Music

Kendrick Lamar Is Rumored To Be Debuting A New Single Before He Performs On The Super Bowl Halftime Show

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Kendrick Lamar Austin City Limits
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Kendrick Lamar has a history of dropping new music in a live setting. Well, sort of… Back in 2014, when producer Flying Lotus closed out LA’s FYF Festival Lawn Stage on Sunday night, he dropped the Kendrick Lamar collaboration “Never Catch Me” for the first time ever in the middle of his performance, set to a dizzying three-dimensional visual display. For those who were there, it was a sublime moment hearing what would soon become one of the best tracks of the year. But back then, Kendrick Lamar wasn’t in attendance and his voice on the track more than did all the heavy lifting. Now at this Sunday’s Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show, when he takes the stage alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, things could look a lot different.

According to radio host Ebro Darden, who co-hosts Apple Music’s Rap Life Review, Lamar might very well have a new song out in time to perform it on the biggest of all stages. In yesterday’s episode, Darden and co-hosts Nadeska and Lowkey were speculating about a new single from the “Humble” rapper when Darden begins to speak on what he’s just been informed. “What I’m reading here provided by our producer Sasha… the way this reads, it sounds like it’s confirmed that we will get a single from Kendrick Lamar before his performance,” Darden begins. “It says: ‘With the release of his single to be debuted ahead of his performance, what we know so far is that his next project will be the last project that he will release under Top Dawg Entertainment,’ which, we already knew that.”

It sounds like a press release was sent to the popular hip-hop show to put the information out there ahead of the Super Bowl and that come Sunday, Lamar could indeed be playing the song on stage.

Coi Leray Gets Tormented My A Mischievous Imp In Her ‘Anxiety’ Video

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Coi Leray has yet to capitalize on her breakout 2021, although that could change in the near future thanks to her new song “Anxiety.” The single from her upcoming debut has helped her gain traction after her breakout 2021 singles “No More Parties” and “Twinnem” brought her quirky approach to a mainstream audience. Today, she dropped the single’s surreal music video, which could raise its profile and go a long way toward earning her some much-deserved respect.

In the video, Coi is terrorized by a mischievous personification of the feeling of anxiety, portrayed by a flexible dancer in a houndstooth-patterned, bodysuit, complete with horns and a penchant for causing destruction. In a series of related vignettes, the evil imp upends a meal, forces another young woman to drink a whole bottle of wine, and demolishes a third woman’s bedroom, echoing the disruptive effects anxiety can have and the extreme measures some folks take to self-medicate.

Coi’s addressed her mental health through music on other singles, including “Medicine,” while fending off critics for the past year who criticized everything from her body to her passing resemblance to Dej Loaf. Hopefully, she can find a little peace of mind amid the bustle of becoming a star because she may only get bigger from here.

Watch Coi Leray’s “Anxiety” video above.

Saba Focuses On Family And Community In His ‘Few Good Things’ Short Film

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After releasing his long-awaited third studio album, Few Good Things, Chicago rapper Saba followed up last night with the premiere of the album’s accompanying short film, also titled Few Good Things. Like the album, the film, directed by C.T. Robert, casts its focus on the themes of family and community, as well as the comforting memories that grow from each. A series of vignettes, home movies, and photo albums soundtracked by the album highlight the good things that Saba is holding onto.

In an artist’s note, Saba said of the film, “The concept of Few Good Things is the realization of self after a search for exterior fulfillment. It is the satisfaction and completeness you gain by simply living a life that is yours. Few is a small number, but few is not lonely. In the face of all adversity, a few good things is recognizing and accepting blessings. Few is to count them, one by one. An empty glass is full of air. An empty bank is full of lessons. An empty heart is full of memories. Few good things is to grow comfortable with the empty, and despite that, finding your fullness.”

Watch Saba’s new short film, Few Good Things, above. Few Good Things, the album, is out now via Pivot Gang LLC. You can stream it here.

Doja Cat Covers Hole’s ‘Celebrity Skin’ In Her Super Bowl LVI Taco Bell Commercial

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Doja Cat gets one heck of a makeover in her new ad for Taco Bell, as she and a group of friends escape a drab clown college in the search of some Fire sauce. Set to air during Super Bowl LVI, the ad is set to the tune of Doja covering Hole‘s “Celebrity Skin,” which lands right on the red ball nose as Doja and her friends’ clown makeup flies off during their trek to the local Taco Bell (or maybe one a little further away, considering it’s dark by the time they get there).

