Fred Again is fresh off a massive breakout 2023. Though he’s been grinding away for a while in the UK garage and electronica underground, the DJ and producer started gaining a lot more attention last year. Part of that came through his affiliation with Skrillex and Four Tet. The trio filled in as a headliner in week 2 of Coachella last year after Frank Ocean backed out of his second performance. It all culminated with a Best New Artist nomination at the Grammys.
Fred Again has parlayed his big year into a handful of high-profile collaborations. Because he tends to play many of his songs at shows before they’re ever released fans are often familiar with his catalog of work-in-progress material. That was the case when he collaborated with Nigerian singer Obongjayar “adore u.” It was even more the case a few months later when he unleashed “leavemealone” with Baby Keem and a remix with Nia Archives shortly after. He’s also been playing an unreleased song with Lil Yachty at recent shows. But fan hype reached another level recently when Yachty joined him on stage to perform the song himself.
Just before that he made his surprise first team-up with emo pop singer YUNGBLUD. Despite neither of the two distinctive artists being particular critical darlings the song seems to be performing quite well with fans. It’s racked up nearly 2 million streams on Spotify in just a few weeks. What do you think of Lil Yachty joining Fred Again on stage during a recent music festival? Are you looking forward to their collaboration eventually dropping? Let us know in the comment section below.
It didn’t take long for the allure of Lagos to work its magic on Roddy Ricch. The rapper is in Nigeria’s biggest city for a music festival taking place this weekend. He’s one of the headline performers at FlyTime Fest which got underway yesterday and spans the entire weekend. Roddy is set to perform alongside other headliners like Lil Durk, Davido, and Asake. But while he’s in Nigeria he took the opportunity to check out Lagos and made a tweet expressing his love for the city.
“I might buy a house in Lagos. it’s unconditional love,” he said in a tweet shortly after arriving in the city. That post followed a viral video of Roddy looking stunned as he arrived in the city. It seems the feeling stuck with him throughout much of his first day as he’s thinking about a residence in the city. After posting the tweet he hit the stage last night leading up to Lil Durk’s headlining set at the major festival. Check out his original tweet and some of the various fan reactions and jokes in response to it below.
Earlier this year Roddy Ricch celebrated his 25th birthday in style. He threw a yachty party alongside various contemporaries like YG, Southside, and Mustard. He took to social media to share some of his goals for the next year alongside a video of the party. Unfortunately, fans spent a lot more time picking apart the various outfits attendees were sporting rather than wishing Roddy a happy birthday.
Roddy has also had a difficult time previewing new music this year. Earlier this year viewers abandoned an Instagram Live he was hosting when he tried to play new music that they weren’t vibing with. Fans reacted similarly a few months later when he shared a snippet online. Their response actually resulted in Roddy picking a fight with a fan and the pair going back and forth over criticism of his music. What do you think of Roddy Ricch falling in love with Lagos so quickly after arriving? Let us know in the comments below.
Doja Cat is having a major 2023. Earlier this year she released her new album Scarlet after a controversy-soaked series of singles leading up to the record. Despite the controversy, she managed to score one of her biggest hits to date in “Paint The Town Red” which is still in the top 10 of the Hot 100 months after its release. Starting in late October she took off on the Scarlet arena tour which sees her playing headlining shows across North America alongside guests like Doechii and Ice Spice.
But she won’t be done playing major shows even after the tour ends later this month. She was just announced as the headlining act at next year’s Rock In Rio festival in Lisbon, Portugal. The festival already has an impressive roster with pop sensations like Camila Cabello and Ed Sheeran on board as well as major rock acts like Scorpions and Evanescence. In the announcement of Doja Cat’s inclusion on the roster, the festival expressed significant excitement. “To have Doja Cat headlining our lineup for the first time in Portugal is a privilege! It’s going to be four days of great joy to recharge the energy of everyone who passes through the City of Rock,” their claim reads. Check out the full announcement below.
Earlier this month, Doja Cat made an apology to her fans after a concert. She had reportedly been performing despite illness including a show in New Jersey. After the concert she took to social media to apologize to fans after what she saw as an underwhelming performance that wasn’t up to her standards.
