This weekend, longsuffering Beyoncé fans will finally get to see the concert movie Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé after months of hype and speculation. The movie will be an AMC Theatres exclusive, and as such, come with multiple perks like a themed drink at the chain’s MacGuffins Bar and exclusive collectibles (tequila AND gin though? YEESH). A Renaissance popcorn bucket and collectible cup will both be available for purchase (provided you go on day one because you just know the Hive is all over those) beginning on November 30.
The popcorn bucket will be $22.99 while the cup will cost $12.99. If that seems a little steep, just remember: Rocket Raccoon’s popcorn bucket ran Guardians Of The Galaxy fans 30 bucks. Both Renaissance collectibles feature the film’s title in shimmering silver print along with a silver silhouette of Beyoncé herself draped along the logo. Fans going on opening weekend will also get a chance at a free mini poster of Beyoncé in a 1950s sci-fi space explorer outfit.
At the film’s premiere on Saturday, stars came out in droves to support Beyoncé, including all four previous members of Destiny’s Child. Other big-name BeyHivers (and accent mark lovers) included the singer’s proteges Chlöe and Halle Bailey, Coco Jones, Janelle Monáe, Normani, Victoria Monét, and more.
Flo Rida’s path to creating his most successful album, Wild Ones, is a story of artistic evolution. Emerging in the mid-2000s, Flo Rida quickly made a name for himself with his debut album in 2008. It laid the foundation for his distinctive style—a fusion of hip-hop, pop, and electronic dance music.
The period leading up to the release of Wild Ones in 2012 saw Flo Rida cementing his place in the music industry. Not just as a rapper but as a versatile artist capable of crossing over into mainstream pop. His increasing collaboration with artists and producers from diverse musical backgrounds marked this transition. The album’s development reflected a clear intent to appeal to an international audience. It blended elements of EDM with Flo Rida’s rap roots to create a fresh and commercially viable sound.
Unpacking Wild Ones: A Fusion Of Genres & Global Appeal
In Wild Ones, Flo Rida crafted an album that encapsulated his signature style and pushed the boundaries of traditional hip-hop. The album stands out for seamlessly integrating rap with electronic dance music (EDM), a then-emerging genre sweeping the global music scene. This fusion is evident in tracks like “Good Feeling,” which samples Etta James. It also mixes Flo Rida’s rap verses with pulsating EDM beats, creating a nostalgic and contemporary sound.
The title track, featuring Sia, exemplifies the album’s appeal beyond the traditional rap audience. It combined Sia’s powerful vocals with Flo Rida’s energetic delivery against a backdrop of catchy, danceable production. “Whistle,” another key track, further showcases Flo Rida’s skill in creating tunes that are both rhythmically complex and widely accessible. These songs highlight the album’s core strength: its ability to transcend genre boundaries and appeal to a diverse global audience, solidifying Flo Rida’s status as a crossover artist.
A Commercial Powerhouse
Wild Ones marked a high point in Flo Rida’s career, achieving significant commercial success and reshaping industry norms. The album debuted at number 14 on the US Billboard 200 and has sold over 311,000 copies in the United States alone. Its success was amplified by its singles, particularly “Whistle” and “Good Feeling,” which topped charts globally. This success indicated a shift in the music industry, where digital sales and streaming became more dominant.
The album’s impact extended beyond its sales figures. Flo Rida’s approach, focusing on singles that resonated on a global scale, positioned him uniquely in the digital era. His success demonstrated the potential of digital platforms in propelling songs to international acclaim. This influenced how artists and record labels approached music production and distribution. In essence, Wild Ones exemplified the music industry’s transition into a more digital-centric era. It set new precedents for success and reach.
Enduring Influence In The Digital Music Era
The legacy of Flo Rida’s Wild Ones extends well beyond its initial chart success, embodying a significant shift in music consumption and production in the digital era. The album’s blend of hip-hop, pop, and EDM set a precedent for future artists, showcasing the potential of genre fusion in reaching a diverse, global audience. Its success through digital platforms like streaming services and digital downloads highlighted a new paradigm in the music industry, where digital metrics complemented the traditional measures of album sales. Today, Wild Ones remains a benchmark for artists aiming to achieve cross-genre appeal and global reach in the digital music landscape.
