Music

Kendrick Lamar Will Reportedly Perform New Music During An Italian Festival

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Fans haven’t heard new music from Kendrick Lamar for nearly five years but according to an Instagram post from Italy’s Milano Summer Festival, that could change soon. The post includes an announcement for Kendrick’s show during the festival taking place at Ippodromo SNAI San Siro in Milan on June 23, where he will apparently be performing new tracks.

The post appears in Italian but translated, reads, “Kendrick Lamar returns to Italy with a super anticipated show which, produced and distributed by Vivo Concerti, will see him perform – after 8 years from his first performance in Italy, in 2014 – at the Milan Summer Festival (Ippodromo Snai) [on] Thursday 23 June 2022.” It also promised that Kendrick “will play the pieces of the new album, long-awaited by the fans.”

There’s been plenty of speculation about Kendrick’s new music with fans convinced he’d debut an all-new song during his Super Bowl halftime performance with Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mary J Blige, and Snoop Dogg. While that didn’t happen (Kendrick instead performed an edited version of his To Pimp A Butterfly single “Alright”), he’s been working on other projects in the meantime, including a movie with the creators of South Park and a new podcast breaking down the creation of his Grammy-winning album To Pimp A Butterfly.

The Weeknd Shares A Heartwarming Birthday Text From His Parents

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Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, better known to most as The Weeknd, was born on February 16, 1990, making today his 32nd birthday. Late last night, The Weeknd shared was must have been one of the first birthday messages he received, a sweet text from his parents.

The text, sent from his mother’s phone but addressed from both of his parents, reads, “February 16 @ 2:45 pm the Star is born Happy Birthday Abel. Enkuan tewoldek [heart emoji] [folded hands emoji] [cake emoji] [champagne glasses emoji] [champagne bottle emoji]. egzaiber ymesgn [folded hands emojis]. You are our hero God bless you and your work with much Love. Always yours proud parents [heart emojis].”

The Weeknd’s folks aren’t the only ones who took notice of his big day, as he’s currently a trending topic on Twitter as fans wish him a happy birthday.

At the young age of 32, The Weeknd has accomplished a ton in his life. He has three No. 1 albums to his name in the US, while his LPs that didn’t top the chart — Kiss Land and Dawn FM — peaked at No. 2. His 2018 EP My Dear Melancholy also went No. 1. Additionally, he has a handful of chart-topping singles, the latest of them being 2020’s “Save Your Tears.” He also has the most monthly listeners on Spotify, a throne he claimed from Justin Bieber in January. “Blinding Lights” is also the second-most-streamed song in the history of the platform and will likely follow Ed Sheeran’s “Shape Of You” to become the second song to ever hit 3 billion Spotify streams.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Rudy Giuliani Is Picking A Fight With Eminem For Taking A Knee At The Super Bowl: ‘Go To Another Country’

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When Rudy Giuliani isn’t shooting Cameo videos, making incoherent speeches, or making a fool of himself on The Masked Singer in order to try and make a dent in his ever-mounting legal bills, he hosts his own radio program—the cleverly titled Rudy Giuliani Show. Earlier this week, as Newsweek reports, he did the Disgraced MAGA Stooge version of Monday morning quarterbacking when he decided to rage against Eminem’s decision to take a knee during the Super Bowl Halftime Show. And he didn’t mince words:

“Let’s get right to Eminem taking a knee: Why doesn’t he go to another country? I mean, go take a knee someplace else. You know how many cops were defending him and protecting him at that game yesterday? I mean, crime is way out of control in Los Angeles. He thinks that all happened because everybody loves Eminem? The simple reality is the NFL has made a mockery out of law enforcement, particularly with its support for the cop-killing Black Lives Matter.”

If that entire diatribe is confusing to you, you are not alone. The main point to be gathered from it is that Giuliani—much like Donald Trump—either really, truly does not understand that taking a knee has become a quiet and peaceful way for individuals to protest racism and police brutality. Or he’s just playing dumb, and if it’s the latter it’s a role he has perfected.

But the Detroit rapper wasn’t the only performer Rudy took issue with. He also went off on Snoop Dogg—or, as Giuliani calls him, “Snoop ‘Kill Police’ Doggie Dogg”—saying that he doesn’t understand what he’s saying, then gave an impromptu performance of what Snoop’s music sounds like to him, which sounded more like two bears mating. In other words: Come for the Eminem banter, stay for the Snoop talk. You can watch the full clip below.

