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Burna Boy, The Roots, And Isaiah Rashad Will Headline Afropunk 2022 In Brooklyn

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Burna Boy Billboard 2022
Getty Image / Amy Sussman

This summer, Afropunk Festival will return to Brooklyn for the first time this year since 2019. Celebrating the diverse sound and style of the Black music community, this year’s Afropunk lineup boasts several of the best acts in music across all genres.

Taking place at Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn, festivities kick off Saturday, September 10 and continue into Sunday, September 11. Set to take the stage this year are Burna Boy, The Roots, Isaiah Rashad, Tierra Whack, Ambre, Talia Goddess, Lucky Daye, Earl Sweatshirt, Bartees Strange, Freddie Gibbs, and more.

This year’s Afropunk festival marks Burna Boy’s first headlining set at a US festival and his first show in New York City since his sold-out Madison Square Garden concert this past April. He is expected to perform music from his upcoming album, Love, Damini.

For The Roots’ performance, the band will celebrate 30 years as a music group and will perform hits from their decade-spanning catalog.

Tickets for Afropunk go on sale Friday, June 17 at 10 a.m. EST. Citi Cardmembers will have access to an exclusive presale beginning Thursday, June 16 at 10 a.m. EST.

Check out the full line-up below.

Afropunk 2022 Line Up
Courtesy of Afropunk

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

Logic Denies Having Beef With TDE Rapper Reason: ‘If I Was Going To Diss You, I’d Diss You’

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For such an ostensibly nice guy, Logic sure does find himself embroiled in lots of beef speculation. The latest rumor circulating online involves TDE rapper Reason, who some fans believe Logic dissed on his new album, Vinyl Days. On the album’s title track, Logic raps, “Come on, homie, listen to the voice of reason / Yeah, you talk a lot of sh*t but don’t want the beef like a vegan.” This led podcaster Rory of the New Rory & Mal show to relay that the Del Amo rapper believed such lyrics were shots at him to Logic.

However, being the nice guy he is, Logic wanted to clear the air as soon as he was informed of the alleged misperception. “Hey bro @reasonTDE my boy @thisisrory said you thought I dissed you on my song Vinyl Days,” he tweeted. “If I was going to diss you, I’d diss you. I love you, you’re my brother. Let’s get ice cream together some time.”

Incidentally, Reason seemingly did diss Logic on his 2020 single “The Soul (Pt. 2),” rhyming:

N****s pronounce my name wrong, tell me that I ain’t did much
See y’all mistake my name for Logic’s, y’all got me f*cked up
How you compare a n**** that take from the culture
Versus a n**** that’s for it? This sh*t gettin’ borin’

However, in an interview with HipHopDX shortly after the song’s release, he denied that it was intended as a diss. ” I didn’t think that it was going to be perceived that way,” he explained. “If I thought it would, honestly, I wouldn’t have done it because I’m not into taking shots just to take shots at a n****. That’s not me. It’s just small wordplay, and reasoning is close to logic. That’s really as deep as I thought about it. It’s really just a lesson learned that we’re in a different day and age, and rap is different. It’s a little bit more sensitive.”

Meanwhile, Logic has seen friction with peers like Joyner Lucas, Joe Budden, and Freddie Gibbs over the years. Maybe Reason’s right; you’re damned if you and damned if you don’t in hip-hop these days. If regular wordplay can be taken as a diss, it’s no wonder Logic wanted to quit to play video games.

Gunna Shares An Open Letter From Jail Calling 2022 ‘One Of The Best Years Of My Life, Despite This’

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The ongoing racketeering case against Young Thug, Gunna, and YSL Records has drawn increased scrutiny to the use of organized crime laws to prosecute musicians — especially rappers — using their lyrics as evidence of supposed criminal activity. While many have spoken out against this practice, including rival rappers like The Game and YFN Lucci, and YSL’s parent label 300 Entertainment’s founder Kevin Liles has posted a petition on Change.org, the people fans likely most want to hear from are the ones who are currently locked up in Fulton County Jail without bond.

To that end, Gunna has shared an open letter through his publicist asserting his innocence. You can read the letter in full below.

