Essence

Big Sean Recalls Nearly Getting Eminem To Perform Over A J Dilla Beat With Him

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Big Sean says he was nearly able to convince Eminem to rap with him over a J Dilla beat for his 2020 album Detroit 2. Speaking about his relationship with the legendary rapper during a new cover story for Essence, Sean explained how it nearly came together, but Em preferred another production on his project instead.

“It reminded me of an old Eminem,” Sean said of the beat. “And when I sent it to Em, he was like, ‘Man, I like the Dilla beat, for sure. I get it.’” Despite being a fan of the production, Eminem preferred to lend his talents to the beat for the track, “Friday Night Cypher,” alongside several other hometown artists. Tee Grizzley, Kash Doll, Cash Kidd, Payroll, 42 Dugg, Boldy James, Drego, Sada Baby, and Royce Da 5’9″ were all among them.

Read More: Eminem Apparently Called Big Sean “One Of The Most Dangerous Emcees”

Big Sean & Eminem Perform Together In Detroit

DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 06: Big Sean (L) and with special guest Eminem perform in concert in their hometown of Detroit at Joe Louis Arena on November 6, 2015, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott Legato/Getty Images)

It’s not the first time Eminem has reportedly passed on a J Dilla beat. D12’s Denaun Porter previously revealed on Paul Rosenberg’s Paul Pod in 2022 that Eminem originally had the beat for A Tribe Called Quest‘s “Get a Hold.” He explained at the time: “He had the illest song to that beat. Em had that beat before Tribe and them had it. Proof gave it to him. It was like, ‘Yo, I gotta get some Dilla beats.’ I don’t know if he recorded it, but he wrote it because I remember him writing it and I remember the song being ill as hell […] The concept he had to it was crazy.”

Big Sean Poses For “Essence” Cover

 
 
 
 
 
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Elsewhere in Sean’s interview with Essence, he revealed he wants to work on a movie with James Gunn and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. “I know that when it comes to acting and just anything I do, I want to really concentrate and focus on it,” he said. “So when that time comes, if it’s right, then it’s right.” Be on the lookout for further updates on Big Sean on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Eminem “The Biggest Rapper Of All Time,” Big Sean Says

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Halle Bailey Looks Stunning In Post-Pregnancy Essence Cover

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Earlier this year, Halle Bailey hit fans with some major news. Pregnancy rumors had swirled around the singer and actress for months though she’d been purposefully quiet about acknowledging them. That’s why fans had a variety of reactions to her “surprise” announcement that she gave birth to her first child in the first week of the new year. She later confirmed that it was actually the boy’s father, DDG, who came up with what would eventually be his name, Halo.

Now Halle Bailey is getting back into her routine, starting with a new magazine cover showing off her post-pregnancy look. She appears on the newest edition of Essence Magazine, which highlights her specifically among a larger focus on black women in Hollywood. “thank you so much @essence for this incredible honor 🌹✨i’m forever grateful” she captioned her Instagram post sharing some of the pictures from the piece. In some of the pictures she’s sporting a dark red dress stretching head to toe and in others, she posed in a more stark black and white. Check out all the photos she shared below.

Read More: Halle Bailey Shares Post-Pregnancy Body Picture

Halle Bailey On The Cover Of Essence

In the comments fans make it clear exactly what they want next from Bailey, new music. She dropped her debut single as a solo artist last year which even resulted in a Grammy nomination. “HALLE DROP THE DAMN SONG” and “Okay but when’s the next single?” two of the top comments on her post read. Others just focus on her incredible looks. “The baddest mermaid i know” and “This kind of beauty is rare” two other comments read.

Halle Bailey first made her name as part of R&B duo Chloe & Halle alongside her sister. Their most recent album was the critically acclaimed Ungodly Hour which dropped a few years ago back in 2020. What do you think of Halle Bailey’s new Essence cover shoot? Do you think she should focus more on acting or singing going forward? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: DDG And Halle Bailey Create An Instagram For Their Newborn Son Halo

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Beyonce Opens Up On Dealing With Psoriasis

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Beyonce discussed her battle with psoriasis during her new interview with Essence ahead of the release of her new hair care line, Cécred. In doing so, she reflected on her father applying various treatments to her scalp when she was a child.

