Month: December 2021

Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Timothée Chalamet & More Share Uplifting Texts From Virgil Abloh

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Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Timothée Chalamet, and more have shared positive text messages they received from Virgil Abloh prior to his passing on November 28. The New York Times published the previously private texts and direct messages on Thursday. 

Samuel Ross, a British designer who worked under Abloh, says that the messages “reflect the character and responsibility Virgil took on to lead a global community. Alongside the top-line perspective he held, he was able to still make time for the important micros of life.”

Virgil Abloh, Kendall Jenner, Texts
Julien M. Hekimian / Getty Images

“TO THE MAXXXXX,” Abloh once texted Jenner. “KEEP NATURALLY SLAYING IT GRACEFULLY.”

In a message to Hadid, Abloh wrote: “YOUR AN ANGEL. Not even of this earth. You walk thru a door and we all smile. All energy from your heart. In this shitty world it means the most to cruise thru it with the real ones. You shine light and actually make the world a better place. I’ll know you in 30 years from now and we’ll laugh at the last 5.”

“A bottle of tequila and the Cudi album on 12,” Abloh told Chalamet.

Other messages from Abloh were shared by Cole Bennett, Sean Wotherspoon, Juelz Santana, and more.

[Via]

NBA YoungBoy On If He Listens To Lil Baby, Polo G, 21 Savage, & More: “F*ck No”

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YoungBoy Never Broke Again is very much a lone wolf. While he operates his Never Broke Again label with artists including Quando Rondo, NoCap, Rjae, P Yungin, and more, the Baton Rouge-raised rapper has proven over the years that he enjoys his alone time, usually coming through with featureless albums and mixtapes. When he does choose to collaborate with somebody, it’s generally with an artist that’s signed to him. 

Given his troubling legal situation over the last few years, the public hasn’t gotten too many chances to hear from YoungBoy in official interviews, so when the 22-year-old music superstar spoke for hours in a Clubhouse room with DJ Akademiks this week, the moment was very newsworthy. We’ve covered a few angles from their conversation already and now, we’re focusing on the answers YoungBoy provided when he was asked if he listens to other current rappers, including Polo G, 21 Savage, Lil Baby, and Yungeen Ace.

Unsurprisingly, YoungBoy answered that, no, he doesn’t listen to them.


Paras Griffin/Getty Images

“You listen to Polo G?” asked DJ Akademiks.

“Fuck no,” replied YoungBoy. “You talkin’ crazy, you playin’.”

“Man, I’m just asking, man,” innocently said Ak before leading into his next question. “Like, [21] Savage. Savage is my n***a. He dope.”

“Fuck no!” said YoungBoy. 

“What about Yungeen Ace?” asked Ak.

After giving that one some thought, he went on to answer the exact same thing, uttering, “Fuck no. Shit, no.”

“Baby?” questioned Ak, referring to Lil Baby. 

“No,” calmly responded YB.


Cooper Neill/Getty Images

It seems as though YoungBoy Never Broke Again might only listen to his own music. Do you think his sound is so unique because he doesn’t listen to anybody else?

Listen to the clip below to hear his responses.

Juicy J & Wiz Khalifa Unleash “Pop That Trunk” From Their Forthcoming Collab Album

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Longtime friends and collaborators Juicy J and Wiz Khalifa have returned with a new single – “Pop That Trunk,” marking their first joint track since “GAH DAMN HIGH” from Juicy’s latest drop off, The Hustle Continues.

If you’re a big fan of Wiz and J’s work together, you’ll be happy to know that they have an album together on the way. Details are under wraps for now, but we do know that it’s set to arrive sometime in early 2022.

The audio release of “Pop That Trunk” also comes along with a Gabriel Hart (who has worked with the likes of Future, Gucci Mani, Young Jeezy, and Migos) directed video that shows our two recording artists play the role of the Devil’s disciples, coercing a group of people on the streets to hand over their souls.

Check out the visual for Juicy J and Wiz Khalifa’s latest above. Are you excited to hear what the two industry legends have in store next year? 

Quotable Lyrics:

If you think you ain’t gon’ pay me my brick, you got me fucked up
Catch your ass trickin’ on some pussy, get you stuck up (Mm-hmm)
Look at my smile, look at my style, I drive these bitches wild (You know it)
You say you smoke dope by the ounce, I smoke it by the pound
Ain’t sweepin’ no beef up under the rug, you gotta take these slugs (Doo, doo)
Before I give this bitch this dick, I’m ’bout to take these drugs (Pop ’em)

Travis Scott Hires Former Donald Trump Attorney For Astroworld Lawsuits

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Having been named in over 250 lawsuits following the tragedy that took place at Astroworld, Travis Scott has hired attorney Daniel Petrocelli to lead his defense. Petrocelli has worked on several high-profile cases including defending former President Donald Trump in 2016 regarding Trump University real estate seminars.

