Hip-Hop
Here’s Where The Weeknd Is Donating $1 Million Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
The Weeknd’s altruism isn’t slowing down. On Monday (June 29), the XO commander donated a whopping total of $1 million with $500,000 going to MusiCares and the other half to front line hospital workers of the Scarborough Health Network. The Weeknd’s generous gesture is to help those affected by COVID-19. Along with his charitable donation, the After Hours singer brought back his XO face masks and matched every dollar to help raise the money. Earlier this month, The Weeknd shelled out $500,000 to nonprofit organizations committed to racial equality. Split between Black Lives Matter Global Network, Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp and National Bail Out, The Weeknd spoke on the importance of creating change for African ...
Fabolous vs. Jadakiss in ‘Verzuz’ Battle of New York Heavyweights: See Billboard’s Scorecard and Winner For the Showdown
It was Freddy versus Jason once again. Fabolous and Jadakiss served as the latest battle as part of Swizz Beatz and Timbaland‘s Verzuz series, as the New York veteran duo faced off for an Instagram live audience in the hundreds of thousands on Monday night (June 29). With more than four decades in music between the pair of rap titans, fans have had their calendars marked and Timberlands laced since the highly anticipated matchup was announced last week. There’s no bad blood here either, as the prolific MCs remain close friends and also released their underrated Friday on Elm Street joint album back in 2017. Instead of looking at it as more of a heavyweight bout, Fab and Jada see saw as a chance to showcase the depth of their decorated discographies, which range from underg...
Thom Yorke Reveals Second Sonos Radio Mix: Stream
In the past, Thom Yorke has provided the BBC with sleepy bedtime music, as well as more experimental playlists. Lately, the Radiohead frontman has been lending his curatorial skills to Sonos Radio, where he’s in charge of a 24-hour station called “In the Absence Thereof”. Last month, we got a taste of his first Sonos Radio mix, an expansive collection featuring everything from Iggy Pop and James Blake to Duke Ellington and Oneohtrix Point Never. A playlist for his second Sonos Radio mix has now arrived, and it promises a similar wide-ranging selection of material “that fascinates or moves” Yorke. Among the highlights on Yorke’s latest list of “influences and obsessions” are Sonic Youth rocker Kim Gordon, elusive R&B connoisseur Jai Paul, Maryland rappers JPEGMAFIA and Rico Nasty, and e...
Unlocking the Truth Break Up as Frontman Malxolm Brixkhouse Launches Solo Career
Unlocking the Truth, the young metal sensations who first created a buzz playing the streets of New York City, have broken up. In turn, frontman Malcolm Brickhouse has started a solo career as Malxolm Brixkhouse, and is supported by his bandmates one final time on his new single “Phantom”. The young band first made a name for itself when a video of one of its street performances went viral on YouTube. The trio, made up of young teenage and pre-teen musicians, went on to play Coachella and Warped Tour, and opened for such acts as Guns N’ Roses, Queens of the Stone Age, and more. In 2014, Unlocking the Truth inked a $1.8 million record contract with Sony, but negotiated their release from the contract a year later. They eventually released the album Chaos independently in 2016, but never qui...
Master P’s ‘No Limit Chronicles’ Docuseries Coming to BET: Exclusive
Part one is set to premiere on July 29 at 9 pm ET on BET. The story of No Limit Records is coming to BET. Billboard confirmed on Monday (June 29) that the five-part No Limit Chronicles docuseries will detail how Master P‘s record label went from the humble beginnings in the trunk of the rapper/impresario’s car to one of the most lucrative dynasties in hip-hop history. “BET is the perfect outlet for the NL Chronicles. I want to continue to inspire and educate my fans and introduce my journey to a new generation,” Master P explains in an exclusive statement to Billboard. “Many will relate to my humble beginnings and realize there are No Limits to what you can accomplish with hard work and determination.” Part one of the docuseries is set to premiere on...
John Legend, Black Eyed Peas & More Set for ‘Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular’
John Legend, The Black Eyed Peas, Lady A and many more are set to take the stage during NBC’s upcoming 44th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. Hosted by Jane Lynch and Today anchor Craig Melvin, the annual Independence Day event will be broadcast live from New York City. Additional performers confirmed for the telecast ahead of the yearly fireworks display include The Killers, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley and national youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman. Due to concerns over social distancing amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, this year’s Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular will look a bit different than it has in years past. This year, the event is being “reimagined as a series of neighborhood shows” through the city’s five boroug...
