Overall, 2024 was phenomenal for a whole lot of reasons, and chief among them was the sheer amount of quality R&B albums we got. Although most fans were paying attention to all of the wild stories going on in rap, others were chilling out while listening to artists like Leon Thomas, Lucky Daye, and Tems. The genre’s biggest superstars decided to drop projects, and we are certainly grateful for that. From sensational debuts to continuations of iconic album series, R&B fans were truly blessed.
Having said that, we have now reached the end of the year and it is officially time to count down the hottest R&B albums of 2024. We’re sure there is going to be quite a bit of debate about these. However, if one thing is certain, it is that there is something here for everyone. So without further ado, behold our latest list.
Back in August, Megan Thee Stallion got fans talking when she hopped on TikTok to take part in a couple’s challenge. She was joined by none other than NBA star Torrey Craig, expectedly leading to rumors that the two of them were an item. Just a few days later, they were spotted out and about in New York City. For most fans, this was enough to confirm the rumored relationship, though neither Meg nor Craig have addressed it.
It’s been a while since supporters have heard anything about the femcee and the athlete, but over the weekend, it looks like they could have reunited. On Saturday (December 21), Megan was spotted at the United Center, sitting courtside for the Chicago Bulls game against the Boston Celtics. For obvious reasons, fans were glad to see her. The Bulls’ mascot, Benny the Bull, even gave her a special greeting.
Most fans are glad to see Meg living her best life. Unfortunately, however, her rumored relationship with Craig has also earned her a great deal of hate online. Supporters are coming to her defense in the Hollywood Unlocked comments section on Instagram, defending her right to be happy with whoever she chooses. “I love how she be smiling and people get so upset at her joy and happiness ,” one commenter writes. “Yes she deserves all the happiness,” another says. Meg’s latest appearance comes shortly after she teased the third act of her self-titled album, Megan.
It also comes days after she filed for a restraining order against Tory Lanez, who shot her in 2020. In her filing, she accuses him of “psychological warfare,” according to TMZ. She also alleges that his actions have made her depressed and made her grow estranged from loved ones. Meg even accuses him of paying blogger Milagro Gramz to spread misinformation about her online.
Big Pun’s widow, Liza Rios, stormed out of an interview on the Uppercut podcast, last week, after being asked several questions about Fat Joe. In doing so, she accused the interviewer of taking Joe’s “side” in their feud and complained about him having an “attitude.”
“Joe probably would’ve faded out because if another label would have signed Big Pun, Joe probably would have faded to the back,” she said, as caught by AllHipHop. “[…] Joe’s a smart business man. He’s stayed relevant all these years.” From there, the interviewer asked why she can’t bring herself to apologize to Joe. She responded: “Are you serious? Why would I give him an apology after what he put my family through? What he did legally.” As they began arguing, Rios concluded: “Can we stop this for a second? I’m leaving this interview. This is a whole Fat Joe situation now. Yeah, I’m good. I’m good off of this. I’m not comfortable and I’m leaving this interview.”
Big Pun & Fat Joe Attend The 1998 Lady Of Soul Awards
Fat Joe, Brandy, and Big Pun at the 1998 Lady of Soul Awards in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)
When The Art of Dialogue shared a clip of the moment on Instagram, fans expressed their support for Rios. “Being a journalist is a skill. Asking one sided questions to elicit a response is not a flex. She made a good decision by leaving,” one user wrote. Another added: “Dude was a HORRRRRIBLE interviewer, and I’m glad that she shook the spot!!”
Liza Rios Discusses Fat Joe
Rios and Joe have been at odds since Pun’s tragic death in 2000. Rios has accused Joe of failing to properly pay her family the royalties from Pun’s music and that Joe greedily profited off of the late rapper’s legacy. She even took legal action against him in 2014. Joe had denied the allegations over the years. Check out the moment Liza Rios stormed out of her interview with the Uppercut podcast below.
