Music

Beyonce’s Upcoming Song, ‘Be Alive,’ Highlights A New Trailer For Will Smith’s ‘King Richard’

by

Last month, thanks to the premiere of the King Richard biopic at the Telluride Film Festival, Beyonce fans learned that the singer would soon be releasing new music. One of her upcoming songs, titled “Be Alive,” will appear in the movie and a quick preview of the track can be heard in the newest trailer for King Richard. The track is a moving ballad with a heavy piano presence that focuses on overcoming tough battles.

“Can’t nobody knock it if they try,” Beyonce sings on the song, later adding, “Do you know how much we have pride? / How hard we have to try?”

The upcoming King Richard film is executive produced by tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams as it follows the siblings from their youth to adulthood as they overcome numerous hardships to be the legendary tennis players we know them as today. Will Smith plays the role of their father while Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton play Venus and Serena respectively. This film will arrive in both theaters and on HBO Max next on November 19.

The preview of Beyonce’s upcoming song comes after she praised Balmain’s creative director during the brand’s spring/summer 2022 fashion show in Paris. She also shared a touching note to fans thanking them for their wishes after she turned 40.

You can watch the trailer and hear Beyonce’s “Be Alive” in the video above.

Big Sean Reminisces On The Past ‘Brotherhood’ He Had With GOOD Music And Says He Can ‘Out Rap’ Anyone

by
Getty Image

Earlier this week, Big Sean stopped by Power 106’s LA Leakers show to lay down a blistering freestyle. The Detroit native rapped over Kanye West’s “Hurricane,” on which he originally had a verse, Drake and Jay-Z’s “Love All,” Jay-Z and Memphis Bleek’s “Dear Summer,” and Nardo Wick’s “Who Want Smoke??” for nearly nine minutes. He tackled a number of topics throughout the freestyle from NBA players sliding into his girlfriend’s DMs and spending time with Kobe Bryant on New Year’s Day in 2020 to his days before signing to GOOD Music.

Just a day after that freestyle was released, Sean returned to Twitter to share some more thoughts and get a few more things off his chest with fans.

“I take pride in being versatile but I can also see how’s its helped and hurt me in my career,” he wrote. “Cause some people hear a song n think I’m just that, or a certain type of artist when I actually have many sides. I can Out rap anyone, but sometimes I just wanna jus vibe or have fun.”

He added in another tweet, “So I’m a just get back to having fun, cause trying to please everybody ain’t it! If you rock wit me, you rock wit me n if you don’t then… you just don’t have good taste.”

He also revealed comments Nas shared with him after he heard the freestyle. “Nas just txt me saying ‘you murdered these freestyles thanks for pushing us all,’” he tweeted. “That’s crazy AF to me when I really thought about Nas txt’n me that, I’m at the crib right now in Detroit n I’m just feeling grateful I actually am doing what I said I would. Sh*t feel like a dream.”

The rapper also admitted to being offended by some comments from fans that claim he “can’t rap.”

“I do get tired of being judged n take personal offense when someone thinks I can’t rap,” he wrote. “I literally have proven myself over and over and over, but maybe I should just stop caring so much what people think and stop taking things personal and just get back to having fun…” Sean also reflected on his pat “brotherhood” with his GOOD Music team. “I also really miss the brotherhood I use to have with GOOD music, I don’t know what happened,” he tweeted. “Guess those the GOOD ol days. It’s all love, but we use to really be clique’d up.”

You can view more tweets from Big Sean below, including one that teased an upcoming single laced with an SWV sample.

Megan Thee Stallion Will Deliver ‘Something For Thee Hotties’ Next Week

by
Getty Image

Next month, Megan Thee Stallion will celebrate the one-year anniversary of her debut album Good News. It’s a project that was received well by fans and critics and that eventually attained Platinum-selling status as well. The rapper is actively working on her next body of work, but before that’s delivered to the world Megan announced Something For Thee Hotties. In a post to her social media pages, the rapper revealed that the upcoming release is comprised of “freestyles thee hotties have been asking for and a few unreleased songs from THEE ARCHIVES.”

The Houston native also confirmed the project would arrive next week on October 29. Some of the freestyles that could appear on the project include those that she’s released this year. “Tuned In,” “Out Of Town,” and “Southside Forever” are just some that fans expect to hear on the project.

The announcement comes after Megan and her boyfriend Pardison Fontaine shared adorable pictures and videos on social media to celebrate one year of dating. She also teamed up with Popeyes to release her own Hottie Sauce as we all some merchandise for her supporters.

