No Beyoncé era arrives without its controversy, and her latest is no different. This past Sunday (February 11), Bey kicked off the era of her new album, Act II, which, given the sounds of the pair of singles “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold ‘Em,” sounds like it will be a country album. Still, at least one country station was seemingly reluctant to play the new songs.
Yesterday (February 13), an X (formerly Twitter) user shared a note from an Oklahoma-based radio station on social media. The note was a response to a request to play “Texas Hold ‘Em,” which read, “We do not play Beyoncé on KYKC as we are a country music station.”
However, Entertainment Weekly has now reported that KYKC has added both “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” to its rotation. According to Entertainment Weekly, a representative from the station’s parent company, S.C.O.R.E., said that station manager Roger Harris “was removed and didn’t know otherwise” that Beyoncé had shared new country music.
Harris in an email to EW, “Up until now, she hasn’t been a ‘country artist.’ So..we responded to the email in the same way we would have responded to someone requesting a Rolling Stones song on our country station.”
KYKC themselves confirmed via X that Bey’s new music had been added to their docket, following an outpouring of requests from the Beyhive.
Lots of call coming in for Beyoncé’s Texas Hold ‘Em. It’s coming up in minutes pic.twitter.com/w9hZ24w4aw
Surrounding Usher’s big weekend performing the Super Bowl Halftime Show were reports that the R&B icon had married Jennifer Goicoechea, with whom he has two children. The two apparently got a marriage license in Clark County, Nevada on February 8, and a representative later said, “We can confirm that Usher and Jennifer Goicoechea took the next step in their relationship and did get married on Sunday night [February 11] in Las Vegas surrounded by close friends and family.”
Now, thanks to People, we know some more about what the wedding was like, and it was very Las Vegas. The publication notes the two got hitched at Vegas Weddings’ drive-thru wedding chapel The Fast Lane, which is just miles away from Allegiant Stadium, the site of Usher’s big Super Bowl performance.
People also got exclusive photos from the ceremony and they note, “Usher is dressed in an abstract, asymmetrical black and white tux, while Goicoechea rocks a chic all-white, off-the-shoulder pants suit with white designer glasses and sparkly nailed cream gloves to match.” They also report, “For the ceremony, the bride has a long, white veil draped over her short black bob, and the sheer material has the words ‘Mrs. Raymond 02.11.24’ in large embroidered writing across the front, as a nod to her taking the star’s last name and their wedding date.”
There was an awkward moment during the recording of Howie Mandel’s podcast when guest Dana White abruptly walked out minutes into the show. After Mandel introduced his guest with plenty of praise, White dropped the mic. “Howie, thank you for the kind words. But I’m f-cking tired of doing podcasts. I’m not doing any more podcasts,” White said before abruptly leaving. The cameras continued to roll as everyone just looked at each other in shock.
White has been on a hell of a media tour lately in the run-up to UFC 300 later this year. It’s unclear if he had just reached his breaking point or if there is a deeper issue for the UFC boss. This is a developing story and we’ll have any updates as and when they emerge.
Of course, as the face of the UFC, White is usually first in the line of fire when people have a problem with the promotion. This was incredibly apparent last year when the UFC partnered with Bud Light. The brand returned as the promotion’s official beer after the two sides originally parted ways in 2019. “Everybody on every side of this deal that were involved — other beer companies and everything else — absolutely, positively knows that this was not about money for me. We were going to end up with money no matter who we ended up with,” White said. Furthermore, he said it was “f-cking stupid” for people to say it was just about the money. White argued that all sponsorships are about money.
Bud Light has been the target of right-wing outrage for most of the year. It follows the brand’s decision to partner transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. That led to many right-wing individuals saying they were going to boycott the beer. This in turn led to wild inflated claims as to how much money Amherser-Busch reportedly lost over the deal. At most, Bud Light saw a year-on-year decrease of around 10% during the second quarter of 2023. However, the brand remains one of America’s top beer products.
Lil Tecca burst onto the scene when he was just 16 years old. His song “Ransom” was a viral hit that ultimately thrust him into superstardom. At the time, numerous artists were experiencing the pitfalls of becoming famous too fast. Overall, a lot of artists came and went within the blink of an eye. However, Tecca was one of the few from his era to keep it pushing. Despite a viral debut single, Tecca was able to build a fanbase organically, and to this day, he still can go platinum.
