Month: August 2024

Halle’s Seductive ‘Because I Love You’ Video Turns Into An Attack Of The Clones

by

After taking a social media hiatus earlier this month, Halle Bailey returns as promised with one wild video for her seductive new single, “Because I Love You.” Balancing rapping and singing over a driving instrumental, it’s a strong return to form for the younger half of Chloe X Halle.

Even if you think you know where the plot of this twisty thriller of a clip is going, you wouldn’t be able to guess the surreal snarl in the road ahead. What seemingly starts off as an exploration of a steamy love triangle — with Halle herself playing two of its points opposite The Book Of Clarence‘s RJ Cyler — turns into a true mind bender as “faithful partner” Halle catches “exotic dancer/other woman” Halle with RJ on a romantic night out.

The jilted version of the singer doesn’t just confront the unfaithful partner and his paramour, she hops on the hood to put on a show of her own. But right before Clyer’s disbelieving eyes, he’s confronted by a whole cadre of Halle clones (timed to the choral explosion of her duplicated voices on the track itself). The video ends on this cliffhanger, but whatever the many Halles decide to do to the perfidious paramour, you just know it can’t be good.

“Because I Love You” is Halle’s second solo single of 2024 after the more demure “In Your Hands,” and already seems to be much more warmly received among fans online. You can watch the video above.

Big Sean Is A Romance Broker In His Cameo-Filled ‘Who You Are (Superstar)’ Video

by

After a short delay earlier in the month, Big Sean’s new album Better Me Than You is out now and with it, the comically romantic video for standout song, “Who You Are (Superstar).” As suggested by its title, the song is constructed around a sample of Usher’s 2004 Confessions hit, “Superstar,” with Sean whispering sweet nothings and empowering affirmations to a romantic interest.

In the tongue-in-cheek video, which is inspired in equal parts by the call center-oriented films Girl 6 and Boiler Room, Sean gets help in the above endeavor from an office full of Lothario phone operators, played by comedians Mark Philips, Dylan Patel and fellow musicians Jazz Cartier and Aminé, with veteran actor Taye Diggs, who plays their boss.

Opening like an infomercial, with the boys encouraging women to call in to receive some confidence, the rest of the video follows their in-office antics, as they gas each other up with advice and their own encouraging mantras scribbled on post-its. The ladies calling in range from surgeons to jet-setting bigwigs, calling in from work or workouts.

The overall vibe is right in line with much of the rest of Better Me Than You, which has featured other empowering singles such as “Clarity,” “On Up,” “Together Forever,” and “Yes.”

You can watch the video for “Who You Are (Superstar)” above.

Better Me Than You is out now via FF to Def Entertainment. You can find more information here.

Nicki Minaj Reignites Travis Scott Feud By Promoting Sabrina Carpenter’s Album

by

Travis Scott is a master at the album bundle. It propelled his 2018 album Astroworld to the top of the Billboard 200. He’s on pace to do it again with the streaming release of his 2014 mixtape Days Before Rodeo. The Houston rapper is pulling out all the stops when it comes to different album packages. He has different versions with different bonus tracks. He has a live version titled Live from Atlanta, and a chopped and screwed version. Nicki Minaj was the artist who got beat out by Astroworld in 2018, and she’s doing her best to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Sabrina Carpenter dropped her album Short N Sweet the same day as Days Before Rodeo. She is the main competition for Scott when it comes to topping the Billboard 200. Carpenter saw the parallels with her situation and Minaj’s in 2018, and decided to highlight it. “This is for Nicki,” she tweeted on August 29. The gesture did not go unnoticed by the the rapper, who returned the love during an Instagram Live. Nicki Minaj shouted Sabrina Carpenter out, and urged fans to go and buy her album. “Shout out Sabrina Carpenter, shout out all the Sabrina Carpenter fans,” Minaj stated. It’s a much more measured response than the one she gave in 2018.

Read More: Travis Scott And Kendrick Lamar’s “Goosebumps” Earns Rare Milestone

Nicki Minaj Shows Love To Sabrina Carpenter’s Fans

Nicki Minaj infamously popped off during an episode of her Queen Radio show. She insulted Travis Scott for using bundles to boost his sales, and felt that her album should have been number one. “What we’re not gonna do is have that Auto-Tune man selling f*cking sweaters,” she said. “Telling you he sold half a million albums, because he f*cking didn’t.” Minaj also called out Spotify and the mother of Scott’s child, Kylie Jenner, for using their platforms to inflate Astroworld sales even further.

