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Rod Wave And Polo G Are ‘Richer’ Than They’ve Ever Been On ‘SoulFly’

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As of press time, the official audio for Rod Wave’s new collaboration with Polo G, “Richer,” is No. 1 on YouTube’s trending list. After pressing play on the song — which comes from Rod Wave’s new album SoulFly — it’s not hard to see why. The two rappers have brilliant chemistry, as Wave croons and Polo raps over the country-influenced, slow-grooving trap beat, addressing the pressures of their respective upbringings and chasing their dreams. “I’m richer than I’ve ever been,” Rod cries over the chorus, celebrating the change in his circumstances as a result of rap stardom.

Ahead of the release of the album, Rod previously released two singles with videos, the reflective “Street Runner” and the somber “Tombstone.” He also released a simple browswer racing game to go along with “Street Runner,” giving even more visual flair to the new song. SoulFly‘s rollout wasn’t entirely smooth, though; in February, the Florida rapper criticized his label, threatening to withhold his album over a money issue which was quickly resolved.

Meanwhile, his guest star, Polo G, has been working on his own third album while lending a lyrical assist to his fellow breakout star Lil Tjay on the ruthless “Headshot” featuring Fivio Foreign. To keep fans sated between projects, Polo also shared a triple video for his “For My Fans” freestyle in which he jumped on the three hottest beat trends simultaneously.

Listen to “Richer” above and check out Rod Wave’s SoulFly album here.

Lil Nas X Says His ‘Montero’ Album Releases This Summer And Mocks The Backlash Against His New Video

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After over a month of teasing his new song “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” Lil Nas X shared the video today — and it sure is something. A colorful, fantastical video, the clip offers such mythological imagery as angels and hell, where Lil Nas X seduces the king demon, only to kill him and take his crown. While such visuals were exciting to some fans, there were plenty of critics who spoke out against the video — and Nas was more than up to the challenge of shooting down the backlash.

One outspoken commenter took issue with the devilish character that Nas seduces in the video, as well as Nas’ sartorial choices. “Basically he is riding the Devil,” the critic complained. “Explain how this visualization is supposed to be interpreted by the youth? Should all men dress androgynously and sleep with satin [sic]?” Nas, who quoted the disingenuous tweet, simply replied, “Yes.”

In a more sincere explanation, Nas shared a letter written to his 14-year-old self, revealing that releasing “Call Me By Your Name” was “very scary for me.” He acknowledged that “people will be angry” and that “they will say I’m pushing an agenda,” but admitted, “I am. The agenda is to make people stay the f*ck out of other people’s lives and stop dictating who they should be.”

After getting a few hours of sleep, he returned to once again troll his critics. “y’all love saying we going to hell but get upset when i actually go there lmao,” he joked, before revealing that the “Montero” video is just the beginning — his debut album, also named Montero “drops this summer.” Meanwhile, he has yet to respond to FKA Twigs fans who claim he ripped off her “Cellophane” video.

You can watch the video in question here.

Vic Mensa Beats Up Uncle Sam In His Fiery ‘Fr33dom’ Video With Zacari

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Vic Mensa‘s triumphant comeback continued today with the release of his I Tape EP, the follow-up to his August V Tape release. To accompany the new EP, Vic also shared the fiery “Fr33dom” video with TDE singer Zacari. The video finds Vic Mensa once again in conflict with the authorities, as viewed through the framing device of a child’s room filled with posters of revolutionaries. In one scene, Mensa stands victorious over one of the greatest symbols of the establishment, Uncle Sam, clad in boxing trunks and gloves.

Vic’s two most recent projects have highlighted his redefined role as a rebel with a cause. Whereas prior efforts saw him position himself as a punk rock rabble-rouser along the lines of a Sid Vicious, all chaotic energy and self-destruction, he seems to have shaken off that outlook on newer tracks like “Shelter,” on which he reunited with longtime friend Chance The Rapper.

His community-focused efforts have taken the forefront of his artistic messaging, and he continues to promote them despite some setbacks — like when his nonprofit was robbed of $40,000 worth of donated sneakers on New Year’s Eve. In all, though, watching him tap into his socially conscious roots has been an encouraging sight.

Watch the “Fr33dom” video above.

I Tape is out now on Roc Nation Records. Get it here.

