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Music
Saba Pushes Past His Insecurities In The Commanding Video For ‘Stop That’
Saba is just a few months away from giving us his first album in almost four years, and its upcoming arrival couldn’t come any faster. The Chicago rapper revealed the upcoming body of work is titled Few Good Things after releasing its presumed lead single, “Fearmonger,” earlier this month. Saba continues the campaign for Few Good Things with its second single, “Stop That.” The new track is a hard-hitting effort that finds the rapper tackling his insecurities and motivating himself to never succumb to them.
In a press release that arrived with the song, Saba spoke about the meaning of the track to him. “I feel like more often than not, we let our own judgement of ourselves knock our confidence off before anyone else even offers any feedback,” he said. “Our own insecurities ring really loudly in our heads, to the point where we make ourselves smaller before giving anyone else the chance to.” He added, “This is something that I feel like I found myself beginning to do over the years. Hiding from the uncomfortable moment. And this song works as my noticing and correcting that.”
In addition to sharing the new song, Saba also revealed that Few Good Things will arrive on February 4, 2022, leaving fans with less than three months to prepare for the project’s release.
You can watch the video for “Stop That” above.
Few Good Things is out 2/4 via Pivot Gang LLC. Pre-order it here.
A Man Was Shot Near Young Dolph’s Memorial, Leading To The Arrest Of Three People
The music world is still reeling from the unexpected death of Memphis rapper Young Dolph. He was shot and killed at Makeda’s Cookies, a bakery that Dolph often shopped at. As the community continues to mourn his death, another shooting occurred near Makeda’s on Thursday. According to FOX 13, a man was shot at the Family Dollar next door to the bakery. The Memphis Police Department confirmed that two people were arrested at the scene in connection to the incident and a third was detained at a nearby intersection. According to Revolt, the victim is currently in non-critical condition.
Officers are on the scene of a shooting at 2630 Airways. One male was shot and is listed as non-critical. Officers immediately detained two suspects, and a third was detained at Kerr and Mississippi after a brief pursuit.
The cause of this shooting is under investigation.
— Memphis Police Dept (@MEM_PoliceDept) November 18, 2021
The incident occurred after Memphis police revealed that Young Dolph’s alleged killers were caught on camera moments before the shooting. In the footage, one man appears to be holding an AK-47 Draco machine pistol while another man fires with a handgun. Both individuals wore masks and were dressed in hoodies and sweatpants. Witnesses at the scene said the two men fled the scene in a “lighter-colored Mercedes.”
It was also revealed that Dolph was set to host a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway in Memphis on the same day he was tragically shot and killed. “This is the holidays. There’s more to it than just giving away turkeys,” Dolph said during a turkey giveaway he held in 2018. “I’m here to flood the area and the city with positive vibes. Ain’t nothing like family. When you come to Memphis, you get the family vibe. All of my partners, friends, they’re from my neighborhood. Everyone here is for the support, and it’s really just about capturing the positive vibe around the holidays.”
You can read the statement from Memphis Police in the post above.
(Via Revolt)
Soulja Boy Will Not Perform At Two Shows On ‘The Millennium Tour’ As A Result Of Young Dolph’s Death
Last month, the long-awaited Millennium Tour kicked off in Los Angeles. The string of shows brought some of the most popular singers and rappers of the 2000s to one big stage. Some of the acts include Bow Wow, Omarion, Ashanti, Pretty Ricky, the Ying Yang Twins, Soulja Boy, and more. With just a week and three shows remaining, Soulja Boy will have to sit out two performances after the promotion company behind the tour decided to remove him from them as a precaution following Young Dolph’s death. The announcement was made through a post the company shared on Instagram.
“In response to the tragic shooting death of rap artist Young Dolph, The Millennium Tour 2021 Tour promoter, G-Squared Events, has determined that rapper Soulja Boy will not perform during this weekend’s tour stops in St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee,” G-Squared Events wrote in their Instagram post. “To preserve the safety of The Millennium Tour 2021 artists and patrons, tour representatives are exercising caution and want to make a smart decision to be safe.”
