We are just weeks away from Camila Cabello‘s fourth album, C,XOXO. Ahead of the album, Cabello has teased a new sound. She has released the Playboi Carti collab “I Luv It,” as well as the Lil Nas X-assisted “He Knows.” As the tracks indicate, Cabello is playing with more rhythmic, electronic, and dance-ready sounds.
C,XOXO is probably her most collab-heavy album, as revealed by the tracklist, which Cabello shared to social media today (June 12). In addition to the previously released Carti and Lil Nas X collabs, Drake will feature on the song “Hot Uptown” and the follow-up interlude, “Uuugly.” Fellow Miami natives JT and Yung Miami will also appear on the album, in the song “Dade County Dreaming.” It is worth noting that the once City Girls are listed simply as JT and Yung Miami on the tracklist, indicating that this could possibly be their last feature as a duo.
You can see the full tracklist below.
1. “I Luv It” feat. Playboi Carti
2. “Chanel No. 5”
3. “Pink XOXO”
4. “He Knows” Feat. Lil Nas X
5. “Twentysomethings”
6. “Dade County Dreaming” Feat. JT and Yung Miami
7. “Koshi XOXO”
8. “Hot Uptown” Feat. Drake
9. “Uuugly” Feat. Drake
10. “Dream-Girls”
11. “305TilIDie”
12. “B.O.A.T”
13. “Pretty When I Cry”
14. “June Gloom”
C,XOXO is out 6/28 via Interscope. Find more information here.
Camila Cabello’s latest album, C, XOXO, is now a month and change away from its late June release date. To hold the fans over, Cabello’s latest single is the Lil Nas X team-up “He Knows,” which they’ve now given a new video.
The clip’s narrative is that the two artists are going toe-to-toe over the same man, but there’s ultimately a catch.
Cabello told Rolling Stone, “I’ve just never seen that in a video before. I just loved the idea of us fighting over this fluid guy, who we don’t know which way he’s leaning. We both would have so much fun with this and have so much fun with the video, so we got to make it a reality.”
She previously said of her upcoming album, “It’s really sitting in the discomfort of things and realizing there’s not gonna be a neat, in-a-box answer. I feel strong in these ways, weak in these ways, and there’s no real clear answer here. But the album process has been such a journey. It started out with me having that intention of going back to how it started for me, which was just sitting with myself and really getting back to that first passion of songwriting. Nerding out over references and artists and poetry — whatever — and really tapping into that.”
Watch the “He Knows” video above.
C, XOXO is out 6/28 via Geffen/Interscope. Find more information here.
Country music is having a moment, and unsurprisingly, there are some new faces at the forefront of its breakthrough, — faces like Beyoncé’s, Shaboozey’s, and Tanner Adell’s. However, there’s one pioneer in the genre who doesn’t quite feel like he got the same love as they’re receiving now.
In a May 19 interview with BBC, Lil Nas X said that he was “happy” for the country music successes of artists like Beyoncé and Shaboozey, but that he feels a little left out. “I wish this would have happened for me,” he said. “I wasn’t even able to experience this.”
Nas appears to be referring to the reception of his breakout hit “Old Town Road,” which despite breaking records on the Billboard Hot 100 as the longest-running No. 1 ever, was never truly embraced by the country music establishment. The song was actually pulled from the country music chart initially for not sounding “country” enough, and received a chilly reception from country radio programmers. It did go on to win a CMA Award, but not without controversy.
And while Beyoncé may have had a rough road onto those country trails, it took far less fussing and fighting for her single “Texas Hold ‘Em” to enter country airplay after her label reviewed its metadata, and her album Cowboy Carter was widely well-received, landing at No. 1 in its first week despite the big change in sound for Beyoncé.
Rappers are known for their bold and unapologetic personas, but even the toughest MCs have found themselves in situations where a public apology was necessary. From J. Cole to Soulja Boy, Cam’ron, and others, rappers’ apologies have taken various forms throughout the years. Rappers seeking forgiveness and admitting their mistakes, no matter why they did it, stand out in a culture that often glorifies swagger and defiance. At times, rappers apologize and put their tough exteriors aside, reminding us that vulnerability can coexist with bravado in hip-hop.
J.Cole
J. Cole raised eyebrows by publicly addressing his diss aimed at Kendrick Lamar on the song “7 Minute Drill.” Though not explicitly saying “I’m sorry,” many fans view Cole’s speech at the 2024 Dreamville Festival as an apology to Lamar. During the festival, Cole expressed remorse for using his new album to retaliate against Lamar’s shots at the “Big 3” on “Like That” by Future and Metro Boomin.