Back in the summer of 2023, Tecca dropped off a snippet to the track “500 lbs.” Subsequently, his fans did the rest and made it a viral trend on social media. This generated hype for the single, and it even led to the announcement of his new album TEC. The album was an immediate hit with fans, and now, he is about to embark on the HVN ON EARTH tour, which begins today in Dallas. SoFaygo, Tana, and Chow Lee are coming along for the ride, and it going to be an incredible time.
BERLIN, GERMANY – OCTOBER 26: Lil Tecca performs at Astra Kulturhaus on October 26, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Pedro Becerra/Redferns)
This past week, we got to speak with Lil Tecca about his upcoming tour and just how excited he is to go out and connect with his fans. After all of these years, Tecca has learned to love touring, because of just how close it brings him to his supporters. Not to mention, his new album is filled with bangers that he will now get to perform live for the first time. We also got to talk about his work with BNYX, Kodak Black, and even Ken Carson.
Lastly, we also got to get inside of the mind of Tecca, who has become a mentor for younger artists despite his young age. He grew up in the public eye, and it has given him insight into how the world works. You won’t want to miss what he has to say.
The following interview has been edited for length and clarity
Coming into your album TEC, what were you looking to accomplish or maybe even prove?
I was trying to accomplish a more mature project. I was definitely trying to push myself forward that I have before and take certain risks. Talking about certain topics that I haven’t before, and just like, actually lay out a story instead of laying out a bunch of songs.
Right away you kicked off the rollout with the “500 lbs” snippet which was going viral on social media, how important are snippets in generating hype for your work?
I think it’s very cool. But I don’t really have much of a big part to play when it comes to viral stuff. It’s really just my fans. And it’s really just the people that actually support me that’s willing to make these videos and willing to drop, like whatever they got to do to tell everyone this is the next big song or whatever it is that they do. You know, yeah, I definitely think it’s a great benefit. But I don’t have much of a part to play as my fans.
Do you feel like there is pressure to deliver when a song does go viral before you release it?
No, not really, because I have like a common understanding with my supporters. And it’s like, magic, when you go to a restaurant, and you have a favorite steak that you order, you order that steak, you know what it’s gonna taste like, you know that seasoning, and you know, the vibe. So when I dropped the snippet that I know that they like, I know, they’re gonna like the whole thing, because it’s been this common understanding going on for so long.
A large part of the virality of that song is just how catchy the hook is. Your whole career you have been an extremely consistent hook writer. Everything you put out stays stuck in your ear. What is your approach to writing hook and how do you keep your batting average so high?
I’m into melody more than I’m into lyrics. So my approach to songwriting isn’t even writing the songs, it’s writing a melody. How can I write a melody that’s going to stick into your head that it doesn’t matter what I say, on top of this melody? The words are just kind of like the part of the building blocks to the whole platform, but the platform has the ability.
The beats on this album are on another level. I know you got to work with BNYX. What do you think makes him a special producer?
I think he knows what he’s good at. And he doubles down on it every time and then when he’s like, okay, they done heard what I’m good at, he triples down on that. And he also incorporates new things that he hasn’t done before that makes his beats fresh. So it’s very easy for someone like him to stand out.
How do you go about choosing beats?
It’s really a feeling when I hear the beat and say okay, what do I feel when I hear this beat? Like, do I have to hop on this like, is it leaving me no choice but to make a song with this beat? What I’m saying is if I feel like if there is a better option, I choose the better option, but it’s really just like a feeling thing.
Speaking on one of your BNYX collabs, HVN ON EARTH, you got to work with Kodak Black, explain what that process was like.
Well, back to the beat, I made the beat to that song. So it was kind of just like a let me cook up real quick. BNYX sent me the melody and I just did some drums on it. And then when I made the song, I knew it was fire, because it was a song that I had written in my notes for a few days before I even recorded it. And then it kind of sounded incomplete when I made my version of it, so I’m like, Okay, let’s get someone to put on there. And Kodak was there.
You also got to work with Ken Carson. A very different artist. How did you two link up for that one?
We have so many songs, that was just really one of the songs that ended up on my shit. We linked up because I hit him up in like 2021, or whatever the year was, and we done made hella songs since then.
