Due to a few recent controversies from major artists, the way music is sold and consumed by fans has been under a microscope recently. And now one person throwing his thoughts into the ring is ScHoolboy Q. Those incidents include French Montana’s streaming controversy. He released 8 versions of his new album in an attempt to inflate the sales numbers of the project. Most egregiously, he dropped a 126-song “Versions” edition of the album. Despite the tactics the album still debuted beneath its initially speculated sales numbers.
A bigger and more recent story has to do with one of ScHoolboy Q’s collaborators, Kanye West. He started teasing his second new album of the year VULTURES 2 with Ty Dolla $ign last week. But he revealed on social media that he’s considering not dropping the project on streaming platforms. It’s a tactic he’s explored before with The Life Of Pablo not initially dropping on Spotify or Apple Music and Donda 2 remaining unavailable on all streaming services. With fans from across the rap spectrum sharing their thoughts on the matter, Q took to Twitter to give his own take. Check out what he had to say below.
THe rap industry firing everybody… god lee …. THey bout to fire all deez cats at tHese streaming sites next.. radio bye .. sum How sum way tHo US RAPPERS gone fuck it up and give sumbody else power once again …
Q’s new tweet bounces between a variety of subjects. “THe rap industry firing everybody… god lee…. THey bout to fire all deez cats at tHese streaming sites next.. radio bye .. sum How sum way tHo US RAPPERS gone fuck it up and give sumbody else power once again” it reads in its entirety. The post has already racked up more than a thousand likes in just a few hours.
It’s no surprise that Q is thinking about sales right now given that he just released his new album. Blue Lips was his first new project since 2019 and dropped earlier this month. What do you think of ScHoolboy Q’s new tweet about streaming services, radio, and the future of how fans will consume rap music? Do you agree with his takes and projections? Let us know in the comment section below.
Ye and Ty Dolla $ign have yet to drop VULTURES2 as promised, but now there’s a new pipeline of info that the first installment didn’t have. Moreover, a Twitter (now X) account by the name of @yefanatics has apparently been in contact with the Chicago artist and his team, and through this account, he’s been able to provide updates on the project. In some of the most recent message screenshots posted on social media by the fan page, the “BURN” MC said that he and Ty will play both VULTURES 1 and 2 at their Phoenix listening event tonight (March 10), plus what seems to be another track called “Slide,” presumably for the final part of the trilogy.
Furthermore, Ye had a pretty interesting question to ask @yefanatics (and by extension, the fans) about his and Ty Dolla Sign’s next two VULTURES albums. “Was talking with the team about how to release the next album,” he apparently wrote via direct message. “Like James Blake said streaming devalues our music. We sell albums on Yeezy.com. I got 20 million Instagram followers. When 5% of my followers buy an album. That’s 1 million albums sold. That’s 300k more than the biggest album last year. We sold 1 million items on Yeezy.com on Super Bowl Sunday so we know it’s possible. How do you feel about us not streaming and only selling the album digitally.”
With this in mind, it’s at least great to see that James Blake’s recent statements on the music industry have really resonated. The English creative brought up a lot of great points in terms of artist exploitation, the adverse effects of a streaming-dominated economy on artistry, algorithmic engagement like TikTok being a hindrance to creativity, and much more. While Ye has his own legal, distribution, and politically sensitive reasons to see pushback from streaming platforms, it doesn’t change the fact that the issues with streaming apply across all artists, for the most part. Perhaps VULTURES 2 will join the likes of Willie Nelson as some of the first huge and prominent musical moments against streaming.
Meanwhile, we know that this is history repeating itself, because Donda 2 only released via the Yeezy Stem Player. But VULTURES 1 is still seeing a lot of streaming success, so maybe that’s another reason for them to switch things up for this one. After all, it seems like casuals won’t stop playing “CARNIVAL” anytime soon, and the next installment can focus more on the core fans. For more news and the latest updates on Ye and Ty Dolla Sign, keep checking in with HNHH.
