Hip-Hop
M.I.A. Wants Us To Live Free on New Single “BEEP”: Stream
M.I.A. has always been an outspoken, boundary-pushing artist, and she’s no different on new single “BEEP.” Listen to the track below. “You can be who you wanna be,” goes the hook in “BEEP,” a short, slinky song rife with exotic percussion. Doing what she wants has always been M.I.A.’s MO, and she remains unbothered by that fact here: “I tried to tell you all what will happen to you/ I tried to make you see I was telling the truth/ I was tryna be everything you want me to be/ I can’t please everyone/ Imma let it BEEP BEEP,” she raps. No word on if the single’s “Be free” message is about vaccines, though. “BEEP” will appear on M.I.A.’s upcoming album MATA, which has yet to receive a release date. So far, however, the musician has previewed the project with the singles “The One” and “Popular....
Coolio Recorded New Dialogue and a Song for Futurama Before His Death
Just a few weeks before he died of cardiac arrest, Coolio was in the studio recording dialogue and a new song for the upcoming revival of Futurama, producer David X. Cohen told TMZ. During Futurama’s initial run, Coolio had a recurring role on the animated satire as Kwanzaa-bot, the exasperated holiday companion to Santa Claus Robot and Chanukah Zombie. “Coolio was one of my favorite guests,” Cohen said. “He was always totally upbeat and genuinely enjoyed coming in to record as his character Kwanzaa-bot.” Cohen said that the episode will be dedicated to Coolio and feature him rapping over the credits, in order to give him “the best send-off we can.” He added that he’d had an enjoyable conversation with the “Gangsta’s Paradise” MC, and learned that Coolio had r...
Future Interrupts Jimmy Kimmel Live! with a “Love You Better” Dream Sequence: Watch
Life is different when you’re living in the Future, as the Atlanta MC demonstrated with a show-stopping performance — literally — of “Love You Better” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Kimmel introduced the musical guest as if he were sitting down for an interview. After Future took a spot on the couch, the host asked, “So how is the Future? Relatively speaking.” “Man, I be drifting off sometimes,” Future replied, as music began to swell and the lighting went woozy. The cameras shifted to show a young woman calling out, “Future!” as she entered his dressing room. She found a bouquet of flowers, a bucket of ice, and a note: “I NEVER LIKED U.” Advertisement Related Video That’s a reference to Future’s new album, I Never Liked You, and as she sat on the couch to process this missive, the camera...
Coolio Was Working on Song With Irish Singer Christy Dignam Before Death, Said it Was ‘Probably Going to be a Banger’
Coolio‘s death at 59 on Wednesday (Sept. 28) left many unanswered questions, including whether the beloved “Gangsta’s Paradise” rapper left behind any unheard music. But as spotted by People magazine, earlier this summer the MC born Artis Leon Ivey Jr. had been working on a new song with the lead singer of Irish rock band Aslan, Christy Dignam, just a few months before his passing. “We’ve just got into it,” Coolio told the Irish Examiner in July in an interview about his return to one of his favorite cities in the world, Dublin, Ireland. “We’re working on a track. We haven’t even started writing any lyrics. The track is being built as we speak. Somewhere within the next four to six weeks we should have something tangible we could work with.” Coolio — who told the paper he loves Dublin so m...
Coolio Dead at 59
Coolio died on Wednesday (Sept. 28) in Los Angeles, California. He was 59 years old. According to TMZ, who first reported the news, the rapper, born Artis Leon Ivey Jr. was found dead on the bathroom floor at his friend’s house, and paramedics initially suspect that he suffered cardiac arrest. However, an official cause of death has yet to be determined. Billboard has reached out to his reps for more information. Coolio placed six hits on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, including the No. 1 smash “Gangsta’s Paradise,” featuring L.V, from the film Dangerous Minds. The single spent three weeks atop the list in 1995 and finished as the year-end No. 1 song on the Hot 100. It also ruled the Hot Rap Songs list for 11 consecutive weeks. The track would go on to win the Billboard Music Awar...
Coolio Found Dead at Age 59
Coolio, the rapper best known for his chart-topping single “Gangsta’s Paradise,” has died at the age of 59, according to TMZ. Citing the rapper’s longtime manager, TMZ reports that Coolio died from cardiac arrest on Wednesday. At the time of his death, he was at a friend’s house, his manager said. After the rapper went to the bathroom and never returned, his body was found laying on the floor. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. Released in 1995, the Stevie Wonder-sampling, L.V.-featuring “Gangsta’s Paradise” was an ominous yet infectious document of gangster life, a darker offering from a man with a pretty lighthearted persona (if his iconic hair wasn’t proof enough, Coolio’s earlier output had built him a reputation for bringing a humorous perspective to his tales of violence). ...
