There’s beating a dead horse, and then there’s whatever the heck Kendrick Lamar is doing. The man is clearly on a mission to make Drake dig a hole, jump in, and pull it in after himself. Just when you thought five performances of “Not Like Us” back-to-back was overkill, Dot follows up with yet another Drake diss song — this one untitled and shared via his Instagram with a photo of black Nike Air Force Ones, the universal symbol of true goon-like activity.
In the song, Dot wonders what Lecrae would do (not this, Kenny! although here’s what he said) and shouts out a number of notable fellow Angelenos, including jazz musician Terrace Martin and NBA trainer Jay Estrada. He also shuts down any possibility of reconciliation with Drake, acknowledging just how acrimonious the battle became after the release of “Meet The Grahams,” while essentially shrugging that there’s no going back after all that. Would anyone even respect Drake if he did want to reconcile with that man after all this?
The song arrives just days after Kendrick was announced as the headliner of the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show to a great degree of controversy, but as he said in his new song… so be it.
The 2024 MTV VMAs’ opening was Olympics-coded. Host Megan Thee Stallion delivered her opening monologue in a gymnastics-adjacent leotard because, as she said, she is “repping Team VMA.” Meg also clarified that “VMA” stands for the Voluptuous Megan Awards” and declared that she deserves “a gold medal for being a bad b*tch!” Megan Thee Stallion kicked it over to Flavor Flav and USA Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles to present the night’s first category, Best Collaboration.
But before announcing the winner, Flavor Flav had more important business to take care of. The iconic rapper, pop cultural icon, and newly minted Team USA mascot gifted Chiles a bedazzled pink clock necklace to replace her Olympic bronze medal that she was controversially (and wrongfully, but that’s a discussion for another day) stripped of.
“I know they tried to take your medal away from you,” Flav said, as captured by Deadline, and briefly paused to account for the audience booing. “I got you something that they can’t take away from you.”
Flavor Flav put the gigantic clock around Chiles’ neck, and Chiles thanked Flavor Flav while the crowd applauded.
Chiles won the women’s team gold medal alongside her teammates, and she had been awarded the bronze medal for individual floor, but days later, the Romanian team filed a petition to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The CAS ruled to reinstate the initial scoring, awarding the bronze to Romanian Ana Barbosu and ordering Chiles return hers. See the full timeline of the controversy here.
Oh, and Post Malone and Taylor Swift won Best Collaboration for “Fortnight.”
Eminem opened the 2024 MTV VMAs in nostalgic fashion, hearkening back to his first-ever VMAs performance in 2000. Back then, he was a new artist nominee and stormed the stage with dozens of duplicates to perform his then-new hit, “The Real Slim Shady.” Tonight, he did the same thing, bringing out a fleet of anachronistic fellow Slims to perform his Death Of Slim Shady cuts “Houdini” and “Somebody Save Me.” While he was not joined on stage by Jelly Roll, the Tennessee crooner did make an appearance via video screen. The performance set the tone for what to expect throughout the show, which has already included a number of references to VMAs past — perhaps to shut down skeptics who wondered why the VMAs would still be considered a big deal, 40 years later.
Eminem is one of the most nominated artists of the evening with eight nominations — which gives him plenty of opportunities to break the record for most MTV Video Music Awards won by a single act. He’s nominated for Artist Of The Year, Video Of The Year, Best Hip-Hop, Best Direction, and Best Visual Effects for “Houdini.” That debut performance of “The Real Slim Shady”/”The Way I Am” is also up for an award for VMAs Most Iconic Performance.
The 2024 MTV Video Music Awards are here, led by Taylor Swift with 10 nominations. Other nominees include Post Malone with nine nominations, Sabrina Carpenter, Eminem, and Ariana Grande with six nominations, and SZA and Megan Thee Stallion with five nominations each.
You can find a full list of winners below, updated throughout the night.
