The latest rapper to start his own festival is Jack Harlow, who is bringing the Gazebo Festival to his hometown. Headlined by himself and SZA, the Gazebo Festival will come to Louisville’s Waterfront Park on May 25 and 26. The festival’s name takes inspiration from Jack’s first album and features performers Amaarae, BNYX, Channel Tres, Dahi, James Blake, James Savage, Jordan Ward, Karrahbooo, Majid Jordan, Malcolm Todd, Omar Apollo, PinkPantheress, Ravyn Lenae, Rich Homie Quan, Slum Village, Veeze, and Vince Staples.
When Do Gazebo Festival Tickets Go On Sale?
Tickets go on sale on March 8 at 10 a.m. ET, with general admission tickets starting at $255. A pre-sale starts March 6 at 10 a.m. You can find more information on the festival website, gazebofest.com.
Harlow joins a growing list of artists with their own festivals, which includes both established names like The Roots’ Roots Picnic and Pharrell’s Something In The Water, and younger artists like Post Malone’s Posty Fest and Tyler The Creator’s industry high watermark, Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival. Where Jack will land on that continuum remains to be seen but the lineup he’s put together is a strong start. You can check out the flyer below.
Gazebo Festival
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Fred Again.. teamed up with Lil Yachty and Overmono to treat fans with the new single, “Stayinit.” This marks Fred Again..’s first new song of the year, building off the success he found in 2023 with tracks like “Leavemealone” with Baby Keem and “Adore U” with Obongjayar. It also continues his USB series, according to NME.
“I know you / Down with the pain, see the rain / Realize everybody won’t be perfect / But I do / Try hard to fix the mistakes that I made with you,” Lil Yachty points out in the emotional lyrics, seemingly inspiring the track’s title, as he takes the perspective of hoping the other person stays in the relationship — mistakes and all.
Instrumentally, it opens with a chill electronic production that transforms Yachty’s voice. It then builds in intensity on the “stay in it” chorus, when Yachty’s vocals cut out and are replaced with a techno dance beat that’s sure to excite a crowd.
Along with the song, the visualizer includes a behind-the-scenes moment of Fred Again..’s run from a few weeks ago, where he performed at Knockdown Center in NYC. It “captures the moment yachty hears this song on a proper system for the first time,” as Fred himself put it — complete with light displays and all.
Check out “Stayinit” above.
Fred Again.. is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Some artist-led festivals have made big names for themselves, like Pharrell’s Something In The Water, The Roots’ Roots Picnic, and most notably, Lollapalooza, originally launched by Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction. Now, Jack Harlow is getting into the festival game, too: Today (February 28), he announced Gazebo Festival, a two-day event that runs from May 25 to 26 at Louisville, Kentucky’s Waterfront Park.
This first edition of the fest, which shares its name with Harlow’s 2017 mixtape Gazebo and will feature two stages, will be headlined by SZA and Harlow himself. Beyond them, the full lineup features James Blake (doing a DJ set), Omar Apollo, PinkPantheress, Vince Staples, Amaarae, Channel Tres, Majid Jordan, Slum Village, Veeze, Dahi, Jordan Ward, Ravyn Lenae, Rich Homie Quan, BNYX, James Savage, Karrahbooo, and Malcolm Todd.
Tickets go on sale on March 8 at 10 a.m. ET, with general admission tickets starting at $255. There’s also a pre-sale starting March 6 at 10 a.m. ET. More information about tickets can be found on the festival website. A portion of proceeds from every ticket will benefit the Jack Harlow Foundation.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg says of the event, “Jack Harlow is an extraordinary Louisvillian who continues to give back to his hometown. This is yet another way Jack is showing up for our city and I can’t wait to see the excitement this festival creates. I am so grateful for his commitment to making first class things happen for Louisville and our people.”
Gazebo Festival 2024 Lineup Poster
Gazebo Festival
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
A visit to any of the various stats websites that use the official headshots from each season will provide a reminder of Butler’s emo look from before the season, as it really is a great bit from him. However, it appears there was more to this season’s look than just having some fun with what he’ll look like in lineup cards and on stats websites.
On Wednesday, Fall Out Boy released a new music video for their song “So Much (For) Stardust” that features Jimmy Butler (in his emo cut) wearing a bedazzled purple suit and cowboy hat, dancing in snakeskin boots alongside Pete Wentz (dressed in the same thing, but silver). That’s literally the entire 4-minute video, just a couple guys being dudes in jazzy cowboy outfits singing and dancing along to the song. It’s good timing to put out a music video featuring Butler, as he and the Heat are riding a hot streak currently, winning five straight and seven of their last eight to climb into a tie for the 5-seed in the East with Philadelphia.