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo Announces MTV VMAs Date & Location
It’s happening! The MTV Video Music Awards are a go. Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York made the announcement during his Monday (June 29) press briefing, telling viewers that the annual ceremony would be held in Brooklyn. As the governor announced that New York City would be entering Phase III of reopening on July 6, he shared the unexpected news. “The Video Music Awards are going to be held Sunday, August 30, at Barclays Center,” he said. The slide displayed at the time also noted that “the event will follow all safety guidance, including limited or no audience.” Billboard has reached out to MTV for comment. In May, MTV told Billboard in a statement that they were looking into the possibility of safely holding the event live. “We’re exploring with gove...
Public Enemy Perform “Fight the Power” with Nas, The Roots, and More: Watch
Public Enemy joined forces with Nas, The Roots’ Questlove and Black Thought, YG, and Rapsody for a special performance of “Fight the Power” to kick off the 2020 BET Awards on Sunday night. The all-star collaboration, which was filmed remotely, was interspersed with protest footage and other powerful imagery to go along with updated lyrics referencing George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Rayshard Brook. Elsewhere during the BET Awards, Lil Wayne revisited his 2009 track “Kobe Bryant” in tribute to the late NBA legend; Megan The Stallion delivered a post apocalyptical performance of her new single “Girls in the Hood” and her remix of “Savage”; and DaBaby referenced George Floyd’s murder in a powerful visual for his performance of “Rockstar”. You can replay all of these performances below. ...
Beyoncé Announces New Visual Album Black Is King
Beyoncé will return next month with a new visual album called Black Is King. It’s due out on July 31st exclusively through Disney Plus. The project ties back to Beyoncé’s previous collaboration with Disney on last year’s CGI remake of The Lion King and the companion album, The Lion King: The Gift. According to a press release, Black Is King “reimagines the lessons of The Lion King for today’s young kings and queens in search of their own crowns. The film was in production for one year with a cast and crew that represent diversity and connectivity.” Beyoncé wrote, directed and produced Black Is King herself. The album will incorporate music and visuals from The Gift in addition to featuring the album’s collaborators and other special guests. “The voyages of Black families, th...
Michelle Obama Stresses Voter Registration During Virtual Roots Picnic: Watch
Michelle Obama helped launch this year’s Roots Picnic with a passionate message about voting. Before kicking off the virtual festival on Saturday (June 27), the former first lady joined The Roots‘ Questlove and Black Thought on a split screen to urge voter registration for the upcoming election in November. “These past few months have been pretty heavy for just about everyone, and the truth is we still have our work cut out for us in the weeks and months ahead,” Obama said. “So before we dive into the Picnic, I want to remind everybody that we’ve got an election coming up, and it couldn’t be more important that everyone makes their voice heard this time around.” This year’s Roots Picnic partnered with Obama’s nonpartisan nonprofit...
Usher Debuts ‘I Cry’ With Emotional Performance For ‘Global Goal’: Watch
During Global Citizen’s “Global Goal: Unite For Our Future” live stream on Saturday (June 27), Usher performed his heartfelt new single “I Cry.” With powerful lyrics such as “I cry for the sons without fathers and the pain the mothers hold deep inside,” Usher’s new record sends a deep message of empathy and compassion. “If you chose to put yourself on the front lines of protests, if you chose to put yourself on the front lines by way of posting something or reposting something, know that you’re not alone and we can change this,” he previously said to Billboard. “Just know that you’re not alone and that we’re together in this fight.” He added: “I hope that the entire world, Black Americans and those who are Black in other countries, those who receive prej...
SZA Brings a Breezy ‘Normal Girl’ to Virtual Roots Picnic 2020: Watch
SZA took “Normal Girl” out to nature for this year’s Roots Picnic. The singer delivered a fresh, soothing vocal performance of the CTRL track outdoors for Saturday night’s (June 27) event. Surrounded by trees and accompanied by just a guitarist, SZA crooned about what it might be like to be the “type of girl you wanna take home to mama” and the “type of girl my daddy, he’d be proud of.” SZA was part of a packed lineup for the virtual rendition of the Roots Picnic, which kicked off with Michelle Obama urging viewers to take a minute and vote in this year’s elections. The Roots, H.E.R., Roddy Ricch and Kirk Franklin were among the many other performers. Check out a clip of SZA’s performance below. You Deserve to Make...