(Via Newsweek)

Azealia Banks Shares A Shocking Photo Allegedly Of Julia Fox And A Supposed Text Argument

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A few days ago, Julia Fox confirmed she and Kanye West (aka Ye) had broken up with a social media post. Since then, Azealia Banks has launched a feud with Fox, disputing her version of events.

After Fox’s statement, Banks shared it on her Instagram Story and wrote (as HotNewHipHop notes), “We already know the tea foolia! u came to miami looking for sex work, same lawyer was in contact with ye and it was a weak pr stunt from jump. What did u hustle him for? A bag and some Lucien’s? You absolutely did not come up because if this is how women who ‘always date billionaires’ behave when sh*t goes south, – threatening tell all books…. You can kiss your days as a low rate escort goodbye sis.”

Banks also addressed Fox’s history of drug abuse (which Fox herself has discussed) and called her “a liability” to West.

Later, on her Instagram Story, Fox responded, “I’m open about my issues with addiction because I want to destigmatize it! Not al addicts are ‘junkies’. That is so horrible to say. It’s a real f*cking disease. And I’ve also been open about my recovery journey!!! But nobody wants to mention that right….. If this troll says one more thing about my parenting or my son……….. I was too nice to her cuz I felt sorry for her but now I realize there’s a reason why she spends all the holidays alone. Nobody wants that energy sis!!!”

Banks shared screenshots of an apparent text conversation between her and Fox, as well as a photo that appears to be of Fox taking drugs intravenously. Fox shared alleged text messages of Banks asking her for help buying molly and percocet, which Banks said were not for her.

This morning, in a video on her Instagram Story, Banks addressed the molly and percocet (“MNP,” as she called it), saying she has a friend with medical issues who takes pain medication and sometimes runs out. Banks says she wanted to have sex with him without pain, so she claims that’s why she asked Fox for the drugs.

Kanye West And His Mother Rap A Verse He Wrote In High School In ‘Jeen-Yuhs’

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One of the highlights of Jeen-Yuhs, the new Netflix documentary about Kanye West, is seeing West’s tender relationship with his mother, Professor Donda West. It’s no secret that Kanye considered Donda one of his major anchor points — he named his last album and his non-profit foundation after her — but to watch them share quiet moments together before his ascent to stardom gives viewers a better understanding of just how close they were.

The moment that perhaps best highlights their bond in the first part of the three-part docuseries sees Donda reminiscing about a rap Kanye wrote in high school. Almost instantly, Ye begins to recite it for her, and it doesn’t take long for her to join in, rapping along with the verse as though it were one of Kanye’s hits like “Through The Wire,” “Gold Digger,” “Stronger,” or “Power.” The glimpse into their private world exemplifies how much Donda believed in Kanye’s art — and perhaps reveals part of why Kanye believed in himself so much, even when the recording industry establishment didn’t.

Ye also shows off a truly impressive and hilarious impression of his “big brother” Jay-Z in the episode, which follows him from his humble beginnings as an aspiring rapper and producer for Chicago’s underground hip-hop scene to his eventual signing to Roc-A-Fella Records. You can watch the full episode on Netflix, with parts two and three coming next week and the week after.

Kanye West Does A Hilarious Jay-Z Impression In The First Episode Of ‘Jeen-Yuhs’

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As Kanye West tries to work out his marital issues in the public eye, Netflix offers a more pleasant view of the mercurial star as a young, hungry artist in the first episode of the three-part documentary series, Jeen-Yuhs. Shot by longtime Kanye collaborators Coodie + Chike and following the earliest part of his career when he was just a producer on Roc-A-Fella’s payroll being strung along by Dame Dash, Jeen-Yuhs gives a rare glimpse at who Kanye was before the fame, looking up to “big brother” Jay-Z and looking forward to signing his first major-label recording contract.

Before that, though, the documentary gives much-needed background into Kanye’s upbringing, including his close relationship with his mother Donda West, and the underground Chicago hip-hop scene that incubated the rapper’s nascent talents. It follows his invasion of the Roc-A-Fella offices in New York to play his music for anyone and everyone who’ll listen in the hopes of getting Dash’s attention. And it catches Kanye showing off a hilariously accurate impression of Jay-Z before the two rappers ever joined forces to make rap fans Watch The Throne.