French Montana has had a fascinating few weeks as far as sales numbers go. It started back in January when he announced his new album Mac & Cheese 5. He sold vinyl editions of the album for just $5, leading many fans to purchase copies who might not have otherwise. That turned out to be the first of a few tactics used to try and boost the total sales numbers of the album. But the most notable tactic came from its various releases on streaming services.
Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music got numerous versions of Mac & Cheese 5. In addition to the regular version of the album he also shared a Sped-Up version, slowed-down version, instrumental version, acapella version, and deluxe edition. All of those versions were additionally compiled together into a massive 126-track “Versions” album. The move was roundly criticized online and Montana was forced to defend his move, but didn’t do a great job at convincing fans. Now some new comments he’s making about streaming numbers have fans rolling their eyes in the wake of his move. Check out the remarks he made below.
In a recent interview, Montana claimed that artists are being “brainwashed” to try and get the highest possible streaming numbers. Additionally he expanded on his point saying that it’s changing the way people make music. “It’s taking the love out of music. People are not making the music that they love no more. People are chasing those numbers.”
The comments look even more hypocritical in the wake of his alleged vinyl fraud. Fans who ordered the $5 vinyls back in January are reporting that they were never received. Most fans got shipping confirmations with seemingly random addresses multiple states away on them. What do you think of French Montana claiming streaming numbers are taking the love out of music? Do you think he has any right to say that after the attempts at inflating streaming numbers, he made with his new album? Let us know in the comment section below.
Early today we found out that Drake’s 2011 album Take Care was robbed of its diamond certification by the RIAA. Numerous reports said that it reached the certain number of units sold to reach that milestone. However, they corrected that saying roughly eight million copies have been purchased. However, when it comes to Drake, this type of stuff rarely phases him. He is so successful that another achievement is sure to come down the pipeline. That happens to be the case today, as one of his hit songs has hit a tremendous streaming goal. “One Dance” becomes his first record ever to eclipse three billion streams.
According to HipHopDX, Drake got a text from his OVO Sound president Mr. Morgan, who is hilariously labeled “Man Like Morgan” in his phone. He congratulated his biggest name on the label on the achievement. You can check that out below. To celebrate this, Drake tagged Wizkid and the song’s producers Noah “40” Shebib and Nineteen85.
What also makes this so special for the Toronto legend is how elusive this mark is to reach. Only six other songs have had the opportunity to join the three billion club. The Weeknd did it with “Blinding Lights” and “Starboy.” Post Malone and Swae Lee’s Spiderman-prepped “Sunflower,” Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You,” Lewis Capaldi’s “Someone You Loved,” and Harry Styles’ “As It Was,” accomplished it as well. It sort of goes without saying, but this proves that Drake can really work in any genre and come up with a catchy tune that resonates years later.
What are your thoughts on Drake’s “One Dance” hitting three billion streams? Is this your favorite non-rap song from Drizzy, why or why not? Is this his greatest hit track because of this milestone? What will be his next record to eclipse that number and why? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Drake. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the world of music.
ScHoolboy Q is one of many TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) artists dropping a full-length project in 2024. However, he is the only one we have a ton of information on. Just over a week ago, the California MC put out two singles to get fans ready for his sixth tape. They were titled “Back n Love” and “Blueslides.” Both offered up some intriguing ideas for the type of direction he is aiming for. ScHoolboy Q’s BLUE LIPS is due on March 1 and with the release date about two weeks away, fans are dying to hear the full thing.
When artists put out tracks, almost everyone wants them on streaming platforms right away. Unfortuantely, Q’s fans have not gotten that wish. He decided to release them strictly on YouTube. “Back n Love” and “Blueslides” both have been viewed quite a bit on the video platform. However, fans are still wondering why Spotify, Apple Music, and the rest of them are not getting them.
