R&B/Hip-Hop
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More than a billion people have now begged the question: Will the real Slim Shady please stand up? Eminem‘s iconic “The Real Slim Shady” music video has joined YouTube’s Billion Views Club, a full 14 years after it was uploaded to the site and nearly a quarter-decade after the 2000 smash first dropped. As the […]
It’s been just over six months to the day J. Cole waved the white flag at his Dreamville Festival to withdraw from the Kendrick Lamar and Drake feud.
With the added perspective from watching how it all played out, Cole addressed bowing out of the beef on a new track titled “Port Antonio.” The Dreamville boss released the track via his Instagram account on Wednesday night (Oct. 9).
“I pulled the plug because I seen where that was ’bout to go/ They wanted blood, they wanted clicks to make they pockets grow/ They see this fire in my pen and think I’m dodging smoke/ I wouldn’t have lost a battle, dog, I woulda lost a bro/ I woulda gained a foe,” he raps.
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Cole went on to show love to Drake, as he appreciated his “First Person Shooter” collaborator’s support while having enough of people trying to paint him taking a side. “They say I’m pickin’ sides, don’t you lie on me, my n—a to start another war/ Ay, Drake, you’ll always be my n—a/ I ain’t ashamed to say you did a lot for me, my n—a/ F–k all the narratives/ Tapping back into your magic pen is what’s imperative,” he rhymes.
With the jarring allegations made by both sides in the Drake and Kendrick feud, Cole believes they crossed lines that shouldn’t have been. “I understand the thirst of being first that made them both swing/ Protecting legacies, so lines got crossed, perhaps regrettably/ My friends went to war, I walked away with all they blood on me,” he continues in the track.
Instead of opting to feud, Jermaine explains his approach to rapping and pushing the culture forward rather than beating one another down. “Reminding these folks why we do it/ It’s not for beefing, it’s for speaking our thoughts/ Pushing ourselves, reaching the charts/ Reaching your minds, deep in your heart/ Screaming to find emotions to touch/ Somethin’ inside to open you up/ Help you cope with the rough times and s–t,” he finishes on the track.
Just a couple of days after releasing his “7 Minute Drill” Kendrick Lamar diss track, J. Cole immediately expressed regret for doing so while on stage at his Dreamville Fest in his home state of North Carolina back in April.
“I’m so proud of [Might Delete Later], except for one part. It’s one part of that s–t that makes me feel like, man that’s the lamest s–t I did in my f–king life, right? And I know this is not what a lot of people want to hear,” he told fans. “I was conflicted because, one, I know my heart and I know how I feel about my peers, these two n—as that I just been blessed to even stand beside in this game, let alone chase they greatness. So I felt conflicted ’cause I’m like, bruh I don’t even feel no way. But the world wanna see blood. I don’t know if y’all can feel that, but the world wanna see blood.”
He eventually removed “7 Minute Drill” from streaming services, and Cole’s side-stepping led to Lamar and Drake battling, which played out over the course of the next month into May.
Listen to “Port Antonio” below.
Hours before Travis Scott hit the MetLife Stadium stage in New Jersey, a bus full of elementary school kids are chanting along to his “FE!N” anthem driving up Manhattan’s Upper East Side. La Flame asserted stadium status when performing in front of over 60,000 ragers for his second U.S. stadium show — California’s SoFi Stadium […]
In tandem with today’s observance of World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is unveiling its Never a Bother campaign in partnership with Grammy Award-winning artist and mental health advocate Megan Thee Stallion. The youth suicide prevention campaign is designed to heighten awareness of suicide prevention tools and resources before, during and after a crisis.
The Never a Bother campaign video finds Megan Thee Stallion talking compassionately about her own mental health journey, the need for transparency in conversations about the subject and the free crisis resources available to youth through the initiative. Her comments were drawn from a recent video interview with Billboard executive director of R&B/hip-hop Gail Mitchell.
“It took me a long time to be comfortable talking about my mental health,” the rapper shares at one point. “Asking for help doesn’t make me weak. Asking for help actually built my strength… going to get the help gave me the tools to be stronger. So I just definitely want to talk to the Hotties and let them know it’s OK to ask for help… Hotties, you are never a bother.” View the video below.