Despite her apology, many fans online expressed that they actually found the show a lot of fun and didn’t think she had anything to be sorry for in the first place. What do you think of Doja Cat headlining the Rock In Rio festival in Lisbon? Let us know in the comment section below.
Tyler The Creator has a unique fanbase. Overall, this fanbase has taken a lot of flack over the years. Sometimes, this has been warranted and other times it is just a case of bullying. However, if one thing remains true, it is that there is a sour taste left in people’s mouths from what went down in 2019. For those who need a reminder, Tyler brought out Drake during Camp Flog Gnaw. Drizzy was the surprise guest and fans did not like it at all. They booed him incessantly and it was an embarrassing display.
Although Drake tried to play it cool afterward, many noted how rude it was for Tyler’s fans to do that. Even Tyler had some words for his fans back in 2019, saying “I thought bringing one of the biggest artist on the fucking planet to a music festival was fire… all jokes aside sh*t lowkey funny.” Over the weekend, Camp Flog Gnaw made its grand return, and Tyler made sure to make mention of the infamous blunder.
In the video clip above, you can see Tyler The Creator performing the song “Lumberjack.” There is a line in which Tyler says “I hit Drizzy and told him I had a milli’ for him.” However, this time around, he made sure to change the lyric to: “I called Drizzy and you booed him last time.” He then proceeded to call his crowd “assh*les” before everyone, including Tyler, bursted into laughs. Needless to say, it is good to see everyone having a fine sense of humor about what happened.
Did you got to Camp Flog Gnaw this weekend? If so, let us know some of your favorite sets from the weekend. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will always be sure to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists. We will also continue to bring you the latest music releases.
The Taylor Swift-ification of The National is complete.
The process began many years back, when Swift was just making playlists in her post-1989 era and including songs from The National, Bon Iver, and others who would go on to intertwine themselves with the pop star. And it peaked this last weekend, as The National returned to their hometown for the appropriately named Homecoming Festival. It was not the first time they’d thrown such an event, though this one was in some way a makeup for their canceled 2020 edition that was meant to celebrate 10 years of High Violet, one of their most beloved releases.
The influence could be seen among the fans, particularly those who made friendship bracelets spelling out songs from High Violet and Trouble Will Find Me, the other album whose anniversary would be honored over the weekend. And while there weren’t fans dressing up like song lyrics — cherry trees? alligators? a swarm of bees? — fans of all ages did adorn their favorite National merch representing the 20+ year history of the band. And, mirroring what Taylor Swift managed to do a couple times on her Eras Tour, The National let the IRL fans be the first to know that they had an album of new material dropping. (The National didn’t simply announce, either, they even had autographed vinyl copies of Laugh Track ready to be purchased days before the record was set to hit streaming, giving their diehards a first-listen opportunity and a chance for rare merch.)
It’s not surprising that The National’s influence on Swift, which includes Aaron Dessner working as a songwriting and production partner on her last three albums and the band guesting on the track “Coney Island,” has been mutual. Swift, for her part, appeared on songs for both The National and their offshoot Big Red Machine. When The National were canceling their own Homecoming Festival in 2020, Swift was having to squash plans for her Lover Festival. Heck, even The National’s speedy succession of First Two Pages Of Frankenstein and Laugh Track this year recalls Swift’s pandemic prolificacy with her offerings of Folklore and Evermore.
Philip Cosores
The scale is obviously not the same and the differences between the artist are plentiful, but there is something to say about how Taylor Swift has transformed the music industry and how artists going forward can borrow from her learnings. But the biggest parallel comes from the fan service that each provides. Regardless of the size of the audience, creating experiential, unique opportunities for those diehard fans is the most lasting and impactful way to maintain them. It’s the kind of move that will cause devotees to spend their free time crafting letters onto string, or spend their vacation money for a flight to the midwest to see not only their favorite band, but likeminded artists like Patti Smith, Pavement (playing the final show of their reunion tour), The Walkmen, Weyes Blood, Julia Jacklin, Bartees Strange, Snail Mail, and many others.
