Prior to this afternoon, it seemed like now was a great time to be a Brockhampton fan. They recently released a new video for a fresh Danny Brown collaboration, “Buzzcut,” and a few days ago, they revealed they have a new album coming soon, as Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine is set to drop on April 9.
The outlook changed today, though, when Kevin Abstract took to his Twitter account, which prior to this month hadn’t been tweeted from since 2019, to declare that Brockhampton is releasing another album this year after Roadrunner. After those albums, though, the band does not intend to ever release more albums.
Abstract tweeted this afternoon, “2 brockhampton albums in 2021 – these will be our last.” Shortly after that tweet, Abstract followed up by revealing that a new song is set to drop tomorrow night (presumably on Friday at midnight), tweeting, “New single tmrw night. Summer time vibes. Ride around with the windows down with ya best friend singing super loud to the chorus type vibe – shows the other side of the album. See Yal tmrw.”
2 brockhampton albums in 2021 – these will be our last
New single tmrw night. Summer time vibes. Ride around with the windows down with ya best friend singing super loud to the chorus type vibe – shows the other side of the album. See Yal tmrw.
If Brockhampton truly does come to an end in 2021, Abstract could pivot to focus on his solo career. His latest solo effort was his 2019 album Arizona Baby, although he later expressed some regret about making that record.
The rap game is keeping Nipsey Hussle‘s legacy alive. Everyone from West Coast rap veteran Game to Dreamchasers’ Meek Mill have stepped up to properly remember the slain hip-hop icon’s life. Hip-Hop Remembers Nipsey Hussle’s Legacy Game went super throwback mode with a rare look at himself alongside Hussle. Meek shared a flashback to himself […]
YBN Nahmir is officially down bad as fans continue to bully him over the sales to his latest album release. During a recent interview, the 21-year-old rapper admitted that he was considering an early retirement from rap before “Opp Stoppa” became a viral sensation. With the success of the track, Nahmir built up the confidence to share his latest full-length album, titled Visionland, with the world. Unfortunately, his promotion wasn’t too effective because, according to multiple sources, including DJ Akademiks, the album is only expecting to sell 4,000 units in its first week.
“YBN Nahmir never gone hear the end of this,” theorized one fan. If you can recall, Smokepurpp previously went viral for his own low sales, being teased with comments about how he sold 5,000 copies of Florida Jit for months. It’s likely that YBN Nahmir will take Purpp’s place on the lower end of the scale as people make jokes on social media about his performance.
Aaron J. Thornton/WireImage/Getty Images
In addition to the memes flying about Nahmir’s poor sales, he’s also being teased about one song in particular from the album, titled “Soul Train”. People aren’t afraid to let the rapper know that they’re not fans of the record, in which he tries something new with his melodies.
Did you listen to YBN Nahmir’s album Visionland? Let us know what you thought of it.
Dipset’s Jim Jones is high to the sky with happiness. Capo has come forward to geek out over New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo officially making recreational cannabis legal in the Big Apple. Jim Jones Turns Up Over NY Cannabis Jimmy went to his reliable Instagram page to geek out over the breaking news. Jones shared […]
As we reflect on our favorite moments from the late 33-year-old’s career, his surviving partner Lauren London shared a message on the date that he passed away.
Unique Nicole/Getty Images
“The Day Of Ermias’ transition changed the course of my life forever,” wrote the actress on Instagram. “2 years, and it feels like yesterday and eternity all at the same time. Grief and Healing have been constant companions on this journey.
In Honor of His life and demonstration… May all of Heaven exalt Your name for all You did on Earth and beyond.
Brave and Beloved Soul, Ermias. You are missed deeply. You are loved immensely. You will forever be. I love you eternally.
Your Boogie”
Lauren London has been doing her part to keep Nipsey’s legacy alive, ensuring that the marathon continues even in the afterlife. This has to be a difficult day for Lauren, as well as Nipsey’s kids. Send them some love in the comments and read Lauren’s full message above.
Ever since breaking out in 2019 thanks to his feature on Polo G’s “Pop Out,” Bronx, New York rapper Lil Tjay has carried himself with a superlative level of self-confidence, as seen on his debut album True 2 Myself released later that year. That confidence carries over into the title of his upcoming album Destined 2 Win, as well as its latest single, “Born 2 Be Great,” which Tjay shared today ahead of the album’s Friday release.
