Just last week, North West has landed on the Billboard Hot 100. In celebration, Kim Kardashian posted the achievement to her Instagram story, penning, “My baby!!!!”
Kim Kardashian celebrates North West earning her first ever entry on the Hot 100 with “TALKING” pic.twitter.com/fanC8QgIZr
Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign’s VULTURES 1 debuted at the top of the Billboard 200. According to Billboard, the first set of songs from the duo earned 148,000 equivalent album units in its first week.
Coming in at No. 2 was Usher’s Coming Home with 91,000 units in the same period.
In an exclusive statement to Complex, Ye simply said of the achievement: “It’s a beautiful time.”
In the tracking week ending Feb. 15, Vultures 1 garnered a total of 148,000 units. Within this figure, streaming equivalent album (SEA) units accounted for 129,000, translating to approximately 167.78 million on-demand official streams of the album’s songs. Album sales contributed 18,000 units, while track equivalent album (TEA) units amounted to 1,000.
Normani is giving details of what to expect on her album. Hitting social media, the fan favorite announced her solo debut album, Dopamine.
The exact album release date is a bit of a mystery, but the RCA Records release is available for pre-save on your streaming service of choice. You can see the announcement below.
Speaking with Who What Wear, Normani revealed the album is personal to her evolution.
It’s a representation of my evolution. It’s the version of me that’s been through some things over the course of the last few years,” Normani said. “For me, this upcoming album is not just about music coming out. It feels like a representation of everything I’ve gone through to get to this moment.”
You can read her full comments below.
It’s a representation of my evolution. It’s the version of me that’s been through some things over the course of the last few years,” Normani shared. “For me, this upcoming album is not just about music coming out. It feels like a representation of everything I’ve gone through to get to this moment.”
In a bold departure from the traditional Fashion Week schedule, Darucci Leathers & Furs closed out NYFW ’24 with a spectacular showcase that left attendees in awe. Held in a secret location, the exclusive event was a testament to the brand’s commitment to redefining luxury in the fashion world.
The evening was magnified by the presence of notable influencers, actors, and industry moguls who gathered to celebrate Darucci’s latest collection. From Daniel Jean, Ms. Emmanuel, Peter Gunz, celebrity publicist Lynn Hobson, celebrity Realtor Jiton Greene, actress Katherine K. Nunez, and actor Tyler Lepley, the event boasted a diverse mix of talents and personalities.
As the runway came to life, models including Tahiry Jose and blogger itsBizkit captivated the audience with their confidence and poise, showcasing Darucci’s latest offerings with unparalleled elegance. The collection, featuring a breathtaking array of coats and furs, highlighted the brand’s exquisite craftsmanship and unwavering dedication to luxury.
Front row, music and business mogul 50 Cent watched intently, his presence serving as a testament to the event’s significance in both the fashion and entertainment spheres. His endorsement underscored Darucci’s position as a leader in the luxury fashion industry.
“We had an amazing turnout and time,” reports Brandon Alexander, Darucci’s Marketing Director. His words echoed the sentiment of the evening, reflecting the collective effort that made the event a resounding success.
The choice of a secret location, coupled with the decision to showcase the collection a week after the main Fashion Week festivities, further emphasized Darucci’s commitment to creating an exclusive and unforgettable experience for attendees.
With the support of prominent figures from various sectors and a successful turnout, Darucci Leathers & Furs has set a new benchmark for what a fashion show can be outside the conventional schedule. As the fashion world eagerly anticipates what’s next, Darucci has firmly established itself as a brand that exceeds expectations and continues to push the boundaries of luxury fashion.
Check out more looks from the epic close of NYFW 24′
When Beyoncé broke the internet again after being featured in a Version commercial during Super Bowl LVIII, it was a sign that she was on the cusp of releasing new music. Wouldn’t you know it, she immediately released two new country-inspired songs, “Texas Hold Em” and “16 Carriages.” Most went into a frenzy because, once again, Queen Bey met the moment.
Now everyone is waiting on pins and needles for the release of her debut country album Act II, the latest in her three-part Renaissance project, with the first album in the series and coinciding tour and documentary smash hits.
In essence, Beyoncé is going back home with this new endeavor. She is not only getting reacquainted with her country roots growing up in Houston, Texas but is refreshing the collective minds of America that black artists were very much the forbearers of country music.
