Today, global superstar USHER joined Apple Music Radio host Nadeska Alexis for the official Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show Press Conference in Las Vegas.
During the conversation USHER reflected on his 30-year career, taking the stage as the first independent artist to headline the Super Bowl, a scary moment from his 2011 Super Bowl cameo, his special relationship with the city of Las Vegas (future hotelier?), why his roller skates will be front and center this Sunday, and why he regrets never getting ‘slimed’ on Nickelodeon.
This morning, Apple Music also unveiled the short film Where’s USHER? The film, scored to 14 of USHER’s hits, showcases a wild journey through Las Vegas as Ludacris, Taraji P. Henson, Lil Jon, Wesley Snipes, J Balvin, Anderson .Paak, and a truly incredible cast of characters “lose” USHER after an epic Vegas night out and work together to find the King of R&B in time for his career-defining performance at the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Grammy-winning hip-hop artist and humanitarian Rhymefest has unveiled his latest music project, “James & Nikki: A Conversation,” in honor of Black History Month. Developed in partnership with Golden State Entertainment (GSE), the project pays homage to the historic 1971 dialogue between literary giants James Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni.
“James & Nikki: A Conversation” features six talented female hip-hop artists engaging in dialogue with Rhymefest, including Brittney Carter, Helixx C. Armageddon, Teefa, Freddie Old Soul, EP Da Hellcat, and C-Red. Drawing inspiration from Baldwin and Giovanni’s conversation, the project aims to spark meaningful discourse and celebrate the voices of Black women in hip-hop.
This release marks Rhymefest’s inaugural project since signing with GSE in 2022 under a multi-project deal. GSE, the music, entertainment, and content arm of the Golden State Warriors, is dedicated to producing original content that transcends traditional boundaries and shares compelling narratives rooted in sports and entertainment culture.
Global Latin music icon Maluma has unveiled his latest single, “BLING BLING,” marking the beginning of DON JUAN Season 2. Inspired by the “happy corridos” movement pioneered by Mexican artist Octavio Cuadras, the song promises a fresh sound and captivating lyrics.
Produced by Edgar Barrera, Christian Alberto Gutiérrez, and Juan Diego González Bastidas, “BLING BLING” is a revamped version of the 2023 hit of the same name. With Maluma leading the charge alongside Octavio Cuadras and the group Marca Registrada, the track brings a new twist to the beloved original.
This release marks the first of many in DON JUAN Season 2, signaling Maluma’s ongoing commitment to delivering innovative and exciting music to his fans worldwide. “BLING BLING” is set to captivate listeners with its catchy beats and playful antics, showcasing Maluma’s versatility and creativity once again.
Award-winning producer Metro Boomin and multi-platinum rapper Coi Leray unveil an exciting collaboration with leading men’s grooming brand, AXE…a brand new track.
The dynamic duo have joined forces to show the power that scent plays in deepening attraction with the release of “Enjoy Yourself”, exclusively available on YouTube.
The debut of the track coincides with the release of AXE’s new Black Vanilla scent, the latest in the Fine Fragrance Collection lineup that launched last year, and includes award-winning scents Blue Lavender and Green Geranium. The Black Vanilla fragrance is light and subtle, yet deliciously addictive for that moment where you want someone craving more.
Brooklyn-born multiplatinum rapper Fivio Foreign returns with a bang, releasing his much-anticipated mixtape PAIN & LOVE 2 via Columbia Records. This sequel to his blockbuster original promises to deliver the same high-energy beats and raw lyricism that fans have come to love.
To celebrate the release, Fivio unveiled the music video for the latest single “TRAUMA (feat. Lil Tjay).” Directed by JLShotThat, the video captures the essence of New York street culture as Fivio and Tjay navigate a bowling alley surrounded by friends. The video emphasizes BET Jams and the Paramount Times Square billboards and adds visual depth to the track’s emotive narrative.
PAIN & LOVE 2 features ten tracks that showcase Fivio’s evolution as an artist. From the upbeat flow of the opener “WHO KNEW” to the ominous banger “CLUTCH,” Fivio demonstrates his versatility and mic prowess. Collaborations with artists like Popcaan on “THE BEST” and Rowdy Rebel on “PAIN PRESSURE” further highlight the mixtape’s diverse range of sounds and styles.
With PAIN & LOVE 2, Fivio Foreign solidifies his position as one of Brooklyn’s finest and showcases the stunning scope of his artistry, leaving fans eager for more.
Jazz has again begun to find its way into mainstream Hip-Hop. With the success of Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly, more artists have started to incorporate the classic brass and string jazz sound. On this day in Hip Hop history, one of the first jazz-fusion Hip-Hop albums, Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space) was released by Brooklyn-based trio Digable Planets in 1993.