It’s not the first time a Doja Cat commercial has soundtracked a Taco Bell ad. Late last year, her soon-to-be single “Get Into It (Yuh)” popped up during an ad about geeky cosplayers falling in love at first sight on the subway. Doja wasn’t above using her new position as Taco Bell partner to lobby for the return of the chain’s fan-favorite Mexican pizza menu item, prompting some fans to urge her and Chief Impact Officer Lil Nas X to make it happen.

Doja’s making something of a habit of recreating classic tunes and movies with her brand partnerships, especially the ones for the Super Bowl. Last year, she put her own spin on Grease for Pepsi, stepping into the classic role of Sandy and covering “You’re The One That I Want.”

Latto ‘Could Hear’ Doja Cat On A Remix Of Her Hit Single ‘Big Energy’

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Latto‘s hit single “Big Energy” has been climbing the Hot 100 ever since its release last year, clocking in at 15 weeks on the chart and currently holding at No. 34 — its peak position to date. With the song doing so well, the timing is better than ever for Latto to release a remix and potentially launch it even further up the standings. But who would be on it? When a recent interview with Bootleg Kev brought up Doja Cat as a potential guest feature, Latto agreed that she “could hear it,” although she remained coy about details, only admitting that the remix is in the works.

It wouldn’t be the first time the pair has collaborated. In 2020, both rappers were tapped to appear on the remix of Chloe X Halle’s hit song “Do It” along with City Girls. Also, incidentally, the song right behind Latto’s on the Hot 100 this week is Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More” featuring SZA, so both artists could absolutely receive a boost from collaborating.

Doja Cat’s services are in high demand though, with artists like Baby Tate seeking to pair up with her on Doja’s “Get Into It (Yuh)” and burgeoning punk rapper Snot seeking her attention on his own song named after her. But Doja herself has said that she wants to be more picky when it comes to collaborators in the future, which could make it harder for other artists to secure her co-sign.

In any case, Latto’s got enough to do right now as she prepares to headline the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour along with emerging TikTok rapper Kali this spring (Kali would also make for a great guest if Latto wanted to help the younger artist with a leg up). However it turns out, the “Soufside” rapper will likely keep rising in popularity as she plans the release of her second album.

50 Cent Was Bemused By A Misleading Report That The Biden Administration Is Distributing ‘Crack Pipes’

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50 Cent has come a long way since his humble beginnings in Queens, New York. Long enough that he was actually bemused and dismayed upon learning that the Joe Biden administration’s plans to address America’s ongoing drug problem include distributing crack pipes to addicts — something that you might argue a younger 50 would have approved of in his pre-rap career. “OK, I don’t understand what’s going on now,” he wrote on Instagram while sharing the worrying headline. “Let’s just give them some crack everybody loves CRACK. SMH.”

The thing is, Biden’s plan to mitigate the damage of substance abuse does not include any provisions of the sort. Instead, the administration is working on a $30 million program to distribute safe drug kits — containing life-saving measures such as naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and clean syringes — to reduce the number of annual deaths from substance abuse and some of its side effects.

However, conservative outlets ran with the crack pipe framing because it’s easier to demonize addicts — especially if you can throw in some racist dog whistles — than to address the root causes or symptoms of America’s drug epidemic. The misleading reports were refuted by a statement from the US Department of Health and Human Services, which advised, “These comments are misleading and misinformed. Too many Americans have lost their lives to drug overdose. Evidence-based community harm reduction services such as naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and syringe services programs help people stay alive and are proven strategies for addressing this tragic epidemic.”

DaBaby And Others Gang Up On DaniLeigh’s Brother And Attack Him At A Bowling Alley

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To put it lightly, things between DaBaby and DaniLeigh, who have a child together, are not going well right now. The two have had multiple disputes in recent months, and now DaniLeigh’s family is involved: In footage taken at a Los Angeles bowling alley last night, DaBaby and some associates are seen teaming up to beat up DaniLeigh’s brother Brandon Bills (real name Brandon Curiel).

In videos shot by bystanders, DaBaby and a handful of other people gang up on Bills to throw punches, grab him by his hair, and repeatedly slam him on the floor in the bowling lanes.

Bills later shared a video offering his side of the story, saying, “N****s wanna grab me by my hair. N****s didn’t catch no fair one, n****s they came and jumped me, my n****, once I slipped, n****. I spoke to you like a man, my n****. I said, ‘Yo, come… let’s talk, one on one, like some men, my n****, me and you on the side, my n****.’”

DaniLeigh also posted on her Instagram Story, writing, “Lame as hell!!!! Running up on my brother on some slippery ass floors with 5/6 of ya boys while he’s by himself and not even touching him!!! Lame and soooo sad!!!! I pray this stops now !!! Bc this is my family! And I got a daughter to raise . Sad [broken heart emoji].”

