Upon arriving at his office compound in Calabasas, California, Kanye West was pictured by the paparazzi with a smile on his face and his wedding ring back on. While this likely signals his own confusion as to where he stands with his wife, Kanye wearing his ring could mean that the couple is working on reconciling. Of course, it could also just mean that he forgot to slide it back on last week. Do you think this means anything?
This news comes following Drake’s name-drop on his new song “Wants and Needs”. Drake and Kanye have been at odds for the last few years, and this latest lyrical message states, “Yeah, I probably should go link with Yeezy, I need me some Jesus / But soon as I started confessin’ my sins, he wouldn’t believe us.” Read more about that here.
By now, a common practice for rappers re-emerging from prison has been well-established. Amid the flood of celebratory Instagram posts from friends and peers, the first images of them as free men and women begin to circulate and if they’re lucky, audiences will then be treated to a “First Day Out” offering. Spearheaded by Gucci Mane in 2009 before being emulated by everyone from Kodak Black, Young Nudy, Quando Rondo and City Girls’ JT to Offset, Chief Keef and Tee Grizzley, this introductory track is used to let the world know that they haven’t missed a step.
Yet, in the case of the recently-liberated Bobby Shmurda, he’s chosen to abstain from putting the industry on notice in favour of a gentler reintegration to the world he’d left seven years ago. And while he’s deprived fans in the short-term, it’s in keeping with the behaviour of a rapper whose rookie season in hip-hop, sharply curtailed as it was, was defined by pushing against the grain and tunnelling his way to new opportunities that otherwise didn’t exist. Let’s not forget, before an animated Bobby Shmurda exploded out of East Flatbush by reimagining Lloyd Banks’ “Jackpot” on “Hot N***a,” there was a state of emergency in NY.
“After [the early 2000s], New York as a city, as a sound, struggled to find our place in the game,” Maino reflected during a recent interview with Complex. “Remember, the South started to take over. So by 2011, 2012, 2013, we hadn’t found our sound yet. We hadn’t found what the new sound was.”
Then, in 2014, the city that birthed hip-hop was awoken from its slumber by a man who, if his recent comments to GQ are to be believed, was empowered to take the risk because of how little it all actually mattered to him. “This n***a and Mitch, they paid for the video,” Bobby Shmurda said while reflecting on the visuals that launched him, and infamously, his hat, into the stratosphere. “I’m like, ‘You going to buy me an outfit? All right, copy.’”
Bobby Shmurda and GS9 members at the BET studio, 2014 – Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images
Although no one in the GS9 camp knew it then, both Shmurda and his cohort Rowdy Rebel’s rise to prominence laid out the parameters of a gritty, dance-tinged wave that’s been adopted by everyone from 22Gz and Sheff G to Fivio Foreign, the late Pop Smoke and even Staten Island’s CJ. Now commonly known as Brooklyn drill, it’s a phrase that didn’t exist in the hip-hop lexicon when Bobby found himself indicted on weapons charges and conspiracy to murder.
His demonstrable impact on New York notwithstanding, “Hot N***a” and its viral success also set the tone for an era in which one track could catapult an unknown into the public consciousness, and receive a sizeable advance from a major label in the process.
For these reasons, and the sense of expectation that comes with any prolonged absence from the game, hip-hop is now longing to hear what the next evolution of Shmurda looks and sounds like, proven in no small part by his back-catalogue experiencing a streaming spike of 624% in the days after his release. Some would argue that Bobby’s newfound grip on the world’s attention dictates that he should be capitalizing immediately.
However, there is something to be said for these exact conditions to also be a case for Bobby to gradually ease himself back into the hip-hop world. While he may have started out as a 19-year-old MC that was unencumbered by expectation, the stakes are now much higher and on top of that, he’s got a lot of catching up to do.
In the years since Bobby last released a project in the form of his Epic Records’ debut Shmurda She Wrote, there has been seismic shifts in both the hip-hop world and the industry’s perception of his relatively slim catalogue. And in any industry, a lot can happen in seven years. But in the fast-paced world of hip-hop, that may as well be a lifetime.
