Maryland multi-talent IDK has been a Swiss Army knife for years, and it’s very apparent once again on his latest effort, BRAVADO + INTiMO. The idea behind this body of work is to show off his mixture of bold and demonstrative side, as well as his more intimate and personal persona. This is presented both in the title of the project and of the tracks. Some have “(B)’s” or “(i)’s” next to them, which indicates the type of the vibe and tone you will hear on said record. It’s split pretty much down the middle, and in a way, this is sort of double disc album. Leading up to its release, IDK put out four singles, three of which boasted features.
“DENiM” with Joey Bada$$, “TiFFANY” featuring Gunna, and the TheARTI$t-assisted “SUPERNOVA” were those cuts. Despite clean and accessible production that sounds pleasant to the ears, the performances themselves aren’t too memorable. He’s done more daring and replay-able things on projects like Simple. and F65, for example. The duality aspect is there, but the beats carry the experience for us at least. Overall, it may be a little to barebones on the lyrical front. IDK did say though, “My goal with this album was to simplify everything. With B.i., I just wanted to sing over beats that artists like MF DOOM would normally rap over and only rap when it felt the most natural.” We can admire his dedication to stick to an idea, but we feel he’s at his best when he takes more risks. Still, give BRAVADO + INTiMO a try and see what you think of it.
Bianca Censori frequently makes headlines for her head-turning fashion statements, and her latest Halloween look was no exception. Yesterday (October 31), the Australian architect and model popped out to a club in Harajuku, Japan. She was accompanied by her husband, Kanye West, and appeared to be in good spirits.
Censori stunned in a baby blue turtleneck, nude shorts, and a simple pair of heels. For those wondering why she wasn’t in costume, it appears as though she and Ye celebrated Halloween earlier this week. She channeled Marilyn Monroe for an outing in Tokyo, rocking short blonde hair and an unforgettable white fur jacket.
Kanye West and Bianca Censori attend the Prototypes Menswear Spring/Summer 2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 19, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lyvans Boolaky/Getty Images)
As for Censori’s other recent looks, she was also spotted yesterday in a far skimpier fit at a Maison Margiela party. She left little to the imagination with a pair of lace pasties. It remains unclear whether this was supposed to be a costume or simply another one of her daring looks. Coincidentally enough, those photos surfaced just shortly after reports that she and Ye had allegedly been doing therapy sessions together in the nude.
“People assume that it’s just Bianca who walks around without any clothes on, but behind closed doors, Ye is really embracing his own fetish for being in the buff,” a source alleged during a chat with In Touch. “Kanye loves being naked, he has this huge exhibitionist side — it’s actually a shock to a lot of people in his world that he covers up so much when he’s out in public because the rest of the time he hardly wears clothes.” What do you think of Bianca Censori’s latest Halloween look? We’re not permitted to post the images directly on HotNewHipHop, but if you’d like to see them, you can do so by clicking the Via link. Share your thoughts in the comments section down below and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Overall, the last 31 days have been pretty special as it pertains to the hip-hop world, and that is why we are excited to present the hottest hip-hop albums and songs of October 2024. Some of the biggest artists in the culture came through with new music. Tyler, the Creator stunned with Chromakopia. Moreover, GloRilla was able to prove her superstardom with Glorious. Additionally, artists like Ab-Soul got us hyped up with some fresh singles. Ultimately, it was a truly incredible month.
Let us know your hottest hip-hop albums and songs fromthe past month, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from the music world.
Lil Uzi Vert finally dropped Eternal Atake 2 after months of teasing a follow-up to 2023’s Pink Tape, and fans were very excited to dive in. However, as you might have seen already on social media, a lot of die-hards and casual listeners alike weren’t feeling their style and approach this time around, leading to many disappointed reactions on the Internet. Of course, this is nothing new for the Philly rap star, as plenty of their projects in the past did not garner the warmest reception on impact. Perhaps this was just a bad day for fans after Halloween celebrations, but either way, it’s a divisive reception to say the least.
Plenty of fans still enjoyed Eternal Atake 2, but sometimes the most controversial opinion is the loudest. We’ll let you make your own assessment of this reception. Nevertheless, this album saw Lil Uzi Vert address some other controversies of theirs as of late, including fan concern over their alleged use of nitrous gas. “They said I was lost, they thought I was a dead guy, I was on the NOS,” they rap on the opening track “We Good.”
In addition, the release of Eternal Atake 2 brought about a controversy with the surviving members of the religious group Heaven’s Gate. They claim that Lil Uzi Vert’s album art is very similar to their logo, and threatened legal action in a new Complex interview. “Stay away from our Intellectual Property,” they stated in that conversation. “Give the Group some respect. Don’t try to offer to buy us off, like last time. We do not want your money, no matter how much it is.”
Fans React
Meanwhile, other Lil Uzi Vert naysayers were skeptical from the jump, including some comments from Ebro that let to a bit of a social media tussle. Regardless of your thoughts on Eternal Atake 2, we will see whether or not they address this reception in any way or if they just brush it off completely. In addition, we’re on the lookout for how other 2024 albums land with listeners. Check out more reactions to this new album down below.
