Last week, I had no clue who Tommy Richman is. Odds are, if you’re reading this, neither did you. Today, his name is practically inescapable for music fans on social media, who are being told his new song “Million Dollar Baby” is on-pace for a top-ten Hot 100 debut next week (this is likely premature, but not unimpressive in itself). So, who is Tommy Richman and why is “Million Dollar Baby” suddenly everywhere you look (including further down in this post)?
I can’t wait to see what these label AnRs tell me about this Tommy Richman record, he has less than 100k followers on IG and has the # 3 song on iTunes
Tommy Richman is a Virginia-based artist whose first big credit was on Brent Faiyaz’s Larger Than Life track “Upset” alongside FELIX. Last August, Billboard reported he was signed to Faiyaz’s label, Iso Supremacy, a joint venture with PULSE Records, and he joined Faiyaz on his 2023 F*ck The World, It’s A Wasteland Tour. Since then, he’s release an EP, The Rush and a double single, Soulcrusher, but the snippet of “Million Dollar Baby” he teased online caught fire, likely contributing to its explosive debut.
In an August interview with Miami New Times, Richman humbly expressed his gratitude for his newfound success, saying, “When I would work in my mother’s basement for hours on tracks, and she’d be telling me to get a real job like most moms, I’d be like, ‘No, no, no, it’s gonna work out.’ And now, to be recognized by other hardworking people, I’m just very grateful, and it definitely inspires me to keep going.”
Kanye West is looking to venture into the adult film industry, and Yeezy Porn might be on its way soon. The rapper and entrepreneur reportedly plans to launch a new wing for his Yeezy brand. He has also reportedly sought guidance from industry professional Mike Moz to help ready the new company before summer. As weird as this news is, many have come to expect anything from Ye. For one, Ye has been vocal about his history with porn. Secondly, his idea of moral propriety largely depends on his ever-changing moods. While this is mostly evident in Ye’s outbursts and controversial commentary, it’s also shown up in his music. Over the years, the explicit, NSFW lyrics in Kanye West’s songs have been a prevalent feature in his discography. But it’s still enough to wonder if the Jesus Is King Kanye has dipped for good.
“Blame Game” has a lot of great moments but in the same vein, there’s a raunchy portion of the track that left a few unsettled. “Been a long time since I spoke to you in a bathroom / Gripping you up, fucking and choking you / What the hell was I supposed to do? / I know you ain’t getting this type of dick from that local dude.” For what it’s worth, “Blame Game” would probably be secure as one of Kanye’s best ever, but many felt he went overboard.
8. What’s Better Than No Job?
“30 Hours” is one of the deep cuts from The Life of Pablo. Interestingly, while they’re currently embroiled in rap beef, the song has been rumored to be written by Drake. Nonetheless, the vulgarity is definitely Kanye West. “Cause you was in college complainin’ about it’s no jobs / But you were suckin’ a n***a’s dick the whole time / Well I guess a blowjob’s better than no job.”
On “Feedback,” Kanye is a businessman teaching the wrong negotiation tactics to a non-consenting audience. However, in hindsight, it’s the kind of crude material that Kanye West might employ on Yeezy Porn. “Whip that, bitch out / Tits out, oh s**t / My dick out, can she suck it right now? / F**k, can she f**k right now? / I done asked twice now / Can you bring your price down?” Definitely not the best way to express sexual frustration…
6. Wordplay With A Touch Of Awkward
“Now, if I fuck this model / And she just bleached her asshole / And I get bleach on my T-shirt / I’ma feel like an asshole.” These were Kanye West’s lyrics on his song, “Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 1,” off The Life of Pablo. These lines aren’t exactly provocative or contentious. However, they are sure to make any listener feel awkward and uncomfortable. In an attempt to explain, Chance the Rapper, who co-wrote and worked with Kanye on the song, described the lyrics as Ye’s idea of humor. According to Chance, Kanye’s lyrics are a blend of hilarity crafted to hit a little too close to home.
Chasing love, all the bittersweet hours lost / Eating Asian pussy, all I need was sweet and sour sauce. On “I’m in It,” from Kanye West’s 2013 album Yeezus, Ye definitely crossed a line that warranted tremendous backlash. Although Yeezus received widespread praise and critical acclaim, “I’m in It,” faced significant scrutiny for its lackluster and insensitive content. It doesn’t take a literary critic to point out just how crude and racially insensitive most of the song’s lyrics were.
