Hip Hop News

Rick Ross, Shonda Rhimes praise Taylor Swift's music

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

With her new album, The Tortured Poets Department, now out, Taylor Swift is the center of attention, and for good reason. Both Rick Ross and Shonda Rhimes have praised her for her musical genius.

Prior to the album's release, Ross shared his intention to listen to the project. "Fresh out the slammer and Florida!!! Blasting on the Yacht at Midnight. Taylor writes like a Boss and her song titles are Gangsta," he said in a post reacting to a prediction that the album will dominate Billboard's Hot 100 next week.

Shonda shared her thoughts on Taylor in an interview with People as she reflected on their first meeting, when Taylor perform her 2008 hit “Love Story” in her office on the set of Grey's Anatomy.

“I remember she was an interesting artist. It's so funny because back then, she showed up in my office with bare feet. She went off and played ‘Love Story’ and was like, ‘I really love your show,’” she recalls. “I had no idea who she was. I was like, ‘This kid's adorable. Like, I love this song. The song was really good.’”

She says since then Taylor's "produced so much music," being "the voice of what that generation is in people's heads.”

“You know what I mean? How they're perpetually like the same emotional age somehow. And in a good way,” she says. “So I thought, yeah, her songs do become woven in because honestly, that's what everybody's listening to, but also they feel good and they work.”

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' album the focus of new documentary

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Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter album is the focus of a CNN FlashDocs documentary about the history of Black artists in the world of country music.

Call Me Country: Beyoncé & Nashville's Renaissance "examines the impact of how high-profile artists like Lil Nas X and Beyoncé are challenging the country music status quo and how Black artists in Nashville have been laying the foundation for this transformation for some time."

It features prominent Black voices in the country music scene, like banjo player Rhiannon Giddens; interviews with the likes of Brothers Osborne, Rissi Palmer, Aaron Vance and Denitia; and analysis from Touré, Keith Hill and more.

Call Me Country: Beyoncé & Nashville's Renaissance will hit Max on April 26.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


New Music Friday: Nicki Minaj, Drake, Nas and more

(NOTE LANGUAGE) From the remix of a Pink Friday 2 cut to a track celebrating a milestone anniversary of Nas' first album, check out this week's New Music Friday for the culture's latest and greatest in music.

Nicki Minaj featuring Travis Scott, Chris Brown, Sexxy Red, "FTCU (Sleezemix)" -- Nicki took time from her Pink Friday 2 World Tour to promote the track, which features new bars from her and full verses from all the song's guests. No, Chris Brown is not singing.

Drake, "Push Ups" -- Fans got wind of Drizzy's Kendrick Lamar diss track because it leaked early, but now it's available on streaming services. The cover art features a shoe size tag, in reference to the lyric, “How the f*** you big steppin’ with a size seven men’s on?" He also threw shots at Future, Metro Boomin, The Weeknd and Rick Ross.

Lucky Daye, "Hericane" -- “This song is about being grounded in a chaotic relationship. It’s important for people to be reminded that it’s a good time to be yourself and shine," says Lucky Daye. "Just be grounded and fierce in who you are.” The official live performance video is on YouTube.

Nas, “Define My Name” -- The DJ Premier-produced track is intended to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Nas' debut album, Illmatic. The two will release their long-awaited, highly teased and anticipated joint album later this year.


 

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50 Cent honored with own day in Shreveport, Louisiana, after opening G-Unit Studios in the city

John Lamparski/FilmMagic

50 Cent's launch of a G-Unit Film & TV Studios in Shreveport, Louisiana, has earned him his own day in the city.

Mayor Tom Arceneaux presented the entrepreneur, born Curtis Jackson, with a key to the city during the unveiling ceremony Thursday, proclaiming April 18 as Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson Day.

“As someone who’s always believed in the transformative power of music, film and television, I’m really excited to show you the expansion of film and television through G-Unit Studios right here in Shreveport," 50 Cent said in part.

He later expressed his thoughts of the mayor on Instagram, writing, “Mayor Tom Arceneaux really cares about people, I talked to him today I was really impressed with his energy. I usually be like wait a minute, when politicians are involved but I think he is a whole good guy. WTF.”

