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Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” is Apple Music’s Global Song of the Year

December 4, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Kendrick Lamar has reached a significant career milestone with his track “Not Like Us,” which has become the most-streamed global song of the year. The achievement marks the rapper’s first-ever No. 1 on the annual streaming chart, solidifying his place as a dominant force in the music industry.

The achievement comes as Lamar reigns over the entire Top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100. Overall, Kendrick has seven of the top ten spots in the Hot 100. The country’s No. 1 song is “Squabble Up,” followed by “TV Off,” “Luther,” “Wacced Out Murals,” and “Hey Now,” which rounds out the top five.

Apple Music unveiled its much-anticipated Replay 2024 experience today, offering subscribers a deeper look at their musical journey over the year. Integrated directly into the Apple Music app, Replay now includes expanded insights, shareable motion videos, and access to personal music highlights. The update enhances the annual feature, reflecting Apple Music’s commitment to creating a personalized and interactive music experience.

Subscribers on iOS 18.1 or later can access Replay via the app’s Home, New, or Search tabs, while users on earlier versions can visit the replay.music.apple.com microsite. New insights include “Top 100, 500, 1000 Listeners,” which shows rankings among fans of favorite artists, “Listening Streaks” highlighting consecutive playback days, and “Replay By Month” for a month-by-month breakdown of top tracks and albums. Fans can also discover their “Top Artist Streak” and revisit their “Date of First Play” for favorite music.

Apple Music also expanded Replay for Artists, now accessible via Apple Music for Artists. Musicians can review their total listener and streaming minutes, track Shazam success, and pinpoint top-performing cities. These tools allow artists to celebrate their year and engage with their audience by sharing customized insights through video or still assets.

Coinciding with the Replay launch, Apple Music revealed its 2024 Year-End Charts. Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” emerged as the most-streamed global song, marking a career milestone as his first-ever No. 1 on the annual chart. On Shazam, Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” took the top spot, while Dua Lipa’s “Houdini” became the most played song on global radio.

2024 saw record-breaking achievements for women in music, with 39 songs by female artists appearing on the Top Songs of 2024: Global chart. Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” led the way at No. 3, while Taylor Swift landed seven tracks on the list, including “Cruel Summer” in the top five. Rising stars like Shaboozey and Benson Boone joined veterans like Drake and Morgan Wallen, who each secured eight chart entries.

Shazam’s global chart featured newcomers, with Teddy Swims and FloyyMenor gaining significant recognition. Resurgent hits like Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten” and Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor” also made appearances, boosted by movie placements.

The Most-Read Lyrics and Top 100: Sing charts highlighted a surge in Japanese-language songs, with Creepy Nuts’ “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” dominating both lists. YOASOBI’s “アイドル (Idol)” and tuki.’s “晩餐歌 (Bansanka)” further cemented the global appeal of J-Pop.

A notable addition this year is the Shazam Global Radio Spins chart, led by Dua Lipa’s “Houdini.” Pop and country genres shone brightly, with tracks like Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and Dasha’s “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)” gaining traction.

From personalized Replay mixes to year-round features like Discovery Station and collaborative playlists, Apple Music continues to elevate the listening experience. Dive into Replay 2024 and explore the complete Year-End Charts on Apple Music today.

The post Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” is Apple Music’s Global Song of the Year appeared first on The Source Magazine.

Revenue from R. Kelly’s Catalog Pays off $500K Federal Judgment

December 4, 2024 by newhiphopnews

RCA Records is Reportedly Holding R. Kelly's New Music

R. Kelly is behind bars, but his hits are still bringing in the bag. According to AllHipHop, revenue from his catalog paid off a federal judgment of over $500,000.

Court docs from the Eastern District of New York highlight a payment of $520,549.90 that covered restitution, fines, and penalties. The payment was broken down into $379,649.90 in restitution, a $100,000 fine, and a $40,000 Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act assessment. There was also a $900 special assessment.

In October, R. Kelly attempted to take his sex crimes convictions to the highest court possible. They responded with a “no, thank you.”

R. Kelly is currently serving 30 years in prison for sex trafficking, concurrent with 20 years for child pornography, and he petitioned the Supreme Court stating he was retroactively prosecuted. According to CNN, federal prosecutors declined to respond to the appeal.