“I have many beautiful memories attached to my hair,” Beyonce told the outlet. “The relationship we have with our hair is such a deeply personal journey. From spending my childhood in my mother’s salon to my father applying oil on my scalp to treat my psoriasis— these moments have been sacred to me. The conversations and debates in the salons and barbershops create a sense of community for the people who look to it as a retreat from their everyday lives. For them, it’s a place to feel beautiful and vent, laugh, share secrets and pass down wisdom. It’s the most consistent community gathering we have. It’s so important that it’s a sanctuary.”

Read More: Beyonce, Tina Knowles, & Blue Ivy Pose For Essence

Beyonce Steps Out In New York City

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 15: Beyonce attends a screening of Tyler Perry’s ‘Mea. Culpa’ at the Paris Theater on February 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)

She continued: “I think that connection of community, mother and child, father and child, and respect— and allowing yourself to be taken care of, especially for Black women, who are always taking care of everyone else—it’s all sacred. So I took the end of my name, Cé, and made it the beginning of the word sacred to create Cécred. From my mother’s salon, daily rituals with my father, and years of experience in developing a hair care line, the journey has been just that: Cécred.” The full interview with Essence will hit shelves on February 27th.

Beyonce Poses With Tina Knowles For Essence

 
 
 
 
 
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Elsewhere in the interview, Beyonce spoke about her nightly hair routine, the target audience for Cécred, and more. It comes as she prepares for the release of a new country album, Act II. She already released two tracks in that vein with “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.” Be on the lookout for further updates on Beyonce on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Beyonce’s Mother Tina Knowles Speaks On “Cowboy Culture” Amid “Texas Hold ‘Em” Success

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Beyonce, Tina Knowles, & Blue Ivy Pose For Essence

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Beyonce posed with her mother, Tina Knowles, as well as her children, Blue Ivy and Rumi, for a new interview with Essence. While the full issue will be available on shelves on February 27th, the publication shared the digital version on its website, on Saturday.

The majority of Beyonce’s interview with Essence centered around the release of her new hair care line called Cécred. At one point, Beyonce recalled going to the hair salon with her mother as a kid. “I have vivid memories of my mother working as a hairstylist right from our home,” she said. “She built a small salon at the back of our house, and I can recall catching glimpses of her while I watched cartoons or played with my dolls and toys. These moments are etched into every corner of my childhood memories. I saw her shampooing and trimming hair, transforming women, leaving them feeling really good. Looking back, it was more than just a hair appointment—it was therapy.”

Read More: Beyonce’s Mother Tina Knowles Speaks On “Cowboy Culture” Amid “Texas Hold ‘Em” Success

Beyonce Performs Blue Ivy On The “Renaissance World Tour”

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 11: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) (L-R) Blue Ivy Carter and Beyoncé perform onstage during the “RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR” at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood)

The interview comes while Beyonce prepares for the release of her next album, Act II. Following the Super Bowl, she dropped the new country songs, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.” It will be her first project since 2022’s Renaissance. Check out a preview of her conversation with Essence below.

Beyonce Speaks With Essence

Elsewhere in the interview, Beyonce discusses her nightly hair routine, the target audience for Cécred, and more. Be on the lookout for further updates on Beyonce on HotNewHipHop.

Read more: Beyonce & JAY-Z’s Date Night Photo Dump Features A Gorgeous Outfit And Plenty Of Wine

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Halle Bailey Is Among This Year’s Honorees For The Essence Black Women In Hollywood Awards

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In an already major year for Halle Bailey, she will be among the honorees at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards. Method Man will be hosting the event, as Bailey, actress Danielle Brooks, Starz’s original programming president Kathryn Busby, and screenwriter Nkechi Okoro Carroll.

“The intersection of joy and justice is where community thrives,” Essence Ventures’ President and CEO, Caroline Wanga, shared in a statement. “We don’t ever need to diminish our collective power and accomplishments; due to the work we are still doing to exist equitably. The past year tested this intersection within one of our most sacred cultural realms when the entertainment industry faced the gridlock of stakeholder value and WORTH.