The plot thickened after Nicki Minaj showed love to the “Espresso” singer, though. Kanye West decided to enter the chat. West, who has been on bad terms with Minaj as of late, decided to repost a version of Scott’s album on his Instagram Story. Kanye West has a propensity for joining conflicts he has nothing to do with (just ask Kendrick Lamar), and he appears to have struck again. It’ll be fascinating to see if more artists pick sides in the unfolding Travis Scott vs. Sabrina Carpenter sales competition.

Read More: Akbar V Offers To Defend Nicki Minaj In Court Amid Former Barbz’s Slander Lawsuit

The post Nicki Minaj Reignites Travis Scott Feud By Promoting Sabrina Carpenter’s Album appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Big Sean Delivers His Most Mature Album Yet With “Better Me Than You”

by

The road to get here was long and difficult. Big Sean didn’t sugarcoat. He was honest with fans about all the personal turmoil and growth he had to go through to get the album recorded. It’s finally here. Better Me Than You is on streaming, and it’s excellent. The album really showcases Big Sean’s growth, and is a sonic manifestation of everything he’s been saying on social media during the rollout. He sounds like he is in a much healthier place than he was when he was younger. There’s still scores to settle, and rappers to rag on, but there’s an awareness that it’s not all that important at the end of the day.

The singles still sound pristine as ever. “Precision” is the best “banger” on the album, and that’s not a bad thing. Big Sean sounds hungry as ever over the soul sample made famous by Three 6 Mafia. He still has that elastic, endless energy in his voice. “Precision” doesn’t really reflect the rest of Better Me Than You, though. The bulk of the album is dedicated to soulful, mid-tempo cuts where Big Sean can take stock of his life. “Break the Cycle” flips a Gap Band interpolation into a self-help anthem courtesy of of Charlie Wilson. “Boundaries” is is a heartfelt airing out of issues over a snappy instrumental. In truth, the only song that feels truly out of place is the single “Yes.” It’s a reminder of what Big Sean sounded like when he was trying to strain for hits. He was smart to focus on quality bars and non-trendy sounds for the rest of what’s here.

Read More: Big Sean Reveals Album Release Date Following Emotional COVID Admission

Big Sean Finds A Contemplative Groove On His Latest LP

Better Me Than You tracklist:

  1. Pressure (Intro)
  2. Iconic
  3. Typecast
  4. Break the Cycle (featuring Charlie Wilson)
  5. Who You Are (Superstar)
  6. Yes
  7. It Is What It Is (featuring Gunna)
  8. Apologize (featuring Eryn Allen Kane)
  9. Clarity (Skit)
  10. On Up
  11. Something (featuring Syd)
  12. Black Void (featuring Thundercat & Eryn Allen Kane)
  13. This N That (featuring Bryson Tiller & Kodak Black)
  14. Million Pieces (featuring Teyana Taylor, Larry June & DJ Premier)
  15. Get You Back (featuring Cash Cobain)
  16. Certified (featuring NASAAN)
  17. Focus (Skit)
  18. Boundaries
  19. Precision
  20. My Life / Happiness (Skit)
  21. Together Forever (featuring The Alchemist) [Bonus]

Read More: Big Sean Surprisingly Raps Over A Kanye West Beat On New Song, “Fighting Fires”

The post Big Sean Delivers His Most Mature Album Yet With “Better Me Than You” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

ASAP Rocky Drops Long-Anticipated “Tailor Swif” Single And It Slaps

by

ASAP Rocky is making all the right decisions. The rapper may have delayed his anticipated comeback album, Don’t Be Dumb, but he’s been clear that he simply wants it to be as good as possible. The first big single, “HIGHJACK,” is an indicator of the quality he’s going for. The song and the music video were terrific, suggesting that fans are going to be well-fed when September comes around. To make up for the delay, though, ASAP Rocky decided to drop a song fans have wanted for months: “Tailor Swif.” The last single was cloudy and chilled out, but “Tailor Swif” is more bouncy, ASAP Mob vibes.