A message from a representative at the company was also included in the post. “The safety and welfare of our patrons are the first and foremost priority,” they wrote. “We pride ourselves on bringing high-quality concert experiences to our patrons. In times like this, we will stop at nothing to ensure that everyone that participates in these experiences is healthy, safe, and quite frankly having a good time.”
You can read the full message from the company in the post above.
Big Boi And Sleepy Brown Gave A Head-Nodding Performance Of ‘Animalz’ On ‘Fallon’
You’ve really got to admire Big Boi‘s latter-career resilience. After splitting with his Outkast partner Andre 3000 in the late 2000s, he could have faded from public view like so many other rap group members or pivoted to acting as his former partner did. Instead, he only became more creative and productive, three solo studio albums and a joint EP with Phantogram titled Big Grams (he also dabbled a little in acting himself appearing in films like Baby Driver, Superfly, and most famously, ATL).
All this while consistently being underrated by fans on Twitter who constantly clamor for new Andre 3000 material while sometimes overlooking his critically-acclaimed and commercially successful solo efforts (the latest, Boomiverse, peaked at No. 28 on the Billboard 200). However, those fans have another chance to finally give Big Boi his just due with his upcoming joint project with longtime collaborator, fellow ATLien Sleepy Brown, titled The Big Sleepover.
Last night, the duo appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to debut the album’s latest single, “Animalz,” in front of an animated backdrop featuring a running tiger. With a dance-pop-centric beat and lyrics that ruminate on the nature of sex and love, the single is the latest evidence that fans should be watching Big Boi’s moves every bit as much as his erstwhile partner’s.
Watch Big Boi and Sleepy Brown perform “Animalz” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon above.
Will Smith Is Contemplating A Possible ‘Verzuz’ Matchup With LL Cool J, Who He Says ‘Is Going To Body Me’
Although Will Smith is probably better known for his film work than his music these days, his decades-long legacy as one of rap’s foremost pioneers will likely always be too important to ignore. With the Verzuz series paying homage to and highlighting many of the stars of yesteryear, XM Radio host Sway Calloway checked in with the former Fresh Prince on Sway In The Morning to find out whether he had any designs on signing up for a battle.
Surprisingly, Will said that he had been contemplating an appearance — and had even already chosen a potential competitor in LL Cool J — but that he’s been too busy writing and promoting his upcoming book to lock down a date. However, despite both rappers’ 20-plus years of hits, Will maintained that he believed “L is going to body me” in a one-to-hit battle, despite being able to draw upon cultural cornerstones like “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” “Summertime,” “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It,” and “Men In Black.”
However, there was one situation where co-host Heather B could foresee a Will Smith victory. “What’s dope about Will though, Will and L was out when the era when it was the DJ and the rapper,” she noted. “Everybody had their DJ so don’t let [DJ Jazzy] Jeff on the turn tables.” Will agreed, “That’s my secret weapon right there.”
Watch Will Smith discuss a potential Verzuz matchup with the Sway In The Morning crew above.
KenTheMan Menaces Her Way Through Her UPROXX Sessions Performance Of ‘No Name’
Some UPROXX Sessions performances are upbeat and fun, while others are somber and reflective. Then, there are those that go for a different vibe entirely. KenTheMan’s performance of her threatening song “No Name” falls into that category, as the Houston-bred lyricist steps to the mic like a seasoned slugger, looming and leering while she menaces her foes and asserts her impending dominance over the rap game.
Last year, Ken generated some significant buzz with her debut EP 4 da 304’s, telling Uproxx’s Cherise Johnson that she switched to writing more raunchy raps because “Sex been selling. Trina, Kim, Foxy, all them, they real grimy with they words and they really sell sex. I just don’t see why it’s such a shocker that people still selling sex… I just feel like power to us, power to the pussy right now.”
