Hip-Hop
Polo G Reveals New Single “Epidemic”: Stream
Earlier this week, Polo G made his TV debut on The Tonight Show. Now, he’s returned with “Epidemic”, his first single since dropping The GOAT back in May. Despite its suggestive title, today’s offering is not about the coronavirus outbreak. Instead, the Chicago rapper focuses on another widespread occurrence that continues to take lives, especially within his own community: gun violence on the streets. “Every day a gamble with your life, all we know is risk,” Polo G rap-sings on the track, which is produced by Tahj Money, DMAC, Londn Blu, and Karltin Bankz. Later, he vows to be more careful for the sake of his family. “Promise to my son that the streets won’t get no more of me/ Remember every line from that obituary poetry.” Editors’ Picks Frequent collaborator Ryan Lynch d...
Kanye West Teases New Song ‘Believe What I Say’: Listen
Kanye West has shared a snippet of a new song called “Believe What I Say.” The rapper and presidential hopeful took to Twitter on Saturday (Sept. 26) to post a 38-second clip of the track, which samples Lauryn Hill‘s 1998 hit “Doo Wop (That Thing).” The tweet was accompanied by a video shot on a boat. “You ask him to feel protected/ And still feel protected,” West raps on the song. “Just one time for the record/ Just one time for the record/ Don’t agree with the message/ Don’t agree with the methods.” Last week, the rapper waged a one-man war against the music industry, tweeting that he’s “not putting no more music out till I’m done with my contract with Sony and Universal.” In an exclusive interview with Billboard, West said he’s curre...
Rick Ross and Tory Lanez Beef Over ‘Daystar’ Album, Breonna Taylor Protests
Rick Ross and Tory Lanez are sparring on social media following the release of Lanez’s new album, Daystar. On the album’s lead song “Money Over Fallouts,” the 28-year-old Canadian rapper and singer, whose real name Daystar Peterson, denies claims that he shot Megan Thee Stallion in the foot after a Hollywood Hills party in July. “Gotta see a couple questions: how the f–k you get shot in your foot, don’t hit no bones or tendons?” Lanez raps on the track. “Megan people tryna frame me for a shootin’ … Knowin’ I ain’t do it but I’m comin’ at my truest.” Ross clearly wasn’t impressed by the Daystar project or the fact that it was released one day after a Kentucky jury brought no charges against...
Song of the Week: Travis Scott Flaunts His Business Acumen on “FRANCHISE”
Young Thug and Travis Scott (photos by Philip Cosores), M.I.A. (photo by Ben Kaye) Song of the Week breaks down and talks about the song we just can’t get out of our head each week. Find these songs and more on our Spotify New Sounds playlist. Sometimes a rapper becomes bigger than the game. Travis Scott got there before he turned 30. Let’s do the rundown: owns his own record label, Cactus Jack Records; founded his own annual music festival, Astroworld; collabs on sneakers with Nike that are so popular that some stores won’t carry them for fear of being bombarded by Scott’s fans; and has his own meal featured at participating McDonald’s restaurants. That’s without mentioning the 45 million in album sales, six Grammys, and a Billboard Music Award. A lot of rappers have gold grills and drop ...
Lil Peep’s Hellboy Mixtape Hits Streaming Services for First Time
Four years ago today, Lil Peep’s Hellboy mixtape was released on SoundCloud. Now, to celebrate its anniversary, the late emo rapper’s estate has made the project available on streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify for the very first time. Hear it in full below. “Bunkered in a loft on Skid Row”, the original 2016 collection consists of a total of 16 songs, including hit single “Girls”. Guest bars and additional production were provided by the MC’s friends and colleagues, such as Smokeasac, Xavier Wulf, Lil Tracy, Young Cortex, and KirbLaGoop. Staying true to his emo rap status, Lil Peep (real name Gustav Elijah Åhr) incorporated samples of Bright Eyes, Blink-182’s Tom DeLonge, The Story So Far, and Mike Kinsella throughout Hellboy. The mixtape also featured samples of Underoath, Av...
Reason Pops Off on New Song “Sauce” Featuring Vince Staples: Stream
While some people might prefer a plain life, Reason is living for the “Sauce” on his new song featuring Vince Staples. “Sauce” is a summery track, perfect for driving along the California coastline with the windows down and the volume up. It’s built over a relaxed piano refrain, stunting drums, and a subterranean bass. During the chorus, Reason raps the way a schoolkid skips, with a couple syllables to gather momentum followed by a moment of suspension. “I might slip, I don’t fall, if I slip, I might crawl,” he spits. As he’s been doing his whole career Vince Staples steals the show with an exuberant guest verse. Here, he takes aim at the police. “Hit the block, chip the bars, yuh/ Catch a pig, Randy Moss, yuh/ I don’t rock with the police none/ Don’t ditch the Glock when the police ...