Compared to other projects, how have you changed the way you approach the creative process?
It’s, it’s almost the instinct thing. At this point, I’ve made so many songs, and I’ve tried so many different things that it’s like, I can almost choose how I want to create music, I can either simulate the process, and just listen to how it comes back after, like, I wasn’t even there when I made it. Or I can sit down, take my phone and write it down. But the process itself is always instinct. It’s not a process you can really articulate unless there actually is a step-by-step guide on how someone writes their music, but for me I just don’t get in the way of the creation. Because I feel like all songs that I’ve ever made are just kind of like, set through me know, I’m just the delivery person of the song.
500 lbs just went platinum. What does that mean to you to still be getting accolades and support from your fans?
It means the world bro, like I wouldn’t be anything without my fans. Like, that’s, that’s just the truth of it. So to see that, like, they’re happy with the work that I’ve been working on. It’s a very good feeling, because I work very hard on it.
That brings me to my next question which is a lot of artists come and go. When you’re young, you can come in with a viral track and then all of a sudden, you fade into obscurity. But you’ve been able to remain consistent and your fans love you. What has been the key to success for you?
Just my fans, like all artists, we’re all out here working. We’re all making music. We’re all trying to contribute to our vision, but it’s just my fans that actually allow me to do what I do and call it successful. Like in in my world, the people that show up for you, that’s your points. Like, like in basketball, the amount of times you score on the field, that’s your points. In my field, the amount of people that will show for you, that’s how much you score. So my fans they really just, they show up for me. They’re like, we’re going to make sure you win. And when I win, my fans win and when my fans win, I will.
You’re about to embark on the HVN On Earth Tour. How excited are you to see your fans and connect with them?
That’s the best part of the tour. It’s not even, it’s not even to get to see all these places that I wouldn’t see without music. It is to get to see my fans. Because we’re all people at the end of the day, and we all go through what we go through no matter who you are. But when I’m in front of that crowd, and I’m actually seeing the impact that I’ve made in real-time, none of that shit matters.
How do you feel as though you’ve developed as a performer over these last few years?
I think I’ve actually fell in love with performing just from it being such an essential part of my industry. If you want to be fine, you better like this. And you better get good at it. So just practice and actually treat the stage like the studio and actually like feeling at home when I’m there. And especially it makes it way easier when the fans know your songs and they’re jumping and giving you that energy.
What has been the scariest part about touring for you?
Literally just the act of performing because I’ve never even done a talent show. And I’ve never even been to a show. My first ever concert I’ve ever been to was my own. So I’ve had no kind of background knowledge on what the experience would be like, such as going on tour and knowing that I’m going to be around the whole US where everybody feels different about songs like okay, but I got to just lock in.
Throughout your time touring in the past, what has been your craziest touring experience?
I don’t know about craziest tour experience. But one thing I always wanted to do was go to Japan and music brought me to Japan, specifically a tour. So that’s probably like, the craziest thing that’s, that’s happened to me.
You will be touring with SoFaygo, Tana, and Chow Lee, what made you want to bring those three artists along?
They’re fired. And I think that the crowd actually would understand that type of music the same way they understand one. So it’s like, why not bring some people that could you know, people that might not know who they are could could hear their music. And it actually makes sense. It’s not like I’m bringing in a boom bap rapper on stage where they’re in front of a bunch of people that won’t like their music, you know, I’m trying to put people in front of people that will like it. So it’s like a good experience for everybody. And I like their music, too. So that’s why they’re there for real.
When you came onto the scene you were a teenager, what have you learned the most in the last four years?
Do what I say I’m going to do? On time.
Younger artists look up to you as someone with experience in the music world. Do you find there is pressure to be an influence or a role model, especially when you’re still relatively so young?
No, I don’t feel no pressure to be like a role model to anyone that wants to follow my steps, because you can follow my steps from the beginning. Like, there’s no hidden history with me. So you can see my mistakes that I’ve made. And you can see the things that went right for me, there’s a step-by-step guide on how I done glowed up. So if you want to follow me, how can you not when you work for me? So I lead nobody down the wrong path. If you follow me, you’re gonna win.
You dropped an album just five months ago. Are you already planning your next release?
My next album already almost done.
When all is said and done, what do you want fans to take away from your career?