The Nike KD 17 is ready to take the court by storm with its striking “Slim Reaper” colorway, designed to reflect Kevin Durant’s fearless playing style. This iteration features a vibrant safety orange upper, making a bold statement on and off the court. The sleek black cage enhances stability and support while adding an aggressive aesthetic that perfectly aligns with Durant’s “Slim Reaper” persona. Complementing the vivid upper, a clean white midsole balances the overall look, ensuring versatility for both performance and casual wear.
The shoe also incorporates thoughtful details, such as “EASY” branding on the heel and the “Slim Reaper” inscription, which pay homage to Durant’s scoring prowess and competitive spirit. With the official release date set for sometime in 2025 sneaker enthusiasts and fans are eagerly awaiting their chance to grab this eye-catching design. Detailed photos of the KD 17 “Slim Reaper” have surfaced, showcasing its unique features and craftsmanship. This latest addition to Durant’s signature line promises to be a must-have for collectors and players alike, embodying both style and performance in every step.
The sneaker boasts an orange rubber sole paired with a clean white midsole. Its uppers blend different shades of orange with a black cage. Also, an orange Swoosh is on the sides and matches orange laces. Further, EASY branding is on the tongues, and “Slim Reaper” is on the heels.
More Photos
Hypebeast reports that the Nike KD 17 “Slim Reaper” will be released sometime in 2025. Also, the retail price of the sneakers will be $150 when they drop. Further, make sure to let us know what you think about these kicks in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the most recent updates and news from the sneaker community. We’ll make sure to offer you the newest products from the most notable brands.
The most talked about story in hip-hop this week is Young Thug’s release from prison. On Halloween, Thug took a blind plea deal. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker sentenced him to 15 years of probation and ordered him to pay thousands of dollars in fines. Additionally, Whitaker banned him from entering the metro Atlanta area for the first 10 years of his probation. He can visit in special cases, though he must leave the area within two days. Fans are thrilled with the verdict. For them, it means that a hip-hop favorite gets to come home and resume a wildly successful and influential music career. However, Young Thug’s lawyer, Brian Steel, is not as ecstatic. When asked about how Thug feels following his release, Steel alluded to his personal unhappiness with the outcome. However, he emphasized that Thug is happy to be coming home.
“As far as Jeffery is feeling now, he knows my feelings, which I am not going to reveal for attorney-client privilege. But, this is not the same as a not guilty verdict,” Steel said outside of the courthouse. He went into details about the way Thug was treated while in custod. He specifically pointed to the poor conditions of his cell. “Nobody here wakes up every day on a concrete floor that they’re calling his bed, at 4:15. He gets shackled at his feet, his waist, and his hands, comes to the Fulton County courthouse to be on concrete, eating out of a bag, and then coming to the courthouse to sit there with a leg chain every single day, and hear lie after lie. So for Jeffery to go home today, and not have another 90 days, 120 days of it [the trial], he is very happy.”
Brian Steel has become a minor hero in the eyes of Young Thug fans. Georgia has famously difficult RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) laws to navigate. They have been used in other high-profile cases. Notably, the state of Georgia’s case against former president Donald Trump concerning his plot to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Steel did not his client get a definitive “not guilty” verdict. But, his work ensured that Thug would not have to spend another day in prison. Thug spent over 900 days in custody after his arrest in May 2022.
Thug can now return to making music without many complications. Judge Whitaker ordered that he stay away from other YSL members and co-defendants at the trial. However, Thug specifically requested permission to continue working withGunna, who Thug signed to his record label in 2017. The judge acquiesed. Additionally, he can travel for music-related reasons. Fans won’t have to worry about Thug being unable to tour or collaborate with artists. All of that would not be possible without the legal guidance of Steel, a man who Thug owes a debt of gratitude.
Beyoncé fans think she’s teasing her next era. On Friday (Nov. 1), the “CUFF IT” singer was a bit late in revealing her Halloween costume, where she dressed as Queen of Funk Betty Davis.
Staying down appears to have worked out for Mariah the Scientist, with her longtime boyfriend Young Thug being released from prison on Thursday (Oct. 31) evening. The rapper was sentenced to five years of time served and 15 years of probation, with his 20-year term to be commuted if completed without issue.
The first winner for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards was Bobby Darin in 1960. In his decades-long career, he had nine top-10 singles, only one of which was about splishing and splashing. The second winner in the category was legendary comedian Bob Newhart (who also, amusingly, won Album of the Year). Other honorees in the 1960s include Robert Goulet (remained popular throughout the rest of his life), José Feliciano (an icon with the rare Christmas song that’s hard to get sick of), and The Beatles (literally The Beatles).
There’s a common perception that winning Best New Artist is a death sentence for an artist / band. I’m not sure this has ever been true (see, again: The Beatles), but it certainly hasn’t been true recently. The last six winners of the welcome-to-the-big-leagues award: Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion, Olivia Rodrigo, Samara Joy, and Victoria Monét. Those are some huge, critically and/or commercially successful artists (Joy was a niche pick, but since she won over Måneskin, it was the correct one).
