The Joe Budden Podcast often has pretty hot takes about Drake given its titular host, but no one can say that they don’t give due credit… Albeit a little late in some fans’ eyes. Moreover, the cohort was discussing the Lil Wayne and Kendrick LamarSuper Bowl situation during a recent episode, and they eventually circled around to how Drizzy might have had more shots in the tank had Kendrick Lamar not won the battle. Budden even assessed that “Family Matters” “ends the rest of y’all” in a rap beef, referring to other MCs. While he thought the Kendrick diss track was hard on impact, that’s even more clear in hindsight.
Still, it doesn’t change the notion that Kendrick Lamar’s “meet the grahams” and “Not Like Us” completely knocked the wind out of Drake’s “Family Matters.” The Joe Budden Podcast‘s conversation around this begins at around the 3:15-minute mark of the Twitter clip below. There’s still a debate over who “won” the beef, especially with the 6ix God’s UMG and Spotify petition in consideration. That’s another aspect that the podcast recently discussed with a wide range of interpretations.
What’s more is that pretty much everything that Kendrick Lamar and Drake do will have folks reaching for disses and looking back on how their battle aged. A perfect recent example is the Compton lyricist’s feature on SZA’s SOS deluxe LANA, specifically on the track “30 For 30.” A lot of fans drew connections between some of his bars on the record and potential references to the OVO mogul, but it’s not clear cut enough to really make heads or tails of. After all, so many bars on there could be interpreted in so many different ways that a sole conclusion feels limited.
Meanwhile, with more Drake music coming soon, we’re sure that this practice will continue for the rest of his and Kendrick Lamar’s careers. Their new moves provide more context and retrospective knowledge regarding their diss tracks, so reevaluations and less reactionary assessments will unsurprisingly follow suit. But nothing will change the impact of when “Family Matters” and “meet the grahams” dropped within minutes of each other.
Believe it or not, d4vd, Houston, Texas singer-songwriter, has not put out a debut album yet. He’s been in the industry for about three years now, but he’s held back from putting out a true LP. The “Romantic Homicide” artist does have a collection of EPs (Petals to Thorns, The Lost Petals, etc.) and whole slew of singles. But it seems he’s inching slightly closer to pulling the trigger with this new record, “Where’d it Go Wrong?” which hit streaming platforms this weekend.
According to Genius, it will be titled Withered, and a 2025 release looks to be the most realistic expectation right now. With that said, a specific day has yet to be revealed. But this song should tide fans over for a bit as it’s one of d4vd’s most personal ones to date. Part of the reason why is because according to Hypebeast, the 19-year-old Darkroom signee recorded this track at his childhood home in his closet. In terms of the equipment, he went back to his stripped back and raw roots by using BandLab and his iPhone. D4vd shared with the outlet how much it meant to him to lay down this single in this fashion. “This song reminded me why I’ve always loved making music on my own.” The passion is certainly there on all fronts, so make sure you check it out below.
And I don’t really want your love no more, I swear, ’cause I don’t need it And I don’t mean to be conceited But I’m the reason you’re still breathin’ I’ll stop picking up your calls, ’cause you won’t stop screamin’ Is it love or lust? I can tell you’re feenin’ And I don’t wanna hurt your feelings
As far as musical year wind downs go, Spotify has Wrapped and Apple Music has Replay. At Uproxx’s we have our Best Albums and Best Songs list. Still, annually the most discussed curated collection tends to come from former president Barack Obama. Yesterday (December 21), Obama shared his Favorite Music of 2024 playlist and in typical fashion users online are divided.
Last year’s list featured a plethora of rap and R&B goodies. This year’s collection spreads the love among country, reggaeton, pop, Afrobeats, and indie rock. Atop the list is Kendrick Lamar’s most recent No. 1 hit “Squabble Up.” Bangers from Billie Eilish, Beyoncé, Fontaines D.C., Shaboozey, and Karol G also made the cut.
See the full list below.