Sticking to his usual complement of somber keys, Tjay reflects on the self-possession that has allowed him to maneuver his way to the upper echelons of the rap game, surprising many but never himself. As he croons on the chorus, “I was born to be great / And I won’t let nobody tell me I ain’t.”
“Born 2 Be Great” is just the latest part of an impressive rollout that has included the 6lack-featuring “Calling My Phone” and the Polo G reunion “Headshot” with fellow New Yorker Fivio Foreign. The only hiccup was Tjay’s December arrest for possession of marijuana and grand larceny but he’s already cruised past that legal trouble to release two music videos for the above-mentioned singles.
Listen to “Born 2 Be Great” above.
Destined 2 Win is due on 4/2 via Columbia Records. You can pre-save it here.
Anybody who thought the vinyl resurgence was just a fad was mistaken: The industry has experienced a legitimate revival. As a result, music fans are interested in physical media in ways they may not have if the decades-old medium hasn’t made a comeback. That doesn’t mean everybody is listening to just their parents’ old music, though. That’s part of it, sure, thanks to rereleases that present classic albums in new ways. A vital part of the renewed vinyl wave, though, is new projects being released as records, of which there are plenty.
Whatever you might be into, each month brings a new slew of vinyl releases that has something for everybody. Some stand out above the rest, naturally, so check out some of our favorite vinyl releases of March below.
Neil Young — After The Gold Rush (50th Anniversary Edition)
Warner/Reprise
It’s been over 50 years since the release of one of Young’s most classic albums, and following an anniversary release in 2020 was a deluxe vinyl box set this month. Aside from the storied album itself, the set also includes goodies like a 7-inch single featuring two versions of album outtake “Wonderin’” and a litho print of the album art. If After The Gold Rush is somehow missing from your vinyl collection, here’s a chance to own perhaps the definitive version of it.
Chet Baker — (Chet Baker Sings) It Could Happen To You, Chet Baker In New York, Chet, and Chet Baker Plays The Best Of Lerner And Loewe
Craft Recordings
Chet Baker was one of the most respected jazz artists of the ’50s, and now a quartet of his beloved albums are available on new vinyl rereleases. The albums featured in this collection were originally released between 1958 and 1959, which is a lesson in productivity at a high level. For these reissues, the albums were cut from their original analog master tapes, so this is as high quality a listening experience as possible.
Tokyo Police Club — Champ (10th Anniversary Edition)
Mom+Pop
Tokyo Police Club broke through in the mid-2000s with their debut EP A Lesson In Crime and their debut album, Elephant Shell. They followed that run with their most commercially successful release, the sophomore album Champ, which turned ten in 2020 and is getting a COVID-delayed rerelease this year. The new edition of the album (the first time it has been pressed on vinyl) includes goodies like the previously unreleased track “Hundred Dollar Day.”
The Clean — Unknown Country and Mister Pop (reissues)
Merge Records
The New Zealand group was an inspirational force behind many beloved indie musicians, and now a pair of highlights from their discography are getting fresh rereleases via Merge Records. The albums — originally released in 1996 and 2009, respectively — are now available on vinyl in the US for the first time, and Merge also offers a t-shirt bundle to let fans rep the band on both their turntables and torsos.
Leonard Cohen left behind a legacy as profound as that of perhaps any artist who has left too soon in recent years. First Aid Kit have decided to honor that with Who By Fire, a live tribute album released in honor of the late legend. The album was recorded over two performances and the duo says of those shows, “We recently listened back to this concert and realized that this was something out of the ordinary for us. […] Dwelling deeply into Cohen’s world was a pleasure, he was so prolific as both a poet and a songwriter, and everything he ever put out held a very strong standard. He cared immensely for his work.”
The Meow Mix jingle was first introduced in television ads in the ’70s, and after all those years, the iconic tune is still one of the most recognizable jingles in all of marketing. Now the brand has celebrated the song’s legacy with a vinyl release that features modern reinterpretations of the song in varying styles. Participating in the project are Luna (delivering a pop rendition of the track), Heart & Paws (country), Gatocito (Latin), Endless Hiss (black metal), and Sweet Teddy Pepperpaw (jazz).
