The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” is continuing to break records. The single is officially the most streaming song of all time on Spotify. The achievement surpasses “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran.
The record was broken just ahead of New Year’s Eve, with The Weeknd hitting the timeline to celebrate with his fans.
The Queen of Memphis and former Three 6 Mafia recording artist Gangsta Boo died on Sunday afternoon (Jan. 1) — DJ Paul broke the news to fans on Instagram.
Memphis Fox 13 News reports that Gangsta Boo, real name Lola Mitchell, was found dead at approximately 4 PM CST in Memphis. There is no official word for the cause of death at press time.
Gangsta Boo was seen attending a New Year’s Eve party on Saturday evening via Instagram stories. Artists across the nation shared their condolences on social media following news of Boo’s passing.
Gangsta Boo was the second female member of the iconic Memphis rap group Three 6 Mafia, which also included DJ Paul, Juicy J, Chunky Black. Joined the group at 15 years old, Boo is best known for Dirty South classics “Where Dem Dollas At” and “Yeah Hoe.” She parted ways with Three 6 Mafia in 2002 and pursued a solo career that has been idolized by a lot of today’s female hip-hop stars.
Boo recently sat down with Nore and DJ EFN on the hugely popular Drink Champs podcast to share her journey and impact on today’s hip hop.
Gangsta Boo recently collaborated with Latto and fellow Memphis rapper GloRilla on the new hit “FTCU,” released last month on Streamcut/RCA Records.
“Latto has been showing me support for a while,” said Gangsta Boo in a recent interview. “I always see her mentioning my name when they ask her who were some of her inspirations, and when she talked about her dad, she told me that her dad used to support a lot of female rappers and I was one of them. So, that’s kind of how it came about. We just started following each other on the Internet and supporting each other and s—. And yeah, she hit me up last minute. She was like, “Man, I smoked a blunt and had a genius idea. She’s like, ‘The song already done, we already did the video and s— but I want you to be on the outro, the intro or some sort of adlibs.’ I was like, ‘Of course, Latto. I got you, man.’ It was simple just like that. Of course, I would’ve wanted to spit and kill on that mother — but just anytime I can contribute and support any female rapper that I like, that like me back, I’m always down for it.”
Gangsta Boo’s death marks the first hip-hop death of 2023.
The New Year’s Eve CNN countdown show is notably one of wild moments and laughs. This year, CNN wouldn’t allow the team to be tipsy, but they did throw in Andy Cohen for a bit of spalsh during the broadcast. Making an appearance during the show was Nick Cannon, who was asked by Cohen about the future of his parenting, by asking would the mogul one day be getting a vasectomy.
“Is that what you want me to get?” Cannon asked. “This is my body, my choice!”
Cannon would later state, “Clearly, I don’t have a plan. That should’ve been clear from the jump.”
HAHA. Andy Cohen just suggested to Nick Cannon – who just had his 12th child… to maaaaybe get a vasectomy. That’s pretty good haha.
Last week, Cannon and Alyssa Scott announced their second child together was born. It is Cannon’s 12th child. The baby, Halo Marie Cannon, arrived on Dec. 14.
“I will remember the sound of Nicks voice saying ‘it’s a girl’ and the look of everything we’ve been through flash across his face,” Scott wrote on Instagram. “I will remember the sound of her crying out with her first breath and feeling her heartbeat against mine. My sweet girl, I got my surprise!! We love you Halo Marie Cannon!”
The pair’s first child, Zen, died after five months due to brain cancer.
This past summer, a rumor floated that Drake was arrested in Sweden. Turns out he wasn’t arrested, but an encounter did occur. Drake was overseas in July and rumors stated The Boy was arrested after being found with marijuana. Sweden is notably the same place that held A$AP Rocky in custody, leading to then-President Trump attempting to show force but possibly making the case worse.
Days later, Drake hit Instagram and shared images from his overseas travels, including a trip to Ibiza. In the slideshow, Drake shared a note from the Swedish National Police Board titled “Information for Those Suspected of a Crime and Subsequently Detained.” It’s possible Drake was held for a short period of time but never fully taken into custody.
The top ranks of Spotify’s most-streamed songs of all time don’t change too often. The last time we got a new song at No. 1 was in September 2017, when Ed Sheeran’s “Shape Of You” passed Drake’s “One Dance” to become the new champion. Sheeran’s hit had about 1.3 billion plays at the time and since then, it became the first song to pass 2 and 3 billion streams on the platform.
Meanwhile, The Weeknd released “Blinding Lights” in November 2019 and it has been making its way up the list since then. Now, it has found the very top: On the evening of December 31, 2022, Chart Data noted that “Blinding Lights” had passed “Shape Of You” to become the most-streamed song in Spotify history. As of this morning (January 2), “Blinding Lights” has 3,332,163,962 streams and “Shape Of You” has 3,332,016,196.
.@theweeknd‘s “Blinding Lights” is now the #1 most streamed song in Spotify history, surpassing @edsheeran‘s “Shape of You” (3.332 billion).
As for other songs that perhaps have a shot at someday taking over No. 1, Glass Animals’ “Heat Waves” is the most-played 2020 song with about 2.2 billion streams, The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber’s “Stay” is the top 2021 hit with 2.3 billion, and Harry Styles’ “As It Was” is currently the only 2022 song in the all-time top 100, with 1.7 billion.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
In a now-deleted post about the delivery shared over the weekend (that was preserved by The Share Room), Walker posted a censored video of the birth. She also wrote:
“I’m so proud of myself. Just sharing to inspire other women cause I know once you carry twins to almost 42 weeks especially with (one breech) people will try to steer you towards induction or c section (which there’s nothing wrong with these I just didn’t want it for myself). You can do it, this was my second home birth all natural 7 hrs, no tearing & I couldn’t of done it without my spirit guides, Godparents, birth team, my elders, & the best dad doula ever Larry lol, he was so hands on the whole time I was really impressed. it wasn’t easy but it gets done. lol both births I almost blacked out at the end but eating your placenta will definitely keep you above water I have thin blood so I always end up going to the hospital to bring myself back into good strength for them but as long as my kids stay at home untouched I’m good.”
