Last year, Hit-Boy released the album SURF OR DROWN Vol. 2. The album is largely made up of collaborations with his dad, Big Hit. The album features multiple appearances from Big Sean as well as Dom Kennedy and Garren. The track was appreciated by fans and critics alike even beyond the novelty of its appeal. Earlier this year, the pair announced another project together. This time it also includes The Alchemist and they’ve dropped multiple singles from the record already.
Hit-Boy, Big Hit, and The Alchemist’s upcoming collaborative album is called Black & Whites. The project is due out later this month on May 30 and has already received three singles. The first of the bunch was “Foreclosure” which dropped earlier this month and was followed up the next week by the title track “Blacks & Whites.” The song has already racked up more than 200k streams on Spotify alone, but the third single is getting even more attention. “Gank Move” dropped over the weekend and is even more of a family affair and some of the producer’s former collaborators like ASAP Rocky and Big Sean are loving it. Check out what they’re saying about the new song below.
In addition to the father/son combo across the first few singles the newest song also features a verse from Hit-Boy’s little sister. She raps as HitgirlLENA and delivers a memorable verse on the track. Posts about the song got cosigns from ASAP Rocky praising her performance and Big Sean who said the entire song “goes crazy.” LENA herself also turned up in the comments to flex the quality of her performance. The song has only been out for a few days but already has more than 30k streams on Spotify.
What do you think of Hit-Boy’s new song teaming up with his dad and sister as well as The Alchemist? Do you agree with ARAP Rocky and Big Sean’s praise directed towards the song? Let us know in the comment section below.
South Park has built its reputation on mocking celebrities. The show holds nothing sacred, and has spent the last two plus decades taking down everything from politics to organized religion. Matt Stone and Trey Parker, the show’s creators, have a knack for knowing when to focus on a given topic to elicit maximum comedy. They did it again with their latest special, “The End of Obesity.” As one can infer from the title, South Park is taking aim at the recent Ozempic craze, and the body positivity promoted by artists like Lizzo.
In the special, all local women turn to Ozempic while claiming that they’re exercising to lose weight. Cartman wants to get his hands on the drug, but since he can’t afford it, he’s prescribed Lizzo instead. Lizzo, in this context, is another way of saying “body positivity.” The running joke throughout the special is that taking “Lizzo” allows you to eat and do whatever you want without feeling out of shape. “Lizzo” is something that allows you to think that you’re beautiful just the way you are. As with most absurd ideas on South Park, things go south. There are side effects to taking “Lizzo,” and they are predictably messy.
Lizzo Is A “Substitute” For Ozempic In “South Park”
Lizzo has had a difficult couple years in the public eye. The singer was once adored as a pop culture force, but allegations of disability discrimination, harassment, and body shaming from former backup dancers has shifted the public’s perception. Multiple lawsuits were brought against the “Truth Hurts” singer. Some were dismissed, but others, most notably those pertaining to sexual harassment, were upheld by the court. Lizzo denied these allegations outright. She claimed they were “too outrageous” to ignore, though.
Lizzo defended her character in a statement uploaded to X. “With passion comes hard work and high standards,” she explained. “Sometimes I have to make hard decisions. It’s never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they aren’t valued as an important part of the team. I am not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be… There is nothing I take more seriously than the respect we deserve as women in the world.”
Lizzo experienced severe depression in the wake of these lawsuits. She recently hopped on Instagram to let her fans know that she’s happier than she’s been in months. “The strange thing about depression is you don’t know you’re in it until you’re out of it,” she wrote. “I’m definitely not all the way as carefree as I used to be.. But the dark cloud that followed me every day is finally clearing up.” It’s unlikely the South Park special is going to help alleviate said cloud.
