Kendrick Lamar has been an integral part of the mini resurgence in hip-hop this year. His verse on Metro Boomin and Future’s “Like That” has seemingly reignited the competitive fire that fans have been yearning to see again. It got J. Cole to respond with “7 Minute Drill,” but that has proven to be a failure as many think he fell flat on his face. The apology has further cemented K-Dot as the top dog in many people’s eyes. In addition to bringing the hype back to rap, “Like That” has done wonders for Kendrick, as he just scored a new milestone.
According to HipHopDX, Kung Fu Kenny has just nabbed his longest-running number song on the Billboard Hot 100. With “Like That recently remaining atop the chart for a second consecutive week, it surpassed two previous major works. Those include his guest appearance on Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood,” and the lead single for DAMN., “HUMBLE.” In terms of hard stats for “Like That,” they are equally impressive.
In just about three weeks, the diss aimed at Drake and J. Cole has collected over 109 million streams on Spotify. For context, it pulled in about 46 million in the last seven days. Furthermore, radio impressions are also high, sitting at around 10 million, and 6,000 sales-equivalent units is a respectable figure too. With all of this success, it would be wild if Kendrick, Metro, and Future were to team up on We Still Don’t Trust You. We can dream can’t we?
What are your thoughts on Kendrick Lamar earning his longest-running number one hit milestone with “Like That? Is this his best top-charting track, why or why not? Does it lose points for it being a feature, or does that it make it more impressive? Is this still the best song on WE DON’T TRUST YOU? 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 Kendrick Lamar and “Like That.” Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the world of music.
Rihanna says she’s become a “silent troll” while staying off social media as of late. She made the comment while discussing her infamous feud with Ciara during a cover story for Interview Magazine published on Tuesday. For the piece, she spoke with the publication’s editor-in-chief, Mel Ottenberg, who used to be her stylist.
The topic arose when Ottenberg asked, “Do you miss being on the internet, like really on the internet? Like, ‘Good luck booking that stage you speak of’ internet? Because you were so good at it.” The remark he mentioned was something Rihanna told Ciara on Twitter back in 2011 after Ciara claimed she ignored her backstage at an event. “The troll in me, she had a time,” Rihanna told Ottenberg. “Unfortunately, you can’t take anything back from the internet, so I will always have the reminders, but the best troll in me is the silent troll.” It’s worth noting that both Rihanna and Ciara showed each other love and apologized once they cooled off later that night.
Singers Ciara and Rihanna during the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards – Salute To Icons Honoring Doug Morris held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 30, 2010, in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage)
Elsewhere in the interview with Ottenberg, Rihanna discussed her relationship with ASAP Rocky and admitted she’d be down for more kids. She explained: “I don’t know what god wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl. But of course, if it’s another boy, it’s another boy.” The couple welcomed their second son back in August 2023.
Other topics they address are her child’s first words, new music, and more. Check out the full interview above. Be on the lookout for further updates on Rihanna on HotNewHipHop.
Ken Carson continues to make waves. The rapper is collaborating with Xbox on a Series X release that features his recognizable “X” logo on the console. Carson isn’t the first artist to link up with Microsoft for a themed release, but the scarcity of the Series X consoles are going to seriously impact demand. There are only going to be 50 released, which means the resale on the rapper’s collab is going to be through the roof.
The details on the Carson/Xbox collab are still scarce, but TikTok users have pointed out that the console has been tailored to reflect the rapper’s style. The controller has been getting most of the attention, and rightfully so, according to user Omerstech. The video game TikToker pointed out that Carson’s controller has been iced out with a sleek new design. “I think he iced out the Xbox controller,” Omerstetch noted. “Those are all like little diamonds.” He also noted a zipper designed on the side of the controller. The console comes with a numbered briefcase emblazoned with Ken Carson’s “X” logo.
Carson has been vocal in his love for video games throughout his career. The rapper recently sat down for a Mixed Tunes interview alongside label mate Destroy Lonely, and the two of them debated which of their favorite games were better. The latter opted for Call of Duty, but Carson picked Grand Theft Auto. “It’s just like life,” he reasoned. “I feel like that’s the realest game. You can do literally anything you want.” Carson went as far as to liken his experiences in Atlanta to playing GTA. “Every time someone asks me what’s Atlanta like I be like, Grand Theft Auto,” he added.
Ken Carson’s Xbox collaboration could not arrive at a better time. The rapper received the best reviews of his career following the release of his second album, 2023’s A Great Chaos. He’s also going on tour with Kid Cudi and Red Hot Chili Peppers throughout most of 2024. The tour kicks off May 30 in Washington. The Cudi link-up is an especially poignant one for Carson, as the “Man on the Moon” is one of his biggest musical influences.