Early this week, NBC News reported that Diddy had been named in a new sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Rodney “Lil Rod Madeit” Jones, a producer on Diddy’s album The Love Album: Off The Grid. The suit also named Diddy’s son, Justin Combs; chief of staff Kristina Khorram; Universal Music Group CEO Sir Lucian Grainge; and former Motown Records CEO Ethiopia Habtemariam as defendants for either aiding Diddy or failing to address complaints about his behavior.
However, as news of the suit spread, some other names mentioned in the suit piqued music fans’ interest. One of those names was Usher’s. So,
Why Was Usher Mentioned In The New Lawsuit Against Diddy?
Usher is not named as a defendant in the suit; however, a redacted excerpt caught the attention of gossip blogger DJ Akademiks, who used the provided footnotes to extrapolate the identities of the redacted names. “Mr. Combs informed Mr. Jones that he had engaged in sexual intercourse with rapper[5] (REDACTED), R&B singer[6] (REDACTED), and Stevie J,” it read. The footnotes provided background info for anyone involved who might need context for the redacted names. 5 was described as “a Philadelphia Rapper who dated Nicki Minaj,” which could only be Meek Mill, while 6 “performed at the Super Bowl and had a successful Vegas residency.”
Now, it’s important to remember that unless these assertions are corroborated, they should probably be taken with a massive grain of salt — actually, just throw the whole salt shaker in there. Celebrity lawsuits are often filled with lurid details to bait headlines that plaintiffs’ lawyers hope will prompt quick settlements to avoid lengthy trials and more embarrassing headlines. In Diddy’s case, although he did quickly settle his ex Cassie’s sexual assault lawsuit last year, he’s since maintained that the wave of suits that followed it was just a series of money grabs.
South African superstar Tyla has the world in a chokehold. In addition to dropping hit after hit, Tyla recently starred in a Gap campaign — a dream she has manifested for so long. Next month, she will release her hotly-anticipated self-titled debut album.
Tyla has big plans for this album rollout, and we’ve put together a guide with everything you need to know about Tyla.
Release Date
Tyla is out 3/22 via FAX and Epic Records. Find more information here.
Tracklist
Some tracks from Tyla have been released, however, she has not revealed the tracklist in its entirety. You can see a partial tracklist below.
3. “Water”
4. “Truth Or Dare”
7. “Butterflies”
8. “On And On”
14. “Water” (Remix) Feat. Travis Scott.
Singles
Tyla has shared four singles from her upcoming album — “Truth Or Dare,” “Butterflies” “On And On,” and the viral hit, “Water.” She has also released a remix of “Water” with Travis Scott.
Features
So far, the only feature on the album that has been revealed is Travis Scott on the “Water” Remix.
Artwork
You can see the Tyla artwork below.
FAX/Epic
Tour
You can see Tyla’s upcoming tour dates below.
03/21/2024 — Oslo, Norway @ Parkteatret
03/22/2024 — Stockholm, Sweden @ Nalen
03/24/2024 — Copenhagen, Denmark @ Amager Bio
03/25/2024 — Berlin, Germany @ Säälchen
03/27/2024 — Cologne, Germany @ LUXOR
03/28/2024 — Paris, France @ Cabaret Sauvage
03/30/2024 — Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg
04/01/2024 — London, UK @ KOKO
04/22/2024 — San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
04/24/2024 — Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
04/26/2024 — Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
04/28/2024 — Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
05/01/2024 — Denver, CO @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom & Cervantes’ Other Side
05/03/2024 — Austin, TX @ Emo’s Austin
05/04/2024 — Dallas, TX @ The Echo Lounge & Music Hall
05/06/2024 — Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
05/07/2024 — New Orleans, LA @ The Joy Theater
05/09/2024 — Miami Beach, FL @ Miami Beach Bandshell
05/11/2024 — Orlando, FL @ The Plaza Live
05/13/2024 — Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage Theater
05/15/2024 — Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa
05/17/2024 — Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
05/18/2024 — Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
05/20/2024 — Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
05/22/2024 — Montreal, QC @ Théâtre Beanfield
05/23/2024 — Toronto, ON @ The Danforth Music Hall
05/28/2024 — Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
Two men — Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. — have been found guilty of the 2002 murder of hip-hop pioneer Jam Master Jay. According to Variety, jurors at the U.S. District Court’s Eastern Division of New York in Brooklyn convicted the accused killers on Tuesday (February 27) after weeks of trial testimonies.
Jordan, who is described as Jay’s godson, was charged with firing the gun, while Washington was also involved in the plan. The two men allegedly plotted the killing in revenge for being cut out of a drug deal by Jay, who had reportedly turned to the drug trade as the popularity of his group, Run-DMC, faded in the late ’90s. Jay Bryant, the third member of the alleged conspiracy, will be tried separately in 2026.