Stephen A. Smith doesn’t think LeBron James is not involved in the Los Angeles Lakers’ hunt for a new head coach. Even though his colleagues at ESPN have reported that he is staying out of the head coaching search, Stephen A. doesn’t buy it, especially when it comes to J.J. Redick’s prospects of winning the coveted position. Los Angeles is searching for a replacement for Darvin Ham, who was let go by the Lakers soon after they were defeated by the Denver Nuggets in the opening round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
Redick and James co-host a podcast that was launched in March, which may have contributed to Redick’s rapid rise to the top of the field. Smith and the former NBA player have both featured on ESPN shows, including First Take. After Doc Rivers resigned to take the helm as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, he also became a member of the network’s top NBA broadcast crew. Stephen A. Smith thinks LeBron is pulling the strings in the Laker’s search for a new head coach.
“We all know JJ Redick is the leading candidate for this job. … Stop the B.S.” @stephenasmith speaks on the Lakers head coaching vacancy pic.twitter.com/TcjY4PxFUX
“What are we supposed to believe when you know good and damn well that Darvin Ham is on the hot seat and you start a podcast with J.J. Redick,” Stephen A. Smith said. “It’s entitled ‘Mind the Game.’ And on this podcast, you’re talking strategy, you’re talking scheme, you’re talking all of these different things, right? And then lo and behold, J.J. Redick is the leading candidate for the Lakers job.” Smith continued, “We all know that J.J. Redick is the leading candidate for this job. Now, I’m not saying what LeBron’s intent was or whatever. J.J. Redick is doin’ an outstanding job for us as an analyst.”
Stephen A. Smith went on to call out LeBron, saying, “But we all know he wants to be a coach, and I wish him luck. I hope he gets it. I hope he gets it. But here’s the thing with LeBron: If it walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck, bro, it ain’t a damn mongoose. We know what the hell you doin’. We need to just stop the B.S., okay?” Overall, Stephen A. Smith is not buying that LeBron is staying out of the Lakers coaching search.
Lou Williams is a celebrated NBA player known for his scoring prowess and exceptional performance off the bench. he has carved out a remarkable career in professional basketball. As of 2024, his net worth is estimated to be $16 million, according to Fan Arch. Williams’s journey from high school prodigy to one of the most reliable sixth men in NBA history highlights his talent, perseverance, and impact on the game.
Born on October 27, 1986, in Memphis, Tennessee, Lou Williams showed early promise as a basketball player. His exceptional skills and scoring ability caught the attention of scouts and fans alike, leading him to forgo college and declare for the NBA draft straight out of high school. Williams’s career is a testament to his dedication and adaptability. It has also enabled him to remain a key contributor to every team he has played for.
Early Career & NBA Draft
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 23: Lou Williams #6 of the Atlanta Hawks brings the ball up court against the Charlotte. Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on January 23, 2022, also in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Lou Williams’s path to the NBA began with a standout high school career at South Gwinnett High School in Georgia. He earned national recognition as one of the top prep players in the country. His impressive performances led to him being selected in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Although he was picked 45th overall, Williams quickly demonstrated that he had the skills and determination to succeed professionally.
During his early years with the 76ers, Williams developed his game. He honed his scoring ability and learning the intricacies of NBA play. His work ethic and perseverance paid off as he gradually earned more playing time and became a valuable asset to the team. By the end of his stint in Philadelphia, Williams had established himself as a reliable scorer and a dynamic presence off the bench.
Rise To Prominence & Sixth Man Success
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 26: Lou Williams #6 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after a three-point basket against the Sacramento. Kings during the first half at State Farm Arena on January 26, 2022, also in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Lou Williams’s career took a significant leap forward when he joined the Atlanta Hawks in 2012. It was with the Hawks that Williams truly began to flourish as one of the league’s premier sixth men. His ability to come off the bench and provide instant offense became his trademark. He was soon recognized for his contributions with the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2015. This was also during his time with the Toronto Raptors.
Williams continued to excel in this role with subsequent teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets. However, his most notable achievements came with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he won two more Sixth Man of the Year awards in 2018 and 2019. His tenure with the Clippers solidified his reputation as one of the best sixth men in NBA history, known for his clutch performances and scoring versatility.
