These ladies are keeping the fire burning this Women’s History Month. They show no signs of putting it out! Coi Leray drops fire new song with Nicki Minaj, Latto is going on tour, and Crime Mobs’ Diamond makes a comeback. Coi Leray Rises from the Ashes In spite of her dad Benzino spilling the beans […]
The post Single Ladies: New Drops From Coi Leray and Nicki Minaj, Normani, Girll Codee, Kali plus Latto Announces New Album & Tour! appeared first on SOHH.com.
Did anyone else mix their G.I. Joes with their siblings’ Barbies as a kid? For the longest time, I thought I was alone in this, but judging from Coi Leray‘s video for her new collaboration with Nicki Minaj, “Blick Blick,” she never saw a problem making the beauty dolls run around with the soldier toys’ guns, either. The colorful video is heavy on Nicki’s well-established Pinkprint aesthetic, but rather than getting pampered, the two rappers get armed to the teeth like Neo and Trinity from The Matrix to take on their foes. Of course, the guns are also on-theme.
“Blick Blick” is the latest sign that Coi’s star is rising after some skeptical fans wrote her off in the wake of her breakout with “No More Parties” toward the end of 2020. Thanks to her goofy, Playboi Carti-esque delivery, some thought she was just a gimmick, especially after her baffling performance during the XXL Freshman Cypher. However, since then, she’s kept up a steady stream of solid singles such as “Twinnem” and “Anxiety,” building her credibility and showcasing her versatility. Securing a feature from Queen Minaj herself — especially after her dad Benzino nearly ruined the chance for her — only solidifies her ascent, proving she has belonged at the top all along, just as she (and Uproxx) predicted.
Watch Coi Leray’s video for “Blick Blick” featuring Nicki Minaj above.
Coi Leray had a huge 2021 year. She kicked things off with her single “No More Parties” which went Platinum and peaked at No. 25 on the albums chart. She followed that up with “Big Purr (Prrdd)” alongside Pooh Shiesty, another record that entered the Billboard singles chart, this time peaking at No. 69. Additionally, she landed a spot on the 2021 XXL Freshman list alongside names like Blxst, 42 Dugg, Flo Milli, Rubi Rose, and more. The 2021 year came and went without a new album from Leray, but it looks like it could arrive this year. Until then, she’s back with a new single and features a very notable guest act.
Nicki Minaj stands beside Leray for their new song “Blick Blick.” It’s a record that the pair spent most of the last week teasing, and rightfully so. On the track, Leray and Minaj are a taunting duo that flexes their status and fires some shots at the competition, all without fear of being defeated at any point.
While “Blick Blick” arrived without delay, the song was almost released without Minaj’s verse. It came after Leray’s father Benzino leaked the news last month during a Clubhouse conversation. “I just felt bad that she was robbed of telling the world in her own way @ her own time,” Minaj said during a Twitter Q&A with fans. “But that’s water under the bridge now. Good vibes all 2022.” Prior to Minaj’s comments, Benzino apologized for his actions, saying, “I feel horrible and sad. I am 100 percent in the wrong and it will never happen again.”
You can listen to “Blick Blick” in the video above.
Pooh Shiesty is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Nicki Minaj and Coi Leray‘s upcoming collaboration “Blick Blick” is already one of the most anticipated singles of the year. But the collab, due later this week, almost didn’t happen.
After Leray’s father Benzino leaked the news of the collab in a Clubhouse last month, Minaj removed her verse. She took to her Instagram story to deny rumors of the collab, noting she’s solely in “Onika mode.” Minaj ultimately changed her mind after speaking with Leray privately.
“I just felt bad that she was robbed of telling the world in her own way @ her own time,” Minaj said in a Twitter Q&A with fans on Monday. “But that’s water under the bridge now. Good vibes all 2022.”
I did pull it.
but the label hit me going hard. But rlly I had a private convo w|coi & that’s what changed my mind. Not the label. I just felt bad that she was robbed of telling the world in her own way @ her own time. But that’s water under the bridge now. Good vibes all 2022 https://t.co/2aPqTzK3Lc
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) March 14, 2022
Before Minaj and Leroy revealed the collab was, in fact, real, Benzino apologized to the two rappers via Twitter, saying “I feel horrible and sad. I am 100 percent in the wrong and it will never happen again.”
Ahead of the song’s release, Minaj promised to deliver the “verse of the year,” warning the Barbz that they won’t be able to immediately learn it upon first listen. “Breath control. Breathe. Meditate. Diction exercises. Do that for the next 4 days. Then maybe.”
And no you won’t be able to learn the verse right away so don’t try. Breath control. Breathe. Meditate. Diction exercises. Do that for the next 4 days. Then maybe.
but I can’t make any promithis promithis promithis #BlickBlick 3.18.22
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) March 14, 2022
“Blick Blick” is out 3/18 via Republic. Pre-save it here.