Philip Cosores
For their part, the moment was not lost on The National. Those hoping to hear the band wax poetic about how High Violet and Trouble Will Find Me impacted their lives on an emotional or spiritual level were left wanting, but that also isn’t typically how the band expresses themselves. Where they did not hold back was in expressing their love of their home city, using their two nights of headlining sets to shout out all sorts of Cincy-centric references, and even receiving the key to the city from the (surprisingly hot?) mayor.
They also made sure to discuss the significance of the other bands on the bill, be it talking about how seeing The Walkmen in their NYC heyday inspired the writing of “Available,” which they then performed for the first time in a decade, or dedicating “Lemonworld” to Bartees Strange, who they noted has his own excellent cover of the song. They spoke about their heroes Pavement before playing “So Far Around The Bend,” a rarity that references a desire for the California band to reunite, released shortly before they actually did in 2010. And they spoke about playing “Afraid Of Everyone” for the first time in 2009 in front of Patti Smith and R.E.M. leader Michael Stipe (who traveled to the festival with Patti and took in many acts side-stage), noting how important it was to get their crucial approval in 2009 and then welcoming Patti to the stage to duet “I Need My Girl.” Many of the acts there felt not just curated as artists their fans might like, but ones whose stories are intertwined with their own, parts of an extended family that Weyes Blood and Snail Mail and the others were now invited to.
Philip Cosores
Some other rapid-fire highlights:
The Walkmen proving just how sturdy and timeless their catalog is, and while “The Rat” rightfully gets its due as one of the best songs of this century by anyone, I nominate “In The New Year” as the peak of their achievements, which is the perfect song to ring in January 1st with, 15 years running.
Snail Mail yelling “Pavement” between songs, encapsulating the still-confounding appeal of the MOST Gen-X band appealing to a wide swath of Gen-Z women.
Pavement ending their reunion 2.0 without the fatigue that seemed to come at the end the last time around. They said it will be a long while until they perform again, but their commitment to celebrating their whole catalog and virtually delving into jam-band territory on this incarnation should be used as a playbook for how band reunions can thrive and remain special.
Patti Smith just being Patti Smith, complete with Ginsberg readings, tributes to her departed friends, and a few genuine festival-ready hits in the form of “People Have The Power,” “Gloria,” and “Because The Night.”
Weyes Blood ending her set in the same way that Babylon ends. Both rule, don’t @ me.
Philip Cosores
And while The National’s two performances were notable beyond the full-album plays — only repeating a handful of tracks each night — it was the many little details that made the event feel like a true gift. The “American Water” branded sparkling water cans; the archival shirts and posters on sale; the First Two Pages Of Frankenstein mannequin head selfie station. Even some dude who kept emerging from backstage with random catering food to pass out, including PB&Js, bags of chips, and pickles. In all, there was little to take the focus away from the music and community, with everything striking as a solid 20% nicer and more thoughtful than it had to be. (I would be remiss to not mention my only major gripe with one of The National’s tour photographers: It’s not good to stand on stage and obstruct the audience’s view. People were getting very upset in the crowd because of this. Just a note I hope someone passes along. Whatever shot you are trying to get, it’s not worth it if it ruins someone’s favorite song for them.)
Philip Cosores
We live in an era where most festivals feel like you are fighting the elements, be it weather or crowds or ticket agencies or whatever else — just ask Taylor Swift fans. Swift in turn gave her fans the show of a lifetime with the last tour, as a thank you for the difficulty in being a fan in 2023, an honoring of the wealth of material she has released, and an acknowledgment for all that we’ve been through in the past few years. For its part, Homecoming also felt like this, living up to its name even for those who traveled to be there. It had a level of comfort that doesn’t exist at most events, where the audience reveled in like-minded solidarity and the curators put the audience’s needs at the forefront. So, it is here that I present my alternate headline for this article, which was scrapped because, well, it looks psychotic: There Is No Place Like (The National’s) Home(coming Festival).