Kendrick Lamar – “Squabble Up”
Billie Eilish – “Lunch”
Rema – “Yayo”
Tyla, Gunna & Skillibeng – “Jump”
Central Cee & Lil Baby – “Band4band”
Ezra Collective & Yazmin Lacey – “God Gave Me Feet for Dancing”
The Red Clay Strays – “Ramblin’”
Fontaines D.C. – “Favourite”
Asake & Travis Scott – “Active”
Shaboozey – “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
Bonny Light Horseman – “Old Dutch”
Rae Khalil – “Is It Worth It”
Beyoncé – “Texas Hold ‘Em”
Jordan Adetunji – “Kehlani”
Artemas – “I Like the Way You Kiss Me”
Johnny Blue Skies – “Scooter Blues”
Hozier – “Too Sweet”
Leon Bridges – “Peaceful Place”
Tommy Richman – “Million Dollar Baby”
Waxahatchee & MJ Lenderman – “Right Back to It”
Myles Smith – “Stargazing”
Jack White – “That’s How I’m Feeling”
Moses Sumney – “Gold Coast”
Karol G – “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”
FloyyMenor & Cris MJ – “Gata Only”
The Air Jordan 4 RM “Chrome” is the latest addition to Jordan Brand’s lineup, designed exclusively for women. First, the sleek colorway combines clean white uppers with bold chrome accents for a modern look. The shiny metallic finish on the overlays adds a futuristic vibe. Next, the subtle grid pattern on the chrome panels gives the shoe a unique texture. To enhance comfort, the sneaker features a padded collar and tongue. Meanwhile, the lightweight midsole provides cushioning for all-day wear. The translucent rubber outsole complements the design while ensuring durability. Small details like the silver Jumpman logo on the heel elevate the premium aesthetic.
Transitioning to versatility, the “Chrome” colorway is perfect for both casual wear and special occasions. The mix of metallic and neutral tones makes it easy to style. On-foot photos reveal just how striking the chrome details look under different lighting. Finally, as a women’s exclusive, this Air Jordan 4 RM stands out in its elegance and contemporary appeal. With its bold design and luxe touches, the “Chrome” colorway is set to turn heads. Fans can expect this release to be a must-have for sneaker enthusiasts and fashion lovers alike.
These sneakers feature a seafoam outsole paired with a light midsole, including a Nike Air unit for extra comfort. Additionally, the uppers are crafted from white leather, combined with chrome overlays creating a shiny look. Sail laces and a matching tongue complete the simple color palette. The tongues showcase black Jordan Brand logos, while the heels display “Nike Air” branding in chrome grey, providing a subtle yet bold contrast to the overall design.
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Sneaker Bar Detroit reports that the Air Jordan 4 RM “Chrome” will be released in the spring of 2025. Also, the retail price of the sneakers will be $150 when they are released.
2024 was a big year for hip-hop. Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s viral lyrical battle thrust the genre into the spotlight, for one, leaving even non-hip-hop-heads with no choice but to weigh in. On top of this, Diddy’s arrest, his long list of disturbing allegations, and mansion raids also went mainstream. This marked the start of what will likely be a long and complex legal battle.
He’s far from the only hip-hop artist to make headlines for their legal issues this year, however. Lil Durk was also arrested for alleged murder-for-hire conspiracy and remains behind bars facing a hefty sentence if convicted. Young Thug, on the other hand, saw the chaotic YSL trial come to an end and was finally released. Check out a breakdown of these moments, and a few more of the biggest hip-hop moments of the year down below.
Kendrick Lamar performs during the 60th Annual Grammy Awards at Madison Square Garden. Usp Entertainment 60th Annual Grammy Awards. Robert Deutsch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In March of this year, Future and Metro Boomin unleashed their eagerly anticipated collaborative album, We Don’t Trust You. The project boasts various high-profile features, including a verse from Kendrick Lamar on “Like That.” In it, K. Dot disses both Drake and J Cole, shutting down the latter’s “First Person Shooter” claim that they make up the “big three.” This ignited what would become an explosive and viral lyrical battle between Kendrick and Drake, who responded a few weeks later with his track “Push Ups.” Ultimately, the two of them went back and forth for a while until things reached an ugly peak.