She followed up that project this year with “What’s My Name?” expanding the range of her writing with tracks like “I’m Perfect” and the motivational “Love Yourself,” as well as, of course, “No Name.” Now signed to Asylum and with her buzz building by the day, Ken is in prime position to live up to her name and become “the man” in hip-hop — as in the boss, the leader, the number-one. Stay tuned.
Watch KenTheMan’s UPROXX Sessions performance of “No Name” above.
UPROXX Sessions is Uproxx’s performance show featuring the hottest up-and-coming acts you should keep an eye on. Featuring creative direction from LA promotion collective, Ham On Everything, and taking place on our “bathroom” set designed and painted by Julian Gross, UPROXX Sessions is a showcase of some of our favorite performers, who just might soon be yours, too.
KenTheMan is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Dana Boulos Believes ‘If You Can Dream It, You Can Achieve It’
Dana Boulos can’t be stopped. The photographer, director, DJ, creative director, and overall renaissance woman took a childhood passion for visual mediums and a restless spirit and spun it into a career full of boundary-breaking achievements. Her reputation precedes her as a “can do anything, will do anything” type of creative mind.
That mentality and approach is why Boulos has been identified as one of The Next 9 by Porsche. From fashion photography and consulting to a future as a feature filmmaker, Boulos got to where she is by never taking “no” for an answer.
“I’m always trying to push through the idea that everything is possible,” Boulos tells me over Zoom one unseasonably cold LA morning in October. “If you can dream it, you can achieve it. That’s something that’s been ingrained in my brain. I don’t care what anyone says, I don’t care if someone says ‘no,’ or ‘it’s never been done before.’ That’s exactly how you know you can do it.”
With a strong drive and a determination to get things done, Boulos is an expert at responding to the moment. That’s probably why when she isn’t weaving together glowing and ethereal dreamlike visuals, she’s moonlighting as a DJ, a job that requires you to not only capture the vibe of a room but respond to it and morph it into something new.
“At the end of the day, you’re creating something out of nothing,” she notes. “When it comes to DJing, you’re setting the mood… Directing is the same thing, you’re in control, but you’re managing people. Everything is a team effort, you need to know how to manage that team and bring the best out of the people you’re working with.”
Boulos credits her upbringing with equipping her with the necessary skills and tools to thrive as a multi-hyphenate.
“Both of my parents are Lebanese,” she says. “I grew up with this mentality that you work very hard and you don’t give up. They came to America with nothing in the late ‘70s/early ’80s and just decided they will make a life for themselves… I see that as motivation. Do what you love and money will come from it.”
The impact of Boulos’ parents cannot be understated. You can trace her relentlessness, her ability to accomplish any task she sets out to achieve, and her aspiration to be the best to her earliest memories.
“My dad worked so many years and finally bought a Porsche,” she says. “That car has always been in my world. It’s beautiful, it’s luxurious, but it’s also very powerful. I was lucky that when I was learning how to drive, my dad let me drive his Porsche. That had an impact on me, I thought ‘oh my god, he trusts me with this car; he believes I can do it.’”
That early instillation of confidence helped to form Boulos’ strong belief in her own abilities. It’s a skill she’s still focused on today — constantly analyzing her past work, looking for ways to improve, and take things to the next level. And it’s all been leading up to a feature film that explores her experiences growing up as a woman with a Middle Eastern background and finding her place in the world.
“It’s very traditional to get married and have the men take care of you,” she says. “But it wasn’t like that in my household. It was very much you do you, and you work hard on it. That’s something I’ll be touching on when working on cinema projects and features… Being able to do and have a funded film. That’s a whole different ball game… Having a film premiere at Sundance or Cannes. That’s the next goal for me.” Boulos says with finality, before suddenly adding, “As well as creating a physical book.”
Her ambitions are huge. Her successes are legit. And her mind never stops working. Dana Boulos is firing on all cylinders.
For more on The Next 9 series, check out our hub page.