Nicki Minaj is gearing up to release her first new album in 5 years and hype is through the roof. Much of that comes from Nicki herself who has been constantly tweeting and posting about Pink Friday 2 for months. She’s shared numerous pieces of promotional material, mostly album covers. But she’s also teased potential sonic directions for the album, previewed tracks, and even flirted with dropping an EP before it actually comes out.
Over the weekend she was back on Twitter talking about the album once again. In a new tweet, she discusses an unnamed person who inspired the album. “Last night when all the world was sleeping, I was up…missing you…a painful amount of missing you…listening to the intro track on #PinkFriday2…I wrote it for you,” her post begins. The emotional post ends with yet another tease that has fans on the edge of their seat. “On Dec. 8th…when the clock strikes 12, one of my best kept secrets & proudest moments will be unveiled,” the tweet concludes. While fans have speculated on what she could mean by the tweet, ultimately nobody will know for sure until the album drops. Check out some of the speculation below.
Last night when all the world was sleeping, I was up…missing you…a painful amount of missing you…listening to the intro track on #PinkFriday2…I wrote it for you
On Dec. 8th…when the clock strikes 12, one of my best kept secrets & proudest moments will be unveiled. #PF2
Nicki Minaj’s new album is expected to drop on December 8. Some fans aren’t letting their hopes get too high until the album actually arrives due to Nicki’s history of promising things and failing to deliver. The project has already been delayed, pushed back from its originally announced release date earlier this month. Many other fans think that all the teasing and promotion is a pretty good sign that the album will ultimately come out on time though.
She spoke about some of the motivation for the album during a recent Vogue interview. As a part of the interview, she also participated in a 73 Questions video and even shared an original freestyle. What do you think the best-kept secret Nicki is talking about could be? Let us know in the comment section below.
In the music industry, artist reinventions can be a hit-or-miss affair. So when Taylor Swift announced she was transitioning from a country-pop darling to a full-blown pop star, critics and fans were understandably divided. After all, she had already established herself as America’s country sweetheart by the late 2000s. Nonetheless, after teasing her hybrid sounds on the albums SpeakNow and Red, Taylor Swift did the unthinkable with her fifth project, 1989.
On 1989, Taylor Swift became a definitive pop artist. To put it plainly, she shed all traces of her country music roots and did so rather authentically. A breakaway from her previous sounds, she ushered in a new era of synth-pop greatness, solidifying her name in the pop history books. As the world got a taste of her pop star power, Taylor Swift crushed the sales of her first four albums. Overall, 1989 has since remained the best-selling album of her career.
Taylor Swift was no stranger to gargantuan sales before 1989 was released. In detail, her self-titled debut album has sold over seven million copies worldwide. In the same vein, her sophomore album, Fearless, has achieved over 11 million sales. However, by her fifth album, she completely disintegrated the glass ceiling sales-wise.
1989 has since sold over 14 million copies around the world and is the best album of her career commercially. Also, of all the albums released in 2014, Taylor Swift took the crown as the best-selling artist. As far as first-week sales, the album scored a colossal 1.287 million copies, shattering all publications’ predictions. Specifically, the album has received a 9x Platinum certification from the RIAA, with over nine million units sold. The most recent certification for the album was on December 11, 2017. Therefore, and especially following her earth-shattering Eras Tour, 1989 should very much be on the cusp of a Diamond certification in the US.
Furthermore, in the UK, the album has achieved a 5x Platinum certification, for sales of over three million units. In Canada, 1989 sold over 540,000 units, earning a 6x Platinum. The album also performed very well in Australia and New Zealand. It was certified 11x and 9x Platinum respectively, for sales of over 770,000 and 135,000. Moreover, Brazil, Italy, France, Germany, and Japan earned platinum certifications, with sales of 40,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000, and 250,000 respectively.
1989: A Showcase In Artist Reinvention
Taylor Swift brought something unlike ever seen or heard before in her previous albums. By taking the risk of reinventing herself and her musical artistry, she successfully shocked the world. As a result, she gained a much larger fanbase, and in return, greater sales. While her third and fourth albums simply toed the line between country and pop, Taylor Swift left little to the imagination in terms of her new sound. In summary, she was unmistakably and unabashedly pop. 1989 would later go on to win the Album Of The Year award at the 2016 Grammys.