“In parallel, the assets that the industry creates as a direct infusion of joy that propels our community through the depth and breadth of life were stagnated as a clear and just outcome stayed uncertain,” she added. “While parts of the incongruence have stabilized, there is still significant work to be done to create sustainable change.”

The Essence event will be held at the Academy Of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles on March 7. The ceremony aims to continue to “highlight the strength, grace, and influence of Black women in the entertainment industry,” as this year’s theme is “Radiant Power.”

More information can be found on their website.

Coi Leray’s “Essence” Photo Shoot Shows How Much She’s Grown As An Artist

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Since she first announced her sophomore album back in the spring, Coi Leray has been buzzing with excitement. Her debut, Trendsetter, hit DSPs a little more than a year before, and while it didn’t perform as well as expected commercially, it still turned many heads the Boston native’s way. She hasn’t had a hard time keeping them there since, from her energetic performances that put some of her contemporaries to shame to her often NSFW outfits at Fashion Weeks across the globe.

Unfortunately for Coi, her self-titled second album suffered a similar fate to its predecessor. Thankfully, the 26-year-old has kept a positive attitude after finding out she sold 10K album equivalent units during her first week out. Oldheads like Boosie Badazz showed the rising star plenty of love, even suggesting that she should’ve moved upwards of 100K. For her part, Leray continues to shine her light bright, most recently teaming up with Essence for a stunning photo shoot that shows the “Blick Blick” himaker at her best.

Read More: Coi Leray Drops New Album, “COI”

Coi Leray Glows in New Essence Photo Shoot

The first image Leray picked for her carousel puts the entirety of her toned midriff on display, along with some cheeky underboob. She confidently gazed off into the distance as the photographer snapped away, her beautiful face sporting a sultry, pink makeup look. Another outfit from the shoot had the Trendsetter channelling her inner diva, throwing her black hair into a curly, messy bun over rose-tinted shades and massive hoop earrings. She paired a dark-wash denim mini skirt with a bra top in the same fabric, as well as a cropped bomber jacket.

With the many thirst traps and stunning selfies Coi Leray has posted so far this Hot Girl Summer, it’s not surprising to find out she’s got many suitors sliding in her DMs. Among them is Power actor Gianni Paolo, who told TMZ he was left on read after sending a bold message to the rap diva recently. Read all about that at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

Read More: Coi Leray Left “Power” Actor Gianni Paolo’s Flirtatious DM On Read

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Janelle Monáe Joined Megan Thee Stallion For A Twerking ‘Boot Camp’ On Stage At Essence Festival

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The Essence Festival was the place to be this past weekend in New Orleans. Over the course of the weekend, the performances made several headlines, including Janelle Monáe‘s performance of her hit single, “Yoga,” during which, she briefly flashed her breast, which was tastefully covered by a pink pasty. While this move proved polarizing, no haters could f*ck up Monáe’s vibe.

Monáe’s festive mood continued throughout the weekend, as she and a group of women joined rapper Megan Thee Stallion on stage. In one clip, Monáe welcomes Meg to the stage — which seems to come as a surprise to the “Plan B” rapper.

“What’s up friend?” Meg shouts in excitement.

In another clip, shared by Essence, Meg is seen leading the rest of the ladies in her “Hot Girl Boot Camp” themed set.

Meg is seen performing “Do It On The Tip” from her 2020 debut album, Good News. During the performance the group of women are seen twerking on stage, as Monáe appears from the side of the stage, clapping to the rhythm in support.

You can see some clips above.

Megan Thee Stallion and Janelle Monáe are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Janelle Monáe Couldn’t Be Policed As She Flashed Her Breast To The Audience At Essence Festival

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Janelle Monáe is baring it all. Her latest album, The Age Of Pleasure features her more in touch with her sexuality than ever before, and as she’s been promoting the album, she’s been seen flashing her fans, notably with the vinyl album itself, which contains a foldout picture of her breasts.

Last night (June 30), at Essence Festival in New Orleans, Monae gave a performance of all of her hits from over the years, including her 2015 Jidenna collaboration, “Yoga.”