Mostly, though, the first episode sets the stage for Kanye’s precipitous rise, reminding us that even the biggest stars often have to start from humble beginnings.

Episode one of Jeen-Yuhs is now streaming on Netflix.

Kanye West Does A Hilarious Jay-Z Impression In The First Episode Of ‘Jeen-Yuhs’

by
kanye west and jay-Z
Getty Image

As Kanye West tries to work out his marital issues in the public eye, Netflix offers a more pleasant view of the mercurial star as a young, hungry artist in the first episode of the three-part documentary series, Jeen-Yuhs. Shot by longtime Kanye collaborators Coodie + Chike and following the earliest part of his career when he was just a producer on Roc-A-Fella’s payroll being strung along by Dame Dash, Jeen-Yuhs gives a rare glimpse at who Kanye was before the fame, looking up to “big brother” Jay-Z and looking forward to signing his first major-label recording contract.

Before that, though, the documentary gives much-needed background into Kanye’s upbringing, including his close relationship with his mother Donda West, and the underground Chicago hip-hop scene that incubated the rapper’s nascent talents. It follows his invasion of the Roc-A-Fella offices in New York to play his music for anyone and everyone who’ll listen in the hopes of getting Dash’s attention. And it catches Kanye showing off a hilariously accurate impression of Jay-Z before the two rappers ever joined forces to make rap fans Watch The Throne.

Mostly, though, the first episode sets the stage for Kanye’s precipitous rise, reminding us that even the biggest stars often have to start from humble beginnings.

Episode one of Jeen-Yuhs is now streaming on Netflix.

Snoop Dogg Wants To Make Death Row An NFT Record Label: ‘I Want To Be The First Major In The Metaverse’

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Snoop Dogg has been a busy man. On Friday, he released his 19th album, BODR (Bacc On Death Row), and on Sunday, he joined Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, and Anderson .Paak at the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show. Prior to those events, Snoop revealed that he acquired Death Row Records from MNRK Music Group and the private equity fund that owned it managed by Blackstone investment firm. Days after the acquisition, Snoop revealed his plans to make Death Row an NFT record label.

Snoop shared the news after making a surprise appearance in a devoted Clubhouse room on Monday. “Death Row will be an NFT label,” Snoop said. “We will be putting out artists through the metaverse. Just like we broke the industry when we was the first independent [label] to be major, I want to be the first major [label] in the metaverse.”

Snoop Dogg is also facing some legal problems after he was sued for an incident of sexual assault from 2013. The unnamed woman claims that the incident occurred after she attended one of Snoop’s shows in Anaheim, California.

You can hear Snoop Dogg talk about making Death Row an NFT label in the video above.

BODR is out now via Death Row/Create. Get it here.

Trey Songz Was Reportedly Got Sued For $20 Million By A Woman Who Claimed He Raped Her

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Trey Songz finds himself in legal trouble once again after a woman reportedly sued him for $20 million after she claims the singer raped her. The alleged incident occurred on March 24, 2016 with a woman who was identified in court documents as Jane Doe. According to the documents, which were obtained by TMZ, the woman claims that she was invited to a house party in Los Angeles where she was invited upstairs to have was she believed would be consensual sex. Instead, Trey repeatedly asked her if he could “get that ass” to which she repeatedly said “no.”

The woman claims that Trey’s behavior changed once they got into the bedroom, where he allegedly threw her to the ground, ripped her pants off, pinned her face-first to the floor, and anally rapped her. She says she tried to fight him off but he overpowered her. She also claims that someone walked into the room, and while she hoped this would cause the “brutal rape” to end, the individual quickly exited the room and Trey continued his assault.

According to the documents, the woman was only able to leave once Trey finished. She grabbed her clothes, except for her underwear, and ran outside to her Uber. During the ride, the Uber driver noticed she was in distress and reportedly took her to a hospital, where the police were called and a sexual assault exam was performed. The exam showed “severe anal tearing that could require surgery.” However, she said she did not mention Trey’s name to the police because she was “in shock and fearing for her life.”

The woman is seeking $20 million in damages. Her lawyer, Ariel Mitchell, is representing two other women who have also accused Trey of sexual assault, one in New York and another in Miami. In November, Trey was hit with a lawsuit for sexual assault in Las Vegas,. Last month, he was accused of rape by former UNLV basketball player Dylan Gonzalez.

Trey Songz is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.