According to AllHipHop, a fan tweeted at Q asking, “Why @ScHoolboyQ ain’t put these joints on streaming yet?” He saw it and replied, “I’m dealing directly wit tHe fans… MARCH 1st everytHing yours.. da ppl tHat care about Q deserve a rollout BLUELIPS.” Fans could understand where he was coming from. One person wrote back, “This is true you always get on here and give us something before an album.” Fans are clearly chomping at the bit, and so are we.
What are your thoughts on ScHoolboy Q’s decision making for the rollout of BLUE LIPS? Out of the two songs, which one are you listening to more and why? Will this be Q’s best album ever, why or why not? Is this the most exciting upcoming TDE album release this year? Who else do you want to see on the project? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave all of your takes in the comments. Additionally, keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding ScHoolboy Q and BLUE LIPS. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the world of music.
Chris Brown is someone who is certainly a polarizing figure in the music world. Overall, there is a very good and obvious reason for that. However, he is someone who has been able to retain a fanbase. He has remained visible, and he is constantly either going on tour or dropping new music. In fact, recent years of showcased his propensity for dropping albums with dozens of songs. Brown has no interest in “editing down” and there is no suggestion he will go back to such a practice.
Having said all of that, Brown was recently on stream with Adin Ross. The controversial Kick streamer has had a difficult time getting musical guests as of late. However, in the past few weeks, he has been able to secure appearances from both CB and Rick Ross. As is typically the case, some of the subject matter on the stream was risque. In fact, one comment was read out loud by Brown, and it caught him by surprise. In the end, he simply laughed it off and moved on. You can catch the clip, below.
Subsequently, the clip made its way to The Neighborhood Talk where Brown was praised for being in tune with his sexuality. Some people would have exploded at the commenter, however, Brown took it in stride. For many, this was a welcomed sign of maturity. “Love how he laughed and isn’t homophobic like half these hurt commentators…” one person wrote. “Chris Seems Very Comfortable In His Sexuality, Which Is Why He Was Able To Laugh And Move On. Love that for him,” said another. There was certainly a staunch difference between the way he spoke and the way Ross reacted.
Let us know what you thought of Brown’s appearance on Adin Ross’ stream, in the comments section below. Who should Adin have on next? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will always be sure to keep you informed on all of your favorite acts.
Meek Mill has responded to the backlash he’s been receiving over his recent question about music listening in Africa. Taking to Twitter on Saturday, Meek asked how his fans in South Africa and Nigeria consume his music. Many users didn’t appreciate the way they perceived his tone to be condescending and took offense. In response, Meek says he was asking an innocent question.
“Do a lot of people play my music in South Africa? I remember having on big show [there a] few years back… how do y’all listen to our music in South Africa???? On what platform or in Nigeria?” Meek wrote.
ACCRA, GHANA – DECEMBER 29: American rapper Robert Rihmeek Williams, known professionally as Meek Mill performs on stage during the Afro Nation Ghana Music Festival on December 29, 2022 in Accra, Ghana. Afro Nation Ghana, the world’s biggest Afrobeats festival, will take place 29th and 30th of December in Accra at Marine Drive, Black Star Square, a site of cultural significance. (Photo by Ernest Ankomah/Getty Images)
After many fans took issue with the post, he clarified on Monday: “I was asking how they listen to music in Africa because I wanna handle my business none of my contracts say they have rights to distribute me in Africa… basically looking for the money trail? [I don’t know] what platforms [are] used in South Africa lol,” Meek wrote. He followed up: “People are have losing their minds at a rapid pace!”
Meek Mill Discusses Music Fans In Africa
Do a lot of people play my music in South Africa I remember having on big show their few years back … how do yall listen to our music in South Africa???? On what platform or in Nigeria?
I was asking how they listen to music in Africa because I wanna handle my business none of my contracts say they have rights to distribute me in Africa … basically looking for the money trail? Idk what platforms used in South Africa lol
For years, SoundCloud has been one of the primary platforms that hundreds of thousands of rap fans use to stream and share music. The freeform streaming platform provides almost anyone the opportunity to upload their music and let other fans online find it. While the platform doesn’t seem like it’s going anywhere any time soon, it could have some new owners soon. Rumors circulating around music industry trade sites speculate that it could sell for a hefty price tag soon.
