R&B/Hip-Hop
Nineteen85’s Balancing Act: Producer Talks New Dvsn Album, Signing Harry James Jr. & More
Leaning back comfortably in his Toronto home, a gold gramophone peeks out from behind producer Nineteen85’s head. “I was hoping I was covering it, but I guess I’m moving too much,” he says with a laugh. It’s not the Latin Grammy he won this year for best engineered album (C.Tangana’s El Madrileño), but an earlier win, as a writer on Drake’s hit, “Hotline Bling.” A fellow Toronto native and OVO Sound signee, ’85 co-produced some of the 6 God’s highest charting singles, including “One Dance” and “Hold On, We’re Going Home.” Explore See latest videos, charts and news But that’s not what the decorated producer wants to focus on. In the last year, he has been pivoting from forefront to background, working alongside dvsn partner Daniel Daley on the duo’s upcoming album, and developing artists, w...
See Lizzo Transform Into a Very Festive ‘Mrs. Grinch’ for Christmas
Lizzo is celebrating Christmas early and in style this year. On Wednesday (Dec. 22), the Grammy winner showed off her stylish Mrs. Grinch costume in a series of posts she shared on Instagram. “YOU’RE A BAD B—H… MRS. GRINCH,” she captioned the first snapshot. In it, Lizzo is adorned in full Christmas glam with matching candy-cane nails, a green wig and a mini Christmas tree headdress topped with festive ornaments. Instead of traditional green Grinch attire, Lizzo opted for dazzling red. She captioned her second Mrs. Grinch post, an up-close and personal video, writing, “IMA REAL ONE… I DONT FW [f–k with] THEM.” Explore Explore Lizzo See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The hitmaker completed her holiday series with an additional photo set, which she captione...
Latto Gives Back to Young Moms in Need During ‘Latto 4 The Ladies & Babies’ Christmas Event
Latto is spreading holiday cheer to moms in need. Last Friday, in partnership with her nonprofit organization Win Some Give Some and Georgia’s Rainbow House, the Billboard chart-topper hosted her first Latto 4 The Ladies & Babies Christmas party. The charitable event took place at the Virginia Gray Burton Recreation Center in Riverdale, Ga. During the celebration — which benefited teenagers, young moms and their children — families were gifted meals, Black Santa merchandise, toys, Visa gift cards, filled stockings, free skating passes to their local rink and more goodies. The 23-year-old rising star was thrilled to give back in Georgia, where she was raised. Ohio-born Latto first rose to fame as the inaugural winner of Jermaine Dupri’s The Rap Game in 2016. “It was immediate growth,” s...
Metro Boomin Hosts Fifth Annual Christmas Charity Drive Benefiting Single Moms
Metro Boomin is back with his fifth annual Christmas event. The charitable festivities took place on Dec. 16, in partnership with his label Boominati Worldwide and the McCaskill Treatment Family Home. The proud St. Louis native returned to his hometown to provide helpful resources and a special dinner for single mothers and their families at .ZACK Urban Ballroom. During the dinner, more than 200 families were gifted $200 gift certificates. Attendees also received Boominati gift bags complete with donated items from sponsors including McDonald’s, Republic Records, SalxCo, Essentia, Blk Water, Taco Bell, Baby Bjorn, Master Dynamic, Barebell Protein and Budgeting Buddies. Explore See latest videos, charts and news Since the first event in 2017, Metro Boomin has continuously given back to sing...
Post Malone Teams Up With ‘Magic: The Gathering’ For Return of ‘Friday Night Magic’ Series
Post Malone is gearing up to make your Friday nights magical in 2022. The “Circles” rapper has teamed up with Wizards of the Coast for a reboot of the “Friday Night Magic” global play program for the popular strategic trading card game Magic: The Gathering. “Back at it with @Wizards_Magic 🙂 It’s about to get wild,” Posty tweeted on Tuesday (Dec. 21). Explore See latest videos, charts and news “You’d be hard-pressed to find a bigger fan of Magic: The Gathering than Post Malone,” said Nathan Stewart, Head of Franchise Marketing for Wizards of the Coast in a statement. “As a fan for years, he knows just how much Friday Night Magic means to players. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Posty in ways that will allow his signature style, talent and love of the game to combine in ways fans ...
Police Reviewing Video in Drakeo the Ruler Stabbing, Mom Plans to Sue Over Killing
Los Angles police detectives are reviewing video and security footage from the Dec. 18 Once Upon a Time in L.A. festival in an effort to identify the person who fatally stabbed Drakeo the Ruler backstage as the late rapper’s mother vows to sue over her son’s killing. Explore See latest videos, charts and news According to the Los Angeles Times, an unnamed person with direct knowledge of the incident told the paper that Drakeo (born Darrell Caldwell) was attacked by a group of people, with several videos emerging after the incident; it was unclear at press time if any of the clips captured the stabbing. While authorities have not released many details about their investigation, sources told the Times that there were many people backstage when the attack took place. Drakeo, 28, was slated to...
