R&B/Hip-Hop
Usher Remakes ‘You Make Me Wanna’ Cover in Honor of 25th Anniversary
Usher re-created the cover of his single “You Make Me Wanna” amid the release of the album’s special 25th anniversary vinyl edition. The single’s visuals may be decades apart, but the ageless Usher looks virtually unchanged. The reiteration posted to Instagram on Tuesday (Sept. 20) captures him brooding in the same neon-green ensemble he donned in the 90s. Usher’s remake also follows the recreation of his 1997 album cover for My Way released last week. “LaFace Records and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment (SME), are celebrating the 25th anniversary of global superstar Usher’s iconic album, My Way – the R&B masterpiece that rocketed him into the star-studded spotlight – with an expanded edition of the original album, newly reimagined vers...
Wizkid to Debut New Music at Apple Music Live London Concert
Nigerian artist Wizkid is set to perform at the Roundhouse in London in collaboration with Apple Music Live, debuting songs from his anticipated fifth studio album. London fans will have the exclusive opportunity to attend the live taping on Sept. 27, but the Grammy-winning musician’s performance will also be available to stream in 165 countries this fall. “Apple Music has always been a supporter of my career and a major tool in connecting me with my fans. Collaborating with them on something like this is special,” the “Essence” singer said in a release. “I’m excited to debut new music from my forthcoming album More Love, Less Ego and share my Apple Music Live show with fans across the world.” The Afrobeat artist dropped his first solo track of 2022 “Bad to Me” last week, teasing his next ...
Benny The Butcher Wants to Become the Best Rapper & Executive
Benny The Butcher has hit a transitional period in his career. At the tail end of 2021, the Buffalo, New York product landed a major label deal with Def Jam Records, leading to a plethora of guest features and the fourth installment in his beloved Tana Talk series the following year. Today, Benny is assuming a new role as a music executive with his Black Soprano Family label and its new album Long Live DJ Shay, released earlier this month. Getting to this point was something the rapper knew would eventually happen, especially after his productive year. And Benny’s fully confident things are supposed to happen this exact way. “I wanted all this, so I focused a little harder,” Benny The Butcher tells Billboard about his evolution. “I realized the arena I’m in,...
Mystikal Pleads Not Guilty to Rape & Drug Charges
Grammy-nominated rapper Mystikal pleaded not guilty on Monday (Sept. 19) to charges accusing him of raping and choking a woman at his home in Louisiana and of possessing several drugs. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The 51-year-old performer whose given name is Michael Tyler is innocent of all charges, attorney Joel Pearce said after the arraignment in Ascension Parish court in Gonzales, about 15 miles from Baton Rouge. The charges include first-degree rape, which carries an automatic life sentence. Pearce said he has not been able to get copies of the two indictments, but they were read aloud in court. Charges also include simple criminal damage to property, false imprisonment, domestic abuse battery by strangulation, simple...
R&B Group WanMor Signs With Mary J Blige’s Beautiful Life Productions
R&B quartet WanMor announced on Monday (Sept. 19) their new deal under Mary J Blige’s Beautiful Life Productions and 300 Entertainment. “There’s been so much conversation about the state of R&B and the next generation of R&B artists,” says Mary J. Blige. “This generation has been giving us great R&B, and that feeling, that soul, and that sound remains in our DNA. When we heard WanMor sing, we knew we could stop looking. They are IT! Supporting and cultivating true R&B talent is why I started Beautiful Life Productions, and I couldn’t be more proud to do this with these young men.” “WanMor is what we have been missing in music. There’s no one out like them,” says Kevin Liles, chairman & CEO of 300 Entertainment and Elektra Music Group. “It all comes down to their voi...
Ludacris’ Manager Chaka Zulu Faces Murder Charge in Connection to Atlanta Shooting
The manager for the rapper Ludacris faces a murder charge in Atlanta in connection with a June shooting. The Atlanta Police Department said Chaka Zulu, whose legal name is Ahmed Obafemi, turned himself in to face charges Tuesday (Sept. 13). Atlanta news outlets report that he was released on bail the same day. Police said they also secured warrants charging him with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and simple battery. Gabe Banks, a lawyer for the longtime music executive, issued a statement expressing disappointment in the decision to bring charges. Banks said evidence clearly shows Zulu — who was injured in the incident — defended himself while being attacked by at least four other people in the June incident. Zulu was among three people shot in...