As previously reported, the new studio is "a platform for voices that need to be heard, stories that need to be told" and "a commitment to fostering talent, creating opportunities, and building a community that thrives through creativity and innovation."

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Lola Brooke releases 'Dennis Daughter Deluxe,' announces tour

Team Eighty Productions/ Arista Records

Lola Brooke is out with the extended deluxe version of her 2023 debut album, Dennis Daughter.

The new edition comes with four new songs: "Neighborhood Hero," "GO GET YA MOTHA," "Bend It Ova," featuring A Boogie wit Da Hoodie and Big Freedia, and "Becky," featuring 41. “Neighborhood Hero” gets its own music video, out now.

Lola will also be hitting the road for her first headlining tour this summer. The nine-city Back to Business tour will kick off June 6 in Toronto and wrap June 27 with a hometown show in New York City.

For ticket info, go to laylo.com/LolaBrooke.

Here is the track list for Dennis Daughter Deluxe:

"Intro (2023 Flow)"
"You" featuring Bryson Tiller
"Bend It Ova" featuring A Boogie wit Da Hoodie, Big Freedia
"Shelter Baby (Be That B****)"
"God Bless All The Rappers"
"Don't Get Me Started" featuring Coi Leray, Nija
"Becky" featuring 41
"Best Side"
"GO GET YA MOTHA"
"It's Me Again"
"Pit Stop" featuring French Montana
"Neighborhood Hero"
"I AM LOLA"
"Dear Dennis"
"Vacant Heart"
"Don't Play With It" featuring Latto, Yung Miami

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Grammy-winning 'American Idol' season 5 star Mandisa dead at 47

Fred Lee/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

Singer Mandisa, who reached the top 10 on American Idol season 5 and later became a Grammy-winning Christian artist, has died, ABC Audio has confirmed. She was 47.

“We can confirm that yesterday [April 18] Mandisa was found in her home deceased," her rep said in a statement to ABC Audio. "At this time we do not know the cause of death or any further details. We ask for your prayers for her family and close knit circle of friends during this incredibly difficult time.”

Mandisa finished ninth on the American Idol season that was won by Taylor Hicks and also gave us Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry and Kellie Pickler. During her time on the show, Simon Cowell made cruel comments to her about her weight. She told him she forgave him, adding, "If Jesus could die so that all of my wrongs could be forgiven, I can certainly extend that same grace to you." Cowell then apologized to her.

After her time on Idol, Mandisa released her debut album, True Beauty, in 2007. It debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart and received a Grammy nomination — one of five nods she'd eventually receive. In 2014, her album Overcomer won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. Her most recent album, Out of the Dark, came out in 2017.

In 2022, she released a memoir, also called Out of the Dark, in which she detailed her past trauma and mental health struggles.

In a statement, David Pierce, the chief media officer of K-Love, a Christian radio network, wrote on social media, "Mandisa struggled, and she was vulnerable enough to share that with us, which helped us talk about our own struggles. Mandisa’s struggles are over, she is with the God she sang about now."

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


NBA YoungBoy allegedly involved in prescription drug fraud ring

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

New details have been revealed in NBA YoungBoy’s arrest.

According to police documents obtained by Utah’s ABC4, the rapper is suspected of being part of a “large-scale prescription fraud ring.”

Police say YoungBoy, birth name Kentrell Gaulden, and several associates would call in fraudulent prescriptions for Promethazine with Codeine – a “heavily abused” cough suppressant – to pharmacies throughout Utah’s Cache County. In one alleged instance, YoungBoy, 24, called in pretending to be a 74-year-old woman.

YoungBoy, who was already under house arrest in Utah awaiting trial on a previous firearms charge, was arrested Tuesday night on charges of patterns of unlawful activity, procuring or attempting to procure drugs, identity fraud, forgery, possession of controlled substances and possession of a dangerous weapon.

When questioned by police, he denied knowledge of the fraudulent prescriptions, according to the Cache County Sheriff’s Office’s report.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Travis Scott's stance on the Grammys: "I f*** with it"

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Travis Scott has been nominated for 10 Grammys, but has not yet had the privilege of taking one home. Though the awards no longer have the same significance to some artists, the opposite is true for La Flame.