Hailed as a martyr for authenticity in hip-hop and the architect of a movement that he’s finally returning to, it’s important to remember that Bobby’s entire career essentially accounts for less than a year of active participation in the genre. In the interim, his name was kept alive by those who’ve carried the flag for him, and while an artist such as the similarly influential Max B has kept his profile high from prison, all we’ve received from Shmurda was a guest verse on 6ix9ine’s “STOOPID.” Which, in hindsight, he’d have definitely rejected if he could.
Less than a month after the now iconic footage of Bobby performing “Computers” before a crowd of bemused Epic execs surfaced online, Shmurda entered the federal system. In that time, entire movements have been and gone, with careers prospering and peetering back out again. Unlikely as it seems, Bobby’s come-up took place within the same year as iLoveMakonnen, O.T Genasis and Dej Loaf. As he and his GS9 brothers were brought before the judge in December 2014, Big Sean’s “IDFWU” was the highest ranking hip-hop track on the Billboard hot 100. The year that Bobby entered Riker’s Island, Fetty Wap even launched his own chart-conquering offensive that temporarily positioned him as the East Coast’s next great hope. In his absence, hip-hop has also consumed the mainstream like never before.
But rather than the genre simply leaping in commercial appeal, it has also undergone a whole host of tweaks that would’ve seemed implausible back in the days Shmoney Shmurda was first hitting the airwaves. In the seven years since he last curated a project, hip-hop has yielded an emphasis on female stars, a new melodic focus on its vocals, an emo-rap movement and a psychedelic wave as well as a shift in lyrical narrative from drug-pushers to drug-takers.
Migos and Bobby Shmurda attend the 106 & Party at BET studio, 2014 – Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images
In the underground, coke-rap has reemerged in the image of artists such as Griselda and Stove God Cooks, while in the mainstream, online clout chasing has become a primary means of marketing. To put this into even sharper focus, recent breakout star The Kid LAROI was 11 when Bobby entered the penitentiary, while Quavo, the man who picked Shmurda up from jail on a private jet, wouldn’t even release “Bad and Boujee” for a further two years.
Meanwhile, any insight Bobby had into what was happening was either secondhand or from what he’d heard on the inside. It’d make sense for Bobby to take his time and discover where he fits into the genre’s new ecosystem, considering both the amount of change that the genre’s experienced and the ‘Brooklyn Drill forefather’ title that the rapper has been recently bestowed.
Beyond just the landscape around Shmurda changing, however, the man himself changed. Bobby Shmurda was taken from society just as he’d become a star, and he did not necessarily get to savour, let alone experience, the new lifestyle that his music afforded him. However through his time in prison, he became aware of the impact that he’d made on everyday people.
“I didn’t really care too much for it until I went to jail and I saw how the fans were loyal…,” he told GQ while reflecting on his journey. “A six-year-old girl wrote to me; she said I was her favorite rapper… That let me know the kids are watching me, and I have to be a role model.”
Upgraded from a frivolous pastime to a role that Bobby approaches with considerable responsibility, this change in perspective has seen Shmurda also adopt some grand ambitions. On top of telling Complex that he planned to rap, act and write a book once released, another interview conducted from behind bars saw Shmurda map out his future collaborators.
“I want to get a chance to work with Jay Z,” he informed Revolt. “That’s somebody I’m looking forward to working with when I come home. Kanye… Rick Ross, a couple people.”
Bobby Shmurda performing at the BET Hip Hop Awards 2014 – Paras Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Not only has Bobby’s goals, outlook and status in the genre changed, but everything around him has also evolved. Now, he has to find out where he fits into the puzzle and how to live up to his own aspirations.
After all, when you think of successful relaunches after prison, an artist taking their time has often been a factor. Meek Mill took seven months between his release and his re-emergence as a more versatile and socially-conscious rapper than ever before on Championships. And while he headed to the studio immediately, five months elapsed between Pac gaining his freedom and the release of All Eyez On Me.