Personal Life & Legacy
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 24: Lou Williams accepts the Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year. Award onstage during the 2019 NBA Awards presented by Kia on TNT at Barker. Hangar on June 24, 2019, also in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Turner Sports)
Beyond his professional achievements, Lou Williams is known for his unique personality and contributions off the court. He has been open about his life experiences and challenges, using his platform to inspire others. Williams is also involved in various philanthropic efforts, including initiatives to support underprivileged youth and communities.
Williams’s personal life, including his relationships and lifestyle, has often been a topic of interest for fans and the media. Despite the attention, he has managed to maintain a focus on his career and personal growth, demonstrating resilience and a strong sense of self. Further, as Lou Williams continues to play and potentially transition into new roles within the basketball world, his legacy as a dynamic scorer and influential sixth man is firmly established. His net worth of $16 million reflects his success on the court, his impact on the sport, and his ability to connect with fans and communities.
All week music fans were waiting online with feverish anticipation for each new drop from Apple Music’s Top 100 Albums of all time list. Hip-hop was well-represented on the list, though it still didn’t always go over well with rap fans. Nas’ classic debut album Illmatic landed on the list though many fans felt it deserved to be much higher. Kendrick Lamar landed in the top 10 but with his 2012 album Good Kid m.A.A.d City. But many think that the record’s follow-up, 2015’s To Pimp A Butterfly was even more deserving of a spot.
At the same time as Kendrick’s placement at number 7 was revealed, they also revealed the very top spot on the list. Lauryn Hill’s classic 1998 debut album The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill landed at number one. The album’s appearance on the list is no surprise as it’s one of the most acclaimed records of all time. Still many were surprised to see it land higher than albums like Michael Jackson’s Thriller and The Beatles Abbey Road. The album is famously still her only studio album to date. It was followed up by her MTV Unplugged 2.0 live album a few years later but 26 years later she’s yet to release a new studio album. But Erykah Badu thinks now is the perfect time for Hill to get back in the studio following her Apple Music honor.
In a recent Instagram post, Badu called for Hill to return to the studio. “We celebrate you. You weathered the storm L boogie. @mslaurynhill . Your best work is still in u. I see u,” her caption read. The Apple Music albums list was voted on by various members of the music media. They weren’t just asked to pick their favorite albums though. Ebro shared the criteria voters were given in a tweet earlier this week. It focused more on things like influence and impact rather than just quality alone.
What do you think of Erykah Badu’s post encouraging Lauryn Hill to get back in the studio and record new material? Do you think she will ever release a follow-up to her debut Miseducation? Let us know in the comment section below.
Amid the slew of clever, seamless, and versatile pop culture references on Rapsody’s new album Please Don’t Cry, one name gets a lot of particular love: Lauryn Hill. The buckets of ink spilled on the Fugees member’s ambivalence to the spotlight become moot when compared to the musings of a fellow femcee. Rather than equate this absence to some sort of contrived deficiency, the North Carolina native chose to question what are the forces that drive artists to that space in the first place. Her answer affirms that she will not choose that path, but find another one that can provide similar catharsis, self-love, and clarity in the hurricane of fame and acclaim.
Furthermore, the five-year studio album wait for Please Don’t Cry definitely feels justified due in large part to the personal weight and scope of its themes. Sonically and lyrically, Rapsody is as soulful, sharp, and wise as she’s ever been, bolstered by a more tranquil albeit unshifting sonic pallet. But the difference is that the approach to themes including identity, grief, Black plight, sexuality, familial bonds, romance, mental health, and many more is much more blunt, personal, and direct than the grander concepts and stories behind LPs like Laila’s Wisdom. While not every piece connects across this sprawling and dense project, its greatest achievement is not only the consistency of its quality, but also the compassion with which she translates her lived experience of growth into an equivalent body of work.
