R&B/Hip-Hop
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Professional basketball player and “Tweaker” rapper LiAngelo Ball has signed a label deal with Def Jam and Universal Music Group (UMG), according to ESPN reporter Shams Charania. On Monday (Jan. 13), Charania, whose main beat is NBA news, tweeted that the recording deal for Ball, who performs under the name G3, was confirmed by “a […]
The tragic Los Angeles wildfires have left thousands of California residents devastated and The Game is stepping up to do his part in helping his city get back on its feet. The Compton native has spent the last few days delivering food, drinks and supplies like blankets to help the Pasadena firefighters tirelessly battling the […]
2025 has been around for less than two weeks, and Machel Montano is already making history.
On Monday (Jan. 13), the Trinidadian music icon treated NPR’s Tiny Desk series to its very first soca set. Born out of ’70s calypso in Trinidad and Tobago, soca music is characterized by its fast-paced, high-energy rhythms sourced from the traditional Indian percussion and rhythms that recording artist Lord Shorty (later Ras Shorty I) added to calypso.
Montano — who boasts a staggering four-decade career that included a 1986 appearance on Star Search and a hit single from his primary school days — delivered a warm, lively set that included hits across groovy and power soca such as “One More Time,” “Dance With You,” “Fast Wine,” “Like Ah Boss,” “Famalay” and “Soca Kingdom.” Every member of his backing band wore Monk Music T-shirts, a nod to Montano’s self-founded record label, artist services and music distribution company.
“Today we made history. For the first time ever, soca music has graced the iconic NPR Tiny Desk stage, and I am filled with gratitude, and an overwhelming sense of pride, to represent our culture on this global platform,” Montano wrote on his official Instagram page. “This isn’t just my moment, it’s OUR moment. A moment for every Soca lover, every Caribbean soul, and every person who carries the rhythm of the islands in their heart.”
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At the age of 9, Montano performed at The Theater in New York City’s Madison Square as a support act for Mighty Sparrow and other major calypso acts. Years of local success, hit singles and carnival road anthems followed, and by 2010, Pitbull tapped him to serve as special guest art for the U.S. leg of his Mr. Worldwide Canival Tour. Two years later, Montano became a Triple Crown Winner, with “Mr. Fete” earning the Groovy Soca Monarch title, while “Pump Your Flag” snagged Power Soca Monarch and Road March victories. In 2014, he won the Soul Train Music Award for best international performance with “Ministry of Road (M.O.R.),” beating out stiff competition such as Sam Smith‘s “Stay With Me.” By 2016, Montano brought soca all the way to the Coachella Valley, coming out as a special guest for Major Lazer‘s topline set; he remixed the EDM trio’s Ariana Grande-assisted “All My Love” in 2015.
Machel Montano has earned three top 10 Reggae Albums: 2015’s Monk Monte (No. 2), 2016’s Monk Evolution (No. 5) and 2019’s G.O.A.T. (No. 1).
Watch Machel Montano make soca music history at Tiny Desk below.
On her fan-favorite Ctrl song “Drew Barrymore,” SZA sings about feeling insecure and lonely — but the track’s real-life namesake makes her feel the exact opposite.
While serving as a guest on The Drew Barrymore Show on Monday (Jan. 13), the R&B hitmaker got the chance to tell her muse face to face exactly why she used the actress’ famous name as the title for her song. “It was inspired by you, it wasn’t just the title,” SZA begins in a clip from the interview as the talk show host listens intently. “The energy you carry.”
“The carefree, the understanding,” continues the “Kill Bill” singer, joining hands with Barrymore. “I wrote you this letter that I never sent you, but it talked about how, when you’re younger, and you’re a black woman, there’s not a lot of examples all the time. One of the few lovely white women that I looked up to so much on television was you, because you were so yourself.”
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“You were quirky,” SZA adds. “Your smile wasn’t perfect. I had a slight speech impediment … I love the way you talk and the you-ness of you. It just reminds me of all the things about myself that make me nervous, but on you, shine so brightly. It gave me permission to be myself.”
The four-time Grammy winner dropped debut album Ctrl in 2017, bowing at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. That June, she shared a music video for “Drew Barrymore” in which the Charlie’s Angels actress made a brief cameo, walking past SZA during a quiet moment of introspection and smiling at her reassuringly.