Lizzo Kicks It Seriously Old School By Ripping Solo on James Madison’s Crystal Flute
Lizzo kicked it seriously old school on Tuesday night (Sept. 27) during her gig at Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C. Like, for real old, as in the 1800s. The rapper had a very special guest for the gig: a crystal flute once owned, but never played, by Founding Father and fourth president of the United States, James Madison. Surely you have questions. Earlier this week, the Library of Congress tweeted out a humble brag about having the largest flute collection in the world, with more than 1,800 pieces, including Madison’s 1813 crystal flute. “@lizzo we would love for you to come see it and even play a couple when you are in DC next week,” they wrote. “Like your song they are ‘Good as Hell.’” Because she’s a classically trained flautist, Lizzo could not possibly pass up the offer o...
Pusha T Commits a McMurder on New McRib Diss Track “Rib Roast”: Stream
Pusha T has compiled enough gritty nicknames to populate a whole gangster movie: The L Ron Hubbard of the Cupboard, Cocaine’s Dr. Seuss, Pusha Thanos, and now, “The boss with the smoky Q sauce.” That’s because King Push has once again partnered with Arby’s to absolutely body a McDonald’s product, this time with the “Rib Roast,” a McRib diss track. The Virginia MC committed his first McMurder earlier this year with “Spicy Fish Diss,” though his feelings about McDonald’s go back much further than that. Pusha T was either the partial or full author of that famous, “Ba da ba ba ba,” in the first “I’m Lovin’ It” commercial from 2003. The actual credit is highly disputed, though marketing CEO Steve Stoute revealed in 2016 that Clipse — that’s Push and his brother No Malice — were ...
How to Get Tickets to Beyoncé’s 2023 “Renaissance” Tour
Beyoncé will hit the road in 2023 to tour in support of her transformative three-act Renaissance project, according to Page Six. What Is Beyoncé’s Next Tour? While there’s been no official announcement from Beyoncé’s camp, Page Six reports that Queen Bey “is booking stadiums around the world for the summer of 2023.” An official announcement is expected “in the coming weeks.” The tour would mark Beyoncé’s first public concert since headlining Coachella in 2018. More recently, she sang “Be Alive” at the 2022 Academy Awards and performed “XO” and “Halo” at a tribute concert for Kobe and Gianna Bryant in 2020. Who Is Opening for Beyoncé on Tour? Advertisement As there has been no official announcement, this information is still to be determined. How Can I Get Tickets for Beyoncé’s “R...
Denzel Curry Announces Melt My Eyez See Your Future Deluxe Edition, Shares “X-Wing” Video: Watch
Denzel Curry is gearing up to release a re-vamp of his great March album Melt My Eyez See Your Future that features his Cold Blooded Soul Band — the 10-piece ensemble who helped make the Florida MC’s recent NPR Tiny Desk Concert and performance on The Tonight Show all the more captivating. Along with the announcement, Curry has shared a new music video for album highlight “X-Wing.” Melt My Eyez See Your Future: The Expanded Edition will premiere on a livestream concert this Thursday, September 29th, landing on all DSPs at midnight on the 30th. The deluxe version of the record includes the original setlist, plus re-worked versions of 10 of its tracks including “Walkin’” and “The Ills” that all feaeture the Cold Blooded Soul Band. While there’s no additional bonus tracks here...
Kanye West Understands How the UK Is Feeling: “I Lost My Queen, Too”
Watching Kanye West try to empathize can feel like watching a giraffe limbo, but Ye gave it a shot following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. “London, I know how you feel,” he posted on his Instagram Stories. “I lost my queen, too.” West seems to be referencing his messy 2021 divorce from Kim Kardashian, who went on to have a royal rebound with Pete Davidson. Though since he offered no clarification, it’s also possible he’s mourning the loss 15 years ago of his mother Donda West. Either way, the situations aren’t exactly comparable. Elizabeth II reigned in England for over 70 years and forged the monarchy’s post-colonial path with her emphasis on the Commonwealth of Nations. Whatever he meant, the Queen’s death has had a profound effect on West, at least according to West. H...
The Dream Setlist for Rihanna’s Super Bowl Halftime Show: Critic’s Picks
It’s hard to believe that nearly two decades after her debut album and many hit singles, pop superstar Rihanna has yet to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. But in 2023, she’s finally getting her chance. The NFL confirmed Sunday (Sept. 25) that the “We Found Love” singer will be taking to the stage for the Halftime Show of Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12, 2023. Rihanna herself even appeared to confirm the news, posting a shot of her hand palming a football as the rumors swirled around social media. The announcement immediately got fans talking: Which guest stars will join her during the show? Does this mean that her long-awaited ninth studio album is coming? How will she integrate her Fenty beauty and fashion lines into the show? But one looming question stands out among the rest: What wi...