Drake dropped “Family Matters” in May, accusing Kendrick of domestic violence and more. Kendrick responded within the hour with “Meet The Grahams,” addressing Drake’s son directly and leaving fans in shambles. Less than 24 hours later, Kendrick put the final nail in the coffin by releasing “Not Like Us.” In it, he alleges that Drake and his OVO crew are sexual predators. This quickly became a massive hit, which Kendrick later performed at his LA “Pop Out” show surrounded by peers. This feud has been dominating headlines for some time now and continues to even months later. Several of the rappers’ peers have jumped into the mix too, making for a feud that’s sure to be discussed for years to come.
Diddy’s Disturbing Allegations, Home Raids, And Arrest
Feb 4, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Recording artist P. Diddy a/k/a Sean Combs prior to the game between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium. Brad Rempel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In November 2023, Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Cassie filed a lawsuit against the Bad Boy founder, which contained countless disturbing allegations. She accused him of sexual assault, abuse, and much more. Almost immediately, they settled, but this was far from the end of his legal issues. Diddy went on to be hit with several other lawsuits from individuals making similarly shocking allegations against him. In March of this year, his mansions in LA and Miami were raided by federal agents.
In September, the mogul was arrested in NYC, where he remains behind bars for charges related to alleged sex trafficking, racketeering, and more. An unsealed federal indictment shows that authorities accuse him of forcing people to participate in drug-fueled sex parties called “freak offs,” using blackmail to silence his alleged victims, and much more. Diddy is currently awaiting a trial which is expected to begin in May 2025. He’s maintained his innocence, denying all allegations aside from the 2016 assault of Cassie captured by hotel surveillance cameras.
Young Thug attends a dinner celebrating his album “Punk” on October 25, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
In May 2022, Young Thug and various other YSL affiliates were arrested as part of a 56-count indictment. Authorities accused the Atlanta rapper of leading a criminal street gang, and he was facing serious time behind bars if convicted. Following a long and chaotic trial, however, Young Thug finally decided to accept a plea deal and was released In October of this year. As part of the deal, he’ll spend 15 years on probation and can’t communicate with any alleged gang members or YSL affiliates, on top of various other release conditions.
Following over two years in prison, however, Young Thug and his supporters were thrilled with the verdict. Immediately, social media users praised his lawyer Brian Steel for his work and began to anticipate what’s next for Young Thug. This is still unclear, though he has since been spotted in the studio alongside peers like Travis Scott, Lil Baby, and Future.
Lil Durk’s Arrest For Alleged Murder-For-Hire
Rapper Lil Durk performs during Morehouse & Spelman College Homecoming 2023 at Morehouse College on October 25, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)
In October of this year, Lil Durk was arrested in Florida for alleged murder-for-hire conspiracy. His arrest took place hours after five alleged OTF affiliates were arrested. Authorities believe they were allegedly paid to carry out the murder of Quando Rondo in retaliation for the 2020 murder of King Von. In 2022, Quando Rondo and his cousin Lul Pab were targeted in a shooting at a Los Angeles gas station. Quando Rondo walked away unscathed while Lul Pab succumbed to his injuries.
In December, he was linked to yet another alleged murder-for-hire, this time concerning the 2022 death of Stephon Mack. Authorities believe his fatal shooting was allegedly carried out in retaliation for the 2021 murder of Durk’s brother Dontay “DThang” Banks. They accuse the rapper of offering payments to eliminate witnesses, but he’s not been formally charged for this. Durk remains behind bars in LA for his alleged crimes, and reportedly, could face a life sentence if convicted. Per U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Donahue’s orders, he will await trial in custody. His trial has been scheduled to begin on January 7 of next year. According to ABC7, however, it’s “expected to be postponed.”
Rich Homie Quan performs during the inaugural 2024 Gazebo Festival at Waterfront Park on May 25, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images)
Hip-hop fans said goodbye to several artists in 2024, and while they’re no longer with us, they certainly won’t be forgotten. In September of this year, for example, Rich Homie Quan passed away at the age of 34 in Atlanta. The Fulton County Medical Examiner soon ruled his death an accidental overdose. According to TMZ, various substances including fentanyl, alprazolam, codeine, and promethazine were in his system at the time of death. After his passing, Quan’s father Corey Lamar revealed that he had an entire full-length album on the way when he died. In October, his estate unveiled his first posthumous album, Forever Goin In, featuring 35 tracks worth of previously unreleased material.
