Quality Control Music has gone country. The storied Hip-Hop label is ushering in a new era, expanding to include country artists to its roster. The initial signing is a quarter of sisters named The BoykinZ.
“This is a dream come true for us and we’re incredibly humbled and honored to officially join the QC family,” The BoykinZ said in a statement. “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to P and Coach K, the country music community and everyone who has believed in and supported us over the past few years, your love and encouragement have been the fuel that’s powered us to this moment.“
“An act like The BoykinZ comes along once in a generation,” said QC co-founders Pierre “P” Thomas and Kevin “Coach K” Lee. “These ladies possess an extraordinary talent and star quality that’s rivaled only by their dedication to their craft.”
Lil Yachty has been everywhere lately, collaborating with both major stars like Drake and J. Cole and rising stars like JID and Nemzzz. Now, he’s taking yet another step in furthering his rap dominance, announcing the launch of his new label, Concrete Rekordz. The label is named after his crew, Concrete Boys, who also comprise the roster, and is backed by the label that originally signed Yachty, Quality Control Music.
An additional wrinkle is that Quality Control is now owned by HYBE America, the stateside arm of the Korean entertainment company responsible for the success of K-pop groups like BTS, New Jeans, Seventeen, and Tomorrow X Together. In other words, there’s some serious muscle behind Concrete Rekordz, which accompanied the launch with the release of their new video for “Family Business.”
In a press release, Quality Control COO “Coach K” Lee said, “Yachty has always had profound vision since the day we met and to see him take his curatorial magic and expand it to discover and enhance other artists is exciting to me.” Meanwhile, his co-founder, QC CEO Pierre “P” Thomas, said, “I’m excited to see Yachty step into the role of executive alongside being one of the most formidable creatives in the world with such an eye for talent. Karrahbooo is a star and they are all going to be the new wave of cool that can bring something different to the culture that is so badly needed.”
You can check out the video for “Family Business” above.
In hip-hop’s 50 years, crews, groups, collectives, labels, or whatever you’d like to refer to them have always been around. Some of the most prevalent back in the day include Death Row, Roc-A-Fella, Cash Money, and No Limit Records. But in today’s time, the first record label to come to mind for most is Quality Control Music (or QC). But standing out against the big wigs isn’t as simple as it may seem.
“The Paradigm” rapper Lil Yachty spilled the beans behind his early days on the label. His confession revealed that, at one point, there was even some pinned-up energy between him and the label’s biggest act, Migos. So, why did Lil Yachty have a ‘friendly beef’ with Migos early in his career?
Yesterday (December 14), on his podcast, A Safe Place, while chatting with QC’s founders Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “P” Thomas, Yachty recounted the brotherly tension. “Quavo used to be so mean to me! It became like a friendly beef. It was like this thing of battling with me against all three Migos when it came to cars, when it came to jewelry, when it came to women, when it came to clothes, everything,” said Yachty.
He continued, “When Quavo got a new chain, I had to get a new chain. Offset got a new chain, I get a new chain. Takeoff get a new watch, I would go and get a new watch. I used to always feel like everyone was trying to little bro me. At first, they thought I was weird as sh*t. They was like, ‘This n**** is weird as f*ck.’”
Eventually, the two became close friends after Yachty was able to make it through that haze-like period.
Scooter Braun, the talent manager behind artists like Quavo, Black Eyed Peas, and YG, has been experiencing a large volume of departures from his management team. The abrupt shift raises questions about the fate of Quality Control artists such as Lil Baby and City Girls. The situation has become a murky affair of off-the-record confirmations […]
It seems Offset’s legal battle with his formal label, Quality Control Music, has come to a close after he decided to drop the lawsuit and reached a settlement with them, according to TMZ.
The rapper had first filed to sue the company in August of 2022, citing that the label was allegedly trying to control his rights to own and the ability to make more solo music outside of Migos and not honoring their past agreements. Specifically, he referred to a deal made in January 2021 that was negotiated, then ignored.
“Not only are the accusations in this lawsuit false, they are totally detached from reality,” Quality Control released in a statement previously. “Offset remains a part of QC. Back to business.”
