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Best-Selling Author Logic Has A New Memoir, ‘This Bright Future,’ Coming Out This Year

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Around this time in 2019, Logic pulled off something no rapper before him had ever done: He became the first rapper to ever land a novel (Supermarket) on top of a New York Times Best Sellers list. Now he’s adding to his bibliography with another new book, but this time, it’s a memoir.

The book is titled This Bright Future and it’s set for release on September 7. He wrote of the book on social media, “This is the story of everything I’ve gone through and it’s been a beautiful and difficult journey to relive. There’s honestly so much that I’ve never been able to express in my music and the interviews that followed. I’m so happy and proud to finally give my fans and the rest of the world my entire story. The way I never could with my music!”

The official site for the book offers a lengthier description:

“This Bright Future is a raw and unfiltered journey into the life and mind of Bobby Hall, who emerged from the wreckage of a horrifically abusive childhood to become an era-defining artist of our tumultuous age.

A self-described orphan with parents, Bobby Hall began life as Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, the only child of an alcoholic, mentally ill mother on welfare and an absent, crack-addicted father. After enduring seventeen years of abuse and neglect, Bobby ran away from home and — with nothing more than a discarded laptop and a ninth-grade education — he found his voice in the world of hip-hop and a new home in a place he never expected: the untamed and uncharted wilderness of the social media age.

In the message boards and livestreams of this brave new world, Bobby became Logic, transforming a childhood of violence, anger, and trauma into music that spread a resilient message of peace, love, and positivity. His songs would touch the lives of millions, taking him to dizzying heights of success, where the wounds of his childhood and the perils of Internet fame would nearly be his undoing.

A landmark achievement in an already remarkable career, This Bright Future looks back on Bobby’s extraordinary life with lacerating humor and fearless honesty. Heart-wrenching yet ultimately uplifting, this book completes the incredible true story and transformation of a human being who, against all odds, refused to be broken.”

Pre-order This Bright Future and learn more about the book here.

Austin City Limits’ 2021 Lineup Features Billie Eilish, DaBaby, And Miley Cyrus

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The Austin City Limits music festival announced they’re making a 2021 comeback, just in time for their 20th anniversary. The Texas festival will take place over two weekends this year, and they’ve officially unveiled their 2021 lineup, which features headliners like Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, and DaBaby.

While most music festivals this year have pushed their event dates back to account for COVID-19 safety, ACL has booked their usual time. Taking place at Austin’s 350-acre Zilker Park, ACL kicks off the weekend of October 1 to 3 and runs the following weekend of October 8 to 10.

Along with headliners Eilish, DaBaby, and Cyrus, ACL has also booked more than 125 acts to perform across their eight stages. They’ve secured artists like Stevie Nicks, Erykah Badu, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Machine Gun Kelly, Black Pumas, Greta Van Fleet, St. Vincent, Modest Mouse, Phoebe Bridgers, Jack Harlow, Band Of Horses, Bleachers, Future Islands, Polo G, Finneas, Chet Faker, Dayglow, Freddie Gibbs, Tierra Whack, Moses Sumney, Channel Tres, Omar Apollo, Tate McRae, Hinds, Goth Babe, Kennyhoopla, Toosii, Holly Humberstone, and more.

Check out ACL Festival’s full lineup above. Tickets go on sale 5/20 at 12 p.m. CDT. Get them here.

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

Kid Cudi Treated His Night Owl Fans To New Music With A Late-Night Surprise

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Kid Cudi is just a few months removed from releasing his December 2020 album Man On The Moon III: The Chosen. That’s not stopping him from working on new music, though, as he already has something new cooking. He revealed as much late, late last night, when he took to Instagram to share a snippet of fresh music for his fans who were still awake long after the sun had set.

At 3:18 a.m. last night, Cudi tweeted, “Who’s up?” About 20 minutes later, he followed that with, “Check my story on instagram.”

Fans who were up and checking in on Cudi at that hour were pleased to find that Cudi had taken to Instagram and shared a 30-second video of himself dancing to a new song he’s been working on.

On Twitter, Cudi noted, “Im still writin!! Wasnt sure about it and wanted to get ur opinions. Tell me what u think!! I love you!!” He also added, “I like doin this in the late night hours. Not so many eyes, just the lucky few.”

This new music comes not long after he performed on Saturday Night Live. Notably, he wore a dress on stage, a choice that drew praise from Pete Davidson.

Check out the new snippet above.

ASAP Rocky’s Upcoming Album Will Feature Contributions From The Smiths’ Morrissey

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ASAP Rocky has been teasing music from his upcoming fourth album, rumored to be titled All Smiles, for the better part of two years, but he’s been fairly tight-lipped about what, and who, will be on it. But during a recent interview with GQ, the Harlem rapper shared one person fans can expect to hear on the album.

That person is The Smiths’ legendary/notorious lead vocalist Morrissey, who is these days as known for his beloved music as he is for his controversial statements. “Anything you need him to do, he show up and do,” Rocky said about the singer. The two have spent the last year working remotely on the album, which Rocky described as a “ghetto love tale” and “way more mature” than his previous projects. The rapper previously spoke about his desire to work with Morrissey during a 2019 sit-down with Peter Rosenberg.

