Month: June 2023

Jay-Z & Alicia Keys’ “Empire State Of Mind” Has Gone 9X Platinum

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If you were to say you haven’t heard Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ 2009 song “Empire State of Mind,” you would be lying. The unofficial anthem of New York City, one can hear it crossing terminals at JFK Airport. Any millennial worth their weight in rap has this on their top-10 list of the early aughts. And now, Jay-Z can sit back and revel in the song going Platinum a whopping nine times. Going Certified Platinum today, June 28, 2023, it took the track almost 14 years to move nine million units.

“Empire State of Mind” had momentum from the jump. Jay-Z dropped the single on September 1, 2009, ten days before the eight-year anniversary of 9/11. The track went Gold and Platinum in two months. By April 2010, it had gone triple-Platinum. The higher the honor goes, the tougher it is to reach that benchmark. So to see “Empire State” do it nine times is quite impressive. For Jay-Z, this is nothing surprising; most of his lyrics comment on him being the best rapper to do it, and this is just further proof.

Read more: Beyonce & Jay-Z Play Uno & Take Beautiful Photos Together During France Trip

Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, And The Legacy Of “Empire State”

Originally, “Empire State of Mind” had Angela Hunte and Janet Sewell-Ulepic on the hook. In fact, they were the writers of the first version of the song. They had to submit the track twice to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation before Jay decided to keep the chorus, switch up the verse, and record it himself. Roc Nation asked Hunte and Sewell-Ulepic if they thought anyone else was more appropriate for the chorus. They suggested Alicia Keys, and Jay considered Mary J. Blige as well. But once he heard the piano loop, he knew Keys was the right choice.

“Empire State of Mind” was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for five straight weeks, making it the first Jay-Z track to top the charts with him as a lead artist. Keeping with the “State of Mind” theme, a la Billy Joel and Nas, the song’s title is a reference to the Empire State Building. The “Excelsior” state and the city that never sleeps are grateful for such a powerful and indicative anthem, showcasing the culture behind one of America’s greatest cities.

Read more: Alicia Keys Picks Up Maybach Gift From Swizz Beatz

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Young Thug’s Updated First Week Sales Projections Drop

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Young Thug’s new album Business Is Business has been one of the most talked about releases of 2023 so far. Much of that has to do with his current situation in the ongoing YSL RICO trial. Many expected that public drama to turn into big sales numbers for Thugger. An earlier projection expected the album to sell around 110k in its first week. That debut would have made it the second biggest debut for a rap album this year behind Lil Durk who did 125k in his first week. Now, an updated projection has dropped the album’s expected sales down to just 87k.

That is a VERY significant drop in sales for Young Thug. Part of what makes that so interesting is how close it brings him to fellow YSL rapper Gunna. Gunna’s new album a Gift & a Curse debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 and sold 85k in its first week. The two albums have frequently been compared following Gunna’s reported snitching as a part of his YSL plea deal. Some saw Gunna’s 85k as underwhelming since it’s Gunna’s lowest debut yet. Now, Young Thug seems to be headed for similar numbers with his new album.

Young Thug’s Sales Dip

One way Young Thug could swing the narrative of the album’s dip in sales is by having a hit song. The track that seems to have the most potential for that is “Oh U Went” with Drake. Just this morning video his social media of Drake filming a music video for the song in Memphis.

The original projection for Business Is Business saw Young Thug challenging for the #1 spot on the Billboard 200. Country singer Morgan Wallen has owned the top spot with his album One Thing At A Time for months. Now with the updated sales projection, he’s expected to remain on top for at least another week. No rapper has debuted at #1 on the chart in 2023, largely because of Wallen’s dominance. What do you think of Young Thug’s updated sales figures? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: Joe Budden Prefers Gunna’s New Album To Lil Durk’s And Young Thug’s

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Blueface Blames Jaidyn Alexis For Chrisean Rock Still Being Part Of His Life

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During a recent podcast appearance, Blueface blamed the mother of his two children for the fact that Chrisean Rock remains in the picture. The two sat down with The Bootleg Kev Podcast earlier this week, where they discussed ongoing drama with Chrisean. Jaidyn Alexis called the accusation “narcissistic,” going on to say that his claims are “cap.”

“I tell [Jaidyn Alexis] to this day, it’s your fault that Chrisean still exists to me,” Blueface explained to the host. Bootleg Kev notes that “that’s a very narcissistic thing to say,” and Alexis agrees. “How?” Blueface then asks both of them, “I’ve done five seasons of Blue Girls Club, I’ve never [taken] any female past that.” “That could be your truth,” Bootleg Kev tells the rapper. “But,” he continues, “it could also be an easy thing to say, to be like ‘you know this is your fault.’”