R. Kelly’s case was just one of hundreds denied by the Court.

In August 2024, R. Kelly’s legal battle began when he claimed that prison employees used the internal prison system to access his sensitive information unlawfully. According to Kelly, this information was then sold to Tasha K, who shared it on her popular blog. Kelly’s lawyer argued that Tasha K leveraged this information to harass him and influence witnesses in his ongoing legal battles, particularly his criminal prosecution in the Eastern District of New York (EDNY).

However, the U.S. Government has now fired back, requesting that the case be dismissed. In documents obtained exclusively by In Touch, government lawyers denied breaching their duty of care to Kelly, arguing that the United States cannot be held liable for the alleged actions of individual prison employees. They stated, “The United States is not subject to institutional liability stemming from allegedly widespread negligent practices or policies.”

While the government acknowledged that an Inspector General investigation was conducted into the unauthorized access to Kelly’s emails, visitor logs, and phone records, they pointed out that no charges were ever brought against the officer named in Kelly’s complaint. In fact, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that the employee in question had retired shortly after the investigation commenced in 2019.

Interestingly, the government’s response appears to indirectly confirm that a prison worker did, in fact, provide information to Tasha K that was accessed from the internal system. Despite this, the government maintains that this does not constitute grounds for holding the entire U.S. Penal System accountable.

Tasha K, for her part, has vehemently denied any involvement in illegal activity, taking to Instagram to refute Kelly’s allegations. Nonetheless, Kelly’s legal team contends that the leaked information caused chaos in his personal life and compromised his defense in the criminal case against him.

As the U.S. Government pushes for the lawsuit to be thrown out, Kelly’s legal challenges continue to mount. With his reputation and freedom on the line, this latest development in the R. Kelly saga underscores the intense scrutiny and controversy surrounding the disgraced singer inside and outside the courtroom. The court’s decision on dismissing the case will be closely watched, as it could set a significant precedent for handling sensitive information within the U.S. prison system.

The U.S. Government has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by R&B singer R. Kelly, who is currently serving time on multiple charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking. The lawsuit, which was filed last year, accuses the U.S. Penal System and gossip vlogger Tasha K of violating his privacy by allegedly accessing and publishing his private prison emails and call logs.

The post Revenue from R. Kelly’s Catalog Pays off $500K Federal Judgment appeared first on The Source Magazine.

Lead Prosecutor in Ghislaine Maxwell Case Joins Case Against Diddy

December 4, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Maurene Ryan Comey, a prominent prosecutor known for her role in the high-profile Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking case, has joined the legal team in the ongoing federal case against Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Comey, the daughter of former FBI director James Comey, officially filed a notice with the United States District Court in the Southern District of New York on Monday, December 2. The document, obtained by Billboard, confirms her involvement in the case, adding significant expertise to the prosecution team.

Before Thanksgiving, Diddy was once again been denied bail in his ongoing federal sex trafficking case, marking the third time a judge has rejected the disgraced music mogul’s bid for release. The ruling was handed down Wednesday by Manhattan federal court Judge Arun Subramanian, who cited concerns about Combs’ potential danger to the community and his alleged efforts to obstruct justice.

In his decision, Subramanian stated, “The Court finds that the government has shown by clear and convincing evidence that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community.”

Failed $50 Million Bond Proposal

Combs, who has been detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest in September, sought to secure his release on a $50 million bond. His proposed conditions included home confinement at an undisclosed Upper East Side apartment, 24/7 security, and restricted access to communication devices.

Prosecutors, however, successfully argued against the proposal, claiming that Combs posed a significant risk of tampering with witnesses, a concern reinforced by alleged incidents of him contacting potential witnesses from jail.

“The defendant, simply put, cannot be trusted,” prosecutor Christine Slavik asserted during a recent hearing. Subramanian concurred, highlighting evidence of witness tampering and a disturbing 2016 video showing Combs violently assaulting his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a hotel hallway.

Defense Pushback

Combs’ legal team, led by attorney Alexandra Shapiro, has continued to argue that the proposed conditions of release would be sufficient to ensure compliance and prevent any risk of tampering. “There is no legitimate legal basis for continuing to force Mr. Combs to prepare for trial from jail,” Shapiro wrote in court filings.

The defense claimed that the strict bond terms—such as the lack of access to a personal cell phone and monitored communications—would adequately mitigate any risks. However, prosecutors dismissed these assurances, stating that no security measures could guarantee Combs’ compliance.