“I might have to f*ck with Morrissey on some Smiths sh*t,” Rocky said at the time. “Make some emo, real, retro-infusion, motherf*ckin’ 2018 sh*t, man.” Rocky also confirmed that he’s at least talked to Rihanna — who he declared as the “love of my life” — about the album, which he said is 90% complete. “I think it’s important to have somebody that you can bounce those creative juices and ideas off of.”

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

Migos Will Headline A Festival In Las Vegas This Fall To Celebrate Their Upcoming Album ‘Culture III’

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More than three years have passed since Migos shared their last album, Culture II, and since then the trio have delivered solo albums plus a string of singles as a group, their most recent being “Straightenin.” Shortly after that song arrived, Migos revealed their next album, Culture III, would arrive on June 11. With three weeks left until its arrival, the group returned to announce plans to celebrate the album’s release later this year.

Migos will take their talents to Las Vegas for a three-night festival dedicated to the album. The show, which will take place during the weekend of October 14-17, was put together with help from experienced curator Pollen Presents and it features a “packed itinerary of events including a star-studded lineup, [and] pool parties and club takeovers,” according to a press release. The event also promises a stacked lineup filled with some of the trio’s favorite hip-hop performers.

Migos recently joined DJ Khaled and HER for the track “We Going Crazy,” off the former’s chart-topping album Khaled Khaled.

For more information about the upcoming festival, click here.

Culture III is out 6/11 via Quality Control Music and Motown Records.

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

Missy Elliott Celebrates The 20th Anniversary Of ‘Miss E’ By Sharing Her 2001 MTV VMA Performance

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This past Saturday (May 15) was the 20th anniversary of the release of Missy Elliott‘s groundbreaking third album, Miss E… So Addictive. Back in 2001, the album’s singles, “Get Ur Freak On” and “One Minute Man,” turned the rap game upside down with their innovative videos and inescapable beats produced by Timbaland. To celebrate the milestone, Missy has shared her performance of both songs from the 2001 MTV VMAs along with guest rappers Ludacris and Trina, as well as pop star Nelly Furtado.

While the original event was one of the “you had to be there” moments of the early 2000s, the remarkably well-preserved video gives fans a glimpse into the high-energy performances that made Missy Elliott an icon worthy of receiving a Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award in 2019. A massive chandelier, a giant Missy head idol statue, and a fleet of backup dancers all contribute to a surreal experience, which admirably reproduces the likewise Dali-esque feel of Missy’s generation-inspiring music videos.

Although there are no currently announced plans for an anniversary edition of Miss E… So Addictive, I’d stay tuned. With an artist as unpredictable as Missy, you never know what you might get.

Watch Missy Elliott’s 2001 MTV VMAs performance of “Get Ur Freak On” above.

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

Don Toliver Reveals The Planned Release Window For His Album ‘L.O.A.D (Life Of A Don)’

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Don Toliver, who is signed to Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack Records and was originally planned as an XXL Freshman cover artist last year, has a tremendous buzz — so much so that when he didn’t appear on the Freshman list, fans were vocally upset about the omission. That didn’t stop him from having one of the most well-received mixtape releases of the year in Heaven Or Hell, which only primed the anticipation for his debut album even further.

In a new profile story about Cactus Jack for Flaunt, a planned release window for the album was revealed. The album, titled L.O.A.D. (Life of a Don), is tentatively set for release in July. Toliver explained the long wait for the release as such: “It took time. It wasn’t an overnight thing at all. I had to do a lot, but it feels good to get here.”

In the meantime, Toliver’s been highly demanded as his collaborations with artists like Nas (“Replace Me“), Internet Money (“Lemonade” and more recently “His & Hers“), and Rico Nasty (“Don’t Like Me“), as well as his album’s lead single “What You Need,” have raised his profile with each passing month. By the time July rolls around, don’t be surprised if his debut appears near the top of the Billboard 200 as fans lean into learning about the life of a don.

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

Jorja Smith Dreads The Choice Of Holding On Or Letting Go On Her Lovelorn EP, ‘Be Right Back’

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Life is a forever-winding path filled with crossroads and intersections. At times, navigating this journey is as easy as breathing and walking; decisions are made with help from destiny and subconscious thought, going unrecognized unless one requests it from the file cabinet of the mind. Other times, destiny takes a step back and leaves us in charge of commanding the journey. Even with the highest dose of wisdom present, questions of where to turn, when to stop, slow down, or speed up become far too dreadful to answer.

As we all had to do in some corner of our lives, Jorja Smith has been left to make these decisions and, as she unveils on her new EP Be Right Back, the choices before her are some that most would hate to choose from. On the lovelorn project, Jorja engages in a mental tug of war in the often unpredictable world of love and is left to decide what’s best for her: holding on in hopes of receiving better or letting go in fear of prolonging the bad before experiencing the worst.

Be Right Back is the English singer’s first project since her 2019 debut album, Lost & Found, an effort where she quite literally discovered herself. Songs that she wrote as a naive youth grew beside her with age and became tales of what once was, what is now, and what could be. The EP not only signals her return to music, as it’s her first project in over two years, foreshadows more to come for those who crave more from Jorja, just like that morning cup of Joe.