Rhode Island’s Newport Jazz Festival unveiled the 2024 lineup, with André 3000, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Kamasi Washington, and Elvis Costello set to headline. Other acts that will be performing this year include Laufey, Robert Glasper, Brittany Howard, Cory Wong, Samara Joy, Noname, Thievery Corporation, Galactic, Moonchild, PJ Morton, and more.
This will take place from August 2 to 4 at Fort Adams State Park, marking the 70th anniversary of the event. Those interested in attending this year are currently able to purchase tickets, as they went on sale at 1 p.m. today.
A 3-day General Admission pass starts at $265.74, with fees included. This will eventually increase to $312, after the special discount pricing ends. For those looking for a more exclusive festival experience, Newport Jazz also offers a 3-day Jazz Lounge pass starting at $1,256.60. This includes a premium parking space and access to a special tented lounge with air-conditioned bathrooms, a cash bar, and views of certain stages.
Finally, students can attend Newport Jazz Festival through their pass for those between the age 10-25. Current college students will need a student ID. These tickets start at $188.49, allowing those of all ages to experience the music.
View the full lineup for 2024 below. For additional information, visit Newport Jazz’s festival website.
Rihanna confirmed that she’s working on new music during her cover story for Interview Magazine published on Tuesday. She had the conversation with the publication’s editor-in-chief, Mel Ottenberg, who used to be her stylist. This time around, she says she’s approaching the process of making music from a different angle.
“I have a lot of visual ideas,” she began. “It’s weird. My brain is working backward right now. I usually have the music first, and the music leads me into all of these visual opportunities, and now I’m having all of these visuals, and I don’t have the songs for them yet, but maybe that’s the key, this time. Maybe the visual ideas are leading me to the songs that I need to make.”
SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 09: In this image released on November 9, Rihanna attends Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 presented by Prime Video at Allied Studios on November 08, 2022 in Simi Valley, California; and broadcast on November 9, 2022. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Imagesfor Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 presented by Prime Video)
From there, she began trying to switch topics. “Random ideas, quirky ideas, things that have nothing to do with me at all. I mean, I can’t tell you. The opps is watching,” she joked. Ottenberg obliged and the two moved on to more innocent topics such as Rihanna’s favorite cities.
Elsewhere in the interview, Rihanna discussed her relationship with ASAP Rocky. She also admitted she’d be down for more kids: “I don’t know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl. But of course, if it’s another boy, it’s another boy.” Other topics they addressed are her child’s first words and more. Be on the lookout for further updates on Rihanna on HotNewHipHop.
NxWorries are a versatile duo. Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge have worked with tons of musical titans since they released their debut album in 2018, so it should come as no surprise that they called in some of their famous connections for the follow-up, Why Lawd?. It was already going to be exciting to see how .Paak and Knxwledge interacted given the gap between releases, but throwing in legends from the R&B, hip-hop and comedy (!) world is bound to attract curious listeners.
Why Lawd? runs 19 tracks, which is the same length as the first NxWorries album, Yes Lawd. The first album had no guest features, however, whereas Why Lawd? kicks off with an introducing featuring none other than Dave Chappelle. The tracklist gets wilder from there, as Thundercat drops by on “KeepHer”, H.E.R. pops up on “Where I Go,” and Snoop Dogg splits the bill on “FromHere.” Nobody expected to see an Earl Sweatshirt and Anderson .Paak collab anytime soon, yet that’s exactly what fans are going to get on the penultimate track, “WalkOnBy.” Why Lawd? will also feature two appearances by Rae Khalil. Rae is an R&B artists who recently signed to Def Jam through .Paak’s Apesh*t label.
.Paak discussed his decision to revive NxWorries during a recent interview with The Root. He asserted that he wants to constantly challenge himself as an artist, and pushing himself to try new things with Knxwledge was an exciting prospect. “I don’t like to be comfortable,” the singer explained. “I like to push for different sounds and I feel like me and Knxwledge’s sound, NxWorries, is really needed right now.”
What are your thoughts on this tracklist for NxWorries’ Why Lawd? Do you think it will top their first album? Who will have the best appearance on the record? Will this be the best release for each member of the duo? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to tell us in the comments below. Additionally, keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding NxWorries. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the world of music.
