Billboard

Future’s “I Never Liked You” Continues Billboard 200 Streak

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Future’s ninth studio album, I Never Liked You, has remained on the US Billboard 200 chart for over a year. The project debuted atop the chart back in April 2022, earning 222,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. It became Future’s eighth US number-one and 15th top-10 album. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has since certified it platinum.

I Never Liked You is supported by guest features from Kanye West, Gunna, Young Thug, Drake, Tems, EST Gee, and Kodak Black. Future also dropped a deluxe version of the album with appearances by Babyface Ray, 42 Dugg, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, and Young Scooter.

Future At The 2023 Grammys

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 05: Future attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

When news of the continued success of I Never Liked You was posted by Our Generation Music, fans expressed their feelings on the project. “One of the best albums to come out last year imo,” one fan commented. Another called out Future’s doubters, “And some folks said the album was trash? Lol. They were clearly wrong.” “Im still listening like it just came out, great album,” one more wrote.

After the release of the album, Future embarked on the Future and Friends: One Big Party Tour. For the shows, he showcased several high-profile artists including Lil Durk, Kodak Black, Jeezy, and more. In a statement provided to Billboard at the time, he described the tour as “life-changing.”

Future is currently still working on his tenth studio album. When asked about his goals for the upcoming project in November 2022, he told Billboard he wants to become a billionaire off of its success. “A lot of money,” he answered. “That’s a lot of damn money. My main focus right now is just to do something I never done. One thing I never done is make a billion dollars. I ain’t done that, so I’m focused on that.” Future has yet to provide concrete details on his next effort, but be on the lookout for more information this year.

Future’s “I Never Liked You” Lead Single

[Via]

SZA Earns First No. 1 Song Of Her Career With “Kill Bill”

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As her career seems to get bigger by the minute, SZA just landed the first No. 1 song of her career on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Kill Bill.” Of course, this follows a very well-received remix featuring Doja Cat that dropped recently, so hype around the track is at an all-time high which is saying much. As one of the standout hits from her most recent album, it’s been hard not to hear the song for the past few months. Moreover, the track beat out other powerhouse cuts from Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj, Miley Cyrus, Drake, and many more.

Furthermore, this is yet another move of greatness from SZA, although a recent news story about an odd development also caught many’s attention. Jay Electronica recently revealed in verse form that the “Gone Girl” singer apparently has him blocked on social media. “I did an album with Hov, lames let all their hate vent,” Electron’ rapped. “So I fell back three years like, ‘Go ahead, be great then’ / I popped out with Flygod, I popped out on ‘Donda’ / I popped out with Russ, then Vic Mensa and then Ambré / I popped up at Spades and I popped up at Vandals / And my sister keep asking why I got blocked by Solana [SZA].”

SZA Nabs First-Ever No. 1 Song With “Kill Bill”

Regardless of that strange interaction, SZA had some thankful words for everyone supporting “Kill Bill” and its remix recently. “I jus wanted to say THANK YOU,” the 33-year-old posted on Instagram. “To every single person rooting for me. Thank you doja cat for your talent and time! This music s**t is weird and fickle, but y’all always come together for me at the end of the day. It’s why I always try my hardest to give you my best. That won’t ever stop. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!’ STREAM KILL BILL REMIX (feat doja cat) AND ORIGINAL.”

Meanwhile, the TDE star has the whole industry fiending for a feature or collaboration, including Lil Durk. “@sza the goat,” the Chicago MC wrote on his Instagram Story. “Y’all bet not sleep or get blind. Every female every car every sale she really her… I need you on my album ASAP. A hit not a regular song. Go tag sza blow her s**t down. Tell her Smurk need her.” For the latest on SZA and her incredible career, log back into HNHH.

Drake’s New Kim Kardashian-Sampling Song ‘Search & Rescue’ Debuted At No. 2 On The Hot 100

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Drake
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Drake is no stranger to Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart and his newest song, the Kim Kardashian-sampling “Search & Rescue,” continues his tradition of chart dominance. However, he just missed out on the top spot this time around, as Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” took the No. 1 position, leaving Drake to settle for No. 2. The rest of the top 10 includes No. 3, Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers,” No. 4, SZA’s “Kill Bill” (this figures to change next week thanks to Doja Cat’s remix), and No. 5, Metro Boomin’s “Creepin.”

The remaining five songs in the top ten are Rema & Selena Gomez’s “Calm Down,” The Weeknd & Ariana Grande’s “Die For You,” PinkPantheress & Ice Spice’s “Boy’s A Liar, Pt. 2,” Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero,” and Eslabon Armando X Peso Pluma’s “Ella Baila Sola.”

