Music

Anderson .Paak Shares An Update On Kendrick Lamar And Dr. Dre

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Anderson .Paak is back in the spotlight. He recently joined forces with Bruno Mars as Silk Sonic to release their first joint single, “Leave The Door Open,” ahead of their upcoming album. The project will join a growing list of collaborations that .Paak has done with some of the industry’s best, including Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre. He worked with the former on their 2018 single, “Tints,” while the latter served as an executive producer on his 2018 album, Oxnard. In a recent sit-down with Esquire, .Paak shared an update about the two Compton-based acts.

“We talk just through texts and just off and on,” he said about Lamar. “I always check on him and the family and make sure he’s good. He’s always responsive, and just like, just let me know he’s hanging in there just like everybody else.” .Paak also had positive things to say about Dre, who suffered a brain aneurysm at the beginning of the year.

“Dre’s having a good-ass time,” he said in regards ton Dre’s quarantine life. “That’s already his life—isolation, working all the time. I think he was probably used to it. But he’s having fun now because a lot of people have more time on their hands, so they can come visit him and make music with big Uncle Dre.” As for their own collaborations, Paak said Dre has taken a step back is “letting me fly and figure it out.”

The interview also saw the Oxnard-bred act speak about his upcoming fifth album. “With this new material you’re going to get some real topics, and you’re going to get some substance, but mixed with some great grooves,” he said. .Paak also expressed his desire to collaborate with popular K-pop band, BTS.

“I’m working on trying to get that plug, man,” he said. “If you know of any way, let me know, bro.”

Bruno Mars is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Jennifer Lopez And Alex Rodriguez Have Reportedly Canceled Their Wedding And Broken Up

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Popstar and actress Jennifer Lopez has reportedly broken up with Major League Baseball player Alex Rodriguez, according to Page Six. The gossip site’s sources say that the former couple has canceled their wedding as Rodriguez prepares for spring training and Lopez shoots her next movie — ironically titled Shotgun Wedding. The former couple previously postponed the wedding twice, apparently got things back on track, but ultimately decided that a split was for the best. They originally announced their engagement in 2019, after dating for two years.

J-Lo told Access Hollywood about the postponements in December, telling the show, “We had to cancel the wedding because of COVID, because of the quarantine. And we actually did it twice, which people don’t know.”

At the time, she said the goal was to “wait it out,” insisting “everything’s cool and it’ll happen when the time is right. I feel like it’s not a huge priority to go and have a big wedding right now, that’s not what life is about.” Page Six posits that the breaking point was a rumor of infidelity between Rodriguez and reality-show star Madison LeCroy. LeCroy appears on Bravo’s Southern Charm.

Lopez, meanwhile, has been shooting Shotgun Wedding in the Dominican Republic. The film has undergone some controversy of its own after previous lead Armie Hammer was replaced in the wake of a scandal involving some untoward text messages.

Beyonce Turned Down An Offer To Perform At The 2021 Grammys

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After initially being postponed, the 63rd Annual Grammys Award Ceremony kicks off this weekend. Leading the nominations is Beyonce, who is up for nine Grammys including both Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year. The additional nominations makes her the most Grammy-nominated female artist in history with an impressive 79 nominations. But despite her recognition, Beyonce will not be seen performing at this year’s event.

This weekend’s ceremony will be taking place in person across five small stages situated around LA in order to minimize interactions. Several artists have been booked to perform at the ceremony, including Cardi B, Bad Bunny, Doja Cat, Taylor Swift, and Dua Lipa. One major star not on the list, though, is Beyonce.

The Recording Academy claims that they extended an offer to Beyonce to perform, but she declined. In a statement to the LA Times, Recording Academy interim chief executive Harvey Mason said, “It’s unfortunate because she’s such a big part of the Recording Academy. We absolutely wish we had her onstage.”

Neither Beyonce nor the Recording Academy has addressed her reason for turning down the event. It may have to do with the concern over attending an in-person event, but it could also be due to the backlash the Recording Academy has faced this past year. Back in January of 2020, former Grammys CEO Deborah Dugan alleged that the Recording Academy has a history of sexual misconduct and corruption, and she wasn’t the only one to say so. After being snubbed of an award this year, The Weeknd slammed the ceremony as corrupt and called for greater transparency in the nomination process. Other artists like Ellie Goulding, Zayn, Fiona Apple, and Lil Wayne have made similar, disdainful remarks about the Grammys.

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

Khalid Remixes Singer-Songwriter Watts’ Mellow 2018 Single, ‘Feels’

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It’s been a while since Khalid’s last album, Free Spirit, but he’s kept busy in the interim, popping up on collaborations with Kane Brown and Swae Lee (“Be Like That“), Alicia Keys (“So Done“), Victoria Monet (“Experience“), and Justin Bieber (on “Peaches” with Daniel Caesar from the upcoming Bieber album Justice). He lends his latest vocal assist to singer-songwriter Watts, remixing Watts’ 2018 single “Feels” and releasing a trippy, 3D-contrast visualizer to bring new life to the mellow ballad.

There’s little information out there about Watts, other than his real name, Jacob Watts, and origins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A Genius profile for Jacob Watts lists his songwriting credits: He’s got a song called “Talk About It,” another called “Right, Alright,” and a collaboration with Adam Agin titled “Quicksand Arms.” Whatever he’s been up to since 2018, it looks like he may intend to make a comeback this year, and judging from his scant discography, he’s got the chops to craft a solid career if he can turn up the consistency of his releases.