Here’s Who Kamala Harris Thinks Is the ‘Best Rapper Alive’
For Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris, Tupac “lives on.” That’s why she deemed him the “best rapper alive” during the NAACP’s virtual convention Friday (Sept. 25). CNN‘s Angela Rye, who moderated the event, then reminded the California senator that has been dead since 1996. “I keep doing that,” Harris laughed in response. “Listen, West Coast girls think Tupac lives on. I’m with you,” Rye agreed, before asking the VP nominee to pick another rapper. While Harris admitted there are “so many” rappers she likes, she also expressed that there are others “I would not mention right now because they should stay in their lane.” Kamala Harris asked, who’s the best...
Aminé Performs in Hot Air Balloon on Kimmel: Watch
Aminé soared over Los Angeles in a hot air balloon for his Thursday performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. The balloon itself was a statement, festooned in Black Lives Matter messaging, flags of countries, and religious symbols from around the world. While attempting to honor the lives of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Sandra Bland, Aminé made a broader statement about the interconnectedness of humanity. The rapper launched into the two opening tracks of his new album Limbo, but in reverse order. First, he essayed his latest single “Woodlawn”. Lines like “Came a long way from that Woodlawn Park,” hit differently at 2,200 feet. After landing, Aminé stepped inside the balloon itself, transforming a mode of transportation into a dramatic venue. He played “Burd...
Let’s Go! See Which Rapper Will Take Dua Lipa’s ‘Levitating’ to New Heights With a New Remix
Dua Lipa already brought The Blessed Madonna, Madonna and Missy Elliott up with her on the remix of “Levitating.” So who’s hoping aboard next? DaBaby will next for the song’s second remix on Friday, Oct. 2, according to the Future Nostalgia star’s social media today (Sept. 25). He reshared her Instagram on his Story Friday, writing “BOOM” with a rocket emoji. Maybe Billboard Baby will help give her hit the lift-off it needs to go No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The first remix of the song came off her and The Blessed Madonna’s Club Future Nostalgia album, which blasted atop Billboard‘s Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart. Check out Lipa’s “Levitating” remix announcement below....
Beastie Boys’ Final Concert at Bonnaroo 2009 Is Streaming on YouTube All Weekend: Watch
As the coronavirus pandemic looms on, many artists are stepping up to the plate to help fans pass the time by uploading archival footage from years past. Now, Beastie Boys are doing their part by sharing their final concert ever, their 2009 headlining performance at Bonnaroo, for free on YouTube all weekend long. The performance actually aired on Thursday night during the kickoff to Bonnaroo’s Virtual ROO-ALITY three-day streaming event, but apparently that wasn’t enough for fans. “The last gig,” the group tweeted on Friday. “We’ve heard from so many fans around the world that were unable to tune in last night, so our friends at Bonnaroo are letting the set live online through the weekend.” The rap icons never planned to make this Bonnaroo set their last. At the time, Beastie Boys had...
Tory Lanez Releases Ill-Advised Album About Megan Thee Stallion Shooting
Until today, Tory Lanez had remained largely silent about allegedly shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot back in July. Now, though, the rapper born Daystar Peterson has finally broken his silence on the matter, but not by publicly apologizing or even issuing a simple statement. No, instead the Canadian MC has released a whole damn album denying Megan’s claims and bemoaning their impact on his career. Quick recap: Tory Lanez was arrested in mid-July on concealed weapons charges. A few days later, Megan revealed she’d actually been shot in the foot prior to his arrest. About a month after that, the “WAP” rapper confirmed rumors that it was indeed Lanez behind the trigger. Which brings us to last night. After disappearing from social media following the arrest and shooting, Lanez ret...
T.I. Taps Young Thug For Fast-Paced ‘Ring’ Video, Announces Upcoming Album Title: Watch
Libra season is upon us, and so is The Libra era for T.I.. On his 40th birthday on Friday (Sept. 25), the rapper announced the title of his upcoming album, The Libra, which not only nods to his star sign but also stands for The Legend Is Back Running Atlanta. In conjunction with the announcement, T.I. unveiled his dynamic new video for “Ring,” featuring Young Thug. The clip finds Tip as a therapist and Slime his patient who has outgrown “the hostilities you’ve harbored from past activities.” Young Thug rejects how the “chaos” of his life affects him, and insists that he loves it. The duo then delve into the stirring track, trading verses against a background of luxurious cars and stunning women. Watch the video below. [embedded ...