“We did the music video and I was just so excited to show up for you,” Barrymore recalled Monday, to which SZA remarked, “I couldn’t believe you did that.”
Eight years later, SZA is now fresh off of extending her reign at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with SOS, the deluxe version of which she dropped in December. The album has now spent a collective 12 weeks in the top spot, with the project first debuting at the chart’s summit upon its initial release in December 2022.
But the One of Them Days star has long been open about her love for Barrymore. In a 2017 interview with Billboard leading up to the release of Ctrl, SZA gushed, “She’s so casual. There’s nothing more beautiful than people who are comfortable and casual in their selves but also filled with energy and good vibes and bubbliness, and that’s her vibe. She’s chill, but she’s confident, but she’s shy. So when I wrote this song, I imagined different moments of seeing her.”
Watch SZA talk about “Drew Barrymore” on The Drew Barrymore Show above.
Cam’ron has issued a scathing response to Jim Jones as he fired back at his Diplomats running mate during an explosive episode of It Is What It Is on Monday (Jan. 13).
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Killa Cam’s comments came after Jones’ appearance on Justin Laboy’s podcast earlier this month, where Cam pushed back against Capo’s claim that Ma$e continuously disrespected Cam’ron after signing to Bad Boy and questioned Jones’ Harlem roots.
“You’re a guardian angel in designer, n—a,” Cam began. “You are from The Bronx, bro. You are not from Harlem. I did not grow up with you, my n—a.”
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Cam set the record straight. According to his account, Jim Jones wanted to be cool with him after hearing his freestyles and mixtapes buzzing around the city. “Basically, you heard our freestyles and you came up to me one day and you said, ‘Yo man, I heard the freestyles. Y’all killing s–t. My grandmother died if y’all wanna come by and just hang out, y’all more than welcome,’” he claimed. “You were fanned out and you begged n—s to come to your house after you heard all these mixtapes.”
Cam’ron continued to allege that Ma$e taught Jimmy how to rap and went on to play several interview clips of Jones saying the same.
“We taught you how to rap, n—a,” Cam added. “How you ran the whole organization? How you made Diplomats? N—a, you ain’t made none of this! You were a fan. I put you down ’cause you had a free crib and you were a nice guy.”
Jones took issue with Cam having 50 Cent on his Talk With Flee YouTube show recently due to their past friction, as they reflected on his Dipset teammates Juelz Santana and Jones joining 50 at a G-Unit show in 2007.
“I didn’t think it would be a big deal because you make up with every n—a that put hands on you,” Cam clapped back. “I see you with C-Gutta from Junior M.A.F.I.A. I see you taking pictures with Tru Life. Mendeecees, y’all having sit-downs. Gunshots were let off with that! Y’all having sit-downs to work it out.”
50 never minces words, and didn’t waste an opportunity to insert himself into the feud. “Individual 1, I mean joMo, jimmy you better holla at Cam privately and chill out,” he wrote in his Monday repost of Cam’s rant to Instagram, while urging them to hash it out privately.
Don’t expect Cam’ron to speak on Jones publicly again, as he claimed this is the final time he will discuss their relationship. “This is going to be the last time I address this,” he stated. “I’m not doing this every seven, eight, nine, 10 years. Whatever you got to say after this, I wish you luck. I got other s–t to do.”
Watch the full video below.
Speaking about anything related to album releases and awards season feels frivolous as a series of destructive fires continue hounding Los Angeles. As people begin to assess the damage and find their bearings, the City of Angels has exemplified the kind of community that shined at Kendrick Lamar‘s Pop Out concert last summer, with the city’s beautifully diverse collection of people banding together to share support and resources amid such a paralyzing crisis. On Monday (Jan. 11), music stars like DJ Premier and Flying Lotus amplified a fundraiser for Madlib, a Cali native and acclaimed hip-hop producer who lost his home, decades of music and studio equipment in the fires.
