D–n, that’s crazy,” because I be getting so much love. You know what I’m saying? But I understand the sentiment and where they’re coming from, you know? The way I feel love, even just being out and about, when I move around, get free drinks where I go and s–t like that. But I get a lot of love, bro.
A lot of love for SminoEarth. I never feel like that.
What’s your goal five years from now? What do you see your experiences being? Where do you see your company going?
Five years? I want to have a new artist out on my own, you know, somebody that I helped break.
I’m working on an art school in St. Louis, starting an actual art school. I want to have some kids. I want my own weed brand. My clothing line, Bjorn, I’m working on that too.
And I still want to be able to perform this music, bruh. Like, I want to do a residency somewhere. A long-ass residency. I want to have, 40 nights in Vegas or some s–t like that. For real. 40 days and 40 nights. That’s what I’m going to call it. I mean, I’m going to perform on Noah’s Ark. On the gang, that’s hard.
A lot of people say that your lyrics are creative and playful. Do you agree?
Yeah, they have been. I’m pretty witty. I hear a word and hear a sentence; like, words sound like a sentence to me. That’s why my wordplay is what it is. The syllables of a word will make a phrase for me. But, I mean, as of late, like all my newer stuff, I don’t know.
I think it’s me growing up, but, like, I’ve been speaking a lot more linear. Like, it’s been a lot more trying to throw out versus, like, wordplay. I don’t know.
You were just on tour with J.I.D. How was that experience?
That was a good tour, bro. That s–t was crazy. Really crazy, actually. We did like a hundred thousand tickets, every night sold out. Yeah, a whole lot of debauchery and moshing going on.
What’s your touring experience like? When you’re finished with a show, what do you do afterward? Do you go out and party, or do you relax after rapping and singing all day?
Yeah, I go chill, bro. There’s no party better than my show — unless it’s an after party, unless somebody wants to give me a hundred bands for what I walk through, some s–t like that.
But I’m not the one that be like in the streets like that. I really be ducking back. Plus, my voice be hurting.
Looking at you now, you have like a fresh, unique style. How does your fashion inspire your music or vice versa?
The main s–t that inspires me is stuff I’ve never seen before. Or even if I have seen it, just not used in that way, you know? So, like, musically, I always try to — let’s say I got a melody going on — I’m like, “I’m gonna stack that s–t the same way I like to layer my clothes.” You feel me?
I like everything to have layers to it, not just be bland and basic and s–t like that. I think it’s all just personality s–t.
Do you feel like your clothes are a version of you? Like they express who you are without using any words?
Yeah, though, for sure. Like, getting fresh — like, the first time I’m creative in the daytime — that’s the first thing that inspires me, is my outfit. And after that, everything else comes.
A few months ago, I was talking to Dennis Smith Jr., and he said the connection between music and sports is that all the rappers wanna play ball and all the ball players wanna rap. Do you agree?
Hell yeah. Them n—as be tryna rap all the time.
Growing up, did you ever want to play ball?
Football? Yeah, I love football. I love football. I’m a Chiefs fan —go Chiefs! 8-0. The f—k are we talking about?
If you could create an Olympic team for football, but only use music artists, who would you have on your roster?
We’re going to be coached by Missy Elliott. My quarterback will probably be Kendrick Lamar.
Nah, he the running back, K Dot, because he’s short. And then my quarterback will probably be Monte Booker, the producer.
Two wide receivers: Young Thug and me are the wide receivers. We doing wide out. Me and Thug, you know what I’m saying? We wild. And then I have all gospel artists on the line because we need God to protect us.
That’s probably my team, my offensive team. I don’t know what positions I forgot.