GRAMMY® Award-winning and Oscar-nominated Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer Tems has released her highly anticipated debut studio album, Born In The Wild, via Since 93/RCA Records. The 18-track album showcases Tems’ unique sound and features high-profile collaborations with J. Cole and Asake.
Born In The Wild marks a significant milestone in Tems’ career, following her rise to international stardom. The album highlights her signature blend of soulful melodies and introspective lyrics, promising to captivate listeners worldwide. With contributions from renowned artists like J. Cole and Asake, Tems continues to solidify her position as a leading force in the music industry.
Tems has announced her highly anticipated Born In The World 2024 global tour, kicking off with a special headline show at London’s Eventim Apollo on June 12th. The tour news comes in anticipation of her debut album, Born In The Wild, set to drop via Since ’93/RCA Records on June 7th.
Fresh off her acclaimed Coachella debut and the release of her latest single, “Love Me JeJe,” Tems is poised to captivate audiences worldwide with her soulful vocals and electrifying performances.
Fans eager to catch Tems live can mark their calendars for ticket sales, which begin at 10 AM this Friday, May 17th. With her unique blend of talent and artistry, Tems’ Born In The World 2024 tour promises an unforgettable experience, showcasing her exceptional musical prowess on the global stage.
Multi-platinum-selling and GRAMMY-nominated rapper Ice Spice announced the release of her highly anticipated debut album, Y2K!, which will be released on July 26th via 10K Projects/Capitol Records.
The album, titled to nod to her January 1, 2000 birthday, will include her latest single, “Gimmie A Light.” Produced by her long-time collaborator RIOTUSA, the track features a sample from dancehall legend Sean Paul’s 2002 hit “Gimme the Light.” The official music video, self-directed by Ice Spice and produced by fellow New York City natives George and Frederick Buford, aka The Evil Twins, is now available.
Ice Spice also revealed her first-ever global headline tour, the Y2K! WORLD TOUR, which will have festival dates across Europe, the UK, and North America this summer. The 24-date tour kicks off in Europe with performances at Roskilde Festival in Denmark, Rolling Loud Europe in Austria, and Wireless Festival in London, among others.
Produced by Live Nation, the tour will continue in North America, beginning in Washington, DC on July 30 at The Anthem. It includes stops in Philadelphia, New York, Toronto, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Oakland, and Atlanta before concluding on August 31 in Miami, FL at The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater. Special guests RIOTUSA and Cash Cobain will join Ice Spice on all North American dates.
Fans can look forward to hearing tracks from her debut album, Y2K!, including the hit single “Think U The Shit (Fart).” The album follows her acclaimed debut EP, *Like..?, released in 2023, which featured hits like “Munch (Feelin U),” “In Ha Mood,” and “Princess Diana.”
Tickets for the Y2K! WORLD TOUR will be available starting with a Citi presale today at 1 p.m. local time. An artist presale will begin on Thursday, June 6, at 8 a.m. local time, with general sales starting on Friday, June 7, at 10 a.m. local time at IceSpiceMusic.com. Citi cardmembers can access presale tickets through the Citi Entertainment program, and VIP packages, including meet-and-greet opportunities and exclusive gifts, will also be available. For more information, visit www.citientertainment.com and vipnation.com.
GRAMMY-nominated, chart-topping Jamaican pop artist Shenseea has announced new North American tour dates. The tour includes stops in Chicago, Toronto, New York, Dallas, and more. Known for her electrifying live performances, Shenseea will showcase music from her recently released sophomore album, “Never Gets Late Here,” alongside fan favorites.
Tickets will be available for artist and CITI pre-sale starting tomorrow, June 5th, with public sales beginning on Friday, June 7th at 10 AM PT. For the full tour listing and ticket information, visit Shenseea’s official website.
Global retailer Foot Locker is back with the latest installment of its ‘Start with Sneakers’ campaign, featuring chart-topping rapper and BET “Best New Artist” nominee Flo Milli. The campaign highlights Foot Locker’s commitment to expanding its women’s business through talent integrations, trendy product assortments, and in-person activations throughout 2024.
‘Start with Sneakers’ aims to showcase the season’s new trends by demonstrating that sneakers are the foundation for countless fashionable outfits and styles. The campaign, which authentically connects with women through trend-forward content, reflects the influence of social media on fashion trends for Gen Z consumers.