FKA Twigs Fans Think Lil Nas X Ripped Her Off With His New ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’ Video

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Last night, after months of Hype, Lil Nas X finally released his “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” video. Ahead of the premiere, he excitedly tweeted, “bro i wrote this song myself, co-directed the video, and had to step way out of my comfort zone for this moment to take place tonight! i hope you guys love it! F*CKK I CANT WAIT!!!” He later added, “can’t wait for you to see the video tonight! ITS AN EXPERIENCE!”

For some music fans, though, it was an experience they felt like they had seen before. Following the video’s debut, FKA Twigs became a trending topic on Twitter as people started point out perceived similarities between Nas’ new video and Twigs’ 2019 visual for “Cellophane.”

Twigs famously learned how to pole dance for her video and does so in mystical-looking environments, which is not unlike what Nas does in his clip. Some shared screenshots of frames from both videos that are strikingly similar. One user pointed out that Nas’s “Old Town Road” video won a Grammy over Twigs, which they felt added another layer of insult to Nas’ alleged plagiarism.

Check out some other reactions to Nas’ new “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” video below.

Lil Nas X Journeys Through Earth And Hell In His ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’ Video

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Lil Nas X has just brought his fans one step closer to the release of currently untitled debut album. While it’s unknown how many steps remain until the projects arrives, fans can numb the wait by indulging in Lil Nas’ new song and video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” The track is one that the singer has spent nearly nine months promoting on social media. Originally teased as “Call Me By Your Name,” it appeared in numerous TikTok videos that Lil Nas has shared including one that mocked Tekashi 69 for making a tasteless gay joke against him. Paired with a matching music video, Lil Nas brings viewers to his fictional “Montero” world where he gets captured by foreign creatures. He later pole dances down to a fiery pit of hell to take over a throne that awaits him.

While the wait for his upcoming album has certainly been a lengthy one, considering that his record-smashing breakout single, “Old Town Road” was released at the end of 2018, Lil Nas began the year by sharing when his supporters could expect his debut project. In a tweet that came in response to a frustrated fan, he revealed that the project would arrive at some point in the middle of the year. This announcement came after he confirmed the album was complete and even shared a portion of its tracklist which included unreleased songs like “One Of Me,” “Don’t Want It,” and “Titanic.”

Watch the “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” video above.

Kenny Mason Delivers A Courteous Warning About His Home On The Rock-Leaning ‘Play Ball’ Single

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Kenny Mason is undoubtedly one of the more impressive rappers to find their footing in the genre over the past year. The Atlanta native gained increased attention as a result of his attention-grabbing Angelic Hoodrat album. The project captured his impressive lyricism and versatility as an up and coming act, but if you missed out on the project, Mason is giving you another chance to get onboard with the upcoming release of his Angelic Hoodrat: Supercut deluxe album. However, before that arrives, the rapper returns with his latest single, “Play Ball.” Mason takes a big step into the rock lane on the new track as he lays some vocals over the electric guitar-heavy production.

The new track is the third single Mason as released since dropping Angelic Hoodrat last year. It joins “Pups” and “Partments” as songs that will be housed on the upcoming Angelic Hoodrat: Supercut deluxe which arrives on April 16. Complex revealed that the project also boasts features from Freddie Gibbs, Ambar Lucid, and Angel White. Outside of his Angelic Hoodrat album, Mason also found himself besides JID and IDK on DJ Scheme’s “Cereal” track.

Listen to “Play Ball” in the video above.

Angelic Hoodrat: Supercut is out 4/16.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Justin Bieber’s ‘There She Go’ Collab With Lil Uzi Vert Highlights The Deluxe Reissue Of ‘Justice’

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After making fans wait more than four years for a new album, Justin Bieber has delivered two full-length efforts in just thirteen months. It began with last February Changes which was followed up by this month’s Justice. While the singer has given fans more than enough music to indulge in for the time being, he isn’t quite done in the release department. Bieber updated Justice with six new songs for the album’s Triple Chucks Deluxe reissue. One of the new additions is “There She Go” with Lil Uzi Vert, a track that Bieber described as record that will “probably be huge on TikTok because it kind of has that feel to it,” in an interview with Vogue.

The deluxe album comes after Bieber made his long-awaited “Red Eye” single available for purchase online. The updated project also finds guest appearances from DaBaby, Quavo, Jaden, and Tori Kelly. Fans had been waiting for an official version of the track since its debut in the singer’s Seasons documentary. He also took over an eerie forest for a performance of “Hold On” which came after he reportedly visited a Los Angeles prison with his pastor to preach about Christianity.