“A lot of our peers, everyone’s like, ‘F*** that award.’ I f*** with it. You play football to win a Super Bowl, you play basketball to win championships. It’s what that Grammy used to mean, is the idea I hold on to. I love to create music,” he said on The Shop.

“That award is just like at one point was held up to a higher stature, but I still believe it, in a sense," he continued, before sharing his thoughts on rap awards not being broadcast on television. "It’s crazy rap’s not on TV. It’s like, you sit there and they air the rap award at 2 or 1:30, but you gotta perform at 8:30. So imagine losing at 1:30 and having to sit there for seven hours? Like f*** this s***, you be like, ‘I wanna just dip. F*** this s***.'”

Despite not being nominated for rap album of the year at the 2024 Grammys, Travis took the stage to perform Utopia cuts “I Know,” “My Eyes” and “Fe!n” with Playboi Carti.

He's also slated to appear alongside Chris Brown and Sexyy Red as a newly added feature on Nicki Minaj's "FTCU (Remix)," out Friday.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Big Sean tapped to kick off NFL Draft with performance in his native Detroit

Presley Ann/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Big Sean has been drafted by the NFL, but it's not to play for one of its teams.

Instead, he's been tapped as the headlining performer for the Bud Light NFL Draft Concert Series, taking place in his native Detroit from April 25 to April 27. He's set to take the Draft Theater stage April 25 at 6:15 p.m. ET, before the NFL Draft's first round at 8 p.m.

The next day will see a performance by the Detroit Youth Choir, while Michigan's own Bazzi will help wrap up the concert series on April 27, the third and final night.

“With the Draft coming to Detroit, we knew the importance of representing the rich cultural history and music legacy of this city as part of our NFL Draft Concert Series,” says Tim Tubito, director of event presentation and content at the NFL. “With an incredible lineup of headliners who all hail from the region, we’re excited for these great artists to help us create an amazing on-site experience for our fans and prospects.”

The NFL Draft Concert Series is a free event, with general admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans can sign up for the NFL OnePass app for access to draft festivities or go to the Hart Plaza, where there will be exhibits, games and more.

 

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


50 Cent launches G-Unit Studios in Louisiana

John Lamparski/FilmMagic

50 Cent sees Shreveport, Louisiana, as "a beacon of inspiration," so he's launching a G-Unit Studios in that city with a goal of increasing "job opportunities and economic growth [and] sparking a new era of prosperity and creativity."

“As someone who has always believed in the transformative power of music, film, and television, I’m beyond excited to introduce the expansion of my G-Unit Film & Television through the launch of G-Unit Studios right here in Shreveport," 50 says in a statement to Billboard.

"From the gritty narratives of the streets to the compelling stories that define our era, G-Unit has always been more than just entertainment; it’s a platform for voices that need to be heard, stories that need to be told," he continues. "Bringing G-Unit Studios to Shreveport is not just a business decision; it’s a commitment to fostering talent, creating opportunities, and building a community that thrives through creativity and innovation. We see Shreveport as a beacon of inspiration and creativity.” 

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux adds that he's thrilled to have G-Unit Studios in the city, which he says "provides the perfect backdrop for this endeavor."

"We are eager to collaborate with Mr. Jackson and G-Unit Film & Television to bring captivating movies and entertainment to Shreveport and Caddo Parish," he says.


 

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Beyoncé gives South Carolina coach Dawn Staley her flowers after NCAA title victory

Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

Beyoncé's flower-giving spree continues, with Dawn Staley the latest recipient.

The South Carolina women’s basketball coach received a bouquet of flowers, some merch and a note from Queen Bey that read, "To Coach Staley and the entire South Carolina Gamecocks, me and my family watched your games and cheered you on through the entire season. I am so proud of you, all of my love.”

Dawn read the note aloud in a clip shared to her socials, which sees her dancing to Bey's "Texas Hold 'Em." She then expressed her gratitude for the nice gesture.

“Bey, thank you! We appreciate you,” Dawn said. “We’re honored to wear your gear. It says, ‘Always Been Country.’ Well, guess what, I’ve been in the South for 16 years. I’m a little country, too! This is because of you, Bey. Keep inspiring. We love you.”