Dating back to DeFord Bailey, Charley Price, Linda Martell, Stoney Edwards, O.B. McClinton, to the current day with artists such as Darius Rucker, Kane Brown, Rhiannon Giddens, and Brittney Spencer, black artists have been a significant staple in country music, contrary to the whitewashed version of the music where the face is predominately white and the stories told in the music come from an entirely white experience.
Much like gospel and the blues, under the horrific brutalization of slavery and Jim Crow, Black Country Music artists spoke to the black experience in the same way that year’s later soul, funk, and Hip-Hop gave voice to black and brown folks in urban communities dealing with urban plight, the crack cocaine epidemic, police brutality, and mass incarceration. They told tales of love, loss, and longing, common in country music, but also spoke to issues around pride and prejudice.
Instruments like the banjo, a staple in country and bluegrass music, originated from West Africa and are made from gourds. During slavery, enslaved Africans used the banjo when creating spirituals and hymns, and it was exclusively a black instrument.
It wasn’t until the minstrel era of the 1840s and 1850s when white performers donned blackface appropriated the use of the banjo at a time in their racist portrayal of African Americans as lazy, dangerous, and uneducated. That helped to pave the way for what originally was called “hillbilly music” in the early 20th century and was performed by both black and white artists.
In 1962, Ray Charles released Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, in which he got in touch with his country roots with classics such as “Born to Lose,” “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” “You Don’t Know Me,” and “Bye, Bye, Love.”
But if this nation had an abundance of basic historical understanding around black history and genuine appreciation for black culture, there wouldn’t be unmitigated outrage coming from those complaining about how Beyoncé shouldn’t be played on country music stations.
An employee at the country station KYKC in Oklahoma even sent an email that read, “Hi, we do not play Beyoncé on KYKC as we are a country music station.” Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider went as far as to compare her to a dog.
During an appearance on the conservative media network One America Network (OAN), host Allison Steinberg asked Schneider, “The lefties in the entertainment industry just won’t leave any area alone, right? They just have to seize control over every aspect, don’t they?”
Schneider replied, “They’ve got to make their mark, just like a dog in a dog walk park, you know, every dog has to mark every tree, right?”
Racism, misogyny, and historical amnesia all in one segment.
Never mind that Beyoncé has embraced her countryside before.
On her landmark Lemonade album in 2016, she proudly celebrates her southern roots on the epic track “Formation” when she says:
My daddy Alabama, Momma Louisiana
You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas bama
I like my baby heir with baby hair and afros
I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils
Earned all this money but they never take the country out me
I got a hot sauce in my bag, swag
Also, she hit the stage with the then Dixie Chicks, now referred to as The Chicks, at the 2016 CMA Awards to perform her song “Daddy’s Lessons.” She later received backlash, saying that she shouldn’t have been on there and the Grammys wouldn’t take up the song.
At a time when black history is under assault by politicians and with various states restricting what they teach on the subject of race, Beyoncé is doing not just the country music world but the nation a much-needed service that she shouldn’t have to provide.
She is forcing others to reckon, no pun intended, that the very core of country music and why it resonates so well is rooted in blackness, which is something to celebrate, not excoriate.
If anything, she provides much-needed relief for country music lovers and those on the fence because she is getting to the heart of what makes the music so timely.
As opposed to never-ending tales of partying, getting drunk, and reckless endangerment with trucks and four wheels, not too much the racist imagery and dog whiles about small towns as conveyed by Jason Aldean in his notorious “Try That in a Small Town,” the Queen B is country in the best possible sense of the word.
In truth, she is re-appropriating the appropriation of a musical art form that is quintessentially black and proud of it.
That is something to be taught and not suppressed.
Netflix’s Strong Black Lead hosted an exclusive “Hey Queen” Dinner on Thursday (Feb. 22) to celebrate Kelly Rowland’s role as the leading actress and co-producer of Tyler Perry’s Mea Culpa.
The star-studded event brought together notable attendees such as Victoria Monet, CoCo Jones, Janelle Monae, Jennifer Hudson, Niecy Nash, Quinta Brunson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Danielle Brooks, Storm Reid, Andra Day, and more to honor Rowland’s contributions to Black cinema and storytelling.
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Last week, the Paris Theater in New York City was ablaze with star power as Netflix’s tantalizing new thriller, MEA CULPA, held its much-anticipated premiere. The red carpet was graced by an array of A-list celebrities, including Kelly Rowland, Trevante Rhodes, Nick Sagar, Sean Sagar, Shannon Thornton, Kerry O’Malley, alongside the film’s multifaceted creator, Tyler Perry, and producer Will Areu.