The scene is set as Be Right Back begins. The singer is knee-deep and tangled within the webs of unrequited love on “Addicted.” Jorja craves her lover like a caffeine addict does with their cup of coffee, but unlike that morning boost of energy that seeks nothing in return from its consumer, Jorja needs reciprocation from her companion. “The hardest thing / You are not addicted to me,” she croons with a voice filled with agony on the track. “I’m the only thing you should need / You should be addicted to me.” It’s at this moment that the unsettling crossroad presents itself.

The worst thing about these journeys is you’ll never know what’s next. No amount of astrology, prayer, or fortune-telling can give a play-by-play of the future that we’d all love to have. The gains and losses that come with each turn are vastly unpredictable. Taking one path can cause the extinction of another and sacrificing something else can spark the appearance of something new and better. So when Jorja deals with the pain of departure on “Gone” and “Weekend,” and inflicts some of the same on “Time,” it’s all with the hope that maybe one day she’ll make the right decisions to bring her towards the happy moment she desires.

For what it’s worth, Jorja can end a chapter in love if it proves to be necessary. After a whirlwind of doubts blur her perception and confidence towards a successful relationship on “Home,” Jorja opts to step away from it as her worries only seem to weigh her down. “Why can’t we leave it? Should’ve left it as just another chapter,” she ponders over the soft strums of an electric guitar. “It stays the same, will always remain with my heart in doubt.”

As a result, her bags are packed and she continues on her journey towards what’s next and what is hopefully better for her. Be Right Back sees her take a momentary break from the path she travels to document the scenery and events she experienced. It’s never the destination, but rather the journey, so timely pauses to take in what’s occurred are often necessary to avoid repeating mistakes and being lost — again — within it all.

Be Right Back is out now via FAMM. Get it here.

Missy Elliott’s ‘Supa Dupa Fly’ Video Draws Wild Reactions From Cozz, Erica Banks, And Yung Baby Tate

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React Like You Know is back and this week, we’ve got a new panel and an inescapable, game-changing classic for them to watch and respond to. When Missy Elliott‘s Hype Williams-directed video for her debut single “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” dropped in 1997, it blew minds with its eye-popping, surreal imagery, avant-garde fashion choices (the air-filled “trash bag” jumpsuit!), and Williams’ signature fish-eye lens technique. It’s safe to say, hip-hop wouldn’t look anything like it does today without Missy’s adventurous debut video.

So, how does it measure up for our gen-Z panelists? Well, the episode opens with a few “Oh my God!” exclamations from Erica Banks and Fousheé, and even NLE Choppa can’t help but gush, “Missy was beautiful!” BRS Kash notes the fish-eye look “makes the video so much more dramatic,” while Blac Chyna, Cozz, and DaniLeigh all shout out the “trash bag” style — even though Missy revealed long ago it was a patent-leather jumpsuit. The Hummer also gets a lot of attention from the panel, while our studio team gets some interesting responses about the producer-artist relationship between Timbaland and Missy, as well as whether Puff Daddy can be “all in their videos — dancin.’” (The answer’s a resounding yes.)

Missy, meanwhile, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of her third album, Miss E… So Addictive, with the release of her equally groundbreaking 2001 MTV VMAs performance on YouTube coming later today.

Watch the latest React Like You video above.

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

Lil Jon Is Making Wild Renovations To Peoples’ Homes For A New HGTV Show, ‘Lil Jon Wants To Do What?’

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Lately, it seems like all the rappers I grew up with, the ones conservative commentators railed against daily (a la Cardi B now), have been remodeled into family-friendly brands. Snoop Dogg has a cooking show with Martha Stewart, T-Pain is releasing a book of drink recipes, and Ludacris is learning to cook on television and fly planes. Today’s circumstances are a far cry from the days when Bill O’Reilly called for a boycott of Pepsi over Luda’s endorsement deal. Another hip-hop figure who revamped his public image is Lil Jon, who’ll now be giving homeowners his unconventional renovation ideas for HGTV.

Lil Jon Wants To Do What? is the show’s title and it’ll co-star Mega Dens host, interior designer Anitra Mecadon. The show is currently shooting in the Atlanta area — naturally — and according to a statement, will feature “ideas ranging from removing a ceiling to expand the height of the living room to accommodate huge new windows to gutting the basement to add a fully decked-out speakeasy for entertaining, Lil Jon and Anitra push homeowners out of their comfort zones with ingenious renovations and ideas that are sure to inspire daring and dramatic transformations.”

If the show sounds like a bonkers idea, just imagine being in high school when this man was screaming “Don’t start sh*t, won’t be no sh*t” out of car sound systems. Now, they’re letting him redecorate peoples’ houses. America, amirite?

Jon’s quote from the press release gives a hint of what’s to come when the show airs this summer. “I love walking into someone’s house and turning it upside down,” he proclaims. “When people hear my name, they automatically think… fun! That same energy goes for my designs as well. I don’t love following design trends — I would rather be the trendsetter.”