And considering that both of these artists were in jail for a much shorter spell than Bobby, it seems that letting the dust settle would be the wisest course of action for this New York rapper. When you find yourself as a returning hero, armed with the love and gratitude of an entire culture, you’re going to want to come out swinging.
Tyler, The Creator has come a long way, from engaging in juvenile debauchery to securing Grammy awards to landing major commercial deals. On the latter topic, Tyler recently provided the score for a new Coca-Cola commercial, where he decided to embrace some of his oddest instincts and craft a truly bizarre soundscape for the occasion. While it’s hardly a typical Tyler track, the largely-instrumental cut certainly features some of his hallmark staples, as up-tempo percussion and jarring synthesizers combine in one sugar-fueled package.
While it’s unclear as to whether or not “Tell Me How” will actually make listeners want to consume Coca-Cola, it’s certainly interesting that this is the music he delivered for the established soda brand. Though it’s probably not going to crack even the most generous list of “best hip-hop commercial compositions,” with Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre’s Beats ad still reigning supreme (and the DJ Quik-produced Foot Locker cypher not far behind), it’s still cool to see Tyler enter the fold behind such a major brand. Check it out for yourself below, in full innuendo-heavy glory.
Drake and Kanye West have had issues dating back nearly a decade. The two rappers are some of the greatest artists to have ever lived, but they seemingly haven’t been able to get along for a myriad of reasons. Most recently, their low-broiling beef has taken a backseat to reports about Kanye’s personal life falling apart, with rumors about his ongoing divorce with Kim Kardashian taking the forefront of the public attention. However, when Drake announced that he had new music coming this week, people couldn’t help but wonder whether the Toronto native would come for Kanye again.
If you predicted that Kanye would earn himself a name-drop on one of Drake’s new songs, you can give yourself a pat on the back because, on “Wants and Needs” with Lil Baby, the rapper speaks about Yeezy at the end of his first verse.
“Yeah, I probably should go link with Yeezy, I need me some Jesus,” he raps before adding, “But soon as I started confessin’ my sins, he wouldn’t believe us.”
The bars are getting a lot of attention online as people react to yet another layer in the never-ending feud between Drake and Kanye. While this doesn’t seem to be a diss, the way it’s worded could signal a few things. Some people are reaching and suggesting that Drake’s sins include a fling with Kim, Kanye’s wife, but there’s no proof to that. Others are calling this out as what it likely is: an innocent reference.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Regardless, Drake definitely knew that he would have people’s attention with this line.
New York rapper Cardi B is leveling up for kids and adults around the world. The hip-hop superstar has announced her new doll officially drops today. Cardi B Announces New Doll Drop The hitmaker went to her social media pages to break the huge news. While the doll drops today, B revealed it won’t officially […]
“Freaky As Me,” Jacquees’ first single of 2021, is a short, two-minute single that sports magnificent, hypnotic production and a repetitive sensual refrain in which the Atlanta artist demands to know if his romantic partner is as freaky as he is. Mulatto, who has been absolutely killing her guest verses as of late, contributes a sultry verse in which she confirms that she can match whatever sexual energy that her partner sends her way. Everything considered, Jacquees and Mulatto showcase their excellent chemistry on “Freaky As Me,” which is pulled from the King of R&B’s upcoming album P.T.O.F.
No release date has been announced for P.T.O.F., but if “Freaky As Me” takes off like it’s supposed to, fans will likely get more updates on that project very soon.
Quotable Lyrics
You can give it all to me, I ain’t gon’ run from it, yeah Keep it wet, all you gotta do is keep it one hunnid, yeah Lay you down then I choke on it, ’til my nose runnin’ (Yeah) F*ck me on the bed, full of all hunnids (Yeah) We get straight to it ’cause we both want it (Yeah)
Tyler The Creator has shared songs with the likes of rapper-turned-hustler Pusha T now, he can confidently say they share something in common: They’re both Coke rappers.
[Ducks thrown tomato.]