Daylyt has spoken a lot about his alleged insider knowledge about the Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and – for a moment – J Cole beef, given his closeness to all the artists. During a recent appearance on The Apollo Podcast, he revealed that Cole actually expressed grievances to him about his K.Dot diss “7 Minute Drill,” which appeared on his surprise Might Delete Later project. As you know, that title became 2024’s most ironic statement, but before pulling the plug on it, the battle rapper apparently advised the Dreamville MC to follow his instincts and take a stand if he felt like there wasn’t any real beef there.
However, Daylyt also expressed that he did not know that J. Cole would take this to the stage and publicly apologize at Dreamville Fest before deleting “7 Minute Drill” from streaming platforms. At the end of the day, though, despite his battle rap side thinking that this was a wild move, he has a lot of respect for Cole’s decision and commends his humility. They apparently linked up in the studio recently, so they might have more collabs on the way.
Beyond J. Cole, though, Daylyt also has some other stories and allegations about the battle, such as a FaceTime call with Kendrick Lamar after a Drake diss had dropped. “It’s a FaceTime call, so I ignore the first one,” he told The Apollo Podcast. “He call again. I’m like, ‘Oh, it must be important.’ So, I’m thinking like it’s an emergency because Ab-Soul don’t really FaceTime me, especially not that early. I pick up, it was Dot bro. N***a was just looking at the camera and hung up. The smirk that the n***a had on his face. The last time I seen that was when I was doing shenanigans. It was evil. He about to go to no return with this s**t.”
As for J. Cole, Daylyt’s respect for him may not reflect every fan’s feelings on the apology, but many of them share that sentiment. He also closed 2024 out on a much higher note thanks to his tenth anniversary re-release of 2014 Forest Hills Drive with eight new bonus tracks.
Nigel Sylvester and Jordan Brand are collaborating on a new Air Jordan 1 Low OG. Now rumored to draw inspiration from his 2022 Air Jordan 1 High OG sample, the pair features a sleek black colorway. The upcoming “Nitro” design blends bold style with premium materials. A sail leather base creates a neutral foundation, while black leather overlays add a sharp contrast. Red accents, including a mini Swoosh near the toe and the Wings logo on the heel, bring vibrant pops of color. These details infuse the design with energy while maintaining versatility. The collaboration highlights Sylvester’s signature style and BMX roots, showcasing his dynamic approach to creativity.
A cream midsole with a vintage vibe adds depth, while a black rubber outsole provides durability and traction. Together, these elements create a perfect balance of retro and modern aesthetics. Signature Air Jordan branding ties the sneaker to its iconic lineage. The “Nitro” colorway is sure to attract both sneaker fans and followers of BMX culture. This collaboration showcases Sylvester’s influence and Jordan Brand’s innovative vision. With refined details and striking contrasts, this release is set to be a standout in the Air Jordan 1 Low OG collection. Anticipation continues to build for its release.
These sneakers have a red rubber sole paired with a crisp sail midsole. Also, the base is crafted from black leather, highlighted by black leather overlays. Further, a sail Nike Swoosh adorns the sides, along with white laces and a light tongue. The red and white Nike branding on the tongue matches the accenting details. The heels feature the classic Air Jordan Wings logo in white stitching, giving them a timeless feel.
Sneaker Bar Detroit reports that the Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Nitro” is going to drop in the fall of 2025. Also, the retail price will be announced closer to when they are released.
On Wednesday evening, Malena Belafonte’s Boudoir cast an enchanting spell over a sold-out crowd at Sony Hall, seamlessly blending high fashion, theater, and breathtaking performances into a one-night-only production that will long be remembered. Directed, produced, and choreographed by Malena Belafonte herself, the event was an ambitious spectacle that masterfully wove storytelling with runway and music to push creative boundaries.
The production was a deeply personal family affair, with David Belafonte serving as associate producer, Sarafina Belafonte as assistant choreographer, and Amadeus Belafonte delivering a stirring vocal performance. Sarafina, the youngest granddaughter of the iconic Harry Belafonte, also debuted her original single, Wandering Eye, a proud continuation of her family’s celebrated legacy in the arts.