June 14th
2022 has been one of the best years of my life, despite this
difficult situation.
This year I had the whole world pushing P.
Growing up from where I come from in a marginalized neighborhood, I never dreamt my art would change my life and the lives of, my loved ones. My entire life, I’ve seen Black Men, Black Women, and Black Children constantly attacked, hated, murdered, berated, belittled, silenced, judged, used, and held captive.
I used my art form, my gift from God, to change my circumstance. I worked, I honed my craft, I worked, I empowered Black Women in my industry, I worked, I lived in the recording studio, I worked, I lived on the road, I worked. I worked every day to show God how grateful I am for my gift, for my art, for, life and to be able to provide for my loved ones.
For 110, I don’t have my freedom. But I am innocent. I am being
falsely accused and will never stop fighting to clear my name:

The picture that is being painted of me is ugly and untrue. My fans know I love to celebrate life, I love my family, I love travel, I love music, I love my fans. I have all faith that God will grant me justice for the purity in my heart and the innocence of my actions.
Ass Black Man in America, it seems as though my art is only acceptable when Is a source of entertainment for the masses. My art is not allowed to stand alone as entertainment, I’m not allowed that freedom as a Black Man in America. It is a sad reality that slavery is still alive in America today and still affecting my people. In 12 states more than half of the prison population is Black, one of those states is Georgia.
Nothing will stop me from chasing my dreams, I won’t stop being a good person, even if some unnamed and unknown accusers want the world to see me as a bad person. When I was free, I tried to be good and kind to the community around me and, when I am released, I will do the same thing all over again.
We still pushing P: Power, Prayer, Progress, Passion, Productivity, Praise, Precision, Peace, Prosperity, Patience, Pride, and Persistence.

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

Fleet Foxes Are Happy To Land Their First Song On The ‘Billboard’ Hot 100 Chart Thanks To Post Malone

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Fleet Foxes are one of the most respected indie bands of their generation, and to a degree, that has been reflected on the charts: Helplessness Blues peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 while Crack-Up topped out at No. 9. As is often the case with indie bands, though, while the albums perform well, they haven’t had much success with singles on the Hot 100. In fact, before this week, Robin Pecknold and company had yet to get a song onto the chart.

This week, though, that changed: Post Malone’s “Love/Hate Letter To Alcohol,” a collaboration with Fleet Foxes from Twelve Carat Toothache, debuted at No. 70 on the new Hot 100 chart dated June 18, giving the band their first-ever appearance on the chart.

The band was pretty happy about the accomplishment: On Instagram, the accounts for both the band and Pecknold shared a graphic noting the chart debut, with Fleet Foxes adding heart and sparkle emojis and Pecknold going with the “call me hand” emoji (which is also used to represent a shaka sign).

Fleet Foxes instagram
@fleetfoxes/Instagram
Fleet Foxes Robin Pecknold instagram
@robinpecknold/Instagram

This collaboration was a long time coming: Posty called Pecknold a “great writer” in 2018, then in 2020, Pecknold said of his friendship with Malone, “He’ll text me every once in a while and it’s always a really fun thing to receive. To have that pop up in my iMessages, it always feels like a glitch in the Matrix or something. […] He’s a super sweet guy, he’s a real gentleman, and he’s probably the best melody writer in the business right now, I think. And by some glitch in the Matrix, we have a casual friendship.”

Blue Ivy Carter Couldn’t Help But Get Embarrassed By Her Dad Jay-Z Courtside At The NBA Finals

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Jay-Z Blue Ivy NBA Finals 2022 Warriors
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Yesterday was a big day in the NBA, as the night started with the Celtics and Warriors tied at 2 wins apiece in the Finals, with Golden State ultimately winning and taking the series lead. An event like that is bound to bring out the stars to watch, and sure enough, it did, as Jay-Z and his daughter Blue Ivy Carter were courtside. While Jay-Z was arguably the coolest person in the building, to Carter, he was clearly still just an embarrassing dad.

At one point during the game, the PA announcer made a note of the pair’s presence, at which point Jay, who was all smiles, lovingly put his arm around his daughter. Carter briefly took exception to that, saying something to Jay and trying to get his hand off her. She quickly relented, though, and stewed in some minor embarrassment as Jay gave her a kiss on the cheek.

All in all, it seems like the two had themselves a good night, as they got to say hi to E-40 and meet up with Stephen Curry in the bowels of the Chase Center after the game. They certainly had a better time than the Celtics, whose turnovers and missed free throws throughout the evening stopped them from getting a win and going up 3-2 in the series.

JID Releases The Seamless New Track ’29 Freestyle’ After Debuting It At Gov Ball

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Atlanta-native rapper JID has had his hands full this year with constant collaborations. He hopped on “Dope” with John Legend, a remix of “Home” with Mike Dimes, “Surround Sound” with 21 Savage and Baby Tate, and even “Enemy” with Imagine Dragons.

