Month: September 2021

Ashanti Now Owns Her Masters, Will Re-Record Self-Titled Debut

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Not only will Ashanti be starring in and producing her own romantic comedy film, but the award-winning singer is also revisiting her debut album. Ashanti is hailed as an R&B legend and her Verzuz appearances and recent “Wockesha” feature on the remix to Moneybagg Yo’s hit prove that her reach spans generations.

While visiting the Tamron Hall show, Ashanti revealed that she now has control of her masters and will be re-recording her self-titled debut—a 2002 classic that boasts a 3x Platinum certification from the RIAA.

Ashnti
Noam Galai / Stringer / Getty Images

“It’s so surreal,” the singer said. “I have an amazing legal team… The fact that I’ll be able to rerecord my first album and put everything together and…” Then, Hall jumped in. “Wait, that’s the big announcement! I was going to build up to that!… She’s recording the album now as an independent artist!”

Ashanti spoke about those early days before her career as a New York City youth with big dreams. “I used to live in the basement of my house — I wanted to feel like I had my own apartment,” she said. “So I used to be downstairs in my own section, and I would put on the Cartoon Network on mute and I would just write. And it sounds so crazy, but I would be…having cartoons on, playing the beat, and then just writing. It made me feel comfortable. It allowed me to kind of get into my zone.”

While at the Murder, Inc studio, Ashanti remembers, “I would be the only female and there would be guys in there rolling dice and doing things that guys do and throwing money on the table and there was a lot of stuff in the air,” she recalled. “And I would be in the corner … just writing in my pad.”

Watch her appearance on Tamron Hall below.

Youngboy Never Broke Again Is Riding High On “Footstep”

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There are few rappers these days with a catalog like Youngboy Never Broke Again. Before he was locked up, it was practically a regular occurrence to wake up and find a loose single he released become the #1 video on the platform. Then, there’s the vault of records that ended up leaking on the Internet that remains equally popular among his fans as official releases.

Most artists don’t even bother releasing leaked records officially but Youngboy is evidently a different case than most. Today, he updated the tracklist for Sincerely, Kentrell with two new bonus tracks including “Footstep,” a single that made its way onto the Internet earlier this year.

Youngboy’s two new records arrived amid reports that his new album could dethrone Drake’s Certified Lover Boy from the top spot on the Billboard 200. While the official numbers will come out at the top of next week, these two new singles could help boost his streaming numbers to #1.

Quotable Lyrics
Draco come from Pakistan
Fuck that charge, say, “Sell that Xan'”
We gon’ ride down slow and blow that man
Keep Bs on me, that’s Taliban

NBA Youngboy Calls In A Verse On “Still Waiting”

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There are few artists out who have the same type of grip on the youth like NBA Youngboy. It’s hard not to head into the comment section of any rap-related Instagram page without seeing at least one comment reading, “YB Better.” Youngboy’s a star in his own right, and it’s quite clear his support is just as strong now while he’s locked up as it was when he was free. Who knows how big he’ll be by the time he’s released.

While the rapper’s recently released album Sincerely, Kentrell is inching towards ending Drake’s Certified Lover Boy three-week streak at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, he added two new bonus tracks to the album including “Still Waiting.” The freshly-released song is produced by TAYMADEIT and includes new bars from NBA Youngboy that were recorded over the jail phone. His vocals are muffled and raw but offer fans an honest glimpse of his mind state in jail.

A version of the record was released last month as part of the “Lock Down Sessions” but never received an official release until now.

Quotable Lyrics
Momma I’m so sorry I can’t save myself
Grandpa just your opinion matter it ain’t no one else
Momo I miss your love I been tryna find myself
Don’t wanna be in jail just tell ’em I accept the chair

Eminem’s Next Release Is Reportedly Not An Album, But Rather A Track With Polo G, Mozzy, And Skylar Grey

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Getty Image

Last week, rumors arose about new music from Eminem. Some believed it would be a new project. Some guessed The Marshall Mathers LP 3 was en route. Others believed it was just a song that involved the rapper’s frequent collaborator Skylar Grey. For those who went with the latter, there’s great news for you: you’re partially correct. As confirmed by those who saw an advance screening of the upcoming film Venom 2: Let There Be Carnage, Eminem and Skylar Grey have a song on the soundtrack, and it’s also features rappers Polo G and Mozzy.

The untitled song can reportedly be heard during the end credits of the film. One fan took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the upcoming collaboration, writing, “Dawg. That Polo g, Mozzy, Eminem, Skylar Grey song on the venom sound track [three fire emojis].”

Rumors about the upcoming track first began earlier this month, when Mozzy’s manager teased a collaboration with Eminem. Polo G followed suit and told people to keep an eye out for something coming in October. Meanwhile Skylar Grey had a similar message of her own. “This month has been hellish,” she tweeted. “But I see the light at the end… can’t wait for October 1st… mark your calendar.”

Chuck D Accused Of Defending R. Kelly With Ike Turner & Rick James Examples

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Following R. Kelly being found guilty on all counts relating to sex crimes and trafficking, there have been thousands who have taken to the internet to share their thoughts. From those involved in the industry to ex-fans to diehard supporters, debates and arguments have erupted. As think-pieces and op-eds roll in one after another, Chuck D has given his take, and it has been met with backlash.

The Public Enemy icon sent out a flurry of tweets that mentioned not only Kelly, but Ike Turner and Rick James. “Interesting to see the conversation on @siriusxmvolume segue from tiktok to Kelly,” he said.

