Music

Ari Lennox Is Back And She’s Applying ‘Pressure’ With A Fun And Free-Spirited New Single

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After dazzling in 2019 with her phenomenal debut album, Shea Butter Baby, Ari Lennox kept things cool, calm, and collected in 2020. She made a few appearances on Dreamville’s Revenge Of The Dreamers III and Spillage Village’s Spilligion while delivering some singles of her own. They included her Shea Butter Baby remix EP, which delivered updated takes of tracks from her debut. As for 2021, it seems like Lennox could be bringing fans closer to the long-awaited release of her sophomore album and the road towards the project begins with her brand new single, “Pressure.”

The singer’s newest release is fun and free-spirited as it captures Lennox delivering sultry lines about her passionate love life with her new partner. Dreamville’s First Lady declares she’s “okay with being nasty” and adds, “Don’t need nobody but I’ll take you down tonight.” She also delivers a vibrant visual for the song that depicts her in a number of throwback looks which add to the fun of the new song.

“Pressure” arrives after Summer Walker confirmed Lennox, along with Lil Durk and SZA, will appear on her upcoming album. If you’re looking to catch Lennox live in concert, you’ll be able to do so at HER’s upcoming Lights On Festival in Brooklyn. As for her more recent releases, Lennox’s last release came alongside Queen Naija for “Set Him Up.”

You can press play on the new single in the video above.

Nicki Minaj Cancels Her 2021 MTV VMAs Performance But Promises To Return

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The 2021 MTV VMAs will air this Sunday, but unfortunately for Nicki Minaj fans, the Queens rapper will not be one of the performers at this year’s show. While the show is returning to having a live audience this year and planned performers include Chloe Bailey, Doja Cat (also this year’s host), Lil Nas X, and Olivia Rodrigo, Nicki has joined Lorde in pulling out of the festivities.

Unlike Lorde, though, Nicki didn’t give a reason for backing out, instead confirming her cancelation on Twitter in response to a fan question and promising to return in the the future. “I just pulled out,” she replied to the fan’s inquiry about whether or not she was performing. “I’ll explain why another day.”

In the past, Nicki took issue with the BET Awards’ Facebook post, pulling out of the BET Experience performances in 2019, but in this case, it appears that the split was more amicable. “I love those guys at MTV,” she gushed. “Thank you Bruce. I love you so much. Next year we there baby.”

Lorde, meanwhile, previously explained that her own reason for pulling out was the show’s updated safety protocols, which would have forced her to change her planned performance. Rather than doing that, she decided to cancel rather than shortchange her fans.

The VMAs air this Sunday at 8:00 pm ET / 5:00 pm PT.

Mozzy Gets Confessional In His Somber ‘Straight To The 4th’ Video

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Sacramento reality rapper Mozzy returns with a new album and the video for its first single. “Straight To The 4th,” which released today at midnight, finds Mozzy waxing nostalgic on his fallen friend Skeemo and giving his directives for what to do upon his own passing: “If I die before I wake, then take me straight to 4th,” he rhymes on the chorus. A helpful flyby shot of a 44th Street sign in Mozzy’s home neighborhood Oak Park elucidates his meaning.

Along with the video for “Straight To The 4th,” Mozzy announced the impending release of his next album, Untreated Trauma, which will be his second of 2021 and fifth project in the last two years. In 2019, he dropped Internal Affairs, while in 2020, he put out two projects, Beyond Bulletproof and Occupational Hazard. The former became his highest-charting project to date, peaking at No. 43 on the Billboard 200. Meanwhile, earlier in 2021, Mozzy teamed up with Compton rapper YG for the collaborative album Kommunity Service, which included the singles “Bompton to Oak Park,” “Perfect Timing” with Blxst, and “Vibe with You” featuring Ty Dolla Sign. Untreated Trauma, set for a September 17 release, will include appearances from Babyface Ray, Celly Ru, E. Mozzy, EST Gee, Kalan.FrFr, and YFN Lucci.