Okay, okay, sorry. I know that was bad. But if you’re still reading, Tyler The Creator really has added Coca-Cola to his impressive list of brand partnerships. His new song, “Tell Me How,” soundtracked a new television commercial for the world’s favorite soft drink last month, and today, he’s released the full version of the song.
When the commercial first rolled out, Tyler naturally shared a few tweets to offer fans some background on the collaboration.
“That’s me playing the flute at the beginning,” he revealed. He also thanked the brand for the opportunity, saying that after getting over some initial skepticism, he realized he could elevate the form. “Thanks coca cola for reallll,” he wrote. “big love for the opportunity i was like ehh idk but then i fucking ran with it. commercials need sounds like this, thanksssss.”
mannnn thanks coca cola for reallll big love for the opportunity i was like ehh idk but then i fucking ran with it. commercials need sounds like this, thanksssss
The commercial represents a huge milestone for Tyler, who has completely transformed from the artist he was at the beginning of his career. Back then, brands would have been terrified to work with him and Odd Future; even Questlove was nervous they’d get The Tonight Show canceled (like, TV canceled. We weren’t doing Twitter cancels yet). Ten years later, Tyler is working with one of the biggest brands in the world — and very nearly becoming one himself.
Watch the Coca-Cola commercial up top and the song below.
This morning, Cardi B stopped by Today to make a big announcement: She is releasing her own doll and dolls for other artists could be coming soon, too.
She explained her motivation behind the project, saying:
“I have a 2-year-old, right? And I buy dolls every time I go to Target and they expensive. Somebody came with this idea to me and I’m like, ‘That is great because I would love my daughter to play with a doll that looks like me.’ I mean, all these other dolls look like me, I might as well make one for myself. But then I also came up with a plan, because these dolls are supposed to represent different women. So I feel like after mine drops, I want to drop a doll of different artists. Then I also want to do fun things on Instagram and I want women that have different careers than me to tell me a little bit about their life and everything, and I want to pick them and I don’t know, maybe I have a doll and she’s a doctor, she’s a nurse, you know what I’m saying? Just different types of women and I want to display them and I want them to look beautiful just like me.”
She continued, “Growing up, I ain’t never seen a doll that looks like me, you know what I’m saying? I ain’t never seen a doll that really represents me. You go to the doll aisles when you’re my age, it’s either like there’s a real white one, there’s a real dark one, and there’s like barely one that’s in the middle. None of them have my style, none of them have my flavor. I want a doll that represents me.”
.@iamcardib joins us this morning with an exclusive announcement: she is launching a doll! Cardi B talks to us about the inspiration behind the project and why it was important for her to help design a doll that looks like her and is diverse. pic.twitter.com/44vwQjMZVB
Cardi went on to note that to get the doll, customers can get on a waiting list on the Real Women Are website and that the doll will be available in July. The site indicates the doll will sell for $35 and shows off some product images of it. The site also notes, “This exclusive limited-edition drop is only available for 72 hours, and will never be available again.”
When we first met Jazmine Sullivan, she was just a young woman figuring life out. Now years later, she arrives with a fresh perspective on her first project in over five years, Heaux Tales.
The thing that was missing back then from now, as Jazmine simply puts it, is grace. Grace is such a wonderful thing because it allows one to stop, breathe, think, and experience emotions that otherwise could never be bothered to be dealt with. Thoughts and feelings that are “swept under the rug” so to speak, because who has time for…feelings? (LOL) Heaux Tales unapologetically unveils what every woman goes through when that pause is taken and an honest conversation is had with the self about sex and the reality of relationships — and there’s power in that.
The stories Jazmine sings are inspired by close friends and family within her circle. She beautifully narrates the kind of freedom to be had on the other side of self-love and self-care, such as “Lost One” or everything Ari Lennox discloses on “Ari’s Tale.”
In a conversation with Uproxx, Jazmine further divulges on the meaning of Heaux Tales, shares the women in her life who inspire her the most, and also tells us what it was like performing at the Super Bowl with H.E.R.
Jazmine, we missed you and you dropped Heaux Tales during a pandemic after years of silence. Was there any hesitation about releasing this project considering everything?
