John Legend and Muni Long make worlds collide on their new track “Honey.” Much like the title of the song, it is a sweet, mid-tempo offering. The “Ordinary People” artist handles the first verse and hook, while Long takes on verse two. While both excel at getting people in their moody vibes, this track picks the pace up just a bit behind a thumping drum pattern and a myriad of instruments.
“Honey” follows a somewhat active 2022 for John Legend, who released “Dope,” “Free,” and his collaboration with Sebastian Yatra on “Tacones Rojos.” Muni Long has been riding high off of the momentum of “Hrs & Hrs” which came from 2021’s Public Displays Of Affection. In 2022, she’s released “Pain,” “Another,” and appeared on “Chainzzz” with Kali plus “Baby Boo” with Saweetie. It’s a treat to see two generations of R&B come together in this manner, and hopefully, it’s not the last time the two will collaborate. It is unclear whether either will release an LP coming in 2022, but for now, this will be enough to hold the listeners over.
Check out John Legend and Muni Long’s new track “Honey” above.
Saweetie is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Months after the release of Chloe X Halle’s excellent Ungodly Hour project, Chloe Bailey sought to uproot her solo career, while reassuring fans that Chloe X Halle would return in the future. For Chloe, things began with solo covers of records by Silk Sonic, Rihanna, Nina Simone, Drake, and more. Months later, she released her debut single “Have Mercy” which she performed on the AMAs, The Tonight Show, and the MTV VMAs. She followed that record up with the provocative “Treat Me,” which made Uproxx’s Best Songs Of 2022 So Far list, and now she’s back with her third solo record.
Chloe returns with “Surprise,” a song that features a slower tempo compared to her previous releases while keeping the sultry qualities that have appeared throughout her solo releases. The record sees Chloe tease her partner with the gift of a lifetime, so long as they treat her well and do all that’s needed to further their relationship. The track arrives with a video that shows intimate moments between Chloe and a man, all for it to be a product of the man’s imagination.
Prior to the song’s release, Chloe reached out to fans for help in picking her next single as she asked them to choose between “For The Night,” “Surprise,” and “Cheat Back.” Despite this request, it would be Beyonce that would help her select “Surprise” as the next single, which Chloe revealed in a video she posted on Instagram. “When the Queen speaks, the Queen speaks, and that’s all I’m gonna say and that’s all that matters to me,” she said.
Flo Milli’s confidence goes without saying, and she puts it on full display on her new track “Conceited.” In alignment with the energy of women rappers of past and present, she raps with ferocity about how much faith she has in herself. She makes nods to her hometown Mobile, Alabama, how she has been that b**** since the fetus, and that she doesn’t need a man’s money. “Milli got money cause Milli got hits,” she firmly exclaims. It is a short offering at almost two and a half minutes, but more than enough to convey the intended message. Flo Milli is here to stay and will only go up higher at her will.
“Conceited” follows the April release of Flo Milli’s addition to Monaleo’s “We Not Humping” remix as well as the “Toot It Up” collaboration with Sally Sossa. Individually, the 22-year-old released “PBC” in late February and it’s very possible a project may be coming as it has been two years since her debut project Ho, Why Is You Here? Whether that is the plan or not, Milli is moving at a steady pace and offering quality each time she shows up.
The wait for Drake’s sixth album Certified Lover Boy was one that lasted a bit longer than fans — and even Drake himself — expected. He originally planned for it to be released in January 2021, but rehab following knee surgery for an injury he sustained set him back a bit. Eight months later, the album finally dropped, arriving a cool three years after his fifth effort Scorpion. Despite the wait, fans rushed to press play on it. Certified Lover Boy put forth the biggest week of 2021, a record that Adele’s 30 beat two months later, and it also spent five weeks at No. 1 on the albums chart.
As you probably know by now, the wait for Drake’s seventh album won’t last nearly as long as it did for Certified Lover Boy. That’s because Drake announced that the project, titled Honestly, Nevermind would arrive tonight for the world to enjoy. Announced just hours before its release, Drake also took a moment to unveil the tracklist for the project as it features 14 songs in total. It’s unknown if the project contains features as it was not revealed in the post. Honestly, Nevermind also features executive production from house producer Black Coffee. Drake and Black Coffee last worked together on “Get It Together” from More Life which also featured Jorja Smith.
It marks the shorter time period, that being nine months, between the release of solo full-length projects from Drake. Overall, it’s the second shortest as What A Time To Be Alive arrived sevens months after Drake released If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late.
You can view the official tracklist for Honestly, Nevermind below.
Chance The Rapper and Joey Bada$$ have been living up to their new track’s title as of late. Chance has been releasing a lot of music ahead of his forthcoming sophomore effort, experiencing a resurgence of sorts, while Joey had to break unfortunate news to his fans that his anticipated upcoming album 2000, originally set to release tomorrow (June 17), experienced a setback due to sample clearance. While dates for neither’s LPs are known, they decided to treat the fans with an early release of their collaborative single “The Highs And The Lows.”