Watch Mozzy’s “Straight To The 4th” video above.

Untreated Trauma is due 9/17 via EMPIRE. You can pre-save it here.

Doja Cat Covers The ‘Grease’ Classic ‘You’re The One I Want’ In A New Pepsi Ad

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Maybe it was the popularity of the Silhouette Challenge that planted the seed for Pepsi’s newest campaign with its sample of ’50s star Paul Anka alongside the sultry vocals of modern pop phenom Doja Cat. In the new ad, which promotes the brand’s new “soda shop” line of flavors, Doja Cat again takes on a retro classic, but this time adds another layer of meta flair with a cover of Olivia Newton-John’s Grease showstopper “You’re The One I Want.”

Recreating a handful of scenes from the ’70s film with the ’50s aesthetic, the new ad puts a modern spin on both, updating the rock-and-roll style music with glittering contemporary pop and utilizing a multicultural cast of greasers and preps. Meanwhile, despite taking on the role of Sandy, it turns out Doja’s mission isn’t so much hooking up with Danny, but getting her well-manicured hands on his can of Pepsi.

In an interview with Billboard about the new campaign, the MTV VMA host admitted having trouble locking down the vocal approach on the classic. “I sing, but I feel like I have a lot of trouble singing certain things, even my own songs,” she said. “This was one of those songs where I had to really push and find different parts of my singing ability to make it happen.”

“Back then, music was so different and so carefully done. It wasn’t just loops and beats, which is why I feel like this was a bit harder for me. I can’t believe I was able to kind of hit some of those notes because it’s a very difficult song to sing. I’m happy about it.”

Watch Doja Cat cover “You’re The One I Want” for Pepsi above.

SZA Sings For ‘The Anonymous Ones’ Trying Break Out Of The Shadows On Her New Single

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While some may want music at a more steady rate from the TDE singer, for what it’s worth, SZA has been more active in the past twelve months than she’s been in years prior. It all started last fall when she made her return with “Hit Different” alongside Ty Dolla Sign. SZA kept things rolling with the release of “Good Days” and even teased a few songs that he supported can expect in the future. While the new music is all well and good, her fans’ true desire is a new album. For the time being, they’ll have to keep their patience intact for the TDE act’s sophomore album, but they can enjoy a new single from her in the meantime.

SZA arrives with “The Anonymous Ones,” a pop-friendly track that finds the singer singing for those who often find themselves stuck in the shadows of the world, a place she admits she resides in at times. The single appears on the soundtrack for the upcoming film, Dear Evan Hansen, which follows a high school senior who suffers from social anxiety through a journey of self-discovery and acceptance following the tragic suicide of a classmate.

The new song comes after she released “random thoughts” in the form of three songs last month, those being “I Hate You,” “Joni,” and “Nightbird.” Summer Walker also confirmed that SZA will appear on her upcoming album.

You can listen to SZA’s “The Anonymous Ones” in the video above.

Chloe Bailey Flaunts Her Assets On The Captivating New Single, ‘Have Mercy’

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After weeks of anticipation, Chloe Bailey’s long-awaited debut solo single is finally here, arriving with an exciting video. Chloe shined as a part of a duo with sister Halle, but now it’s time for her to impress as a solo act, something she looks to do with her brand new single, “Have Mercy.” Chloe shows off her dance moves and twerking abilities as a cast of guys watch in awe. The singer is also accompanied by a group of female dancers that keep up with her and seductive moves.

Chloe impressed for years through music and on the small screen in shows like Freeform’s Grown-ish. An excellent example of Chloe’s musical talents came last year with the release of last year’s Ungodly Hour as a part of the Chloe X Halle duo.

“Have Mercy” will appear on the singer’s upcoming album and prior to the track’s release, Chloe delivered an update on the project and teased what kind of music fans can expect to hear on it. “It’s 90% done,” she said about the project, adding that the album “is definitely more pop.” “I’m creating my own lane, as well as paying homage to the ones who have inspired me,” she continued. “It has been fun finding my voice.”