Previous Denials

Wednesday’s decision follows two prior rejections of Combs’ bail requests by federal judges. In all instances, the court has sided with prosecutors, emphasizing the severity of the allegations and the potential risks posed by Combs if released.

As Combs remains behind bars, the high-profile case continues to unfold, with the rapper facing mounting legal battles and a tarnished legacy. For now, Judge Subramanian’s ruling ensures that Combs will remain in custody as the case progresses.

The post Lead Prosecutor in Ghislaine Maxwell Case Joins Case Against Diddy appeared first on The Source Magazine.

WATCH: New England Patriots Remix Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Ad to Reveal Boston Tour Date

December 4, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Someone should give a bonus to the New England Patriots and their social media team. Kendrick Lamar will be heading to Gilette Stadium next year as part of his joint tour with SZA, and the Pats celebrated the tour date by recreating Lamar’s Super Bowl Ad.

Grabbing their own Kendrick, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, the Pats celebrated the future arrival of Lamar to the Boston area. You can see the video below.

Kendrick Lamar and SZA are joining forces for the highly anticipated Grand National Tour, set to take over 19 stadiums across North America in 2025. Presented by Live Nation, pgLang, and Top Dawg Entertainment, the tour showcases two of music’s biggest stars.

Fans can secure tickets early with the exclusive Cash App Visa Card presale, which begins Wednesday, December 4, at 10 a.m. local time and runs until Thursday, December 5, at 10 p.m. local time. Cardholders can unlock access by entering the first nine digits of their Cash App Card during the presale and completing their purchase with the same card.

In addition to early ticket access, Cash App Card users will enjoy a 20% instant discount on all official Grand National Tour merchandise purchased on-site during the tour. For more details on the presale, visit cash.app/exclusives/kendrickandsza.

General ticket sales for the Grand National Tour start on Friday, December 6, at 10 a.m. local time on grandnationaltour.com. Show dates are available below.

TOUR DATES:

Apr 19 – Minneapolis, MN – U.S. Bank Stadium

Apr 23 – Houston, TX – NRG Stadium

Apr 26 – Arlington, TX – AT&T Stadium

Apr 29 – Atlanta, GA – Mercedes Benz Stadium

May 03 – Charlotte, NC – Bank of America Stadium

May 05 – Philadelphia, PA – Lincoln Financial Field

May 08 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium

May 09 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium

May 12 – Foxborough, MA – Gillette Stadium

May 17 – Seattle, WA – Lumen Field

May 21 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium

May 23 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium

May 27 – Glendale, AZ – State Farm Stadium

May 29 – San Francisco, CA – Oracle Park

May 31 – Las Vegas, NV – Allegiant Stadium

Jun 04 – St. Louis, MO – The Dome at America’s Center

Jun 06 – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field

Jun 10 – Detroit, MI – Ford Field

Jun 12 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre

Jun 16 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium

Jun 18 – Washington, DC – Northwest Stadium

The post WATCH: New England Patriots Remix Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Ad to Reveal Boston Tour Date appeared first on The Source Magazine.

Apple Music Debuts Replay 2024 with New Insights and Year-End Charts

December 4, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The post Apple Music Debuts Replay 2024 with New Insights and Year-End Charts appeared first on The Source Magazine.

Chance the Rapper Appears On ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Celebrity Edition, Raises $139,300 For His Non-Profit SocialWorks

December 4, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Grammy Award-winning artist and philanthropist Chance the Rapper appeared on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and raised $139,300 for his nonprofit, SocialWorks, during a holiday-themed episode that aired last night on ABC. Competing against Dionne Warwick and Lil Jon, Chance advanced to the bonus round, ultimately winning the episode and securing vital funds during one of the hardest times of the year.

The $139,300 will support SocialWorks’ 8th annual Warmest Winter initiative, a campaign dedicated to addressing homelessness and extreme hardship in Chicago. This includes programs like the new SocialThreads Store, a free clothing pantry that provides individuals and families access to essential items in a dignified, supportive environment. The initiative also delivers critical resources—hygiene products, baby items, coats, toys, and more—to local shelters to help those in need during the colder months.

The Warmest Winter Donation Drive is currently underway with 25 drop-off locations across Chicagoland in partnership with Raising Cane’s. Running through December 12, 2024, the drive collects new and gently used clothing, hygiene items, and other necessities to stock the SocialThreads Store and support area shelters.

