Music

Ric Wilson And Japanese Band Chai Give An Ode To Beauty Marks In Their Video For ‘Maybe Chocolate Chips’

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Chicago rapper Ric Wilson has seen his popularity slowly increase for quite some time now. In just the last year, he’s landed collaborations with Terrace Martin, BJ The Chicago Kid, and more, but his latest partnership finds him taking his talents to the other side of the world. Wilson teamed up with Japanese electronic band Chai in their new video for “Maybe Chocolate Chips.”

The video is laced with a collage-like aesthetic that features animated cutouts of Wilson and Chai. The song is an ode to beauty marks and the video uses chocolate chip cookies as a motif, there to represent moles people may find on their face. It’s their attempt to put a positive spin on these beauty marks.

and the constant appearance of chocolate chip cookies throughout the video is proof of the artists’ attempt to put a positive spin on the blemishes some may be insecure about.

Chai’s bassist and vocalist Yuuki spoke about the song’s meaning in a press release. “Things that we want to hold on to, things that we wished went away,” she said. “A lot of things happen as we age and with that for me, is new moles! But I love them! My moles are like the chocolate chips on a cookie, the more you have, the happier you become! and before you know it, you’re an original.”

The track will also appear on the band’s upcoming album, Wink, which arrives on May 21. It’s their first release since 2019’s Punk. As for Ric Wilson, he’s dropped his “Pull A James Baldwin” single last month, which served as the follow up to his 2020 EP, They Call Me Disco, with Terrace Martin.

You can watch the video for “Maybe Chocolate Chip” above.

They. And Kiana Lede Remix ‘Count Me In’ With A Sultry Video

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R&B duo They. was one of the many artists that appeared on Uproxx‘s Most Anticipated Albums Of Fall 2020 thanks to their second album The Amanda Tape. The project eventually arrived at the end of October and was heralded all over the R&B world, coming in at No. 17 on Uproxx’s Best R&B Albums of 2020 list. Now, the duo looks to extend the life of the project with a brand new remix of “Count Me In” with Kiana Lede.

The new version arrives with a sultry video, as well as an equally impassioned verse from the R&B songstress. They.’s Drew Love leads the way with a verse centered on committing to love, so long as one’s potential partner is all for it. Then Kiana steps forth to lay down the law and reveal her requirements for a relationship. “Only thing that I can trust is a ‘f*ck me’ kinda love,” she sings. “You gon’ f*ck up me standin’ up / So you can’t let me down.”

Along with They., Kiana Lede offered another 2020 highlight in the R&B world. Her moment came much earlier in the year with the April release of her debut album, Kiki. This project also appeared on Uproxx‘s Best R&B Albums of 2020 list at No. 12.

You can watch the “Count Me In” remix video above.

21 Savage And Metro Boomin Defeat A Chainsaw Killer In Their Haunting Video for ‘Glock In My Lap’

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After teasing the album for more than two years, 21 Savage and Metro Boomin finally delivered Savage Mode II last October. The project was met with rave reviews and later became the second No. 1 album of their careers. Months later, the two return with a new video for the track “Glock In My Lap.”

The pair begin the video in the midst of thick smoke and beaming red lights. The song’s co-producer, Honorable C.N.O.T.E., eventually joins them and moments later they are approached by a chainsaw-wielding killer, who ends up being no match for the trio. C.N.O.T.E. and Metro pull out their guns to unleash a storm of bullets on their opponent, taking them down with little resistance.

The video is of a piece with previous Savage Mode II videos, which also have a cinematic flourish. “My Dawg” finds the pair taking the roles of menacing businessmen while “Runnin” depicts a rags-to-riches story as they returned to their hometown to show off the Grammy that 21 earned for his 2019 single “A Lot.” The duo also paid homage to the late King Von during a performance of “Runnin’” and “Mr. Right Now” on The Tonight Show, where 21 said, “The world lost a legend.”

