Month: July 2022

Fred Again.. And Swedish House Mafia Touch Up A Classic By Future On ‘Turn On The Lights Again’

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Fred Again.. is revisiting a Future classic. Or perhaps, a past classic? Either way, the British singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist has teamed up with Swedish House Mafia and Future for “Turn On The Lights Again,” a hypnotic dance-ready anthem that samples the latter’s namesake 2012 breakthrough hit from his debut album, Pluto.

Fred has been teasing the song for the past month by way of a sound on TikTok, which has since pulled in over 3.7 million views on the original clip, and over 10 million on clips utilizing the sound. According to a statement, Fred ripped the repeating “Turn On The Lights” vocal sample after streaming a video clip of the song online. He later presented the stems and bones of the song to Swedish House Mafia, who played with the track several times before landing on a final mix.

Last month, Fred released “Jungle,” which features vocals from Elley Duhe. Earlier this month, he teamed up with Rico Nasty, who helped completely transform the track into a chaotic, flashy new remix for her new album, Las Ruinas.

Check out “Turn On The Lights” again above.

Fred Again.. is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Calvin Harris Drops ‘New To You,’ With Tinashe, Normani, And Offset

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A week out from his upcoming album, Funk Wav Bounces, Vol. 2, Calvin Harris has dropped the R&B-focused “New To You.” On the song, which features Tinashe, Normani, and Offset, Harris delivers an live instrument-driven-beat, with seductive strings and slow-thumping kick drums, creating a romantic, cinematic feel.

Normani opens with the song’s chorus, singing, “This might be news to you / this thing might feel new to you / but if you like everything / I think you might love me, baby.”

Tinashe delivers the song’s first verse, toughening up her signature soft-tinged vocals, willing to “bet a billion that you gon’ like this / ‘Cause you never had a wild one like this / Don’t really do one night sh*t / ‘Cause one night make ’em wanna whole life it.” Midway through the verse, she switches back to her signature sound, on which she instructs her summer flame to “Stay focused on T / I’m all that he needs / And don’t ever play no games.”

Offset swoops in with an affectionate verse, detailing an immediate infatuation. “I don’t know you, but I know I f*ck with you / I think I want to fly you to Peru from Malibu.”

Harris has collaborated with all of these artists in the past — Tinashe on “Dollar Signs” from his 2014 album, Motion, Normani on “Checklist” and “Slow Down,” from a collaborative EP in 2018, and Offset on 2017’s “Slide,” which featured Frank Ocean and Migos. This is Harris’ first time collaborating with Offset without the other members of Migos, and it’s quite possible this may be the way going forward, given the recent hints at Offset leaving the group.

Check out “New To You” above.

Funk Wav Bounces, Vol. 2 is out 8/5 via Columbia Records. Pre-save it here.

Quavo, Takeoff and Gucci Mane Dismiss The Competition On The Confident “Us Vs Them”

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Confidence can take people far in life, and it only gets boosted more when it is clear no one can compare. Quavo and Takeoff go the duo route once again, this time tapping fellow Atlanta native Gucci Mane for the confident anthem “Us Vs Them.” Takeoff handles the hook before getting into his verse, followed by Quavo who raps with a fury, and Gucci Mane closes things off with a shoutout to the currently incarcerated Young Thug and Gunna.

The video shows the trio rapping while flanked by beautiful women. With some sports references in the track, it only makes sense for the ladies to be holding basketballs in addition to football players going at it and a boxer landing jabs into a punching bag.

This isn’t Quavo and Takeoff’s first foray into their own music as a duo. Back in May, they released “Hotel Lobby” under the duo name Unc And Phew. The song came after speculation of Migos’s demise when it was revealed Offset and his wife, superstar rapper Cardi B, had unfollowed Quavo and Takeoff on social media. Though Quavo told GQ that the group’s solo endeavors only strengthen them as individuals and a unit, the recent announcement that he and Takeoff will be performing as Migos at the 2022 Pepsi National Battle Of The Bands only adds to the belief that the group is done.

As for Gucci Mane, he released So Icy Gang: The Reup back in June 2022. He also joined Migos onstage at the recent Rolling Loud Miami festival.

Check out “Us Vs Them” above.

Gucci Mane is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Beyoncé Taps Beam For “Energy”

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This track has been at the center of drama all day (July 28) after Kelis had a bit to say about Beyoncé sampling her song. Prior to the release of Bey’s Renaissance, the singer shared a list of credits of artists who would be sampled on the anticipated album. On the Beam-sampled “Energy,” Beyoncé and her team sampled Kelis’s “Get Along With You,” a track that was originally produced by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, professionally known as The Neptunes. Kelis worked closely with the pair back in the day, and she took to social media to not only call them out but to blast Beyoncé for not reaching out to her.

“My mind is blown too because the level of disrespect and utter ignorance of all 3 parties involved is astounding,” said Kelis. “I heard about this the same way everyone else did. Nothing is ever as it seems, some of the people in this business have no soul or integrity and they have everyone fooled.”

The controversy has carried on as people from across the globe have weighed in, causing the Renaissance hype to intensify. “Energy” also samples Big Freedia’s “Explode” and was produced by Skrillex, Al Cres, Beam, and Beyoncé. Stream the track and share your thoughts.