You can watch the video for “Have Mercy” above.

Syd And Smino Look To Keep Things On The ‘Right Track’ With Their New Collaboration

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It’s safe to say Syd has something special on the way for her faithful listeners. The singer’s last solo project came in at the end of 2017 with Always Never Home. The 3-track EP came months after she released her solo debut album, Fin. From the looks of it, it appears a second dose of the latter could be on the way, but until that is confirmed, fans can enjoy her latest single, “Right Track” with Smino. The new release is a change in tempo for the singer’s often breezy and chilled-out songs. In the song, Syd and Smino use a giddy beat to beg for trust and commitment from their partner while promising that they’ll reach the next level together if things stay on the “right track.”

Syd’s latest single arrives after as her third track of the year. She launched her 2021 campaign with February’s “Missing Out,” a track she described as an “anti-Valentine’s Day ode” while singing about her partner’s inability to “spend the proper time trying to work it out.” Months later she returned with “Fast Car,” a more positive record focused on the intimate moments a couple spends together when they ignore the rest of the world. “I wanted to make something for the gay Black girls,” Syd said about the song. “I want them to see themselves in this and in me.”

You can press play on Syd and Smino’s new collaboration in the video above.

Baby Keem Faces Down His ‘Issues’ In The Latest Video From His New Album, ‘The Melodic Blue’

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More than two years removed from his last project, Baby Keem has arrived with a new body of work for his growing cast of supporters to enjoy. The Melodic Blue is out now and it comes with a small, yet star-filled cast of guest acts. Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, and Don Toliver each stand beside Keem at various points on the album, with Lamar marking the most appearances on the 16-track project. The new album arrives after Keem stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to debut “Issues,” while he follows up with a desolate video with a similar setting.

In addition to “Family Ties,” a previously-released single that ramped up anticipation for The Melodic Blue and Kendrick’s own upcoming fifth album, the TDE rapper also connects with Keem on “Range Brothers” and “Vent.”

“Range Brothers” arrives as a two-part track that begins with Keem delivering laid-back raps over bass-heavy production. Things take an odd and chaotic turn in the second half as Lamar arrives join Keem as they deliver off-kilter bars that, if anything, sound more like a troll as Lamar checks in and repeatedly chants “top of the morning.” As for “Vent,” that collaboration between Lamar and Keem is quite the bashful single as the duo combines their energies for a mosh pit-friendly track.

You can watch the “Issues” video and listen to Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar’s additional collaborations in the videos above.

The Melodic Blue is out now via PgLang/Columbia. Get it here.

Ed Sheeran Helps Celebrate The New NFL Season With A Performance Of ‘Shivers’

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A fairly large group of sports fans all over the world are rejoicing as the NFL made its official return on Thursday night. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the league’s reigning Super Bowl champions, welcomed the Dallas Cowboys to their home stadium to officially start the new season. Prior to kickoff, however, fans at home and outside of Tampa Bay’s Raymond James Stadium were greeted by a performance from Ed Sheeran. The singer took the stage to perform his latest single, “Shivers” for fans that gathered at the venue.

The performance came hours after Sheeran released the track to his supporters. “Shivers” stands as the third single from his upcoming album, joining “Visiting Hours” and “Bad Habits” as records that gave fans a taste of what’s to come with the new album. After announcing “=” last month, Sheeran spoke about the album and what it means to him.

“= (Equals) is a really personal record and one that means a lot to me,” he said. “My life changed greatly over the past few years — I got married, became a father, experienced loss, and I reflect on these topics over the course of the album. I see it as my coming-of-age record, and I can’t wait to share this next chapter with you.”

You can watch Sheeran perform “Shivers” in the video above.

= is out 10/29 via Asylum/Atlantic. Pre-order it here.

Ed Sheeran is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.