Chance the Rapper founded SocialWorks to empower youth and foster innovation through arts, education, and civic engagement. Through initiatives like Warmest Winter, the nonprofit continues to positively impact Chicago communities through collaboration and creativity.

The post Chance the Rapper Appears On ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Celebrity Edition, Raises $139,300 For His Non-Profit SocialWorks appeared first on The Source Magazine.

SOURCE SPORTS: ‘It Is What It Is’ Co-Host Cam’ron Graces Latest Cover Of Black Enterprise Magazine

December 3, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Iconic entrepreneur and sports personality Cam’ron, is the face of the latest edition of Black Enterprise. In a captivating cover story, the Harlem native shares how his decision to bet on himself has paid off as his most lucrative investment yet.

The feature arrives amidst the widespread success of Cam’ron’s groundbreaking sports show, It Is What It Is, where he joins forces with co-hosts Ma$e and Treasure “Stat Baby” Wilson to deliver unfiltered commentary and analysis. The show’s acclaim adds to an impressive résumé of entrepreneurial ventures that cement Cam’ron as a trailblazing force in entertainment and business.

In the Black Enterprise interview, Cam’ron reflects on his journey from music and media to diversifying into real estate, liquor, trademarks, and even innovative products like cereal and cologne. He offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of his Come And Talk 2 Me network and shares invaluable lessons from his storied career.

“Harlem taught me my work ethic,” Cam’ron states in the interview. “It’s about hustle, confidence, and making your own lane.” His commitment to self-investment and innovation resonates throughout the article, inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs to take risks and prioritize authenticity in their pursuits.

To explore the full interview and uncover insights from one of the most dynamic figures in modern entrepreneurship, visit the feature on Black Enterprise HERE

The post SOURCE SPORTS: ‘It Is What It Is’ Co-Host Cam’ron Graces Latest Cover Of Black Enterprise Magazine appeared first on The Source Magazine.

Yak Gotti Found Not Guilty, Shannon Stillwell Guilty of One Charge as YSL Trial Closes

December 3, 2024 by newhiphopnews

A Fulton County jury has delivered verdicts for the two remaining defendants in the YSL trial, concluding Georgia’s longest-running criminal trial.

Deamonte Kendrick, known in the music industry as rapper Yak Gotti, was found not guilty on all charges. Meanwhile, Shannon Stillwell was convicted on a single charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The case was handed to the jury last week, and deliberations concluded Tuesday, wrapping up a trial that has lasted over a year since testimony began in November 2023.

Stillwell and Kendrick were accused of participating in the 2015 drive-by killing of Donovan Thomas Jr., also known as “Big Nut,” who was reportedly a rival gang member.

Gotti was stabbed Sunday at the Fulton County Jail’s south annex in Union City, according to multiple sources. The incident did not occur at the main facility on Rice Street.

Sources reported to WSB-TV Atlanta that Kendrick sustained minor injuries in the attack. The Fulton County Sherrif’s Office released a statement:

“Deamonte Kendrick, also known as rapper Yak Gotti, and another jail resident were in a physical altercation on Sunday, December 1. Kendrick received treatment for minor injuries from a sharp object at the Fulton County Jail. The incident occurred at the South Annex in Union City where both men were being housed. Kendrick will be in court today. This is an active investigation to determine the aggressor in this incident and if charges will be pending.”

Last week, Yak Gotti caught a break in his portion of the YSL Trial as some of his charges were dismissed.

According to 11 Allive, Gotti, born Deamonte Kendrick, had three counts related to drug possession and distribution tossed out by Judge Paige Whitaker via directed verdict.

A directed verdict cites, “there is no legally sufficient evidentiary basis for a reasonable jury to reach a different conclusion.”

Another directed verdict for his additional charges, including a RICO charge, was denied. That filing stated, “A person who was merely present at the scene of the commission of a crime at the time is not necessarily guilty of consent in and concurrence in the commission of the crime unless the evidence shows beyond a reasonable doubt that such person committed the alleged crime, helped in the actual perpetration of the crime, or participated in the criminal endeavor.”

The post Yak Gotti Found Not Guilty, Shannon Stillwell Guilty of One Charge as YSL Trial Closes appeared first on The Source Magazine.