Lovers & Friends Festival

N.O.R.E. Gives Rare Show At Lovers & Friends Festival, Hints That It’s His Last

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N.O.R.E. was one of many hip-hop legends that performed at the Lovers & Friends Festival last Saturday (May 6) in Las Vegas. However, he was perhaps the only act in attendance who teased that it would be his final performance. The Drink Champs host has obviously found a lot of success with that show, and he hinted at it being time to fully enter a new chapter. Regardless of that info, the Queens MC still played through many of his greatest tracks much to the excitement of the crowd. Still, it’s quite the bittersweet affirmation from the rapper, as fans are always going to want more.

With that in mind, it’s actually been quite rare for N.O.R.E. to perform these days. As such, maybe this revelation, as unofficial as it may be, shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to many hardcore fans. Even considering his increasing focus in the podcasting space and other media avenues, people usually go for a farewell tour. Just look at 50 Cent, who recently announced “The Final Lap” tour and hinted at his last hurrah in the trek’s title.

Read More: N.O.R.E. Links Up With 50 Cent And Nelly At Lovers & Friends

N.O.R.E. Hits The Lovers & Friends Festival Stage

No matter his seemingly relinquished performance duties, the 45-year-old is still very proud of what he’s built on Drink Champs. While catching up with HipHopDX at Lovers & Friends, he revealed that his interview with Nas was the most surreal for him to do. “That’s my brother and I never really wanted to interview him at all because he’s my brother, but the fact that he did sit down… it’s very weird to ask people questions that you don’t wanna ask them,” N.O.R.E. expressed. “I’m not the police, and they know I’m not the police, but at the end of the day, I wanna have fun and I wanna make them surreal.

“At the end of the day, all hip-hop stars is superheroes,” he continued. “But the thing is what makes Drink Champs Drink Champs is I don’t make ’em superheroes. I make them Clark Kents.” Considering that, N.O.R.E. might not hit the stage again, but he’ll surely continue contributing to the culture in a positive and influential way. For more news and the latest updates on the hip-hop heavyweight, check back in with HNHH.

Read More: N.O.R.E Says He And Cam’ron Are “Good” After Apparent Diss

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50 Cent Brings Out BIA At Lovers and Friends Festival

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During Usher’s Lovers and Friends Festival, 50 Cent brought out BIA as a special guest. Despite the drama leading up to the festival between Chris Brown and festival organizer Usher, there were many wholesome link-ups. During Fif’s set at the nostalgic Hip-Hop festival, he showed love to the new school by bringing out BIA so she could play a few songs. Attendees captured the moment of the Get Rich or Die Tryin’ mogul embracing the “Best On Earth” rapper. 50 Cent was hyping up the Boston native as she slapped the crowd with all her hits.

Furthermore, it’s nice to see 50 show love to the up-and-coming artists now and again. However, that wasn’t the only wholesome connection Fif made while at the Lovers and Friends Festival. 50 Cent, N.O.R.E., and Nelly all were scheduled to perform at the festival. N.O.R.E.’s had a quick set on the Crunk Stage. Nelly was scheduled to be on the Friends Stage in the afternoon. Meanwhile, 50 was kicking his set off on the Lovers Stage evening slot.

50 Cent Shows Love To BIA

Moreover, while it was a more than busy day for all three rap icons, they still made time to link. The three joked about their early beginnings for a minute. However, N.O.R.E. had to let them both know jokingly that he felt he was the first one that put them on causing laughter amongst the group. Furthermore, aside from playing festivals with his contemporaries, 50 Cent has been busy with new business ventures. Recently, the POWER creator has teamed up with Shaq and Kenya Barris to buy BET. The bids for the network have been flooding in viciously. One of the highest bidders, Tyler Perry, set to buy as much of BET as he could.

However, the power trio set to purchase the entire television network in a joint venture. Reportedly the bid is being financed by investment firm CVC. Not only that, the bid has now become the frontrunner to buy BET. Sources told TMZ that it wasn’t a done deal just yet, however, they’re deep in the process. What do you think about all the moves 50 Cent is making right now? Let us know in the comments below. Follow HNHH for the latest music news.

N.O.R.E. Reflects On “Surreal” Experience Of Interviewing Nas

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N.O.R.E. recently reflected on the most “surreal” interviews he’s conducted on his podcast, Drink Champs, pointing out Nas in particular. The rapper spoke with HipHopDX backstage at Lovers & Friends festival in Las Vegas, last weekend. Nas appeared on Drink Champs back in 2019, after the release of The Lost Tapes 2.