Now, he’s finally back with a song of his own. During his Gov Ball set yesterday, he debuted “29 Freestyle,” and today the song’s Waboosh-directed music video is out. The rapper’s flow is seamless and clever: “I’m qualified, I’ve never made a dollar off of Spotify / Sh*t, nah, I’m lyin’, probably five / She say my willy really shine, Jiddie Cauley-Stein / Kamikaze cool, killin’ mood / You will not survive, who will I include?” The video adds to the slickness of the track, showing him on a fishing trip in Denver, Colorado.

Last year, JID proved to be not only a great rapper but a great person by participating in a campaign devoted to acts of kindness. He kicked it off by selecting a second-grade teacher to receive school supplies and library books for her students. He 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.”

Watch his video for “29 Freestyle” above.

A ‘Jeopardy!’ Contestant Was Asked To Identify A Picture Of Michael Caine, And His Response Was Truly Bonkers

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michael-caine-top.jpeg
Fox Searchlight

Game contestants have made waves of late for screwing up in truly creative ways, but they’ve been usually consigned to Wheel of Fortune. Jeopardy!, meanwhile, is the show for brainiacs, only marred by the producers’ truly chaotic attempts to replace the dearly departed Alex Trebek. That changed on Monday night’s show, which featured a doozy for the ages.

The clue was almost insultingly basic, despite being in the $400 slot. The category was about knights. It was a picture clue about a “star who was knighted in his birthname” to honor his father, who had the same name, meaning he’s actually Sir Maurice Micklewhite. The image [spoiler] clearly showed Michael Caine, one of the most beloved screen actors in history.

Alas, the first contestant to ding in, named Mazin, did not know that. Instead, he replied, “Who is Mick Jagger?” He was wrong. It was not the co-writer of the absurdly problematic “Brown Sugar.” It was the Jaws: The Revenge alum who once spent eight years trying not to blink.

As one can imagine, poor Mazin — who came in second, losing to six-time champ Ryan Long, came in for a fair amount of online dragging, which we don’t need to share here. In general, Jeopardy! contestants aren’t so hot with pop culture references, possibly because they know actual smart stuff few others do. For instance, in May, during Mattea Roach’s reign, no one, not even she, could identify a picture of Miami Vice stars Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas.

As it happens, Monday’s episode of Jeopardy! aired on the same day it was announced Jagger himself had to postpone Rolling Stones shows because he’d tested positive for COVID-19. Here’s hoping for the best for the third greatest lead singer in music.

Westside Boogie Announces ‘More Black Superheroes’ And Releases ‘Killa Mode’ Featuring Storm Ford

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In 2019, Compton, California-native rapper Westside Boogie put out Everythings For Sale, and fans have been anxious for new music since. After a name change, some freestyles, and a bunch of guest verses, there was some hope for an album last month when he released the song “Stuck,” as well as a music video, both of which appeared to suggest something was coming.

Today, Boogie is officially back with the announcement of his new album More Black Superheroes, as well as the release of the single “Killa Mode.” The LP will be out this Friday and span 12 tracks, while including features from Soulja Boy, Snoop Dogg, Mamii, Smino, Teezo Touchdown, Kalan.FrFr., and more.

“This album is about embracing our powers,” he wrote, “This album is for you because you survived all your trials, for the black fathers that go out in the world and feel like they have to hide all our true feelings because it seems weak to express how you’re hurt but no that’s one of your biggest strengths, For the people that feel boxed by the world and have to hide there many sides ..I love you let’s heal together .MORE BLACK SUPERHEROES out on Friday now go pre save my sh*tt”

Check out the album art and tracklist below.

Westside Boogie
Westside Boogie

1. “Killa Mode” Feat. Storm Ford
2. “Stuck”
3. “Nonchalant” Feat. Mamii
4. “Lol Smh II”
5. “Can’t Even Lie” Feat. Soulja Boy
6. “Prideful II”
7. “Aight” Feat. Shelley FKA DRAM
8. “Can’t Get Over You” Feat. Smino and Teezo Touchdown
9. “Ratchet Boog (INTERLUDE)”
10. “Somethin Strange” Feat. Kalan.FrFr. feat. Mamii
11. “Windows Down” Feat. Snoop Dogg
12. “Anthony (War)”

More Black Superheroes arrives 6/17.