It’s been 25 years since Green Day dropped their fourth full-length album, an anniversary they’re celebrating with a fancy new vinyl reissue. It’s available on gorgeous translucent orange vinyl as a double LP, and aside from looking fantastic, the album has been remastered and is accompanied by eight new live tracks.
Vinyl Me, Please is delivering a huge release as one of their records of the month for April: MIA’s most enduring and commercially successful album, her sophomore effort Kala. This exclusive variation of the album is pressed on vibrant neon purple and green vinyl as a 2-LP release, has been remastered, and comes with a booklet of listening notes to further enhance the experience of the album. VMP also put out special pressings on two other MIA albums this month, but those have already sold out.
Arcade Fire and Owen Pallett — Her (Original Score)
Sony
The Joaquin Phoenix- and Scarlett Johansson-starring film Her came out way back in 2013, but it took about eight years for Arcade Fire and Owen Pallett’s score of the film to get a standalone release. The music here earned a nomination for Best Original Score at the 2014 Academy Awards and Win Butler says of it, “There is a mysterious alchemy in the way sound and picture work together, notes and moods shifting and reacting to one another like a kaleidoscope… And even in the absence of visuals, the emotional landscape still remains.”
In a new interview, Pusha T provides a wealth of updates on his highly anticipated follow-up to 2018’s Daytona. Appearing on the Instagram Live show Behind The Velvet Rope Tuesday night, Pusha told the host Biddy that the project is nearly complete. He also revealed the probable length of 12 songs, admitted he didn’t have a title for the album yet, and promised that it will be “the best album that drops in 2021.”
The only thing yet to be completed, according to Pusha, is a collaboration with Daytona‘s sole producer Kanye West. “I’m working on the album right now,” he said. “I haven’t titled it. Probably 12 [songs]. I usually don’t do a lot of extras. I feel like I have some extras right now but I’m gonna keep 12… I gotta go sit in with ’Ye for a little bit but other than that it’s just these 12.”
Of course, locking down the elusive Kanye for a session might be easier said than done. While the producer’s versatility has given him the longevity to outlast a dry spell musically, it also means his attention is being pulled in multiple directions by several projects currently in the works — among them, his own Donda album, his deal with Gap, and his pending divorce from Kim Kardashian.
However, when the two do get back together, Kanye and Pusha have shown that they can make some world-stopping music. Until then, we also have Pusha’s potential projects with Madlib and Tyler The Creator to look forward to, while The Neptunes are also rumored to be on this upcoming project, as well.
After Grimes made $6 million in one day for selling a collection of digital art as NFTs, musicians have been following suit and trying to break into the cryptocurrency art business. Artists like Diplo, Rico Nasty, and Halsey have released artwork as NFTs and now, The Weeknd is the latest to get into the game by hosting an NFT auction.
On Wednesday, The Weeknd officially announced his cryptocurrency auction, which he had previously teased. Items that will be up for sale include exclusive digital artwork and even an unreleased song.
About his decision to join the NFT marketplace The Weeknd said:
“Blockchain is democratizing an industry that has historically been kept shut by the gatekeepers. I’ve always been looking for ways to innovate for fans and shift this archaic music biz and seeing NFT’s allowing creators to be seen and heard more than ever before on their terms is profoundly exciting. I intend to contribute to this movement and can see that very soon it will be weaved into the music industry’s mechanics”
Excited to announce that my first NFT drop is taking place on Saturday at 2:00 pm EST on @niftygateway. The collection will feature new music and limited edition art. I developed the artwork with Strange Loop Studios pic.twitter.com/627BO4JekK
Echoing The Weeknd’s statement, Nifty Gateway Co-Founder Duncan Cock-Foster said: “The Weeknd’s entry into the NFT space marks a seminal moment in NFT history. One of the most influential R&B singers of our generation creating in this new medium is huge validation for the entire NFT space. We’re thrilled to present this unique, beautiful collection to the world.”
Check out a preview of The Weeknd’s NFT auction items above.
The sale starts 4/3 at 2 p.m. EST on Nifty Gateway. Find more information here.