R. Kelly
Nuccio DiNuzzo / Stringer / Getty Images

“When you start seeing 30-40 year olds swimming the same social media waters as 12 year olds ..social media & entertainment mixing.. it’s like putting a nightclub inside the high school gym .uh oh,” Chuck added. “Abused in his youth… an addict as a adult. Ike Turner served 18 months in prison.. Rick James did similar time. Ike came out a changed positive human being. How long should R Kelly spend in prison -and does a USA system give a man a chance for a man to change his world around?” he questioned. “Its not a sympathetic question at all . Not the least.”

Later he added, “Mixing grown folk lifestyle with black youth was so endorsed financed perpetuated as so urban cool by radio. Black audiences were abused while 25yrs poppin champagne in the sandbox. The boundaries were sloppy w head nods. That dude & others gave clues that the gatekeepers ignored.”

The Rap icon was accused of making excuses for the alleged behaviors of R. Kelly, but Chuck D wasn’t moved. 

Tems to Collab with Drake Again

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Tems

Nigerian artist Tems has been making a name for herself in the industry with her hit song with Wizkid on “Essence” and her recent collaboration on Drake’s new album “Certified Lover Boy.” The artist has no plans of slowing down as another album is in the works next year, with another Drake feature. Drake A […]

Drake & NBA Youngboy In A Tight Race For #1 On Billboard 200

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Once again, Drake proved that he can’t be topped on the Billboard 200 with the release of Certified Lover Boy. The Toronto MC delivered his latest studio album at the top of the month and it’s remained at #1 since its debut. Last week, it prevented Lil Nas X’s highly anticipated debut album, Montero, from debuting at the top. In a sense, it’s surprising considering the amount of hype that was built around the project.


Claus Andersen/Getty Images

NBA Youngboy is no Lil Nas X, though. The Louisiana rapper unveiled his latest project, Sincerely, Kentrell on Friday which contains absolutely no features. Additionally, NBA Youngboy has been locked up for the better part of 2021. Still, it seems like NBA Youngboy could end up dethroning Drake from the top of the Billboard 200, according to HitsDailyDouble. An updated look at the sales projection indicates that Drake’s CLB and NBA Youngboy’s Sincerely Kentrell are practically neck-in-neck for the #1 spot next week. Youngboy’s album is expected to move upwards of 131K in its first week while Drake’s CLB could outsell Sincerely by just 1,000 units.

If NBA Youngboy manages to outsell Drake, he will join the ranks of 2Pac and Lil Wayne as one of three rappers to debut at #1 from prison. Even if he doesn’t end up outselling Drake, debuting at #2 from behind bars and with little promotion is quite the accomplishment. 

[Via]

Cordae Gets “Real Love” at HBCU

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Cordae

Cordae stopped by Howard University on his tour stop and was swarmed by hundreds of students.   As he walked through the quad, students crowded around him taking pictures and videos while Cordae blended in and seemed to enjoy hanging with the students. “Randomly pulled up at Howard today. REAL love in REAL life thank […]

Check Out These Photos Of Life Is Beautiful’s Return To Las Vegas

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Paul L. Carter

I don’t know about you, but I really, really missed music festivals. And after a year and a half without them, music festivals returned big time this summer, and are now in full swing. Some favorites, like Lollapalooza, Rolling Loud, and Pitchfork Music Festival, all already welcomed fans back to their grounds (and you can look at what’s still to come in our handy hub that we built for you). But there is no festival quite like Life Is Beautiful in Las Vegas.

Taking over Downtown Vegas for the weekend, LiB shows visitors a different side of the desert oasis. It’s not held on the more popular strip area, but in what is commonly referred to as Old Vegas, featuring some of the classic area casinos and hotels as a backdrop and abundant street art on the side of nearly every building. In a city that already feels like a playground, Life Is Beautiful ups the anti, imparting fans with stunning views, top-tier cuisine, educational seminars, and, of course, music. This year saw an impressive slate, including Tame Impala, Green Day, Glass Animals, St. Vincent, Young Thug, ASAP Rocky, and many more. Check out some of the highlights, shot by our own Paul L. Carter, below.

Glass Animals // Paul L. Carter
Glass Animals // Paul L. Carter
Ashnikko // Paul L. Carter
Tame Impala // Paul L. Carter
Tame Impala // Paul L. Carter
ASAP Rocky // Paul L. Carter
ASAP Rocky // Paul L. Carter
ASAP Rocky // Paul L. Carter
Green Day // Paul L. Carter
Green Day // Paul L. Carter
Haim // Paul L. Carter
Haim // Paul L. Carter
Haim // Paul L. Carter
Ludacris // Paul L. Carter
St. Vincent // Paul L. Carter
Young Thug // Paul L. Carter
Young Thug // Paul L. Carter

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Lauryn Hill Initiated The Fugees Reunion, According To Pras

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The Fugees reunion is off to a great start, with a well-received comeback show at New York’s Pier 17 as part of the Global Citizen Live concert series and a tour planned to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the trio’s classic 1996 album The Score. Now, thanks to the sometimes overlooked group member Pras, fans know who to thank for the return of Fugees: Ms. Lauryn Hill, who apparently was the one who reached out to her former bandmates during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

In an interview about the reunion with Billboard‘s Nadine Graham, Pras said, “It was kinda initiated by Ms. Hill, but the idea was floating around since last year. But you know last year with the pandemic, nobody really knew which way the world was going. It happened organically. She reached out to Wyclef and they reached out to me. I said, ‘Listen, if it feels right, let’s see what happens.’ I think the culture really needed it, wanted it, so we’re just giving them what they want.”

However, with regard to whether the crew would be turning their reunion tour into a comeback album, he was a little more cagey. “I’ma say it like this to you,” he replied. “Last night, it really felt good.”

You can watch Fugees’ reunion performance of “Ready Or Not” above.