In the latest installment, titled ‘The Striper Within,’ Flo Milli models kicks-inspired New Balance outfits while embodying the campaign’s message of starting styling with sneakers. The campaign highlights Foot Locker’s range of options for women, from classic New Balance sneakers to the latest innovations, catering to every style and occasion.
The ‘Start with Sneakers’ campaign rollout will continue throughout the summer, featuring previous brand ambassador Coi Leray, upcoming in-person activations, and more. This campaign follows Foot Locker’s recent announcement of a reinvented store concept, including an enhanced in-store shopping experience for women, reinforcing its commitment to serving its diverse customer base.
Overtime Select, gearing up for its inaugural season starting in August, has unveiled its eight teams and their custom uniforms, created in collaboration with adidas and the young athletes themselves. The league had previously announced the team captains, who played a significant role in designing their teams’ identities and uniforms.
“This is a truly unprecedented and long-overdue moment in women’s basketball, and we couldn’t be prouder to partner with Overtime Select and its elite roster of next generation athletes as the league kicks off this summer,” said Anthony Abernathy, adidas Sr. Director Brand Communications – Originals & Basketball. “Our partnership with Overtime and our work with its leagues is a reflection of our broader commitment to engaging with and empowering athletes at the grassroots level, as we collectively push the boundaries of what’s possible in sport.”
“Being chosen to be an OT Select Captain is an amazing honor, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to be a part of this history-making moment with all my peers,” said Hailee Swain, OT Select Captain and Stanford commit. “Seeing my jersey in person that I got to help design throughout the process finally made everything seem more real – I can’t wait to start playing.”
The YGE team, captained by Jezelle “GG” Banks (Class of ’27), features a custom camo patterned uniform with light pink accents, making them both stealthy and striking. The Venom Tears, led by Aaliyah Chavez (#1 recruit, Class of ’25), sport blood-red snakeskin patterned uniforms with bright orange details, exuding danger.
The All Knighters, captained by Jazzy Davidson (#2 recruit, Class of ’25), showcase a steel gold color palette with a gradient chain link armor pattern, symbolizing strength and hustle. Royal Reign, under the leadership of Jenica Lewis (#23 recruit, Class of ’26), wears uniforms featuring a crown logo and water drop pattern on a rich lavender purple background, embodying royal elegance.
Double Dynasty, co-captained by Mia Pauldo (#7 recruit, Class of ’25) and Mya Pauldo (#44 recruit, Class of ’25), is known for doubling up the score and style, with uniforms dripping with flair. RWE, led by Jerzy Robinson (#1 recruit, Class of ’26), has a sunburst of color gradients, reflecting their wild energy.
ISO WRLD, captained by Kaleena Smith (Class of ’27), features vibrant green uniforms with blue flames, making them unstoppable. Drifty Dreamerz, led by Hailee Swain (#13 recruit, Class of ’25), showcases star galaxy patterned uniforms with soft pink and bright blue hues, perfect for dreamers.
OT Select, an eight-team league, showcases top 15-18-year-old women basketball players in the country, aiming to empower them as leaders. The league provides tools and resources to build their personal brands, preparing them for college through workshops and an NIL summit.
OT Select gameplay kicks off on August 3-4 in Atlanta at OTE Arena.
Rihanna is broadening her Fenty Beauty empire with the introduction of Fenty Hair. In an Instagram post, she unveiled the new hairline through a brief video emphasizing the significance of hair for people of all ages and ethnicities.
The official launch of the Fenty Hair website is scheduled for June 13, coinciding with the line’s debut. Fans eager to get their hands on the products can register now for early access. Check out Rihanna’s announcement below and stay tuned for more updates.
GRAMMY® Award-winning and Oscar-nominated Lagos-based singer, songwriter, and producer Tems has revealed the official tracklist for her highly anticipated debut album, Born In The Wild, which will be released this Friday, June 7th, via Since ‘93/RCA Records. The 18-track album boasts special guest features from Asake and J. Cole. It showcases production from a stellar lineup of producers, including long-time collaborator GuiltyBeatz, London, Sarz, P2J, Spax, DAMEDAME*, Nsikak David, and Tems herself.
The album features the hit singles “Me & U,” which has garnered over 45 million streams and peaked at #34 on the UK Official Singles Chart, and the new single “Love Me JeJe,” currently on the B-List at BBC Radio 1 and the A-List at Radio 1Xtra.”Born In The Wild” is already being praised as a critically acclaimed masterpiece, reflecting Tems’ signature sound and storytelling prowess. The album is poised to solidify her place as a global music powerhouse, with fans eagerly awaiting its release.
