Rod Wave’s rise to stardom began less than two years ago thanks to his single “Heart On Ice,” a track that was boosted by a remix from Lil Durk. That song would later be housed on his debut album, Ghetto Gospel, and soon enough the Florida rapper’s upward climb was underway. That project landed a Gold certification while his 2020 sophomore album, Pray 4 Love, went Platinum. But there was one feat that Rod Wave had not accomplished yet: He hadn’t nabbed a No. 1 album. All of that changed with the rapper’s third full-length effort, Soulfly.
The Florida rapper landed his first No. 1 album thanks to 130,000 units sold for the chart dated April 10. Of that number, 126,000 comprised streaming equivalent album units, which tallies to 189.2 million on-demand streams, the largest streaming week for a hip-hop or R&B album in 2021. Soulfly is also the second hip-hop/R&B album to reach No. 1 in the past five months. The last release to do so was Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart dated January 9. Lastly, Soulfly earned the best-selling single week for a hip-hop/R&B album since 21 Savage and Metro Boomin’s Savage Mode II put up 171,000 units back in October.
Elsewhere on this week’s chart, Justin Bieber’s Justice fell to No. 2, Morgan Wallen’s record-breaking sophomore effort, Dangerous: The Double Album, dropped to No. 5, and Young Dolph and Key Glock’s Dum And Dummer 2 debuted at No. 8
DMX reportedly suffered a drug overdose on Friday night and was rushed to the hospital where he remains in “grave condition” at a White Plains, New York hospital’s critical care unit. The news of his hospitalization broke on Saturday and for a few hours, updates about his condition were nonexistent. This changed when his lawyer spoke to New York’s Pix11 News and revealed the rapper was removed from life-support and “breathing on his own.”
While this was certainly relieving news, he returned hours later to say the information that was given to him was wrong and that DMX remained on life-support as of Saturday night. As a result of the misleading information regarding DMX’s current condition, the rapper’s family delivered statements to TMZ and VladTV in order to set the record straight.
“We are issuing this statement to combat all the false and misleading reports that are circulating on social media,” they said. “Last night Earl ‘DMX’ Simmons was rushed to the hospital after collapsing at home. At this time he remains in ICU in critical condition. Earl has been a warrior his entire life. This situation represents yet another road he must cross.”
They continued, “The Simmons Family appreciates the overwhelming outpouring of heartfelt love, encouragement, support and prayers for Earl. Earl is someone whose life and music has been a source of inspiration and strength to so many people around the world. It is reassuring to see his fans return that same passion and energy to him during his time of need.”
Prior to the statement, TMZ also reported that paramedics spent 30 minutes trying to resuscitate him, during which he was deprived of oxygen. A family source told TMZ on Saturday “it’s not looking good” in regards to his condition and that his children are flying in to see him.
For much of its current season, Saturday Night Live has featured a politically-themed sketch in its cold open. In recent episodes, however, they’ve managed to do this using Chloe Fineman’s impression of Britney Spears. In its most recent episode, the NBC sketch comedy show brought back Oops, You Did It Again to “shine a light on the social pariahs of the week.”
The sketch started with Lil Nas X, whose “Satan Shoes” have riled up conservatives and caused Nike to step in and prevent the sales of the modified pairs. While Chris Redd doesn’t look very much like the rapper, he was absolutely down to twerk on a guy dressed up like “god” to even things out on the outrage scale.
Next up was Kate McKinnon dressed as a giant skunk, playing a “canceled” Pepe Le Pew. The sketch addresses some recent news that the Looney Toon was taken out of the new Space Jam, yet another example conservatives have given regarding cancel culture.
“Any good basketball film needs a horny skunk. My part was, I see a basketball in a blonde wig and I make love to it for 10-15 minutes before LeBron James says ‘Bro, that’s a basketball,’” Le Pew explained. “Not my finest moment, but the crew loved it.”
The star of the segment, however, was Pete Davidson playing suspected “sex pest” Matt Gaetz. Davidson, who had played New York governor Andrew Cuomo, another politician under fire, on the segment earlier in the year got to play a Family Guy-inspired Gaetz. Gaetz tries hard not to admit any wrongdoing, at one point comparing himself to Le Pew. Who wasn’t having any of it.
“No, I’m a cartoon skunk. You’re a United States congressman,” McKinnon said. “Be better.”