After praising Lamar as “one of the greatest,” Cole called his own diss track the “lamest” and “goofiest” thing he’s ever done. He begged fans for forgiveness, admitting the past few days felt “terrible,” and invited Lamar to “take your best shot” in response, vowing to “take that s**t on the chin.” Cole’s unexpected humility led to the song’s removal from streaming services, highlighting the humbling power of rap apologies.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 10: Rapper Soulja Boy is seen backstage during his SouljaWorld tour at Buckhead Theatre on September 10, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Soulja Boy found himself in hot water and forced to apologize after releasing the song “Let’s Be Real” in 2011 with lyrics that were deemed anti-patriotic towards the U.S. Army. The controversial lines “F–k the FBI and the army troops/B—h, fighting for what? Be your own man” sparked backlash, leading to reports that military stores would not carry his new record.
Soulja Boy expressed remorse in a blog post on Global Grind, stating, “When I expressed my frustration with the U.S. Army, not only did my words come out wrong, I was wrong to even speak them.” He explained he was venting frustrations about the economy and constant wars of the post-9/11 era, questioning, “What if we had never gone to war?” Despite being no stranger to controversy, the rapper’s lyrics prompted an apology to the troops some felt he had disrespected.
Cam’ron
In April 2007, Cam’ron sparked outrage during a 60 Minutes interview with Anderson Cooper when he stated he wouldn’t snitch even if a serial killer lived next door, affirming the “Stop Snitchin’” mentality. Four days later, the rapper issued an apology, saying, “I in no way was intending to be malicious or harmful. I apologize deeply for this error in judgment.” Despite not excusing his remarks, Cam’ron explained that he was venting frustrations about criminal injustice in inner cities while acknowledging that his remarks might offend victims and those who risk their lives to protect them.
The Jewish people I know are very wise with there money so that’s why I said we been gettin Jewish money I never thought anyone would take offense I’m sorry if I offended everybody never my intention I love all people
An apology from the rapper 21 Savage arrived during the 2018 holidays for controversial song lyrics that struck some as lacking goodwill and understanding. The rapper faced backlash for “ASMR” from his album, i am > i was. The lyrics, “We been gettin’ that Jewish money, everything is Kosher,” led the rapper to issue an apology for what many considered bigoted and offensive toward the Jewish community. 21 Savage took to Twitter on Christmas Eve to express remorse for offending the Jewish community with lyrics that also drew criticism when quoted by NBA star Lebron James. Savage stated that this particular bar was intended as a compliment about financial wisdom, not an offense.
In 2018, Lil Pump adopted a similar approach when addressing backlash to his song “Butterfly Doors,” in which he made derogatory remarks about the Asian community while mimicking stereotypical eye gestures. Facing mounting pressure from critics like Crazy Rich Asians star Awkwafina, the rapper posted an Instagram apology on Christmas day, stating he meant no harm and has Asian friends, pleading, “It’s all love.”
In 2020, Doja Cat addressed past insensitive remarks on social media regarding rumors that she had used racist language in various white supremacist chat rooms. She stated, “I want to address what’s been happening on Twitter.” She acknowledged using public chat rooms since childhood but clarified, “I personally have never been involved in any racist conversations. I’m sorry to anyone I offended.”
Referring to surfaced clips of her in “racist misogynistic” chat rooms that led to #DojaIsOverParty trending, the rapper affirmed “I’m a Black woman. Half of my family is Black from South Africa and I’m very proud of where I come from.” She added, “I love you all and I’m sorry for upsetting or hurting any of you. That’s not my character and I’m determined to show that to everybody moving forward.”
Lil Mama
At the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, an unexpected and bizarre incident overshadowed the highly-anticipated performance of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ hit song “Empire State Of Mind.” As the iconic duo delivered the show-closing rendition, celebrating their New York roots, an uninvited guest joined them on stage. Lil Mama, a then-rising rapper known for her single “Lip Gloss,” unexpectedly crashed the performance, running up alongside the two superstars.
