New Hip Hop News

NBA YoungBoy has been dominating despite an unusual 2021. Even though the Baton Rouge-native spent the majority of the year behind bars for his federal gun case, his album Sincerely, Kentrell charted the Billboard 200. Now, he’s getting approval from the legendary producer, Timbaland. 

His latest unreleased song is an upbeat, energetic track that seems to cancel out all of last year’s drama. Akademiks shared a clip of YoungBoy driving around town, lifting weights, and entertaining fans, all while performing the song. Timbaland jumped in Akademiks’ comments to weigh in on the track, releasing a slew of fire emojis in anticipation of the song’s release.

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Since his arrest, NBA YoungBoy has been on a new creative journey. Back in December, he popped up on his sister’s Instagram while donning make-up. He admitted that wearing make-up makes him feel comfortable and gives him that “rockstar” appeal. He hopped on a Clubhouse chat to further explain the new look, saying, “I like painting my face, putting make-up on. I like to look in the mirror and see everything black. Like my eyes and shit.” He also fueled his latest look with the release of his “Emo Rockstar” music video. 

Since his release from jail back in October, he’s been on house arrest in the state of Utah. During his time, he has taken more time to express himself and show fans a different side. As he continues on his latest journey of expression, we may get to hear a different sound from him as well. 

Jim Carrey says that he listened to The Weeknd’s upcoming album, Dawn FM, last night with Abel himself and shared his thoughts on the project on Twitter, Monday. The Weeknd announced the project will be dropping on Friday, earlier today.

“I listened to Dawn FM with my good friend Abel @theweeknd last night,” Carrey tweeted. “It was deep and elegant and it danced me around the room. I’m thrilled to play a part in his symphony.”

The Weeknd replied with a thank you: “Thank you for being a part of this. It’s kismet. Full circle.”

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In a trailer for the project released on Monday, The Weeknd revealed that Carrey will have a feature on Dawn FM. Other features include Tyler, the Creator, Lil Wayne, Quincy Jones, and Oneohtrix Point Never.

The Weeknd first revealed that he would be dropping a new album at the start of 2022, during a post on Instagram for New Year’s. He admitted that he doesn’t want to do a prolonged rollout process, instead preferring to drop the whole thing all at once.

The Weeknd’s last full-length studio album, After Hours, was released back in March 2020.

Check out Jim Carrey’s tweet below.

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Detroit-bred rapper Babyface Ray capped off the year by announcing the upcoming release of his new album. The artist released his EP Unf*ckwittable back in February and the deluxe version followed in May. Ahead of his upcoming project, he revealed a large billboard on the corner of W 42nd & 8th Ave in New York City’s Times Square. 

Iced out, the billboard flashes a layer of diamond-encrusted chains and poses the question, “Who’s the FACE of your city?” Babyface confirmed that the title of his next album will be Face. 

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Unfuckwittable gained a lot of positive attention from his peers. The 7-song project included features from Kash Doll, EST Gee, and Moneybagg Yo. He followed up the deluxe version a few months later with an additional 7 songs and a handful of new features including Jack Harlow, Veeze, Peezy, and Murda Beatz. 

His standout single “If You Know You Know” featuring Moneybagg Yo, even made Tyler, the Creator a true fan. The unorthodox rap vet took to Instagram shortly after the song’s release to praise the song. “This sh*t silly,” he captioned a screenshot of the track playing in his car. 

The two followed up the single with a music video back in January of last year. 

Since garnering attention, Babyface Ray has appeared on a handful of singles like Mozzy’s “Beat the Case” and Icewear Vezzo’s Three 6 Mafia-sampled “Sippin”. Getting his start back in 2010, he’s remained consistent, delivering conversational lyrics over smooth instrumentals. 

Babyface’s album is expected to have a release date of January 28th, 2022. 

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Rapper Kid Trunks, who was close with XXXTentacion as part of the Members Only collective, has announced that he was diagnosed with chest cancer after testing positive for COVID-19. He says that he was hospitalized for COVID-19 and while doctors were examining him, they found that he also has cancer.

After it was rumored that the rapper had passed away after a troubling post was shared to his account, Kid Trunks says that his account was hacked. While he is very much still alive, he did confirm that he received some terrible news after having a near-death experience.

“My account was hacked posted on then the post was deleted u guys,” explained Trunks. “I wanted to keep silence about my situation but I’ll explain to you guys later today… I was near death but I didn’t die! Thanks you all for being there & caring.”

In a follow-up post, the “777” artist said, “I caught Covid 19 & while in the process of them checking my body out they found I had pneumonia cancer aka chest cancer #fuckcancer #Webuiltstrong.”

As he gets treated in the hospital, Trunks has received prayers and positive messages from hundreds of his fans on social media. While many are relieved to hear that the artist is still with us, this news is obviously concerning. We’re wishing a very speedy recovery to Kid Trunks. We will keep you all updated with any news on him.

Matt Damon is getting roasted online for starring in a new ad for Crypto.com that compares investing in digital currency to being the Wright Brothers. The commercial aired during Sunday’s NFL games and is featured on the homepage of Crypto.com.

“History is filled with almosts,” Damon says in the video. “With those who almost adventured, who almost achieved, but then it proved to be too much.”

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The Oscar-winning actor is seen walking past great explorers of history including the Wright Brothers.

“Then there are others, who embraced the moments, and commit,” he continues. “And in these moments of truth, these men and women, these mere mortals, just like you and me, as they peer over the edge, they calm their minds and steel their nerves, with four simple words that have been whispered by the intrepid since the time of the Romans: Fortune favors the brave.”

Many online were quick to call the ad cringeworthy.

“Saddest thing about Matt Damon’s macho-baiting crypto pitch where the viewer must ACT NOW or he’s a weak pussy is that this is a top 3 classic pitch all financial schemes have used to goad men into forking over their paltry savings,” one user criticized. “Nothing has changed in 150 years.”

Check out more responses to the ad below.

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Lil Xan was back in the news over the weekend after the 25-year-old rapper accused his former manager, Shady Records affiliate Stat Quo, of providing him with drugs at the height of his addiction. Xan compared his own situation to Lil Peep’s overdose, claiming that Stat Quo would call up his plugs and spend thousands on having drugs shipped to whatever location they were at. Xan said that he’s thinking of filing a lawsuit against his former manager.

In the message, some fans pointed out that Xan fails to take accountability for his addiction. While Stat Quo would certainly be in the wrong for supplying drugs to a struggling addict, Xan also needs to place some blame on himself as he recovers, noting that he is several months sober.

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The hip-hop world is reacting to Xan’s claims, divided in where to stand. Some people are praising the rapper for bravely speaking up about his addiction and holding his former manager accountable for his actions, while others are calling him a “snitch” and telling him that there is nobody to blame but himself. With the extreme difference in how people are responding to Xan’s video, rap veteran Royce Da 5’9″ is calling Xan the first “male Karen” in hip-hop.

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“Ladies and Gentlemen I do believe we’ve just witnessed our first Male Karen moment in HipHop,” said Nickle on Instagram, sharing a picture of the Xanarchy leader.

Do you think Lil Xan is a “male Karen” for telling on his former manager Stat Quo?