“That’s my brother and I never really wanted to interview him at all because he’s my brother, but the fact that he did sit down… it’s very weird to ask people questions that you don’t wanna ask them. I’m not the police, and they know I’m not the police. But at the end of the day, I wanna have fun and I wanna make them surreal,” he said.

Read More: “Drink Champs” Podcast: Their Best Interviews

N.O.R.E. With Nas On “Drink Champs”

NEW YORK, NY – JULY 19: N.O.R.E. (L) and Nas film an episode of Drink Champs during Nas’ “The Lost Tapes 2” release party on July 19, 2019, in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

N.O.R.E. went on to explain that regardless of how much larger than life a celebrity may be, he wants to humanize them with Drink Champs. He continued: “At the end of the day, all Hip Hop stars is superheroes, but the thing is what makes Drink Champs, Drink Champs is I don’t make ’em superheroes; I make them Clark Kents.”

When Nas appeared on Drink Champs, he discussed many topics, including a time he tried to get a collaboration with Prince, working with Kanye West, and more. While the two spoke, N.O.R.E. took a moment to reflect on the monumental occasion. “I arrived here being with my people and I never had dreams of doing business with Warren Buffett or Steve Jobs or things like that. My thing was I wanna do business with Puff Daddy, I wanna do business with Nas, I wanna do business with Hov. Because that’s who I look up to and that’s who I can see myself becoming,” N.O.R.E. said at the time. Fans can catch Nas on the second leg of the N.Y. State of Mind Tour, alongside Wu-Tang Clan and De La Soul.

Read More: Nas Recounts The Time Prince Shut Down A Request For A Feature

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Missy Elliott Premieres New Song “The Greatest” During Lovers & Friends Festival Set

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One of the most anticipated sets at Las Vegas’ Lovers & Friends Festival on Saturday (May 6) was undoubtedly Missy Elliott. Not only did the rap legend run through her greatest tracks, but she previewed an upcoming song fittingly titled “The Greatest.” On Twitter, she posted a short clip of it, and though no Missy verse is found, the beat sounds infectious and energizing thanks to the beat and featured guest Ha Sizzle, a bounce artist. Also on the social media platform, she confirmed the song’s title and said that 2nd Line Shawty would also appear. Moreover, HipHopDX confirmed that Wili Hendrix, ReemixLoops, and Michael Aristotle helped produce “The Greatest.”

Of course, it’s a great time to be a Missy Elliott fan. Recently, the Virginia native sat down with Lil Wayne, who once again praised her as his favorite rapper. “As a kid before Jay- this before I even knew a Jay-Z existed, I was into Missy Elliott,” he stated. “You know it was because you were able to say things that I would want to say as I’m rapping. You not only made me like- you made me love it. And I became so interested in you. And what happened was I bought the album and did not know that you really was spitting like… You know what I mean. You know I spit that verse to you all the time.”

Read More: Missy Elliott’s Biggest Hits

Missy Elliott Teases “The Greatest,” Her Next Single

Furthermore, this new track would be the 51-year-old’s first solo single since “Cool Off” in 2020. In addition, this hype comes after her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “I want to say this is HUGE not for just me but all my Sisters in HIPHOP,” Missy Elliott remarked on Instagram last week. “This door is now OPEN to showcase the hard work that many of us WOMEN contribute to MUSIC. I have cried all day because I am GRATEFUL thank you @rockhall & all on the committee & Supafriends.”

While she hasn’t specified when we should be expecting “The Greatness,” we’ll happily wait for more heat from Miss E. As such, many fans are likely hoping for a full-length project soon, as well. No matter the case, if you’re not a fan, now’s certainly the time to get into her catalog. Regardless, stick around on HNHH for the latest news and updates on Missy Elliott.

Read More: Missy Elliott Reveals Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah, Diddy, Salt-N-Pepa Mentored Her

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Teyana Taylor Dances To Chris Brown At Lovers & Friends After Birthday Party Beef Rumours

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Teyana Taylor, Usher, and Chris Brown all appear to be unbothered after rumours of a blowout taking place at the latter’s birthday party over the weekend. According to unconfirmed reports, the mother of two and Breezy got into a disagreement during his celebration due to her previously pulling out of his ultimately cancelled American Music Awards presentation. Upon taking notice of their feud, Usher apparently stepped in, causing things to become physical between him and the “Kiss Kiss” hitmaker.