Earlier this year, the label’s owners also claimed that Offset’s solo music was owned by them and past agreements were invalidated because he spoke out about it online, according to HipHopDX.
But Offset’s lawyer has pushed against this, claiming, “Quality Control no longer owns the copyright to Offset’s solo sound recordings and is no longer licensing Offset’s solo sound recordings to Capitol, and Capitol has acquired ownership of Offset’s solo sound recordings directly from Offset.”
Because of this, although the lawsuit between Offset and Quality Control has been settled, he will not be releasing his future solo music through them.
Offset and Quality Control, the label that has supported him, as well as his group Migos, have politely agreed to move on. The 32-year-old rapper filed a lawsuit over a year ago against the Atlanta-based music label over his solo music. According to TMZ, the documents laid out that Offset’s claim was that the label was attempting to take full control of his own music and they were not being upfront about the contract they agreed to. Furthermore, it appears a settlement will be the result of all of this. The lawsuit was dismissed on August 8.
Lately, Offset has been releasing songs under Motown, which is a subsidiary of Quality Control. Even though things are mostly in the clear, people who are tight with Offset have said that the hitmaker will not be re-joining the label as a solo artist. That is why singles, such as “Jealousy”, featuring his spouse, Cardi B are in partnership with Motown. Moreover, the altercations between his fellow member, Quavo, have subsided and they are repairing their relationship.
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 05: Cardi B and Offset attends the Balenciaga Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2023/2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on July 05, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images)
Now that both have moved on is there any indication of new music? At the moment, it does not seem like a realistic goal. However, Quavo’s Rocket Power is slated to drop on August 18. It is a tribute to the late, great third of the trio, Takeoff. There could be a Offset feature, but we will have to wait and see.
What are your general thoughts on this lawsuit? What do you think led to Offset dropping the court battle with Quality Control? Do you think he should still go back to the label as a solo artist? We want to hear all of what you have to say in the comments section below. Additionally, be sure to keep it locked it with HNHH for all the latest news around the hip-hip industry.
Offset just set off a bomb on Twitter by confirming his label issues with Quality Control and his inability to drop music. Moreover, he took to Twitter on Saturday (April 1) and let off a few tweets seemingly aimed at the label, though hopefully it’s a poorly-timed April Fool’s. “Never thought life be this f***ed up #LLTake,” the Georgia rapper tweeted, adding a rocket emoji. “I can’t drop music also.” In a separate tweet, he wrote, “Black ppl holding black ppl back.” Furthermore, many in the comments expressed support for ‘Set, not only amid his label issues but given his grief.
What’s more is that this follows reports of details concerning the Migos MC’s lawsuit against his record higher-ups. “Offset now brings this action to vindicate his rights and make it clear to the world that Offset, not Quality Control, owns Offset’s music,” the suit stated. Around 2021, he “came to understand the full ramification of the deal that he entered into,” according to the lawsuit, and fought with the label over who owned his work. It seems like he sold his previous music but got out of his contract, yet QCM still tried to claim rights for his song “54321.”
Offset Expresses Frustration On Social Media Amid Label Drama
However, this is still a murky situation, especially given the record company’s stance on it. “The label claimed it had an agreement with Capitol Records that required Capitol to assign all of Capitol’s rights in sound recordings obtained by Quality Control’s ‘Accepted Artist’ that it had furnished to Capitol back to Quality Control,” a RadarOnline report read. Still, the 31-year-old’s lawyer maintained a different perspective.
“Quality Control no longer owns the copyright to Offset’s solo sound recordings and is no longer licensing Offset’s solo sound recordings to Capitol, and Capitol has acquired ownership of Offset’s solo sound recordings directly from Offset,” they expressed. With all this in mind, Offset’s solo future remains in the balance musically, but there’s no doubt he still has many fans behind him. As such, hopefully this can get cleared out amongst the two parties to result in a less heated and scrutinized public beef. Regardless, check back in with HNHH for the latest news and updates on QCM and Offset.