The song contains the line “You cannot police me, so get off my areola,” which has become one of Monáe’s signature lyrics. During this particular portion of the song, Monáe lifted up the right side of her bikini top, flashing her breast to the audience. Her nipple was covered with a pink sticker, but nevertheless, stirred up fans throughout the festival.

This exuberant move was met with cheers and support from the audience, who were all on board with the sense of liberation she’s tapped into during this album era.

You can see a clip from Monáe’s Essence Festival performance above.

Janelle Monáe is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Damson Idris Gasses Up Lori Harvey’s “Essence” Cover After Dinner Date

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Some romances are all about the slow burn, but others move fast, seemingly coming together at the speed of light. Previously, a rumoured new couple moving at such a pace was Emily Ratajkowski and Pete Davidson. However, things seem to have fizzled there, and the headlines have moved on to Lori Harvey and Damson Indris.

The model’s most recent high-profile relationship was with Black Panther actor Michael B. Jordan. The two were undeniably serious and even seemed to be on the path toward a proposal. Ultimately, though, they decided to go their separate ways without much of an explanation offered.

Michael B. Jordan and Lori Harvey attend the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 27, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Karwai Tang/Getty Images)

For his part, the Snowfall actor stirred up online buzz by spending time with Saweetie earlier this year. At the time, he posted a romantic video of the California rap diva playing piano, causing the internet to speculate about what else they’ve been doing together.

Rumours of Harvey and Idris spending time together only started making rounds this month. In a recent report from Media Take Out, a source says that she makes the men in her life sign an NDA with a $1M penalty. Additionally, it named the British star as one of the men she’s been romantically linked to as of late.

Not long after that news went viral, the pair all but made it official by stepping out together in West Hollywood.

They attempted to be discrete by having security escort them to and from separately. Regardless, the blogs got a hold of videos showing the celebs entering the same Escalade at different times.

Following her weekend date night, Harvey had some celebrating to do with the launch of her Essence magazine cover. Throughout the accompanying interview, she talks a lot specifically about wanting to distance herself from being known as someone’s girlfriend all the time.

“Because I’ve been so quiet this whole time, the Internet has created narratives for me,” the 26-year-old said. “People are just taking whatever bits of gossip and rumours that they have, and then creating that as a truth. In reality, the majority of the time it’s so far from the truth. So, it can be tough.”

At the time of the conversation, she was seemingly happily single. “I feel like it’s always been about me attached to something or someone,” Harvey told the outlet. “This time, it’s about me. Self-love, self-care, self-reflection. I’m being a little selfish right now. It’s my time.”

However, she undoubtedly caught Idris’ eye, as he was quick to show love to one of the photographs from her shoot. On Monday (December 19), he reposted directly from her account, leaving a trail of fire emojis beneath to show his approval.

Read Lori Harvey’s full conversation with Essence here. Additionally, check back with HNHH later for more pop culture news updates.

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Wizkid And Tems Dazzle On ‘The Tonight Show’ With Their Latest Performance Of ‘Essence’

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Wizkid and Tems have been riding the success of their hit record “Essence” for more than a year now. The song, which appears on the former’s album Made In Lagos, was released in late 2020 and since then, the duo has pushed the song to heights that few afrobeats records have reached before. In a matter of months, “Essence” became the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. It would enter the top ten of the chart thanks to a remix from Justin Bieber, which helped to boost the song’s popularity. Now, the two have brought their talents to late-night TV.

The pair stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to dazzle with the latest performance of their breakout song. Per usual, they were excellently dressed for the performance, which took place on a big concert stage draped in blue and purple lighting.

Their latest rendition of the track comes after last week, when Wizkid invited Tems to take the stage with him at London’s O2 arena in front of a massive crowd.

Their The Tonight Show performance comes after Wizkid and Tems signed on to perform at Portugal’s Afronation festival next summer. They’ll be joined by Burna Boy, Megan Thee Stallion, Ckay, Koffee, Rema, Tekno, and more.

You can watch Wizkid and Tems perform “Essence” above.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.