Proud Grandma Tina Knowles-Lawson Thanks Beyoncé and ‘Beautiful Grand Babies’ For Talk Show Theme Song
Tina Knowles-Lawson roped in some A-list ringers to record the theme song for her new Facebook Watch interview series, Talks With Mama Tina. In a 40-second trailer that dropped on Monday (Dec. 20) Knowles-Lawson announced the show, which she promised would find her inviting “some of my favorite people over to my home” for a chat, and revealed the theme sung by daughter Beyoncé and the matriarch’s grandchildren. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Among the stars who pop up in the trailer are comedian/actor Kevin Hart, Chloe & Hailey, Kelly Rowland, Ciara, John David Washington, Paulette Washington, Storm Reid, Marsai Martin, Zendaya and Tiffany Haddish. The series’ mellow R&B theme song opens with a group of children saying, “let’s talk abo...
Lil Durk Proposes to India Royale Onstage at Hometown Chicago Concert: Watch
Lil Durk is officially engaged to his longtime girlfriend India Royale. On Saturday, during his performance for radio station WGCI’s Big Jam Concert at the United Center in the pair’s Chicago hometown, the hitmaker (nee Durk Derrick Banks) caught the audience by surprise when he unexpectedly proposed to Royale onstage. Durk was on bended knee when he asked Royale, “Do you wanna be my wife?” The enthusiastic crowd burst into applause in celebration of the special moment before Royale said yes. The rap star shared a video of his proposal on Instagram. Explore See latest videos, charts and news The two reportedly started dating in 2017. They became parents to daughter Willow Banks soon after in November 2018. The heartwarming marriage proposal culminates an incredible year for Lil Durk, ...
Rapper Drakeo the Ruler Dies After Stabbing at Los Angeles Festival
Los Angeles rapper Drakeo the Ruler has died after being stabbed multiple times at a Los Angeles festival, a representative for the artist confirmed to Billboard. He was 28. The up-and-coming South Central rapper, whose real name was Darrell Caldwell, was attacked at the Once Upon a Time in LA concert at Banc of California and Exposition Park on Saturday (Dec. 18), according to a Los Angeles Times report, which cites a person with direct knowledge of the assault who requested anonymity. Explore See latest videos, charts and news Once Upon a Time in LA organizers confirmed in an Instagram post that the event had been shuttered early without providing an explanation. The concert was expected to feature such artists as Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Ice Cube, YG and The Game. Margaret Stewart, a spokes...
Drakeo the Ruler’s Death Mourned by Drake, Saweetie, Juicy J & More
The hip-hop community is mourning the death of rapper Drakeo the Ruler, who died after being stabbed multiple times at a Los Angeles music festival on Saturday night (Dec. 18). Artists like Drake, Saweetie, Juicy J and many others took to social media on Sunday to pay their respects to the 28-year-old L.A. native. Drakeo, whose real name was Darrell Caldwell, passed away after being attacked during the the Once Upon a Time in LA concert at Banc of California and Exposition Park. Explore See latest videos, charts and news “Nah man this s— isn’t right for real wtf are we doing,” Drake wrote on his Instagram Story after learning about the tragic news. “Always picked my spirit up with your energy RIP Drakeo.” With the potential to create a long-lasting legacy that cemented his own place i...
New Edition Announces 30-City Culture Tour With Charlie Wilson and Jodeci
New Edition is going on tour with Charlie Wilson and special guest Jodeci. The iconic group will embark on The Culture Tour, presented by the Black Promoters Collective, beginning Feb. 16 in Columbia, Georgia. The 30-city tour — which includes stops in Los Angeles, New York and New Edition’s hometown of Boston — is set to culminate on April 10 in Miami. Tickets are available are available for purchase at the official New Edition website. Explore See latest videos, charts and news Most recently, New Edition — composed of members Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill — wowed fans with their impressive “Battle of Boston” musical showdown at the American Music Awards. During the big event, which took place on Nov. 21, New Edition and fellow Bosto...
Aaliyah’s ‘Poison’ Collab With The Weeknd Finally Arrives: Stream it Here
Aaliyah and The Weeknd bring fans something deceptively sweet to devour with their new collab “Poison,” which was released on Friday (Dec. 17). The Princess of R&B and the dark prince of R&B join forces on the track, which arrives ahead of Aaliyah’s posthumous studio album due at a later date via Blackground Records 2.0 and EMPIRE. The Weeknd previously sampled Aaliyah’s 2001 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit “Rock the Boat” on “What You Need” from his 2012 compilation album Trilogy. Fans were finally able to hear the original sample when The Weeknd released his debut 2011 House of Balloons mixtape on streaming services this spring to commemorate its 10th anniversary. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news But House of Balloons wasn’...