Taylor Swift previously worked with producer Max Martin on Red, and he stayed on for her subsequent albums, 1989 and Reputation. Other producers on 1989 include Jack Antonoff, Ryan Tedder, and Imogen Heap, among others. Altogether, the songs on the album were a unification of the impeccable sounds of several pop-centric producers. Out of seven singles released, three topped the Billboard Hot 100.
Moreover, while all the songs in 1989 achieved varying levels of success, the lead single, “Shake It Off” became a massive hit. It has also received a Diamond certification, for over 10 million units sold. The singles “Blank Space” and “Bad Blood (feat. Kendrick Lamar)” sold exceptionally well too, achieving 8x and 6x Platinum certifications, selling over eight and six million units respectively. Altogether, the smash successes of the tracks on her fifth album made 1989 a worldwide phenomenon. However, it was her determination to excel in pop that kept the singer and songwriter on the lips of many. Indeed, Taylor Swift is still churning out record-breaking albums today, but it’ll take a while before anything tops 1989… at least commercially.
Charlamagne Tha God says he’s wishing the best for Wendy Williams’ health, but that the two haven’t had a relationship for years. He spoke about his former radio partner with The U.S. Sun at the 5th Annual Pow(H)er Awards in New York City, earlier this month. The last time Williams was spotted in public was in N.Y.C. in February. At the time, she appeared frail amid ongoing health concerns.
Charlamagne told the outlet: “I just pray that she’s in good health, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically. I care about that more than I care about anything media-related. Even if we don’t have a relationship, you want to see people always going out with the plane landing with the wheels coming out. You don’t want to see people crash. At least I don’t.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 16: Charlamagne Tha God speaks during the Support Your Girlfriend’s POW(H)ER Experience Awards 2023 on November 16, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
As for whether he’d ever want to interview her, he admitted he “never thought about it.” The Breakfast Club host added that they haven’t spoken for “years.” He said: “I’m not even thinking about stuff like that. You want to see a person like that, you know, you heard that she was having some type of health issues, and you want to see her get back on her feet. That’s what I care about.” Charlamagne worked on The Wendy Williams Experience from 2006 through 2008. He has said Wendy’s ex-husband, Kevin Hunter, fired him after a business deal gone wrong.
At the Pow(H)er Awards, Charlamagne was honored with the first-ever Power(H)im Award. The ceremony came as The Breakfast Club is searching for a new co-host to replace DJ Envy, who got roped up in Cesar Pina’s alleged real estate fraud scam. Be on the lookout for further updates on Charlamagne Tha God as well as Wendy Williams on HotNewHipHop.
Shakira’s musical odyssey, leading to her best-selling album Laundry Service, is a narrative marked by cultural fusion and artistic ingenuity. Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, Shakira’s early music was deeply rooted in her diverse heritage, blending Colombian, Lebanese, and Western influences. This eclectic mix became her signature sound, evident in her initial Spanish-language albums, which garnered substantial acclaim in Latin America and Spain.
Her transition to the English-language market was a pivotal moment in her career. Laundry Service, released in 2001, was Shakira’s first predominantly English album and represented a significant leap towards international stardom. The album was a bold fusion of her Latin roots with mainstream pop and rock elements, a synthesis that was both a creative and commercial gamble. Shakira’s deep involvement in the album’s production — writing or co-writing each song, contributing to the instrumentation, and co-producing — exemplified her commitment to maintaining artistic authenticity in this new career phase.
Dissecting Laundry Service: A Melange Of Styles & Themes
Laundry Service, Shakira’s breakthrough into the English-speaking market, was a masterful blend of diverse musical styles. The album traversed various genres, from pop and rock to Andean and Middle-Eastern music, all infused with Shakira’s distinctive Latin flair. This eclectic mix was not just a musical experiment but a reflection of Shakira’s multifaceted identity and global perspective.
The album’s standout tracks, such as “Whenever, Wherever” and “Underneath Your Clothes,” showcased her ability to weave personal storytelling with universal themes. “Whenever, Wherever,” with its catchy blend of Andean flutes and pop rhythms, became an anthem of self-expression and cultural pride. In contrast, “Underneath Your Clothes” offered a more intimate, tender side of Shakira, highlighting her range as a songwriter.