The instrumental is deceptively layered. On first listen it sounds like a basic drum pattern, but the closer one listens, the more one catches all the little sonic details.” Tailor Swif” has busy vocal samples littered throughout. There’s also a sneaky synth line that creeps in and out of ASAP Rocky’s verses. Rocky takes aim at every rapper’s favorite target: the unnamed op. “Ready, might just sign my ex-girl, no Malcolm and Eddie, already,” he spits. “Your a*s might just go and get upset, don’t be petty, already. Smoke ‘za so you stressed, boy, that’s Reggie, a wetty.” There isn’t much to the Taylor Swift reference beyond the chorus, but it’s catchy, and it works. Another win for ASAP Rocky.

Let us know what you think of this brand-new track, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.

Read More: ASAP Rocky Explains Why Rihanna Is The “Perfect” Partner

ASAP Rocky Drops A Bouncy Buzz Single

Quotable Lyrics:

You tryna give my d*ck a kit, ridin’ on my stripper again (Yeah)
Ridin’ through my window tint, hit a lick again (Yeah)
Got these n**gas sick again, hit a lick again (Yeah)

Read More: ASAP Rocky Played “Don’t Be Dumb” For Tim Burton And Here’s What He Had To Say

The post ASAP Rocky Drops Long-Anticipated “Tailor Swif” Single And It Slaps appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

André 3000 Film ‘Listening To The Sun’ Is An Intimate Experience For His New Album

by

Earlier this year, André 3000 surprised longtime listeners by announcing that his new album, New Blue Sun, would be full of flute tunes instead of raps. In spite of this, the instrumental album also upset expectations in a good way, making Billboard history and turning him into a jazz legend as well as a rap one.

The new album just begs for an intimate listening session — and that’s exactly what his André’s companion film, Listening To The Sun, is. To star the 90-minute film, André introduces the album, lights a candle, and lets the mood move him as the album plays. “I hope you enjoy the ride as much as we did,” he says. “What you hear is what we did as it was happening.” The film, directed by Terence Nance, isn’t terribly complex, but the soundtrack takes care of that.

Although New Blue Sun was well-received in general, though, André’s comments about rapping after 40 while promoting it certainly ruffled a few feathers. Lil Wayne called André’s thoughts “depressing,” while LL Cool J shot down the idea that there are no new ideas after 40. Still, most fans seem to be holding out hope that André will rediscover his inspiration, after his most recent rap verse, on Killer Mike’s “Scientists & Engineers,” not only scratched their longstanding itch for new André 3000 wordplay, but also helped Mike sweep the Grammys’ rap categories.

You can watch André’s film, Listening To The Sun, above.

Travis Scott Released A Pile Of Vaulted ‘Days Before Rodeo’ Music, Including Live And Chopped-N-Screwed Versions

by
travis scott
Getty Image

With Travis Scott’s breakout mixtape Days Before Rodeo finally coming to streaming after ten years, it looks like the master promoter is making the most of the occasion. In addition to surprising fans with the release of a music video for tape standout, “Drugs You Should Try It,” he’s followed up with a second release of supplementary material, including vaulted tunes, a chopped-and-screwed version, and a live recording from his Atlanta tenth anniversary concert. All the new, old material can be found at shop.travisscott.com.

The consummate multi-brand pitch man, Travis announced that he was branching out yet again and living out one of his biggest dreams: Teaming up with WWE legend Rey Mysterio for an upcoming match. He wouldn’t be the first music star to partner with the wrestling promotion; last year, an extensive storyline saw Bad Bunny team up with, then turn on, fellow Puerto Rican Damian Priest in Puerto Rico, suffering a back injury in the process that should put paid to all those rumors about wrestling being fake.

At the very least, it should give the Houston native a productive outlet for some of that destructive energy, because he’s made almost as many headlines for brawling, trespassing, and assault arrests as for his music this year.

Andre 3000 Drops “Intimate” 90 Minute Film To Accompany His Jazz Album

by

Andre 3000 always has a left turn to make. The Outkast rapper confused everybody when he dropped his first solo album in 2023. Instead of bars, which fans had been patiently waiting for since 2006, he decided to pick up the jazz flute. The resulting album, New Blue Sun, has become something of a pop culture curio. Nobody knows quite what to make of it, which seems to be why Andre 3000 had so much fun making it. Now, the Outkast icon has decided to drop a feature length film to accompany.