Co-choreographer Sarah Kaplan, a rising star at just 19, infused fresh energy into the show, while ballroom choreographer Krisi Dalipi added an air of grace and precision to the already stunning performances. A spectacular lineup of couture designs from Heike NY, Aforieke, Hermione Elma, and Style by Rahel, complemented by contributions from Warlock JP, The Confessional Showroom, John Ashford, Mieux Swimwear, and John Ash Alive Shoes, set the stage for a visual feast that captivated the audience.
Among the evening’s standout moments was the playful Mischief chapter, where a Femme Fatale character humorously used luxury handbags as props to tease her assistant. This spirited performance culminated with audience members being invited into the Boudoir for a lively, interactive finale.
Sarafina Belafonte’s live performance of her debut single, Wandering Eye, was a highlight of the evening, immediately followed by its release. Adding to the night’s emotional resonance, Malena Belafonte and Krisi Dalipi performed an intimate rumba to Adele’s Chasing Pavements, showcasing the undeniable chemistry of the Dancing with the Stars Europe alumni in four impeccably choreographed routines woven into the show.
The production also paid a heartfelt tribute to the late designer Corey Woods, a longtime collaborator and dear friend of Malena, who passed away in June. The tribute opened with a voiceover from Woods, followed by a moving video montage of his work. His final Yeroc collection was unveiled in a poignant runway presentation accompanied by Amadeus Belafonte’s touching rendition of I Will Cover You (Reprise), as the cast united in solidarity with Woods’ family, who were present.
A mesmerizing burlesque performance by Pearls Daily added a touch of allure and intrigue to the evening. In a dazzling James Bond-themed routine, Daily, who is four months pregnant, delivered a show-stopping act that embodied elegance and daring.
The star-studded lineup of performers included Amadeus Belafonte, Sarafina Belafonte, Giada Mangino, Flor Massey, Ashley Carley, Carmen Catlin, Casidy Chan, Celia Costa, Sarah Kaplan, Malena Belafonte, Krisi Dalipi, Pearls Daily, and Hannah Akussa Richardson of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
The night concluded with an electrifying afterparty that kept energy high until the early hours of the morning, leaving attendees awestruck by Malena Belafonte’s bold vision and masterful execution of a night where fashion and performance truly became art.
On this date in 1960, record exec, rapper, producer, and pioneer Luther Campbell, aka Uncle Luke, was born in Miami, Florida. Luke has morphed into one of the trailblazers of today’s strip club-based Hip Hop that is seen from southern artists such as Future, Kodak Black and even Megan Thee Stallion.
As the one-time leader of the legendary 2 Live Crew, Campbell launched Luke Skyywalker Records, becoming the first Hip Hop mogul in the Dirty South to boast a gold album(The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are). After five group albums and eight solo albums, Campbell ventured into adult films, starred in his own reality show and even made a run for Mayor of Miami in 2011.
Happy birthday to the Liberty City native who became a family man and a definitive part of Hip Hop history!
On this date in 1998, Earl “DMX” Simmons dropped his sophomore release, Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood on the Def Jam/Ruff Ryders imprint. Less than a year following his debut album, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, X put out one of his most celebrated releases that shipped gold in its first week and were posted at the top of the charts for almost an entire month following its release.
The project, which was produced by Irv Gotti, Dame Grease and Swizz, debuted at number 1 on Billboard Top 200 just like X’s premier album. This feat was only accomplished once before by Tupac with All Eyez On Me and The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory.
The singles that led the album’s success were the dark, autobiographical “Slippin’” and the Swizz Beatz produced “No Love 4 Me” featuring then Ruff Ryders newcomer Drag-On. The album enjoyed additional success being that this was the project in heavy rotation during DMX’s silver screen debut alongside Nas in Belly.
Thanks to the entire Ruff Ryder team including the Dark Man Unknown himself for this timeless Hip Hop classic!
Andre 3000 says that fans have Drake to thank for ever hearing his verse on Kanye West’s “Life of the Party.” He explained how the collaboration came together as well as his reaction to Drake leaking the track during his feud with the controversial rapper while speaking with The New York Times’ Popcast.