Check out some exclusive photos of The National’s Homecoming Festival 2023 below
When first purchasing tickets to famed music festivals around the globe, patrons don’t anticipate getting injured, or worse, losing their lives. Still, it’s unfortunately become a trend in recent years to see tragedies unfold amid large gatherings. Obviously, the worst we’ve seen would be Travis Scott’s 2021 Astroworld crowd-crush. However, TMZ reports that one person died at the 2023 Burning Man event after heavy rainfall turned the desert into practically pure mud.
According to the outlet, the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed an ongoing investigation. Few details are being released at this time, but it’s possible that the person’s death was related to the downpour. On Saturday (September 2), Burning Man attendees were urged to shelter in place amid the hectic weather. Things were so bad that many had become immobilized. Mother Nature’s mood isn’t expected to improve on Sunday. The forecast is notably calling for 40 mph winds, hail, and more heavy rain.
As with most music festivals, several celebrities were in attendance at Burning Man, including Diplo and Chris Rock. Rather than follow the guidelines to shelter in place, the DJ and comedian opted instead to hike five miles through the wild in hopes of avoiding being stuck in more terrible conditions for the rest of their weekend.
In a video shared on Diplo’s social media page, he and the Madagascar voice actor ride in the backseat of a truck with a group of strangers. It seems their celebrity status worked to its advantage. Fans spotted Rock and his pal and happily let them catch a ride back to civilization. Only emergency vehicles are permitted to be driving in the area for now, so it’s unclear how long it’ll be before other patrons are able to safely exit.
If you came across Diplo and Chris Rock struggling to escape the Burning Man Festival desert, would you stop to pick them up? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more music/pop culture news updates.
Summer may be coming to a close in the US but music festival season is really a global chase for endless summer (if you have the means to travel). Going someplace steamy when it’s cooling down back home is a huge selling point for many music-loving vagabonds. Plus the US summer season isn’t over yet — Burning Man, Imagine Music Festival, Borderland Music & Arts Music, and Life Is Beautiful are all on the horizon. Hulaween, Portola Festival, Joshua Tree Festival, Tomorrowland Brazil, Groove Cruise, and more are on the way.
With more music to come, we tapped the Queen of Rolling Loud, Bunny Zingler. The fashion icon — who takes a 360 approach to self-expression through music, fashion, and beauty at festivals — just wrapped up her on-site activation at last month’s most powerful hip-hop music festival in history with her exclusive Forever 21 collection, bridging the gap between fashion and festival culture. The collection draws inspiration from the 90s and Rolling Loud’s home base of Miami with a variety of pieces including checkered bodysuits, colorful cargo pants, fitted graphic crop tops, and palm tree-emblazoned matching sets – a nod to the city’s vibrant nightlife scene and lively culture.
To prepare for the rest of this year’s and beyond festivals, we asked Zingler to walk us through how to properly prep and pack for your for a fest while also showcasing some personalized looks from her latest Forever 21 collection.
PART I – How To Prep
KAY GRAY
Schedule Out Beauty Treatments:
I try to plan any particular beauty treatments that take more time and healing at least two weeks before Rolling Loud or any other festival. One of these beauty treatments is usually a facial with my esthetician. Depending on how my skin is doing at that time, I either opt for a chemical peel or something a bit less invasive like an intense hydra-facial. Around this time I also like to check in on my routine teeth cleaning, hair removal process, baby botox, and root touch-up for my hair.
This is also the time when I would be planning all of my outfits and start packing little by little.
Work Out:
After completing anything painful and invasive, my second phase of prep is what I like to call the “good uncomfortable.” I really enjoy getting in good workouts that make me feel stronger. Lifting and stretching before Rolling Loud helps me ensure my body is ready to take on the heat and all the dancing I’ll be doing! I make sure to maintain a good diet even outside of prepping for special events but even more so leading up to them.
I try to get in a lot of protein, carbs, water, and minerals leading up so I know my body has the utmost fuel.
Self-Care & Last-Minute Errands:
Getting a little closer to Rolling Loud, I like to implement a lot of healing properties and self-care by doing things that make me feel good and look good. I always make sure I have my outfits completely prepped and packed, leaving just toiletries, makeup, and hair items to be packed for later on, a little closer to the event. Some of the things I enjoy during this time are definitely aloe pop face-sicles that I make at home, as well as getting a lot of rest. Rolling Loud is three days long, and with all the time and prepping beforehand and also in the moment, it really is crucial to make sure you’re fueling your body and setting yourself up for success to ensure you have the best time ever.