Petrocelli will be joined by Steve Brody and Sabrina Strong, two partners from law firm O’Melveny & Myers LLP, where Petrocelli serves as the head of litigation.

Travis Scott, Lawsuits
Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Petrocelli gained nationwide recognition in 1997 after winning a wrongful death civil suit against O. J. Simpson while representing the father of murder victim Ron Goldman.

Over 200 of the Astroworld victims are being represented by veteran attorney Ben Crump who worked with the families of Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, and Ahmaud Arbery as well as many victims of the Flint water crisis.

“If Travis Scott is accountable, he absolutely should be held accountable,” Crump said in November. “But don’t forget that Live Nation does these every day, all day, (in) every part of the world. So if we want the change to make sure people are going to be safe, we got to be talking to the person who is the parent corporation, the industry leader. That’s the only way you get change.”

[Via]

Gunna Adds Roddy Ricch To “Too Easy” Remix With Future

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A new fighter has entered the ring to join Gunna, Wheezy, and Future. Roddy Ricch has stepped up to the challenge, dropping a new verse on the official remix to “Too Easy” ahead of the release of his own studio album this month, as well as Young Wunna’s upcoming Drip Season 4.

Following the initial success of “Too Easy,” which has picked up over 40 million streams on Spotify, Roddy Ricch has jumped onto the remix, kicking things off with some flex-worthy bars about putting wings on his Rolls-Royce and freezing from all of his jewelry.

With the remix out now, fans are flooding Gunna’s comments and asking for the album, which still has the possibility of dropping before the new year. Each week without it hints that DS4 could only be arriving in 2022, though.

Check out the “Too Easy” remix below and let us know what you think.

Quotable Lyrics:

First time I called Elliot, Gunna told me to spend two-fifty
Now my chain cost half a milli’ and I’m plottin on a silly billi’
Made twenty-five million, I said mm-mm-mm-mm
Now all of these hoes fuckin’ me better, mm-mm-mm-mm

Nardo Wick Introduces Himself On Debut Album “Who Is Nardo Wick?”

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At just 19-years-old, Jacksonville, Florida-based rapper Nardo Wick has proven himself as one of this year’s biggest breakout talents. With the success of his blistering record “Who Want Smoke??,” Nardo has taken over playlists nationally and he’s angling himself to become one of the most popular rappers in the coming years. He kicks off his campaign with a formal introduction on his debut album, titled Who Is Nardo Wick?

The dark, ominous stylings of Nardo’s music have shown to be quite unique, convincing fans of his talent only three years into his rap career. While he’s still just a teenager, Nardo has picked up co-signs from some of the industry’s most well-respected names, including Future, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, G Herbo, 21 Savage, and more. All of which appear as features on his debut.

The eighteen-track project follows the release of Nardo’s new single “Me Or Sum” with Future and Lil Baby.

Check out his first album below.

Tracklist:

1. Wickman
2. Alright
3. Chop Chop
4. Blam Boom
5. Me Or Sum (feat. Future & Lil Baby)
6. Play Wit Me
7. Lullaby
8. Power (feat. Hit-Boy)
9. Who Want Smoke?? (feat. G Herbo, Lil Durk, & 21 Savage)
10. Why
11. Alley Cat
12. Wicked Witch
13. Wicked Freestyle
14. Baby Wyd? (feat. Lakeyah)
15. Poppin Out (feat. BIG30)
16. Bad Boy
17. Shhh
18. Rich Maniac

Kid Cudi & Ariana Grande Collab On “Just Look Up” From Netflix’s “Don’t Look Up”

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There’s another celebrity-packed film coming to Netflix next week and the streaming platform is hoping that this one takes over the remainder of the holiday season.Don’t Look Up is slated for release next Friday (December 10), and the film stars the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Tyler Perry, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill—and it even features appearances by Kid Cudi and Ariana Grande.

Being the chart-topping, hitmaking artists that they are, it only makes sense that the latter two join together on a single from the film’s soundtrack. A week ahead of the movie’s release, Cudi and Grande come together on “Just Look Up,” an ethereal record about love, hurt, and healing.