Jay-Z had swiftly signaled for Lil Mama to exit the stage. However, the young artist remained defiant. She struck a B-girl stance as the headliners concluded their powerful tribute to the Big Apple. The following day, Lil Mama attempted to explain her actions. She offered an apology in a statement to MTV. “I did not mean any disrespect towards Jay-Z or Alicia Keys. I admire them and look up to them as role models,” she expressed. “‘Empire State of Mind’ had my emotions running high. In that moment, I came up onstage to celebrate my two icons singing about NY.”
Lil Nas X addressed backlash over his religion-themed single “J Christ” in a video. He apologized for a TikTok where he consumed communion elements dressed as Jesus. This drew criticism from artists like Lecrae for perceived mockery of Christianity. Though saying “I’m not an evil demon trying to destroy someone’s values,” Nas admitted “I messed up severely,” and the controversy took a “psychological toll.”
He apologized for going “excessive” with the promotional visuals but he defended portraying Jesus, noting others have done the same. The eye-catching “J Christ” video depicts Biblical scenes. It hints at a continued exploration of LGBTQ and religious themes on Nas X’s upcoming album. This follows his debut Montero album, which sparked both praise and backlash.
Ye (Kanye West)
The outspoken and controversial rapper Ye has frequently found himself in situations where he’s had to apologize for his brash statements. Given his tendency for bold and provocative remarks, it’s almost inevitable that he would offend or upset various individuals and groups along the way. In the aftermath of the devastating Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005, Ye made headlines when he bluntly declared on live television that “George Bush doesn’t care about Black people.”
This comment sparked significant backlash and controversy. In 2010, during an interview on the Today show, Kanye expressed regret for his charged remark, stating, “I would tell George Bush, in my moment of intense frustration, I did not have valid grounds to label him a racist. In highly emotional situations like that, we as human beings sometimes fail to choose our words wisely.”
During another incident, an inebriated Ye interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video at the MTV Video Music Awards. “Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you and I’mma let you finish,” he remarked, “but Beyoncé had one of the greatest videos ever. Of all time!” Shortly after being escorted out, the rapper offered an all-caps apology to his blog.
“I’m sooooo sorry to Taylor Swift, her fans, and her mother,” Ye penned in his apology. “I spoke to her mom right after, and she said the same thing mine would’ve said. She is extremely talented!” Later, in 2016, Ye released “Famous,” rapping, “I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex/ Why? I made that chick famous.” This ignited further drama between the two and Ye’s then-wife Kim Kardashian over whether Swift approved the line, rendering that initial apology from the rapper a distant memory.
The Game
In the wake of a tumultuous and public falling out that involved traded insults and diss tracks, Game’s association with G-Unit, Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records appeared irreparably damaged. However, in June 2009, he reached out and extended an apology to his former mentor, 50 Cent. During an interview with MTV, Game stated, “For 50, I’m just gonna apologize to him, just as a man. It has nothing to do with music, or beef, or nothing like that. It ain’t about being the bigger man. He can take it and say, Game is apologizing, Game’s a sucka, he’s apologizing. I’m apologizing for me to him, to [Dr.] Dre, to Jimmy Iovine, to Eminem, to all the fans.”
Kid Cudi
In a heated incident during a December 2009 performance at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom, rapper Kid Cudi reacted impulsively after an object thrown from the audience struck him. Amidst the chaos, Cudi leaped off the stage and lashed out. He punched an unsuspecting concertgoer, Michael Sharpe, in the face, despite Sharpe’s lack of involvement in the initial provocation.
Months later, in February 2010, Sharpe spoke to TMZ, revealing that Kid Cudi had reached out to extend an apology and offer a conciliatory gesture – an all-expenses-paid weekend trip to New York City. The olive branch didn’t end there. In June of that year, during Kid Cudi’s set at the Sasquatch Music Festival in Washington state, he brought Sharpe on stage and acknowledged the unfortunate Vancouver incident to the crowd. Cudi stated, “Remember that kid I punched in Vancouver? This is him. I’ve brought him here to hang out. It’s all good now; he’s forgiven me.”
About a month and a half ago, Cuban pop sensation and former Fifth Harmony figure Camila Cabello had fans severely divided. The 27-year-old dropped the lead single for her upcoming fourth solo effort C,XOXO, “I LUV IT.” It was a head-scratcher for a lot of people, to put it lightly. Her repetitive and frankly annoying chorus, mixed with the hodge podge of an instrumental were harsh on the ears. Additionally, the track had a Playboi Carti feature that was out of place. Simultaneously, it has gone on to easily be his worst feature of the year so far. This time around, Camila Cabello looks to right the ship with “HE KNOWS.”