Nicki Minaj has landed a number of records in her decade-plus-long career and while it’s been almost three years since she released an album, her last one being 2018’s Queen, the rapper is still finding ways to label herself as a one of a kind rapper.
More than six years after the music video’s release, Minaj’s The Pinkprint highlight, “Anaconda,” has reached a billion views on YouTube. The impressive feat makes her the first female rapper to reach the ten-digit number with a solo song on the platform.
“Anaconda” by @NickiMinaj has reached 1 BILLION views on YouTube.
With “Anaconda” surpassing a billion views, Minaj also ties Katy Perry and Rihanna for the most overall music videos with more than a billion views on YouTube, that being six. The other videos from the Pink Friday rapper’s catalog to accomplish this include “Bang. Bang” with Jessie J and Ariana Grande, “Hey Mama” with David Guetta, Bebe Rexha, and Afrojack, and “Swalla,” with Jason Derulo and Ty Dolla Sign.
While the news may be a reason to celebrate for the rapper, it comes a little over a year after she listed “Anaconda” as one of three songs she wished she never recorded. She said this during a Q&A session with entertainment executive Irving Azoff at Beverly Hills’ Pollstar Live Conference and added “Starships” and “Your Love” to the list. “I was like, ‘Why did I do this?’” she joked during the conversation.
Hip-hop fans from near and far have been on edge on Saturday following news of DMX’sdrug overdose and hospitalization early in the morning. TMZ confirmed that the rapper suffered the overdose Friday night at his home. He was then taken to a White Plains, New York hospital where he was listed in “grave condition” at the facility’s critical care unit. It was also reported that he suffered a heart attack due to the overdose.
For much of the day, updates about his health were nonexistent until his lawyer, Murray Richman, spoke to New York’s Pix11 News where he delivered somewhat of a relieving update on the rapper’s condition.
“He’s in the hospital as a result of a heart attack,” Richman said during a zoom call with Pix11 News. “He has been taken off [the] life support system and he’s been breathing on his own.”
While this may be comforting news for the time being, Richman added that they are not in the clear with the rapper just yet.
“We are concerned,” he said. “It would be disingenuous of me to suggest that I’m not a worried man at this particular point.” During their broadcast, Pix11 News said that DMX’s lawyer would not confirmed whether or not the rapper’s hospitalization and heart attack was the result of a drug overdose.
Since hearing the news early Saturday morning, a number of people from the music world have sent their well wishes to the rapper in hopes of a speedy recovery.
In less than a week, Taylor Swift will release her first re-recorded album, Fearless (Taylor’s Version). The singer has been teasing this project since the end of 2020, when a previous contract with Big Machine, her old label, allowed her to re-record her first six albums. Why? In part because she currently does not own the rights to them. In addition to the new versions of the songs from her 2008 sophomore album, Fearless (Taylor’s Version) will also include seven previously-unheard songs. She shared the first such release — “You All Over Me” with Maren Morris — at the end of last month. As for the other six songs, they remained untitled until Saturday, when Swift debuted the full tracklist for the upcoming project.
You cracked the codes and guessed all the From The Vault titles. Here’s the full track list, my friends. pic.twitter.com/lC3awlRmm2
I’m really honored that @KeithUrban is a part of this project, duetting on That’s When and singing harmonies on We Were Happy. I was his opening act during the Fearless album era and his music has inspired me endlessly.
The singer revealed a second guest appearance on the album: country singer Keith Urban. He appears on a track entitled “That’s When.” After sharing the news, Taylor spoke about the collaboration. “I’m really honored that @KeithUrban is a part of this project, duetting on That’s When and singing harmonies on We Were Happy,” she said. “I was his opening act during the Fearless album era and his music has inspired me endlessly.” She added, “I’m counting down the minutes til we can all jump into this brave world together, filled with equal parts nostalgia and brand newness.”
Fearless (Taylor’s Version) is out 4/9 via Republic Records. Pre-order it here.
Prayers from all corners of the music world are being sent DMX’s way after reports of a drug overdose and hospitalization broke on Saturday morning. According to TMZ, the incident also triggered a heart attack, which has left him in “grave condition” in the critical care unit of a White Plains, New York hospital. A number of artists took to social media to send well wishes his way and hopes of a speedy recovery.
