If you follow Megan The Stallion, you know how much of a fan she is of other cultures. That’s especially true when it comes to Japan. While K-pop super group TWICE hails from South Korea, the Houston rapper isn’t going to turn an opportunity to work with them because of that. That’s exactly what’s going on this weekend, as they have just dropped off “Strategy,” the opener and title track from TWICE’s 14th (!) mini album. If you aren’t familiar, they one of the most popular K-pop groups, with BLACKPINK and BTS maybe the only ones ahead of them.
They are known for songs like “What is Love?” “FANCY,” “The Feels,” and “I CAN’T STOP ME.” “Strategy” could very well join these tracks as one of their most beloved, though, because it’s extremely catchy. It’s got this cute charm and colorful personality about it that just works. The producers really made a winning instrumental by including various instruments and sound effects that are all perfectly placed in the mix. Also selling the record for us are the pre-chorus, chorus, and refrain. It’s a very empowering girl anthem about getting a man to fall of them under their own strategy. Megan also has a playful and animated verse on the backend that ties things together quite nicely. Once you hear, you will get addicted. Trust us, we are speaking from firsthand experience.
Do you like that? (Huh?) When I smack it and you watch it bounce it right back? He really lost it when he saw me do the right, left (Hmm) I’m a man eater, you are just a light snack (Baow) I got him pressed like he’s workin’ on his triceps (Hmm) I’m a flirt, I’m a tease, they be hurt after me
K-Pop star Giselle surprised fans during a recent interview when she broke out a perfect rendition of Nicki Minaj’s “Barbie World”. The only things that Giselle misses are the vocal tags of Ice Spice, who featured on the song. Safe to say that Giselle’s fans were absolutely gagging over the performance.
However, it’s not the first K-Pop link for Nicki and Spice. A fan mashup of Spice and K-Pop group XG recently went viral on social media. The video was originally posted to YouTube in February 2023 and presents a fairly flawless mashup of “In Ha Mood” and “Shooting Star”. However, the video is gaining new traction thanks to Daniel Takedea, whose project direction work with Rolling Stone, GQ, Vogue, and more landed him on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. “Wait, this XG x Ice Spice remix is amazing!!” Takedea wrote in Japanese on X, formerly Twitter. The video also incorporates Spice’s “Bikini Bottom” as part of its visuals.
Elsewhere, the Rolling Loud set of Minaj was derailed slightly as several brawls broke out amongst the audience. Several videos of the various fights quickly spread on social media. However, this was then quickly conflated with an unsubstantiated report that the fight was a result of Barbz jumping Cardi B fans, known colloquially as the Bardigang. Despite this, there are no reports to confirm that this actually the case.
Nicki was performing at Rolling Loud as part of her Pink Friday 2 tour. The tour runs until July 14, when Minaj will close out with a performance at the Les Ardentes Festival in Belgium. This includes Minaj headlining Wireless Fest in London, a performance she is very excited about. “Instead of doing another arena show in London after we sold out in the first week, I opted to do Wireless Festival. This year’s show will be a billion times more special, creative, beautiful, cohesive, ugh! I’m so excited. I’d like to tell you guys thank you in advance. Last year was so meaningful but won’t compare. Just wait & see,” Minaj wrote on Instagram.
K-Pop beef has spread into the hip-hop community. Several diehard Jungkook stans have argued that the BTS artist “made” the likes of Latto, Central Cee, and Jack Harlow. The argument stemmed from a Twitter user stipulating that Jungkook had “made” his collaborators. This was opposed to Jennie from BLACKPINK, who is “flopping”. However, of course, a number of people have taken issue with that statement. “So you’re telling me Jungloo made Usher, David Guetta, Charlie Puth, Jack Harlow, Kid Laroi, Major Lazer, Dj Snake, Justin Timberlake, Scooter and Central Cee famous??” one user wrote.
It appears that several of Jungkook’s fans are conflating individually learning about an artist with Jungkook making that artist. For example, “3D”, Jungkook’s collab with Harlow, reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, Harlow already had two No. 1 tracks (“Industry Baby” and “First Class”) prior to his collab with Jungkook. While “Seven”, Latto’s track with Jungkook, did go No. 1, she already had a top-three hit with “Big Energy”.
Fans Predict A Drake-Latto Collab After Drizzy Spotted With Brooklyn Nikole
So you’re telling me Jungloo made Usher, David Guetta, Charlie Puth, Jack Harlow, Kid Laroi, Major Lazer, Dj Snake, Justin Timberlake, Scooter and Central Cee famous??
