Omar Apollo

Drake Revealed What He’s Listening To At The Moment And SZA’s ‘Incredible’ Sophomore Album ‘SOS’ Made The List

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Drake 2022 Lil Baby & Friends Birthday Celebration Concert
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It seems like the five-year wait has paid off for singer SZA. Rave reviews for her sophomore album, SOS, continue to pour in from fans (we really like it, too). Ditching the “sad girl music” label she had been bestowed. On the now-No. 1 album, SZA explores relationships with a fresh new perspective as a songwriter.

In a recent interview with the online casino Stake, rap superstar Drake shared admiration for the 23-track body of work. However, as the “Rich Flex” rapper peered through the live chat, he noticed one question continued to pop up. “I know one of the questions was ‘what have I been listening to,” said Drake.

The rapper then proceeded to list off a few artists, including Lilah and Baby Drill, before disclosing, “And I’ve been listening to the new SZA, listening [to SOS], [it’s] incredible.”

This should come as no surprise that Drake is a fan of alternative R&B, as he constantly refers to himself as a “certified lover boy.” But, given Drake and SZA’s history, some fans were taken back by his response. But fear not: after their brief fling ended in 2009, the former lovers remained cordial.

Recently, the singer shared that even though Drake “has a Regina George quality to him,” they are in good standing.

“We’re cool. And we’ve always been cool,” said SZA, “It’s never been weird. It didn’t come completely out of the blue when he let me know. I didn’t know it was a song with 21 [Savage] or anything like that. But anytime he’s ever mentioned me, it’s always been positive. He’s never said anything negative about me. I’m grateful for that. I think highly of him… He’s King Drake.”

SOS is out now via Top Dawg Entertainment. Get it here.

Who Is Opening SZA’s ‘SOS’ Tour?

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Following SZA’s release of her sophomore album, SOS, and her Saturday Night Live performance, she also revealed today that she’ll be heading on tour in 2023. The newly-announced North American dates include a number of arenas, signifying her growth — with NYC’s Madison Square Garden, LA’s Kia Forum, and Boston’s TD Garden being just a handful of shows.

“Time to take this sh*t on the road,” SZA shared.

Omar Apollo is set to open for her during the new tour. Earlier this year, he released his album, Ivory, which made an appearance on Uproxx’s Best Pop Albums of 2022 list.

SZA’s North American tour kicks off in February in Columbus, OH, and will run through the end of March. Tickets go on sale starting December 16. More information is available here.

Continue scrolling for a complete list of SZA’s SOS tour dates.

02/21/2023 — Columbus, OH @ The Jerome Schottenstein Center
02/22/2023 — Chicago, IL @ United Center
02/24/2023 — Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
02/25/2023 — Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
02/27/2023 — Washington, DC @ Capital One Arena
02/28/2023 — Boston, MA @ TD Garden
03/02/2023 — Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
03/04/2023 — New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
03/07/2023 — Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena
03/09/2023 — Austin, TX @ Moody Center
03/10/2023 — Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
03/13/2023 — San Diego, CA @ Viejas Arena
03/14/2023 — Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena
03/16/2023 — Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena
03/18/2023 — Portland, OR @ Moda Center
03/19/2023 — Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
03/22/2023 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Kia Forum

SZA Announces Her ‘S.O.S. Tour’ Will Kick Off This Coming February With Special Guest Omar Apollo

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SZA 2018 Mac Miller A Celebration Of Life Concert
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Attention all sad, introverted people across North America, it is time to charge your social battery and stock up on a hefty supply of Vitamin D supplements. Why? The Queen of Moody bops, SZA, is hitting the road this winter.

Fresh out of the release of her sophomore album, S.O.S., which brought Lizzo to tears, the “PSA” singer is preparing to share the album’s raw vulnerability with fans across the United States and Canada beginning in February 2023. The songwriter took to Instagram to announce the tour with the caption, “Time to take this sh*t on the road.”

Based on online chatter, we can guess that tracks “Nobody Gets Me,” “Creep,” and “Ghost In The Machine” are sure to be crowd favorites.

Joining her on the road is none other than Grammy-award nominee Omar Apollo. The “Evergreen (You Didn’t Deserve Me At All)” singer shared his excitement to hit the road with SZA while uploading the tour date poster.

After being moved by Lizzo’s tour this year, we wonder if SZA will pull any inspiration from that into her show.

View the full tour schedule below.

