Boslen Drops “GONZO” EP

We’ve had our eyes on Boslen for a while now. Back in 2019, the Vancouver rapper broke onto the scene with Black Lotus, a 7-song project which included features from Kelland, Nani Beats, and NXSTY. Two years later, Boslen debuted his first full-length LP, a high-concept album which followed the “story of an individual that faces his own self-hate, or his own shadow,” as he put it in an interview with Apple Music. It was a star-studded affair, boasting names such as Vory and Dro Kenji as features.

Now, Boslen has returned with Gonzo, a varied and operatic EP. As usual, Boslen’s sound is indebted to Kid Cudi. Here, however, he pushes that sound to its limits, using gitched-out samples on “HEIST” and sweeping breathy synths on “Fallen Star.”

 

Boslen’s delivery, too, is diverse. At some points he growls like a Pop Smoke protege, at others he sounds like a distorted Weeknd. The project only clocks in at 19 minutes, but by the end of its runtime we’ve heard everything from latin-influenced beats to emo rap croons.

Check out Boslen’s newest effort below, and let us know what you think of the project in the comments.

Tracklist:

1. MANIC

2. LEVELS

3. FALLEN STAR (feat. Y2K)

4. HEIST

5. FIESTA

6. GONE

7. SCARS

Shaquille O’Neal DJs In Buffalo, Donates Huge Sum To Shooting Victims

In May, a gunman killed 10 people at a Buffalo supermarket in a “racially motivated hate crime.” The news rocked the nation, and many in the hip hop community mourned the tragedy. Chance the Rapper called the attack a “race massacre,” and Buffalo native Conway The Machine described the event as “unfathomable.”

Now, Shaquille O’Neal is making sure people don’t forget about the tragedy. The basketball legend DJ’ed in Buffalo, and donated the $50,000 he made from the performance to the family of one of the shooting victims.

Shaquille O'Neal

Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images

Shaq has been touring his DJ set as “DJ Diesel,” and at first wasn’t sure if it was right to perform in Buffalo in the wake of the mass shooting, according to TMZ Sports. He eventually decided to go ahead with it, hoping the event would bring joy to the hurting community. Before his performance, he set up a meeting with the widow and son of Aaron Salter Jr.. Salter was a retired police officer, and was shot and killed while trying to prevent the gunman from entering the Tops supermarket. During Shaq’s meeting with Salter’s family, he said that he would be giving the money from his performance to them.

This isn’t the first charitable deed from Shaq. In December, the ex-Laker raised $2 million for the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation which provides much-needed resources to youths around the country.

Meanwhile, the US government has finally acted in response to the ever-present mass shootings in America. On Saturday, President Biden signed into law the largest gun control measures in almost three decades.

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Brent Faiyaz Acknowledges The “PRICE OF FAME” On Our “R&B Season” Playlist

Last week’s R&B Season update was a big one, with new singles and songs arriving from artists like Steve Lacy, Drake, Chris Brown, WizKid, Bryson Tiller, Diddy, and more. This time around we have fewer options, though the selections made are just as impactful.

Starting off strong with some bold energy, we have Beyoncé’s vivacious dance track, “BREAK MY SOUL” which feels incredibly fitting after the arrival of a house music album from another huge artist, Drake.

The single comes from the mother of three’s long-awaited Renaissance album, which members of the BeyHive have been expecting for some time now (it has been over six years since she delivered Lemonade, after all).

Another lengthy tune to drop this weekend comes from Brent Faiyaz, who’s reflecting on the “PRICE OF FAME” ahead of his Wasteland album, which he recently revealed will include features from huge names like Drizzy, Alicia Keys, Tyler, The Creator, Mike Dean, The-Dream, No I.D., Jorja Smith, The Neptunes, and more.

Our final addition is from Chris Brown’s Breezy album – which is projected to sell 60K – 70K copies in its first week out – a bedroom anthem by the name of “Sex Memories” featuring Ella Mai. 

Check it all out below, and let us know what songs you think we missed in the comment section.

Drake Shows Love To Ma$e & Diddy With 90s Bad Boys-inspired Outfit

Drake

Drake steps into his 90s bag with his latest fit.

Following the release of his latest project, Honestly, Nevermind, The Boy has been active promoting the project. During the week, he was spotted wearing an outfit that was straight out of a Bad Boys Record label video in the late 90s.

One of Drake close friends, DJ Carnage took to TikTok to show off Drizzy’s fit and asking TikTok to rate it. The “Jimmy Cooks” artist donned a navy blue leather Ma$e jersey, baggy jeans and white air force ones.

Carnage first compliments his friend. He then asks how he feels. Drake does his best Ma$e dance impression, along withe a Harlem Shake. What would you rate Drake’s Puffy and Ma$e-inspired fit.

The homage comes on the heels of French Montana’s story of helping to squash the beef between his two friends, Drake and Diddy.

With the release of Honestly, Nevermind, we’re going to see more of Drake as he promotes his project.

He even went online to defend the project after its initial criticism. The Toronto native urged that he’ll wait for fans to “catch up,” in regards to the House and Jersey club influenced-project that the album possessed.

Nevertheless, it will continue usher its way into our playlist as Summer is underway, despite its criticism.

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Usher Presents L.A. Reid With Icon Award At Culture Creators

usher la reid

Usher honored his mentor L.A. Reid with the icon award at the 6th annual Culture Creator Brunch. “Our honorees share in our collective experience that is sometimes met with doubt, frustration, and unnecessary complication,” says Culture Creators founder Joi Brown. “Yet we march on as a collective village that continues to produce excellence because experience has taught us that we don’t get to quit.”