In Chance’s typical typeform, the two spit for nearly four minutes over a soul sample-laden, low tempo beat. The Coloring Book artist discusses his mother, mimosas, and makes a nod to Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs, mixing in his raspy singing vocals every so often. Joey ad-libs the chorus before his own verse where he discusses cutting his vices and being blinded by the outside noise. “The best things in life are on the opposite side of fear,” the New York rapper says.
For Chance, this continues the aforementioned momentum while “The Highs And The Lows” serves as an appetizer for the Joey Bada$$ faithful.
One of the gems within Hip-Hop is when an artist puts their own spin on a song that another rapper has already put out. Back in late April, Future released his ninth studio album I Never Liked You which kicks off with the high-energy “712AM” produced by Wheezy and TM88. Today, Key Glock decided he wanted to try his hand at the track with his latest video of the same name.
The Memphis rapper rides around in his yellow vehicle, following a similar cadence to Future’s but ensuring he doesn’t sound like a copycat. The video follows the 24-year-old as he sips lean, makes a trip to the store, and lands at the studio with some of his crew because the raps can never stop, even while he’s rapping. It is braggadocious energy galore, and rightfully so.
For Key Glock, “712AM” follows his remix to Denzel Curry’s “Walkin” in early June. In March, he shared the deluxe version of 2021’s Yellow Tape 2, rounding the album out at 30 songs and no features. While there’s no mention of an upcoming project, Glock is keeping the momentum strong and showing his ability to excel at other people’s beats in addition to his own with the latest “712AM”
Just nine months ago, the world breathed a sigh of relief as Drake finally dropped his long-awaited sixth album Certified Lover Boy. The project arrived with 21 songs and guest appearances from Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Travis Scott, Young Thug, Future, 21 Savage, Lil Baby, Giveon, Ty Dolla Sign, Lil Durk, Yebba, Project Pat, Masego, Tems, and Kid Cudi. Certified Lover Boy debuted with the biggest week of 2021 — a title that Adele’s 30 later took — and it went on to spend five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Now, to the absolute shock of the world, he’s already prepared to return with his seventh album.
That’s right, Drake just announced that his seventh album Honestly Nevermind will arrive at midnight and the world can’t believe it. The announcement dropped like a bomb from the sky, and it came less than 24 hours after Beyonce announced her seventh album Renaissance would arrive next month.
There aren’t too many details surrounding Drake’s upcoming album, but there are plenty of things to possibly look forward to. We may receive the first collaboration between Drake and Kanye since their 2017 effort “Glow.” We may receive another stellar track with Rick Ross or Lil Wayne. There’s so much more we could receive with this album, but we’ll have to wait a few hours to figure it out.
You can view Drake’s announcement above.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Lil Durk has had a highly successful last few years and his confidence matches the accolades. While his mettle in music isn’t to be denied, his skills on the basketball court are also well-documented as well. After an April episode of The Shop on HBO, he received one of the biggest co-signs any non-professional basketball player can receive in the form of praise from LeBron James. “Lil Durk can hoop,” King James said. “He can hoop for real. Man, he [at] Lifetime hooping. He got a f****** cannon, too. He got a peel, and he look like a mothaf*cker that can [ball].”
TMZ had a second to speak with “The Voice” at LAX this past Wednesday (June 15) and Durk took it a step further by calling out two of the most prominent figures in his primary sport, who also have an affinity for basketball themselves: three-time SBL champion Drake and new professional hooper J. Cole.
“[Drake’s] my dog, but he ain’t gon’ play us though,” the “Refugee” rapper said. “[LeBron] knows I’m the best ever. Tell your f*cking children.” He had similar energy for Cole. “I know I can, I just told you that I’m the best ever,” he affirmed. “[That’s] my boy, but I’d dunk that sh*t on [J. Cole].” Time will tell if these matchups will ever occur, but Lil Durk doesn’t seem too worried about how they will go.
On his fourth studio album, Twelve Carat Toothache, Post Malone is self-aware. When he first stepped onto the scene, many thought his viral “White Iverson” hit would make him a one-hit-wonder. Seven years into his career, he has over nine Grammy nominations under his belt and 11 Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 hits to his name. As his track record suggests, Malone is a skilled hitmaker, mastering the art of rock-influenced hip-hop with enough pop elements for mainstream radio. But on Twelve Carat Toothache, Malone seeks to make more than quick hits. The album is his most cohesive body of work to date, and his first worth a listen from beginning to end.
Twelve Carat Toothache opens with “Reputation,” a piano-driven ballad on which he reflects on the mental effects of the debaucherous lifestyle of which he’s become known for singing and rapping. It’s a dark track in nature, in which Malone acknowledges, “I know I f*cked up before, but I won’t do it again / And I got a lot of things that I wish I would’ve said / And I’m the same damn fool, and I’m wearing that hat again / I know I f*cked up, and I can’t make it right.” It’s hard hearing Posty talk about wanting to end his life, but it evokes the same feeling as his Stoney cut, “I Fall Apart,” a song in which the listeners bonded with Malone over heartbreak from whichever past lover of theirs came to mind. Now, Malone sings of heartbreak from his past mistakes.