In June, 26-year-old 1017 signee Enchanting also passed away unexpectedly after it was revealed that she’d been placed on life support. The tragic and untimely loss hit the hip-hop community hard and left her supporters devastated. The Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed that she too died of an accidental overdose. Reportedly, oxycodone and benzodiazepines were found in the young artist’s system. “She lived her life with grace and blessed so many with friendship, laughter and love,” the Texas rapper’s family fondly recalled in a statement.
Weeks after Enchanting’s passing, Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio passed away after a shooting at his 26th birthday party. Five suspects were later identified and four were taken into custody. The state of Florida plans to seek the death penalty for three of them. Other notable hip-hop figures who passed away in 2024 include Rico Wade, Ka, DJ Mister Cee, Fatman Scoop, DJ Clark Kent, and more.
Killer Mike Gets Arrested After Grammys Sweep
Killer Mike performs during the 2024 The Thing Festival at Remlinger Farms on August 10, 2024 in Carnation, Washington. (Photo by Astrida Valigorsky/WireImage)
In February of this year, Killer Mike took home various Grammys for his sixth studio album, MICHAEL. He won an award for Best Rap Album, as well as Best Rap Song and Rap Performance for his track with Andre 3000, Future, and Eryn Allen Kane, “SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS.” The impressive sweep came as a surprise to many and led to plenty of debate amongst social media users.
Shortly after his big wins, however, footage of him being led out of the ceremony in handcuffs hit the internet. Reportedly, he’d been booked for misdemeanor battery after an alleged altercation with a security guard who refused to let him in the venue. He later addressed the debacle on The View. “All of my heroes have been in handcuffs,” he said at the time. “[Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Medgar Evers]. I walked out with the same dignity and respect that I walked in with, and I would implore people to just take that from it. Don’t dwell on the bad stuff.”
Drake performs onstage during “Lil Baby & Friends Birthday Celebration Concert” at State Farm Arena on December 9, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
Months after Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s heated feud reached its peak, the latter made one of his most controversial moves yet by taking legal action against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify. In a pre-action petition filed in November, he accused the companies of artificially boosting Kendrick’s diss track “Not Like Us” using bots and payola. “UMG did not rely on chance, or even ordinary business practices,” the filing alleges in part, per Billboard. “It instead launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves.” Drake also accuses UMG of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, deceptive business practices, and false advertising.
Unsurprisingly, this sparked a major debate among fans and peers. Some believe he has a real chance of exposing alleged corruption in the music industry. Others think the petition makes him look jealous of Kendrick’s success. Hours after it was filed, UMG released a statement denying the allegations. “The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue,” it reads. “We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”
Jay-Z Accused Of Sexually Assaulting 13-Year-Old With Diddy
Nov 24, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Recording artist Jay-Z walks on the field before the game between the Washington Commanders and the Dallas Cowboys at Northwest Stadium. Peter Casey / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In December, an anonymous woman amended a lawsuit she’d filed against Diddy in October, adding new allegations against Jay-Z. She alleges that they both sexually assaulted her at a party in 2000 when she was 13 years old. The woman is being represented by Tony Buzbee, a Houston-based lawyer already representing several of Diddy’s accusers. The Roc Nation founder quickly fired back amid the allegations. He even hit Buzbee with some of his own in a lengthy statement.
In it, he accuses Buzbee of blackmail, being a “fraud,” and more. Jay-Z and his attorney Alex Spiro sued Buzbee for alleged extortion before he was named in the anonymous woman’s lawsuit. They allege that he came to them and “threatened to unleash entirely fabricated and malicious allegations of sexual assault” if they didn’t comply with his demands.
Dr. Dre Finally Secures Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame
Feb 5, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dr. Dre accepts the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award during the 65th Annual Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In March, Dr. Dre was honored for his invaluable contributions to hip-hop with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Friends and collaborators like Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Jimmy Iovine, Eminem, and more were in attendance to celebrate and hear the producer’s heartfelt speech. In it, the Compton native reflected on his career, making a living doing what he loves, and more.