Even with all the speculation floating around online, both Brown and the Houston-born vocalist appeared at Usher’s Lovers & Friends music festival in Las Vegas. Cameras caught the father of three in yet another altercation backstage during another set, though he’s since downplayed that as simply being a defensive parent looking out for his child, who was apparently with him at the time. Elsewhere, we saw footage of Taylor turning up at the R&B-centric event, even dancing along to a track by her alleged nemesis.

Read More: Chris Brown Still Performs At Usher’s Lovers & Friends Festival After Alleged Fight

Teyana Taylor’s Dance Moves Make an Appearance at Usher’s Festival

As Complex notes, Taylor’s grooving came during Usher’s set, as his “Party” track played loudly in the background. Of course, the song belongs to the Virginia native and also features Gucci Mane, but it remains a favourite amongst all artist’s fan bases, which is likely why the event creator opted to keep it in his set. Of course, this doesn’t exactly confirm that there are no hard feelings between Brown and the choreographer, but it does at least give us hope that things are nowhere near as dramatic as they sound.

Apart from the drama, other big moments making headlines out of the Las Vegas event include Big Sean showing love to Jhené Aiko, and Lil’ Kim showing off her version of Lil Uzi Vert’s “Just Wanna Rock” dance. Did you catch any of the performances from Usher’s Lovers & Friends festival this past weekend? Let us know in the comments, and tap back in with HNHH later for more pop culture news updates.

Read More: Teyana Taylor Gifts Lil Wayne “Rose In Harlem” Air Jordan 1s

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Ginuwine Falls Off Stage

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Ginuwine was having quite the time weekend during Usher’s Lover’s and Friend’s Festival. Fans who attended the nostalgic music festival in Las Vegas documented many angles of the R&B performing some of his greatest hits. However, many shared a video of the “Pony” singer taking a vicious fall on stage on social media. Whilst performing “In Those Jeans,” Ginuwine tried to leap from the main stage onto a smaller platform. Unfortunately, he didn’t stick the landing. The R&B legend found himself slipping in between the cracks of the two stages.

To make matters worse, as Ginuwine’s tumbling down, he nearly brings the American Sign Language interpreter down with him. Moreover, as the “So Anxious” singer is under the stage, the song is still playing. Not only that, the ASL interpreter is still interpreting (He was going in for real) as others assisted Ginuwine. Now that’s dedication. Many users cracked jokes towards the singer referencing his knees no longer working. One fan said, “When them knees don’t work like they used to.”

Ginuwine Takes A Nasty Fall

Although the jokes were rolling in, Ginuwine was a good sport about it. The 52-year-old laughed off the incident in a video on Sunday, May 8th. “We had so much fun, aside from my little spill,” he stated in the video cracking up with laughter. “Man down! But then man got back up,” Ginuwine continued. Not only that, the “In Those Jeans” singer took the situation in stride by singing Donnie McClurkin’s “We Fall Down.” While we’re all glad that Ginuwine is okay from his fall on stage, this isn’t the first time the celeb has found himself in a scary moments.

Last year, the R&B singer was involved in a frightening moment during a botched magic stunt. In Criss Angel’s Magic with the Stars Ginuwine passed out holding his breath during an underwater stunt in the reality series. Although he struggled to do the bit during filming, he still did it. It was a traumatic event for everyone involved. However, Ginuwine made a full recovery. Have you seen the video of the singer’s fall yet? For more Hip-Hop news, tune into HNHH for daily updates.

Photos: Usher, Chris Brown, Mariah Carey, 50 Cent, and More Hit Stage for ‘Lovers & Friends’ Festival

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The Lovers & Friends Festival descended upon Las Vegas this weekend, delivering an unforgettable day of throwback rap and R&B performances straight from the 2000s. This highly anticipated event, curated by none other than the legendary Usher, paid homage to the classics while also showcasing some of the biggest names in the industry. From Usher himself to Mariah Carey, 50 Cent, Chris Brown, Missy Elliott, Pitbull, Miguel, Christina Aguilera, and many more, the lineup was stacked with talent that left the crowd in awe. 

The festival kicked off with palpable energy as the crowd eagerly awaited the first acts. Names like Da Brat, Yung Joc, and Dem Franchize Boyz, set the tone for the day with electrifying and nostalgic performances. It was clear that this event was not just another festival; it was a rap and R&B fan’s dream. 