During a recent appearance on DJ Khaled’s The First One podcast, Bieber spoke about the meaning behind his Justice album. “This album is meant to encourage people,” he said. “In the mission statement for the album I talked about how music is such a great way to connect people and bring them together, remind them they are not alone provide that safe space, comforting music to move and groove.” On the show, he also revealed Drake as one of the artists in his list of top five rappers.

You can listen to “There She Go” here.

Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe) is out now via Def Jam. Get it here.

Lil Uzi Vert is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Nipsey Hussle’s Estate Settles Their Lawsuit Against The Crips Over ‘The Marathon Continues’ Trademark

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Nearly two years after the battle began, the lawsuit between the estate for the late Nipsey Hussle and The Crips over “The Marathon Continues” trademark has finally come to an end. According to a report from TMZ, the rapper’s brother Samuel “Blacc Sam” Asghedom informed a Los Angeles County court that a settlement was reached between the two parties. Documents obtained by TMZ reveal that while Nipsey’s estate and The Crips are still working on the final details of the lawsuit, the formal terms of the agreement will be submitted in the near future.

The issue began in May 2019 when Blacc Sam filed a request for “The Marathon Continues” trademark, only to find out that The Crips filed one almost two weeks before his attempt. Sam intended to use the slogan for a number of endeavors including “charitable activities, the doing of good deeds for others and the promotion of ethical and character values.”

More than a year later, Hussle’s estate would file a lawsuit against the corporate section of the gang over the trademark. Through it they sought compensation for damages and an order for The Crips to destroy and remove any merchandise that was made with the trademark.

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

Big Sean Shares A ‘Lucky Me/Still I Rise’ Live Performance To Celebrate His Birthday

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Today, Big Sean celebrates his 33rd birthday — one that he almost didn’t get to see. To commemorate the occasion, he’s shared a video of a special live performance of his Detroit 2 tracks “Lucky Me” and “Still I Rise,” highlighting just how fortunate he feels to hit his Scottie Pippen year.

Prior to his last album’s release, Sean was very open about sharing his struggles with mental health, admitting that he’d contemplated suicide as a result of depression and anxiety. Meanwhile, on “Lucky Me,” he raps about the heart condition he experienced as a teen that nearly killed him. Although doctors suggested putting in a pacemaker to keep things moving along, his mother’s insistence on trying alternative medicine led to an unconventional cure.

Sean recently repaid his mom for going above and beyond for him by introducing her to Seán Schemmel, the voice actor who portrays the Dragon Ball Z hero Goku. The two Seans spent some time hanging out, with Schemmel posting pics from Big Sean’s in-house studio and explaining that kids like the younger Sean were the inspiration behind his performance.

Incidentally, it was on his 32nd birthday last year that Sean announced the impending release of Detroit 2, the follow-up to his fan-favorite 2012 mixtape that featured breakout songs like “Mula” and “24 Karats Of Gold” with J. Cole. Two weeks ago, he announced that the tape would finally make its way to DSPs, mixed and mastered. Here’s hoping all the samples were cleared as well.

Watch Big Sean’s live performance of “Lucky Me” and “Still I Rise” above.

JID Kicks Off A Random Acts Of Kindness Campaign By Giving A Fan A Car

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Coming off the successful release of Spillage Village’s Spilligion and working on his follow-up to 2018’s DiCaprio 2, Atlanta rapper JID took time out to help a local fan who was going through some recent hardships and put out a call for more members of the community to assist.

Rosalee Thomas lost her job and health insurance during the pandemic but then, to make matters worse, her car was also totaled. JID partnered with Seattle-based pizza chain MOD Pizza to drop off a new car to Thomas as the opening act of their “Random Acts of MODness” campaign. After the video of the gift went live, JID himself went on Twitter to offer “three wishes” to more fans in need.

One responder was a first-generation student who needed help paying for school, while another was an ICU nurse at the VA hospital in Temple, Texas. Finally, JID selected a second-grade teacher to receive school supplies and library books for her students. In a press release promoting the campaign, JID explained, “It’s been a tough year and we know folks are struggling. So, I’m excited to partner with MOD to spread some love in our local communities.”

In addition to recording his long-awaited third album, JID also released a handful of new songs and freestyles this year, including “Cludder Freestyle,” “JIDtranada Freestyle,” and “Skegee.”