Along with this, I finish any last-minute errands, work, and home chores to make sure everything at home is good to go — leaving no loose ends to worry about.
Grab The Fun Essentials
After completing all of the above, I’m almost ready! Now it’s time for fun stuff like full body exfoliation, a spray tan, and a dope new set of nails. Aside from these, all I have to do now is pack up my hygiene, hair, makeup, and get an awesome hydration and vitamin IV before I really start the party. Quick tip for arrival – as soon as I get to Rolling Loud or any festival I attend, I also find the nearest supermarket and buy a case of water and my favorite go-to snacks to have on hand after a long day/night.
PART II – Packing Essentials
KAY GRAY
Electrolyte Packets:
These are most important for me because whether you’re consuming alcohol or not, you’re still getting pretty active going back and forth to stages while hopping and bopping around to your favorite music, especially at a festival like Rolling Loud where we have so many stages and acts I want to see. Staying hydrated is the number one festival essential for me.
Face & Body Sunscreen:
Finding a face sunscreen that works for you is almost like finding a precious gem. I swear it’s taken me years to figure out a sunscreen that works for my skin and doesn’t leave me worried about pesky breakouts or potential allergic reactions to chemicals. Do the research and start finding that for yourself as soon as you can – it will really help your skin for the long run and also in the present. Nothing’s worse than being burnt while you’re having fun – that’s the type of issue that would prevent me from fully enjoying my time.
Setting Spray:
Setting spray is super important to me! Usually, I opt for an aerosol setting spray for long-wearing makeup events like music festivals where you’re outside most of the day. For some reason, I think it just works a lot better than a traditional spray
Your Trusty Pair of Sneakers or Shoes:
I have certain shoes that are just my “festival shoes.” These are ones I’ve already broken in and don’t mind getting a little roughed up. Try to always have your feet, ankles, and toes protected at a festival for your safety.
Sunglasses:
Sunglasses because, well, they protect your eyes and always look super cool. If the setting spray flops and your makeup starts melting – sunglasses! I always try to bring an inexpensive pair because I end up losing them throughout the night. So make sure to pack a few pairs!
Hair Bands:
You or someone else will always need a hairband. Sometimes you wanna live in the moment and let your hair down without it actually flying in your face or sticking to you…hair bands !!!
Throughout 2023, North Carolina rap group Little Brothers have been celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut album The Listening. Now according to HipHopDX, they are planning a performance in their hometown of Durham to celebrate the album. Earlier this week they announced the show and revealed the lineup which includes Zo! & Tall Black Guy, Hourglass, Wally Sparks, and Sam Jay. The “Made In Durham: A Little Brother Block Party” is set to take place in Durham on October 7th. With the original announcement, they also promised appearances from some special guests and fans didn’t have to wait long to find out who they were.
Two artists who were likely inspired by Little Brothers will join them to celebrate. Mississippi rapper Big K.R.I.T and Chicago rap duo The Cool Kids were added to the roster of performers. The announcement was made in a clip today that parodied a classic wrestling promo done by Booker T. “The only clique you need to know about is Little Brother and Sister Cicely,” the clip begins. “You see, because what you’re dealing with right here is the brotherhood and it’s non-stop from this point on, and at UBN, we take what we want. And after we take the stage at the Little Brother Block Party, we want the gold, sucka. Bull City, we coming for you.”
Big K.R.I.T. has had a relatively quiet year so far. He kicked off 2023 with a single called “Birthday Season” which runs less than 2 minutes long. Later, in March, he teamed up with Kari Faux for an even more successful new single called “TURNIN’ HEADS.” Finally, K.R.I.T joined up on a posse cut with some truly impressive talent. He joined both DRAM and Westside Boogie as guest rappers on the Deante Hitchcock song “Once Upon A Time.”