We wanted to be sensitive obviously with everything that was going on so we did have talks about when to put the project out when was the best time to release music. We decided on the beginning of this year and I’m happy. I’m happy with the time that we came out. I feel like it was a good time. I feel like people were home and they kind of want it. They were able to listen in a way, because of the pandemic that maybe if we were all out and about, people may not have had the attention span to do so. I felt like it was good for that reason.
Considering Heaux Tales and everything that you learned from the relationship you went through during the second album at 24, what would you tell your 24-year-old self now?
I would tell my 24-year-old self to love yourself enough to let go of any situation that’s not making you better. And also, not to take it so hard on yourself that you don’t know everything. I think when you’re younger, you kind of beat yourself up. You think that you’re supposed to know things and honestly, you don’t really know until you grow and go through it. Now that I’m older, I definitely have a lot more grace for myself. The things that I don’t know where I mess up at, I have grace.
Do you remember the first time you gave yourself grace and allowed yourself to breathe for a second.
It’s really been during the process of Heaux Tales because it’s hard not to beat yourself up. Especially as a woman, because we feel like we have to do everything perfectly and just be perfect. We have the world on our shoulders normally anyway so we feel like we have to live up to a certain standard and, as a woman growing up, I always felt that way. This process and making the project helped me to do that by listening to the tales of other women, my girlfriends, and older women. And, just knowing that we’re human and we don’t have to be perfect and just allow ourselves to figure things out.
Do you think that men and women can be more honest about their relationships and what they want nowadays?
I think men have been honest and could be honest about everything in their lives because society doesn’t judge men the way that they do women. But I do feel like now there’s a movement with women where we are not being ashamed of our experiences and in fact, proud of them. Because now we’re realizing that without those experiences, we wouldn’t be who we are today. I feel like women are kind of taking up space and being bold about who they are and what they’ve done and what they’ve learned and come through. I just wanted to add to that movement by adding these stories.
Who are some of the women that inspire you?
Definitely my mother, she’s amazing. She is perfect… darn near at everything. She’s so creative and she’s the reason that I sing. I watched her battle cancer and go through chemo so gracefully. She’s just amazing to see. Also, my girlfriends, watching them grow from when we was 14 and 15 to now in our early thirties has been a pleasure and an honor, and they’ve taught me so much as far as being a woman. Mothers and partners and stuff like that. So I definitely just look up to them as well.
I’ve noticed you and Drake don’t have any songs together, but I feel like…
You noticed that.
Yes! And I was just thinking, back when you came out, I feel like you and Drake were out around the same time. I remember I was in college and I think it was just a really big moment in music.
I’ve never met Drake. I love Drake. I love his music and I definitely would do something if he wanted to. I actually haven’t even thought about a particular song, but I think that would be dope.
I feel like “Lost One,” just lives in the same energy as…
Him or maybe Frank Ocean. Either one.
Speaking of Frank, you were on his Endless project. Tell me about your relationship with Frank.
Oh, I love him. I’m such a super fan. When he calls me, I’m always down to go work with him. I really just want to go and listen to his music before it comes out. I will literally be like, okay, what you going to play me to hear? But he’s amazing and he’s a freaking genius. We enjoy working together. I would love to actually do a full collaboration one day because most of the time I’m just singing background vocals and stuff like that. I would love to do an actual song with him.
The streets need it! I also want to talk about your relationship with Issa Rae, because you sang “Insecure” with Bryson Tiller for the Insecure soundtrack. I also saw that tweet where you said you wanted to work with her on something for Heaux Tales. Is there an update on that?
We have been in communication through texts. I believe she’s working on some things now. She’s definitely busy doing so many projects. I think it’s just about schedules and trying to see if we can actually get together to come up with the body of what we want to do. We both love each other and respect each other and what each other does. Hopefully, we get the time to actually create it.
We’re still thinking about that. I definitely would love it to be visual. I want to bring the characters to life. I think that people actually seeing these women talk about their tales and talk about their lives would just enhance Heaux Tales and what it means to women to see themselves. So maybe a short film, maybe episodes of the women.