Video Of The Year
Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Republic Records
Billie Eilish – “Lunch” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Doja Cat – “Paint The Town Red” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records
SZA – “Snooze” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records
Taylor Swift Feat. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records
Artist Of The Year
Ariana Grande – Republic Records
Bad Bunny – Rimas Entertainment
Eminem – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Sabrina Carpenter – Island
SZA – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records
Taylor Swift – Republic Records
Song Of The Year
Beyoncé – “Texas Hold ‘Em” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records
Jack Harlow – “Lovin On Me” – Generation Now / Atlantic Records
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang, under exclusive license to Interscope Records
Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso” – Island
Taylor Swift Feat. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records
Teddy Swims – “Lose Control” – Warner Records
Best New Artist
Benson Boone – Night Street Records, Inc. / Warner Records
Chappell Roan – Island
Gracie Abrams – Interscope Records
Shaboozey – American Dogwood / EMPIRE
Teddy Swims – Warner Records
Tyla – Epic Records
MTV Push Performance Of The Year
August 2023: Kaliii – “Area Codes” – Atlantic Records
September 2023: GloRilla – “Lick or Sum” – CMG / Interscope Records
October 2023: Benson Boone – “In the Stars” – Night Street Records, Inc. / Warner Records
November 2023: Coco Jones – “ICU” – Def Jam
December 2023: Victoria Monét – “On My Mama” – Lovett Music / RCA Records
January 2024: Jessie Murph – “Wild Ones” – Columbia Records
February 2024: Teddy Swims – “Lose Control” – Warner Records
March 2024: Chappell Roan – “Red Wine Supernova” – Island
April 2024: Flyana Boss – “Yeaaa” – Vnclm_/ Atlantic Records
May 2024: Laufey – “Goddess” – Laufey / AWAL
June 2024: Le Sserafim – “Easy” – Source Music / Geffen Records
July 2024: The Warning – “Automatic Sun” – Lava / Republic Records
Best Collaboration
Taylor Swift Feat. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records
Drake Feat. Sexyy Red & SZA – “Rich Baby Daddy ” – OVO / Republic Records
GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion – “Wanna Be” – CMG / Interscope Records
Jessie Murph Feat. Jelly Roll – “Wild Ones” – Columbia Records
Jung Kook Feat. Latto – “Seven” – Bighit Music / Geffen Records
Post Malone Feat. Morgan Wallen – “I Had Some Help” – Mercury / Republic / Big Loud
Best Pop
Camila Cabello – Geffen / Interscope Records
Dua Lipa – Warner Records
Olivia Rodrigo – Geffen Records
Sabrina Carpenter – Island
Tate McRae – RCA Records
Taylor Swift – Republic Records
Best Hip-Hop
Drake Feat. Sexyy Red & SZA – “Rich Baby Daddy ” – OVO / Republic Records
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records
GloRilla – “Yeah Glo!” – CMG / Interscope Records
Gunna – “Fukumean” – Young Stoner Life Records / 300 Entertainment
Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Hot Girl Productions
Travis Scott Feat. Playboi Carti – “FE!N” – Cactus Jack / Epic Records
Best R&B
Alicia Keys – “Lifeline” – AK Records / Gamma
Muni Long – “Made For Me” – Def Jam
SZA – “Snooze” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records
Tyla – “Water” – Fax Records / Epic Records
Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage – “Good Good” – Mega / Gamma
Victoria Monét – “On My Mama” – Lovett Music / RCA Records
Best Alternative
Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things” – Night Street Records, Inc. / Warner Records
Bleachers – “Tiny Moves” – Dirty Hit
Hozier – “Too Sweet” – Columbia Records
Imagine Dragons – “Eyes Closed” – KIDinaKorner / Interscope Records
Linkin Park – “Friendly Fire” – This Compilation / Warner Records
Teddy Swims – “Lose Control (Live)” – Warner Records
Best Rock
Bon Jovi – “Legendary” – Island
Coldplay – “Feelslikeimfallinginlove” – Atlantic Records
Green Day – “Dilemma” – Reprise Records / Warner Records
Kings of Leon – “Mustang” – Capitol Records
Lenny Kravitz – “Human” – Roxie Records Inc. / BMG Rights Management
U2 – “Atomic City” – Interscope Records
Best Latin
Anitta – “Mil Veces” – Floresta Records / Republic Records / Universal Music Latin Entertainment
Bad Bunny – “Monaco” – Rimas Entertainment
Karol G – “Mi Ex Tenia Razon” – Bichota / Interscope Records
Myke Towers – “Lala” – Warner Music Latina
Peso Pluma & Anitta – “Bellakeo” – Double P Records
Rauw Alejandro – “Touching the Sky” – Sony Music Latin / Duars Entertainment
Shakira & Cardi B – “Puntería” – Sony Music US Latin
Best Afrobeats
Ayra Starr Feat. Giveon – “Last Heartbreak Song” – Mavin / Republic
Burna Boy – “City Boys” – Spaceship / Bad Habit / Atlantic Records
Chris Brown Feat. Davido & Lojay – “Sensational” – Chris Brown Entertainment / RCA Records
Tems – “Love Me JeJe” – Since ’93 / RCA Records
Tyla – “Water” – Fax Records / Epic Records
Usher, Pheelz – “Ruin” – mega / gamma.