It is quite possible that we see another woman in hip-hop rival Nicki Minaj’s latest feat of having the highest-grossing tour by a female rapper with Missy Elliott as a top contender. The iconoclast and Virginia multi-hyphenate announced her first-ever headlining tour, the 2024 OUT OF THIS WORLD tour, set for summer 2024. The upcoming 2024 tour will certainly be monumental for Missy Elliott, especially since she’s bringing along a handful of close collaborators including Busta Rhymes, Ciara, and Timbaland.
Despite being one of the most influential rappers, Missy Elliott has yet to embark on a headlining tour. The upcoming OUT OF THIS WORLD tour arrives following a string of milestones, including an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame (as the first female Hip-Hop artist ever to do so), a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, and becoming the recipient of the 2019 Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at teh VMAs.
“This is an incredible time in my life as I am experiencing so many milestone ‘firsts.’ Being the FIRST female Hip Hop artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and now going out on my FIRST headline tour,” shares Elliott in a press release. “Fans have been asking me to tour forever but I wanted to wait until I felt the time was right because I knew if I was ever going to do it, I had to do it big, and I had to do it with family! So get ready to be taken OUT OF THIS WORLD with me, Busta Rhymes, Ciara, and Timbaland! We can’t wait to share this experience with the fans!”
Tour Details & Highlights
(EXCLUSIVE, Premium Rates Apply) NEW YORK – APRIL 09: Musicians Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliot attend the 50th GRAMMY celebration concert tour presented by T-Mobile Sidekick at Webster Hall on April 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Polk/WireImage)
The 24-city run blasts off on July 4 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, making stops across North America in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Brooklyn, and more, before wrapping up in Rosemont at Allstate Arena on August 22. With Busta Rhymes, Ciara, and Timbaland joining Missy on tour, there’s no doubt that this will be a must-see experience for hip-hop fans both young and old.
American rapper Missy Elliott in December, 2002 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Gregory Bojorquez/Getty Images)
Ticket sales for the OUT OF THIS WORLD — The Missy Elliott Experience 2024 tour kick off with a Verizon presale starting tomorrow, April 9. Additional presale opportunities will be available throughout the week before general ticket sales commence on Friday, April 12 at 10 a.m. local time via Missy-Elliott.com.
During the Verizon presale, Verizon Up members in the U.S. will have exclusive access to purchase tickets for the newly announced tour dates starting on April 9 at 10 a.m. local time, running until April 11 at 10 p.m. local time. For more information, interested individuals can visit Verizon Up.
Furthermore, the tour will feature various VIP packages and fan enhancements aimed at enhancing the concert experience. These packages may include premium tickets, opportunities for group photos onstage, access to VIP lounges, exclusive tour posters, specially curated VIP gift items, and more. For additional details on VIP packages and offerings, individuals can visit Missy-Elliott.com.
Tour Dates
Thursday, July 4 — Vancouver, BC — Rogers Arena Saturday, July 6 — Seattle, WA — Climate Pledge Arena Tuesday, July 9 — Oakland, CA — Oakland Arena Thursday, July 11 — Los Angeles, CA — Crypto.com Arena Saturday, July 13 — Las Vegas, NV — T-Mobile Arena Tuesday, July 16 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena Thursday, July 18 — Austin, TX — Moody Center Saturday, July 20 — Houston, TX — Toyota Center Sunday, July 21 — Fort Worth, TX — Dickies Arena Wednesday, July 24 — Tampa, FL — Amalie Arena Thursday, July 25 — Sunrise, FL — Amerant Bank Arena Saturday, July 27 — Atlanta, GA — State Farm Arena Thursday, August 1 — Baltimore, MD — CFG Bank Arena Friday, August 2 — Hampton, VA — Hampton Coliseum Saturday, August 3 — Belmont Park, NY — UBS Arena Monday, August 5 — Philadelphia, PA — Wells Fargo Center Thursday, August 8 — Washington, DC — Capital One Arena Friday, August 9 — Newark, NJ — Prudential Center Saturday, August 10 — Boston, MA — TD Garden Monday, August 12 — Brooklyn, NY — Barclays Center Thursday, August 15 — Detroit, MI — Little Caesars Arena Saturday, August 17 — Montreal, QC — Bell Centre Monday, August 19 — Toronto, ON — Scotiabank Arena Thursday, August 22 — Rosemont, IL — Allstate Arena
Cole is being ripped apart online these days. Overall, fans are not happy with his decision to apologize, and they are making that very much known. This prompted the famous label executive to give Cole a bit of advice on how to handles these things, in the future. “Kendrick Lamar… he’s the only muthafucka with a cigar,” Suge said. “J. Cole, you’re supposed to say what you mean and mean what you say. To be the best, you gotta beat the best. It’s a contact sport. As we used to say back in the day, if you don’t want to be a gangsta rapper, go be R&B.”