Please Don’t Cry best characterizes this therapeutic approach through the calm cohesion of its production, which was mostly masterminded by BLK ODYSSEY, Major Seven, S1, Eric G, Hit-Boy, and more. The bread and butter is simple: warm bass, crisp percussion, heavenly background vocals, and light chords are all over this album. Not only does this create a lot of space, but it also highlights more subtle instrumentation in ways that more complicated beats would overshadow. Key examples are the fluttering guitar on “Look What You’ve Done,” the gentle woodwinds on “That One Time,” the watery synths on the cheeky self-love anthem “Lonely Woman,” and the wandering keys on the titular interlude. However, some deviations don’t hit as hard, such as the trite trap drum sequencing on “Black Popstar” with DIXSON or the boisterous “Back In My Bag.”
That’s not to say that this tracklist doesn’t switch up in compelling ways, though, as the reggae chiller “Never Enough” with Keznamdi and Nicole Bus proves. The important part is the stasis that Please Don’t Cry maintains when it returns to its boom-bap roots, and that ties Rapsody’s themes together with ease and gives them the atmosphere to really breathe and develop in. Any addition to that pallet feels earned and welcome, like Erykah Badu’s ethereal chorus on “3:AM,” a charismatic (yet terribly mixed) Lil Wayne verse on “Raw” with Niko Brim, and a killer g-funk Monica flip from Bee-B on “DND (It’s Not Personal).” Every piece lends a purpose to the overall thesis of self-betterment and self-consciousness, themes heavy enough to warrant calmer production curation. Of course, classically meditative sample worship on cuts like “God’s Light” and “Stand Tall” keeps the old-school hip-hop heads happy.
If there’s any one thing that any rap listener should hone in on when it comes to Please Don’t Cry, it’s unmistakably Rapsody’s pen. Whereas the production keeps things level, she begins the album with songs like “Marlanna” and “Asteroids” that set up her identity, her perception of self, and the totality of her aspirations, fears, skills, and passions. Little by little, the album opens itself up with more specific details, like a rumination on police brutality on “He Shot Me” or a reckoning with a family member’s dementia (and also Alzheimer’s later on in the tracklist) on “Loose Rocks” with wonderful contributions from Alex Isley. While the lyricism is very impressive throughout (such as the standout “Clinging to society who always label me, but can’t define me quite entirely“), its graceful honesty and humility stands out here, not over-acrobatic wordplay or rhyme schemes.
Still, Please Don’t Cry sometimes spins its own wheels in place thematically or takes too jarring and sharp of a turn off-road. One example of the latter is the dramatic “Diary Of A Mad B***h” with Bibi Bourelly, though there’s also plenty of topical focus on other tracks to warrant these swerves from one theme to the next. There’s Baby Tate’s dreamy verse on “A Ballad For Homegirls,” which is all about cutting an unfaithful and toxic relationship out of your life, plus a Mantragold-assisted ode to… well, “Faith.” Family, God, self-worth, knowledge, and connection are the emotional pillars on this record, and Rapsody expertly links them across her life both in their totality and in their specificity. It’s also worth mentioning how much she praises many of her female industry peers, and rallies against double standards separating them.
Maybe that conflict is one of the things that Lauryn Hill wanted to avoid, something that neither we nor Rapsody may never find the answer to. But at least we know that the 41-year-old is finding her answers with her head held high, a note that Please Don’t Cry beautifully summarizes. The album opened with “She’s Expecting You” with actress Phylicia Rashad, who presumably plays a hair stylist or, perhaps in practice, informal therapist of Marlanna Evans’. The closing track “Forget Me Not” with Amber Navran sees her return to Rashad despite her previous state of distress, confusion, and guilt. It’s a testament to perseverance, facing challenges head-on, and knowing oneself before pretending to know anything about the people around them.
