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IDK Announces His Upcoming Album ‘Simple’ Will Be Produced Kaytranada

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For the better part of a month now, DMV MC IDK (say that five times fast) has been teasing the impending release of his third studio album. He’s been calling the follow-up to 2021’s USee4Yourself a huge departure and today, he revealed why: The whole album will be produced by the house pioneer Kaytranada. It’s called Simple, and he shared its abstract cover via Instagram and Twitter. He also shared its release date via his new Discord server. Here’s a hint: He’ll be competing with Jack Harlow.

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The collaboration announcement shouldn’t be that much of a surprise after IDK’s last single, “Taco,” was produced by Kaytranada and gave a glimpse of the rapper’s new direction. An upbeat track with heavy dance music influence, “Taco” presented a juxtaposition between the glittering production and the rapper’s gritty, rhymes — exactly the sort of contradiction that IDK has loved to present on past projects like IsHeReal? and USee4Yourself. Meanwhile, Kaytranada has gotten more active lately, ending 2021 with his EP, Intimidated, and showing off his production chops on Joyce Wrice’s new single “Iced Tea.” It should be interesting to see what these two genre-benders have come up with.

Simple is due 5/6 via Clue and Warner Records.

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

VInyl Me, Please is Building A Gigantic Record Pressing Plant In Denver

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It’s no industry secret that there is still a shortage of vinyl pressing plants today. While independent artists and labels carried along the vinyl industry for the past decade or two, it wasn’t until in recent years when major labels jumped on the increase of vinyl record sales and began securing pressing contracts en masse. While artists like Taylor Swift and Adele have seen their vinyl sales skyrocket, independent artists have had to deal with months-long waits to get their records pressed. Jack White, who famously owns Detroit’s Third Man Records pressing plant, recently issued a call to action to all major labels to strongly consider building their own production facilities in order to counteract this economic effect. And while they’re not doing that yet, monthly record subscription service Vinyl Me, Please is.

The Boulder, Colorado-based company has begun construction on a massive 14,000-square-foot facility in Denver that is, according to Billboard, an “audiophile-grade” plant that is set to “open by year end for production, tours, and special events.” For context, Third Man Records in Detroit is a 10,000-square-foot warehouse, so VMP’s location is considerably larger.

Billboard reported last year that VMP had 80,000 subscribers, a figure that was steadily growing. It’s unclear whether the facility will be manufacturing records that won’t be sold exclusively to VMP customers, but a press release indicated that it will be an “experiential space” that lets visitors see the process of how records are made; almost like an open kitchen, but instead of food, they’ll be cooking vinyl.

Doja Cat’s ‘Vegas,’ A New Song She Debuted At Coachella, Will Officially Arrive Next Month

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Doja Cat 2022 Coachella
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New Doja Cat music is on the way: Ahead of Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Presley biographical film Elvis, which hits theaters June 24, Doja will release a new single called “Vegas” for the film’s companion album.

“Vegas,” which arrives next month, contains interpolations of “Hound Dog,” a song originally by Big Mama Thornton, and (in)famously covered by Presley. Snippets of the song have revealed that “Vegas” contains vocal samples of Thornton’s original version of “Hound Dog.” Actress Shonka Dukureh will portray Thornton in the film.

The Elvis companion album will arrive sometime this summer via RCA, which has been home to Presley’s catalog since the ’50s. RCA has not yet confirmed an exact release date for the article, nor have they detailed if the album will be a soundtrack, a score, or strictly a compilation of Presley covers, the label did reveal to Variety that “the album will include variations on Presley material that include contributions from a number of name artists representing different genres.”

Doja first performed “Vegas” in full during her set at Coachella, sparking up anticipation for new music. Also during her set, she announced that Taco Bell, of which she is a business partner, will bring back the fan-favorite Mexican pizza.

Kendrick Lamar’s New Album ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’ Already Has Huge Sales Projections

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When Kendrick Lamar moves, the world moves with him. After a whopping five years since the release of his lauded fourth studio album, DAMN., the Compton rapper has finally given listeners the news they’ve been waiting to hear for months: New music is on the way. Announcing the release date for his new album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, Lamar didn’t share a teaser song or word of a new single with the album news. That record will drop on Ma 13, and it will be Kendrick’s last at his longtime label home, TDE, as he is now expanding into his own company, pgLang.