Tell me with with a straight face you knew who Matt Champion was before their collab pic.twitter.com/E4dE5pkpVO
However, is a different Latto collab on the way? Drake was spotted out with Latto’s younger sister this week, leading some fans to believe that the two rappers could collab in the near future. “i was just telling my boyfriend yesterday morning, random af “i think latto is gonna do a song with drake” and he was so confused. Fst fwd to last night and drake was out with brooklyn lmao LET ME GO PLAY SOME NUMBERS!” one excited fan wrote on X. Another reposted their posting asking other fans to “imagine the bars” in a Drake and Latto collab.
However, the collab would require Drake to “betray” his former Young Money colleague, Nicki Minaj. During Minaj’s opening show on the Pink Friday 2 Tour in Oakland, fans were heard chanting “F-ck Latto” at several points during the show. The animosity towards Latto likely stems from her beef with Ice Spice. Spice is considered a Minaj “ally” after several collabs between the two. Furthermore, Latto is considered a Cardi B “ally” after the pair collaborated on “Put It On Da Floor Again” last year.
A fan mashup of Ice Spice and K-Pop group XG has gone viral on social media. The video was originally posted to YouTube in February 2023 and presents a fairly flawless mashup of “In Ha Mood” and “Shooting Star”. However, the video is gaining new traction thanks to Daniel Takedea, whose project direction work with Rolling Stone, GQ, Vogue, and more landed him on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. “Wait, this XG x Ice Spice remix is amazing!!” Takedea wrote in Japanese on X, formerly Twitter. The video also incorporates Spice’s “Bikini Bottom” as part of its visuals.
Of course, K-Pop collabs are the flavor de jour in the hip-hop world at the moment. Last year, Jung Kook of BTS had solo collabs with Latto and Jack Harlow. Meanwhile, BTS as a group also landed Megan Thee Stallion as a feature. Could the revival of this mashup lead to Ice Spice getting her own K-Pop link-up? Let us know in the comments if that’s something you’d want to see. Which other rappers do you want to see get a K-Pop collab?
— 竹田ダニエル(『#Z世代的価値観』『世界と私のA to Z』) (@daniel_takedaa) February 24, 2024
However, there might be a collab of the romantic kind in Spice’s life, at least if social media is to be believed. Is there something between Kai Cenat and Spice? Fans are unsure what to think after seeing a recent exchange on social media. “congrats kaiiiii >.<,” Spice wrote, responding to news that Cenat had once again won “streamer of the year”. “Appreciate You Gorgeous ,” Cenat wrote in response, sparking speculation amongst fans that something might be going on between the pair. Others noted that Cenat responded to Spice within a minute of her posting her message to him. At the very least, Cenat was incredibly eager to show the rapper love as soon as possible.
Spice has previously appeared on Cenat’s stream and went as far as to send him a Christmas present last year. However, Cenat’s affections are rather fickle. At separate points in 2023, he was shooting his shot with both GloRilla and SZA. It remains to be seen if the messages are just flirty banter between friends or subtle signs of a new power couple. What do you think is going on here? Let us know in the comments.
Latto’s been everywhere this year and the near dozen features she’s dished in 2023 have only helped elevate her status. No doubt, it’s been a successful year for her, both financially and artistically. Latto showcased her confident rap style on several bangers. Needless to say, 2023 was a great one for the women in rap, and Latto certainly helped establish their reign.
Ice Spicetook over the airwaves, while Sexyy Red delivered some flawless hooks. However, Latto’s success in particular is worthy of note because she’s not necessarily a new face by any means. Her guest verses on a variety of songs have undoubtedly set her apart, especially when she could leap from songs alongside newcomers like Luh Tyler and TiaCorine to joining forces with heavyweights like Jay Rock. As a featured act, she also managed to snag her first chart-topper on the Billboard Hot 100. So, overall, it’s been a stellar year for Latto! Here are the 11 features Latto appeared on in 2023, ranked from good to best.
The most recent of Latto’s guest verses appeared on Luh Tyler’s “The Grinch Freestyle,” released on December 15, 2023. Despite its title, the song is in no way related to Christmas. While Latto’s verse on this track is not her worst this year, it certainly isn’t one of her best either. “The Grinch Freestyle” is not a bad song, it just doesn’t leave much of an impression.
10. Peaches & Eggplants (Remix)” – Young Nudy ft. Latto & Sexyy Red
Despite being quite popular, “Peaches & Eggplants” contains what is arguably Latto’s weakest verse of 2023. Admittedly, the track is a certified club banger and is sure to get folks turnt at parties. However, in terms of lyricism and flow, it is not as impressive as most of Latto’s other guest verses. The beat is good, and her verse isn’t bad at all, but Latto served better features in 2023.