In addition to being posted on Megan’s Instagram and TikTok channels, the video appears on the Never a Bother website and its social media channels as well. The campaign was created with and for California youth with oversight by CDPH’s Office of Suicide Prevention to increase awareness about what’s become a crucial issue. According to data cited by the CDPH, suicide was the second leading cause of death among California youth between the ages of 10-25 from 2018 to 2022. A particular focus of the campaign, notes CDPH, are the “youth populations disproportionately impacted by suicide.”
In tune with Megan’s message, the Never a Bother website also underscores to youths that “you are never a bother. Whether it’s a low point, a crisis or something you can’t exactly put into words, get help for yourself or a friend.” The site also features real stories from young people who have felt overwhelmed by life as well as from the friends who have helped. Resources to share with youth and young people can be downloaded as well from the above-referenced website.
Megan Thee Stallion is as well known for her music as she is for her strong advocacy of mental health. Last year, she filmed a PSA in association with the Seize the Awkward campaign. She also established the Pete and Thomas Foundation, which provides resources for women, children, senior citizens and underserved communities.
The Never a Bother campaign is part of the California Health and Human Services Agency’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI). As stated in the press announcement, this latest campaign “continues the state’s effort to increase awareness of suicide prevention and mental health resources, build life-saving intervention skills and promote help-seeking behavior.”
“I’m really happy for you. I’ma let you finish, but Joe Budden had the greatest mixtape run of all time” — or at least the rapper-turned-podcaster seems to think so. On a recent episode of the always-entertaining Joe Budden Podcast, co-host Ice posed the question: “Who has the greatest mixtape discography?” Budden, to his credit, […]
The 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards took place Tuesday night (Oct. 8) at Drai’s Beach Club in Las Vegas. The awards show will air Oct. 15 on BET at 8 p.m. ET. Fat Joe steered the show for the third consecutive year as the host.There was plenty of star power taking over Sin City. Soulja Boy, 2 Chainz, 41, Big Boogie, Skilla Baby, Lola Brooke, E-40, Lightskinkeisha, Odumodublvck and more had the red carpet going up on a Tuesday.
“Joe Crack is back for the three-peat, night night baby,” Fat Joe said in a statement. “It’s been a dream to host the BET Hip Hop Awards the past few years, and I’m looking forward to taking things to the next level in Las Vegas. We’re going to be in a new city and location, but the excitement and entertainment at the awards will be even bigger than ever.”
Travis Scott was honored with the 2024 I Am Hip Hop Award. He follows recent I Am Hip Hop Award winners like Marley Marl, Trina and Nelly. La Flame earned six nominations in total.
“Travis Scott is a visionary artist who continues to push the boundaries of music, culture, and live performance,” Connie Orlando, EVP, specials, music programming and music strategy said in a statement. “With his unmatched creativity and relentless passion, he has redefined what it means to be a captivating, inspiring entertainer within the hip hop genre. We look forward to celebrating him at BET Hip Hop Awards 2024.”
Megan Thee Stallion led all artists with 12 nominations to her name, including hip hop artist of the year and three separate noms in the best collaboration category. This is only the fourth time that the BET Hip Hop Awards have taken place outside Atlanta since 2006.
Tune in on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 8 p.m. ET to watch the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards on BET, and find photos from the red carpet below.
Tyler, the Creator appears to have had a change of heart when it comes to his sentiments regarding tech and business tycoon Elon Musk. The Grammy-winning rapper took the stage to close out weekend one of 2024 Austin City Limits Festival as Sunday’s (Oct. 6) headliner, when he tweaked lyrics to Flower Boy‘s “911/Mr. Lonely” […]
Nobody loves spooky season more than Megan Thee Stallion, who’s promising that Hottieween is going to be “bigger than ever this year.” Meg announced on Tuesday (Oct. 8) that she’s picked Chicago as the host city for 2024’s Hottieween, which will be held on Halloween. “Hottieween is BIGGER than ever this year !!! CHICAGO HOTTIES […]
The mad villains have linked up once again. Madlib, the MF DOOM estate, Stones Throw Records, and Rhymesayers Entertainment have released “One Beer (Madlib Remix)” to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the late rapper and producer’s fifth solo album MM..FOOD. The version featured on the album is also produced by Madlib, but was credited to […]
Scarface recently underwent open-heart surgery, and is assuring fans that he was doing fine just in time for the 2025 Grandmaster Awards in Las Vegas, where he and other legends such as Grandmaster Caz, Kool Moe Dee and Roxanne Shanté were honored. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news […]