Month: July 2022

Lizzo Reveals She Once Cut Class To Go To A Destiny’s Child Album Signing

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Lizzo 2022
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Still hot off the release of her second major label album, Special, Lizzo is opening up to Elle UK. In an interview for their upcoming September issue, the “About Damn Time” singer opened up about her childhood in Houston.

Lizzo was born in Detroit, but moved to Houston with her family when she was 10 years old. During that time, Destiny’s Child was a household name across the city. In her interview, Lizzo recalled cutting class to meet the girl group.

“Growing up in Houston, the impact that Destiny’s Child had on me making a decision to become an artist was incredible, mostly because I felt like we were so close to it. Everyone had their, ‘I saw Beyoncé when…’ or, ‘I saw Destiny’s Child at this party…’ stories. And that made it seem more accessible. Like, ‘Oh, maybe I can do this too, if I worked hard enough and had the right people around me.‘ They had an album-signing event at a Wal-Mart and I skipped school to go see them. I listened to them sing their gospel medley. I’ve seen Beyoncé maybe up to 10 times live now, and she continues to give me that feeling,”

Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child played a big role in Lizzo’s formative years. Last month, she appeared on The Late Late Show‘s “Carpool Karaoke” segment, where she revealed that Beyoncé’s music has been a source of comfort for her in her most trying times.

“When I was shy, or when I didn’t think I was cool, and when I was getting picked on, I would listen to Beyoncé in my bedroom, and it would transport me,” Lizzo said. “I would feel something. I would feel like my life is going to be better. There’s hope for me. When I dropped out of college and I was really depressed, I listened to [Beyoncé’s sophomore album] B’day on repeat. I would just sing B’day all the time, and I was like, ‘I’m gonna be a singer, I’m gonna be a singer.’ The way she makes people is how I want to make people feel with music. She’s been my north star.”

Special is out now via Atlantic. Stream it here.

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

Joey Badass Says He, Kendrick Lamar, And J. Cole, Are ‘The Holy Trinity’ On A New Song, ‘The Baddest’

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After a month-long delay, Joey Badass‘ third studio album, 2000, has arrived. While he is known for taking a long hiatus between projects, Joey reminds from the very beginning that he is among the greats, and he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

On 2000‘s opening track, Joey lets us know that he believes that he, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole are currently the best rappers alive.

“F*ck your favorite, I’m the greatest / They never could degrade us and I did it with no major/ I made a lane for [rappers] by going my own way / I paved the way for a lot of these rappers you see today / So act like you know, b*tch, I’ve been had the flow, penetrating souls / Who the best MCs? Kenny, Joey, and Cole / The holy trinity, it’s that nine-fives in affinity / Energy knowing when I’m gone and forever remember me,” he raps over a piano-driven Erick The Architect-produced track.”

Neither Kendrick nor Cole have responded to the track, however, fans have noticed that the line is reminiscent to a line from “Where I’m From,” a cut from Jay-Z’s 1997 album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, in which Jay raps, “Who’s the best MCs, Biggie, Jay-Z or Nas?”

Check out “The Baddest” above.

2000 is out now via Columbia Records. Stream it here.

Nicki Minaj Reveals The Release Date For Her Highly Anticipated Single, ‘Freaky Girl’

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Getty Image / Dia Dipasupil

Barbz, rejoice! It appears we finally have a release date for Nicki Minaj‘s long-anticipated comeback single. “Freaky Girl,” which samples Rick James’ classic single, “Super Freak,” will arrive next month.

According to an Instagram post from Minaj herself, she plans to give the Barbz two gifts in August. On August 11, she will air a new episode of her radio show Queen Radio via Amazon’s Amp app. On the following day, August 12, she will release the new single.

Minaj teased the single earlier this month via a clip on social media. The song is a catchy, randy cut, on which, she raps, “I can lick it, I can ride it while you slippin’ and slidin’/ I can do all them little tricks and keep the d*ck up inside it / You can smack it, you can grip it, you can go down and kiss it / And every time he leave me alone he always tell me he miss it.”

Ahead of the upcoming single, Minaj has taken to Twitter to tease a new alter ego, Nick James.

“#NickJames is coming to do what the girls SHOULD’VE done,” she said. “#NickJames is coming to show the girls why they should’ve just sat there & ate their foods. #NickJames is coming to show the boys how to REALLY gag the girls. Pauz #NickJames is coming to restore hope in mankind.”

Needless to say, we can’t wait.

Nick Cannon Reveals He Practices Non-Monogamy: ‘To Define Me Is To Confine Me’

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DVSN‘s new single, “If I Get Caught,” is already one of the buzziest songs of the summer, despite only having dropped a day ago. Ahead of the song’s premiere, the R&B duo promoted the song by sharing screen grabs of a conversation with Jay-Z, whose song “Song Cry” is sampled throughout, as well as holding focus groups evaluating the group’s “honesty” on the track.

