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Rowdy Rebel Pays Homage To ‘New York’ With A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie And Jadakiss

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Rowdy Rebel’s debut album, Rowdy Vs. Rebel, is out now on Epic Records. Its release is accompanied by the video for “New York,” an anthemic ode to Rowdy’s hometown, which includes a pair of fellow Big Apple dwellers: A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Yonkers legend Jadakiss.

Over a cavernous beat backed by skittering snares and a chest-thumping kick drum, the three rappers toast the big city, detailing their conquests and tribulations — which they naturally attribute to their gruff, city-bred demeanor. Meanwhile, A Boogie borrows from Jada’s own history, referencing the Lox rapper’s own 2004 Ja Rule and Fat Joe collaboration by the same name. Jada himself shows off his versatility, adapting his normally traditional flow to incorporate the melodic sensibilities of his collaborators — and because it’s Jadakiss, it works very well.

“New York” is the third single from Rowdy Vs. Rebel. It was preceded by the self-titled lead single and the June release “Woo Nina.” Prior releases “Jesse Owens” with NAV and “9 Bridge” with A Boogie do not appear on the official release but the 17-track project does have features from Dreezy, Fivio Foreign, and French Montana.

Watch Rowdy Rebel’s “New York” video featuring A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Jadakiss above.

Rebel Vs. Rowdy is out now on Epic Records. Get it here.

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Lizzo Sings Her ‘Best Vocals With A Sinus Infection,’ Which She Did On A New ‘Special’ Song

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Being sick — especially when the symptoms impact the mouth, nose, or throat — can have a noticeable impact on how our voices sound. For Lizzo, she sees some instances of that as a positive: She actually recorded “Naked,” a song from her new album Special, while she had a sinus infection, which she insists is when she’s at her vocal best.

First, Lizzo told Apple Music that the song was partially inspired by seeing Solange live:

“Initially, I wanted to write a song about how comfortable I’ve become with myself, but then I evolved as a person. And as I’ve evolved, ‘Naked’ has undergone a lot of rewriting. It has evolved with me. So now it’s like, ‘How accepting are you of me?’ It’s very intimate. I saw Solange perform a couple years ago now at the Lovebox Festival in London, and I was in awe of her set because she had so much nuance. Meanwhile, I’m all bravado. I’m in-your-face, loud-loud-loud, full-throttle. I was like, ‘Man, on my next album, I want nuance.’ Because there’s nothing like the control that she has, the power she has in the quiet.”

She then added of her singing on the song, “So on ‘Naked,’ I’m in a half-falsetto for most of the song. I’m ad-libbing here and there. I’m having a little chat. It’s under your breath. Also, I had a sinus infection when I sang this, and frankly I give the best vocals with a sinus infection.”

Listen to “Naked” above.

Special is out now via Atlantic Records/Nice Life. Get it here.

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

Lizzo’s ‘I Love You B*tch’ Was Prompted By A Cardi B Tweet

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When you’re writing music (or creating anything, really), inspiration can come from anywhere. When it comes to “I Love You B*tch” from Lizzo’s new album Special, it came directly from a Cardi B tweet.

Lizzo explained to Apple Music:

“‘I Love You B*tch’ came from a tweet, and it’s not the same as ‘Truth Hurts,’ so don’t come at me for royalties, Twitter. Shortly after ‘Rumors’ with Cardi B dropped, Cardi tweeted that she wanted to hear a love song from me next. And I was like, ‘OK, if Lizzo did a love song, what would it be? ‘I love you, b*tch?” It was one of those rare times where I had the title before the song. I got in the studio with Omer Fedi and Blake Slatkin and told them about my idea. Omer started playing the guitar, and I started freestyling to it. I’m from Houston, and there’s this Houston rapper named Z-Ro who has a song called ‘I Hate U B*tch.’ Suddenly I was like, hold up, what if I sang the ‘I Hate U B*tch’ melody but said ‘I love you, b*tch’ instead? It just came out, and it might be the greatest thing we’ve ever done. As I was writing the lyrics, I realized that I wanted to write a universal love song — one you could sing to the person you’re f*cking and your best friend, to your family or to someone you just met at a bar.”

As for the tweet Lizzo’s talking about, it’s as she described it: On October 19, 2021, Cardi tweeted, “I want a love song from Lizzo next.”

Listen to “I Love You B*tch” above.

Special is out now via Atlantic Records/Nice Life. Get it here.

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

Reports Of Drake Getting Arrested In Sweden Aren’t True, His Team Says

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Drake Sixers Raptors 2022
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At the moment, Drake is in Sweden, but if you believed what you read on the internet last night, he wasn’t having a great time there. HotNewHipHop notes an Instagram user sparked rumors that Drake had been arrested after being found with marijuana. After the “news” was revealed, “Free Drake” apparently became a trending topic on Twitter.