Overall, one could say this is some harsh advice. However, it isn’t any harsher than what has already been said in regard to all of this. Most fans are extremely disappointed in Cole right now. Moreover, some believe this spells the end of hip-hop as a competitive sport. Having said all of that, it is easy to see why Suge would have this kind of take.
Furthermore, let us know what you think of this take from Suge Knight, in the comments section down below. Do you think that Cole actually made a huge mistake by apologizing? Is there a way for him to come back from all of this? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. Overall, we will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Nardo Wick has had his share of legal troubles. The rapper was arrested on a concealed weapons charge in August 2021, but released soon after. The same may not be true for Wick’s brother, Hayward Biggins. First Coast News reports that Biggins was caught shooting at a house in St. Johns County back in March. The house is located near Nardo Wick’s family home, and the footage in question, which was captured via ring camera, shows Biggins trying to kick in the front door before pulling out a gun and firing a single shot.
The outlet confirms that nobody was injured in the shooting. That being said, the tenants have moved out of the house and are afraid to return to the scene of the crime. “They can’t live there because they are traumatized,” a neighbor revealed. “They’ve been sleeping in a hotel for the last few weeks.” The owner of the St. Johns Country home claimed that there was a community meeting about the shooting, and that many wanted to confront Biggins at his home. “I had to stop people marching to his house, that’s how angry the neighborhood was,” they revealed. “I definitely feel the need of protecting our neighbors.”
Biggins was taken into custody shortly after the shooting occurred. He was charged with shooting into an occupied dwelling and attempted armed burglary. Nardo Wick’s manager was critical of the way the locals handled the incident, however. He accused Biggins’ neighbors of being “clout chasers” who are trying to drag Wick into the situation despite his lack of involvement. “[The family] had nothing to do with Hayward’s actions,” he said. “And the shooting had nothing to do with Nardo Wick.”
The name of the tenants will not be released due to safety concerns. Nardo Wick has not spoken on the incident publicly, but he has been quick to criticize those close to him in the past. He took two members of his security team to task in 2023 when they assaulted a fan who was trying to get a picture with him. “I don’t stand with the situation that happened,” he said on Instagram Live. “As soon as it happened I tried to deescalate the situation.” Wick’s brother, Biggins, is currently in jail without bond.
Nicki Minaj just made history. She’s currently headlining the highest-grossing tour by a female rapper of all time, and she managed to do it in less than 20 shows. According to Touring Data, Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 tour grossed a record-setting $34.9 million within the first 17 performances. This achievement is a testament to the rapper’s catalog of hits and her ability to stay relevant a decade and a half after she arrived on the music scene.
Minaj’s longevity has been the subject of much discussion in recent years. Ja Rule praised the “Red Ruby da Sleaze” rapper during a 2023 episode of Stepping Into the Shade Room. “Minaj’s place in hip-hop is [solidified],” Ja asserted. “The female MCs they’re having a run like they’ve never had before, and to me, in my opinion, I would say Nicki re-opened that door.” Ja hasn’t been alone in this sentiment. Minaj, who dropped her debut album back in 2010, has also received props from Da Brat and GloRilla. “Staying in the game, staying strong,” the latter said during an appearance on The Heat. “I’m trying to be consistent like that.”
Minaj not only claimed the highest-grossing tour by a female rapper, but the highest-grossing concert as well. Touring Data reports that the rapper’s Madison Square Garden show on March 30, 2024, grossed a whopping $2.858 million. The success of the tour should come as no surprise to hip-hop fans, as Minaj’s recent album also set records. Pink Friday 2 netted the largest first week vinyl sales by a female rapper in history, in addition to securing Minaj’s third number-one album. Pink Friday 2 also scored Minaj’s first #1 single as a solo artist, “Super Freaky Girl.” From a records standpoint, it’s a good time to be a Barb.
The numbers are also a nice return to form after Minaj’s messy exchange with Megan Thee Stallion. The two rapper traded diss tracks early on, but Minaj’s “Bigfoot” was widely panned by fans and critics alike. Megan’s diss, on the other hand, “Hiss”, received critical acclaim and topped the Billboard Hot 100. The two will likely continue to beef with one another into the future, but it’s evident from Minaj’s historic achievements that she doesn’t need to engage with other rappers to solidify her legacy.