While Twelve Carat Toothache may open on a melancholy note, he seeks to escape the feelings of despair on the bouncy “Cooped Up,” which features Mustard-protege Roddy Ricch. He shouts what we’ve all felt these past two years — “I’ve been f*cking cooped up.” The song’s accompanying music video, directed by Andre Bato, sees the two of them emerging from a dark place, literally, as the apartment in which they are partying contains black space in place of walls and ceilings. It maintains the spirit of a Post Malone party track, but a little more mature than “Congratulations” from Stoney and “Rockstar” from Beerbongs And Bentleys. It’s as though he’s traded parties and clubs for kickbacks and hang sessions.
On the saccharine “Wrapped Around Your Finger,” Malone finds solace in a woman he knows isn’t good for him. Upon first listen, it sounds like a sunny, poppy love song, but throughout the song, Posty asks himself, “Why do I tell myself that I do the best I can? / I know damn well that you couldn’t give a damn.” With additional lyrics like, “Ten billion cuties that think I’m the man / But if you come around, I’ll be eatin’ out your hand,” it’s one of two sides of the same coin of Beerbongs And Bentleys’ “Better Now,” only, in this case, he realized that the woman is in fact, just fine without him.
But this doesn’t hinder him from exploring new flames. On the Doja Cat-assisted “I Like You (A Happier Song),” he finds someone who makes him happy. The muse for this song is probably his elusive fiance and mother of his baby, as he sings, “Now that I’m famous, I got hoes all around me / But I need a good girl, I need someone to ground me / So please be true, don’t f*ck around with me / I need someone to share this heart with me,” over a punchy, thomping beat. Posty has come a long way from one-night stands with several woman and found one he likes — even if we’ve never seen her!
Perhaps the track that most showcases his growth is the Fleet Foxes collaboration, “Love/Hate Letter To Alcohol.” As its title suggests, this song sees Malone acknowledging his biggest vice. He’s aware it’s not good for him, but he doesn’t wish to stop, as it seems to be “the only way to drown my sadness.” As Malone, who was born in ‘95, has grown older, it feels as though he has done so alongside his millennial-and-gen-z cusper fans. When “White Iverson” came out, many of the ‘94 and ‘95 babies has just turned 21, and were looking forward to their first time “saucin’, saucin’, saucin’” at the bar or at a party. When “Congratulations” came out a year later, a lot of those people had just graduated college, and were using the song as a graduation anthem. Now, six years later, “Love/Hate Letter To Alcohol” represents many of those people’s relationships with alcohol now, as they are in their late 20s and winding down from the days of wild partying.
As a whole, Twelve Carat Toothache shows that Post Malone knows what kind of artist he wants to be. He’s not the long-haired, grill-wearing, cultural-appropriating party boy he was when he first stepped onto the scene. At this phase of his life, he’s less interested in making quick hits and more interested in taking himself seriously as an artist. Even if he admittedly is hesitant to play his own album back, the music Twelve Carat Toothache is his most honest and self-aware to date.
Among the 28 members of Young Thug’s YSL crew who were scooped up in the wide-ranging RICO indictment against them was Walter Murphy, who is accused of co-founding YSL as a “hybrid street gang” along with Thug himself. Murphy turned himself in when the indictment went public, appearing in court on Tuesday for a bond hearing in which his lawyer Jacoby Hudson “went off” after the judge denied Murphy bond. According to WSB-TV Atlanta, Hudson condemned the Fulton County DA’s case against his client, blaming it on the high-profile status of its rapper targets.
“The whole case is about Young Thug — Jeffrey Lamar Williams,” he said. “That’s who they want. My client don’t want to talk about Jeffery Williams.” Murphy, who was sent to prison in 2016 for multiple charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in 2013 and attempted murder involving four different victims in 2015, said he changed while in prison on those offenses. “I spent seven years in prison,” he said. “While I was in prison, you know, I stayed out the way and I just got my GED, completed all my classes.” Hudson says that since then, Murphy has not associated with YSL or engaged in any crimes.
Meanwhile, many observers have criticized Thug’s inclusion in the case as well, as it was reported that the evidence against him was based on his lyrics shouting out YSL — which could mean Young Slime Life, the alleged gang, or Young Stoner Life, his label. Gunna, another rapper on the label, was also accused of being a lieutenant in the alleged gang, despite the evidence largely amounting to mentions in his lyrics. Kevin Liles, the founder of YSL’s parent label 300 Entertainment, posted a petition on Change.org decrying the case and calling for the federalization of so-called “rap on trial” laws that would limit the use of lyrics in criminal investigations.
Both Thug and Gunna are set for trial in 2023 after being denied bond. Presumably, so is Walter Murphy.
