Music

Beyonce Strives To Overcome Tough Battles On The Spirited And Riotous ‘Be Alive’

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The Beyhive have endured a grueling last few years in the music department has Beyonce’s releases have been scarce since she shared her beloved sixth album, Lemonade. Besides Everything Is Love, her joint album with husband Jay-Z, Beyonce’s releases have mainly come in the form of singles and guest features. Now she’s back with her first song in over a year thanks to “Be Alive.” The new track is a spirited and riotous track that appears in King Richard, the biopic that follows tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams’ rise to stardom.

The new song was first teased in a trailer for the new film that was shared last month. Listeners got a good preview at the motivating single thanks to lyrics like “Can’t nobody knock it if they try / Do you know how much we have pride? / How hard we have to try?” As for the movie itself, Will Smith plays the tennis stars’ father in King Richard while Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton play Venus and Serena respectively. King Richard is available in both theaters and on HBO Max starting on November 19.

The new song arrives as Beyonce’s new Ivy Park collaboration with Peloton was released. The entire collection featured 29 pieces including T-shirts, bike shorts, tights, sports bras, shorts, windbreaks, and cropped hoodies.

You can listen to “Be Alive” in the video above.

Casanova Was Charged With Attempted Murder In Relation To His Federal Racketeering Case

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It’s been nearly a year since Casanova, born Caswell Senior, was arrested on racketeering charges and more after the FBI connect him to a gang known as the “Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation.” The rapper was one of 18 members arrested and each was accused of firearm possession, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and unemployment fraud, all of which were wrapped under the racketeering charge. Unfortunately for Casanova, things have gotten worse for him as he was recently charged with attempted murder in relation to the racketeering case.

According to a report from XXL, the additional charge came through a superseding indictment that was handed down earlier this week. Casanova and another individual are being charged for an alleged shooting that took place at Miami’s King Of Diamonds on October 24, 2020. The charge claims he and one of his co-defendants Jarrett “Jaycee” Crisler Jr. were at the club when a rival gang member took issue with Casanova for throwing up his gang sign. The victim said, “Yo homie, wrong sign,” and Casanova replied, “You want to die tonight?” Words were exchanged before Casanova and Crisler Jr. shot two people.

The victims were taken to the hospital shortly after and treated for their wounds. Investigators discovered Casanova and Crisler’s alleged involvement in the incident after seeing Crisler brag about the shooting through text messages on his phone.

“We had been informed that the government intended to supersede the existing indictment and add charges against Mr. Senior,” Casanova’s attorney, James Kousouros said to XXL in response to the new charge. “This was expected. We have been investigating the incidents charged for months and Mr. Senior fully intends to contest these charges at a trial. He is confident of his exoneration. He surrendered voluntarily when he learned of the indictment last year. He did not run or hide. He looks forward to his day in court.”

Lil Nas X Will Appear On ‘Maury’ After Finding Himself In A Shocking Love Triangle

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Back in September, Lil Nas X shared his long-awaited debut album Montero, and with it came a music video for “That’s What I Want.” The visual sees Lil Nas fall for a teammate on his football team, and while their relationship quickly progresses, the singer soon finds out that his new partner is living a secret life. Lil Nas learns that his lover actually has a wife and a child, and just like anyone would do after a discovery like this, he decided a visit to Maury was absolutely necessary.

On November 17, Lil Nas will appear on the popular show to sort out the love triangle. The news was shared through a dramatic trailer that shows Lil Nas’ shocked reaction to learning that the “love of his life,” Yai Ariza, is living a secret life. As expected, the episode is packed with dramatic moments like Ariza submitting a paternity test to find out if he’s the father of his 4-year-old son. He also offers a ring to Lil Nas, who dramatically runs away, in the brief trailer. Maury, is clearly amused by the dramatic events as he asks, “Is Yai the dad…or will Montero get exactly what he wants?”