That I’m deadass just a young n**** that likes music and somehow ended up here. And if you like something, you can end up somewhere with it. Because I’m the proof of it. And I knew nobody in this damn music industry. I’m the person to know now. So just go crazy.
VULTURES 1 has a ton of features and big-name producers across its 16-song tracklist. Kanye West has always been viewed as a master curator. He knows the perfect artist for every track and how to complement them even further with the beat. However, on his newest LP with Ty Dolla $ign, it has not been as praised nearly as much. Kanye’s fans are stanning it, but there is a huge crowd that is not jiving with it. The lyrical content is perhaps one of the biggest gripes people have with the record, as well as some of the mixing. “BACK TO ME” is seen as a highlight for some, mainly due to the Freddie Gibbsfeature. The production on the track is fairly lackluster. But, what if Kanye West, Freddie Gibbs, and The Alchemist were all on the track instead?
Well, according to HipHopDX, that exists in the music universe. There has been a snippet that is continuing to make the rounds on X. It only lasts for about nine seconds. However, in just that short time frame, this Ye and Gibbs collab sounds much more refined.
It has a 90s East Coast feel to it with the dusty and twinkling piano keys. This would Kanye and The Alchemist’s first song together if it does drop. Hopefully, there is chance this all part of one of the next two VULTURES that are due in the next two months. Fans are certainly enjoying it. One person says, “This Ye, Freddie Gibbs and Alchemist snippet is sending me to space.” Someone else comments, “This would’ve made vultures 20x better lol.”
What are your thoughts on this Kanye West, Freddie Gibbs, and The Alchemist teaser? Do you think this would be a better track than “BACK TO ME?” What is your current on opinion on VULTURES 1 and why? Do you see this song actually dropping? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to tell us in the comments below. Additionally, keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Kanye West, Freddie Gibbs, and The Alchemist. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the world of music.
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Tina Turner’s What’s Love Got To Do With It, a brand new suite of special edition albums are to be released on April 26. The 4CD/1DVD boxed set will include the original album remastered on CD1, with CD2 featuring a collection of edits, remixes and acapella. CD3 and CD4 features Turner’s live show at the Blockbuster Pavilion in 1993 remastered, which can also be watched on the DVD along with three music videos. The boxed set also includes a poster and a 24-page booklet. Additional album formats include a 1-LP and 2-CD and is available to stream digitally. Pre-order here.
Originally released on June 15, 1993, What’s Love Got To Do With Itwas a commercial and critical success. The album was the soundtrack for the Tina Turner biographical film of the same name and reached No.1 in the UK, also making the top 10 in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Canada, and the top 20 in the US. The album went on to be a platinum record across the world, including the US, UK and Switzerland. It was a collection of songs, some of which were re-recorded from Turner’s ‘Ike & Tina Turner’ period, including “A Fool In Love,” as well as five brand new songs, one of which – “I Don’t Wanna Fight” – became a top 10 hit in both the US and UK. The album also includes Turner’s version of The Trammps’ disco classic “Disco Inferno,” a song she had often performed live in concert in the late 70s but never previously recorded in the studio. Two tracks from her 1984 breakthrough solo album Private Dancer are also included – the title track and a different re-mixed version of “I Might Have Been Queen.”
Turner has sold over 200 million records and has had 10 UK top 10 hit singles and nine UK top 10 albums and was the first female artist to have a top 40 hit in six consecutive decades in the UK. Her albums combined are 20x platinum in the UK and 9x platinum in the US whilst also achieving huge sales throughout the rest of the world. She has won eight Grammy® Awards and has been nominated for 25. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame® in 1991 and has stars on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame and St. Louis Walk of Fame. Her 1988 Break Every Rule tour broke the world record for the largest paying audience at a solo concert, with 184,000 at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro, and Rolling Stone Magazine named her No.17 on the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time and No.63 on the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Frankie Beverly, along with Maze, gears up for their last tour together with the “I Wanna Thank You Farewell Tour,” commencing on March 22, 2024, in Atlanta, GA, at the State Farm Arena.
The tour will span major cities such as Mobile, Houston, Chicago, and Los Angeles, culminating on May 12, 2024, at the KIA Forum. After over 50 years of crafting classic hits, Beverly plans to retire later this year.