4. “I’m In It” Actively Seeks To Offend
As if the previous lyrics weren’t bad enough, they weren’t the only bars to garner criticism. The following lyrics are also courtesy of Kanye’s “I’m in it.” In fact, it’s almost impressive how a single artist managed to be this raunchy and racially offensive this many times in a single song. Kanye West’s decision to juxtapose a sexual act with the iconic Black power salute is nothing short of disappointing. Nonetheless, to say Kanye West felt any remorse for this would be highly presumptuous though, and a little optimistic, especially as fans look forward to the content he will have on the forthcoming Yeezy Porn. “Uh, she cut from a different textile / Uh, she love different kinds of sex now / Uh, black girl sippin’ white wine / Put my fist in her like a civil rights sign / And grabbed it with a slight grind / And held it ’til the right time / Then she came like AAAAAHHH!“
3. Kanye West’s Ignorance About The Gay Community Shines On “Don’t Like”
In that p—y so deep I could have drowned twice/ Rose gold Jesus piece with the brown ice / Eating good, vegetarian with the brown rice / Girls kissing girls, cause it’s hot, right? / But unless they use a strap-on then they not dykes. “Don’t Like” is a polarizing song with a chimera of themes: explicit sexual references, religious imagery, lesbianism, and sex toy use. Unsurprisingly, these themes are all crudely jumbled together. This song also raises questions about Kanye’s real-life interactions and understanding of gay people.
2. Kanye West Misses The Mark On “Monster”
“So mami, best advice is just to get on top of this / Have you ever had sex with a pharaoh? / Put the p—y in a sarcophagus / Now she claiming that I bruised her esophagus / Head of the class and she just won a swallowship / I’m living in the future so the present is my past / My presence is a present, kiss my ass.”
“Monster” is a certified classic Hip Hop track where a young Nicki Minaj delivers a powerful verse that far outshines Kanye West’s. However, Ye’s own lyrics were punchlined by comments about rough sexual acts, narcissism, and ancient Egyptian funeral practices he almost certainly doesn’t really understand.
1. Ye’s Sexual Detour On “Hell Of A Life”
“Tell me what I gotta do to be that guy / Said her price go down, she ever f–k a black guy / Or do anal, or do a gangbang / It’s kinda crazy that’s all considered the same thing / Well I guess a lotta ni–as do gang bang / And if we run trains, we all in the same gang / Runaway slaves all on a chain gang/ Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.
“Hell Of A Life” is classic Ye at his best: skillfully crafted, brimming with innovation, and packed with intense commentary on society and politics. But then things take a dramatic turn. Kanye eventually begins to spit what is perhaps the longest, raunchiest, and most offensive set of lyrics in the history of the genre.
Since signing with Atlantic Records in 2016, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie has continuously tried to put out good music for his growing fanbase. In 2017, the New York-based rapper released his first studio album, The Bigger Artist. A Boogie followed up his successful debut with a sophomore effort in 2018, Hoodie SZN. The rapper’s first two albums received critical acclaim, and some fans tagged him as the next big thing. In his third studio album, Artist 2.0, released in 2020, the rapper had high-charting songs, “Look Back at It” and “Numbers.” However, with fans expecting more from A Boogie, his 2022 album Me vs. Myself didn’t do as well.
Despite mixed reactions to his 2022 album, A Boogie sold out his Me vs Myself Tour in 2023. He also had a great year performing in several concerts and festivals. Such amazing happenings meant something bigger was coming. Thus, his fans weren’t surprised when he announced he would release his fifth studio album, Better Off Alone, in 2024. In September 2023, A Boogie dropped an EP, B4 BOA (Before Better Off Alone), containing three tracks. With fans looking forward to Better Off Alone‘s release on May 17, 2024, A Boogie took them by surprise with the release of another EP titled Alone, which dropped on April 22. The four-track EP was released amid tensions between A Boogie and his on-and-off again baby mama, Ella Bands. Hence, it isn’t too surprising that the rapper’s latest EP focuses heavily on his relationship and personal struggles.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s Alone EP Was Probably Due To A Love Gone Wrong
Five days before the Alone EP’s release, a social media influencer, Marcy Diaz, accused A Boogie’s baby mama, Ella Bands, of cheating with her ex. A Boogie and Ella’s relationship was already dominated by past cheating allegations and several issues. However, his reaction to the new accusations showed he was done with the relationship this time. Taking to his Instagram Story, A Boogie wrote, “IM REALLY DTB [Don’t Trust B*****s] For Life LOL. B*****s BE WORST THAN N****S.” The songs in A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s Alone EP hint that he released it to speak about the things happening in his life lately.