The film is called Listening to the Sun. Three Stacks uploaded the 90 minute feature to YouTube on August 29 with a subtitle that explains its intent. Listening to the Sun is an “intimate album film for New Blue Sun,” and it was apparently recorded on November 11, 2023. For context, the album dropped the same exact day. The film is artsy, as one might expect for a companion piece to a jazz flute album, but it’s undeniably interesting to watch. Andre 3000 occupies the frame during the entire film, and there doesn’t appear to be a cut. He performs his musical and physical actions in one unbroken shot. This makes the flow from sequence to sequence even more natural.

Read More: Outkast Hits EDM Duo With Copyright Infringement Lawsuit For “ATLiens” Name

Andre 3000 Made The Film The Day He Dropped His Album

Andre 3000 is a frequent collaborator of Frank Ocean. He’s appeared on both of the singer’s albums, and he maintains a similar hermit persona. It’s worth mentioning Ocean because Listening to the Sun feels like Andre’s version of Endless. Ocean built a staircase over the course of an hour in Endless, as new music soundtracked his process. Andre 3000 has a bit more focus with his film (and 30 minutes more to fill), so it’s admittedly a more engaging watch.

Three Stacks has been transparent about not knowing what he’s doing with the flute. He told The Shop that he was a novice when it came to the instrument, which has been part of the appeal. “I don’t know what notes I’m playing, to be completely honest,” the rapper explained. “I’m not trying to pretend like I know what I’m doing, in a way. I actually don’t know what I’m doing and that’s part of the art.” Listening to the Sun feels like a cinematic expansion on this freedom. Give it a watch if you haven’t already.

Read More: Andre 3000 Addresses Backlash To His Controversial Comments On Aging In Hip-Hop

The post Andre 3000 Drops “Intimate” 90 Minute Film To Accompany His Jazz Album appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Travis Scott Drops “Live From Atlanta” Album Exclusively On His Website

by

Travis Scott has captivated fans with his Days Before Rodeo rollout. Despite being a decade old, the mixtape outsold new albums by Scott’s peers. The rapper took note of this, and has proceeded to roll out multiple versions of the mixtape on his personal website. These versions have been dubbed “vault,” because each comes with a previously unreleased song. Travis Scott upped the ante on August 29th, though. In addition to “vault editions” with new songs, the rapper dropped a live recording of his Days Before Rodeo concert. The title? Live from Atlanta.

Live from Atlanta is being packaged with the standard edition of Days Before Rodeo. The digital download is being offered for $4.99 Live from Atlanta is, of course an album version of the highly anticipated anniversary concert that Travis Scott put on last week. The rapper decided to tribute hardcore fans by performing the mixtape in its entirety. The tracklist for Live from Atlanta is similar, except for the specific order. Scott decided to change things up during his shown, and plays DBR highlights out of order.

Read More: Travis Scott And Kendrick Lamar’s “Goosebumps” Earns Rare Milestone

Travis Scott Also Dropped A Chopped N Screwed Version

Travis Scott unveiled the Live from Atlanta album on Instagram, along with a chopped and screwed version of the mixtape. The rapper is clearly fond of his breakout project, and he fed off the crowd’s enthusiasm during the show. He even teased a possible Days Before Rodeo tour. “I might have to do a whole tour of this,” he told the crowd. “These the best songs on the planet.” Part of the reason Days Before Rodeo means so much to Scott, in retrospect, is the work he got to do alongside Virgil Abloh. Scott revealed that Abloh helped designed the neon smoking cowboy sign that now adorns the front cover of Live from Atlanta.

“I was working on this album and I told myself I’m gonna do this album fast,” Travis Scott recalled in between songs. “I want to put it out quick. And I wasn’t able to put it out officially, but I was like, ‘Yo, I gotta just get this out to the world.’ So shoutout to all the day ones that’s in this motherf**ker right now, ya dig!” Days Before Rodeo has risen incredibly in esteem since it made its streaming debut. Hopefully a tour is in store. If there isn’t, though, fans have the condolence prize of the Live from Atlanta release.

Read More: Travis Scott Delivers A Long-Winded But Wholesome Birthday Toast To James Harden

[via]

The post Travis Scott Drops “Live From Atlanta” Album Exclusively On His Website appeared first on HotNewHipHop.