Released on April 21, 2023, the “FreakyT” remix sees Latto and TiaCorine deliver an impressive rap performance. The two rappers go toe-to-toe, exchanging bars that sit just right on the beat. It’s a solid outing from Latto that sees her trading bars alongside one of the most promising new faces out of North Carolina. Sure, it might not be at the top of the list of Latto’s 2023 feature run but the “FreakyT” remix still stands out as a highlight.
8. “Boom Pt. 2” – Mellow Buckz ft. Latto
This track opens with Latto proclaiming she’s “finna tweak out in this b*tch real quick,” and that’s exactly what she does. Mellow Buckz’s “Boom Pt. 2” runs for a little over two minutes, and Latto completely murks it from start to finish. The minimalist production accentuates her verse and helps her shine on the song. Without a doubt, it is among Latto’s strongest performances of the year.
7. “BOMB” – Black Party ft. Latto
It’s always a delight to witness two performers effortlessly blend on a track. On “BOMB,” listeners get to experience that happens with Black Party and Latto. While her verse on the track is short, it’s undoubtedly memorable. The two rappers are a great match on “BOMB,” we only wish Latto had a longer verse.
6. “Different Breed” – Mike WiLL Made-It ft. Swae Lee and Latto
A veteran music producer, Mike WiLL Made-It can probably make a banger in his sleep. He brought together Swae Lee and Latto on “Different Breed” and they both delivered strong performances. The song was released on October 16, 2023, and unfortunately is yet to enjoy considerable commercial success. However, that could change any minute as it could go viral on a social media platform like TikTok. It’s just catchy enough to gain traction on the video-sharing app.
5. “Don’t Play With It (Remix)” – Lola Brooke Ft. Latto and Yung Miami
“Don’t Play With It” was originally released as a single in May 2021, and featured rapper Billy B. Subsequently, it went viral on TikTok in 2022, and Lola Brooke decided to put out a remix, capitalizing on the song’s success. Eventually, the Latto and Yung Miami remix of the drill record was released on March 24, 2023. Each of the three femcees brought their A game and delivered memorable verses. Lola Brooke already set the tone with her high-energy verse and hook, and Latto expertly matched the vibe. The song went on to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 69.
4. “Fine As Can Be” – Offset ft. Latto
“Fine As Can Be” is a track from Offset’s second solo studio album Set It Off. The trap song features a high-energy beat, and both artists deliver as required. We can’t say for sure whose verse or performance on this track is better because they both went hard. However, it is undeniable that Latto ate this up like a handful of her other features in 2023.
Janelle Monae’s “Champagne Shit” was already a great record from an equally great album. The song’s remix was released on October 6, 2023. While some would argue that the original track is better, not much can be faulted in Latto’s verse on the song. The rapper rode the beat effortlessly, and her almost sensual delivery was just what the doctor ordered. Altogether, the artists’ verses blended quite nicely on the song.
2. “Seven” – Jungkook ft. Latto
“Seven” was released on July 14, 2023, and instantly became one of the biggest features of her career. When it was first announced, it raised many brows because the two artists were an unexpected pairing. However, upon its release, “Seven” converted listeners’ doubt into a pleasant surprise. Jungkook is a member of arguably the biggest boy band in the world right now, so the song was expected to be successful. However, it exceeded fans’ expectations and dominated airwaves and charts all over the world.
The song debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was also the first song by either artist to achieve this feat. In addition, “Seven” appeared on charts in over 50 territories. Furthermore, it set a new record for the highest-debuting single by a solo Korean artist in UK singles chart history. The song is now also the fastest song in history to surpass one billion streams on Spotify. Evidently, “Seven” is a fan favorite, and rightly so. Latto’s verse on this song is arguably one of her best guest verses of all time. “Seven” is an undeniable bop, and we hope there’s more of the pair to come.
1. “Too Fast (Pull Over)” – Jay Rock and Anderson .Paak ft. Latto
The only reason this would be an unpopular opinion for the top spot on this list is because it’s not as big a song as some of the other tracks. “Too Fast” was released on July 21, 2023 as a non-album single by the trio. Without a doubt, Latto delivered one of her best verses of 2023 on this track. Likewise, Jay Rock and Anderson .Paak left it all on the floor as well. The upbeat Hip Hop track is as hard as they come and deserves more attention. Check it out if you haven’t already, and you’ll see why we’ve placed it on top of this list.