BET has announced that Academy Award®-nominated and Golden Globe®-winning actor, author, director, producer, and philanthropist Taraji P. Henson will return to host the “BET Awards” 2024. The event will be broadcast live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at 8 PM ET/PT.
“I am thrilled to be returning as the host of the ‘BET Awards’ for the third time. I am also looking forward to celebrating my peers and the impact of our culture on entertainment,” said Taraji P. Henson.
“Taraji is a phenom, known for her vibrant personality and charisma, and we are excited to welcome her back to host Culture’s Biggest Night, ‘BET Awards,’ the ultimate celebration of Black creativity,” said Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. “We are equally as thrilled to have so many incredibly talented performers join us, standing on culture’s biggest stage to deliver an unforgettable night.”
Previously, BET announced that GRAMMY® award-winning global icon Usher will be honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement BET Award at the 2024 BET Awards. Usher, a four-time nominee this year, will be recognized for his significant impact on culture and the entertainment industry. The award celebrates industry pioneers’ exceptional achievements and public service, with past honorees including Whitney Houston, Prince, Queen Latifah, and Mary J. Blige.
“The relationship between BET and USHER spans decades, from his multiple appearances on 106 & Park, to most recently winning the Entertainer of the Year trophy at the 55th NAACP Image Awards,” said Connie Orlando, BET EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy. From his chart-topping hits, electrifying performances, and unforgettable vocals to his signature moves and sound, USHER continues to stand on culture, setting new standards for the music industry and Black Excellence. We look forward to creating an amazing lineup to pay tribute to our global icon.”
Surprise guests are expected to take the stage to celebrate Usher’s illustrious career and musical legacy. The “BET Awards” 2024 will air live on Sunday, June 30, at 8 pm ET/PT from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.
We got a confession.
U-S-H-E-R is this year’s LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONOREE! @Usher
We’ve watched this icon give us LEGENDARY moments on our stage for over 20 years! The legacy continues June 30th at 8/7c! #BETAwardspic.twitter.com/2PiBg0fThS
Grammy-nominated soul icon Marsha Ambrosius has announced the release date of her highly anticipated new album, CASABLANCO, set for June 28. Fans can pre-order the album now via Aftermath/Interscope Records. The album, executive produced by hip-hop legend Dr. Dre, marks Ambrosius’ first studio release since 2018 and includes recent hit singles “One Night Stand” and “The Greatest.”
“Check out the credits, Dr. Dre,” Ambrosius said of the album. “That CASABLANCO on the way, a brand new classic about to hit.”
The collaboration began when Dr. Dre invited Ambrosius to contribute her iconic vocals to some tracks he was working on. Their chemistry in the studio quickly led to creating an entire album together. By the time of the 2023 Soul Train Awards, the British songstress had teased fans with updates on the exciting project.
With Dr. Dre’s production prowess and Ambrosius’ soulful vocals, CASABLANCO promises to be a standout addition to both artists’ impressive catalogs. The anticipation surrounding the album is high, as fans eagerly await the blend of R&B and hip-hop elements that both Ambrosius and Dre are known for.
Rihanna has earned four new diamond plaques from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), increasing her total to seven. For anyone counting, this is a record.
According to the RIAA, “Umbrella” with Jay-Z, “Work” with Drake, “Needed Me,” and “Stay” are now diamond-certified as of May 31. Let’s not ignore Jay-Z and Drake’s contributions to this feat but we won’t take anything away from a true pop queen in Bad Gal RiRi.
This follows “Diamonds” achieving diamond status in April.
Check this, Roc Nation, the label and management company that has backed Rihanna for years celebrated her achievement of holding the record for the most diamond-certified singles by a female artist.
Rihanna responded on X, “Ain’t no back n forth,” while sharing the news.
Then fans congratulated her but reminded her that they are still waiting for her next album, R9, which has been delayed for eight years since her last album, Anti.
One dedicated fan commented, “Congrats rih. I know you don’t ever have to release music again but do us a solid ONE MORE TIME. just that album please.”
“Umbrella,” featuring Jay-Z, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2007. “Work,” featuring Drake, hit No. 1 in 2016. “Stay” peaked at No. 3, and “Needed Me” reached No. 7.
So, in addition to these new diamond certifications and “Diamonds,” Rihanna’s other diamond singles include “Love the Way You Lie” with Eminem and “We Found Love” with Calvin Harris.