Hip Hop News

Kanye West Doesn’t Deliver “DONDA” But Fans Are Hyped To Hear Jay-Z

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After a weeklong hype about the album’s release, DONDA has yet to hit streaming services. Fans are holding out hope that when Kanye West said it was arriving on “Friday,” he possibly meant later on in the day and not at the stroke of midnight as everyone expected. Thursday (July 22) evening was an incredible moment for those that were able to make their way to the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta because they, at least, were able to hear DONDA in all of its glory at the mega-listening event.

There were plenty of noteworthy moments as attendees took to social media to share that Lil Baby, Playboi Carti, Pusha T, and *possibly* Kendrick Lamar were on the record. However, no one expected Jay-Z to make an appearance, and when his voice boomed over the speakers, Hov stole the show.

Kanye West, Jay-Z
Jamie McCarthy / Staff / Getty Images

There are reports that Mr. Carter had only completed his verse on Thursday afternoon, which may play into DONDA‘s delay. There have been speculative reports regarding the alleged dissolution of Ye and Hov’s friendship over the years, and with this DONDA collaboration comes talks that Watch The Throne II may actually arrive. Kanye and Jay-Z’s 2011 joint album has been hailed as arguably one of the best Hip Hop records to date, so to hear these two back in action has fans excited.

Keep your fingers crossed that Ye has some sort of DONDA surprise as the weekend moves forward. Check out a few highlights from the listening event on Thursday in Atlanta along with several disappointing responses from the public after learning DONDA has yet to drop.

 

Kiana Ledé Creeps Around With Kehlani On “Ur Best Friend”

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There’s some “sneaky link” behavior going on on “Ur Best Friend.” There have been several standout R&B offerings this year and now, Kiana Ledé is hoping that her Kehlani-assisted single will become the next to climb the charts. The pair of singers take their turns sharing their viewpoints in this story, and it sounds as if Kiana is in a relationship with a man but creeping around with his best friend, Kehlani.

Ledé shared a still from the forthcoming visual that looks as if the ladies are going to turn up the heat. Recently, one of Kehlani’s fans took to Twitter to ask her when she would be delivering a lesbian-centered album now that she’s come out to the world, and the singer hinted that it may already be in the works.

Until we hear more news about that, stream Kiana Ledé’s “Ur Best Friend” featuring Kehlani and let us know what you think.

Quotable Lyrics

Hey, he had the courage to step up and pull up 6 speed, like
Put in so much work, just to make it worth
And he’s almost perfect and that why it hurts
And he calls me family, that’s what make it worse
Oooooh
It’s wrong, but I make you feel right
You texting my phone while right beside him
Wish it was anyone besides him

The Kid LAROI Drops “F*ck Love 3: Over You” Ft. Juice WRLD, Lil Durk, Justin Bieber, NBA YoungBoy

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Last year, we received the first installment of The Kid LAROI’s acclaimed F*ck Love mixtape series, and here we are with Part 3. The 17-year-old Australian star has collaborated with some of the most coveted artists in the industry, and on F*ck Love 3: Over You, he isn’t slowing down. Yet, he did tell Billboard that this latest mixtape would mark the end of his series. “Just because of what’s happening in my life — I have a girlfriend now and I really love her. It’s time to close the F*ck Love show,” he said.

Ahead of his project’s arrival, LAROI also spoke about learning that Kanye West planned on releasing DONDA on the same day as his record. “I’m kind of sad for myself, but I’m happy for Kanye,” LAROI said with a laugh. “I love Kanye more than I love myself.” 

Fans can also expect to receive The Kid LAROI’s debut studio album sometime in 2022, but a tentative date or time of year remains a mystery. F*ck Love 3: Over You is a multi-disc project that includes features from Polo G, Stunna Gambino, G Herbo, Lil Durk, Mustard, NBA YoungBoy, Internet Money, Marshmello, Machine Gun Kelly, Lil Mosey, Corbin, and Juice WRLD.

Stream F*ck Love 3: Over You by The Kid Laroi and let us know what you think.

Tracklist

1. Over You 
2. Not Sober ft. Polo G, Stunna Gambino
3. Stay ft. Justin Bieber
4. Same Energy
5. Don’t Leave Me ft. G Herbo, Lil Durk
6. Bad News
7. Still Chose You ft. Mustard

Disc 2

1. PIKACHU
2. SO DONE 
3. TRAGIC ft. NBA YoungBoy, Internet Money
4. ALWAYS DO
5. FEEL SOMETHING ft. Marshmello
6. F*CK YOU, GOODBYE ft. Machine Gun Kelly
7. WITHOUT YOU

Disc 3

1. BOOTY CALL (skit)
2. MAYBE
3. WRONG ft. Lil Mosey
4. I WISH
5. NOT FAIR ft. Corbin
6. BATHROOM (skit)
7. GO ft. Juice WRLD
8. TELL ME WHY
9. SAME THING
10. NEW GUY (skit)
11. ERASE U
12. RUNNING
13. WISH YOU WELL (skit)
14. NEED YOU MOST (So Sick)
15. SELFISH

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Polo G & Gunna Team Up On “Waves” From Kawhi Leonard’s “Culture Jam” Project

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While the world continues to await Kanye West’s DONDA, Kawhi Leonard has delivered yet another single from his Culture Jam project. We previously received NBA YoungBoy and Rod Wave’s “Everything Different,” and on Friday (July 23), Gunna and Polo G shared their collaboration, “Waves.”