02/21/2023 — Columbus, OH @ The Jerome Schottenstein Center
02/22/2023 — Chicago, IL @ United Center
02/24/2023 — Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
02/25/2023 — Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
02/27/2023 — Washington, DC @ Capital One Arena
02/28/2023 — Boston, MA @ TD Garden
03/02/2023 — Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
03/04/2023 — New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
03/07/2023 — Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena
03/09/2023 — Austin, TX @ Moody Center
03/10/2023 — Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
03/13/2023 — San Diego, CA @ Viejas Arena
03/14/2023 — Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena
03/16/2023 — Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena
03/18/2023 — Portland, OR @ Moda Center
03/19/2023 — Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
03/22/2023 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Kia Forum

Public tickets for the tour will go on sale this Friday, December 16. To purchase tickets to any of the dates listed above, click here.

TikTok’s Emerging Artists Of 2022 Includes Ice Spice And Steve Lacy

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Ice Spice BET Hip Hop Awards 2022
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Whether or not you’re an active user on the platform, you can not deny the impact of the social media platform TikTok. From legacy acts like Dolly Parton joining the site to funny one-off collaborations, the platform has proven to be a dominant force in today’s music scene.

Many rising acts, including Bronx rapper Ice Spice, have TikTok to thank for their boom in popularity. Like Spotify’s Wrapped list, TikTok has released its data for the year to provide the music power rankings.

In a statement, TikTok’s Chief Operating Officer, Vanessa Pappas, shared her excitement about this year’s list, “We’re honored to celebrate our global community who shaped this year’s trends, shared new ideas, learned from one another, and turned their passions into careers and livelihoods throughout 2022.”

At the top of their emerging artists’ list is the “Munch” rapper, and in the second position is “Bad Habits” singer Steve Lacy.

Budding music star Bailey Zimmerman came in at number three with the help of his single, “Rock and A Hard Place.” Pop singer JVKE’s “Golden Hour” secured him the fourth slot. Finally, former American Idol contestant Benson Boone arrived at the number five position due to his song “Ghost Town.”

Thanks to “F.N.F.,” Memphis rapper GloRilla secured the number six slot, whereas “Big Energy” landed Atlanta’s Latto at seven.

Grammy Award winners Omar Apollo and Muni Long, then Anees close out the last three spots. Apollo’s viral hit was “Evergreen (You Didn’t Deserve Me At All).” Long’s viral hit was “Hrs and Hrs.” Anees’ viral hit was “Sun and Moon.”

The Best Albums of 2022 (So Far)

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  • Image via Publicist

    Jack Harlow, ‘Come Home the Kids Miss You’

  • Image via Defcee & Boathouse

    Defcee & Boathouse, ‘For All Debts Public and Private’

  • Image via Publicist

    Leikeli47, ‘Shape Up’

  • Image via Publicist

    Curren$y & The Alchemist, ‘Continuance’

  • Image via Publicist

    Dreamville, ‘D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape’

  • Image via Publicist

    YoungBoy Never Broke Again, ‘Colors’

  • Image via Publicist

    Toro Y Moi, ‘MAHAL’

  • Image via Publicist

    NIGO, ‘I Know NIGO!’

  • Image via Publicist

    Babyface Ray, ‘Face’

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    Fly Anakin, ‘Frank’

  • Image via Publicist

    Ella Mai, ‘Heart on My Sleeve’

  • Image via Warner Records

    IDK, ‘Simple.’

  • Image via DTLA Records

    WiFiGawd, ‘Chain of Command’

  • Image via Atlantic Records

    Ravyn Lenae, ‘HYPNOS’

  • Image via Publicist

    Lucky Daye, ‘Candydrip’

  • Image via Publicist

    Black Star, ‘No Fear of Time’

  • Image via Publicist

    Syd, ‘Broken Hearts Club’

  • Image via AWAL/ Warner Records

    Omar Apollo, ‘Ivory’

  • Image via Tidal

    Rex Orange County, ‘Who Cares’

  • Image via Publicist

    Bad Bunny, ‘Un Verano Sin Ti’

  • Image via Publicist

    Latto, ‘777’

  • Image via Tidal

    42 Dugg & EST Gee, ‘Last Ones Left’

  • Image via Freebandz/Epic Records

    Future, ‘I Never Liked You’

  • Image via Tidal

    Buddy, ‘Superghetto’

  • Image via Publicist

    Lil Durk, ‘7220’

  • Image via Publicist

    Yeat, ‘2 Alivë’

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    Saba, ‘Few Good Things’

  • Image via Columbia/Erskine Records

    Harry Styles, ‘Harry’s House’

  • Image via Publicist

    FKA Twigs, ‘Caprisongs’

  • Image via RRR Music Group

    YL & Zoomo, ‘In Memory Of’

  • Image via Publicist

    EarthGang, ‘Ghetto Gods’

  • Image via Publicist

    Mike Dimes, ‘In Dimes We Trust’

  • Image via Publicist

    $NOT, ‘Ethereal’

  • Image via Hvmor Records

    Redveil, ‘Learn 2 Swim’