It’s safe to say bottles in the club are on Coi Leray this weekend. The 24-year-old emcee recently announced her collaboration with Nicki Minaj, expected to release this Friday, March 18th, titled “Blick Blick.”
Just last month, Coi Leray made headlines after her father Benzino seemed to have spilled the beans on the upcoming collab during a clubhouse chitchat.
“She got the song with Nicki Minaj that’s gonna be coming out that’s gonna be crazy,” he revealed. The news immediately circulated the internet as people were excited for Coi Leray, who is still trying to beat the odds in the industry. Nicki Minaj denied any upcoming collaborations with anyone, and Leray told her father to let her handle her career.
“He gotta play the back gracefully because it’s my turn now,” Leray stated on Instagram. “You know? It’s my turn, daddy. I’ma need you to sit the fuck down, grab some popcorn, enjoy the show and clap for me when it’s time to clap for me.”
It seems as though her father didn’t take away the special moment for Leray after all, as Nicki Minaj admits to fans that she did pull away from her verse from the single. However, she continued to work with Leray because she really respects the New Jersey native as an artist.
“I did pull it,” Nicki responded to a fan. “The label hit me going hard. But rlly I had a private convo w/coi & that’s what changed my mind. Not the label. I just felt bad that she was robbed of telling the world in her own way @ her own time. But that’s water under the bridge now. Good vibes all 2022,” Minaj penned.
While fans were quick to defend Benzino, stating that he was actually telling the truth, Leray stepped on Twitter with a few words of her own following the exciting news. “My dad has to realize that Im my own person. Not only am I [an] artist but ima young black WOMEN FIRST and he has to understand his actions and what he does can possibly affect me overall as a brand. Most important part of it all is, all this is bringing me and him closer,” she wrote.
It’s great to see Coi Leray get her moment. Will you be tuned into “Blick Blick” this Friday?
TRENDSETTERS LOADING…..
My new single “Blick Blick” w| The QUEEN @Nickiminaj
drops this FRIDAY 3/18
Click The PRE-SAVE Link In My Bio
pic.twitter.com/hD9hZv2QkS
— TrendSetter
(@coi_leray) March 14, 2022
My dad has to realize that I’m my own person. Not only am I am artist, but ima young black WOMEN FIRST and he has to understand his actions and what he does can possibly affect me overall as a brand. Most important part of it all is , all this is bringing me and him closer
— TrendSetter
Can’t wait to tell my story
— TrendSetter
I appreciate these trials and tribulations and love to know that I’m never alone along the way when I have all of you trendsetters giving me the light to every dark situation
— TrendSetter
No madder what people say, always stay true to yourself and never stop going. All that hate turned into love. The love turned into a feature with one of the biggest artist in the world. God makes no mistakes
— TrendSetter
I did pull it.
but the label hit me going hard. But rlly I had a private convo w|coi & that’s what changed my mind. Not the label. I just felt bad that she was robbed of telling the world in her own way @ her own time. But that’s water under the bridge now. Good vibes all 2022 https://t.co/2aPqTzK3Lc
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) March 14, 2022
The post Coi Leray Grateful For Industry Experiences Following Nicki Minaj Feature appeared first on The Source.
Coi Leray is feeling the blues following Valentine’s Day. She posted a tweet saying, “No More Relationships” that has fans wondering about her personal status with boyfriend, Pressa. Coi has been dating Toronto rapper Pressa for the past few months and the two seemed madly in love, but there might be trouble in paradise. This […]
It’s crazy to think about, but 20 years ago, no one knew who Rihanna, Lady Gaga, or Nicki Minaj were. The world hadn’t been introduced to Kanye West or Taylor Swift. Even Adele was just another face in the crowd. Nowadays, each of them are living legends, surely to be remembered for generations to come.
That’s one of the most exciting parts of the music industry: watching unknown artists develop into household names and bonafide superstars. Every few years, we watch a fresh-faced crop of buzzy musicians grow before our eyes. And as the latest class — think Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X and Dua Lipa — settle into their roles as established hitmakers, it’s time to look to the future. Here are ten up-and-coming artists who have the goods to become the chart-topping idols of tomorrow.
No one is as poised for stardom as dancehall artist Shenseea. The Jamaican star showed up twice on Kanye West’s 2021 album Donda, demonstrating her vocal abilities on “Pure Souls” and then rapping alongside the icon on “Ok Ok Pt 2.” Ahead of her forthcoming album Alpha (due March 11), Shenseea dropped the Megan Thee Stallion-assisted “Lick,” along with an accompanying video that borders on pornography. Bold!