Jhene Aiko, known for her soulful and introspective music, delivered one of the standout sets of the entire day. Her enchanting vocals and captivating stage presence drew the crowd in, creating an intimate and emotional atmosphere. To make her performance even more special, Aiko was joined by her boyfriend and baby daddy, rapper Big Sean. After their performance, Big Sean delivered a heartfelt speech, reminding fans that this was Aiko’s first show since giving birth to their child in November 2022. It was a beautiful moment that resonated with everyone in attendance. 

Chris Brown, known for his incredible stage presence, took the spotlight and mesmerized the crowd. During his set, he brought out Tyga, much to the delight of fans, to perform their hit collaboration “Loyal.” The energy was through the roof as the duo commanded the stage, delivering an explosive performance that had the entire crowd singing along. 

50 Cent, a true rap icon, showcased why he remains a force to be reckoned with. Giving fans a taste of what they could expect on his upcoming headlining tour. 50 took the audience on a journey through his illustrious career. Beyond the large collection of number-one hits, another highlight of his set was a special guest appearance by rising star Bia, who brought the house down with her track “Whole Lotta Money.” 

As expected, Usher’s setlist was a journey through his iconic discography, but the surprise appearance by Summer Walker truly elevated the experience. The chemistry between Usher and Summer was undeniable, leaving the audience buzzing with excitement. You can tell that Usher not only puts his heart and soul into his performance but the festival as well, as it is arguably the best-curated lineup of the entire year.

Following Usher’s memorable performance, Christina Aguilera put on a set that was hard to follow by Missy and Mariah. The “Genie In A Bottle” pop star’s set was full of guests, including Redman for their track “Dirrty” and Lil Kim for their epic collab “Lady Marmalade.” The set was full of fireworks, pyro, and hits from the late ‘90s and early 2000s. 

And then came the moment everyone had been waiting for, the headlining performance by the incomparable Missy Elliott. The anticipation was palpable as the crowd erupted excitedly, despite a half-hour delay. Missy took the stage by storm, delivering an awe-inspiring performance filled with her greatest hits. From “One Minute Man” to “Lose Control” and “Work It,” she left no stone unturned, showcasing why she is a true icon in the music industry. Adding to the magnitude of the moment, Missy Elliott had recently been announced as part of the new class for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, becoming the first female rapper to achieve such an honor. It was a great moment that elevated her performance to new heights. 

Fans already can’t wait for Lovers & Friends to hopefully return in 2024, but in the meantime, you can check out our favorite images from Lovers & Friends 2023 below.

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Chris Brown Addresses Altercation Backstage at Lovers & Friends Fest


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The post Photos: Usher, Chris Brown, Mariah Carey, 50 Cent, and More Hit Stage for ‘Lovers & Friends’ Festival appeared first on The Source.

Chris Brown Downplays Lovers & Friends Altercation

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Chris Brown downplayed the seriousness of an altercation that took place at the Lovers & Friends Festival in a comment posted to Instagram, Sunday. The statement comes in response to a clip of Brown in a heated exchange backstage. He didn’t, however, comment on the reported incident with Usher that took place at his birthday party, last week.

“Yall been geeked all weekend, y’all dragging it now,” Brown wrote, as caught by TheShadeRoom. “It was mad people backstage and security was trying to clear everyone off the stage. People started pushing back.. I INTERVENED To let them know MY CHILD WAS BACK THERE. So y’all can keep ya narrative.” The incident reportedly took place during Missy Elliott’s set on Saturday night.

Chris Brown At Lovers & Friends Festival

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 06: Chris Brown during the Lovers & Friends music festival at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds on May 06, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kaitlyn Morris/FilmMagic)

“This should tell him and his air headed BM not to bring the son to every show,” one fan commented in response. “He’s been to every show with the BM. It’s ok to stay home someomtime [sic].” Another noted that Brown didn’t mention the alleged Usher fight: “My boy commented on this quick but left out the usher situation so yeah it happened.”