The Alone EP’s first track is “Tiffanys,” in which he shows his vulnerable side. A Boogie raps about his struggles with his mental health and relationships. The song’s production is top-notch, with his autotuned rapping and singing complementing the song well. In “No More Questions,” A Boogie displays so much passion as he spits honest bars that depict his true feelings.
A Boogie Goes Hard & True in EP’s Concluding Songs
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s Alone EP concludes with the songs “How To Love” and “D.T.N,” which translates to Don’t Trust N****s. In “How To Love,” A Boogie tackles his relationship issues. He accepts that he did his lover dirty but wonders why she could be done with him, though he took his time with her. In “D.T.N,” A Boogie continues with the EP’s emotional tone. He sings about how he’s been violated by people he loves. The song showcased A Boogie’s emotions, honest lyrics, and strong vocals, helping to convey its heartfelt meaning.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s Alone EP Sets The Tone For Next Album
So far, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s Alone EP has generated mixed reviews. However, the EP gives listeners a great view of his personal experiences and emotional challenges. A Boogie thrills his fans with a raw and authentic expression of his feelings. In the EP, he conveys his signature melodic style and dishes out poignant lyrics while displaying his vulnerability and speaking his truth. One positive aspect of Alone is that it proves how versatile A Boogie is and highlights his storytelling qualities. The EP is a good listen and gives a glimpse of what fans should expect when Better Off Alone drops next month.
For much of the past month, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie has been bouncing around Europe on the first leg of his Better Off Alone Tour. The Bronx-bred star is returning to the US for the North American leg of the tour on May 18 in Seattle, Washington, but his overseas shows have given local fans a glimpse of what they can expect.
In addition to fan favorites like “Ransom,” “Swervin’,” and his breakout hit “Drowning” (which also closes the show), A Boogie also peppers in his verses from collaborations with Chris Brown and the late PnB Rock and Pop Smoke. He’ll be joined on the tour in the US by a troupe of openers including Byron Messia, Dess Dior, Fridayy, Luh Tyler, NLE Choppa. Meanwhile, the album from which the tour takes its title hasn’t been given an official release date — although Genius.com does posit it’ll drop the day before the tour hits Seattle, May 17. Check out the setlist below.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie Better Off Alone Tour Setlist
01. “Jungle”
02. “Take Shots”
03. “Startender”
04. “Ransom”
05. “Timeless”
06. “Me And My Guitar”
07. “Did Me Wrong”
08. “Lovin’” (PnB Rock cover)
09. “Swervin”
10. “Just Like Me”
11. “Love Drugs And Sex”
12. “February”
13. “Still Think About You”
14. “D.T.B Interlude”
15. “Secrets”
16. “Pills & Automobiles” (Chris Brown cover)
17. “Man In the Mirror”
18. “Mood Swings”
19. “Look Back At It”
20. “My Shit”
21. “Hello” (Pop Smoke cover)
22. “Drowning”
Stagecoach Festival is a country music festival. Full stop. It’s not difficult to come to that conclusion, based on everything from the horse and boot iconography, the “Mane Stage,” the giant Yellowstone installation that takes over the entirety of Coachella’s Gobi Tent, and, of course, the attendees dressed in their finest denim, hats, and buckles.
However, the lineup might make an observer give pause. While the top of the bill has never strayed too far from its moniker as “Country music’s biggest party,” over the years, the rest of the lineup has evolved to the broadest definition of country imaginable. And we’re not just talking about Diplo, who has had his own stage for many years now for country fans who also want to dance. This year’s festival offered appearances from seemingly non-country acts like The Chainsmokers, Marshmello, The Beach Boys, Leon Bridges (Texas!), Wiz Khalifa, Nickelback, and, most importantly, Post Malone, although he did play a set of country covers.
If you don’t understand how all of this fits in at a country festival, you probably aren’t talking to people who would actually attend a country festival. Purely anecdotally, I didn’t need to leave my hotel room to get an impression of what the modern, young country fan is interested in. My neighbors, between the hits of the weekend’s headliners (Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert, and Eric Church), shuffled in songs by Jack Harlow and Kings Of Leon. For many, country music’s appeal is as much about the good-time vibes and broad emotional signifiers as it is about region, politics, and arrangements. And while some older generations might be put off by this, the change feels similar to Coachella’s evolution, where both are trying to reach a younger audience on their own terms.