Quotable Lyrics

Only double lines we cross is dollar signs, yeah
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Hold up, wait
I hear you just got paid, make it rain, energy
She more Cancún, he more Saint Tropez
Been waving a room, the crowd gon’ move
Look around, everybody on mute
Look around, it’s me and my crew

Beyoncé Talks That Talk On “Renaissance”

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It has been an eventful week for Beyoncé and her team. Days ago, her latest album Renaissance reportedly leaked online, and while there were certainly music lovers who gave it a listen, the singer’s dedicated BeyHive fanbase stormed the internet with disgust. Still, Beyoncé pressed forward and even shared a message on her website where she spoke of the inspiration behind the record.

“Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world. It allowed me to feel free and adventurous in a time when little else was moving. My intention was to create a safe place. A place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream. Release. Feel Freedom. It was a beautiful journey of exploration.”

Credits on the album include samples and appearances from artists like Grace Jones, Drake, Beam, Tems, and more. Production credits host looks from The-Dream, Hit-Boy, NOVA WAV, and several others. Stream Beyoncé’s highly-anticipated dance-centered Renaissance and share your thoughts.

Tracklist

  1. I’m That Girl
  2. Cozy
  3. Alien superstar
  4. Cuff It
  5. Energy ft. Beam
  6. Break My Soul
  7. Church Girl
  8. Plastic Off the Sofa
  9. Virgo’s Groove
  10. Move ft. Tems, Grace Jones
  11. Heated
  12. Thique
  13. All Up In Your Mind
  14. America Has a Problem
  15. Pure/Honey
  16. Summer Renaissance

Lil Baby’s BM Ashley Says She Suffers “Emotional Scars” From Dating The Rapper

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The effects of failed romances can be hard to shake and Lil Baby’s ex seems to be having a difficult time. Ayesha Howard is more affectionately known online as Little Ms. Golden and is the mother to the rapper’s eldest child. Every once in a while, Howard will make headlines over rumors that she may have rekindled some romance with Baby, but this time, she has gone viral over a few tweets about what dating has been like since their breakup.

“My Babydaddy f*cked me up, he’s the reason I don’t tap in emotionally when I deal with men,” she wrote on Twitter.

“I never want to feel that type pain and betrayal again so I’ve shut down on everybody even people who probably really love me,” Howard added. “I’m literally losing my favorite n*gga cause he said I’m not affectionate… I’m just trying to protect my heart tho.”

Soon, Howard was bombarded with reactions from people who accused her of still being in love with Lil Baby. She quickly returned to shut that down.

“Don’t come on my twitter trying to tell me nothing about me and a N*gga y’all only know through your stereo air waves!! Don’t start being weird!” she declared. “You don’t have to still be in love with someone to still suffer emotional scars and trauma from the experience! Stop saying I’m not over my past because I am, but a b*tch still waiting to exhale.”

Check it out below. 

Yungeen Ace Shares Touching Tribute To JayDaYoungan, Regrets Not Resolving Argument

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For some, with grief comes regret, and that seems to be the case for Yungeen Ace. Yesterday (July 27), the tragic news of JayDaYoungan‘s passing took over Hip Hop as his fans, peers, and loved ones came together on social media to mourn. The 24-year-old rapper was reportedly at his home in Bogalusa, Louisiana when he was shot along with another person who was allegedly Jay’s father.

As police continue to investigate the murder, several of JayDaYoungan’s friends have surfaced with tributes, including Yungeen Ace who seemed regretful about a falling out that was never resolved.

“I wasn’t even gone come post Brudda cause this sh*t been eating me in the inside cause we wasn’t seeing eye to eye bout some sh*t we could of rekindled [broken heart emoji],” Ace wrote.

“I wanted to Kall you so bad Brudda it was just our pride in the way dawg [face palm emoji] we was better den that sh*t we was going thru sh*t was so little damn la Brudda,” he added. Ace sent love to JayDaYoungan’s family, stating that he loves them as if they were his own relatives.

“They always treated me like family [red heart emoji] I always been in yo corner I always wanted you to win Brudda no matter what it was I wish I could call you Brudda [face palm emoji] I’ll trade all these memories in just to make 1 more new one with you @jaydayoungan.”

Yungeen Ace said that he’s “lost,” “hurt,” and “broken” over this news. Watch his tribute to JayDaYoungan in full below.

Family Files $25 Million Lawsuit Against Sesame Street Theme Park For Discrimination

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sesame place racism

Earlier this month, a video of a Sesame Place employee went viral as the employee, dressed as the character Rosita, gave members of the parade audience high fives and ignored two Black girls and walked away. This prompted other people to come forward and share videos of alleged discrimination they faced at Sesame Place.

Now, a Baltimore family is suing Sesame Place for $25 million over claims of racial discrimination.

The family is accusing four employees dressed as Sesame Street characters of ignoring Quinton Burns, his daughter Kennedi Burns, and other Black guests at a meet and greet that took place on June 18. The lawsuit states that “SeaWorld’s performers readily engaged with numerous similarly situated white customers.”

“Kennedi was forced to experience racism at the age of five; this is unacceptable and we will not stand by and let this continue,” said the family’s attorney, Malcolm Ruff, at an news conference in Philadelphia.

The family is looking for $25 million in damages from SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment – which owns Sesame Place. The lawsuit is said to be on behalf of all Black people that have visited the park since July 27, 2018, and suffered discrimination and racism from employees.

As for the family who posted the original video of the racism taking place at the Sesame Place theme park, they too are suing the park for discrimination. After the video went viral, the park commented saying that the employee did not snub the two Black children, but was saying no to other parents that wanted their child to take a picture with the character. However, another video surfaced, showing that there were no other parents around the two kids, and that the employee then hugged two white children that were standing next to the Black kids.

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