There are plenty of obstacles in Rapsody’s way that only time could move away, such as illness, grief, fame, or systemic discrimination. But that doesn’t mean that she can’t act on those problems from a personal standpoint, or that she can’t put in the work to be at peace with the constant fight for brighter days the next morning. Please Don’t Cry is a very healing-centric and tender album in that sense, giving listeners the assurance that Rapsody sought in herself. It’s definitely not for the impatient, and some bloat can be cut out here and there, but it’s the earnest result of a lot of reflection and consideration on the connective tissue across her life. As Rapsody found, and as you might find too, illusions of self-loathing can eventually lead out of that darkness to our deepest truths.
Kevin Hart is the latest celebrity to stop by Kai Cenat’s Twitch stream. The stream, which took place on Thursday, has already given the internet several viral moments. Kai Cneat hilariously gifted Kevin Hart a step stool while on stream. Hart is famously pretty short, and so is Kai, making the joke extra hilarious. The whole stream looked like the two had a great time creating content with each other. It was a high-energy affair, and fans clearly loved the interactions between the pair.
Hart and Kai Cenat, amidst their playful banter, took a break to groove to Niki Minaj. In a previous Twitch stream, Nicki Minaj had joined Kai Cenat to promote her new album, Pink Friday 2. The livestream was a treasure trove of entertaining moments, including the Queen of Rap showcasing her dance skills alongside Cenat’s family. Fans were thrilled to see Nicki stepping out and expressing her affection for Cenat. Now, Cenat has brought Niki into the mix, sparking excitement among fans for Kevin Hart’s turn-up on the stream.
Kevin Hart and Kai Cenat turned up to Nicki Minaj’s hit “Everybody.” It’s the song that helped the clip of Kai Cenat and his friends dancing with Nicki Minaj during her appearance on the livestream to promote her album. Hart had posted a video of his family dancing to the song when it was first released. Kevin posted a video of himself and his family dancing to the song in December. The comedian was accompanied by his two children and his wife.”Hart’s turn-up is a must during the holidays,” the caption said. Now, Cenat and Hart have recreated the viral moments.
The other viral moment from the Kai Cenat Twitch stream with Kevin Hart was Hart’s reaction to Cenat’s interaction with South African popstar Tyla. When Cenat played the video of the viral moment, Hart could not contain himself. “Pause it. Oh, my god! ‘Are you asking me for real?’ (Kevin Hart impersonates the streamer) ‘Yeah.’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘Yeah, I ask you for real.’ ‘I like you.’ ‘I… I like you… I… like…’ ‘I would like to get food with you.’” he said, laughing all the while. Kevin Hart also dissed T-Pain hilariously for his “cheap” subscription gift he sent Kai’s way. Overall, the Kai Cenat Kevin Hart stream was everything fans had hoped it would be.
Things haven’t looked good for Diddy over the past few months, but evidently, his children aren’t letting that get them down. Last week, footage of the Bad Boy Records founder physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie in 2016 surfaced online, sparking outrage among social media users and peers. He’s since apologized for his behavior, though it didn’t do much to mitigate the damage already done to his reputation. Aside from that, Diddy’s long list of lawsuits also grew this week, with a model suing the mogul for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting her in 2003.
Amid all of this, Diddy’s family has kept a fairly low profile, though two of his sons hopped online yesterday to preview a new project they have on the way. The collaboration is between Diddy’s biological son Christian “King” Combs, and his stepson Quincy Brown. At the time of writing, it does not yet have an official title or release date.
In a short snippet from the upcoming collab, King raps over a laid-back beat while Quincy comes through with some suave vocals. Unfortunately, the preview isn’t going over so well on social media, with various users criticizing the duo for the song and their questionable timing. “Read the ROOM,” one Instagram user writes in The Shade Room‘s comments section. “It’s going aluminum foil,” another jokes.
This isn’t King’s first time receiving backlash for one of his songs, however. Earlier this month, he unleashed a diss track called “Pick A Side” on 50 Cent, which many thought left a lot to be desired. What do you think of Diddy’s sons teasing a new collab amid their father’s ongoing legal issues? Do you think this is bad timing on their part? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