Tragedy extended beyond the fires last week, with the music world losing Sam Moore, one half of the Grammy-winning, Billboard chart-topping R&B duo Sam & Dave. Known for classics such as “Hold On, I’m Coming” and “Soul Man,” the seminal ’60s act was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
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In more contemporary news, Lil Baby debuted atop the Billboard 200 this week with Wham (No. 1), marking his fourth consecutive No. 1 album, and Ye (formerly Kanye West) began teasing an AI-assisted Vultures film.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Otis Kane’s lovestruck new single to BabyDrill’s shot-firing banger. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Otis Kane, “Breathe”
Last Friday (Jan. 10), Los Angeles-based R&B singer-songwriter Otis Kane colored the world Violet with the release of his sophomore studio album. The album diligently explores the different stages of falling in love, and “Breathe” is a decadent, soulful ode to loving someone so much that you can’t live without them. “I would give up/ Everything babe/ Just to call you my home,” he raspily yearns in the song’s opening, immediately settling into a seductive, funky pocket of D Mills’ bass-heavy production. If the self-proclaimed “real lovers” are looking for some new additions to their playlists, Otis Kane is ready to serve. — KYLE DENIS
Qing Madi, “Akanchawa”
Nigerian singer Qing Madi is starting the year strong with “Akanchawa.” The track is one of three singles from Qing Madi’s upcoming debut album, I Am the Blueprint — which she describes as “a statement of fact for all the struggles, pain, and rejection [she] went through as far back as 8 years” — set to release on Jan. 31. “Akanchawa” is a love-filled expression, blending heartfelt emotions with playful language. The song is a love letter filled with passion and humor, celebrating the joy of finding someone who captures your heart so completely that you’re willing to embrace vulnerability and offer unwavering commitment. Themes of devotion and vulnerability shine through lines like “for you I ready drop my ego” and the repeated “giving you all my love,” emphasizing the track’s message of unconditional love. — CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON
BabyDrill, “Scared of the P—y”
The abundance of feuds and competitive energy displayed last year has carried over into rap’s 2025. BabyDrill sets the tone by embarrassing an opp – who he calls “Mr. Vaseline man” and their alleged sex toy boutique shopping preferences with a fake newscast. There’s even alleged social media posts and fighting videos to further drive his humiliating “Scared of the P*ssy” diss track home. “F–k I look like beefing with a booty bandit,” the Atlanta native raps over the hard-hitting trap production. — MICHAEL SAPONARA
Jordan Adetunji feat. KWN, “Too Many Women”
After scoring a global breakthrough hit in “Kehlani” — and getting the actual Kehlani on the remix and scoring a Grammy nod for it — Jordan Adetunji has now set his sights on rolling out his forthcoming A Jaguar’s Dream mixtape. To officially announce the set, the U.K. artist dropped “Too Many Women,” an Afrobeats-inflected R&B-melodic rap hybrid that features experiment U.K. artist KWN. “Don’t mean to get in your way/ Took another shot, girl I’m waved/ Shawty I know that you think we’re the same,” Jordan opens the track, setting the scene at a club where he’s the ultimate bachelor. Built around a slick flip of Too $hort’s “Broke B—h,” “Too Many Women” is a catchy track that helps prove “Kehlani” was no fluke. — K.D.
Rod Wave, “Westside Connection”
A deeply heartfelt track, “Westside Connection” delves into the emotional complexities of love, loss, and longing. With lyrics like, “I needed someone desperately, and you was right there for me” and “Give you the moon, the stars, the clouds, whatever to make you smile,” Rod captures both the intensity of devotion and the yearning to heal a fractured bond. He juxtaposes raw confessions of pain — “I was in a dark place when you had found me, my pain, and my problems had me surrounded” — with a desire for reconciliation, reflected in the refrain, “I left my heart on the West End, can’t wait to get home to you.” Through introspective verses and melodic hooks, Rod continues to deliver bluesy, soul-baring hip-hop ballads. — C.C.
WolfaceeJoey, “3STAR”
2025 should be WolfaceeJoey’s breakout as the next star from the burgeoning sexy drill scene. The Staten Island native kicks off the new year playing “love doctor” with his 13-track Cupid album. He’s not a one-trick pony either, with a versatile repertoire of flows so there’s something for everyone. “3STAR” is an early standout and like a Michelin restaurant, this is rap’s culinary excellence. — M.S.
Ransom, “Tears From a Third Eye”
Ransom originally dropped his Carini Green LP last fall (Oct. 30, 2024), but the seven-song set finally arrived on DSPs last week (Jan. 8). Even if the project is a few months old, the Jersey City emcee has already delivered some of the best rapping if 2025 so far. Album opener “Tears From a Third Eye” — a heart-pounding, single stream-of-consciousness verse — is something of a breakthrough; Ransom uses CinemaTaGraffiti’s ethereal, electric guitar-anchored soundscape to ground his ruminations on maturation and spirituality and how those elements of his life have evolved post-fatherhood. — K.D.