Check out Walker’s archived post below.
Congrats to Summer Walker and Larry, she shared that she has given birth to twins as she spoke about her labor experience!! (: @guyxphoto) pic.twitter.com/fvfLE3B8es
Westside Gunn says he is calling it quits on rap. In a tweet ahead of the New Year, Gunn stated he has nothing left to prove.
“23’ def my last year doing this shit, I don’t have nothing else 2prove, I put my team on, I put my city on, I worked w/everybody I ever wanted to work with, plus MFs still don’t even understand 1-10, FLYGOD, Awesome GOD, or Pray for Paris(mind u Virgil did the cover) I’m the [goat emoji, shrug emoji]”
23’ def my last year doing this shit, I don’t have nothing else 2prove, I put my team on, I put my city on, I worked w/everybody I ever wanted to work with, plus MFs still don’t even understand 1-10, FLYGOD, Awesome GOD, or Pray for Paris(mind u Virgil did the cover) im the
Not sure if Gunn has done it all? Don’t worry, he hit you with a list that featured deals with Eminem and JAY-Z, working alongside late legends like DMX and Prodigy, receiving elite production, and more.
I’ve worked with DOOM, PRODIGY, DMX and SEAN PRICE… ALL RIP
I’ve did deals with Eminem, Jay Z
My beats are Alchemist, Preemo, Pete Rock, Rza, Swizz, Just Blaze, Muggs, Apollo Brown, Knxledge, 9th Wonder
I’ve worked with WU, Mobb Deep, Run the jewels, Blackstar, Lox, The Roots, Kanye, Lil Wayne, 2Chainz, Durag Dynasty, Combat Jack(RIP) was there when I recorded HWH4, 50cent, Banks, Kool G rap, Royce,Anderson Paak, nominated for a Grammy right now with Mary J Blige and MANY MORE
Those achievements didn’t come without struggle, as Gunn noted he fought through hurdles “behind closed doors.”
I know I say I’m a retire all the time so ppl might be like he always say this, seriously I been thru so much with this shit behind closed doors y’all would never know, it’s brought more pain than joy I’m just so G that I make it look super easy but I fight these devils everyday
Last year, Westside Gunn released the final edition of #HWH, and to officially memorialize it, he has aptly named it 10. This title not only signifies completion but also celebrates what has already been set in motion.
“It’s only right that we end here. All special things get a memorial release,” Westside Gunn reflects. “The last double album was going to be the final one, but it felt weird leaving off at nine and not 10. I had to celebrate this series which has meant so much to fans. Everything I do sounds nothing like the last thing I did. That’s the creative in me, and I’m always going to push the culture forward. I’m ending this on a really special note with 10.”
You can read Westside Gunn’s full pre-New Year comments here.
Don’t ever count out Tom Brady. In a win and in scenario against division rival Carolina Panthers, Tom Brady exploded to throw 432 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a win and the playoffs. All three of Brady’s touchdown passes went to Mike Evans, who had 207 receiving yards.
Brady spoke highly of Evans to ESPN, calling him “an amazing player.”
“I’ve missed him too many times this year, so it was nice to connect with him, and hopefully, we can keep that going. I think we will.”
Brady and Evans will likely be healthy scratches next week when the Bucs host the Atlanta Falcons to end their season. The Bucs will host a first-round playoff game and take on the Dallas Cowboys or Philadelphia Eagles.
After opening the season with poor play, many wrote off the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers. Last month, the Packers were 4-8, facing requests for Jordan Love to take over for AR12. Now, they win next week, and they are in the playoffs.
After routing the Minnesota Vikings, Rodgers hit the podium calling the moment to host the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field and get in the playoffs “special.”
“It’s been an interesting year,” said Rodgers. “It hasn’t been my best football at times, but I’ve been asked to step up my leadership and be someone the guys can count on to keep it together, even when it doesn’t seem like there’s anything to play for or we don’t have a chance to make a run. There’s been a lot of special moments throughout the year.”
On Sunday, Rodgers threw for 159 yards and one touchdown.
Kanye West is said to be missing after his lawyers can’t reach him to inform him that he’s dropped as a client. The law firm dropped the rapper after his antisemitic rants.
West went missing sometime last month. His former business manager, who is suing him for $4.5 million, said in court that he hasn’t spoken to Ye in weeks.
But most surprisingly, Ye allegedly missed spending the Christmas holidays with his four children– 9-year-old daughter North, son Saint, 7, daughter Chicago, 4, and 3-year-old son, Psalm.
Friends say he would never miss spending the holidays with his kids who he loves dearly. Greenberg Traurig LLP, which represented West until recently, told Insider magazine that the law firm can’t find West to tell him they’ve dropped him as a client.
Legally they must formally notify West that they no longer represent him. But they are unable to locate him. In a December 12 letter to a federal judge reviewed by Insider, an attorney for the firm told the judge they were unable to reach him.
The judge, Analisa Torres, said the law firm can’t officially cut ties with Kanye until they hand him her court order allowing them to withdraw as his attorneys of record. This is troubling news for Ye’s fans who are growing more worried as time passes with still no word from him. Has anybody seen Kanye?
https://t.co/Gk6vgDMfOG
Drake confirms he was recently arrested in Sweden 
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(@bbyizzyy)