As for the incident with Usher, TMZ initially reported that the two got into a fight over Teyana Taylor. Brown was apparently unhappy about last year’s scrapped AMAs performance. Sources tell the outlet that the planning of that performance was partially handled by Taylor. It was believed that Usher’s nose and face were banged up in the fight; however, he appeared unharmed during his Lovers & Friends set the following night. Neither of the two has addressed the reports publically, but both went ahead with their performances on Sunday. Other artists to perform at the festival include Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, Flo Rida, Nelly, Pitbull, Christin Aguilera, Lil Kim, Omarion, Bow Wow, JoJo, and more. Check out Chris Brown’s latest statement on Instagram below.

Chris Brown Responds On IG

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Big Sean Shows Love To Jhené Aiko Onstage At Lovers & Friends Festival

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Jhené Aiko was one of many performers who graced Usher’s Lovers & Friends Festival in Las Vegas on Saturday (May 6). Moreover, she even brought out a special guest for the occasion who showered her with love while onstage, and it was none other than her boyfriend Big Sean. Furthermore, the Detroit rap star had some beautiful words for his boo, who formed part of a stellar lineup of R&B and hip-hop legends. During his remarks, he also shouted out all the mothers in the crowd for their love, dedication, and perseverance. In addition, the rapper detailed just how caring Aiko is and how hard she works to nurture their child.

“It took her so much to get up on this stage,” Big Sean said of his love, Jhené Aiko. “Because she’s so hands-on with him. She’s so nurturing, breastfeeding every, you know… Titties breastfeeding, not just pumping, aight? She really nurtures and takes care of this baby and it took a lot for her to get up on stage so I appreciate all the love you guys are showing her. And shoutout to all the mommas out there really doing their thing too, ’cause I don’t know how y’all do it, man. Jhené, I love you, great show. Good job, keep going,” he concluded with a playful butt pat.

Big Sean Praises Jhené Aiko’s Loving Nature

Of course, the “Lucky Me” artist is referring to their son Noah, who they spend a lot of time showing off and loving online. Most recently, the family went on a zoo trip and shared some wholesome pictures from the outing, and they were particularly a fan of the lions. It seems like no matter what they’re up to, they are always putting smiles on and sharing their everyday matters with the same casual attitude of a couple you know on social media. Given Big Sean and Jhené Aiko’s beloved careers, it must be a hard life to balance.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles native recently dropped her first single of the year, rebuilding hype for her next full-length release. The track “calm & patient” is an ethereal cut that is yet another display of her vocal and songwriting talents. We’ll have to see what Sean has in store for us as well, and hopefully that arrives soon. Regardless, return to HNHH for the latest news and updates on Big Sean and Jhené Aiko.

Chris Brown Gets Into Verbal Altercation Backstage At Lovers & Friends Festival

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With a newly surfaced video from the Lovers & Friends Festival, the story around Chris Brown keeps getting juicier. Moreover, someone filmed the R&B singer almost getting into a fight with an unknown party, exchanging harsh words with a wall of security between them. It’s unclear what prompted the verbal altercation, or if it devolved into anything physical. What we do see is a gaggle of people around him and security trying to diffuse the situation, and not much is intelligible. Given rampant rumors that he and his crew jumped Usher at Brown’s birthday party, many believe that something went down relating to that.

To theorize, perhaps Chris Brown was getting heated over people accusing him of attacking Usher just a day before the festival. After all, they both performed at the event with back-to-back sets with no issues, and with no word on the allegations. However, this new clip certainly fails to paint the “Psychic” singer in a positive light considering his history and the current headlines. Whatever happened backstage at Lovers & Friends, fans are still waiting for someone to set this story straight. In the meantime, it’ll continue to spread in the media and there might be no turning back.

Chris Brown Filmed Getting Into Heated Backstage Argument

On that note, the most prevalent theory surrounding the alleged attack on the Confessions superstar involves Teyana Taylor. According to reports from apparently close sources, Chris Brown actually had a bone to pick with her at his birthday celebration. The story goes that Teyana skipped on his Michael Jackson tribute performance at the AMAs. Reportedly, the Virginia native asked Taylor to leave, and apparently was mad at her for opting out because he believes that’s one of the factors that led to the performance’s cancellation. When things between the two got verbally heated, that’s when Usher allegedly stepped in to mediate.

No matter whose side you stand on, this is a rollercoaster of new information as we wait for gossip confirmation. Sure, some videos emerged of the alleged incident in addition to this new backstage pop-off. Regardless, fans feel nowhere near close to the truth, so we’ll see if a potential explanation from Usher or Chris Brown changes things. For more updates on this story and the latest from these artists, stay posted on HNHH.