Best K-Pop
Jung Kook Feat. Latto – “Seven” – Bighit Music / Geffen Records
Lisa – “Rockstar” – Lloud Co. / RCA Records
NCT Dream – “Smoothie” – SM Entertainment / Virgin Music Group
NewJeans – “Super Shy” – ADOR / Geffen Records
Stray Kids – “Lalalala” – JYP Entertainment / Imperial / Republic Records
Tomorrow X Together – “Deja vu” – Bighit Music / Imperial / Republic Records
Video For Good
Alexander Stewart – “If Only You Knew” – FAE Grp
Billie Eilish – “What Was I Made For (From the Motion Picture “Barbie”)” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Coldplay – “Feelslikeimfallinginlove” – Atlantic Records
Joyner Lucas & Jelly Roll – “Best for Me” – Twenty Nine Music Group
Raye – “Genesis” – Human Re Sources
Tyler Childers – “In Your Love” – Hickman Holler Records / RCA Records
Best Direction
Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Republic Records – Directed by
Christian Breslauer
Bleachers – “Tiny Moves” – Dirty Hit – Directed by Alex Lockett & Margaret Qualley
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records – Directed by Rich Lee
Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Hot Girl Productions – Directed by Daniel Iglesias Jr.
Sabrina Carpenter – “Please Please Please” – Island – Directed by Bardia Zeinali
Taylor Swift Feat. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – Directed by Taylor Swift
Best Cinematography
Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Republic Records – Cinematography
by Anatol Trofimov
Charli XCX – “Von Dutch” – Atlantic Records – Cinematography by Jeff Bierman
Dua Lipa – “Illusion” – Warner Records – Cinematography by Nikita Kuzmenko
Olivia Rodrigo – “Obsessed” – Geffen Records – Cinematography by Marz Miller
Rauw Alejandro – “Touching the Sky” – Sony Music Latin / Duars Entertainment – Cinematography by Camilo Monsalve
Taylor Swift Feat. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – Cinematography by Rodrigo
Prieto
Best Editing
Anitta – “Mil Veces” – Floresta Records / Republic Records / Universal Music Latin Entertainment – Editing by Nick Yumul
Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Republic Records – Editing by Luis
Caraza Peimbert
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records – Editing by David Checel
Lisa – “Rockstar” – Lloud Co. / RCA Records – Editing by Nik Kohler
Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso” – Island – Editing by Jai Shukla
Taylor Swift Feat. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – Editing by Chancler Haynes
Best Choreography
Bleachers – “Tiny Moves” – Dirty Hit – Choreography by Margaret Qualley
Dua Lipa – “Houdini” – Warner Records – Choreography by Charm La’Donna
Lisa – “Rockstar” – Lloud Co. / RCA Records – Choreography by Sean Bankhead
Rauw Alejandro – “Touching the Sky” – Sony Music Latin / Duars Entertainment – Choreography
by Felix ‘Fefe’ Burgos
Tate McRae – “Greedy” – RCA Records – Choreography by Sean Bankhead
Troye Sivan – “Rush” – Capitol Records – Choreography by Sergio Reis, Mauro Van De Kerkhof
Best Visual Effects
Ariana Grande – “The Boy is Mine” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Digital Axis
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records – Visual Effects by Synapse Virtual
Production, Louise Lee, Rich Lee, Metaphysic, Flawless Post
Justin Timberlake – “Selfish” – RCA Records – “Selfish” – RCA Records – Visual Effects by Candice Dragonas
Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Hot Girl Productions – Visual Effects by Mathematic
Olivia Rodrigo – “Get Him Back!” – Geffen Records – Visual Effects by Cooper Vacheron, Preston
Mohr, Karen Arakelian, Justin Johnson
Taylor Swift Feat. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Parliament
Best Art Direction
Charli XCX – “360” – Atlantic Records – Art Direction by Grace Surnow
Lisa – “Rockstar” – Lloyd Co. / RCA Records – Art Direction by Pongsan Thawatwichian
Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Hot Girl Productions – Art Direction by Brittany Porter
Olivia Rodrigo – “Bad Idea Right?” – Geffen Records – Art Direction by Nicholas des Jardins
Sabrina Carpenter – “Please Please Please” – Island – Art Direction by Nicholas des Jardins
Taylor Swift Feat. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – Art Direction by Ethan Tobman
Last month, Candace Owens dropped her full-length interview with Kanye West, which has resulted in her YouTube channel taking some serious hits. Earlier this week, the conservative commentator took to X to announce that she wouldn’t be posting on YouTube for now. According to her, she’s been demonetized and suspended from the platform. This is due to her interview with Ye, and particilarly his antisemitic remarks.