Read More: Blueface Explains Why Jaidyn Alexis Says The N-Word, Welcomes Her To His New “Milf Music” Label

Jaidyn Alexis Calls Out Blueface’s “Narcissistic Tendencies”

Blueface goes on to claim that he’s never “done anything” in terms of promotion with any of the women who appeared on the show after the fact. “That is cap,” Alexis insists. She then says that although she doesn’t believe the rapper is a “full-blown” narcissist, she does believe that he has “narcissistic tendencies.” “Women have a way of acting out of emotion,” Blueface claims.

Chrisean Rock is currently pregnant with Blueface’s child amid ongoing drama. Known to have a contentious relationship, the two have taken several shots at each other on social media in recent months. Things between them have gotten quite ugly, and Blueface has been spending more time with Alexis as a result. He recently launched his new label, Milf Music, with the release of Alexis’ first single “Stewie.” The song references a frequent jab from her haters. Blueface only plans to sign women with children to Milf Music. He told followers last week, “You don’t have to be a rapper, I just have to see star quality in you.”

Read More: Blueface’s Baby Mama Jaidyn Alexis Drops “Stewie” Single & Music Video: Watch

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Sampha Answered Repeated Requests For New Music By Returning With ‘Spirit 2.0,’ His First Single In Six Years

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At long last, Sampha is back with new music of his own. While he’s made appearances on various hip-hop and R&B songs in recent years, notably by artists like Drake and Kendrick Lamar, today (June 28), Sampha has shared “Spirit 2.0,” his first solo single in six years.

On “Spirit 2.0,” Sampha delivers his signature melancholy vocals over a trippy, harpsichord-infused track.

“Waves will catch you / Light will catch you / Love will catch you / Spirit gon’ catch you,” he sings in the song’s chorus, reassuring the listener that whatever difficulties they’re facing will pass — even if those around you don’t know what exactly to say.

“It’s about the importance of connection to both myself and others, and the beauty and harsh realities of just existing,” said Sampha of the song in a statement. “It’s about acknowledging those moments when you need help – that requires real strength. I hope people can enjoy that feeling of someone being there for you, even if that person doesn’t have the answers. Just calling someone up without overthinking… letting go and just dancing.. wanting to see past the mundanity of things and appreciating the magic of it all, from birds’ nests to spaceships.”

You can listen to “Spirit 2.0” above.

Travis Scott’s ‘Utopia’: A Timeline Of Events Towards Its Release

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Travis Scott’s next album, Utopia, seems like it’s on the way. Just yesterday, billboards popped up in Los Angeles that not only seemed tied to the rapper but also teased a July 21st release date. (Whether that’s for the full project or just a first single is TBD.)

Here are some other possible hints about Scott’s Utopia album.

Fans had first suspected that Scott revealed the name of the album all the way back in 2020, when he ended a note in a social media post with the phrase, “See you in Utopia.” (The emphasis on the capital U led to this speculation.)

However, after the Astroworld Festival tragedy in 2021, Scott was pretty quiet about any new updates until recently. Last year, he hinted at Utopia again during a Nike ad campaign.

For 2023, he’s been more active in teasing it now. In mid-May, he played a special showcase where he teased a collaboration with Bad Bunny — according to a fan on social media who shared part of the song playing. It’s unclear still if this will make the album yet or not.

Around that same time, Scott gave the Houston Astros the first apparent public preview of Utopia in full, during his appearance at their stadium.

“I had to come down and play Utopia for the boys in the locker room,” he told reporter Mark Berman. “I had to get them right for the game. Finished and mastered, Mark. You know how we do, Mark. from the clubhouse to the stu.”

Here’s hoping fans can get more details on the project next month.

Beyoncé Dropped A Limited-Edition Renaissance Tour Merch Collection Via Amazon

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Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour has been eventful, to say the least. Fans were arrested, Blue Ivy stole the show, and Lizzo got her entire life, all while Bey narrowly avoided wardrobe malfunctions and raised inflation rates in Sweden. US fans who weren’t able to travel to Europe for the first part of the tour have been anxiously awaiting Beyoncé’s return to the States, but in the meantime, she’s got something to hold them over: An exclusive, limited-edition merch drop with Amazon Music.

The collection — or at least, the first part of it, judging from that “1.0” in the tweet above — includes a sweatshirt, pants, and two t-shirts emblazoned with the now iconic image of Beyoncé astride a glistening horse from the cover of the album. The sweatpants simply feature the name of the tour down the side, but they sure do look cozy (they might just get more utility as workout gear than the last Ivy Park drop). I fully expect to see this drop sell out sooner rather than later, so get it while the gettin’ is good. Both t-shirts are $40, the sweatshirt is $80, and the pants are $75, so now may be the time to factor those prices into your budget for the tour.

NFL Expected To Suspend More Players For Gambling

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Another wave of gambling-related suspensions is expected to be handed down by the NFL head office this week. The biggest name linked to this latest batch of suspensions is Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers.

Rodgers was a sixth-round pick out of UMass in 2020, but quickly proved his skill and ability. Making the all-rookie team, he is currently listed as the starting right-side cornerback in Indianapolis.