You can view her announcement in the tweet above.

Something For Thee Hotties is out 10/29 via 1501 Certified Entertainment / 300 Entertainment. Pre-order it here.

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

Pusha T Isn’t Playing Around; Says His Next Album Will ‘One-Thousand Percent’ Top ‘Daytona’

by
Getty Image

If you had an opportunity to see Pusha T play a live show around the time that DAYTONA dropped in 2018, you’d have seen a rapper whose dedication and delivery are on another level in the game. He’s seemingly committed to not just rapping over his songs on stage and for an artist of his caliber, it just increases the intensity of the already pressing music on an album that’s tough to top. But wait…

King Push spoke with Billboard for a feature that was presumably centered about how he was sifting through his closet to produce a portfolio of threads for a “The Vault:Pusha T” Closet Sale on the high-end menswear site Grailed (you can rock Pusha T’s 2015 Burberry floral print jacket for $600; adjust your holiday gift lists accordingly). But the pride of Virginia Beach clearly had more on his mind, namely his next album, which was said to be nearly done back in March when he was just waiting on a collaboration from Kanye West.

He told Billboard today that the project is being mixed and the finishing touches are being put on feature verses. It’s set to have production from The Neptunes and Kanye West, and he added that “I want to give fans an offering of not only great music but something merch-wise, hard copy, vinyl, everything.”

He says the goal is to put some form of music out this year, but the biggest statement was when he called his shot: “I think I’ve topped Daytona for sure,” Push told Billboard. “One-thousand percent.” This is very much in line with when he told the Instagram Live show Behind The Velvet Rope in March that it’ll be “the best album that drops in 2021.” Here’s hoping he’s not reading too much into Kendrick Lamar’s new Spotify photo like everyone else is…

Obongjayar Seeks Vengeance And Gets Justice In The “Message In A Hammer” Video

by

Obongojayar is a London-based, Nigeria-born afro-futurist singer that’s starting to climb in the ranks. The raspy vocalist was most recently featured on Little Simz’s single and desperado-esque video for “Point And Kill”. His 2020 EP, Which Way Is Forward? showcases a rising talent who culls masterfully from elements of dancehall, afrobeat, trip-hop, and future jazz.

He has a debut LP on the horizon, which hasn’t been officially announced, but the video for the lead single, “Message In A Hammer” just dropped and it would make Hype Williams proud. Directed by Rollo Jackson, it pits Obongjayar as the driver of a wretched mob boss who has abducted someone close to him. The blue and red lighting in the clip, which feels more like a short film, helps paint the picture of a tale of vengeance, with a dynamite performance from the laser-focused singer who’ll stop at nothing for justice.

“‘Message In a Hammer’ is about fight, and fighting against the powers that take and steal and rob from us, and calling them by their name — thieves and murderers,” Obongjayar said in a statement. It’s a can’t miss clip and foreshadows more fiery material to come.

Obongjayar heads out on tour with Little Simz next year, as well as a short European headlining tour of his own, with dates for the latter below.

4/20/2022 – Leeds, UK @ Belgrave Music Hall
4/22/2022 April – London, UK @ Venue TBA
4/23/2022 – Bristol, UK @ Thekla
4/24/2022 – Nottingham, UK @ Rough Trade
4/26/2022 – Brighton, UK @ Patterns
4/27/2022 – Manchester, UK @ BOTW
4/29/2022 – Paris, France @ Point Ephémère
4/30/2022 – Brussels, Belgium @ Botanique
5/01/2022- Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Bitterzoet
5/03/2022 – Berlin, Germany @ Lido

Jack Harlow Throws A Lively Louisville Party In His ‘Luv Is Dro’ Video With Static Major And Bryson Tiller

by

When Jack Harlow released his debut album That’s What They All Say earlier this year, one of its standout tracks turned out to be “Luv Is Dro,” on which he linked up with fellow Louisville natives Bryson Tiller and the late Static Major. Now, Harlow has released a lively video for the single, which shows love to the three artists’ shared hometown and sees Bryson and Jack putting their mack down at a nostalgic 2000s party (kids are throwing “old school” 2000s parties — am I old now??) full of throwback jerseys and airbrushed tall tees.