  • Image via GDF Records/The Freeminded Records/EMPIRE

    Jay Worthy & Larry June, ‘2 P’z in a Pod’

  • Image via Publicist

    Benny the Butcher, ‘Tana Talk 4’

  • Image via Publicist

    Action Bronson, ‘Cocodrillo Turbo’

  • Image via Publicist

    Koffee, ‘Gifted’

  • Image via T.C.F Music Group

    Che Noir, ‘Food For Thought’

  • Image via Tidal

    Blxst, ‘Before You Go’

  • Image via Backwoodz Studioz

    billy woods, ‘Aethiopes’

  • Image via Publicist

    Conway the Machine, ‘God Don’t Make Mistakes’

  • Image via Publicist

    Denzel Curry, ‘Melt My Eyez See Your Future’

  • Image via Publicist

    Rosalía, ‘Motomami’

  • Image via Tidal

    Earl Sweatshirt, ‘Sick!’

  • Image via Instagram

    Gunna, ‘DS4EVER’

  • Image via The Weeknd XO, Inc./Republic Records

    The Weeknd, ‘Dawn FM’

  • Image via Blacksmith Recordings/Motown Records

    Vince Staples, ‘Ramona Park Broke My Heart’

  • Image via Sterling Ruby

    Pusha-T, ‘It’s Almost Dry’

  • Image via pgLang/Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath/Interscope

    Kendrick Lamar, ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’

Machine Gun Kelly, Haim, Nas, And More Will Offer $25 Tickets During Live Nation Concert Week

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If festival season is breaking your bank, you can still see your favorite artists on the cheap. Live Nation Concert Week is returning next week, offering $25 concert tickets to see bands and musicians across all genres.

The $25 “all-in” tickets include taxes and fees, so fans won’t have to worry about annoying extra costs. This year’s Concert Week will offer tickets to over 3,700 shows across North America.

Among this year’s artists participating in Live Nation Concert Week are Haim, Machine Gun Kelly, Nas, 070 Shake, Omar Apollo, Russ, H.E.R., Courtney Barnett, and more.

Non-music acts participating in Concert Week are Chelsea Handler, Dave Chappelle, Gabriel Iglesias, Tina Fey, George Lopez, Margaret Cho, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Chris Rock and the queens of Season 14 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

The sale of $25 tickets begins Wednesday, May 4 and runs until Tuesday, May 10. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, May 3. Rakuten members will also have access to this presale, and will receive a special access code in their emails if they sign up for an account by May 1.

The full list of performers is available to view here.

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

Pharrell’s Something In The Water Festival Returns In 2022 With Lil Baby, Chloe x Halle, And More

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Pharrell Williams‘ Something In The Water festival will relocate from his hometown Virginia Beach, Virginia to Washington DC this June. This year will mark the second iteration of the festival, following its inaugural festival in 2019.

The festival takes place along Independence Avenue in DC on June 17-19, coinciding with Juneteenth. On the lineup is an eclectic selection of acts, including Lil Baby, Pusha T, Chloe x Halle, Tyler The Creator, Run The Jewels, Omar Apollo, Snoh Allegra, Ozuna, Dave Matthews Band, and more.

Williams opted not to return to Virginia Beach last year, due to “toxic energy” from the city’s mayor and local government. The fallout is a result of inaction following the shooting of Williams’ cousin, Donovon Lynch, by Virginia Beach police.

Williams said in a statement:

“Something in the Water is a Black solution (LOVE) for a systemic issue, and this year we are taking our celebration to a higher platform—the nation’s Capital during Juneteenth Weekend. We want to show the world that there is Something in the Water across the whole DMV and I want to continue to bring awareness to the greatness within these communities and invite large corporations to show up for the people. DC has always been a deep inspiration to me as a person and a musician. It is the land where Go-Go Music was birthed which has provided so much for our people. Our sponsors continue to go the extra mile to show that Something in the Water is so much more than a festival. The goodwill we generate is a defining trait of who we are. We will always have the hottest artists, but to pair that energy with these brands showing up for the community is what makes this festival a vehicle for change.”

General on-sale for the festival begins this Saturday, April 30. Past festival-goers will have access to an exclusive pre-sale beginning Wednesday. Virginia residents will have access to a “Virginia Locals Only” presale taking place Friday, April 29 beginning at 10 a.m. ET through 5 p.m. ET.

“If you’re celebrating music, if you’re celebrating Black excellence, if you’re drawing attention to the people who have dedicated their lives to knocking down barriers and uplifting our communities — then there is no better place to do that than in Washington, DC,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser in a statement “We are proud to be working with Pharrell to bring Something In The Water to DC for Juneteenth weekend. DC is open and we are ready to celebrate.”

Check out the full line-up below.

Something In The Water 2022 Lineup
Courtesy of Live Nation

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