However, earlier this month, Rodgers acknowledged the gambling accusations against him and admitted “full responsibility” for his actions on social media. However, the punishment for Rodgers could be particularly severe, as it is believed that he placed bets on Colts games.

Related: Five NFL players suspended for gambling

NFL Ramping Up Gambling Crackdown

The word of new suspensions, first reported by ESPN, comes just months after a major crackdown on the league’s gambling policy. The first major wave of crackdowns came in late April, headlined by the suspension of Lions’ wide receiver Jameson Williams.

These latest suspensions are just one facet of the NFL’s campaign against sports betting on the part of its athletes. Elsewhere, the NFL announced that all 2023 rookies will have to attend mandatory anti-gambling education training. Meanwhile, NFL officials will be making in-person visits to every team to stress the league’s policy on gambling.

ESPN‘s report did specify when the suspensions would be officially announced. Furthermore, it is unknown which players other than Rodgers would be facing a suspension. However, it is believed that all players named will be facing a season-long suspension. By comparison, Williams received a six-game suspension.

Related: Leonard Fournette involved in serious highway crash

Calvin Ridley Ready For NFL Return

One player who knows just how strict the NFL can be about gambling is Calvin Ridley. Ridley was suspended “indefinitely” in 2022 for betting on NFL games while away from the Atlanta Falcons. Subsequently, the Falcons traded him at the deadline to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ridley was officially reinstated to the league in March 2023.

Ridley has been hard at work with the Jaguars as he prepares for his return to the NFL. Per the latest reports from the team, Ridley is “as advertised” and well on his way to returning to his pre-suspension dominance. While Ridley had a career year in 2020, he only played five games in 2021 before stepping away from the Falcosn for mental health reasons.

“I’ve been really impressed with Calvin,” Jags offensive coordinator Press Taylor told reporters. “I’ve watched every snap Calvin’s played in the NFL, just like a lot of our guys have, so we’re very confident in the player we’re getting. And then to be able to meet him in person, we’ve had a lot of people vouch for him going back to when we acquired him.”

Related: Former college star and NFL backup Ryan Mallett drowns in Florida

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Rappers Like Bad Bunny: J Balvin, Karol G, Anuel AA & More

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Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has taken the music world by storm. This Puerto Rican artist, lauded for his unique style and fusion of genres, has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on Latin urban music. From his humble beginnings to his meteoric rise to global stardom, Bad Bunny has paved the way for other musicians with his innovative approach to the genre.

J Balvin: The Prince Of Reggaeton

Next on our list is J Balvin, the Colombian artist famed for his contemporary reggaeton sound. Like Bad Bunny’s, his music boasts a unique blend of modern and traditional elements. J Balvin’s magnetic persona and trendsetting music have made him one of his generation’s most successful Latin urban artists.

Ozuna: The Melodious Voice Of Latin Trap

Another artist who shares musical parallels with Bad Bunny is Ozuna. Hailing from Puerto Rico, Ozuna has won hearts worldwide with his melodic voice and captivating lyrics. His style, a soothing blend of Latin trap and reggaeton resonates with listeners and has secured him a spot in the upper echelons of the genre.

Anuel AA: The Rebel Of Latin Trap

Anuel AA, another Puerto Rican artist, has also carved out a niche in Latin urban music. His rebellious and raw lyrics and distinctive trap beat are reminiscent of Bad Bunny’s style. This bold approach has earned Anuel AA critical acclaim and commercial success alike.

Karol G: The Powerhouse Of Latin Pop

Karol G, the Colombian singer-songwriter, has burst onto the scene with her infectious Latin pop tunes. While not as trap-infused as Bad Bunny’s, her music still shares many elements, especially her fearless experimentation with genre and style. This bold approach has skyrocketed Karol G to international fame.

Daddy Yankee: The Pioneer Of Reggaeton

Our list would be incomplete without Daddy Yankee, the trailblazer of reggaeton music. While his career predates Bad Bunny’s, their shared dedication to pushing the boundaries of Latin urban music binds them. Daddy Yankee’s enduring influence and global appeal have set the stage for artists like Bad Bunny to flourish.

Natti Natasha: The Queen Of Dominican Pop

Last but not least, we have Natti Natasha. This Dominican powerhouse brings a fresh perspective to the Latin urban music scene. Her fusion of pop and reggaeton elements echoes Bad Bunny’s eclectic style. Natti Natasha’s invigorating sound and empowering lyrics have earned her a massive following, making her a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.

In conclusion, these artists, each with their unique approach to Latin urban music, are in the same league as Bad Bunny. They continue to innovate, experiment, and redefine the boundaries of their genre. Through their music, they are weaving a vibrant tapestry of sound, forever changing the landscape of Latin urban music. In doing so, they honor Bad Bunny’s legacy while carving out their unique paths to stardom.

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