The event saw a dazzling turnout of industry luminaries, with notable personalities such as Michelle Williams, Sherri Shepherd, Tina Knowles, and Solea Pfeiffer adding to the glitz and glamour of the evening.
Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign’s VULTURES 1 debuted at the top of the Billboard 200. According to Billboard, the first set of songs from the duo earned 148,000 equivalent album units in its first week.
Coming in at No. 2 was Usher’s Coming Home with 91,000 units in the same period.
In an exclusive statement to Complex, Ye simply said of the achievement: “It’s a beautiful time.”
In the tracking week ending Feb. 15, Vultures 1 garnered a total of 148,000 units. Within this figure, streaming equivalent album (SEA) units accounted for 129,000, translating to approximately 167.78 million on-demand official streams of the album’s songs. Album sales contributed 18,000 units, while track equivalent album (TEA) units amounted to 1,000.
Normani is coming. Hitting social media, the fan favorite announced her solo debut album, Dopamine.
The exact album release date is a bit of a mystery, but the RCA Records release is available for presave on your streaming service of choice. You can see the announcement below.
Asian Doll, a native of Dallas, Texas, has been setting the music scene ablaze since the start of her career. With a recent string of viral YouTube releases including “Talk My Sh*t” and “Beef With Me,” fans have eagerly welcomed back the self-proclaimed “Queen Of Drill” as she delves back into her passion for music.
Now, she’s captivating audiences with her latest single titled “Love Me,” featuring EKT 40 and 2 Rare, which dropped on Valentine’s Day. In this track, Asian Doll pours her heart out, expressing her desire to be loved and treated like royalty.
Shortly after the release of “Love Me,” Asian Doll treated her fans to a brand new video titled “F*cked Who,” igniting a frenzy among her supporters. The Netflix-inspired theme showcased in this visual masterpiece added an extra layer of creativity, elevating the video to new heights.
Through this track, Asian Doll boldly addresses accusations from within the industry regarding her alleged relationships with various rappers. She unequivocally states that she has not been romantically involved with any of the individuals mentioned, firmly setting the record straight.
With each release, Asian Doll continues to captivate audiences with her raw talent and unapologetic authenticity. Her relentless determination to carve her own path in the music industry is evident in her evocative lyrics and powerful performances. As she embarks on this journey, Asian Doll invites her fans to join her in celebrating her artistry and supporting her rise to stardom.
Stay tuned for more electrifying releases from Asian Doll as she continues to make waves in the music industry, solidifying her position as a rising star from Dallas, Texas, and leaving an indelible mark on the world of hip-hop.
Pop icon Jennifer Lopez is set to grace the stage for Apple Music Live, the acclaimed live performance series providing a global platform for music’s biggest stars to connect with audiences. Fresh from the release of her ninth studio album, “This Is Me…Now,” Lopez will captivate fans at the legendary Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles.
The exclusive performance will premiere on Wednesday, February 21 at 7:00pm PT / 10:00pm ET, available solely on Apple Music at apple.co/JenniferLopez and Apple TV+. Fans can also enjoy the show on-demand on both platforms.
In a candid interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Lopez expressed the deeply personal nature of her latest album, describing it as her most honest work yet. During the performance, Lopez will showcase tracks from “This Is Me…Now” alongside her chart-topping hits, including “Jenny from the Block” and “Love Don’t Cost a Thing.” This event promises an unforgettable evening of music and connection with one of the industry’s most iconic performers.
Real Housewives of Miami star Larsa Pippen was seen enjoying a night out with friends Erika Jayne, Melissa, and Joe Gorga on Friday, Feb. 16th.
Notably, her partner Marcus Jordan was also in attendance despite recent breakup rumors. The group continued their evening at LIV Miami, where Offset performed hit songs like “Jealousy” and “Fan” in a Martine Rose Gray Dubplate Oversized T-Shirt.
Throughout the night, Pippen and Jordan were spotted together, cozy in the back of the DJ booth. Despite speculation, the couple appeared affectionate, whispering to each other. They were seen leaving LIV Miami together in the early hours of Saturday morning, dispelling rumors of their split.
. They won and he played so good.”(via @KimKardashian) pic.twitter.com/t395J5xAsR
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