Kanye West Admits He Hasn’t ‘Read Any Book’: ‘Reading Is Like Eating Brussels Sprouts for Me’
Reading is fundamental… unless you’re Kanye West, apparently. On Friday (Sept. 16), the rapper confessed his aversion to all things literary in a new interview. “When you said I hadn’t read this book, I actually haven’t read any book,” he said in an interview with the Alo Mind Full podcast. “Reading is like eating Brussels sprouts for me. And talking is like getting the Giorgio Baldi corn ravioli.” Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news However, Ye’s admission didn’t stop him from trading philosophical proverbs with host Danny Harris, who was expounding on his love for a book whose title he didn’t actually share. “There’s two people: the man who thinks they can and the man who thinks they can’t. And they’re both right,” he declared with a smil...
Giveon to Release New Single ‘Time’ Co-Written by Drake for ‘Amsterdam’ Movie Soundtrack
The cast of David O. Russell’s new murder mystery movie Amsterdam is already dripping with A-listers (including pop superstar Taylor Swift), so it only makes sense that the movie’s soundtrack will be equally star-studded. On Friday (Sept. 16), Epic Records revealed that Giveon has recorded a track for the forthcoming film called “Time,” co-written by Drake. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The song — scheduled to arrive on Friday, Sept. 23, ahead of the movie’s Oct. 7 premiere — was written by Drake and Grammy-winning producer Jahaan Sweet after Daniel Pemberton (who wrote the score for the film) reached out to producer Matthew Budman for advice on the soundtrack. Budman then reached out to Drake, who turned to Giveon to perform the song. Pember...
Nicki Minaj Speaks Out After PnB Rock Murder: ‘Let’s Educate ASAP’
Nicki Minaj has paid tribute to the late rapper PnB Rock, and, in doing so, addresses gun crime and hip-hop artists’ real and ongoing fear of being targeted. PnB Rock died Monday (Sept. 12) after he was shot at Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles in Los Angeles, at the age of 30. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The artist (real name: Rakim Hasheem Allen) was dining at the restaurant with his girlfriend, Stephanie Sibounheuang — who posted and then deleted a location-tagged photo of the couple’s meal on her Instagram Story — when a shooting occurred at 1:23 p.m. PT, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to Billboard. He’s one of many in the hip-hop community who’ve been murdered, a troubling list that dates back to Tupac Shakur and The Notoriou...
PnB Rock’s Death Mourned by Offset, Nicki Minaj, Russ & More: ‘He Was Gentle and Kind’
The hip-hop community is taking a moment to remember PnB Rock on Monday (Sept. 12) after the rapper was fatally shot at Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles in Los Angeles. He was 30. The rapper was dining at the restaurant with his girlfriend, Stephanie Sibounheuang — who posted and then deleted a location-tagged photo of the couple’s meal on her Instagram Story — when a shooting occurred at 1:23 p.m. PT, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to Billboard. The Los Angeles Times reported the suspect “brandished a firearm inside the restaurant and demanded items from the victim.” Rock was reportedly targeted for his jewelry. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news PnB Rock (real name: Rakim Hasheem Allen) was transported to the hospital and pron...
Nicki Minaj Announces New Song ‘Love In the Way’ With Bleu
Nicki Minaj has even more new music on the way. Fresh off the heels of her Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “Super Freaky Girl,” the Queen of Rap announced through social media on Sunday (Sept. 11) that she’s teaming up with singer-rapper Bleu for the upcoming single “Love In the Way,” due out Sept. 16. “#LoveInTheWay F R I D A Y @bleuvandross,” Minaj wrote on Instagram alongside a fierce-looking photo of the pair standing alongside each other. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Bleu — whose 2020 R&B EP, Love Scars: The 5 Stages of Emotions, debuted at No. 9 on the Top R&B Albums — shared the same cover art on Instagram. “HITS ONLY! Watch this,” he captioned the post, adding a flexing arm emoji. “Love In the Way” follows Minaj’s Rick James-s...
Lil’ Kim Denies 50 Cent’s Claim She Slammed Nicki Minaj’s Son on ‘Plan B’ Remix: ‘Kids Are Off Limits!!!’
The Queen Bee is clapping back. On Thursday (Sept. 8), Lil’ Kim addressed allegations started by 50 Cent that she had taken aim at Nicki Minaj‘s young son on her new “Plan B” remix with Megan Thee Stallion. “I never said a word about anyone’s child…” the rapper wrote on her Instagram Stories. “Please feel free to listen to the song where we were clearly talking about an EX. To try and twist my words to have an excuse to take digs at my child is disgusting. I’m one of the most disrespected legends in the game but what you will not do is come for MY CHILD.” Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news A couple slides later, Lil’ Kim went on the offensive against the Super Bowl LVI halftime show performer, whom she blamed for fueling the gossip to begin with. ...