While it took until Doja Cat’s “Paint The Town Red” a few weeks ago for a rap song to top the Hot 100 in 2023, it wasn’t the first time a rapper appeared on the #1 spot this year. That’s because earlier in the year Latto teamed up with BTS member and K-pop superstar Jung Kook on the track “Seven.” The song immediately shot up to the very top of the charts debuting at number one in its first week.
Now, Jung Kook is returning to the well of collaborating with American rappers with his new single “3D.” The track features an appearance from Jack Harlow who is no stranger to the Hot 100 with mega-hits like “First Class” and “What’s Poppin.” The pair team up for an incredibly smooth new collaboration with a perfect pop rap beat. In his verse Harlow stays mostly in his lane flexing his appeal to women and his hometown. Unsurprisingly, the song is off to a strong start commercially with over 10 million views on its music video in under 24 hours. Check out the song and video below.
While Jung Kook has only dropped two new songs this year, he’s made the most of them. Jack Harlow on the other hand released his new album Jackman earlier this year. The short project also came with a short turnaround from his previous record which dropped just last year. Jackman spawned hit songs like “They Don’t Love It” and “Common Ground,” though neither approached the smash success of “First Class.” What do you think of Jung Kook and Jack Harlow’s new collab “3D”? Let us know in the comment section below.
Quotable Lyrics: The way I told my boys, “Come look” I used to take girls up to Stony Brook And steal they hearts like some crook, true story Now when I hold somebody’s hand, it’s a new story
Earlier this year, Jack Harlow released his new album Jackman. The project was short but it spawned hit songs like “They Don’t Love It” and “Common Ground.” Now, Harlow is back with new music coming soon and he’s teaming up with a surprise collaborator. BTS member and K-pop mega-star Jung Hook has become a surprise ally of Harlow’s. Across the past week, the pair have been interacting on Twitter. That included a picture Harlow shared earlier today of Jung Kook in his home of Louisville, Kentucky.
Over the weekend Jung Kook performed at Global Citizen Fest. During the show, he brought out Latto, another rapper he’s collaborated with this year. The pair teamed up on the song “Seven” which immediately shot up to number one on the Hot 100. The song made Latto the first rapper to hit the number-one spot on the chart in all of 2023 until Doja Cat and Drake later joined her. Now, Jack Harlow is looking for some of the same success. Earlier today Jung Kook dropped a trailer for the pair’s new single “3D.” Fans won’t have to wait long to hear the full thing either, as it’s scheduled to drop later this week. Check out the trailer below.
Last month, Jack Harlow released another new visual accompaniment to his new album. The first song on the record’s second half, “Denver,” got a fitting video full of spare wilderness and mountain scenery. It was the third song from the album to receive a music video following “They Don’t Love It” and “Gang Gang Gang.”
Later this year, Harlow is going on a 6-date tour of his entire home state of Kentucky. The shows are taking place across the state in late November and early December. What do you think of Jack Harlow teaming up with Jung Kook for a new song? Let us know in the comment section below.
From the gray skies of Seattle to the neon glow of Seoul, Jay Park’s odyssey isn’t just about crossing geographical boundaries—it’s about shattering glass ceilings. Born on April 25, 1987, in the Pacific Northwest, Jay’s artistic inclinations propelled him into the whirlwind world of Korean pop music. But calling Jay a mere K-pop artist is akin to saying the Pacific is just a pond. His artistry, drive, and business acumen have intertwined to create a legacy far beyond music. It’s no surprise that, by 2023, his monetary achievements, as reported by Allfamousbirthday, amount to an impressive net worth of $10 million.
Defying Expectations: Musical Mastery & Beyond
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – JULY 14: Korean R&B artist Jay Park performs on-stage at the MTV World Stage Live. On July 14, 2012 in Kualr Lumpur, Malaysia. The event was staged at the Surf Beach at Sunway Lagoon. With a line-up featuring global superstar Justin Bieber, multi-award winning Korean pop sensations Jay Park and Kara. And Malaysian singer-songwriter Mizz Nina. More than 15,000 attended MTV Asia’s annual free concert event ‘MTV World Stage Live.’ The show airs on MTV in Asia on July 28 and worldwide on all MTV channels later this year. (Photo by Kristian Dowling./Getty Images)
While K-pop idols often adhere to a meticulously curated image, Jay Park’s rise to prominence had its fair share of stumbles, including public controversies and parting ways with a major label. Yet, his music—infused with genuine R&B vibes and punctuated with hip-hop punches—found an audience that spanned continents. Collaborative endeavors with artists like Ugly Duck, Hoody, and international figures such as Charli XCX, magnify his adaptability and global resonance.