The story originated with Sky News which reported that two of SoundCloud’s shareholders are getting the ball rolling on a potential sale. They’re reportedly talking to investment banks about a “prospective auction of the company.” Fans of the platform don’t have to worry about any immediate changes though. The report specifically mentions that the sale isn’t expected to get underway for at least a few months. A majority stake in the company was purchased by Raine Group and Temasek Holdings in 2017. They’re the same two who have reportedly begun asking about a potential sale.
One of the most eye-popping elements of the story is the potential price tag the streaming platform could fetch. While a specific amount hasn’t been settled on yet there’s speculation that it could fetch more than $1 billion. That’s a substantial increase from the when the pair took over as majority owners in 2017. At that time the company was valued at $300 million.
SoundCloud continues to be a unique outlet for sharing rap and electronic music in particular. Just last week, 03 Greedo shared his new EP exclusively to the platform. Last year, Bryson Tiller shared an entire new mixtape exclusively to SoundCloud. He followed it up with a single exclusive to the platform earlier this week. What do you think of SoundCloud potentially being sold later this year? Do you use the platform to stream music? Does a price tag of over $1 billion seem like the right amount for the platform? Let us know in the comment section below.
The 2024 Golden Globes aired last night and fans are looking forward to all the new shows in 2024 that are soon to be released. Some of these shows center around fictional characters while others depict historical figures. These days, television’s earned movie-level quality which is why they are so highly regarded. As we enter 2024, we begin to anticipate several television shows that have been on our minds throughout the past year. Below, we’ve aimed to cover shows of all kinds and hope you learn about a new one you’ll now be tuning in for or see one you were already eagerly anticipating.
This is one of the new shows in 2024 that already has gone through some major changes. Viewers may remember the 2005 movie of the same name which starred Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. This series was originally announced in 2021 and was helmed by Donald Glover, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Francesca Sloane. Glover and Waller-Bridge also starred in the title roles. At one point, however, Waller-Bridge left and Glover continued to work on the show with Sloane. Moreover, Maya Erskine replaced Waller-Bridge. The show centers on two spies who are strangers that must portray a married couple The series is billed as a spy comedy and premieres on Amazon Prime Video with eight episodes on February 2, 2024.
Avatar: The Last Airbender (Live Action)
This is another new show in 2024 that viewers have known about for quite a while. The original Avatar: The Last Airbender animated series aired on Nickelodeon from 2005 to 2008. Viewers have held it in high regard since it ended with many of them still circulating clips and quotes from it on social media today. The characters originally appeared in a live-action movie in 2010 which was directed by M. Night Shyamalan. However, a large majority of viewers and critics did not enjoy that adaptation. Fortunately, they have expressed much more interest in this upcoming series based on the costumes, casting, and cinematography alone. The series stars Aang, a boy who must learn to master and “bend” the four elements to save the four nations from destruction. The show premieres with eight episodes on Netflix on February 22.
The Penguin
The title character of this series originally appeared in the 2022 film The Batman. He remains one of the most popular villains in the universe of Batman characters. Colin Firth plays this version of the character specifically, with many people praising the makeup team for making him unrecognizable. The series serves as a spinoff from the movie and starts a week after the events of its ending. While serving as a standalone series, executive producer and director Matt Reeves has stated it still will help connect the first and second movies, which he both directed. Moreover, the series follows Penguin’s rise to power in the criminal underworld of Gotham City. The show will begin streaming on Max in late 2024.
Griselda
This title of this new 2024 show may have caught the ears of fans of the Buffalo rap group but this is not a docuseries about them. However, it is a miniseries about the person their group is named after – Griselda Blanco. She was one of the most successful Columbian cocaine dealers in history and this series chronicles her life. Sofia Vergara stars as the title character and her long-time supporters are very eager to see her in a dramatic role like this. The show comes from the same team behind the Netflix series Narcos, which was about the life of Pablo Escobar and his cocaine empire. Griselda will premiere with six episodes on Netflix on January 25th.