But none of that seems to have fans worried in the slightest. Even without as much as a teaser for a single, the album’s projection numbers for first-week sales are already massive. The music industry insider blog, Hits Daily Double, has already predicted the record will move over 350,000 copies during its first week. “The forecast is in the vicinity of 350k,” the blog noted, reminding longtime listeners that DAMN. moved almost double that when it was released, around 600,000. All-time sales numbers for DAMN. have now reached 11 million. But for an artist like Kendrick, pure sales come alongside the push from streaming, and that’s what makes this notable.

Since the album is dropping relatively soon, hopeful some preview of it will also be imminent.

This Year’s Super Bowl Football, Signed By The Halftime Performers, Is Going Up For Auction

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Super Bowl 2022 Mary J Blige Dr Dre Eminem 50 Cent Kendrick Lamar
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Following an iconic half-time performance by Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, and Anderson .Paak, a signed Wilson leather football used in Super Bowl LVI is going up for auction. The ball will contain the signatures of the lattermost five and will be sold by Heritage Auctions.

The sale will run from May 12-14. At the time of writing, the ball has a bid of $2,600. “This leather Wilson ball is signed by Dre, Em, Mary J, Anderson Paak, and Kendrick in bold black ink,” reads a description of the ball on Heritage Auctions’ website. “The autographs were acquired by our consignor at the Big Game and is one of the finest collectibles we’ve seen from the legendary show.”

Super Bowl LVI took place this past February in Los Angeles, for the first time in 30 years. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg kicked off the halftime performance of “The Next Episode” from Dre’s 1999 album, 2001, before transitioning into a performance of Tupac’s “California Love.” 50 Cent then made a surprise appearance, performing “In Da Club,” recreating the song’s music video. Mary J. Blige then performed the Dre-produced “Family Affair” and the title track from her 2001 album, No More Drama. Joined by Paak on drums, Eminem then performed “Lose Yourself,” before Snoop and Dre closed out the show with a performance of “Still D.R.E.”

Mary J. Blige is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Nicki Minaj Reveals What Clothing Items Men Should Wear To Increase Their Sex Appeal

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For generations, men have wondered what they can do to be more attractive to women (with the exception of those who aren’t interested). Men have turned to pick-up artist guides, love doctors, and YouTube advisors, but it turns out that all it takes is a few simple clothing items. At least, according to Nicki Minaj, who shared some of her thoughts on menswear on Twitter. If they want to be more attractive, she says, “Men should wear gray sweatpants. Everyday. Well if they want some ass that day. With crispy sneakers.”

Of course, there’s a downside, as well. The rapper warned, “If I see one scuff ima put my pussy back in the drawer.” She also mentions light blue jeans, although it’s unclear which category those fall into: “Getting ass” or “back in the drawer.” To be on the safe side, maybe y’all should just stick with the gray sweats and clean sneaks — a truly classic combination — and while you’re at it, a little personal hygiene never hurt anyone’s chances.

When she’s not giving sage sartorial advice, Nicki has apparently been working on a new album, which a festival suggested will be out by summer. Generating hype for the album, she’s released a slew of new singles including “We Go Up” featuring Fivio Foreign and “Bussin” and “Do We Have A Problem?” featuring Lil Baby.

Lizzo Will Perform Across North America On ‘The Special Tour’ In 2022

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Lizzo had a big weekend, as she made a surprise appearance during Harry Styles’ Coachella set. Now, Lizzo has plenty more big weekends ahead, as she just announced a 2022 run of show, dubbed The Special Tour.

It kicks off with late-September shows in Florida before making its way across the continent, hitting major cities like Boston, New York, Toronto, and other usual suspects. The run, at least in terms of the currently announced dates, ends with a November 18 show in Los Angeles. Latto is set to open the tour.

Check out the full list of tour dates below.

09/23 — Sunrise, FL @ FLA Live Arena
09/24 — Tampa, FL @ Amalie Arena
09/27 — Washington, DC @ Capital One Arena
09/29 — Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
09/30 — Boston, MA @ TD Garden
10/02 — New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
10/06 — Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
10/07 — Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
10/11 — St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
10/14 — Kansas City, MO @ T-Mobile Center
10/16 — Chicago, IL @ United Center
10/18 — Indianapolis, IN @ Gainbridge Fieldhouse
10/20 — Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center
10/22 — Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena
10/23 — Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
10/25 — Austin, TX @ Moody Center
10/26 — Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
10/28 — Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
10/31 — Denver, CO @ Ball Arena
11/02 — Salt Lake City, UT @ Vivint Arena
11/04 — Portland, OR @ Moda Center
11/07 — Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
11/09 — Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena
11/12 — San Francisco, CA @ Chase Center
11/18 — Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum

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

A Video Shows DaBaby Initiating The 2018 Walmart Fight That Resulted In Him Killing A Man In Self-Defense

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DaBaby 2021 ATL Concert
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DaBaby has maintained that his killing of a young man named Jaylin Craig in 2018 was out of self-defense, however, Rolling Stone has unearthed a new video it says undercuts his claim. In the video, taken in 2018, Craig and his best friend, Henry Douglas, walk into a Walmart in North Carolina. Craig sees a then relatively unknown DaBaby, however, Douglas was unsure if it was, in fact, the rapper. The two walked near DaBaby, who was shopping with his then-girlfriend Mariah Osborne and their children, in an attempt to verify that it was him, which seemingly aggravated the rapper.