Produced by the Black Promoters Collective (BPC), known for their successful urban tours, this final journey celebrates Beverly’s illustrious career. Recently honored with the Urban One Living Legend Honor, Beverly will complete the tour with major city stops, including a street renaming ceremony in Philadelphia.
Despite Beverly’s retirement, Maze will continue to tour as Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly, with Tony Lindsay as the lead vocalist. Their goal remains unchanged: to entertain crowds and create an unforgettable live concert experience with their iconic hits.
3/22/2024 – State Farm Arena, Atlanta GA 4/6/2024 – Mobile County Fairgrounds, Mobile AL 4/13/2024 – Toyota Arena, Houston TX 4/27/2024 – United Center, Chicago IL 5/12/2024 – KIA Forum, Los Angeles CA
Musical legends Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg electrified the Super Bowl afterparty in Las Vegas with a surprise performance, marking the launch of Gin & Juice By Dre and Snoop, their premium ready-to-drink product.
“Together, we always try to create magic, we’re having fun being creative, and everything about this product is really us,” says Dr. Dre. “There’s passion behind it, and friendship and love and a culture. We’re shooting to make everything we do magnificent, and fortunately, most of the time we hit the target.”
“Look where we’re at in our careers,” says Snoop Dogg. “Look at our age and look at what we’ve done, and we still love each other, so why not do something together? A lot of times people have been in a relationship for thirty years and can’t talk to each other, can’t hang out, so it’s just fun to be in a partnership with people that you actually love.”
The new venture celebrates three decades since their iconic hit “Gin & Juice” and the 30th anniversary of Snoop’s album Doggystyle. The canned cocktails, available in flavors like Citrus and Melon, pay homage to the classic song and promise an innovative drinking experience. Distributed nationally through Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, the brand, led by industry veterans, aims to redefine the spirits market with its distinctive offerings.
Druski emerged as the ultimate winner Super Bowl Sunday, clinching $1 million on PrizePicks during the game. His victory came after competing against fellow celebrities like Meek Mill, Cam Newton, Josh Hart, and Suga Sean in the PrizePicks Super Sweat contest.
REFORM Alliance, the leading criminal justice reform organization, proudly announces the appointment of Wallace “Wallo267” Peeples as its Chief Marketing Officer. Peeples, a former rapper and co-host of the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast, brings his unique perspective from serving 20 years in prison to drive REFORM’s marketing initiatives.
“I am honored to be taking on this role at REFORM and for the opportunity to help uplift system-impacted communities with new resources and programs,” said Wallace Peeples. “My firsthand experience with the parole and probation system I believe is key to helping advance REFORM’s mission.”
With his vast social media following and storytelling skills, Peeples aims to amplify the voices of those impacted by the criminal justice system. His appointment marks a strategic move for REFORM as it continues advocating for transformative laws and culture changes.
As CMO, Peeples will oversee REFORM’s marketing strategy, social media presence, and creative campaigns. His firsthand experience with the system will inform his efforts to raise awareness and drive impact. The appointment coincides with REFORM’s 5th anniversary and its significant achievements in passing legislation and aiding hundreds of thousands of individuals.
“We’re so excited to have Wallo267 join REFORM as our new Chief Marketing Officer,” said REFORM CEO Robert Rooks. “Wallo267 is a son of Philadelphia, the city where REFORM Alliance was born. Through hard experience, he developed a life philosophy rooted in accountability, second chances, and never giving up. Today, he carries that message of hope to his millions of social media followers. He never forgets where he came from, and he’s used his vast reach and influence to shine a light on people the world too often ignores. I’m grateful that he’ll use his unique skills to bring REFORM’s work and mission to an even wider audience and to support our work of transforming probation and parole.”
To celebrate the appointment, Peeples debuted as CMO at REFORM’s Super Bowl weekend activation, joined by celebrity supporters including Meek Mill, Michael Rubin, Robert Kraft, and others. The appointment underscores REFORM’s commitment to leveraging diverse perspectives to reform the justice system.
Peeples’ journey from incarceration to advocacy embodies REFORM’s ethos of empowering system-impacted individuals. His leadership promises to propel REFORM’s marketing efforts to new heights, ensuring that the stories of those affected by the system are heard nationwide.
| UFC boss Dana White bizarrely storms off podcast after being told he’s an ‘amazing person’. 
(@CrAstro2) 