Philip Cosores
Post Malone, one of contemporary music’s most loveable stars, embodies this perfectly. Though he first emerged through the world of SoundCloud rap, Posty has proven to be good at most things he tries. His own original music has veered into a genreless mélange that reflects the omnivorous tastes of many young music fans, while he’s proven to be adept at everything from Nirvana covers to acting. As a proud Texan, it’s not surprising that he would also slay as a country cover band, curating a set of radio hits that felt like a rowdy bar with a great house band or jukebox.
Sure, the weight of Beyoncé rumors might have been too heavy for some to fully enjoy the set. But, bringing out guests like Brad Paisley, Sara Evans, and Dwight Yoakam helped bridge any divide that might have been caused by booking the same guy that headlined the area’s Rolling Loud edition just a month earlier. Posty sounded great, but more importantly, he seemed to be having the time of his life. And, likewise, so did the audience, dancing with partners to the songs of George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Vince Gill.
Philip Cosores
In fact, maybe most surprising was that the weekend’s other breakout star, Jelly Roll, didn’t pop out at some point. Lord knows Jelly couldn’t resist several other surprise appearances, including slots with Willie Nelson, Ernest, and Nickelback. Jelly Roll also has a hip-hop background and face tattoos, and signifies that artist’s of Posty’s ilk can find success in the genre that likely would not have welcomed them a decade ago. But these days, the name of the game is less about tradition and more about having a good time with friends. This was best represented by simply walking across the polo field ahead of Ernest’s set, when “Sweet Caroline” blasted from every speaker. Everywhere you looked, you could see people singing along unabashedly, not worrying about looking cool. It’s a moment that would never happen at Coachella or Governors Ball, not because the reaction would be different, but because of what those festivals represent.
Stagecoach is not about representing an ethos these days, but about showing people a good time in any way that they’ll respond to. And if that could be summed up in a single artist, Post Malone fits the bill better than anyone.
Check out more exclusive photos of Post Malone at Stagecoach below.
Philip CosoresPhilip CosoresPhilip CosoresPhilip CosoresPhilip CosoresPhilip Cosores
The 90-second trailer released on Monday morning, April 29, featuring Beyoncé voicing Nala and 12-year-old Blue Ivy is voicing a brand-new character, Kiara, Nala and Simba’s daughter. According to the YouTube description, the prequel movie centers on Rafiki “to relay the legend of Mufasa” to Kiara, “with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick.” Donald Glover reprises his voiceover role of Simba, and Aaron Pierre voices Mufasa.
“A buddy of mine, Matthew Cherry, made the short film called Hair Love that Blue Ivy did the audio book of,” Jenkins told Entertainment Weekly. “Starting this project and just having that in the ether, I was like, ‘Is it worth a shot? Would Blue Ivy want to do it? Would Beyoncé want to act opposite her daughter? Is it too close to home?’ But once we put the question to them, they both responded with enthusiasm.”
Jenkins added, “What’s crazy is we made the film, and then the Renaissance tour happened, and I think Blue really grew up over the course of that tour. So the Blue Ivy you see in this film, it’s like a time capsule, this very, very, very young stage of her life, and she got to share it with her mom. So, I thought there was some synergy. It could be beautiful.”
Hip-hop fans have been having a field day with the ongoing feud between Drake and seemingly the entire rap world. Including Kendrick Lamar, ASAP Rocky, and more, the war was prompted by Metro Boomin and Future’s two collaborative albums, We Don’t Trust You, and We Still Don’t Trust You. And just like in Drake’s feud with Pusha T some years back, his fans have come to his defense at his rivals’ live shows.
In a video going viral on social media, Metro overhears a fan yelling out lyrics from “Push-Ups,” the diss track Drake dropped in response to the producer’s provocations. The fan shouted the line, “Metro, shut your ho ass up and play some drums,” between songs, to which the producer replied, “I heard that.” The fan can be seen jumping up and down in celebration:
It’s not the first time Metro has been trolled by the “Push-Ups” line. Shortly after releasing the song, Drake hired a drumline to play outside famed Atlanta club Magic City, sending a video of them playing to Metro via his (public) Instagram Story.