For us, this song far and away is of higher quality than “I LUV IT” in a multitude of ways. Instrumentally, the rhythm that we are accustomed to from a Cabello track is back. It is groovy, as well as dizzying, but in a good way. There are some hypnotic background vocals from what we assume are from her as well. Vocally, Camila does not come off sounding like a spoiled brat, which is how we would describe her delivery on “I LUV IT.”
Listen To “HE KNOWS” By Camila Cabello & Lil Nas X
Then, the feature, which is provided by Lil Nas X, is also an improvement. It is more fun, animated, and honestly quite hilarious. It still may not be for everyone, but it is far more memorable in comparison to Carti. Camila Cabello is set to drop C,XOXO June 28 and the single cover art you see above is supposed to be the LP’s artwork as well. Be sure to check out “HE KNOWS” with the video link above.
What are your thoughts on this brand-new single “HE KNOWS” by Camila Cabello and Lil Nas X? Do you this offering is better than “I LUV IT” with Playboi Carti, why or why not? Who had the stronger performance on this cut? Does this have you excited for her fourth solo album, C,XOXO? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Camila Cabello and Lil Nas X. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
Quotable Lyrics:
Say, boy, what-what you want Give you that uh-uh-uh, that oh Brrt, baow, shoot in my mouth Shoot in my s*** like uh, and one Ah, eh-yeah, eh-yeah (Okay) On the real, I’ma take his soul (All that)
Both Camila Cabello and Lil Nas X are experiencing career Renaissances, of sorts, so it makes sense that they would team up in the midst of all this rebirth to drop an unexpected, but not wholly unsurprising, collaboration on their fans. “He Knows” is due on Friday, May 10, and promises to put to be an upbeat, witty single, judging by the presumed lyrics that Cabello shared in her social media announcement: “She’s a provocateur, dancefloor connoisseur,” she wrote.
“He Knows” is Cabello’s second single of the year — and second to employ a genre-bending rapper — after the Playboi Carti-featuring “I Luv It.” The two singles in rapid succession precede Camila’s upcoming albumC, XOXO, which will be the former girl group member’s first new collection of music in over two years. Her last album was 2022’s Familia. C, XOXO is slated for release on June 28 via Geffen and Interscope (her first under the new label partnership after leaving Epic in late 2022.
Lil Nas X, meanwhile, has been slowly releasing his mixtape Nasarati 2 on SoundCloud, with four tracks out so far. He also recently teamed up with Kevin Abstract for their long-awaited collaboration, “Tennessee.”
Camila Cabello and Lil Nas X’s “He Knows” is due on 5/10. You can get more info here.
Did you ever expect to hear Lil Nas X and Kevin Abstract of BROCKHAMPTON fame on one track? Well, we certainly did not have that on our bingo card going into 2024, but here we are. Two of the more prominent figures in the LGBTQ+ hip-hop community are teaming up for what appears to be the beginning of another album rollout for Kevin. Late last year, he made his solo return after four years with his indie record Blanket.
Now, according to Genius, the Texas singer and rapper will be coming through with a project with the rumored title being glue. It does not have a release date, other than it is expected sometime this year. This alleged lead single “Tennessee” sees Kevin Abstract and Lil Nas X fully embracing their homosexuality and how their partners love all that comes with them. The raunchy track was produced by Kevin and Quadeca as well.
Listen To “Tennessee” By Kevin Abstract & Lil Nas X
According to Yahoo Entertainment, this song was previewed during the second weekend of Coachella just a couple of weeks ago. Both went onstage to perform, and even though we did not pick up on this, they have been close for a long time. Another fun fact is that they actually attended the same Georgia high school but were not aware of each other until they both became the respective stars that they are. You can check out the accompanying music video for “Tennessee” above.
What are your thoughts on this brand-new single “Tennessee” by Kevin Abstract and Lil Nas X? Are your surprised that these two collaborated together, why or why not? Does this get you excited for his upcoming album glue, why or why not? Who had the stronger performance? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Kevin Abstract and Lil Nas X. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
Quotable Lyrics:
He Paul Atreides on spice But he only listen to Latto, huh Live like I hit the lotto, huh N****, I’ll handle thе car note, huh Give you evеrything I got until I go broke I just know that I love being used as long as make me feel loved
At long last, Kevin Abstract and Lil Nas X have finally collaborated. Fans have been waiting for a song with the two of them for years, and this has finally come to fruition. Tonight (May 3), Abstract has shared his new single, “Tennessee,” which features Lil Nas X.