Abby Jasmine, “Believe in Me”
With just 32 days until Abby Jasmine’s highly anticipated project Closure, the New York native continues to deliver for her fans. Her latest single, “Believe Me,” is a bold declaration of resilience and self-confidence, tackling themes of doubt, perseverance, and self-belief. “I can’t share my thoughts with them, they won’t ever get it,” she spits, later rapping, “They don’t wanna see me win, baby, you gonna have to just go blind,” underscoring her determination and conviction in her own potential. With its bold, defiant lyrics and an unforgettable hook, “Believe in Me” is more than just a song — it’s a 2025 anthem for anyone in need of motivation. — C.C.
LeoStayTrill, “Selena”
UK drill has something to say in 2025. Eyes are on Central Cee’s upcoming project, but LeoStayTrill is a college student making waves in his own right climbing the rap ladder. The South London resident follows the Clean Bandit “Rather Be”-sampling “2’s 3s” with “Selena.” After garnering momentum on TikTok following an NYE teaser, “Selena” finds Leo dodging commitment from the various women he’s involved with. “The girl got pissed I don’t my show location/ I ain’t gettin home until 9:00 most likely,” he raps about his sly elusiveness. — M.S.
Yeezy season has returned. Ye — formerly known as Kanye West — has made noise on social media since his return at the top of 2025, and he’s got his sights set on a new solo album. West further teased his Bully project with a pair of posts to Instagram on Monday — one with […]
Usher is celebrating his decades-long career with a new audio journey, Billboard can exclusively announce.
The superstar is joining Audible‘s popular Words + Music series, with The Last Showman, in which Usher looks back at his 30 years in music, as well as the inspiration, heartache and growth that led to his beloved fourth studio album, 2004’s Confessions. He’ll also delve into some of the set’s iconic tracks including “Confessions,” “Confessions Part II,” “Bad Girl,” “Burn” and more.
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“With the recent 20th anniversary of Confessions, creating The Last Showman has been an incredible opportunity to reflect on the most pivotal moments of my career with fresh eyes and deep appreciation,” Usher said in a press statement. “This project isn’t just about telling my story; it’s about sharing the raw, unfiltered truth behind the music that’s connected with generations of listeners, as well as the power of vulnerability in art.”
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The set will debut exclusively via Audible on Feb. 6. For a limited time, eligible Amazon customers can join Audible for only 99 cents per month for the first three months. The membership includes one free bestseller or new release each month and access to thousands of audiobooks, podcasts and Audible. The membership will renew at $14.95/month after the promo ends.
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Usher joins a string of other stars who have contributed to the Words + Music series, including John Legend, Beck, Pete Townshend, Snoop Dogg, James Taylor, St. Vincent, Billie Joe Armstrong, Tom Morello, Sheryl Crow, Carlos Santana, Mariah Carey, Sting and many more.
Billboard Hot 100 hits and Coachella sets were never part of BigXthaPlug’s plans for himself. Growing up in Dallas, the 26-year-old with the deep, bellowing voice had gridiron dreams of playing in the NFL — and even at his Billboard photo shoot, he throws a football around and speaks of his success in the game’s terms.
BigX compares his industry journey to that of former quarterback Cam Newton, who starred at a junior college before becoming a Heisman Trophy winner at Auburn University and, eventually, an NFL MVP. “I basically just pulled a Cam Newton,” he states. “Instead of going through all the steps, I just went crazy at that [junior college] and could’ve damn near went to the league.”
Raymond Alva
This digital cover story is part of Billboard’s Genre Now package, highlighting the artists pushing their musical genres forward — and even creating their own new ones.
To rap fans, BigX’s story — his path from drug dealer to artist — isn’t foreign. “Pops” — the 6-foot-7 man with a massive frame just like BigX’s, who’s with his son in Los Angeles today — “had a trap house, and in the middle of that spot was a round wooden table and a mic,” BigX recalls of his first time in front of a microphone. “[Pops] was like, ‘Y’all n—s can’t rap. My son got more than y’all got.’ I was scoring on ’em, and I guess it was sounding good. He was like, ‘You good. You need to rap for real.’ ”
Four years ago, BigX signed with UnitedMasters, which he still calls the “best thing I could’ve did.” He credits his first manager — an uncle who essentially ran off after BigX paid him $20,000 upfront — for steering him toward maintaining his independence with the distributor.