Ariza is also the real-life ex-boyfriend of Lil Nas, something the singer spoke about in a previous interview. “We were dating, and we are still on very good terms,” he said during a conversation on SiriusXM. “You know, we may date again I’m sure. I love him, he is amazing.”

You can watch the trailer in the video above and check out the full episode when it airs next Wednesday.

The Death Toll Rises To Nine In Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival Tragedy

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Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival unexpectedly turned into a tragedy on Friday night as it left eight people dead and hundreds more injured. Unfortunately, the number of deaths as a result of the incident has increased to nine after a 22-year-old woman who spent the past six days in the ICU passed away as a result of her injuries. Bharti Shahani’s death was confirmed by her family during a press conference on Thursday after previous reports revealed that she was showing no brain activity.

Her mother, Karishma Shahani, broke into tears as she remembered her daughter during the conference. “What happened to my blessing now,” she said. “I want my baby back. I won’t be able to live without her. It’s impossible.” Bharti’s father, Sunny Shahani, added, “Please make sure she gets justice and I don’t want somebody else’s daughter to go like this. It was the wrong day and wrong time for her.” Bharti, who was a student at Texas A&M University, had been on a ventilator since Friday night after her brain was deprived of oxygen and she suffered multiple heart attacks as a result of being crushed in the crowd at Astroworld.

Travis Scott and his team recently issued a statement to the families of Astroworld victims. “Travis Scott and his team have been actively exploring routes of connection with each and every family affected by the tragedy through the appropriate liaisons,” a press release read. “He is distraught by the situation and desperately wishes to share his condolences and provide aid to them as soon as possible, but wants to remain respectful of each family’s wishes on how they’d best like to be connected.”

The message concluded by asking the victim’s families to email [email protected] if they would like to reach out directly to his team.

Travis Scott Issued A Statement Reaching Out To The Families Of Astroworld Victims

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After the tragedy at Travis Scott’s Astroworld festival last weekend, where eight people lost their lives and hundreds more were injured, the Houston rapper is struggling to make things right for fans and the families who lost their loved ones. Though he’s already promised to help cover the funeral costs and other expenses for families who are dealing with the unexpected deaths, Scott and his team issued another statement today, providing families who wanted to be connected with a way to do so.

Here’s the full statement, as reported by Complex:

“Over the last week, Travis Scott and his team have been actively exploring routes of connection with each and every family affected by the tragedy through the appropriate liaisons. He is distraught by the situation and desperately wishes to share his condolences and provide aid to them as soon as possible, but wants to remain respectful of each family’s wishes on how they’d best like to be connected. To those families who would like to reach out directly to his team, please send an email to the below address where we will have a team on hand to assist. [email protected].”

One lawsuit has already been filed against Scott for the deaths and injuries at the event, with more likely to follow.

Juice WRLD’s Next Posthumous Album, ‘Fighting Demons,’ Will Be Out In December

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Juice WRLD is one of the rappers who we tragically lost at the age of just 21 due to addiction and overdose in the last few years. The hip-hop community deeply mourned the loss of such an electric talent, and as our own Aaron Williams noted, he left behind the perfect music to cry to, still helping fans cope even with their grief over his own death.

Since his passing in 2019, is mother, Ms. Carmela Wallace, has been keeping his legacy alive with posthumous releases that honor the young artist. In 2020, the first posthumous release, Legends Never Die, became a No. 1 album, and after teasing a trilogy of posthumous EPs, including one called The Party Never Ends, his mother has shared news of another new full-length today called Fighting Demons.

His mother shared a message for fans:

“There was nothing Jarad “Juice WRLD” Higgins enjoyed more than delivering new music to his millions of fans around the world. He left behind an astonishingly deep catalog of music that will ensure his fans will have new songs to listen to for years to come. Jarad was always searingly honest about his struggles and through his musical genius he articulated what was on his heart and mind vividly through his art. He never gave up and his friends and family never gave up on offering their support to him. Today we announce a new album Fighting Demons out Dec 10th. We encourage all of you who struggle with addiction and mental health to never give up the fight. We continue to extend free support to you via LiveFree999.org created in his honor.”