Late last year, Migos’ Offset sued Quality Control Music over the rights to his solo career, claiming he paid millions to get the rights back. QC CEO Pee replied, “The last lawsuit was filed publicly and dismissed quietly. Let’s see how this one go. Been [too] real for all this lame s**t. Everyone know the real problem.” Offset gave a retort, saying, “N***as act like I’m the problem I paid millions to get my rights back. N***a you blackballed me I ain’t said s*** one time homie I ain’t spoke to you in 2 years now I drop and you want ya name on my credit?”
Now, QC Music has filed a motion to request that the lawsuit against them from Offset to be dismissed. The suit filed by the Migos rapper was to prevent the label from making money off his solo releases like “CODE” and “54321.” The cause for QC’s request claims that Offset breached legal agreements, which included a confidential clause after an argument online.
Quality Control’s dismissal request reads, “Because Offset is not the owner of recordings he has made or continues to make with Motown on or after January 15, 2021, including the recordings ‘54321’ and ‘Code,’ [Offset] lack standing to bring this action.”
QC says that Offset broke a “confidentiality provision” in their agreement, saying the rapper revealed “the terms of the Settlement Agreement in the Complaint and in social media posts.”
Over the last several years, Memphis has become the only true rival to Atlanta as the new Hip-Hop capital. Now, the female rappers there have started to really gain steam, so Memphis may actually have an edge over the A. Following the release of GloRilla’s sensational breakout hit “F.N.F.,” the Hip-Hop community fell in love with the CMG signee. In addition to Glo, the Hip-Hop community also fell in love with her “ratchet ass friends.” Surprisingly, many of them were also rising Memphis femcees.
One of those talented rappers that made an appearance in the “F.N.F.” video was Gloss Up. However, the mother of two is much more than a video extra. After getting her feet wet with freestyles over popular Drake, Plies, and Nicki Minaj instrumentals, Gloss started releasing original music. Her first official project, Different Shades of Gloss, arrived in the summer of 2019.
Gloss Up on HotNewHipHop’s “On The Come Up.” (Cam Kirk, Collective Gallery)
In the years following that project, Gloss Up continued to work on her craft. In 2021, her team-up with HitKidd and his curated selection of Memphis female rappers — including GloRilla, K Carbon, Slimeroni, and Aleza — proved to be one of the most pivotal decisions of her career. That summer, the massive female ensemble released their first song together, titled “Set The Tone.” Needless to say, it lived up to its namesake, as it showcased how intriguing Memphis’ female rap scene was.
Following the momentum of “Set The Tone” and “Set The Tone 2,” “F.N.F.” just tipped the scales even further. This year, that song launched GloRilla, Gloss Up, and the rest of their frequent collaborators into the mainstream eye. As 2022 progressed, Gloss Up, a self-proclaimed underdog, ended up signing a record deal with Quality Control Music. Now, she’s here to introduce herself as one of the featured artists for HNHH’s On The Come Up.
Gloss Up on HotNewHipHop’s “On The Come Up.” (Cam Kirk, Collective Gallery)
HNHH: Gloss, how’d you get into music?
I would just write poems when I was little. My mom used to think they was poems, but they was raps. So yeah.
Who are some of your musical inspirations?
Megan [Thee Stallion], my best friend GloRilla, I like Lizzo, and as far as the dudes, I like Dolph.
What was the turning point that helped you realize that you were on your way to becoming successful? What was that moment of like “Damn, I’m doing something right.”
I went on tour, on my own little tour around different cities. I had went to 14 cities, and that’s when I really realized this is what I wanted to do.
If a music fan, brand new, were to discover you today for the first time, what song would you tell them to listen to?
“Don’t Play With Me.” Or my song “Sunshine.” My song “Sunshine” — I had wrote it for my kids. Well, I had one child at the time. Cause it’s like different. It’s versatile. It’s not bad. I really didn’t say no curse words in it.
Where can I find it?
On YouTube, my YouTube channel, Glitter Girl Gloss.
Tell me about a valuable lesson you’ve learned during your come-up.
Slow down on posting stuff. Don’t post too much. Don’t give em too much, and don’t be popping out for free.
Gloss Up on HotNewHipHop’s “On The Come Up.” (Cam Kirk, Collective Gallery)
Summarize your debut single, mixtape, whichever of the two you wanna touch on, and what inspired you to make that.