It would seem, though, that this is all unfounded, as Drake’s team has now denied the rapper was ever arrested.

Huffington Post editor Philip Lewis tweeted last night, “FYI: I talked to Swedish police and they told me Drake is not currently in their custody. (That was the only info they would give).” He added in another tweet, “From Drake’s team: ‘Drake is at his hotel and has not been arrested.’”

This echoes a report from The Hollywood Reporter, which notes, “Internet speculation suggested Drake had been arrested by local police at a Stockholm nightclub. His team categorically tells THR that the Grammy winner was in his hotel in the Swedish capital and had not been arrested.”

The publication also notes Drake landed at Sweden’s Arlanda airport around mid-day, taking his personal Boeing 767 (known as “Air Drake”). After arriving, he apparently visited the Ostermalm district of Stockholm and ate at Ciccio’s restaurant, according to local media reports.

DJ Premier And Nas Turn The Clock Back In Their Boastful ‘Beat Breaks’ Collaboration

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DJ Premier is always a welcome addition to any new music Friday, especially when behind the boards. This week, listeners are blessed to see him assume the forefront of sorts as he taps Nas for “Beat Breaks,” which they teased last week via Twitter. Preemo opens the track telling Nas he wants to “take it back” to the breakbeat days. The Illmatic rapper follows suit, putting on a lyrical clinic of the legend’s immersive production.

Despite being veterans in the game who originated from a different era, they make this record sound so fresh. This collaboration comes after longtime clamors by fans for Nas to release a project fully produced by Preemo, and while it may not be exactly what they asked for, it is still a linkup for the ages.

“Beat Breaks” arrives as part of DJ Premier’s latest EP Hip Hop 50: Volume 1, celebrating 50 years since hip hop’s inception, which also features Lil Wayne, Joey Badass, Rapsody, Slick Rick, Remy Ma, and Run The Jewels. The 56-year-old had this to say about the project: “It’s an honor to kick off this iconic Hip Hop 50 music program. Hip Hop continues to inspire fans across the globe and it’s incredible to think of what the next 50 years will bring.” DJ Premier intends to bring a lot more, as future iterations of Hip Hop 50: The Soundtrack will include production from Hit-Boy, Mike Will Made-It, Swizz Beats, Mustard and more.

Preemo’s last release came in 2018 with PRhyme 2, the follow-up to his and Royce Da 5’9″‘s eponymous 2014 debut album as a duo.

Check out DJ Premier and Nas’ latest record “Beat Breaks.”

Hip Hop 50: Volume 1 is available now via Mass Appeal. Listen to it here.

Lizzo Wants To Let Loose In Her Vibrant New Record ‘Everybody’s Gay’

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Lizzo is talented at commanding our attention in many ways, and this week the superstar shares her new record “Everybody’s Gay.” The uptempo dance bop shows the full extent of her vocals, her fun-loving disposition, and her willingness to shake the table with such a title. She sings about her excitement to go out, release her inhibitions, and even partake in demon time.

“Everybody’s Gay” arrives as part of Lizzo’s latest studio album Special, led by singles “About Damn Time” and “Grrrls.” Special, which was finished back in March according to the 34-year-old, marks her first project since the massively successful breakout, 2019’s Cuz I Love You, backed by the smash hit “Truth Hurts.” Lizzo will also be teaming up with American Express for Lizzoverse, an “immersive planetarium-esque lightshow experience produced by Superfly” in support of Special.

Despite the slowed releases, Lizzo has made her presence felt. She teamed up with Cardi B for “Rumors” back in August 2021, hosted and performed on Saturday Night Live this past April, joined Harry Styles on the Coachella stage that same month and opened the 2022 BET Awards back in June. Lizzo also recently pledged $500,000 from her upcoming tour to planned parenthood and pro-choice organizations on the heels of the controversial Roe. v. Wade decision; Live Nation will match her donation, making it $1 million going toward the important cause.

Check out Lizzo’s new record “Everybody’s Gay” above.

Special is available now via Atlantic Records and Nice Life. Listen to it here.

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

Joey Badass Travels The World In His Vintage ‘Zipcodes’ Video

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Joey Badass is keeping the pressure on leading up to his delayed yet highly-anticipated album, 2000. This week he drops off his latest single “Zipcodes,” which finds the rapper having a blast in New York City but also traversing countries overseas. Regardless of what time zone or zip code he is in, the bars are copious.