Rico Nasty And Flo Milli’s Upbeat New Single ‘Money’ Channels Big Jock Jam Energy
Rico Nasty has been buzzing lately as fans defend her from the negative reception she’s received as an opener on Playboi Carti’s ongoing Narcissist Tour, but today, she’s once again recentering attention on where it should be: Her new music. Teaming up with fellow flourishing female rapper Flo Milli and boisterous producer Boyz Noise, Rico returns to the spotlight with the upbeat “Money,” a hyperactive call-and-response anthem with big jock jam energy.
In the colorful video, which you can watch below, Rico and Flo rock matching money green ensembles as they pull in pop culture references from over-the-top infomercials and re-colored classic films — yep, that’s Milli taking a stroll down the Yellow Brick Road of Wizard Of Oz fame — while declaring they would rather have money than love because love doesn’t pay the bills. The video was directed by frequent Rico collaborator Roxana Baldovin, who also helmed the video for another girl-power anthem, “Tia Tamera” with Doja Cat.
And while some members of Playboi Carti’s fanbase feel differently, Rico’s certainly got plenty of backers in her corner, including Memphis rapper NLE Choppa, who included her in his list of female rappers who “got next,” NPR, who put Rico on the beloved Tiny Desk Concert series last month, and Red Bull, which is bringing back its SoundClash series with Rico, Danny Brown, and more later this month.
Watch Rico Nasty’s new video for “Money” featuring Flo Milli above.
Oakland’s Elujay Doesn’t Believe In Artistic Boundaries
Elujay isn’t satisfied with one lane. He wants to rule the whole road. With a handful of tracks running up the streaming charts, the young Oakland-based musician is now setting his sights on a variety of different artistic mediums — including video direction, graphic design, and more. “As a good artist, you have to be able to imitate and do different things,” he explained in a recent conversation over Zoom. “I think the initial intention is always just pure love. It’s just, I love this. I want to try this.”
A graphic designer by trade, Elujay began releasing music in 2016 and has been consistently dropping new tunes for the better part of five years, each building upon the catalog that he describes as “honest, soulful, groovy and Afrocentric.” The songs are difficult to pin down within a certain genre classification, existing in the space between rock, funk, R&B, indie, hip-hop… and almost everything else. Inspired by artists that mastered the feat of true artistic versatility and attention to detail, Elujay has been preparing for years to channel the creative spark across everything he’s done, and everything he wants to try next.
He pauses to think about it when I ask what sounds he hasn’t been able to crack yet, but still has interest in exploring. Then his eyes light up and he extends out his arms to signal the full spectrum of everywhere he still wants to go. “I want to dive a little bit more into the electronic space. Some Joni Mitchell-style stuff would be kind of sick, or just more experimental stuff. Dive a little bit more into like the Bjork — Arca bag. Maybe some Brazilian-style stuff, some by funk. I think that’d be fire.” Elujay’s base instinct is artistic curiosity, and he wants to take this opportunity to be strategic and try… everything.
In order to streamline the creative process, he notes the importance of keeping your priorities straight. “The first step is just being honest with yourself and realizing that it’s going to not happen overnight and that it’s only about the work. If you’re Black, you’re going to have to work twice as hard, because this industry is not handing anybody anything. I’ve been cognizant of how difficult it has been for people to actually care about [my art].” It’s also important to establish a good work/life balance to stave off burnout. “Make sure you give yourself time, read books, drink water. Don’t be like me. I don’t sleep. Get some sleep.”
But before he jumps into any new creative endeavor, Elujay is sure to put in the work to understand and build upon the foundation created by his inspirations. He likens the intention of his artistic process to that of Porsche: “I put that same amount of love and care in detail into a song or a visual. They both provide an aesthetically pleasing service, in a way.” He adds that being part of the Porsche Next 9 series “means the world to me, man. That’s crazy. Porsche represents that staple in time, where someone really feels like they’ve made it.”
Despite his love for the Porsche brand, Elujay’s definition of success doesn’t come in the form of a sports car, or international fame. Instead, it’s something much simpler: “I don’t have a desire to be a megastar,” he says with a mischievous grin. “What I really want is to sell-out shows. I think that’s when I feel like, ‘okay, I’ve made it.’”