Watch the trailer for the new album above. For context, LiveFree999.org was established after his death to honor the late rapper and help other young people battling with addiction. Fighting Demons is out 12/10 via Interscope. Pre-order it here.

Snoop Dogg Says His Outfit For The 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show Will Be Available For Fans To Purchase

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Although it seems strange that 2022 is almost upon us, at least the new year is bringing some good tidings along with it. First and foremost is the stacked lineup for the Super Bowl halftime show, which includes Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and the one and only Snoop Dogg. Since Snoop is also on the cusp of releasing his new album, Algorithm, he’s been doing a bit of press. And of course, fans and industry insiders alike want to hear whatever details might be available about the epic show these hip-hop legends have planned.

So during an appearance on SiriusXM’s “New Music & Motivation” special with Roxanne Shante, he got into some details around the Super Bowl that will definitely have some fashionable listeners interested. “What would I want to know about the 2022 halftime show,” he began. “Whatever outfit I’m wearing, I’m gonna be selling online at, at my clothing store the same night. So if ya’ll like, what I wear ya’ll can buy that sh*t the same night… See, I wear a fashion, you know, fashion statements. It’s like, even this suit I got on right now, you can’t find it nowhere. You can only find it here on me.”

Keep an eye out for that Super Bowl offering in early January then!

Smino Counts His Blessings In The Endlessly Lush New Single ‘I Deserve’

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Following up on a busy year for the prolific rapper, Smino returns with an introspective single. Dropping his effortlessly smooth track “I Deserve,” the rapper continues to keep his fans waiting for his third studio album, which he’s been teasing for a while but has yet to release.

“I Deserve” sees Smino flexing his flow over a polished piano beat. Armed with his song-song lyrical delivery and clever verses, Smino raps lines about counting his blessings and reminding himself that he really does deserve all the good things that come to him. Throughout the song, Smino sneaks in an ode to a friend who passed last August, as well as a clever reference to Omarion’s 2006 hit track “Ice Box.”

Prior to releasing “I Deserve,” Smino collaborated with a few other artists this year. His surprise quarantine project She Already Decided boasted guest features by the likes of T-Pain and Sevyn Streeter. Before that, Smino teamed up with Chance The Rapper and MadeInTYO for “BET Uncut.” He was also tapped by Thundercat to offer a remix of the hit track “Dragonball Durag” with Guapdad 4000.

Listen to Smino’s “I Deserve” above.

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

Thundercat’s Preps A Deluxe Vinyl Version Of His Debut Album, ‘The Golden Age Of Apocalypse’

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Thundercat has come a long way since he released his debut album in 2011. The bass player’s debut project introduced fans to his endlessly groovy sound, clever lyrics, and love of manga. Since then, Thundercat has gone on to drop several more albums, the latest of which, the 2020 LP It Is What It Is, earned him his second Grammy Award for best Urban Contemporary Album. Now celebrating a decade of music, Thundercat is plotting a deluxe vinyl edition of his debut, The Golden Age Of Apocalypse.

Not only is the deluxe version of The Golden Age Of Apocalypse repressed on a translucent red vinyl and has brand new cover art, but it also unearths some new music. The track listing includes two never-before-heard bonus tracks, “$200 TB” and “Daylight (Reprise).” The release is set to be available in participating stores on Record Store Day later this month.

At the time, The Golden Age Of Apocalypse was executive produced by Thundercat’s longtime musical partner Flying Lotus. The LP was also a hands-on effort featuring some of the musician’s talented LA collaborators who would go on to find solo success, like Kamasi Washington.

The Golden Age Of Apocalypse (Deluxe) is out Record Store Day on 11/26 via Brainfeeder.