Yesterday, DVSN hosted a YouTube Live interview, alongside sex therapist Dr. Tammy Nelson and Nick Cannon. The lattermost revealed that he is a proponent of ethical non-monagamy, and even engages in the practice.

“I’ve practiced monogamy, I’ve been a cheater, I’ve been toxic,” Cannon said. He continued, saying that while many might describe his habits as a form of polyamory, he prefers not to label his lifestyle. Rather, he believes open and honest communication is the way to go, in all sorts of relationships.

“It all starts with honesty,” he added. “It’s really just surface, basic stuff. One of my therapists coined what I do as consensual non-monogamy. Because to even pretend like I’m in a monogamous relationship, that would be misleading. Because, as we know, monogamy defines one thing — and people like to classify what I do as polyamory or polygamy, but even that, I always say to define me is to confine me.”

Check out the full live stream session above.

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

DaniLeigh Argues With Choreographer Over Involvement In Prince Music Video

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While reliving her friendship with Prince, DaniLeigh ruffled a few feathers. To help promote her new EP My Side, the singer visited The Breakfast Club, and while there, she was asked about working with the late music icon. DaniLeigh has long spoken about their friendship and how Prince even hired her to direct one of his music videos, but after the clip of her interview went viral, choreographer Nicole Kirkland had a few things to say. 

Charlamagne Tha God asked Danileigh how she managed to land the directing gig with the legend, and she said that two of Prince’s dancers reached out to her and stated that he wanted a video of her dancing to his song. The singer added that she made up some choreography and sent the clip over, and later, he asked her to direct his video.

DaniLeigh
Jason Kempin / Staff / Getty Images

Now, Kirkland saw the clip with the rest of the world and took issue with DaniLeigh saying she did the choreography for the submission.

“Did the choreography? But I did the choreography for the submission. And then I & @antoinetroupe choreographed the video,” wrote Kirkland, before she went off on the singer. “Prince hired me for choreography from the submission. And then I and Antoine Troupe together choreographed the video. And honestly, we helped direct it on the day because the shoot was a mess… but we can just let that part go.” 

She also claimed that the other 12 dancers on set “can back that up.” DaniLeigh issued a response.

“Prince ain’t hire sh*t!!! He hired ME ! I hired y’all!” she wrote. “I picked YALL and gave u the opportunity , you guys were jus selfish and wanted all the credit when u always got ur credit for choreography. I always say I directed it … never claim choreography, it’s on the credits of the video… prince hand picked me , FOUND ME !!! Wanted to give ME the opportunity , wanted to continue to help ME in my career.”

DaniLeigh added that Kirkland and Co. weren’t asked to work with Prince again because of how he saw them treat the singer. “Next time u see me in person don’t fake say hi to me… Get ur 15 mins u been longing for since 10 years ago.”

Check out more from DaniLeigh’s message below.

Kanye West Appears At Rolling Loud Miami With Lil Durk, Performs Kid Cudi Collab

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Just when fans thought that Kanye West was going to be a no-go at Rolling Loud Miami, things took a turn. Last week, it was announced that West would no longer be headlining the event—a last-minute announcement that arrived much like his cancelation of Coachella earlier this year. Rolling Loud immediately got to work finding his replacement, and it arrived in the form of Kid Cudi, West’s former friend who he recently had a public falling out with online.

However, the internet lit up moments ago after videos surfaced showing West not only performing, but he made his appearance by surprising the crowd during Lil Durk’s set.

It may not have been the Ye performance that many of his fans had hoped for, but the very arrival of the Donda hitmaker sent the audience into chaos. 

Meanwhile, we recently reported on Cudi having trouble during his set because the crowd kept throwing items at him, some of which made contact. It is speculated that this was from West’s fans, but that hasn’t been confirmed. Cudi angrily told them that if something else was thrown on stage that he would leave, and they called his bluff so he walked out. Meanwhile, West reportedly was on Durk’s stage performing “Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 1,” his collaboration with Cudi. Fans quickly hopped online to discuss whether or not this was a jab at the Ohio rapper.

Check out a few posts about Ye, Cudi, and Durkio at Rolling Loud Miami below.

Kid Cudi Walks Off Rolling Loud Stage After Fans Keep Throwing Items At Him

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He’s an artist who does his best to keep his head down and stays out of controversy, but Kid Cudi had enough at Rolling Loud Miami. Concerts have always been places where fans have thrown items on stage to catch the attention of performers. Some artists have collected bras and underwear, and some people toss paper with their phone numbers, but recently, there has been a rise in audience members chucking items while almost injuring rappers.

Sometimes, artists will make a video from the stage for a lucky fan who may or not receive their tossed phone back, but often, these item-throwing fans have been more of an annoyance for people on stage, including Kid Cudi.

Kid Cudi
Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff / Getty Images

Cudi took over Kanye West’s slot at Rolling Loud Miami after the mogul backed out at the last minute. A clip of Cudi’s performance was shared online, but he didn’t seem to be having a good time. He had been dealing with an ongoing problem of people throwing things at him, and he suggested that these items weren’t just landing randomly, they were making contact.