Drake’s Billboard history is quite extensive; in November last year, he tied Jay-Z for most No. 1s on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart thanks to his collaboration with 21 Savage, Her Loss. That album was his 11th No. 1 on the Billboard 200 overall, while in August, Drake again passed The Beatles for a significant milestone, acquiring his 30th top five song with “Staying Alive” by DJ Khaled. He’s since put some distance between his high watermark and the next most-awarded artist, Madonna, who has 28.

When Drake first teased “Search & Rescue,” some fans interpreted it as a taunt aimed at Kanye West due to the sample of Kanye’s ex-wife Kim Kardashian on the record. The sample, taken from Keeping Up With The Kardashians, specifically refers to the couple’s then-impending divorce. “I didn’t come this far just to come this far and not be happy,” she says in the clip. Drake’s dad Dennis Graham chimed in to deny that it was a shot across Kanye’s bow, and Kany has yet to respond.

The full Billboard charts for the week ending April 15, 2023 are out now on Billboard.com.

Chlöe’s ‘In Pieces’ Debuts On The ‘Billboard’ 200, Marking A First For Her As A Solo Artist

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Chloe Swarm premiere 2023
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Chlöe released In Pieces, her debut solo album on March 31 after building anticipation with singles such as “Pray It Away” or “How Does It Feel” featuring Chris Brown.

After the album’s arrival, fans were treated to the video for “Cheatback” featuring Future. They’re also still waiting on an official video for “Told Ya” featuring Missy Elliott.

All of that culminated in In Pieces debuting at No. 119 on the Billboard 200 albums chart dated April 15. As noted by Chart Data, it marks Chlöe’s first time charting on the Billboard 200 as a solo artist.

Chloe X Halle peaked at No. 16 and No. 139 for Ungodly Hour and The Kids Are Alright, respectively.

Chlöe referenced her musical beginnings with her sister, Halle Bailey, while addressing the criticism she has endured in the wake of In Pieces.

“The thing is, the same people who say that weren’t fans of Halle and [me] when we had our Ungodly Hour album out, The Kids Are Alright, so, it’s a bunch of people who are just putting in their two cents now just to really say things,” she said during an appearance on Atlanta’s Majic 107.5 radio station. “Because Sis and I, we’ve been underground for a minute, and the same people who talk, they weren’t around then or giving us our props then. It’s like, now they want to talk trash for some reason.”
Missy Elliott is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Birdman Wants Billboard To “Put Some Respek” On The CEOs: “I’m Tha Best To Ever Do It”

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It’s been nearly seven years since Birdman immortalized the phrase, “Put some respek on my name,” on the Breakfast Club. At the time, he took issue with the radio show’s coverage of his feud with Lil Wayne. If you recall, Lil Wayne felt as though he was stuck in his Cash Money contract which hindered his creativity. However, the infamous moment continued to be a staple in Internet culture for the years to come. Quite often, you’ll find someone use the gif of Birdman sitting behind a microphone with his arms crossed, demanding respect from Charlamagne Tha God.

However, the Cash Money founder apparently wants the same from Billboard. At the top of the year, Billboard and Vibe connected to deliver their definitive Top 50 Greatest Rappers list. Two of his artists – Lil Wayne and Drake – landed in the top 10. So, you’d expect him to be somewhat pleased about the list. This afternoon, he took to Instagram where he aired out Billboard for not giving the same acknowledgement to the CEOs of these labels who worked diligently to put on for the rappers.

Birdman Tells Billboard To “Respek” His Accomplishments

This week, Birdman addressed the controversial list, that he feels is “well respeked.” However, he felt as though they were playing him for not recognizing the CEOs at large. Cash Money undoubtedly changed hip-hop and the music industry forever, but his beef with Billboard largely has to do with the lack of acknowledgement for the CEOs, “made the way for these rappers to be supa stars.”

“I see you’ll did 10 best rappers which is well respeked but what about tha CEO who made thaway for these rappers to be Supa stars,” he wrote. “Fought tha battle behind doors so they kan be super stars. Put some respek on my name and stop playin with me. I’m tha best to ever doit nothing but love for all CEO ever in 50yrs of hip hop we held it down cash money rich gang STUNNAMAN tha best ever #THEGOATMAKER I doit do 4MS GLADYS.” Check out his post above and let us know if you agree in the comments.