Laundry Service: Chart-Topping Success & Global Impact
Shakira’s Laundry Service was not just an artistic triumph. It was a commercial powerhouse. Released in 2001, the album quickly soared to the top of the charts globally. In the United States, it peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, marking a significant achievement for a Latin artist transitioning to the English-language market. “Whenever, Wherever” became an international sensation, reaching No. 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topping the charts in several countries, including Australia, Germany, and Spain.
The sales figures for Laundry Service are a testament to its widespread appeal. The album sold over 13 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of the 21st century. Its success extended beyond the traditional music markets, earning platinum and multi-platinum certifications across various continents. The album was certified 3x Platinum in the United Kingdom, while in Australia, it achieved 4x Platinum status. These numbers reflect the album’s universal appeal and Shakira’s ability to connect with audiences across linguistic and cultural divides.
Enduring Legacy Of A Cultural Phenomenon
Laundry Service‘s legacy extends far beyond its initial release in 2001. The album established Shakira as a global superstar, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry. Its influence is evident in how it bridged the gap between Latin music and mainstream pop, inspiring a generation of artists to embrace their cultural heritage within the global music scene.
The album’s relevance today is a testament to its timeless appeal. Shakira’s fusion of diverse musical styles set a precedent for artists exploring multicultural influences. Laundry Service‘s success story is a compelling narrative about breaking barriers and redefining music genres. It remains a benchmark for artists aiming to transcend cultural and linguistic boundaries in their music. The album’s enduring popularity highlights Shakira’s status as an icon in the global music industry and a trailblazer in cultural integration through music.
Every Monday, Billboard unveils the top 10 songs on the latest Hot 100 chart. The most recent rankings, for the chart dated December 2, are out now, so let’s run down who had this week’s biggest hits.
10. Tyla — “Water”
What a breakout year for Tyla: The South African artist has herself a breakout hit with “Water,” and now it is one of only relatively few songs ever to find itself in the top 10 of the Hot 100, after rising from No. 15 last week. Remixes with Marshmello and Travis Scott released on November 17 gave the track the boost it needed this frame.
9. Taylor Swift — “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) [From The Vault]”
8. Brenda Lee — “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”
The holiday season really makes time irrelevant: Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” celebrates its 65th anniversary this year, and here the Christmas classic is in the top 10 of the Hot 100.
7. Tate McRae — “Greedy”
Like Tyla, McRae just had her first top 10, although “Greedy” achieved the feat last week. Now, its success continues as the song rises up a spot from No. 8 to No. 7.
Bryan and Musgraves’ collab has been a multi-genre force over the past few months: Aside from maintaining a Hot 100 presence, it’s currently No. 1 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs and Hot Rock Songs charts for a 13th week and on the Hot Country Songs for a ninth.
5. SZA — “Snooze”
“Snooze” is thriving right now, as SZA’s hit remains in the top 5 of the Hot 100 while leading the Hot R&B Songs chart for a 17th week.
4. Mariah Carey — “All I Want For Christmas Is You”
Yes, it’s starting again. Every year, Carey’s 1994 holiday hit had a major leap this week, rising from No. 17 all the way to No. 4. At this point, it’s appears to be only a matter of time before the frosty favorite reclaims the top spot for yet another holiday season.
3. Doja Cat — “Paint The Town Red”
It’s appropriate a song about the color red is thriving on the first December-dated Hot 100, but that’s not new, as it’s been at or near the top of the chart for some time now.
2. Taylor Swift — “Cruel Summer”
After spending five total weeks at No. 1 so far, Swift’s revived 2019 hit is taking a break from the throne as it slides down to No. 2 this week, thanks to a surging newcomer.
1. Jack Harlow — “Lovin On Me”
Last week, Harlow’s “Lovin On Me” was the chart’s biggest debut at No. 2. Now, it has managed to knock Swift off the top spot and rise to No. 1, becoming the rapper’s third career No. 1 single (following “First Class” and the Lil Nas X collab “Industry Baby”).
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
This weekend, Beyoncé’s concert film, Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé, premiered in Los Angeles with a star-studded event attended by a who’s-who of today’s biggest names in music. While the film itself is set to hit theaters on December 1, you can probably expect to learn more about the movie this week, whenever any embargoes are lifted by Parkwood Entertainment.