Abstract first teased “Tennessee” last month at Coachella, during which, he brought out Lil Nas X for an impromptu preview performance of the song. On the song, the two queer rappers each have their eyes on someone special. Abstract vyes for a man’s attention by putting in work on his fitness and his style.
“Never been somewhere like this / Never met someone like him / Getting my reps in in the gym / Skinny queen, I’m getting slim / I’m the God of my life like a sim / Walk around this b*tch with a limp,” raps Abstract in the song’s opening.
Meanwhile, Lil Nas X imagines upgrading a man’s life by introducing him to some new luxuries.
“Tryna put you on go / Tryna put you on your toes / Pretty fur mink coat / Boy, you f*ckin’ with a real one / I know I’m bad, I’ve been told / I know I’m pretty and rich,” Lil Nas X raps on his verse.
Lil Nas X seems to be inching closer to the release of Nasarati 2, his follow-up to 2018’s Nasarati.
Lil Nas X takes pride in unconventionality, and so it is unsurprising that he has been releasing songs on SoundCloud as opposed to releasing singles in a traditional manner. On Wednesday night, April 24, he continued the trend by dropping “Trust Me” on SoundCloud. “This song means a lot to me,” Lil Nas X posted on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
The first verse finds Lil Nas X transparently recounting the adolescent exploration of his sexuality, including “Grindr sessions.” He raps, “Back in middle school, I was fiending for dick / Seventh grade, sending my homies some pics / Daddy never knew what I did as a kid / He would’ve crucified me but / Trust me, I get it.”
The Grammy-winning provocateur teased a snippet of “Trust Me” within a March 9 Instagram carousel captioned, “been hoarding music for years smh I hate my relationship with fear of my songs not doing well and perception. I wish I could just release music and not give af! Anyways enough venting…what’s you guys top 2 of these snippets??”
Previously, Lil Nas X released “Light Again,” “Right There,” and “Lean On My Body” on SoundCloud. Those three are also on Lil Nas X’s YouTube page, but as of this writing, “Trust Me” remains exclusively on SoundCloud. Lil Nas X’s Billboard Hot 100 charter “J Christ” remains his only traditionally released single of 2024.
Lil Nas X has really kept fans waiting. His debut album, MONTERO, was a huge breakthrough release in 2021, earning a platinum certification and three Grammy nominations. The rapper been has been quiet in subsequent years, however, despite confirming that his next release will be a sequel to his breakthrough mixtape, NASARATI. There have been leaks, teasers, and official lead singles for NASARATI 2, but 2024 seems to be the years fans will actually get to hear it. Lil Nas X’s latest single, “Trust Me,” only supports this theory.
Lil Nas X teased “Trust Me” in March, but he finally blessed fans with the full version on April 24. The song differs drastically from the rapper’s previous teaser, “Lean On My Body,” which opted for a more melodic, pop-rap approach. “Trust Me,” by contrast, goes for a harder, more gritty sound. This can be registered in the single artwork, which sees the often flamboyantly dressed Nas X rocking a tank top and jean shorts. The “Industry Baby” rapper focuses on his teenage years and the difficulty he had coming to terms with his sexuality. “Back in middle school, I was fiending for d*ck,” he raps. “7th grade, sending my homies some pics. Daddy never knew what I did as a kid, he would’ve crucified me but…”
The second verse lays out Lil Nas X’s struggles in the current day. He raps about health concerns, wealth goals, and his insecurities as a pop star. The transparency extends the the chorus: “Anytime I’m wrong I’ll admit it, why not,” he sings. “Rather tell the truth than pretend, why lie?.” Nas X has always been honest with his music, and “Trust Me” is a reminder than he can do so over a simple, catchy hip-hop beat. The song is currently streaming on SoundCloud, which is where NASARATI 2 will eventually be released.
What are your thoughts on this brand-new song, “Trust Me,” by Lil Nas X? Does the rapper keep his hot streak going? Do you like the stripped-down approach to the production? Do you think NASARATI 2 will be Nas X’s best project yet? We want to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news on Lil Nas X. Finally, stay with us for the most informative song posts throughout the week.
Quotable Lyrics:
But I got over 40 million sold How the f*ck I’m only 24? Mind of a 42 year old Mind over matter Money, time, Instagram replies and Twitter quotes God damn, this aries where I am turned to the GOAT