Let’s talk about Super Bowl because I thought that that was so dope. I’ve been waiting for people to just recognize you. I feel like Super Bowl was that moment like, yes, that’s Jazmine Sullivan. Tell us about you getting that call to go do Super Bowl and the feelings that you were feeling when you were performing.
I was super shocked. First, to get the call, I had never even thought that my career would take me to the Super Bowl. I thought it was cool to blend the two sounds with Eric Church, being a country singer, and me being a soul R&B artist. I had never heard him before we actually did the song, but I definitely thought, he was a good country artist and I thought it’ll be nice to blend our sounds together. I actually wasn’t nervous until I started singing. I didn’t realize how huge the impact was until I opened my mouth to sing. Then I was like, “Oh my God, it’s millions of people watching me right now.” It hit me right at that moment and then I got super nervous. So, it was amazing. It was a once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment. I was just so happy that my parents were there to see me do that. They put so much energy and effort into me being a singer and the fact that we all got to share that moment meant everything.
What did your mom and dad say when you told them, “I’m about to perform at the Super Bowl.”
Oh, everybody screamed. My dad doesn’t scream, but he screamed on the inside. Everybody was super excited because I just put my project out maybe two weeks before I got that call. I wasn’t thinking about that at all. I just wanted people to enjoy my work. Then I got such an overwhelming, great response for the project and then that opportunity came. It was blessing after blessing. We were all just super grateful.
H.E.R. was also there performing at the Super Bowl too and y’all collab a lot. Tell me about your relationship with H.E.R. and how it felt to do Super Bowl with her.
We’re, first of all, are just fans of each other first and foremost. When I was on my hiatus, I was just watching H.E.R. dominate and was just amazed, like everybody else, at just how gifted she was. All the instruments she plays and how well she sings. When I was making my songs, she was the first person that kind of came to my head to do the collaboration. I called her. She loved the song and finished it so quickly. Our relationship just grew from there. We’re always just trying to text each other and just encourage her and let her know, just how amazing she is.
It was definitely a moment to do that with her because we’re two Black women. She’s in her early twenties and I’m in my early thirties. We just out here representing for women in general and Brown women and doing our thing and try to bring, real talent, vocals, with her instruments. You’re trying to bring that to the forefront. I love so much that she did “America The Beautiful” first and then I did the “Star-Spangled Banner.” It was a moment for us.
I love that for you guys. The song “Girl Like Me” you two have, I feel like a lot of women feel that way. Is that something that you guys have sat down and talked about with each other?
I had started writing a song, some time ago. I wrote maybe the verse and the hook and the bridge, and I was like, it needs something. I just thought about it real quick and H.E.R. just kind of popped up in my head. I was nervous to actually send it to her because I knew I had been away from the industry for a minute. I just didn’t know if anybody would even care to work with me. When she responded so quickly, I was so happy that she did. She added her part and it just elevated the song so much.
It basically highlights her relationship with the media and fans. As a kid, I didn’t realize how awful the media treated her and just women period. For you, when you started and you entered the business what can you say about the pressure of being in the industry back thing? I feel like today, there seems to be a little bit more empathy and an emphasis on mental health. It was just very, very misogynistic. I didn’t realize it back then.
I have to look at the documentary. I would say that I was sheltered from a lot that was going on in the industry because my mom was so protective of me and my energy and everything that happened around me. She protected me from really knowing exactly what was going on, but definitely, there’s a different pressure with women than there has been with men historically. I can definitely imagine that for a pop artist, especially as big as she was, that there was so much pressure for her to be and act and look a certain way. It takes a toll on you as a person. I just pray for her. I know that the pressure, especially at her level was, it was too much. That’s why I’m an advocate for taking breaks. My breaks are a bit excessive.
But I’m an advocate for taking a break when you need it for your mental health because the world and the industry could be so cruel to people and they just don’t care. If you giving them something, they feel like they can make money off of it or exploit you in any way and they will and not care about you as a person. And so sometimes you have to take a second away from whatever it is that’s doing that to you. It could be a relationship. It could be your job. It could be social media sometimes. You need to take a break when you need to.