However, there are a few things we already know. Thanks to the film’s trailer we know that there will be some behind-the-scenes footage, as well as those long-awaited music videos. And thanks to the film’s marketing we know who directed it: Beyoncé herself, along with James B. Merryman and Mark Ritchie, adding another hyphen to her long list of talents.
One of the other takeaways from the film’s premiere was how her daughter, Blue Ivy, improved her stage presence after seeing some negative comments online. As it happens, the 11-year-old was only supposed to appear at one tour stop after finagling a concession from her perfectionist mom, but once she had something to prove, she trained hard for future appearances.
Meanwhile, Beyoncé fans couldn’t help but speculate about which moments from the singer’s massive Renaissance World Tour made it into the film, sharing predictions via social media ranging from inspired to downright silly.
Day one of the Young Thug and YSL RICO trial already got off to a pretty wild and contentious start. Moreover, during the prosecution’s opening statements, in which they presented some PowerPoint slides, Thug’s attorney Brian Steele interrupted- which reporter Meghan Cuniff noted is bizarre for legal proceedings- and called for a mistrial in this case. This is due to his claim that the information in these slides wasn’t disclosed, and the defense lawyer said that these revelations were barred in court. All this is according to Cuniff, who added that the District Attorney’s team acknowledged that they messed up by proposing a curative jury instruction. Of course, they still objected to a mistrial motion.
Furthermore, Cuniff also quoted a prosecutor in the Young Thug trial whose inflammatory take provided objection. “‘What you will not hear any evidence of is that the defendants were not involved in a criminal street gang,’” she wrote. “Unreal burden shifting from a prosecutor here. Stunning that she said this and seemed surprised when there was an objection. ‘If that’s the case, then she’s just lying to the court.’” It’s unclear who the journalist quoted with that last sentence, but we can assume it’s the defense’s opposition to the prosecutor.
However, this isn’t a win on either side, as the court denied previous motions to dismiss this case and no one is any happier with what prosecutors have been doing. As such, it’s harder than ever to tell what will happen with this case moving forward, which is ironic considering that it’s finally underway after so long. What’s most worrisome about these developments, though, is how they obfuscate what Young Thug and YSL’s tru culpability is in all this. With so many differing procedures, contested approaches, and lack of informational organization, it’s clear that both sides are struggling to reckon with the breadth, scope, and visibility of this case.
Regardless, this rocky start to this RICO trial prompted many to look back at what happened with Thugger and YSL up until this point. There’s a lot to sum up and consider, without even accounting for the details and developments that didn’t make it to the media cycle. Nevertheless, hopefully this trial aims to concern itself with the evidence and the arguments at hand in a clear, fair, equitable, and effective way for the sake of all those involved. On that note, stay up to date on HNHH for the latest news and updates on Young Thug and the YSL RICO trial.
Last week, Andre 3000 surprised the rap world by dropping his debut solo album after nearly two decades without a new project. But as soon as the announcement dropped, he made it clear to fans that the album might not be what they were expecting. He promised that the album had “no bars” and delivered on that promise. New Blue Sun is a long ambient jazz album that predominately features Andre playing the flute.
Now, the official first-week sales numbers for the project are in. It pushed 24k units which was good enough for #34 on the Billboard 200. While the numbers aren’t eye-popping by hip-hop standards, they’re very impressive for such an experimental album. While the project has been met with plenty of praise from critics, fans have been much more skeptical. Many out there don’t feel all that relieved that Andre finally released an album, because they were only hoping for a new rap project. New Blue Sun was the fourth highest-debuting album this week behind country legend Dolly Parton, K-pop group ENHYPHEN, and the new collaborative album between 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne.
In the wake of his album announcement, Andre 3000 made numerous other revelations in an interview with GQ. He revealed that he’s secretly been collaborating with other artists and contributing instrumentation to their album under a pseudonym. That caused fans to pour through their music libraries looking for tracks he might be included on.
Now that the sales numbers for the album are out, fans are reflecting on DJ Vlad’s take on the project. He claimed that the streaming and sales numbers speak for themselves and that Andre should focus on giving the people what they want. Many fans who liked the album disagreed with his take online. What do you think of the first week sales for Andre 3000’s new album? Were they more or less than what you were expecting? Let us know in the comment section below.