His last new full-length project Full Court Press dropped last year and saw him collaborating with Wiz Khalifa, Smoke DZA, and Girl Talk. What do you think of Big K.R.I.T and The Cool Kids being added to the “Made In Durham” lineup? Let us know in the comment section below.
Earlier today, it was reported that Lil Durkhad to cancel numerous upcoming tour and festival shows. That followed a story that broke last week where Durk was reportedly hospitalized for dehydration and over-exhaustion. Successive reports confirmed that his hospitalization was merely a precaution and that his condition was always fine. But now it seems like he’s taking an opportunity to protect himself going forward by canceling previously announced shows.
Lil Durk made a public statement explaining why he was forced to make the cancellations. “Since I’m still awaiting full clearance from my doctors to travel and perform again, I have no other choice but to cancel my headlining Rolling Loud performance,” his statement begins. “While I’m home resting, I am looking forward to my two homecoming shows on the 11th & 12th in Chicago. For the rest of the country, I’ll be announcing new dates soon. #StillHealing.” Clearly, Durk’s hospitalization resulted in doctors telling him to take some time off. In a post about the announcement, DJ Akademiks notes that Durk’s Rolling Loud Miami performance was set to pay him 750k.
Lil Durk Postpones Tour
Lil Durk cancels 5 festivals including 750k rolling loud miami performance and reschedules upcoming tour due to health reasons!!! We got a statement from him exclusively about these cancellations. Get well Durk!!!! pic.twitter.com/ddYj5ZBmQe
Earlier this year Lil Durk released his new album Almost Healed. The project went on to debut at #2 on the Billboard 200 and for a while, it had the highest first-week sales of any rap album this year. Those numbers were outdone by Lil Uzi Vert’s recent Pink Tape. Despite that, Almost Healed‘s biggest hit “All My Life” featuring J. Cole remains in the top 10 of the Hot 100. Earlier this month the song was even certified platinum.
There could be even more Lil Durk music coming soon. The rapper has repeatedly teased fans with the possibility of an Almost Healed deluxe edition. Earlier this year he claimed that the deluxe version of the album could come out as soon as this summer. It’s unclear how these tour cancelations will impact his plans to eventually release it. What do you think of Lil Durk postponing and canceling shows for health reasons? Let us know in the comment section below.
Global Citizen Fest just announced its lineup for the 2023 edition of the New York City festival. Among the headliners are two familiar names for rap fans one old and one new. Rap legend Lauryn Hill is set to perform, as is one of the biggest names in the genre today Megan Thee Stallion. They’re headlining alongside California alt-rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers. Elsewhere in the lineup are artists like pop singer Conan Gray and the K-Pop group Stray Kids.
The news comes in the middle of a relatively slow year for Megan Thee Stallion. Musically speaking, she hasn’t released any new material so far in 2023. Last year she dropped Traumazine, her second studio album, to critical acclaim. The album featured fellow hitmakers like Future and Latto as well as rappers like Key Glock and Ric Nasty. The album was preceded by hit songs like “Plan B” and “Sweetest Pie” with Dua Lipa. It also spawned a new hit for Megan with the hip-house bop “Her.”
Megan Thee Stallion and Lauryn Hill Are Headliners
The biggest story for Megan Thee Stallion so far this year is one that has continued to follow her for years. All the way back in July of 2020 Megan was reportedly shot in the foot by rapper Tory Lanez. The resulting court drama lasted for years until he was ultimately convicted of all counts late last year. His sentencing hearing has been delayed multiple times. Once he is ultimately sentenced he could face more than 20 years in prison for the incident.
Despite Megan’s well-documented evidence and the court ruling, some still don’t believe her side of the story. Recently DJ Akademiks found himself in hot water for once again questioning the narrative. Thankfully after testifying in the case Megan seems to have put the incident behind her and has spent 2023 playing a number of major shows. What do you think of Megan Thee Stallion and Lauryn Hill headlining this year’s Global Citizen Fest? Let us know if you plan to attend the festival in the comment section below.
Em 2023, com o lançamento do single “Paint the Town Red”, a artista atingiu o primeiro lugar na Billboard Hot 100 Chart e fez história no Spotify! 