She continued: “I didn’t know what Culture Creators was to become when I started, but I’m clear on where we’re headed.” 

MORE: YG Channels Usher with “YG Bucks”

This year, Usher presented Reid, a music industry veteran and mentor, with the Icon Award. L.A. Reid’s acceptance of the honor was preceded by a video montage, which included personal congratulatory remarks from the likes of Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, 21 Savage, DJ Khaled, and Jermaine Dupri, to name a few.

Guests were also treated to captivating performances by Amber Riley and host Coco Jones. Culture Creators also introduced three new awards that were given out on the red carpet, Community Advocate, Blog of the Year, and HBCU Rising Culture Creator.

MORE: Usher Announces New Las Vegas Residency at Park MGM This July

Presenting sponsor Netflix welcomed Culture Creators’ guests to a lush photo experience via the Strong Black Lead Portrait Studio. Empowered partner CÎROC treated guests to a number of curated specialty drinks like the DeLeón Blanco Pink Paloma, Summer Citrus Sunset, and a few of their summer spritzers during the immaculately designed post-show reception. Additional partners included Pivotal Ventures, Lexus, and Morgan Stanley. 

2022 saw the event expand and evolved as it highlights the achievements of thought leaders, philanthropists, executives, entertainers, artists, and other pillars of African American culture in an intimate setting among key players.

In other news, Usher has a new single with City Girls slated for a July 1 release.

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ICYMI: Blac Chyna & Rob Kardashian Reach Settlement In Revenge Porn Case

rob kardashian blac chyna settlement

Blac Chyna’s “revenge porn” lawsuit against Rob Kardashian, 35,  will no longer be going to trial. The former couple reached an agreement just before jury selection was set to begin Monday. 

Potential jurors were sent home from the courthouse in Los Angeles after the parties informed the judge that they had agreed to a settlement. 

 The exact details of the settlement remain unclear. It comes just days after it was reported that the case would proceed because the couple was unable to come to an agreement.

A source confirmed to Rolling Stone the case now will not be going forward. Adding that the ex-couple wanted to resolve the issue for the sake of their 5-year-old daughter, Dream Kardashian. 

READ MORE: Blac Chyna Loses $100M Defamation Case Against The Kardashian-Jenners

In 2017, Blac Chyna, 34, filed a suit against Kardashian after he allegedly posted private nude photos of her on Instagram. 

The Lashed Cosmetics founder claims Rob’s “revenge porn rant” was a form of domestic abuse and his actions damaged her brand.

Chyna obtained a restraining order against the Arthur George designer after he leaked explicit images of her on social media. Rob Kardashian has denied the claims.

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Lil Wayne Added to Perform at The 2022 BET Awards

lil wayne performance bet awards billboard

Lil Wayne, 39, is being added to the growing list of performers for this year’s BET Awards.

A press release on Thursday announced the “A Milli” rapper will join a star studded list of performers including Lizzo, Babyface, Chlöe, Jack Harlow, Chance The Rapper, Roddy Ricch, Fireboy DML and more.

Business titan, Diddy is set to be honored with BET’s “Lifetime Achievement Award. Oscar-nominated actor, Taraji P. Henson will be hosting this year, making it her second time doing so. The 2022 BET Awards will air on June 26 on BET at 8 pm ET/ PT from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

READ MORE: Taraji P. Henson Says “Pressures of Being Black” Have Her Considering Leaving America

 Doechii, Ella Mai, GIVĒON, Joey Bada$$, Maverick City Music x Kirk Franklin, Latto and Muni Long are set to grace the stage. In addition to the announced performers Idris Elba, Irv Gotti, Janelle Monáe, Keke Palmer, Daniel Kaluuya and Sanaa Lathan will be presenting amongst others.

For the complete list of this year’s nominees, performers and presenters visit bet.com.

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Family Of 9-Year-Old Astroworld Victim Slams Travis Scott For Buying A $5M Bugatti

The Astroworld tragedy took the lives of many innocent people. What was supposed to be a night of fun filled with music and festivities quickly turned into a night of terror. Numerous fans and supporters were trampled and injured while trying to enjoy Travis Scott’s performance, and because of this, the entertainer is now being forced to pay for the consequences.

One of the victims of the festival was 9-year-old Ezra Blount. While attempting to flee from the crowd of raging concert-goers, Ezra fell and was stomped over. As a result, he suffered injuries to his kidney, lungs, and liver, causing him to go into cardiac arrest. Following this, he got put into a medically induced coma in an effort to treat his brain swelling. 

Ultimately, the 9-year-old succumbed to his afflictions. The young boy’s family had begun issuing a lawsuit against Travis before their loved one had passed away. They, along with dozens of other families, are expecting Travis to pay for their devastating losses. 

Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images

Months after the disastrous event took place, Ezra’s family has become irate with Travis’ recent actions. According to TMZ, the 31-year-old rapper just spent $5.5 million on a new Bugatti Veyron Chiron Super Sport. Bob Hillard, the attorney of Ezra’s family, told the media outlet that Ezra would still be alive had Travis “spent half of what he paid for the [car] on simple safety measures at the deadly music festival.”

Though Hillard believes Travis should be able to live his life freely, he described his actions as “excessive,” stating that everything he does should be questioned given the number fatalities of at his event.

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