Well, right now the song I’m pushing is called “Don’t Play With Me”. I’m really pushing that song cause I’ve been pregnant for two years, I really haven’t just put no song out by myself. I’ve just been working with the other girls. Right now, I’m building a catalog, so I’m not sure when I’m gonna do my mixtape or my albums just yet. I’m just working
What inspired you to make that song?
People that play with you. It’s just one of them songs, you just be like, “Don’t play with me.”
Sometimes people get you fucked up…
Yup, they got you fucked up. So you be like — and it’s catchy — like, “Go play with your dick baby, don’t play with me.” You know. You know how that be.
Tell me about your hometown, tell me a little bit more about Memphis and how it influences your music.
Now it’s influenced me a lot, like, they giving me a lot of faith to keep going. Cause it’s like, we the first girls that’s out of Memphis that’s actually doing something. For a long time, it’s been the dudes getting it on, so now it’s like, the girls getting recognition. It’s cool cause everybody supporting us right now, and I like it.
Gloss Up on HotNewHipHop’s “On The Come Up.” (Cam Kirk, Collective Gallery)
Speak on that. Like how does it feel being one of the first women from Memphis to really make it rapping? Getting signed and doing it with your friends. How does that feel?
You know, we got a little change and stuff, but like, at our age it feel real good. And like, we’ve been talking about this stuff so long. Like, too fucking long. And it’s crazy that it actually happened. I don’t know, it’s cool.
Making it to the cover, you good.
[Laughs]
Where do you hope your music career takes you?
I wanna be big, I wanna do different stuff, like, different kinds of songs– be very versatile, different genres. I wanna be on the biggest stage, one day. Yeah.
If you could create your dream song, unlimited budget, P says “you know what? Whatever you need, let’s make it happen.” What would it sound like and who would you feature on the song? Past artist or present.
I wanna do a song for the girls, like the regular girls. The girls, the mommas, you know. Giving people confidence to feeling confident in your body. Like, you don’t gotta be like everybody else. Be yourself. When I do make that kinda song I’m gonna put Lizzo on it. Lizzo, yep.
If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring musician on the come-up, what would you tell them?
Keep going, stay in your lane. Create your own lane if you don’t have it. Just keep going.
Lil Yachty has one hell of a run in the final stretch of 2022. In October, he unleashed the viral internet smash “Poland,” and the wonky track landed a spot onHNHH’s SOTY ranking. Before the hype from “Poland” could even die down, Drake and 21 Savage released Her Loss. To many fans’ surprise, Yachty’s presence was all over the collaborative effort, from songwriting credits and adlibs to production. Unfortunately, Lil Yachty’s luck may have run out over the holidays. On Christmas Day, the innovative artist suffered a major leak.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 19: Rapper Lil Yachty attends the season home opener game between the Houston Rockets and the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on October 19, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Fans react to Lil Yachty’s forthcoming album, Sonic Ranch, leaking in its entirety.
According to the person who claims to have leaked Yachty’s work, the album is called Sonic Ranch. It’s a 13-track project, and it was allegedly supposed to release alongside a Concrete Boys mixtape in January. The leaker claims to be one of the Quality Control rapper’s disgruntled engineers.
“By the way, I am doing this because Yachty does not pay me enough money for engineering his work when he is in my LA studio,” the leaker wrote online. “If you’re reading this Miles you know my cashapp.”
In contrast to the alleged engineer, countless Yachty fans have voiced their support for the Atlanta rapper on social media. Check out some of their responses below.
i feel bad for @lilyachty . i don’t think y’all understand how bad you’re hurting the artists by leaking their music
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time this has happened to a prominent Quality Control Music artist. City Girls’ sophomore album, Girl Code, leaked online in its entirety on June 19, 200. Since a release date had not yet been announced, QC decided to drop it the following day. Despite the lack of promotion, Girl Code still debuted at 29 on the Billboard 200. The album spawned hits like “Pussy Talk” and “Jobs,” and for what it’s worth, it also faired pretty well critically.
Neither Coach K nor P have addressed the situation yet, so we’ll have to wait and see how they respond to Yachty’s Sonic Ranch leaks. Keep it locked to HNHH for more information, and sound off in the comments if you’re excited for the project.
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