Meanwhile, Don’t Look Up‘s synopsis reads:

“Kate Dibiasky (Lawrence), an astronomy grad student, and her professor Dr. Randall Mindy (DiCaprio) make an astounding discovery of a comet orbiting within the solar system. The problem — it’s on a direct collision course with Earth. The other problem? No one really seems to care. Turns out warning mankind about a planet-killer the size of Mount Everest is an inconvenient fact to navigate.”

Stream “Just Look Up” and share your thoughts.

Quotable Lyrics

Know I lеt you down, a n*gga can’t deny it (Uh-huh)
And there’s so much I could lose it and, yes, that matters (Yeah)
I’ve been dealin’ with madness (Yo)
Wasn’t the man you needed (Hmm)
You dealin’ with sadness, truthfully, it’s all on me (Hmm)
And I’m sorry, my love

[via]

SZA Officially Releases Viral TikTok Hit “I Hate U”

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Months ago, SZA surprised fans by releasing three tracks—”Joni,” “Nightbird,” and “I Hate U”—over on SoundCloud. The singles were shared under an anonymous account and because fans haven’t received a new album from the singer in years, they ate it up. Soon, “I Hate U” became the favorite out of the bunch as fans swarmed social media with the track, and over on TikTok, it became a viral sensation.

The next plausible move would be to make it widely available on all streaming services and it looks like the TDE songbird has done just that. As the track remains a viral staple on social media platforms, SZA’s fans continue to pester her over her album release timeline. SZA has suggested that she has scrapped what she had of her next album and created someone new, meanwhile also stating that there may be delays due to her label. 

Although another album seems to be a phantom project at this point, the singer has continued to release new music to tie the public over. Stream “I Hate U” and share your thoughts.

Quotable Lyrics

Used to be too solid ’til you scrambled me
Used to be your rider, you mishandle me
Used to be nonviolent ’til you ambushed me
Now I’m out here wildin’ with you
Now I’m out here, silent treatment, that mean no permission (No)

Khalid Drops Off “Scenic Drive” Ft. Alicia Keys, JID, Ari Lennox, Smino, Majid Jordan, 6LACK & More

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He’s tapped a few heavy hitters and noteworthy names to round out his latest project, and it has proven to be successful for Khalid. The accomplished singer has made the most out of the first five years of his music career, catapulting from a starry-eyed hopeful to a Grammy-nominated hitmaker. On Friday (December 3), Khalid delivered his anticipated, nine-track effort Scenic Drive, and it’s a project that shows the growing talent of this 23-year-old star.

“Scenic Drive is actually one of the spots that I go to or I went to a lot in El Paso,” the singer recent told Zane Lowe. “It’s this drive up this mountainside and then you look to the left and you see Juarez and see El Paso. Lights. Lights. It’s the perfect place to go at night. It’s one of those places you go with your friends and you park on the side and you hop out the car and you just sit in awe of how beautiful the city is.”

Scenic Drive features looks from Alicia Keys, 6LACK, Lucky Daye, JID, Smino, Majid Jordan, Ari Lennox, Kiana Ledé, and Quin. Stream Scenic Drive and share your thoughts. 

Tracklist

1. Intro ft. Alicia Keys
2. Present
3. Backseat
4. Retrograde ft. 6LACK and Lucky Daye
5. Brand New ft. Quin
6. All I Feel Is Rain ft. JID
7. Voicemail ft. Kiana Ledé
8. Open ft. Majid Jordan
9. Scenic Drive ft. Smino and Ari Lennox

Blxst Aims To Convince His New Lover That He’s All ‘About You’

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The success Blxst has attained this year began with the work he released to the world to close 2020. His No Love Lost project, and its deluxe reissue, put the West Coast singer on the map as one of the latest artists to catch the attention of R&B world. This would kick off a streak of impressive releases that continued all throughout 2021. Now, with just a few weeks left in the year, Blxst submits another track to appear on his portfolio for the year.

He returns with “About You,” his first solo track in over a year, and on it, he dedicates his time to a new love interest who seems to doubt his commitment to their growing love. Blxst promises that his focus is on her and her only, and while she may have had bad experiences with love in the past, he assures her that this time will be different.

Blxst’s latest release comes after he and fellow West Coaster Bino Rideaux reunited for Sixtape 2 earlier this year. The project came complete with 12 songs that showed how much the duo improved since dropping Sixtape in 2019. Blxst also teamed up with Snoop Dogg for “Go To War” and stopped by The Tonight Show With Starring Jimmy Fallon to play a high school chamber in his video for “Chosen” with Ty Dolla Sign and Tyga.

You can listen to “About You” in the video above.

Ty Dolla Sign is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.