Music

After Ye’s Infamous Taylor Swift VMAs Moment, He Did An ‘Exile’ To Japan Because ‘America Hated’ Him

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It goes without saying, but Ye (formerly Kanye West) and Taylor Swift have had a famously contentious relationship since the infamous stage-crashing incident at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Now, Ye has revealed that the situation really impacted him, so much so that during the aftermath, he fled to Japan.

The second part of Ye’s recent Drink Champs interview is out now, and in it, he revealed (as Pitchfork notes) that after the VMAs, he “did a personal exile” with Virgil Abloh in Japan because “all of America hated” him. He also said, “Everyone was like, ‘You wrong for this one, you won’t win this,’ by telling me, ‘You shouldn’t have ran on stage, you were rude,’ God forbid.”

He also addressed the VMAs in the previously released first part of the interview, saying, “I was actually talked in to going to the awards show. At that time, it was [my manager] Don C.’s job to talk me into stuff. They find new people whose job would be to talk me into doing something that I don’t want to do — influencers, people around you. So that night, I said, ‘Man, I’m not going to this awards show. I’m not sitting through this no more.’ And the very first award, they sit me in the front row. You got [Beyoncé’s] ‘Single Ladies’ video… this is one of the best videos in history. So it’s not that it’s just for her when the artist does something that’s that compelling and incredible. We got to respect it.”

Watch the new Drink Champs episode below.

Rick Ross, Jazmine Sullivan, And 21 Savage Are Luxurious ‘Outlawz’ On Their New Collab

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When it comes to Rick Ross, it’s guaranteed that listeners will receive a heavy dose of braggadocious and luxury raps from the Florida rapper. It’s an expectation that Ross has fulfilled from the start of his career with 2006’s Port Of Miami which he released a sequel for in 2019. Through the years, Ross has delivered quality project after quality project and he’s prepared to offer another one to the world with his upcoming album, Richer Than I Ever Been. The project is already locked in for a release next month, and now Ross begins its campaign with a beautiful new single.

Ross kicks things off for Richer Than I Ever Been with “Outlawz” featuring Jazmine Sullivan and 21 Savage. The song is carried by soulful production supplied by producer AraabMuzik. Hard-hitting drums and soaring vocals sit under Ross and 21 Savage slick raps and Sullivans show-stealing hook. It’s a strong single that promises something great with Ross’ Richer Than I Ever Been.

Richer Than I Ever Been may not be the only project Ross has in store for the future. He and Drake have teased a joint album, one Ross spoke about back in June. “We may have spoken within the last 48 hours,” he said at the time. “But it’s only so much I can say other than: this is the closest or the realest he’s ever been. He’s wrapping up his project and I’m in the same space. So the timing and everything is aligning.” With Certified Lover Boy out now and Richer Than I Ever Been on the way, it seems like this joint album could become a reality.

Listen to “Outlawz” above.

Richer Than I Ever Been is out 12/10 via Maybach/Epic.

Polo G Is Up To No Good On His Michael Jackson-Sampling Single, ‘Bad Man (Smooth Criminal)’

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Polo G earned his first No. 1 album earlier this year with Hall Of Fame. The 20-track project saw him swing for the fences thanks to contributions from Nicki Minaj, Lil Durk, The Kid Laroi, Roddy Rich, Young Thug, DaBaby, and more. The project was a heavily promoted one that also saw a No. 1 single thanks to “Rapstar” as well as numerous videos. While some might have thought the rapper would close the chapter on Hall Of Fame, he’s not ready to do so yet as he recently announced a deluxe reissue for it would arrive next month. Polo G begins the rollout for Hall Of Fame 2.0 with his brand new single, “Bad Man (Smooth Criminal).”

The track samples Michael Jackson’s hit song for what proves to be a mischievous effort from the Chicago rapper. The song was first previewed in a trailer for Hall Of Fame 2.0 that Polo G released earlier this week. “Hall Of Fame…That was me beating my chest, really coming into my own as an artist and showing I’m gonna stay,” he says at the beginning of the video. “But before I just close out this chapter, I feel like we should turn up this one more time.”

Hall Of Fame 2.0 is out on 12/03 via Columbia. Pre-order it here.

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

Juice WRLD’s ‘Already Dead’ Is An Eerie Launch Towards The Release Of His Next Posthumous Album

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Fans of Juice WRLD are in for a new treat next month. The late rapper’s team announced that his second posthumous album, Fighting Demons, is set to arrive on December 10. It’s seemingly the first of a trilogy of projects that his estate said his supporters would receive in the future. At the time of the announcement, it was revealed that a project called The Party Never Ends would be the first release out of the three, but the estate’s plans may have changed. Nonetheless, new music is on the way and it started with “Already Dead.”

The new track is an eerie beginning to the rollout of Fighting Demons, Juice’s first posthumous album since 2020’s Legends Never Die. “There was nothing Jarad “Juice WRLD” Higgins enjoyed more than delivering new music to his millions of fans around the world,” the late rapper’s mother Ms. Carmela Wallace said in a statement about the upcoming posthumous release. “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.”

She added, “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.” LiveFree999.org is the organization that was created to honor the late rapper and help those struggling with addiction.

Fighting Demons is out 12/10 via Interscope. Pre-order it here.

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.