“That’s what eventually started it; when he took it the wrong way,” Douglas told Rolling Stone. “We were trying to see who you are, and he took it as somebody is looking at him with a problem.”

According to Douglas, DaBaby then asked him and Craig, “Do you know me?,” to which Douglas replied, “Oh, I thought that was you,” and then walked off. Douglas claims he saw a woman he knew in the store, then went to say hello to her, walking past DaBaby again. DaBaby allegedly demanded to know what Douglas and Craig were doing, then suggested they go to the parking lot to fight.

Douglas agreed to go outside, with the idea that he and Craig would hop in their cars parked near the entrance and leave. In the uncovered footage, DaBaby is seen “unexpectedly launching into Douglas, striking him in the head and nearly tackling him to the ground.”

In the footage, Craig is seen standing nearby. As Douglas and DaBaby fight, “Craig reaches into the front of his waistband to pull out what appears to be a firearm,” according to Mecklenburg County Assistant District Attorney William Bunting’s report.” Craig attempts to intervene, putting “his left hand between the fighting pair, as if to pull them off one another.” Osborne, then interjects herself into the scuffle, pushing and hitting Craig in the face, in an attempt to separate DaBaby from Douglas, according to the surveillance footage and report.

When DaBaby breaks free, he pulls out a concealed .40-caliber Glock from his waistband and shoots Craig one time in the side. Craig runs into a nearby aisle, before collapsing to the ground. Minutes later, Craig would be pronounced dead.

DaBaby has referenced the fatal shooting several times over the course of his career, including in lyrics from his 2020 hit, “Rockstar” and in the video for his 2019 breakout, “Walker Texas Ranger.” Though he has maintained that he acted in self-defense.

This is one of several reported altercations in which DaBaby has been a part of, including one with his artist, Wisdom, and a fatal shooting of an intruder in his North Carolina home.

Megan Thee Stallion Tells Gayle King She Still Has Bullet Fragments In Her Feet

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Megan Thee Stallion got candid with Gayle King in a new interview for CBS, discussing her career, her family, and some of the more controversial events of her life to date. In addition to describing her late parents as her “best friends” and recalling how they helped her with her childhood insecurities, she also addressed the 2020 shooting for which she’s still engaged in a legal battle with Tory Lanez, who she accused of shooting her in the back of her feet after an argument.

Although she said that she “was really scared because I had never been shot at before,” a new clip circulating on Twitter revealed the lasting damage the incident left on her. “It’s still bullet fragments in my feet,” she admits as King presents the medical report from the night of the shooting. When King points out that some people don’t believe that Megan was even shot, Meg simply replies, “There was a hot gun in the car. What else — what happened?” King also says that CBS reporters uncovered text messages from Megan’s friend Kelsey to Tory’s bodyguard reading “Help, Tory shot Meg.”

Tory has pled not guilty to shooting the Houston rapper and maintained his innocence, suggesting that it was Kelsey who shot her. The trial is set for September 14.

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

Megan Thee Stallion Gets Emotional Discussing Her Late Parents’ Influence On Her

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Megan The Stallion recently sat down with Gayle King for a wide-ranging interview, which aired on CBS Mornings today. Aside from discussing the Tory Lanez shooting, she also took some time to talk about her parents, both of whom passed away. The topic brought up some feelings.

After being asked what she learned from her parents, Meg got emotional and teared up. After composing herself, she said, “They were my best friends. It was only the three of us, all the time. Like when I went to school, I felt like it was a little different with me interacting with other kids. They would kind of pick on me a little bit, like I was so tall already. They just really let me know you can’t ever let somebody else’s insecurities make you insecure.”

Elsewhere during the conversation, she noted the brash personality she sports now has been a part of her for years, saying, “I’ve been like this all my life. I’ve always been confident, I’ve always been loud, I’ve always been outgoing. I’ve always just enjoyed entertaining.”

Check out the interview clip above.

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