Elsewhwere, 21 recently joined YBN Nahmir to throw an outdoor party in their video for “Opp Stoppa.”

Watch the “Glock In My Lap” video above.

Tekashi 69 Took A Shot At Cardi B By Referencing Her Past As A Stripper

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Tekashi 69 has come after a number of artists and celebrities throughout his career. It was just last week that he was involved in an altercation with Meek Mill at a Miami parking lot. Now, Tekashi has shifted his attention to a new target: Cardi B. In a post to his Instagram Story, the rapper asked his followers, “If I took women to hotels and drugged them and then robbed them would I be canceled?” The question was a reference to a March 2019 Instagram Live session that Cardi held in which she said she drugged and robbed clients back when she was a stripper.

Cardi joins a long list of people Takashi has attacked, in one form or another. Last year, a video of him allegedly taunting boxer Gervonta Davis made its way to social media, though at least it didn’t escalated into an actual fight. He also mocked King Von’s death just days after the rapper passed away from a gunshot wound in Atlanta. Tekashi left a laughing emoji under an Instagram post that detailed how Lil Durk, a close friend of Von, learned about his death, an action that left hip-hop fans extremely furious at him.

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

Moneybagg Yo Joins Fredo Bang’s Debauchery In His Raunchy ‘Doin My Dance’ Video

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Baton Rouge rapper Fredo Bang is having the time of his life since signing to Def Jam in 2019, enjoying the release of his debut album and a well-received mixtape in 2020. Also in 2020, he received a big assist from Moneybagg Yo, who put him on his January 2020 track “Spin On Em.” Today, Fredo gets the chance to return the favor, inviting Moneybagg to his debaucherous video shoot for “Doin My Dance” from the deluxe version of Fredo’s 2020 mixtape In the Name Of Gee (Still Most Hated).

In the video, both rappers seem to be enjoying themselves immensely, as they throw a pool party with a swarm of scantily-clad video vixens. While the women gyrate in and around the pool, the boys play a game of backyard basketball and flash stacks of cash. Fredo’s face is worth the watch alone, as his oddball dances steal the show.

Meanwhile, Moneybagg Yo’s been having a great 2021 thanks to the response to his “Time Today” single and music video, on which he vents about the stress that followed the success of his 2020 viral hit “Said Sum.” The increased scrutiny led to him being censured after joking about the pandemic and his resulting riches, so the pool party gives him another chance to blow off steam.

Watch the video for “Doin My Dance” above.

Megan Thee Stallion Goes Full Regina George In A ‘Mean Girls’ Spoof For Coach

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A remake of the cult classic 2004 Mean Girls may be on its way, but Megan Thee Stallion has offered her own spin on the iconic film. Appearing in a promotion video for Coach’s Fall 2021 collection, Megan takes on the role of Regina George, who was originally played by Rachel McAdams.

The commercial is a spoof on the scene where Regina George’s character is introduced to the protagonist, Cady Heron (played by Lindsay Lohan). In the segment, a few members of her high school’s student body shares a ridiculous rumor they heard about George, like that her “hair is insured for $10,000.”

Megan’s commercial is a playful take on the original scene, recreating the script with several contemporary comedians. The script reads:

“Megan Thee Stallion is flawless. One time, she locked eyes with Medusa and all the snakes unionized. Each of her dogs has its own bedroom and country home in France. Shakespeare wrote five sonnets about her. Yeah, she wasn’t alive yet but… he knew. I heard her favorite movie is an anime based on her own life and it won best picture. Her nails are so long that she accidentally gouged my eye out and it was awesome. I heard that she was walking down the street and a guy saw her and crashed his car. It was so fetch. Or, not fetch… it was awesome. She’s perfect.”

Watch Coach’s promotional video with Megan Thee Stallion and see the original Mean Girls clip above.