For the uninitiated, Dawn's Gamecocks recently beat the Iowa Hawkeyes, leading them to their second national championship in three years, per the Carolina News and Reporter.

Greenville News reports Dawn's now the first Black Division I coach to complete a season undefeated and the first Black coach to win three national titles.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Nicki Minaj explains why she was late to "magical" Montreal show

Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for MTV

Nicki Minaj was nearly three hours late for her concert in Montreal Wednesday, but she hopped online to let fans know the reason for the holdup.

She chalked up the tardiness to issues with the plane company that not only shut down their plane but continuously pushed back the departure time of the next flight.

"Never in 15 years have I heard of anything like that. A 70K G4 and thought we were going to PAY THEM for that flight as well as whatever flight I’d have to get on next. They thought wrong,” she wrote on social media. She also noted a difference in protocol when she arrived.

“When we did get to Canada, they did a bunch of stuff they didn’t do the last 2 times I came for the OVO FEST. They started searching through my personal purses. Usually they take me to the car with my purses & check the bigger luggage. Nope. Not this time,” she wrote.

Despite the "sabotage," Nicki apologized and let fans know the show was still on. She promised to “get to the bottom” of everything when the night was over.

From the looks of Nicki's posts after the show, it seems it turned out to be a “magical” one.

"They wanted the show to be cancelled but GOD!!!!! Bwahahaaaaaaaa,” she wrote on social media.

"Like I SAID. A MAGICAL F&$!NG SHOW!!!!!!!!!!! #GagCityMontreal was ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! From START to FINISH. HAHAHHAAAAAAAAABWAHAHAHA!!!!!" she added in a follow-up post. "YOU CAN’T STOP ME YOU WILL NEVER STOP ME. ALL YOU’LL do is CURSE YOURSELF!!!!!! You ain’t know?!?!!! Well watch."

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


“Happy Cud”: Kid Cudi reveals engagement

Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for Paramount+

Kid Cudi has announced his engagement to his girlfriend, menswear designer Lola Abecassis Sartore.

In an Instagram post Wednesday, the rapper posted photos of the two from the London premiere of the Sonic the Hedgehog spinoff Knuckles. The first photo features Cudi looking lovingly at a smiling Lola, while the other two show them posing on the red carpet in matching black outfits styled by YSL.

He captioned the pics, “My fiancé[e] Lola and me at the Knuckles premiere. This amazing woman makes me so happy, she is everything to me and im so excited to share this news w u all. Life is wild, and right when I felt my future was uncertain, it became crystal clear with Lola.”

“Happy Cud in full effect,” he wrote.

As previously announced, Cudi is set to perform at Coachella this weekend. He'll be hitting the road this summer for a world tour in support of his album Insano, which came out in January.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Rihanna says she already has "hits" waiting in the wings, and material is "so good"

Neil Mockford/WireImage

At this point, a new Rihanna album is more mythical than the proverbial unicorn, but according to Rih herself, she has at least the makings of new music — and she says, "it's so good."

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight at the launch of her latest Fenty X Puma sneaker, Rih said, “I already got stuff that I feel like I could make hits out of." She added that she and her partner, A$AP Rocky, are "really trying to figure out who’s gonna use what because it’s so good.”

Asked if she and Rocky will try to follow in Beyoncé's footsteps and feature their kids, RZA, 2, and Riot, 8 months, on the album, Rihanna said, "It's up to them." But according to her, their musical tastes right now lean toward that classic banger "The Wheels on the Bus."

When ET mentions that we all want to know when we can expect R9, Rihanna declared, "I wanna know too!"

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


GloRilla arrested for DUI in Georgia

John Nacion/Getty Images

GloRilla was arrested on a charge of DUI early on April 16 in Atlanta, ABC TV affiliate WSB-TV reports.

She was booked  into the Gwinnett County Jail and has since been released on a $1,956 bond, according to the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office. 

Glo, born Gloria Hallelujah Woods, is charged with driving under the influence, open container and failure to obey a traffic control device. 

The 24-year-old rapper is scheduled to perform this week in Macon, Georgia. She’ll also be joining Megan Thee Stallion’s tour, which kicks off May 14 in Minneapolis.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


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