The only two witnesses to the execution-style shooting were Jay’s assistant assistant Uriel “Tony” Rincon and Lydia High, an employee of Jay’s JMJ Records label. Both had been intimidated by Jordan, refusing to testify for decades. Jordan and Washington both could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
At the time of his death, Jam Master Jay was just 37 years old. He was survived by three children: two boys and a daughter. Both boys followed him into the DJ business.
Columbus Short says that Diddy attempted to groom him back in the 2000s while working on the 2008 film, A Raisin in the Sun. Appearing on Boss Talk 101, the actor recalled connecting Diddy with his acting coach and explained how their relationship grew from there. Short explained that he would party with the Bad Boy mogul, but clarified that he “wasn’t at those parties. I was at the big parties.”
“Now, looking back, it’s like the groomage,” Short admitted. As for the litany of allegations plaguing Diddy in recent months, Short said: “As I got further deeper into the game, people talk. So I would hear stories but I never saw nothing… I didn’t know they’re ‘after-after parties.’”
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Choreographer Columbus Short attends the GQ Men Of The Year Party at The Ebell Club of Los Angeles on November 12, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for GQ)
Short previously claimed that Diddy once called him up at 2:00 AM to invite him to his hotel room after the BET Awards. He detailed the incident on Instagram back in December. “He tried it on me. So I know it’s true. I was married. My ex-wife. I got a phone call in the middle of the night, about 2:30 in the morning. I picked up the phone. It was Diddy. He said, ‘Hey man, we didn’t see you at the BET Awards. What are you doing?’ I said, ‘I’m in bed with my wife.’” He then claimed Diddy told him he was alone at a hotel in Beverly Hills.
The latest lawsuit against Diddy comes from Rodney Jones, who accused him of sexual assault. In a statement for TMZ, Diddy’s attorney, Shawn Holley, explained: “Lil Rod is nothing more than a liar who filed a $30 million lawsuit shamelessly looking for an undeserved payday. His reckless name-dropping about events that are pure fiction and simply did not happen is nothing more than a transparent attempt to garner headlines. We have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies. Our attempts to share this proof with Mr. Jones’ attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, have been ignored, as Mr. Blackburn refuses to return our calls. We will address these outlandish allegations in court and take all appropriate action against those who make them.” Be on the lookout for further updates on Columbus Short and Diddy on HotNewHipHop.
Soul & R&B royalty Luther Vandross has long been revered for his unparalleled timeless compositions. Considering the excellence of his music, it was only a matter of time before Hip Hop artists recognized the goldmine of inspiration embedded within his catalog. For decades now, the singer’s music has been sampled in Hip Hop tracks, contributing to many unforgettable gems.
While it’s been almost two decades since he sadly passed away, Luther Vandross remains in the hearts of fans. His name recently made its way into tabloids following an incident at a Madonna show. The “Like a Prayer” singer included Luther’s photo in an AIDS/HIV tribute when, in fact, he died of a stroke and didn’t have either disease. Nevertheless, since we’re all thinking of Luther Vandross and honoring his legacy, let’s take a look at some of his best samples in Hip Hop.
After releasing The Blueprint 2 in November 2002, Jay-Z dropped “Excuse Me Miss” as its third single on February 4, 2003. The track is a mesmerizing blend of smooth R&B vibes and hard-hitting rap verses. Produced by The Neptunes, it boasts an infectious groove driven by crisp percussion, lush synths, and a hypnotic bassline. In addition, it features lyrics and melodies from “Take You Out” (2001) by Luther Vandross. The sampled material appears within the first minute of “Excuse Me Miss” and is sung by Pharrell Williams.
“Things I’ve Been Through” — Jadakiss
“Things I’ve Been Through” was released as a part of Jadakiss’ third album, The Last KisI (2009). Although it didn’t get the single treatment, this is undoubtedly one of the standout tracks on the album. An introspective masterpiece, it offers a poignant glimpse into the rapper’s trials, tribulations, and triumphs. Additionally, it features one of the most memorable Luther Vandross samples in Hip Hop. The iconic hook of Jadakiss’s track was lifted from “Promise Me,” a song from Luther’s 1982 sophomore album. The sample comes on at the beginning of “Things I’ve Been Through” and is present throughout the song.
“Got Me Waiting” — Heavy D & The Boyz
When Heavy D & The Boyz dropped this song in 1994, it quickly rose to the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. “Got Me Waiting” is arguably the most successful single from the group’s Nuttin’ But Love album, and for good reason. The track seamlessly blends velvety R&B melodies with infectious rap verses in a way that only Heavy D could master. However, this song would not be what it is without the Luther Vandross sample that quite literally gives it life. It samples the instrumental from the 1981 Luther Vandross song “Don’t You Know That?”