Khalid, meanwhile, plans to follow up Free Spirit this year as well, according to what he told a fan on Twitter in September.

Listen to Watts’ “Feels” featuring Khalid above.

Flatbush Zombies Release A Cool Set Of Action Figures Commemorating Their Debut Album

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Philip Cosores / Uproxx Studios

It’s usually pretty cool when a rap act gets a collectible that isn’t just the standard T-shirt, vinyl, or non-fungible token version of their sex tape. For instance, there are a lot of nice vinyl toys out there for legends of rap like The Notorious BIG or Run-DMC, and some newer rappers have even gotten in on the action, like Rico Nasty. The latest act to commemorate a musical moment with a piece of beautifully-molded plastic is Flatbush Zombies, who teamed up with Incendium to offer a pack of frankly awesome action figures celebrating the fifth anniversary of their debut album.

The set interprets the trio as five-inch figures with 10 points of articulation and personalized accessories based on the David Nakayama-designed cover of 3001: A Laced Odyssey. Only 3,001 of each figure has been made, ensuring their collector’s item status someday down the road — without a password or undue negative impact on the environment, no less. Yes, that was another shot at NFTs because I think you’re all nuts for spending millions of dollars on computer code.

Incendium CEO Llexi Leon credits the project to Flatbush Zombies’ “incredible aesthetic,” and calls it “a blast to revisit David Nakayama’s incredible artwork to their debut album and bring the trio straight off the page for our latest release.”

You can check out the set here.

Giveon’s Grieving ‘Heartbreak Anniversary’ Video Arrives With His Lustful New Single, ‘All To Me’

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After the success his two 2020 projects brought him last year, it’s only right that Giveon is making sure his Take Time and When It’s All Said And Done EPs are celebrated in the new year. The Long Beach singer ensured this would happen in three ways. First, he shared a new video for his Take Time standout, “Heartbreak Anniversary.” The visual reflects on the highs and lows Giveon experienced with an old lover, played by Samantha Logan who many might recognize by the name of Olivia Baker from the TV drama, All-American. Giveon transitions between his lonely present and his turbulent past with his old love interest as he sings about the day their relationship came to an end.

Secondly, in addition to the video, he shared his latest single, “All To Me.” Similar to his prior releases, “Favorite Mistake” and “Still Your Best,” Giveon arrives with a bit of toxicity for listeners on the new effort. He finds himself in the presence of a woman who is not treated well by her partner. Looking to make matters better for this woman, Giveon offers to step in and be the ideal companion she’s wanted for a lifetime. Lastly, Giveon dropped a deluxe reissue of Take Time and When It’s All Said And Done, which combines the two EPs and “All To Me” into one effort titled, When It’s All Said And Done… Take Time.

You can watch the “Heartbreak Anniversary” video and listen to “All To Me” above.

When It’s All Said And Done… Take Time is out now via Epic Records. Get it here.

Blxst Collabs With Russ And Drakeo The Ruler On His ‘Just For Clarity’ EP

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Blxst is certainly in for a big year after gaining great popularity as a result of a thrilling 2020. While his plans for the forthcoming months remain to be seen, Blxst is kicking things off with a pair of new singles. The West Coast native returns with his Just For Clarity EP supported by contributions from Drakeo The Ruler and Russ. Blxst connects with Drakeo The Ruler for “Don’t Forget,” a silky-smooth effort that sees both artists discussing the skepticism they encountered on their way to the top. While they’ve forgiven their doubters, the duo declares that they won’t be forgotten as it fuels their motivation to continue thriving.

The second song of EP presents Russ alongside Blxst for “Fck Boys.” On this track, they both find themselves in relationships with women who are damaged due to sub-par experiences with men they encountered prior to them. Despite these hardships, the duo declares that they’re the man their female companions have been waiting for. To add to their point, Russ questions “who the f*ck is he to f*ck up your whole life” while Blxst reminds listeners that “f*ck boys f*ck it up for real n****s.”

The songs arrive after Blxst shared a deluxe reissue of No Love Lost at the end of last year. Since then the singer has also delivered videos for “Got It All” and “No Love Lost.”

Press play on both tracks in the videos above.

Brent Faiyaz Counters His Perceived Toxicity With The Wholesome Single, ‘Show U Off’

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Despite just a few toxic tracks to his discography, Brent Faiyaz has been placed in that category of men thanks to his 2020 album, F*ck The World. Lines like “All my b*tches know I’m leavin’ at some point / Whether there’s a reason or not / Don’t try givin’ me reasons to stop,” from “Clouded” have caused fans to appreciate his music in a different light. Now, more than a year removed from that project, Faiyaz is back on the wholesome side of things with his new single, “Show U Off.”

The effort presents the singer on the positive side of things. Faiyaz pours his heart on wax for an unnamed woman and promises to treat her as best as he can. “Who’s gonna call you, baby? / And never make you feel small,” he sings. “Who’s gonna love you crazy? / I’m never gonna let you fall.” Elsewhere, he promises to raise her up and show her off to the masses as a way to prove his love is real and true. The song also comes with an accompanying video that follows a woman through her interactions with family, friends, and parts of the world. In the end, Brent appears beside the large group of ladies to signal that they are all a part of his real-life family.

Just a few weeks ago Faiyaz teamed up with Tyler The Creator for their “Gravity” single, which was released in partnership with Adidas for their Songs From Scratch series. Prior to that, his last musical contribution came in the form of a guest feature with Kanye West on 2 Chainz’s “Feel A Way.”

Listen to the new song above.