“If I get hit with one more f*ckin’ thing, if I see one more f*ckin’ thing on this f*ckin’ stage, I’m leaving. Don’t f*ck with me,” he said in a video as his band continued to play in the background. The irate rapper stood there but for a brief moment before another item came into view. Then, Cudi walked out.

The disappointed crowd’s roar was heard before the clip cut out. At the time of this publication, Kid Cudi has yet to speak on the incident. 

Watch the brief clip below.

Soulja Boy Reacts To Charleston White: “You N*ggas Scared Of Me”

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It was only a matter of time before Soulja Boy responded to the rumors that he was maced by Charleston White. Earlier today (July 22), rumors circulated that Soulja and his crew attempted to approach White for a conversation, but White didn’t want anything to do with it. After the gossip mulled on social media for a few hours, White appeared on Livestream and shared his side of the story.

“They didn’t know what happened,” White said. “I hit they motherf*ckin’ ass one more time just for goodness sake. That man Soulja Boy said [laughs]. Man, that n*gga say, ‘Bruh! You maced me?!’ Yeah, n*gga! [laughs]… I don’t know [why] twelve n*ggas wanna talk. Next time, you n*ggas better holla with a bullhorn… You can’t just walk up to no n*gga like me talkin’ ’bout, ‘I wanna talk.'”

Soulja Boy
Paras Griffin / Stringer / Getty Images

Soulja wasn’t going to let the day end before he hopped online and gave his take.

“I don’t want no smoke with none of you n*ggas. If I knew that you n*ggas was gon’ get on the internet, talk all this gangsta sh*t, all this crazy sh*t, and reach in your girl purse and start spraying pepper spray in the air, runnin’ n*gga like it’s a trail n*gga… What the f*ck?” said Soulja. “You n*ggas so scared of me. Y’all n*ggas gotta pull out pepper spray? Out your b*tch purse? Runnin’ with pepper spray?”

“I thought you n*ggas was gangstas. N*ggas pullin’ out pepper spray and doin’ the dashboard,” he added, before telling White to stop talking about him.

Check it out below.

Kevin Hart Jokes With Mark Wahlberg About Losing “Entourage” Role To Bow Wow

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We knew that Hart to Heart would be filled with laughs, and an episode with Mark Wahlberg had Kevin Hart revisiting a time when he lost out on a role. He’s now known as one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood, but like thousands of other entertainers, there was a time when he was looking for major roles that could further push his career. 

Years ago, Entourage ruled the airwaves as the hit HBO series dominated for eight seasons, and actors were scrambling for their opportunity to make appearances, including Kevin Hart.

Bow Wow
Frazer Harrison / Staff / Getty Images

“Big deal, f*ckin’ Entourage. Dude, this would be great for my career, I gotta get this,” Hart recalled. “My manager calls me. ‘Hey, they got a part. Part is gonna run over for about three episodes. They wanna see you.'” Hart was ecstatic to even be considered because he just knew the visibility was going to be a launching point, but things didn’t go according to plan.

According to Hart, time went by but he didn’t hear back. “I just remember watching Entourage and seeing Bow Wow do the scene,” the comedian added. “And I was like, ‘I lost the part to f*ckin’ Bow Wow.’ You know, Bow Wow, very talented guy, but at the time, it hurt.”

He then joked that the story was all a ploy to lead up to sticking it to Wahlberg. Check out the clip of the friends below.

Trina Wishes Women In Rap Today Were More “Friendly” With One Another

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There were several gems in Trina’s interview with Drink Champs. We’ve highlighted other parts of the conversation involving the Florida icon, but another notable moment was her take on the current state of women in Rap. We’ve seen an influx of female rappers in recent years as a new wave of artists has emerged in Hip Hop and Rap, and Trina knows a thing or two about being a woman in a male-dominated industry. 

“Girls from Even to Missy, every girl that I engaged [with] in this industry when I started, we all had a connection. We all worked together. We all hung out,” she said.

Trina
Neilson Barnard / Staff / Getty Images

“We was a vibe. And then, that’s how I thought it would always be. So, when it became more girls and people started, now we have 100 girls. Even if you’re signed to a major label, you’re independent, however, it’s so much talent, so much artists… Me personally, I like that.”

“I feel like, I always wanna see more girls because it’s been male-dominated, and now the girls can get up here and do y’all thing. More for the men to look at, it’s more girls, but this time today, these girls are not as connected. They not as friendly, they don’t want to link up, it’s too much arguing… The jealousy is too much.”

Love & Hip Hop Miami fans saw some of this in prior seasons, especially when Trina tried putting together a tour for rising female rappers in Miami. The entire thing ended up being scrapped because the ladies were more interested in having public brawls that working on their music. There has been camaraderie, but it seems Trina was hoping that it would have grown much more by this time. 

Check out the clip of her Drink Champs appearance below.