“The Way Life Used To Be” — Snoop Dogg
An underrated gem in Snoop’s discography, “The Way Life Used to Be” was released in 2011. It appears on the rapper’s eleventh album, Doggumentary, and is one of its best tracks. Set against a backdrop of lush production characterized by silky melodies, the song captures the essence of West Coast Hip Hop at its finest. Another standout feature of “The Way Life Used to Be” is its excellent use of a Luther Vandross sample. The song it borrows from is “Bad Boy / Having a Party,” off of Luther’s sophomore album.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is one of the most revered rap groups in the history of Hip Hop. With a discography like theirs, it’s easy to see why they have the reputation they do. “Mind of a Souljah” was released as a part of their third album, The Art of War. Like “Things I’ve Been Through” by Jadakiss, this song samples “Promise Me” by Luther Vandross. The haunting melody the sample sets the stage for Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to deliver their powerful message with unflinching intensity.
“No Better Love” — Young Gunz Ft. Rell
“No Better Love” by Young Gunz is a timeless anthem of youthful exuberance and the pursuit of success. Released as the lead single from the duo’s debut album, Tough Luv, it showcases their musical strengths. The song’s hook and upbeat tempo create a vibe that is both nostalgic and irresistibly catchy. Additionally, it features a smooth sample of the instrumentals of Luther Vandross’s “Better Love.”
On December 2, 2003, Twista released “Slow Jamz” as the lead single of his fourth album, Kamikaze. All three artists on this track bring their A-game and deliver a masterclass in storytelling. Without a doubt, Jamie Foxx and Kanye West’s contributions elevate the song to iconic status. Equally iconic is the sample of “A House Is Not a Home” by Luther Vandross featured on “Slow Jamz.” The sped-up vocals of the singer appear throughout the song and add an undeniable flavor to it.
Born with a sparkle of talent, Alba Baptista took her first steps in the Portuguese cinematic universe, catching the eye of critics and fans alike. Early roles in her native Portugal offered the world a glimpse of a star in the making. Yet, her dedication, discipline, and sheer love for the craft hinted at the mega-stardom awaiting her. By 2024, Alba Baptista’s industry prowess led her to amass a net worth of approximately $1 million, according to CooPWB.
Silver Screens & Standing Ovations
2021 European Shooting Star, Portuguese actress Alba Baptista poses. During the 71st Berlinale International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany, on June 14, 2021. Due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the Berlinale Summer Special will be a purely outdoor event. With mandatory testing for all spectators, taking place from June 9 to 20 at 16 outdoor venues. (Photo by AXEL SCHMIDT / POOL / AFP) (Photo by AXEL SCHMIDT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The world sat up and took notice when Baptista stepped into the role of Ava in Warrior Nun. A complex character, she infused Ava with a depth and vulnerability that resonated with audiences worldwide. Yet, for those familiar with her oeuvre, this was no surprise. Her riveting performances in Patrick and Leviano had already established her as an actress of substance, capable of weaving magic on screen.
Intimate Interludes: Personal Life & Highlights
Portuguese actress Alba Baptista poses during the photocall of the film “Patrick” at the 67th San Sebastian Film Festival, in the northern Spanish Basque city of San Sebastian, on September 25, 2019. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)
Despite the dazzling spotlight, Baptista maintains a degree of enigma. Her social media provides fleeting glimpses into her life: a sun-kissed vacation here, a book recommendation there. Yet, she remains a figure of intrigue, drawing a fine line between Alba, the actress, and Baptista, the individual. In 2023, it was reported that Alba married movie star Chris Evans. She hasn’t spoken much about their relationship, but a global fanbase has looked on with interest.
Beyond The Curtains: Business Ventures & Philanthropy
VENICE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Alba Baptista arrives at the Hotel Excelsior during the 79th Venice International Film Festival on September 05, 2022 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Baptista’s ambitions aren’t confined to the realm of acting. Whispers in the industry corridors hint at her desire to don the producer’s hat soon. She’s not just about reel life. Real-world issues matter to her. Baptista has expressed a keen interest in lending her voice and influence to charitable causes, ensuring her star power benefits more than just box office numbers.
The Confluence Of Craft & Charisma
While relatively nascent, Baptista’s journey demonstrates a trajectory many spend decades striving for. Her adeptness at switching between dramatic depths and lighter moments is a testament to her range. As she continues her ascent, the industry and fans alike await her next move with bated breath, wondering what cinematic treat she’ll deliver next.
With a solid foundation established in international cinema, the future looks promising for Baptista. If her past endeavors are any indicator, we can anticipate a mix of avant-garde projects and mainstream cinema from this powerhouse talent. Moreover, her potential forays into production hint at a broader, holistic vision for entertainment. As Baptista carves her niche further, she’s bound to solidify her standing as an actress and a beacon in cinema.