In the 2010s, you have Zac Brown Band, Bon Iver, Sam Smith, and Meghan Trainor, which is the first and last time Bon Iver and Meghan Trainor will appear in the same sentence. Say what you will about the “All About That Bass” singer / walking Target commercial, she’s undeniably popular. Going further back to the 2000s, there’s Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, Maroon 5, Amy Winehouse, and Adele. That’s a strong batting average, not always in terms of authorial admiration (Joanna Newsom was snubbed!), but it does debunk the idea that winning Best New Artist dooms an act to following immediate glory with falling off the face of the earth.
So, where does this idea of a Best New Artist curse come from? There’s a trio of possibilities, or more likely, a combination of all three.
-In 1976, Starland Vocal Band released “Afternoon Delight.” It was one of the year’s best-selling singles (it also inspired both a Ron Burgundy sing-along and a regrettable tattoo). But only five years later, the breezy group broke up. “[We] got two of the five Grammys [and] one was Best New Artist,” Starland Vocal Band member Taffy Nivert recalled on an episode of VH1’s nostalgia-bait 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders special. “So that was basically the kiss of death and I feel sorry for everyone who’s gotten it since.”
-Only three artists have taken home The Big Four of Album Of The Year, Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Best New Artist in the same year: Christopher Cross, Adele, and Billie Eilish. Adele and Eilish are doing just fine, but Cross was never able to replicate the instant success of “Sailing” and, released later that year, the Oscar winning “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do).” He only had one more top-10 hit, 1983’s “Think Of Laura.”
-Best New Artist is notorious for being the only Grammys category with a vacated award. In February 1990, Milli Vanilli won Best New Artist; nine months later, they returned the trophy following a lip-syncing scandal.
The Milli Vanilli scandal, in particular, put a dark cloud over Best New Artist, but you know who won the next year? Mariah Carey. There’s always been peaks and valleys; it’s just that the clunkers stand out more. The Grammys probably want a redo on picking Macklemore and Ryan Lewis over Kendrick Lamar (Macklemore sure would); Esperanza Spalding was a noble if confusing selection over Justin Bieber, Drake, and Florence and the Machine; and fun., who won over Frank Ocean, isn’t even Jack Antonoff’s most famous band. (Although giving him a Grammy proved wise in the long run.)
Here’s the dirty not-so-secret about the Grammys, and every awards show: sometimes they get it “right” (taste is subjective, blah blah blah), often times they get it “wrong.” A lot of stone-cold masterpieces have been named Best Album (Songs In The Key Of Life! Time Out Of Mind! Golden Hour!) but there’s been a lot of bewildering winners, too (River: The Joni Letters? Babel? The First Family?). But you never hear about a Best Album Curse. The curse label is attached to Best New Artist because society is fascinated by the suddenly famous — and, for some, seeing their downfall is equally captivating. It’s also the Grammys attempting to predict the future, rather than honor the present. And recently, with Dua, Megan, and Olivia, they’ve done a better job of avoiding the one-hit-wonders (“Walking In Memphis” still goes hard).
If Chappell Roan, who seems certain to win Best New Artist at the 2025 Grammys (nominations are announced next Friday, November 8), came around 20 years ago, maybe she would have something to worry about. Not anymore.
Yesterday, Young Thug accepted a plea deal and was finally released from prison. He’ll spend 15 years on probation and must abide by various other release conditions, but his fans are thrilled nonetheless. It was undoubtedly a long and difficult battle for everyone involved, including his lawyer, Brian Steel.
Steel made it clear he wasn’t going to back down through the entirety of the case and was even willing to end up behind bars himself for his client. For obvious reasons, social media users are singing his praises following his and Young Thug’s latest legal win. “BRIAN STEEL JUST BECAME THE HIGHEST PAID LAWYER IN THE WORLD,” one X user jokes. “GIVE BRIAN STEEL HIS YSL CHAIN ASAP,” another insists.
YOUNG THUG’S LAWYER TOOK THE MOST BIG BALLS GAMBLE IN HISTORY TODAY BY REJECTING THE STATE’S PLEA OFFER AND LEAVING IT UP TO THE JUDGE… SOME OF US STARTED GETTING NERVOUS
It goes without saying that Steel has a lot to be proud of today and that this has likely been one of the most memorable moments of his career so far. As for Young Thug’s co-defendants, only two remain, Yak Gotti and Shannon Stillwell. Three others, not including Young Thug himself, also entered guilty pleas earlier this week.
Yesterday, Yak Gotti’s attorney Douglas Weinstein revealed that his client turned down a plea deal. Instead, he said he “fully intends to take this to the jury and get our not guilty verdicts and go home.” If he and Stillwell ultimately decide not to accept plea deals, the trial will reportedly resume on Monday (November 4).
Social Media Users Thank Brian Steel After Young Thug Gets Released
What do you think of Young Thug finally getting to go home yesterday? What about social media users thanking his lawyer Brian Steel as a result? Does he deserve all of the praise he’s receiving online? Share your thoughts in the comments section and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates. Check out some fans’ kind words for Steel down below.
(@JCF255) 
(@Koala57585) 
(@llMcbucketsll) 
(@sznxszn) 
(@5ahmir) 