“They also removed the interview as ‘hate speech,’ as it was mass reported by Zionists. Their tactics never change,” she wrote. Owens then went on to suggest that she was targeted. She also theorized that her Ye interview was under scrutiny due to her recent debate with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach on Piers Morgan’s show.
Candace Owens’ YouTube Channel Takes Hit For Violating Hate Speech Policy
There will be no show today, or at all this week. That’s because @YouTube has issued me a strike and a one week suspension for my sit down with Kanye. They also removed the interview as “hate speech”, as it was mass reported by Zionists. Their tactics never change. pic.twitter.com/fTeI7VQvZH
“The world knows why I am being targeted and frankly, I have never felt more confident that I am the right person for this to happen,” she claimed. “Thus far, I have had zero strikes on my @YouTubeCreators account… I have now been inundated with 3 back to back content hits within minutes, plus an email that I am now fully demonetized. We all know exactly who is behind this and why.” YouTube later went on to confirm Owens’ channel suspension in a statement to The New York Post.
“We’ve suspended channels associated with Candace Owens from the YouTube Partner Program following repeated violations of our policies, including our Advertiser-Friendly Guidelines and Community Guidelines,” spokesperson Jack Malon explained. Malon added that Owens frequently violates YouTube’s policies on her channels and that she can reapply for access in 90 days. What do you think of Candace Owens’ YouTube channel getting suspended over her interview with Kanye West? What about him violating the platform’s hate speech policy? Are you surprised by this or not? What about YouTube’s statement? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Kendrick Lamar did it again. The rapper who proclaims himself Candyman has come out of nowhere and dropped off a five minute song. No context, no rollout. Not even a title. The rapper just put the song up on Instagram. It’s the first Lamar song that hasn’t been a direct Drake diss in over seven months. That said, there are plenty of bars littered throughout the song that suggest he still has a bone to pick with the 6 God.
Lamar’s timing is fascinating. The rapper has become centered in a controversy involving the Super Bowl Halftime Show after it was announced he would headline the event in 2025. After pleasing virtually every listener that wasn’t a Drake fan, Lamar found himself on the wrong side of a media narrative. It’s difficult to tell whether the Halftime Show led to the release of this new song, but it definitely feels connected. K. Dot sounds weary as he raps over a wailing vocal sample. There’s barely a chorus, and instead he goes off on a series of unnamed targets.
Kendrick Lamar has no problem calling other people out by name. “Control,” the 2013 song that basically kickstarted the Drake feud, named over a dozen rappers. It then feels intentional that Lamar chose not to go the direct route on the new song. He takes a more subtle approach, and lets the listener put together the clues. There’s a lot of bars to sift through here. That said, we’d be shocked if there weren’t at least a few that could apply to Drake. Eagle-eyed fans might even find a few targeted at Nicki Minaj and the rest of Young Money. Let’s all get to listening.
Do you like Kendrick Lamar’s new song? Did he sneak in a few more digs at Drake? Let us know what you think of this brand-new track, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Recently, Diddy was hit with yet another lawsuit, this time from former Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard. In the suit, obtained by TMZ, she accuses the Bad Boy Records founder of sexual and emotional abuse. She additionally accuses Diddy of belittling her and various female “Making The Band” contestants. Richard even alleges that she witnessed Diddy abuse his ex-girlfriend Cassie on multiple occasions. On one occasion, she alleges that he threw Cassie into a wall, choked her, and dragged her up a flight of stairs.
Richard says she and others had a conversation with Cassie, during which they encouraged her to leave Diddy. Allegedly, he later found out about the conversation and quickly threatened to end their careers. She also accuses Diddy of touching her inappropriately, inviting her to his home while only wearing underwear, and more.
attends the 2010 BET Awards nominees, host and performers announcement at 230 Fifth Avenue on May 18, 2010 in New York City.
Today, Diddy’s attorney Erica Wolff issued a response to the lawsuit, denying the allegations. “Mr. Combs is shocked and disappointed by this lawsuit. In an attempt to rewrite history, Dawn Richard has now manufactured a series of false claims all in the hopes of trying to get a pay day — conveniently timed to coincide with her album release and press tour,” the statement begins per TMZ.