Absolutely. It’s hard. Especially if you’re a workaholic. It’s hard. Sometimes I feel guilty for taking breaks.
It’s a catch 22. It’s hard. It’s hard being a woman, man. You just feel like you got to work extra hard to be seen, but then at the same time, you have to, sometimes you know you need to take a break for yourself, but then you don’t feel like you can. So you’re just stuck in the middle of that cycle. So it’s hard.
Megan Thee Stallion sampled your song for her song “Circles” and she’s around the same age you were when you came out. She’s kind of going through her own thing that we’re all witnessing.
I know that it’s hard for her to do what she’s doing, but she’s doing amazing. Just stay focused, don’t let anybody come to take you off of the path that you’re on. Definitely keep God first.
Missy Elliott gave you a shout-out recently and told us a story about Whitney Houston that whenever you were 15, she was like, she didn’t believe that that was you singing.
I have never heard that story, first of all. So Missy probably got a thousand stories of people that we don’t even know about.
She has to write a memoir at some point.
Yes.
I read that you actually — I don’t know if it was a text message or was it a phone call — that you actually got a chance to speak with Whitney?
I was at dinner with Kim Burrell and somehow Whitney came up. She was like, have you ever talked to her? I was like, no. She’s just like, Oh, let me call her. I’ll get her on the phone. I was like, huh? So she got on the phone and we spoke for literally a second, but it just made my night to hear from her. Everybody knows what Whitney means to music and it was amazing to be able to hear from her and actually speak to her.
Do you remember what you guys talked about for that brief moment?
I don’t. I think she may have said that she heard me sing or something like that. My mouth probably dropped and I probably stopped listening. I probably was in shock, to be honest.
I would probably react the same exact way. What song can’t you wait to perform live with an audience when we open up?
I think “Bodies” will be cool to perform live and see people sing the lyrics to. Probably “On It” because I’m seeing so many people who love “On It.” It definitely would be different for me because I don’t really do a lot of sexy songs. I think it’ll be fun to do that live.
Let’s talk about that song. You said you don’t do a lot of sexy songs, but what made you switch it up for this with Ari Lennox? I think we’ve all been waiting for that one to drop!
The project was about women being free, especially around their sexuality and not feeling the shame. That was definitely a song where there was no shame attached to it. Ari is a fellow Aries sister, she might be a little spicier than me, but it naturally fit in with her tale and what she was talking about with her tale. I just thought I needed that moment of being super sensual and sexual and doing it confidently.
Anderson .Paak was one of the supporting acts on Bruno Mars’ world tour in support of his album 24K Magic, and it turns out that’s where the seed of pair’s new band, Silk Sonic, was planted. The way Mars tells it, though, things really got started with .Paak getting drunk on his 25th birthday and joining Mars in the studio.
Mars and .Paak chatted about the project and their new song “Leave The Door Open” with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe. Mars explained, “There’s a song on the album that we started in 2017, that was on tour. And it was just a little phrase that we had that we were joking around going back and forth about. When we got to the studio, I actually called him on his birthday and I said, ‘I think I figured out that little hook we had. Come to the studio.’ He’s like, ‘It’s my birthday.’ So he came drunk. After every take, he was on fire.”
.Paak then chimed in, “My 25th birthday, bro, what was I going to do?”
Mars continued:
“That’s what it was. It snowballed. And it was like, well, want to come back tomorrow? And we kept coming up with music. It felt like why you fall in love with music in the first place. And jamming with your buddy… There’s no plan, just working out the parts and trying to excite each other. That’s why this wouldn’t happen if it didn’t make sense and it didn’t feel natural and organic. This was a series of events that led us to, ‘Man, why don’t we just do it?’ Starting with the tour, us creating a friendship and a bond and talking to each other and sharing the same love for music, getting into the studio, quarantine, all of these things. it was the equation to get this album and it’s… that’s God.”
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