“Over the course of my career, I’ve had the privilege of finding and nurturing new talent as well as pushing the boundaries in hip-hop both in content and substance,” he said in part. “But I’m most proud of elevating the sound and clarity of how we experience hip-hop. Getting that thing right is one of my greatest achievements. I love that this honor is unique to Los Angeles and brings fans from all over the world to connect with their favorite artists. I’ll be here forever.”
Kendrick Lamar Surprise-Drops GNX
Apr 23, 2017; Indio, CA, USA; Kendrick Lamar performs during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club. Zoe Meyers / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In November, Kendrick Lamar took the world by surprise by dropping an entire album without warning, GNX. Rumors that he had something up his sleeve had been circulating for months before the release. It left his supporters in shambles regardless and has since been a major success.
It sold a whopping 319K album-equivalent units in its first week, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. It’s the fifth No. 1 album of Kendrick’s career and the sixth-biggest debut week for an album in 2024. Shortly after the release, the Compton rapper also unveiled a reference-packed music video for “squabble up,” paying homage to the West Coast.
Longtime fans of Brooklyn MC Casanova are being treated to new music still. It’s quite the feat for him given his current situation. For those who are out of the loop, the veteran is currently in the midst of serving 15 years plus an additional eight months in prison for racketeering and narcotics charges. When he was handed down his legal punishment, Casanova quickly came to terms with it. “Everything to the chin. Nothing to the heart. I GET IT NOW. I hope that don’t go over ya heads.” It seems that the latter half of that message was really important because I GET IT NOW is the name of his new project.
It’s his third project of his career, and first since 2019’s Behind These Scars. It features a nice cast of characters, including Joey Bada$$, KayCyy, Kevin Ross, and YXNG K.A. It’s 12 tracks and leading up to its release, there were two singles to promote it. “Forgive Me Father,” the now-candid opener got the rollout underway, with “Calm Down” featuring YXNG K.A following behind it. Fun fact: the lead-off track was Casanova’s first solo release in over three years. On this tape, he’s getting a little more personal, does some reflecting, and keeps it real as he usually does. See if he updated his resume in strong fashion by checking out I GET IT NOW, below.
In recent months, fans have heard countless concerning reports about beloved former talk show host Wendy Williams. In February, it was revealed that she’d previously been diagnosed with dementia and aphasia. Lifetime‘s controversial docuseries Where Is Wendy Williams? also gave viewers a look at some of her lowest points, leaving them worried about her current state. Her guardian Sabrina Morrissey accuses the doc’s producers of exploiting Williams, describing her as “permanently incapacitated” in a lawsuit against A+E Networks this month.
Fortunately, it looks like Williams is in better condition than many of her supporters previously believed. Earlier this week, she was spotted at her son Kevin Hunter Jr.’s college graduation ceremony. She wore a big smile as she supported him from the crowd, and even went out afterwards to celebrate. Based on footage shared recently by the We In Miami podcast, she was in good spirits, enjoying Jamaican food, giving out Christmas gifts to her family members, and more.
“She was mentally very sharp,” host Stunt Lifestyle said of the event. “I didn’t see any signs of mental decline. I had several conversations with Wendy. She was cracking jokes, she made everybody laugh… It was the Wendy that we all know and love. Her family really pampered her. They had a whole wellness day, mani-pedi, private chef, everything. She had so much fun. She appeared to be physically in good shape too, she had a scooter for her foot, but she got up and she was walking around.”
This isn’t the first time Williams has been spotted looking well recently, however. Earlier this month, she was also seen picking up some food from the restaurant Sho’nuff Oysters in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She smiled as a fan recognized and greeted her from the back of a black SUV, seeming cheerful and put together.
The West Coast obviously has a lot to say about Kendrick Lamar’s Drake diss track “Not Like Us.” That’s not only because of their support of K.Dot in the battle, but because of how much the track pays homage and reference to Los Angeles gang culture in various forms and puts it in a different context. Cali rappers D Smoke and The Game recently sat down for an interview with Rocsi Diaz, during which they ranked out the best hits from the West and spoke on the Mustard-produced chart-topper in particular. Smoke started things off with a pretty solid summary.