“Culture Jam will always be a platform where creators’ ideas and talents come to life and serve our family and our communities,” Leonard said of the Hip Hop project. “As an athlete that loves family, music, culture, and community, it was extremely important for me to build a space where all these elements thrive.”

He added, “Culture Jam’s significance is not only timely but it is also necessary. Equally, it is extremely important to support youth. My donation to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation is just the beginning of that support and connection.” Stream Gunna and Polo G’s “Waves” and share your thoughts.

Quotable Lyrics

D&G down to the kicks (D&G), made your ho send me a flick (Yeah)
On a light day, I’m throwin’ a nick’, she wan’ show me her ass and t*ts (Ass and tits)
I used to sell bags of grits, hit me back on the first or the fifth (First or the fifth)
F*ckin’ a bag up of fifths, I run through a ten again (Again)
I roll in the Maybach Benz (Benz), or the coupe, it just really depends (‘Pends)

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Gunna And Polo G Bring Their Surfboards To Ride The ‘Waves’ On Their New Track

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In today’s generation of rap, Gunna and Polo G stand as two of the most popular names within the genre. The success they portrayed over the last couple of years is direct proof of this, in addition to the work from early in their careers. So it’s no surprise that Kawhi Leonard recruited them both to appear on his upcoming compilation project titled Culture Jam. The duo’s song, titled “Waves,” leans more into Gunna’s lane as it features production the YSL rapper might use for his own work, but nothing too out of the box for Polo G as he flows smoothly on the new track.

Leonard shared additional details about the project back in May. “Culture Jam will always be a platform where creators’ ideas and talents come to life and serve our families and communities,” he said in a statement. “As an athlete that loves family, music, culture, and community, it was extremely important for me to build a space where all these elements thrive. Culture Jam’s significance is not only timely but it is also necessary.” The first single from the project was NBA YoungBoy and Rod Wave’s “Everything Different.”

The new track is also not the first time the the two rapper’s have worked together. Back in 2019, Gunna and Lil Baby teamed up to join Polo G for “Pop Out Again,” a song of the Chicago rapper’s debut album, Die A Legend.

Press play on Gunna and Polo G’s latest collaboration in the video above.

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

Drake Is Strictly About Business With Smiley On The Heavy-Muscled ‘Over The Top’

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The music world is just a couple of weeks away from what would be eight months since Drake was originally supposed to release his sixth album, Certified Lover Boy. The project was announced last summer and slated for a January 2021 release but it was later pushed back to a new date that the rapper has not shared yet. In the meantime, Drake has delivered a good amount of tracks, both being solo efforts and guest verses, that have made the wait for the album a bit easier for his faithful supporters. The latest example of this comes through a brand new track with Toronto rapper Smiley.

The effort is titled “Over The Top,” and on it, Drake keeps it strictly business with his Toronto counterpart. Lines like “I got too much on the line, too much on my mind, too much ain’t enough for my plans” and “I know I came with the slide from left to right / But now I don’t wanna dance,” a reference to his viral 2020 track “Toosie Slide,” highlight Drake’s tunnel vision.

“Over The Top” comes after Drake connected with Brent Faiyaz for “Wasting Time,” their first-ever collaboration. Prior to that, he worked with Migos on “Havin My Way,” from their fourth album Culture III. As for those who are still waiting on an update about Certified Lover Boy, Drake recently revealed what stage he’s in with the project. “You know Uncle Drake’s on his way back home to mix the album,” he said on a recent OVO Sound radio appearance, adding that there’s “a bunch of new tracks coming.”

You can listen to the new track in the video above.

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

Kiana Lede And Kehlani Struggle With The Consequences Of Cheating On ‘Ur Best Friend’

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Plenty of R&B acts came out to impress last year with their respective projects despite the pandemic making it anything but a normal year. Two artists who did this are Kiana Lede and Kehlani. The former shared her debut album, KIKI, while the latter delivered her sophomore effort, It Was Good Until It Wasn’t, which both stood out for their own reasons. More than a year removed from the releases, Kiana and Kehlani bring their talents together for their new single titled “Ur Best Friend.”