Megan Thee Stallion is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Davido Delivers A Breezy Tiny Desk Concert From His Living Room

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Nigerian Afropop star Davido is the latest artist to grace the Tiny Desk “stage,” delivering a soulful at-home concert from his living room. Splitting the difference between comfy and fashionable styles, he posts up on a stool with his various awards statues prominently displayed and his band occupying whatever free space they can find. He breezes through a set that includes his 2013 hit single “Gobe,” 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards-winning Hottest Single of the Year “Aye,” “Risky,” his Popcaan-featuring 2019 single from A Good Time, and “Jowo,” from his 2020 album A Better Time, giving a crisp chronological run-through of his career and accomplishments.

In recent months, Davido has been bridging the gap between his Afrobeats roots and US hip-hop, collaborating with Lil Baby on “So Crazy” in November last year, adding a Nicki Minaj collaboration to his collection with “Holy Ground,” and working with Megan Thee Stallion on an upcoming collaboration with British star Idris Elba (yes, that Idris Elba, who moonlights as a DJ and producer between movies and shows). And though Davido has put those famous American stars’ names on his resume, he still made sure to highlight his fellow up-and-coming African stars on the album as well; in January, he released the video for “The Best” featuring Mayorkun.

Watch Davido’s Tiny Desk Concert above.

Caleborate And Kota The Friend Make ‘Contact’ With A Mellow Collaboration

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Bay Area rapper Caleborate is gearing up for the release of his new album Light Hit My Skin next month, and shares the first single, “Contact,” featuring Brooklyn rapper Kota The Friend. The cross-coastal collaboration shows the two indie rappers are on the same wavelength despite their distance, as they address their grind from the basement to their current success. While Kota rhymes about the way his girl and his son lifted his spirits through the rough years, Caleb praises his aunt for having his back and sharing her weed with him as he worked his way through his early career.

Although he’s not a household name yet, Berkeley native Caleborate made some noise in 2016 with the release of his album 1993, which led to increased attention on its follow-ups. In 2017, he dropped Real Person, while in 2019, his Hear Me Out EP reassured fans that he was still cooking up. Meanwhile, Kota broke out in 2018 with Anything., received major acclaim in 2019 with Foto, and kept up the momentum in 2020 with Lyrics To Go, Vol. 1 and Everything. He opened this year with Lyrics To Go, Vol. 2, setting himself up for a big 2021.

“Contact” marks the two MCs’ first collaboration, despite their parallel tracks, but it shows they already have remarkable chemistry thanks to their complementary mindsets and independent hustle. Caleborate’s album Light Hit My Skin is due March 26 and also features Duckwrth, Deante’ Hitchcock, Cantrell, Tone Sinatra, and more.

Listen to “Contact” above.

Freddie Gibbs Reveals His Wild, Secret Instagram On The ‘Joe Rogan Experience’ Podcast

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Freddie Gibbs has built a reputation as one of the funniest rappers on Twitter and today, he brought that off-color sense of humor to the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. In the four-hour conversation, Gibbs, Rogan, and comedian Brian Moss talked boxing, Freddie Gibbs’ wild, secret Instagram profile, and more. You can check it out at the link below.

Meanwhile, Gibbs has been promoting his upcoming major-label debut album, dropping the animated video for his first single “Gang Signs” earlier this month. The video transforms Gibbs into a hedonistic white rabbit (a euphemism for his favorite subjects) as he goes about the same activities he generally likes to rap about, mining the juxtaposition for some head-scratching, borderline inappropriate comedy.

In addition to “Gang Signs,” Gibbs recently collaborated with Big Sean and Hit-Boy on “4 Thangs” celebrating LeBron James. Meanwhile, he’s kept fans entertained with his social media antics, which have included freestyling over his Piñata partner Madlib’s new instrumental album Sound Ancestors in an Uber. The one thing fans won’t be able to expect from him is a Verzuz appearance; aside from disapproving of Jeezy’s recent match with Gucci Mane, Gibbs shot down speculation over a potential battle between himself and hip-hop’s other resident coke rap connoisseur, Pusha T.

Freddie Gibbs is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.