BigX has stood out among hip-hop’s melodic-leaning mainstream with his soulful production and booming chopped-and-screwed flows that have drawn comparisons to The Notorious B.I.G. — and the past 12 months have been particularly crucial in his ascent. He earned his first Hot 100 entry in December 2023 when the groovy “Mmhmm” reached No. 63. In October, he opened up about his insecurities, pain and triumphs on his second album, Take Care, which reached No. 8 on the Billboard 200.
“I feel like for the past decade it’s been a lot of mumble rap. People not talking about nothing,” he says. “I’m talking about something. A lot of the older people who love music, that’s what they grew up on — actual substance. Here’s this young dude that sound old, but he on these young-old beats. I literally mixed everything up so everybody could love it.”
BigXthaPlug photographed December 4, 2024 at Electric Pony Studios in Los Angeles.
Raymond Alva
Raymond Alva
BigX’s in-house producer, Tony Coles, adds, “He has this sort of Martin Luther King Jr. element to him where it’s [a] preacher almost and his voice is very powerful, and you got the badass production behind it.”
Next up, BigX — who Shaboozey tapped for a feature on his 2024 album, Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going — will connect with his Texas roots for a country mixtape slated to arrive in 2025 and feature a star-studded guest lineup including Jelly Roll, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs and Post Malone. “Post Malone, Luke Combs, all those guys,” BigX says. “They claim I’m their favorite rapper.”
This story appears in the Jan. 11, 2025, issue of Billboard.
Beyoncé‘s BeyGOOD Foundation has pledged $2.5 million to assist families in recovery from the devastating California wildfires. In an Instagram post on Sunday night (Jan. 12), the foundation announced the pledge to the L.A. Fire Relief Fund aimed at helping impacted Los Angelenos in the midst of one of the most destructive wildfires in the state’s history.
“The fund is earmarked to aid families in the Altadena/Pasadena area who lost their homes, and to churches and community centers to address the immediate needs of those affected by the wildfires,” read the post, which encouraged followers to show their support for the impacted families by visiting the organization’s website.
The out-of-control fires that have been whipped up by near-hurricane force Santa Ana winds over the past week, scorching more than 38,000 acres so far (roughly 60 square miles) and destroying more than 12,000 homes and buildings while displacing nearly 200,000 and killing 24 to date, according to CNN. Experts expect the death toll to rise as firefighters and investigators move into burned areas. The New York Times reported that the Eaton Fire has damaged or destroyed more than 6,500 buildings in Altadena/Pasadena, with entire neighborhoods completely wiped out by the fires that are expected to spread further this week as winds pick up again in area that has gotten only a fraction of an inch of rain in the past six months.
BeyGOOD is among the many organizations that have stepped up to help with immediate needs, joining the Walt Disney Company, which pledged $15 million to relief and rebuilding efforts, along with the Warner Music and Blavatnik Foundation’s $1 million pledge. Live Nation also announced that it is planning a FireAid benefit concert at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Jan. 30 to raise funds for relief.
A number of musicians and entertainment industry figures have spoken about the loss of their homes — including Mandy Moore, Paris Hilton, Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, Jhené Aiko, Paris Hilton, songwriter Diane Warren, The Hills stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag and many more — even as others step up to offer help.
Regional Mexican stars Fuerza Regida are renting out hotel rooms for displaced families and Hilton — whose Malibu home burned down live on TV — has launched an emergency fund through her 11:11 Media Impact nonprofit to support families who’ve lost homes. In addition, MusiCares and the Recording Academy have launched the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort to support music professionals impacted by the crisis, making a combined pledge of $1 million to launch the effort. Anyone who has worked in the music industry for more than five years may qualify for immediate assistance, including up to $1,500 in financial aid and $500 in food vouchers.
For health alerts, evacuation updates and additional shelter information as the wildfire battle continues, go to L.A. County’s emergency website here.
A number of organizations, listed here, are also offering help to those impacted by the wildfires, which began last Tuesday. Musicians and music industry professionals who are affected can get more details about assistance here.
See the BeyGOOD post below.