Harlow previously detailed the origins of “Luv Is Dro” for HipHopDX, explaining that Static’s widow specifically wanted him on track due to his rising profile. “We sat on it for two years trying to get it right and get Bryson on it,” he recalled, saying that although it took a long time because Bryson “takes his time with everything,” it was important to do the song right to represent their city well. Getting to do that record for Kentucky is huge,” he enthused. “… This song is something I can hang my hat on for the rest of my life. It’s already a classic where I’m from.”

To keep that hometown love vibe going Jack is doing a mini-tour, There’s No Place Like Home, at five iconic venues throughout the city. He also recently donated to five Louisville non-profits.

Watch Jack Harlow’s “Luv Is Dro” video featuring Static Major and Bryson Tiller above.

Tems Dances Her Way Through The Streets Of Lagos In The ‘Crazy Tings’ Video

by

The rise of Tems in 2021 is real. The Nigerian-born singer has had a sensational year so far, being featured on “Fountains” off of Drake’s Certified Lover Boy and on fellow Nigerian Wizkid’s “Essence,” which also got a remix treatment later on that featured Justin Bieber, and then totally slayed her performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! earlier this month. Go ahead and file those as surefire ways to raise your profile and then add in her own excellent EP, If Orange Was A Place, which dropped last month, and she’s cooking.

Today, the video for the opening track off of If Orange Was A Place is out and it shows Tems moving through the streets of her native Lagos like an absolute boss. She weaves around the lives of locals going through the ups and downs of life with the confidence of someone who’s rising above the mess, as she delivers the stoic hook over an African drum-studded beat: “Crazy things are happening / Crazy things are happening / If you need somebody craze / You fit chop somebody’s craze.”

Her delivery is silky smooth, but it’s Tems’ unique appeal across styles that flows naturally from her tongue. She told The Guardian in September that she grew up loving artists like Kate Nash, Lauryn Hill, Lil Kim, Paramore, Outkast, and Green Day, and it’s that eclectic palette that inspired her sublime singular output.

Watch the video for “Crazy Tings” above.

If Orange Was A Place is out now via Since ‘93/RCA Records.

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

Tekashi 69’s Ex-Manager Shotti Seeks Affordable Legal Cousel, Saying He Only Has $1,200 To His Name

by
Getty Image

Back in 2019, Tekashi 69 was sentenced to two years in prison for his involvement in a federal racketeering case. The rapper was eventually released early due to a COVID outbreak in his detention facility, but the same can’t be said for Tekashi’s former manager Shotti, aka Kifano Jordan. Shotti was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2019 following two firearm charges. Now, he’s reportedly requesting new legal counsel. The reason? He can’t afford a lawyer.

According to a report from Complex, Shotti put forth a motion with the US Court of Appeals earlier this week, asking to be appointed an attorney to “aid in presenting issues” with his case to the court. Shotti’s motion claims he’s too low on cash to hire a lawyer, stating he has just $1,200 in “cash on hand or money in savings or checking accounts.” If Shotti’s motion is approved, he’ll be appointed Federal Public Defender or a private attorney compensated under the Criminal Justice Act.

Shotti’s legal documents state he’s been held in isolation under pandemic restrictions, which he says prohibits him from being able to research his appeal efforts. “[Shotti’s] case is complex and beyond any understanding he has of the law and its procedures,” his filing states. “The petitioner desperately needs the help of legal counsel to properly prepare the issues and supporting facts and laws to support each issue that will be presented before this honorable court.”

Read Complex’s full report on Shotti’s recent legal documents here.

Ghoulavelii Gives A Haunting ‘UPROXX Sessions’ Performance Of ‘WTFS’

by

With Halloween right around the corner, it’s the perfect time for the spooky Seattle grunge rapper Ghoulavelii to stop by the Sessions set to let listeners know he’s “WTFS” — that’s “with the f*ck sh*t” for those not-well-versed in Gen-Z-speak.

The punky, grungey trap rapper has been active for a few years, garnering attention as more of a rock adherent throughout high school. However, as the walls between those darker, more underground scenes and the super popular trap rap scene eroded due to the explosion of SoundCloud rap in 2015 — you know, the Lil Uzi Verts, Trippie Redds, and Playboi Cartis that currently run a sizable chunk of hip-hop — Ghoul also made the switch, seeing his buzz grow to the point of a record deal with Alamo Records.

His most recent body of work was 2020’s #ariesrevenge, released independently and distributed by Create Music Group (best known for publishing Tekashi 69’s debut album Dummy Boy in 2018).

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.