Shake back Big Bro. We made plans Maaaan We got shit to do!!! We laughed so hard about how far we’ve made it in life this night. I appreciate you so much for pulling up & and checking on a ni**a. So now I’m tellin you like you told me…This too shall pass… #PrayersUpForDMXpic.twitter.com/SmvyLv2gUQ
T.I. was one of many who sent prayers to DMX on Twitter. “I appreciate you so much for pulling up & and checking on a n****,” he wrote. “So now I’m tellin you like you told me…This too shall pass…” Rick Ross was one of the first people to speak out after hearing the news. In a video he shared to his Instagram Story, he said, “Prayers up for DMX the legend, let’s put that in the sky.” Killer Mike also chimed in with prayers of his own, saying, “May God bless the Dog (DMX). Praying for him as I have just heard the terrible news.”
DMX’s struggle with drug addiction have been well-documented over the years. He once opened up about being tricked into smoking crack at the age of 14 by his rap mentor. He’s also checked into rehab multiple times over the past few years, once in 2017 and again in 2019. Hopefully, the hip-hop legend can pull through and begin the process towards a speedy recovery.
You can read some more reactions from the music world below.
His vulnerability and transparency alone. The depths. This man will always be a King to us. Prayers Up For X. pic.twitter.com/Vhq0BTuGBm
— BJ THE CHICAGO KID (@BJTHECHICAGOKID) April 3, 2021
Shake back Big Bro. We made plans Maaaan We got shit to do!!! We laughed so hard about how far we’ve made it in life this night. I appreciate you so much for pulling up & and checking on a ni**a. So now I’m tellin you like you told me…This too shall pass… #PrayersUpForDMXpic.twitter.com/SmvyLv2gUQ
In high school, DMX was easily one of my favorite emcees and “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot” is without question one of the greatest debuts in hip hop history, and his catalog is a run to absolutely marvel at. An ICON of an artist. Prayers up for the dog DMX. Gotta pull through
Travis Scott is as big as most any brand out there. He’s dominating the hip-hop space, burning up the streetwear scene with his Cactus Jack label, making moves in the virtual world, and he’s even dabbled in the fast-food universe. So it should come as a surprise to absolutely nobody that now Scott is lending his dusty desert aesthetic to a spiked seltzer — another extremely popular cultural fixture.
CACTI is made in collaboration with Anheuser-Busch and is Scott’s answer to White Claw. Don’t be fooled (or charmed) by the sound of “agave spiked seltzer,” though. CACTI is made from water, fermented cane sugar, a hint of lime juice, and agave syrup — it doesn’t have tequila in it. It’s basically the same ingredient set as White Claw and Truly. But it’s made way sweeter by thanks to that agave syrup, which also means it’s about double the calories of those other brands.
The upshot is that at 7% ABV, it’s a lot stronger. You’ll feel the buzz after a single can — definitely a good thing when each serving is 150 calories.
CACTI is brewed in Los Angeles and available in just three flavors as of now — Lime, Pineapple, and Strawberry. It’s dropping in a 9-count 12-oz variety pack, as well as 16oz and 25oz jumbo cans (only available in Lime and Pineapple). We got our hands on a case and decided to see how it stacks up to the competition in the over-saturated spiked seltzer market.
Is this a legit attempt at a worthwhile beverage or a simple cash-grab?
The Packaging
Dane Rivera
Before we dive into each flavor, special mention has to be given to the packaging of CACTI. It matches Travis Scott’s dusty desert vibe perfectly, which helps to drive home that you’re drinking Travis Scott’s spiked seltzer and not something else. The cans themselves have a nice matte finish to them that would make Marques Brownlee weep with joy. It’s not the most important thing in the world but it really sets you up for a positive experience.
Before I cracked a can open I wanted to like it, just because I loved the way the packaging looked and felt. That’s kind of genius! But only really matters if the product delivers from a flavor standpoint.
CACTI — Strawberry
Dane Rivera
On the nose, the strawberry flavor is superior to every other flavor in the CACTI line. It’s akin to a basket of freshly washed in-season strawberries from the grocery store. Unfortunately, that’s where the association with anything remotely natural ends, because on the palate, CACTI Strawberry is a candied disaster.
Okay, maybe “disaster” is too strong but this tastes overly sugary. It’s no wonder why the strawberry is the only flavor to not release in larger size options — getting through a can feels like a chore.
While the initial blast of a freshly opened can is a bit overwhelming, once this flavor mellows out a bit it becomes a little more palatable. At its best (midway through the can, still cold), it tastes exactly like what a strawberry Jello-shot made with bottom-shelf vodka tastes like.