“I knew he was working on this album called, ‘Donda,’ and I knew he lost his mom just like I lost my mom so I knew that subject matter better than anyone. And it’s hard to explain to anyone, until you lose a parent, you can’t even explain it to anyone. So, when he said, ‘Hey, I wanna play this album for you.’ He played me the whole ‘Donda’ album. He actually sent it to me and said, ‘Give me your opinions on these songs, give me your comments.’ And I actually listened to the whole album and gave notes on what I felt about the songs. He took them in how he would and he said, ‘Yeah man, I’d like you to contribute to this album. Do you hear anything you’d like to be on?’” Eventually, Andre landed on “Life of the Party.”
Andre 3000 Poses With Kanye West During The BET Awards
HOLLYWOOD – JUNE 28: Musicians Kanye West and Andre 3000 visit the Distinctive Asset Gift & Lounge during the 2004 BET Music Awards at the Kodak Theatre on June 28, 2004 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
From there, Andre discussed Drake leaking the song on his radio show, revealing that he and Kanye were in a disagreement about whether to drop it at that point. Ye wanted the legendary Outkast rapper to rewrite his verse without explicit words, while Andre said he preferred to just be cut from the song instead. “Finally, Drake puts it out. So, kinda have to thank Drake for letting that song see the light of day. And, I wanna clear something up too. I think a lot of people think that Kanye did the song and put the diss part out without me knowing about it. I’d heard the diss part and me and Kanye had a conversation about it. I had my feelings about it. I was like, ‘Man, do you really wanna do this on this type of song? It’s kinda like going and shooting up your mom’s funeral.’ He felt the way he felt at the time. He put the diss verse on it.”
Andre 3000 Reflects On “Life Of The Party”
While West left the song off of the tracklist for Donda, it eventually dropped as part of the deluxe version of the album several months later. Check out Andre 300’s full comments on “Life of the Party” below.
André 3000 on asking Kanye to remove his verse on ‘Life of the Party’ because Kanye didn’t want cursing on DONDA
Last month, Drake decided to go after Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify. In a pre-action petition, he accuses the companies of artificially boosting Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” using bots and payola. UMG was quick to deny these allegations, and last week, Spotify finally issued its response.
“UMG and Spotify have never had any arrangement in which UMG charged Spotify licensing rates 30 percent lower than its usual licensing rates for ‘Not Like Us’ in exchange for Spotify affirmatively recommending [‘Not Like Us]’, including ‘to users who are searching for other songs and artists,’” the filing says in part. “Spotify has no economic incentive for users to stream ‘Not Like Us” over any of Drake’s tracks.”
DJ Akademiks Claims Drake Will Get “Washed” If He Goes Through With UMG Lawsuit
Dj akademiks reacts to Drake legal team and Spotify going back and forth . Ak breaks down the streaming business practices it uses ,like the 30% exposure charge for artists. Akademiks also says if drake follows through with suing UMG his career will be on the clock real quick pic.twitter.com/VIlg9zaQrS
Drake’s team wasted no time firing back, confirming that the response had not deterred them. “It is not surprising that Spotify is trying to distance themselves from UMG’s allegedly manipulative practices to artificially inflate streaming numbers on behalf of one of its other artists,” they wrote. “If Spotify and UMG have nothing to hide then they should be perfectly fine complying with this basic discovery request.”
During a recent stream, DJ Akademiks shared his take on all of this, appearing somewhat shocked by how Drake’s team responded to Spotify. “Drake’s legal team is following up as if they’re really that serious,” he began. “I really, to my core and my heart, I don’t believe that Drake is serious with this lawsuit. I haven’t talked to him about it, he hasn’t said nothing to me about it. The reason why I’m saying it is because as much as I like Drake’s music, I think if Drake goes to war with UMG, he’s getting washed. I’m sorry, Drake is not bigger than the program.” Akademiks went on, explaining how he doesn’t think Drake will actually go through with the lawsuit. If he does, however, he thinks his career could take a serious hit.