“If Ms. Richard had such a negative experience with Making the Band and Danity Kane, she would not have chosen to continue working directly with Mr. Combs for Dirty Money, nor would she have returned for the Making the Band reboot in 2020 or agreed to be featured on ‘The Love Album’ last year,” it also reads. “It’s unfortunate that Ms. Richard has cast their 20-year friendship aside to try and get money from him, but Mr. Combs is confidently standing on truth and looks forward to proving that in court.” What do you think of Dawn Richard suing Diddy? What do you think of Diddy’s attorney’s response? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Nicki Minaj has beef with other rappers. It’s what she does when she’s not making hits. The beef that she’s sparking up with JAY-Z has been particularly bitter, though. The rapper absolutely laid into Hov after it was announced that Kendrick Lamar, and not Lil Wayne, would be headlining the 2025 Halftime Show in New Orleans. Nicki Minaj questioned JAY-Z’s allegiance, and called him some pretty nasty names in the process. Apparently, she had more to say.
Nicki Minaj’s initial Twitter rant took place on September 9. A day later, though, the rapper decided to drop more anti-Hov rhetoric on a DJ Akademiks TikTok post. Ak was covering the fallout of the Halftime Show announcement, and the alleged tensions between JAY-Z and Drake. Minaj went into the comment section and proceeded to make some bold claims about JAY’s former streaming service, Tidal. Tidal did not pan out like the rapper intended, but in seemed like it was going to be the next big thing in 2015. A lot of fans likely remember the Tidal signing event, where a host of superstars took to the stage to serve as partial owners.
Nicki Minaj Calls Out JAY-Z Over Her 2015 Tidal Deal
Nicki Minaj responds to a comment on a Big AK Tik tok post.
She states that she never received “one red penny” from her Tidal deal with Jay Z, despite the countless promotions she did for the company. Btw jay z sold the company for like $300 million. pic.twitter.com/K5J4jrf84f
Nicki Minaj was one of these superstars. She signed a streaming deal with Tidal, and proceeded to stand onstage next to Rihanna, Madonna, and countless others. The only problem? She didn’t get paid. Minaj claimed that she never received payment from the platform, despite JAY selling Tidal on the notion of making more for the artist. “I didn’t even get one red penny,” the rapper wrote. To add insult to injury, at least in her mind, Minaj was stiffed on signing to a platform that she spent lots of time promoting. She claimed to have promoted it as much as JAY-Z’s own wife, Beyonce. “No one promoted it more than me outside of Beyonce,” she added. “Lol chi.”
Nicki Minaj’s claims directly contrasts previous reports about Tidal. JAY-Z sold the streaming platform for a whopping $300 million in 2021. The Shade Room reported that the stars who were listed as co-owners of the platform were given a payout of $8.9 million. This was intended to cover the 3% stake that each of them, Minaj included, had in the company. Minaj has never mentioned Tidal drama in the past, which is a bit suspicious, but we get the sense that she has a lot more to say about JAY-Z in the near future. Maybe she will provide evidence to support her financial claims.
Jazz revivalist Isaiah Collier announced his new project with The Chosen Few, The World Is On Fire, with a release date of October 18. It’ll be Collier’s final project with the quartet, following this year’s The Almighty. The Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist refocuses his aim on this upcoming LP, taking on the current civil unrest in the nation. It’s a tribute to individuals like Sandra Bland, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Sonya Massey, and more whose lives were stolen by agents of hate.
In the press release announcing the new album, Collier explains, “This project is a sonic exploration, blending sounds, consciousness, and activism to raise awareness about the pressing issues of our time. Through my music, I strive to capture and personify the profound impact of the challenges we face.”
“This 8 year journey with The Chosen Few is coming to an end,” he continues. “It’s almost ironic given the circumstances of the times. In the past eight years I have experienced two extreme presidents that have changed the world for me. Just as they have changed policy, so has my music. I can’t say it is a bittersweet thing for I have had this project since I had graduated High school. In an ironic sense I feel like I’m graduating again but into a new musical exploration and perspective. I have given as much as I can to this concept of sound that I can. I thank my musical ancestors John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Pharoah Sanders, and many more for being my muse in addition to being a vessel and conduit for their impact. Now I’m finding a new muse in sound and look forward to sharing with you all. For change is inevitable and I pose this question to the world: ‘What’s the point in doing something if you are not going to change it?’”
The World Is On Fire is due on 10/18 via Division 81 Records. You can find more information here.