Metro is going to have plenty of time to work on his responses to future incidents, as he and Future are gearing up to go on their We Trust You tour beginning in July.
At this point, what does everyone expect Rihanna to say? Rihanna has been asked ad nauseam about the status of what would be her first album since 2016’s ANTI. Rihanna has not released any new music, save for “Lift Me Up” for the 2022 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, but she was asked about new music again over the weekend.
“It’s gonna be amazing,” Rihanna told Extra at her Fenty Beauty Soft’lit launch in Los Angeles. “It has to be — that is the only reason it’s not out yet. If I’m not feeling it, and I’m not feeling like it represents the evolution, the time I spent away. There should be a show of growth, right? I want to play, and I feel like music is a playground, and I want to have fun with it and show truly where I am at.”
These comments came less than 10 days after Rihanna spoke about unreleased music while attending her Fenty x Puma Creeper Phatty Earth Tone launch event in London.
“I already got stuff that I feel like I could make hits out of,” Rihanna told Entertainment Tonight earlier this month. “Me and [her partner, ASAP] Rocky are really trying to figure out who’s gonna use what because it’s so good.”
Skilla Baby stopped rapping during a recent performance to ask a male fan to stop touching his chest during the show. A clip of the awkward moment is going viral on social media. In the video, Skilla explains: “No disrespect towards you bro. I don’t even go that way. I appreciate you bro but I don’t do that.”
Fans of his praised him for standing his ground while not being disrespectful in the comments section when The Neighborhood Talk shared the clip. “You can tell by the way he interacted with Tuson on Ari’s show that he is not homophobic at all. Very stand up guy. I am a new fan,” one user wrote. Another added: “Having to try to be respectful to someone that just disrespected you is insane.”
Skilla Baby Performs On Offset’s “Set It Off” Tour
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 10: Rapper Skilla Baby performs during Offset Set It Off Tour at Coca-Cola Roxy on April 10, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)
The performance comes after Skilla dropped his newest project, The Coldest, on Friday. It features collaborations with Flo Milli, Jeremih, DaBaby, Moneybagg Yo, and several more artists. In a press release for the project, Skilla explained that he’s been known as a “Girl’s guy” in the past. “I took my time to put this project together,” he said. “Sometimes, I feel like people try to place me in a box. The pressure of being a new artist, being successful, staying disciplined, and still clocking into the studio is very strenuous, but fun at the same time. As an artist, I’m known as the ‘Girl’s guy.’ But I’ll never forget I come from the streets. As a real person, I feel so many emotions (mad, sad, happy, anxious, etc.). I say that to say, sorry for the wait but I wanted to put everything I feel into one project. Grab your coats…”
J Cole has been through the wringer over the last month or so. He has had to deal with severe amounts of backlash from fans and peers alike for how he has gone about handling the Kendrick Lamar diss. The apology really turned a lot of people off, while a small group was fine with it, as it is his not what drives him as a rapper. So much so, that he went and removed “7 Minute Drill” from his surprise mixtape Might Delete Later. Additionally, Kanye West recently piled on the lyricist with his “Like That” remix, saying, “Play J. Cole, get the p***y dry.” But the comeback for J Cole could be massive, as one of his recent collaborators, Daylyt, reveals that he was thoroughly impressed with The Fall Off.
The rumored send off album has been mercilessly teased for years, as we are still awaiting an official release date for it. But with the recent vlogs on YouTube showing some behind the scenes of the album, the hope is it will be out sooner than later at this point. Daylyt, who was a feature on the Might Delete Later cut “Pi,” recently heard The Fall Off and had nothing but glowing reviews for it. A YouTube channel screen recorded the Instagram live session in which Daylyt spoke about it and has us even more excited for what is to come.
If you want to skip to the comments about it, fast forward to around the 17:45 mark. “Ima say it loud and clear. I heard ‘The Fall Off,’ I’m spillin’ the beans, it’s one of the best levels of rapping I have ever witnessed,” Daylyt said. “Cole is goin’ out with a nuclear missile, I’m tellin’ y’all that… he literally was like ‘I don’t give a f*** about the radio, I just wanna show the world my pen before I die.’”
What are your thoughts on Daylyt saying The Fall Off is “one of the best levels of rapping I have ever heard?” Do you think this will be the best album that J Cole ever drops, why or why not? When do you think we are getting this album? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding J Cole and The Fall Off. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the music world.
(@aboogievsartist)