Shōgun is a new show in 2024 that has some history behind it in more ways than one. It’s a remake of a 1980s mini-series, which itself was an adaptation of a 1975 novel of the same name. The original mini-series won several awards and the novel became a bestseller. Fans of both are looking forward to seeing this new series depicted on screen with modern technology of all kinds. The show follows an Englishman named John Blackthorne who ends up shipwrecked in feudal Japan in the 17th century and must navigate their culture. All the characters on the show are based on real figures in history, making the show a historical drama. Considering samurai are involved, the action sequences may pull in some viewers while the political depictions will pull in others. The series premieres on Hulu with two episodes on February 27.
Echo
Echo is a new show in 2024 that continues to expand the ever-growing world of Marvel. However, this one looks to have a much darker tone than most of their recent work. Maya Lopez first appeared in the series Hawkeye. Alaqua Cox will reprise her role as the title character in this spin-off series. Echo is deaf and a Native American of the Choctaw Nation and her heritage will be prominent throughout the series. She is also being perused by Wilson Fisk, a character viewers know from the Daredevil series.
All five episodes of the show will be released on Disney+ and Hulu on January 9. This is a first for a Disney+ Marvel series, which originally released episodes weekly. A Choctaw language dub of the show will also be released at the same time.
Agatha: Darkhold Diaries
This new 2024 show is a spinoff from the first MCU series, WandaVision. The character Agatha Harkness, played by Kathryn Hahn, turned out to be the true villain of the series the whole time. She even got a theme song within an episode where she boasted about it. Moments like this caused fans to want a show dedicated to the character and now they’ve gotten it. By the end of WandaVision, Agatha loses her magic abilities and the series follows her as she tries to get them back.
The title of the series was originally Agatha: House of Harkness then changed to Agatha: Coven Of Chaos before being changed to what it is now. Sources have claimed these changes were all a part of the fun for Disney since the title character can change things within WandaVision and this show. The series is billed as a dark comedy so viewers can expect Agatha and her allies to get into many creatively entertaining situations. Sources say the show will premiere on Disney+ in the fall.
What show are you looking forward to most? Let us know in the comments section.
NBA YoungBoy is an artist who has been able to capture the youth. Overall, this is no easy task. However, with a plethora of huge viral hits and some great albums, YoungBoy has been able to make it happen. He is still very young and has lots of time to continue developing his sound. That said, it seems like his formula is most definitely working. He dropped a ton of albums this year, and his fans were ready to hear all of them. In 2024, he is gearing up for another big year, and fans are excited for what he has in store.
If you know anything about YoungBoy, you are aware of the fact that he has consistently been at the forefront of YouTube streaming. He is one of the best-performing artists on the YouTube platform. In fact, in 2023, he was the highest-streamed hip-hop artist on the video-sharing platform. This is pretty impressive when you consider how Drake and Bad Bunny were behind him. Peso Pluma was number one on the list, while Taylor Swift found herself in the fifth spot.
YoungBoy has been hitting numerous milestones as of late. For instance, he is officially the youngest artist with 100 Hot 100 entries. Of course, this is a product of the fact that he has dropped so much music over the years. Regardless, it also shows that there is a massive appetite out there for his music. The youth continues to be obsessed with YoungBoy, and that probably won’t be changing, anytime soon. Hopefully, we get some new music from the artist in the not-so-distant future.
With YoungBoy hitting another new milestone, let us know what you think of his music, in the comments section below. Tell us what direction you would like to see him go in, next. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will always keep you informed on your favorite artists and their upcoming releases.
…. THey bout to fire all deez cats at tHese streaming sites next.. radio bye
.. sum How sum way tHo US RAPPERS gone fuck it up and give sumbody else power once again
…
BLUELIPS 