“Zipcodes” follows “Survivors Guilt” from last week, in addition to “Where I Belong,” “Head High,” and “The Revenge.” Joey also joined Chance the Rapper on “The Highs & The Lows” and the two performed the record at the 2022 BET Awards at the end of June. This all may not be entirely fulfilling for fans, who anticipated the album coming on June 17 before being delayed due to sample clearance issues. Many suspected the true reason he pushed the album back was because of Drake’s surprise LP Honestly, Nevermind, but Joey denounced that speculation. 2000 would be the 27-year-old’s first solo release since 2017’s All-Amerikkkan Bada$$.

In the interim, he joined Beast Coast and Flatbush Zombies on the 2019 project Escape From New York and appeared on a slew of features in 2021. There is still no confirmation as to when 2000 will hit DSPs, but Joey Badass is making sure to not leave the fans completely devoid of any music for the time being.

Check out Joey Badass’ new record “Zipcodes” above.

Latto Drops A New Single, ‘P*ssy,’ In Support Of Reproductive Equality

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Still riding the highs of her critically-acclaimed sophomore album, 777, Latto is back with a new empowering anthem. On her new single, “P*ssy,” the Atlanta rapper is responding to the recent overturn of Roe v. Wade.

On the blaring beat, Latto raps, “How you ain’t got a p*ssy, but got opinions on p*ssy? / That’s p*ssy / My ovaries ain’t for you to bully.”

Latto announced the single earlier this week, and while many responded in support, others accused her of trying to capitalize off of the loss of the right to safe, legal abortion.

“Using serious issues to promote your song is wild,” said Twitter user @cruelfantasy. Latto replied, saying she was simply doing what rappers have done for decades.

“Orrrr I took my frustrations to the booth like a RAPPER & using my platform to spread awareness,” she said.

Another Twitter user claimed Latto was using the overturn to make a profit, to which she replied confirming she would be donating proceeds from the song to presumably pro-choice organizations.

“I actually am donating proceeds,” she responded. “Yall be the same ones saying ‘why u gotta post everything’ if I do & assume I’m not doing it if I don’t post it lol however I AM using my power (platform) to make a change regardless shut yo fake woke ass up what are YOU doing???”

Check out “P*ssy” above.

Megan Thee Stallion Was ‘Shocked’ When Erykah Badu Twerked Her Ass Off On Stage With Her

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Erykah Badu Megan Thee Stallion
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Megan Thee Stallion is truly living a hot girl summer right now, posting photos in a skimpy bikini on the beach in Portugal and setting the internet on fire with a twerking video heard ’round the world. But she’s also been putting in a ton of work as of late on the music festival circuit. In July alone alone, the “Plan B” singer has performed at Longitude Festival in Ireland, Wireless Festival in the London, Openair Fraunfeld, and Finland’s Ruisrock Festival. But nobody could have predicted what happened when she invited Erykah Badu on stage with her during her performance at Switzerland’s Gurtenfestival tonight.

Badu walks up tossing her jacket off as Megan welcomes her to the stage. As Megan tells the DJ to “drop that sh*t!” her song “Kitty Kat” starts to play and Erykah Badu, wearing daisy dukes and a white tee, proceeds to give the Swiss audience a twerking masterclass. And we’re not talking a quick twerk here. This was a full-on, five stage maneuver from Badu and it was wholly unexpected. “When I tell yallll my girl Erykah Badu shocked thee sh*t outta me,” Meg said in the caption of the Instagram video of the Badu twerk. “I did not know she was bout to get up here and cut up like this in Switzerland Real mf TEXAS SH!T REAL MF HOT GIRL SH!T.”

Most of us would have expected this to have happened the other way around. But Erykah’s set was directly before Meg’s and she’s never been one to want to leave the stage in a hurry.

Megan Thee Stallion is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Guap, Formerly Known As Guapdad 4000, Premieres His ‘H*e’ Video And Announces His Short Film, ‘Stoop Kid’

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On the heels of his new self-titled EP, Guap, formerly known as Guapdad 4000, has premiered the new video for his song, “H*e.” On the bouncy, bass-heavy, West Coast-inspired track, Guap proclaims, “I don’t need a h*e, I need a whole lot of paper / I don’t need a h*e, I need a whole vacation.”

The song’s accompanying video, shot by Paul Middleton, sees Guap driving around Oakland, spending time by himself on the beach, and making himself a charcuterie board.

In addition to the “H*e” video, Guap also took to Instagram to reveal the trailer for his upcoming short film, Stoop Kid. Set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on Thursday, July 21, Stoop Kid accompanies Guap’s 2021 album, 1176, and tells the story about his Bay Area upbringing.

“It’s crazy to be posting this,” he wrote. “Quarantine got so heavy for me that I fell into a deep depression just too much death and uncertainty but by the grace of God I have been blessed with many talents and also to have a connection with my big brother @illmindproducer with whom I’ve created 1176 the album & inspiring My short Film/ Musical ‘Stoop Kid’ … a story about my journey in Oakland.”

Check out “H*e” above.