Intimate Strains: Behind The Limelight
CHIBA, JAPAN – MAY 12: Jay Park performs on stage during the EDC Japan on May 12, 2019 in Chiba, Japan. (Photo by Matthew Sperzel/Getty Images)
On the surface, Jay Park’s tattoos, chiseled physique, and infectious energy portray confidence. However, delving into his lyrical content reveals a vulnerable side, addressing personal battles, identity crises, and the duality of East-West cultural navigation. He’s not just selling records. He’s sharing stories etched in ink on his skin and in the lyrics of his ballads. Further, after parting ways with JYP Entertainment, many predicted a swift downfall for Jay. Enter AOMG, a defiant, game-changing retort. Not merely a music label, AOMG embodied Jay’s vision for a more liberated, authentic representation of music and artistry in South Korea. It wasn’t long before H1GHR MUSIC followed, further solidifying Jay’s credentials as a music mogul.
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – NOVEMBER 27: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY). In this handout image provided by Red Bull, Jay Park, American/South Korean singer, dancer, rapper, b-boy, music producer. Songwriter, model, choreographer and actor stands on stage. At Jamsil Arena in preparation to MC this weekend’s Red Bull BC One World Final on November 27, 2013 at Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Dean Treml/Red Bull via Getty Images)
Today, Jay Park isn’t just remembered for his chart-topping hits or sizzling dance moves. He stands tall as an emblem of perseverance, a beacon for aspiring artists, and a bridge connecting disparate worlds. Through tumultuous waves and calm seas, Jay’s voyage remains a testament to the sheer force of will, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit.
BTS fans have had an eventful 2023. While the band hasn’t released a new project since last year’s Proof they did drop a new single last month. “Take Two” has already become a major hit in just over a month, racking up over 100 million streams on Spotify. But what’s really been keeping the BTS Army busy is the various solo releases from members. Jimin alone has dropped the massive hit song “Like Crazy” which debuted at #1 on the Hot 100. The EP it was attached to Face also soared up the charts following its release. Jimin was also a part of “Angel Pt.1” and “Pt. 2” from this year’s Fast And Furious soundtrack.
Now the Army is getting even more to chew on. For weeks Jungkook has been teasing the release of a new song called “Seven.” Earlier today he dropped an official trailer for the track on YouTube which ended with a major reveal. The song contains a feature and it totally recontextualizes the meaning of its name. Latto, who released her aptly titled album 777 last year will join Jungkook on the track. She quote tweeted an announcement of the song and shouted out the BTS Army.
Latto And Jungkook Join Forces
If the song becomes a hit, like most BTS adjacent tracks do it would be another successful drop for Latto. Earlier this year she dropped “Put It On Da Floor” and while the single didn’t take off at first, it did after a remix. “Put It On Da Floor Again” saw Latto teaming up with Cardi B and the track went on to peak at number 13 on the Hot 100.
After the success of “Put It On Da Floor Again,” Latto thanked Cardi B. The gift she gave the “I Like It” rapper turned heads online when she posted it. Cardi was gifted a 10k Chanel bag, more specifically a blue variant that is already sold out online. What do you think of Latto teaming up with Jungkook of BTS? Let us know in the comment section below.
K-pop fans were stoked to hear that Blackpink‘s Jennie would be starring in The Weeknd’s controversial HBO series The Idol. However, they were disappointed when her role (as the character Dyanne) was relatively limited.
Luckily, they’re getting more from this collaboration. Today (June 23), The Weeknd shared the song “One Of The Girls” from the soundtrack (which is still rolling out alongside the episodes), which features Jennie, as well as Lily-Rose Depp, who plays the sleazy pop star protagonist Jocelyn. The three trade verses in the brooding, seductive song, and it has the salaciousness of the show: “Lock me up and throw away the key / He knows how to get the best out of me.”
Rumors recently spread that The Idol would not return for a second season. Many people weren’t surprised by this due to the overwhelming backlash from viewers. However, HBO posted a statement from their official PR social accounts to clear up the gossip: “It is being misreported that a decision on a second season of The Idol has been determined,” read a tweet. “It has not, and we look forward to sharing the next episode with you Sunday night.”
(@aerinjoon) 
,” Cenat wrote in response, sparking speculation amongst fans that something might be going on between the pair. Others noted that Cenat responded to Spice within a minute of her posting her message to him. At the very least, Cenat was incredibly eager to show the rapper love as soon as possible.