Lizzo Listens, Apologizes For Using An Offensive Word, And Changes The Lyrics To Her Song ‘Grrrls’

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This past Friday, Lizzo released “Grrrls,” the latest single off of her upcoming album Special. The song is a bouncy, playful track about her and her girls having each other’s backs. Trouble is, there was a word that Lizzo used in the song’s lyrics that many fans found ableist and incredibly offensive.

In the song’s original lyrics, Lizzo sings, “Hold my bag, bitch, Hold my bag. Do you see this sh*t? I’mma spazz.” The use of the word “spazz” is seen as derogatory to people with cerebral palsy, a condition also known as “spastic diplegia.” Fans and advocates for people with disabilities flooded Lizzo with requests to remove the lyric citing how hurtful it was to them and offensive to many. “Your new song makes me pretty angry + sad. ‘Spaz’ doesn’t mean freaked out or crazy. It’s an ableist slur. It’s 2022. Do better,” tweeted Hannah Diviney, a disability advocate with cerebral palsy.

Another user said that, “As someone who champions women, plus size people and others whom society treats poorly, Lizzo preaches inclusivity and should do better.”

Well, Lizzo has listened to these valid concerns and not only issued an apology, but has also changed the lyrics of the song. Her full statement posted to social media is as follows:

“It’s been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my new song “GRRRLS”,” a statement on Twitter from the “Truth Hurts” singer began. “Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language. As a fat black woman in America, I’ve had many hurtful words used against me so I overstand the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case, unintentionally). I’m proud to say there’s a new version of GRRRLS with a lyric change. This is the result of me listening and taking action. As an influential artist I’m dedicated to being part of the change I’ve been waiting to see in the world. xoxo Lizzo”

Now instead of “I’mma spazz,” the lyrics say “Do you see this sh*t, hold me back.” It’s a very simple tweak that doesn’t change the point of the song at all, but now doesn’t offend people with disabilities. The new version has already been replaced in the YouTube link, but the Spotify version of the song had not yet changed as of press time.

As for Hannah Diviney, the advocate who first reached out to her on Saturday, she read Lizzo’s statement and was over the moon. “I’m going to cry. Thank you so much for hearing us Lizzo and for understanding that this was only ever meant gently and being open to learning, it honestly means the world. You’re a real true ally.”

Listen to the updated version of “Grrrls” above.

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

Kanye West Calls Adidas’ New Shoe A ‘Fake Yeezy,’ Accusing CEO Kasper Rørsted Of ‘Blatant Copying’

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Kanye West isn’t happy about Adidas’ new shoe, calling out the company’s CEO over “blatant copying” and calling the Adilette 22 slides ” a fake Yeezy made by Adidas themselves.” After deleting his first-quarter shenanigans from Instagram, it looked like he’d return to using the platform primarily to showcase his creative endeavors, like this weird McDonald’s packaging redesign. That lasted less than a month; he returned today to post a screenshot of the Adilette (apparently taken from a sneaker interest site) and lambast the German shoe manufacturer, despite the fact that they’ve been his design partner since 2015.

“THIS IS YE driving down the same street Kobe passed on,” he wrote. “Maybe I feel that Mamba spirit right now To Kasper I’m not standing for this blatant copying no more To all sneaker culture To every ball player rapper or even if you work at the store This is for everyone who wants to express themselves but feel they can’t cause they’ll loose their contract or be called crazy Bravery is not being afraid Bravery is overcoming your fear for your truth This Ye with the blue paint on my face These shoes represent the disrespect that people in power have to the talent This shoe is a fake Yeezy made by adidas themselves I’m not talking to DC about this either Kasper come talk to me Happy Monday”

kanye west adidas adilette yeezy copy
Instagram

… Look, man. Not to be that guy, but… Pot, meet kettle. Remember Nike’s Roshe silhouette? That year you couldn’t go anywhere without running into 500 pairs of those things on everyone’s feet from hardcore sneakerheads to errand-running girl dads. Then, Kanye switched teams from Nike because he didn’t like the terms of his partnership there, only to go to Adidas and drop the Yeezy Boost 350 — which looks almost exactly like Nike Roshes, despite his claim that it’s the “most iconic shoe of the past 15 years.” (Let’s not even get into how Walmart sued him because his new Yeezy Gap logo looks just like Walmart’s or how people thought the original Yeezy Slides look just like Crocs.)

Anyway, I’m sure this will lead to all kinds of chaos in the sneaker world this week, so if you’re an enthusiast (or a recovering one), buckle up. There could be some seismic shifts in the future.