Peaking at #81 on the Billboard 200, this successful debut introduced a fresh new element to the boom-bap scene in New York. With members hailing from all corners of the country (Butterfly from Seattle, Ladybug Mecca from Washington D.C., and Doodlebug from Philadelphia), Digable Planets was able to bring a unique flair to the conscious rap game. Although not as overtly political as the group follow up album, this project does touch on some controversial subjects such as abortion rights and artistic drug abuse. The album’s hit single “The Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” has become a Hip Hop classic. By peaking at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100, selling 500,000 copies in a year, and winning the Grammy for Best Rap Performance by Duo or Group, this single cemented its place in music history. The song is still used to this day in various advertisements, TV shows, and movies.
GRAMMY Award-winning artist Usher has unveiled his ninth studio album, COMING HOME, marking another milestone in his illustrious career. The album boasts collaborations with Burna Boy, Summer Walker, 21 Savage, Pheelz, Latto, H.E.R., and The-Dream, showcasing Usher’s versatility and enduring appeal in the music industry.
Released via mega, a music collective co-founded by Usher and L.A. Reid in partnership with gamma, COMING HOME is set to make waves in the music scene. gamma, an artist-first multimedia platform led by CEO Larry Jackson and President Ike Youssef, will exclusively distribute and market all music released by mega, further expanding Usher’s reach to fans worldwide.
Featuring hit singles like “Good Good” with 21 Savage and Summer Walker, which topped Billboard’s R&B Digital Song Sales Chart upon release, COMING HOME promises a dynamic listening experience. The album has already gained traction on various streaming platforms, including Spotify’s Are & Be and Apple Music’s R&B Now playlists.
“COMING HOME is an ode to going back to your roots, whatever or wherever that may be. I’m COMING HOME to where I’m comfortable in being exactly who I am right now. My hope is that you identify with the new album no matter where you are or what you’re going through, too”, states USHER.
“USHER’s latest album, COMING HOME, is a testament to his artistry and evolution as a musician. With each track, he invites listeners on a journey of self-discovery and reflection. USHER’s unparalleled talent shines through in every note, making COMING HOME a must-listen for fans old and new”, adds L.A. Reid.
“I am so proud of USHER not only as a world class entertainer, but also as someone that I’ve counted as a friend since we were teens. As a friend that has now fearlessly taken his career into his own hands,” said gamma. Co-Founder & CEO Larry Jackson. “With this new ninth studio album, he’s bravely unplugged from the matrix of the establishment and become one of the most powerful and important independent artists in the world. And doing it on his own terms. I have such deep admiration and respect for how he’s charting this chapter of his career, and all of us at gamma. could not be happier to count him as a partner as we work closely with mega to turbo charge this incredible moment at hand.”
To commemorate the album’s release, iHeartRadio will host a National World Premiere event featuring a 25-minute takeover across its network of Hip-Hop and R&B stations. Usher will share insights into the album’s creation process and the inspiration behind the music, offering fans an exclusive glimpse into the making of COMING HOME.
Big Homiie G has released his latest single, “Back From That,” featuring New Orleans native Rob49. The track, part of his upcoming project “Self Made Self Paid,” showcases G’s assertive lyrics, highlighting his resilience in the streets. With lines like “why you lie like we just chopped it, I don’t even talk like that,” G asserts his authenticity while Rob49 adds his high-energy drill style to the mix.
“Back From That” follows G’s previous singles “Blowing Money Fast” and “On A Jet,” setting the tone for his upcoming album. With a blend of hard-hitting beats and confident bars, G continues to solidify his presence in the rap scene. This forthcoming album will mark his third release, following the success of his deluxe version of “Speak Up G,” which featured collaborations with artists like BIG30 and KCarbon. G’s consistent stream of fiery singles, including “No Adlibs” and “Us,” has kept the momentum strong as he gears up for his latest project.
The State Farm All-Star Saturday lineup promises thrilling competition as participants for the Kia Skills Challenge, Starry 3-Point Contest, and AT&T Slam Dunk contest are revealed.
In the Kia Skills Challenge, teams will compete in a relay format, showcasing dribbling, passing, and shooting skills. Team Pacers will feature Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, and Myles Turner, while Team Top Picks includes Paolo Banchero, Anthony Edwards, and Victor Wembanyama. Team All-Stars comprises Scottie Barnes, Tyrese Maxey, and Trae Young.
The Starry 3-Point Contest boasts a stellar lineup with defending champion Damian Lillard leading the charge. Competitors include Trae Young, Lauri Markkanen, Malik Beasley, Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
In the AT&T Slam Dunk contest, fans can expect jaw-dropping aerial displays from Jacob Toppin, Mac McClung, Jaylen Brown, and Jaime Jaquez Jr.
The night will also have Stephen Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu in a one-on-one 3-point challenge.
The State Farm All-Star Saturday is set to electrify basketball fans with a showcase of talent and athleticism on February 17th, 2024.