This comes after Bills addressed DaBaby back in November, saying, “When you come to the West Coast, bro, which I know you be out here, you’re going to catch this one-on-one fade, bro. One-on-one fade to see what happens between me and you. I want to see how gangsta you are, to see how much of a real man you are. This n**** wanna disrespect my sister online for the world to see, disrespect my family… This don’t even got nothing to do with my sister no more, bro. This gotta do with me and you.”

Check out videos from the fight above and below.

Snoop Dogg Was Reportedly Sued For Sexual Assault Stemming From A 2013 Incident

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This weekend Snoop Dogg’s will take the stage at the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show alongside Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige for what’s set to be a monster performance. While one of Snoop and Dre’s most iconic songs might not make the setlist, it’s still bound to be epic. However, just days before the performance, Snoop has a new legal matter on his hands.

According to TMZ, Snoop and his longtime associate Bishop Don Juan were hit with a lawsuit for a sexual assault that allegedly occurred nearly a decade ago. The woman, who is a model and a dancer and was identified as Jane Doe, claims that Don Juan offered her a ride home after attending one of Snoop’s shows in Anaheim, California on May 29, 2013. She says she fell asleep in the car and when she woke up, they arrived at Don Juan’s home rather than her own. The lawsuit states that the “Plaintiff was exhausted and fell asleep at [Bishop’s] home.”

The woman then says she woke up at 4 am the next morning to Don Juan forcing oral sex on her. The lawsuit states that he “discriminated against and harassed Plaintiff because of Plaintiff’s sex and gender.” It was then that Don Juan told her to get ready to go to Snoop’s studio, where they would see if Snoop would make her a “weather girl” for some television show. When she arrived, she went to the bathroom due to a stomach ache. She claims Snoop then came in and also forced oral sex on her. She later said that Snoop didn’t hire her because she “refused to willingly and enthusiastically give oral sex.”

A source told TMZ that the woman demanded $10 million, but her request was rejected. Now Snoop and Don Juan are being sued for an unspecific amount in damages. Snoop denies the woman’s claims and seems to have referred to her as a “gold digger” in a recent Instagram post.

Myles Turner And Detroit Rapper BabyTron Shook Hands On A $100,000 Bet

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Indiana Pacers forward/center Myles Turner hasn’t played in an NBA game since the middle of last month due to a stress reaction in his left foot. He was set to be re-evaluated two weeks after the injury, but it remains to be seen if his next game will be in a Pacers jersey. That’s because his name has come up multiple times in trade rumors. As we wait to see what happens with him, Turner used some of his recovery time to make a giant, $100,000 bet.

Turner was joking with people on Twitter when rising Detroit rapper BabyTron stepped in to throw a jab at him. “ARE YOU EVER GONNA MAKE THE ALL STAR TEAM @Original_Turner,” BabyTron wrote. Turner issued his response, but not without checking out some of BabyTron’s music. “@_babytron No [cap] i have no idea who you are but I just listened and you ain’t bad… wager sumn,” Turner wrote. “I make an all star team or you get a billboard top 10 single.” He then placed his wager for the bet, writing, “Put 100 k onnit [handshake emoji].”

BabyTron seemed quite excited to make the bet as he eagerly replied, “ITS ON [handshake emoji].” As for BabyTron’s rap career, he’s quite the active artist, having released four projects in 2021: Lewis & Clark, Dookie Brothers 2, Luka Tronic, and Bin Reaper 2.

Normani Says Her Upcoming ‘Genre-Bending’ Single Is ‘Probably Not What Everyone Is Expecting’ From Her

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Normani 2021 Soul Train Awards
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Ever since she released her epic video for “Motivation” back in 2019, Normani has left fans desperately awaiting a new project. Unfortunately, her official debut has yet to be released, leaving many to hope that this is the year it finally arrives. While we’ll have to wait and see about that, Normani recently teased her upcoming single during a Q&A session with her followers on Instagram. It began with a post to her Instagram story that read, “What do you think my next single sounds like?” on a piece of paper surrounded by colorful questions.

Normani 2022 Instagram Story
Normani
Normani 2022 Instagram Story
Normani

Many of Normani’s followers replied, with one saying, “I want your next single to sound like I’m on a cloud and I’m just drifting in your sound.” The singer replied, “You’re so cuteee. This one is really unique and different for me. Probably not what everyone is expecting.” Another person said her next song might be an R&B record like her most recent single, “Wild Side” with Cardi B. Normani replied, “Genre bending for sure. It’s just a great record” with a crying face emoji.

Aside from these tidbits, Normani did not reveal when the song will arrive and if it will have any guest features. This comes after she revealed that her upcoming debut album is “almost done” during an interview with Ciara.

Cardi B is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.