Check out: “Lick” (with Megan Thee Stallion), “Dolly,” “Lighter”
Before his hyped up debut as Elliot in the new season of Euphoria, Dominic Fike had already made a name for himself in the music industry. Last year alone, he made out with Lil Nas X in Brockhampton’s “Count On Me” video and captured new fans through his feature on Justin Bieber’s “Die For You.” Between his burgeoning music career and his romantic rendezvous with Euphoria co-star Hunter Schafer, Fike will be an A-lister in no time.
Check out: “Chicken Tenders,” “Die For You,” “3 Nights”
New Jersey-bred Audrey Nuna drips with a type of swagger that can’t be manufactured. The Korean-American artist seamlessly switches between a buttery-smooth singing voice and a signature monotone rap style throughout her debut EP, 2021’s a liquid breakfast. In a genreless world of Billie Eilishes and Post Malones, Nuna is the perfect complement.
Check out: “Damn Right,” “Comic Sans”(feat. Jack Harlow), “Irene”
Formally known as Priscilla Renea, Muni Long racked up an impressive songwriting resume that includes credits for the likes of Rihanna, Ariana Grande, and Kelly Clarkson. For her second act, the rising star took her insider knowledge and applied it to her own career — and it paid off! Her sensual R&B track “Hrs And Hrs” went viral on TikTok, catapulting the song onto the Billboard Hot 100, where it’s currently perched at No. 16. Now her name is on every industry insider’s lips.
Check out: “Hrs And Hrs,” “Sneaky Link,” “No Signal”
“If changing my clothes would make you like me more / If changing my hair would make you care / Then I’d grab the kitchen scissors and cut myself to slivers for you,” Conan Gray seethes in the opening of his latest release, “Jigsaw.” With such melodrama, it’s no surprise Gray is regularly seen palling around with the current reigning Queen of Teen Angst, Olivia Rodrigo. With the current emo revival, this sensitive soul is ready to carry Dashboard Confessional’s torch for a new generation of sad bois and girls.
Check out: “Jigsaw,” “People Watching,” “Maniac”
Noa Kirel may be relatively unknown in the States, but she is Israeli pop royalty. Not only did she win the MTV Europe Music Award for best Israeli act for four consecutive years, but at 16, she joined the panel of Israel’s Got Talent as the global franchise’s youngest judge. Now, at 20, Kirel is aiming to conquer America — and between her soaring vocals, athletic choreography, and futuristic fashion, she’s got the full pop star package.
Check Out: “Thought About That,” “Please Don’t Suck,” “Pouch”
With a massive following (17.8 million at the time of writing) on TikTok, it’s easy to dismiss Nessa Barrett as another bored social media influencer who sees her musical projects as a side hobby rather than a career. But to come to that conclusion without giving her debut EP, last year’s Pretty Poison, a spin would be erroneous. On tracks like “I Hope Ur Miserable Until Ur Dead” and “Scare Myself,” Barrett establishes herself as a dark-pop songwriter with a knack for instantly catchy hooks — an easy sell for fans Avril and Paramore.
Check out: “I Hope Ur Miserable Until Ur Dead,” “La Di Die” (feat. Jxdn), “Scare Myself”
Anyone with their finger on the pulse in the world of K-pop knows that Aespa is a force to be reckoned with. The all-female foursome (or octet, if you count their avatar counterparts that regularly dance alongside them) started with a bang: in early 2021, their debut music video “Black Mamba” hit 100 million views, making them the fastest K-pop debut to reach that achievement. Their debut EP Savage also broke the record for highest-ranking K-pop girl group debut on the Billboard 200, clocking in at No. 20. With high-profile performances on the 2021 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and The Kelly Clarkson Show, Karina, Winter, Giselle, and NingNing are on their way to becoming global icons.
Check out: “Next Level,” “Black Mamba,” “Savage”
Between a pair of minor hits (“No More Parties” and “Big Purr” peaked at No. 26 and No. 69 respectively on the Hot 100) and a spot in the illustrious 2021 edition of the XXL Freshmen Class, all signs are pointing to a big year for Coi Leray. On recent releases like “Twinnem” and “Anxiety,” the charismatic rapper shows off a softer, more relatable side — a smart play for an artist who is this close to take off.
Check out: “Big Purr” (feat. Pooh Shiesty), “Twinnem,” “Anxiety”
It can’t be easy being the maligned subject of one of 2021’s biggest albums, but Joshua Bassett has responded to Olivia Rodrigo’s lyrics in stride: “If you get to tell your truth, then so do I / And it’s cool if you want me to play the bad guy / But don’t you dare act like I didn’t love you,” he declares over an acoustic accompaniment on “Crisis.” The track humanizes Bassett and serves as a necessary response to his very public relationship drama — and with it out of the way, it will be exciting to watch the young star explore his artistry outside of Rodrigo’s shadow.
Check out: “Set Me Free,” “Crisis,” “Only a Matter of Time”
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