The Bottom Line
If you live for sweet drinks, this is certainly one of the sweetest spiked seltzers on the market. But if you hate Jello-shots, stay far away from this brew.
CACTI — Lime
Dane Rivera
Each of the CACTI seltzer flavors features a drop of lime juice, so they’re doubling-up on the lime here and it pays off! I was initially wary as to whether I’d like the Lime, as it presented almost no aroma when I cracked open a can. But I was pleased to find that this was a considerable step up from Strawberry.
The flavors just gel so much more harmoniously here, the lime juice and “natural flavoring” is the perfect complement to the blue agave syrup, resulting in a smooth, highly vegetal expression that really sets itself apart from other lime flavored seltzers. Where White Claw and Truly’s lime seltzers are spikey and tart, CACTI Lime is like syrup, it almost begs for an additional shot of a good vodka or tequila.
Which we’d recommend if a single can of CACTI wasn’t enough to get you buzzed. It definitely is.
Bottom Line:
The smoothest lime-flavored hard seltzer we’ve ever had the pleasure of drinking. Highly vegetal and grassy, offering a complexity unseen in the hard seltzer space.
CACTI — Pineapple
Dane Rivera
If I had to choose a single flavor of CACTI to bring home it would be… Lime, just because it’s more versatile. But if I’m ever reaching for a single can? It’s going to be Pineapple, which tastes the best as a standalone product. Cracking open a can reveals heavy tropical notes. It doesn’t recall the sharp tart qualities of pineapple so much as the rounder qualities of mango.
On the palate, CACTI Pineapple feels a little one-note — a bit like unripened pineapple — but the finish is sweeter and conjures a custom-made pineapple Jolly Rancher. The fact that this will get you buzzed is sinful, this is straight-up candy as an alcoholic beverage. And unlike the strawberry flavor, the sweetness here actually works.
Bottom Line:
Delicious. Sweet but not to its detriment. Among hard seltzers, and I’ve ranked them all, CACTI Pineapple lands amongst the very best, flavor-wise.
It’s been almost three years since Vince Staples delivered a project. Back in 2018, the the Long Beach native released his mixtape FM! to acclaim, but since then his musical contributions have been limited to guest features, like his most recent remix of Tiana Major9’s “Real Affair.” However, thanks to some recent comments from Killer Mike, we now know Vince Staples upcoming third album is near completion.
Killer Mike recently connected with Staples at a recording studio, where the Long Beach native played him the upcoming project, and after getting through a listen of it, Killer Mike had nothing but good words. “Every time I C @vincestaples my spirit is lifted,” he wrote in an Instagram post. “After hearing his new project I repeat and repeat he beyond “Gifted”. Love & Respect always! His mother raised a, G. God bless her his dad and his hood!”
Tryna see if I should start this third album or master my chili recipe.
Staples first announced the project in 2019, and did so in a very playful fashion. “Tryna see if I should start third album or master my chili recipe,” he wrote. Despite replying to that post with “Fasho the chili,” It’s now clear that the former was completed as well.
Famed Harlem rapper DMX was reportedly rushed to the critical care unit at a White Plains, New York hospital after an apparent drug overdose, according to TMZ. The publication reports that the incident, which also triggered a heart attack, occurred around 11 p.m. on Friday night at the rapper’s home. News began to circulate after Eric B, one half of the rap duo Eric B. & Rakim, shared an image of himself and DMX with the caption, “Please pray for my brother DMX,” and the hashtag #DMXhospitalized. Rick Ross also sent prayers to DMX in a post to his Instagram story, saying, “Prayers up for DMX the legend, let’s put that in the sky.”
DMX has struggled with drug addiction for much of his career and has been open about his battle. Back in 2017, he checked himself into rehab to “be a better father, friend, and entertainer,” according to Rolling Stone. He once again returned to rehab in fall 2019, less than nine months after he was released from prison on tax evasion charges. In an Instagram post from the latter incident, the caption read, “In his ongoing commitment to putting family and sobriety first, DMX has checked himself into a rehab facility,” adding, “He apologizes for his cancelled shows and thanks his fans for their continued support.”
The rapper was currently working on his upcoming album, which he confirmed had appearances from Griselda Records, Pop Smoke, U2’s Bono, and more.
for DMX
God willing he pulls through 