Both singers find themselves deep in thought after cheating on their current respective partners. Kiana nor Kehlani don’t necessarily feel guilty about the act of infidelity, in fact, after returning to their original partners, they both long for another moment with their cheating counterparts. “Almost called your name when he was in it,” Kiana admits while Kehlani sings, “And he’s almost perfect / And that’s why it hurts.”

The new collaboration comes after a quiet 12 months that followed since Kiana dropped her KIKI album. Her releases after the project were mainly guest features, those being “This Day” with Usher, “A Little More” with G-Eazy, and a remix of They.’s “Count Me In.” She also veered into the political lane with her summer 2020 track, “Dear Mr. President.”

As for Kehlani, she recently joined T-Pain in a video for their “I Like Dat” collaboration while working with other names like Amorphous and Pink Sweats for their respective “Back Together” and “At My Worst” efforts.

You can listen to the duo’s new single in the video above.

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

Lil Nas X Twerks Nude In Jail And Brings The Chaos In His ‘Industry Baby’ Video With Jack Harlow

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Lil Nas X should release his official debut album Montero at any point now, but in the meantime, the singer has graced the world with enough singles to make the wait bearable for now. There was of course the album’s lead single, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” which set the internet ablaze thanks to its music video, Satan Shoes, and the strong opinions some had to it all. Next came “Sun Goes Down,” a much more relaxed release that dove a bit into Lil Nas’ life, and now, the singer returns with “Industry Baby,” a track that features a guest appearance from Jack Harlow.

The new track is a boastful one that’s carried by production filled with trumpets and a hard-hitting bass supplied by Lil Nas’ frequent collaborator Take A Daytrip as well as Kanye West. Jack Harlow arrives with a verse of his own to bring the song to an end boastful bars centered on his fame and success and how some have a hard time seeing him thrive in it all. Its accompanying video sees Lil Nas staying true to himself with scenes of twerking nude in jail while he raises a bit of hell with help from Jack Harlow.

Lil Nas shared the new song days after announcing the track with a video that parodies his impending Nike lawsuit trail. The singer himself played the judge, prosecutor, defendant, and a member of the juror in the effort that proved he isn’t too worried about the result of the real-life trial.

Press play on the new track in the video above.

Jack Harlow is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow Are Jailbirds In “Industry Baby” Visual

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Once again, Lil Nas X puts his acting skills on display in his latest music video. Earlier this week, the singer let it be known that the music video for his latest single “Industry Baby” wasn’t made for the faint of heart—an announcement that he hoped would sway critics from complaining about inappropriate content. “Industry Baby” arrives with a feature from Jack Harlow, and in the visual, Lil Nas X makes light of his recent legal drama with Nike.

He also leans more to the Rap arena this time around and flexes his accomplishments including his Grammys and RIAA certifications. Lil Nas X sets the scene of his “Industry Baby” visual behind bars where he doesn’t skimp at making references to his sexuality, including the fully nude dance scene in the shower.

Harlow makes an appearance, yet he’s surrounded by female guards who abandon their posts for some private time. This one is certain to kick up dust, so stream “Industry Baby” (produced by Kanye West, Take A Daytrip, and Nick Lee) and share your thoughts.

Quotable Lyrics

Need to get this album done
Need a couple numbеr ones
Need a plaque on evеry song
Need me like one with Nicki now
Tell a rap n*gga I don’t see ya, hah
I’m a pop n*gga like Bieber, hah
I don’t f*ck b*tches, I’m queer, hah
But these n*ggas b*tches like Madea,

Smiley Taps Drake For “Over The Top” Single

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If there is an artist who is going to give shine to others on their way up, it’s Drake. There have been plenty of jokes about the “Drake Stimulus Package” and how people find their come up thanks to a nod, mention, or feature from Drizzy. On Friday, Smiley, who has been releasing music for some time, shared his single “Over the Top” featuring Drake, and this isn’t the first time the two have made an appearance together on wax.

In a recent interview with Complex Canada, Smiley spoke about grabbing the attention of the OVO mogul. “A long time ago, it was 2014 or something like that. He heard those songs and I guess he paid close attention,” he said. “And then when I took a break and I came back, I dropped this one song called ‘Hit.'”

“That was the first time I’d ever seen that Drake knew who I was or anything; one of his boys posted my song, and he commented under it and said, ‘Smiley = G.O.A.T.’ And then that’s when I was like, ‘Oh f*ck, this guy knows who I am and sh*t.’ So then, probably a couple of days later, he follow me on Insta.”

Tay Keith holds down the production on “Over the Top,” so stream Smiley’s Drake-assisted single and let us know what yout hink.

Quotable Lyrics

I slide with some bread on the jam, that’s just who I am
Customs just wavin’ at us from the window
They don’t even come on the plane when we land
Anyone else would retire but I’m not content
I wanna bury these n*ggas like twenty feet down
So no one can find them again

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