“Kendrick has such a special place in the West,” D Smoke expressed concerning Kendrick Lamar and his “Not Like Us” diss track. “Because everything that gang culture established for the West, Kendrick, on one hand, continues the camaraderie element of gang culture, but he elevates it to this intellectual, loving, Malcolm-Martin kind of perspective.” “I think Kendrick does the best job possible at explaining who we are, what we are,” The Game added. “Even though we have this stigma on us as a culture, he does an amazing job at explaining to the world how and why they should understand why we are the way that we are.”
D Smoke & The Game Speak On Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”
The Game & D Smoke rank LA Anthems
Talks about Kendrick Lamar & Not Like Us
The Game also gets emotional & starts to cry speaking about what he do it for, his daughter. & doesn’t care about getting left out the conversation & off Murals pic.twitter.com/9aClw2JqFf
“He’s not just one of the best rappers ever,” D Smoke added about Kendrick Lamar. “He’s one of the best artists ever. If you look at the intent behind his projects, the musicality, it’s not something you can do independent of the artist. If the artist doesn’t have that vision, the product won’t be what it is.” He and The Game agreed that “Not Like Us” is the fourth-best West Coast hit of all time, with some Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre classics plus Nipsey Hussle’s “Last Time That I Checc’d” landing elsewhere on their top six.
Still, this discussion around Kendrick Lamar is something that The Game admitted he feels left out of, as he doesn’t get the same amount of respect as other Cali legends. But he is much more focused on being a great father, something that he tearfully defended and emphasized during this interview. There is no greater joy.
Larry June is one of the kings of vibe in the modern hip-hop era. When he drops a track, project, or feature, you know what you’re going to get most of the time. While we mostly like to see artists expand their range and experiment (especially early on in their career), Uncle Larry is one of the exceptions. At this point, he’s far beyond needing to take any risks. He’s built an established brand and fan base, and most likely any sort of slight tweak to his formula would possibly upset a lot of people. Another reason why we appreciate him is due to his incredibly contagious aura and personality. He oozes confidence, swagger, and opulence. “Treasure Island,” his newest release displays all three of those traits and then some.
Making it an impressive cut is how he manages to do so with the little time June gives himself to play with. It’s just 1:55 long but thanks to the bars and calm production from Jake One (Drake, J. Cole, Chance the Rapper), it pulls it off with ease. We have to especially give a shout out to the latter, though. The wavy sound effects, background kid vocals, and synth-heavy outro all play with the boom-bap aesthetic very nicely. Larry’s bars about chasing success and a lavish lifestyle in the California hills are the cherry on top of the gold-flaked sundae and it’s got us replaying the track over and over. It seems like this will wind up being a loosie, especially based on Larry’s IG post about it. “Had to toss it up. F*** it ” Nonetheless, we enjoy it a lot and we hope that it finds a home on a tape.
Playboi Carti fans are still waiting on his new I AM MUSICalbum, a process that they grew uncomfortably into over the past four years. Many of them think that we are still far away from the LP given his evasiveness and broken promises before, whereas a few still believe that it could drop before 2024 ends in just a little over a week. The leader of this latter pack is DJ Akademiks, who let off multiple recent tweets alluding to the Atlanta rapper dropping before the year is out. Very few people actually believe this, but Whole Lotta Red was a 2020 Christmas gift, so it’s not an impossibility.
In fact, fans hold out more hope at press time than they have throughout Playboi Carti’s entire rollout, as I AM MUSIC preorders are now “ready to ship.” It’s unclear what this website update for vinyl box sets actually means, or if it will reflect the product that fans will supposedly receive on digital streaming platforms. Regardless, it’s a step in the right direction in fans’ eyes, and one that points to a very prompt release, albeit in a vague way.
In addition, Playboi Carti also recently linked up with Metro Boomin, which also excited fans who continue to demand a drop. Of course, we doubt that any hypothetical new collab between the two will make the final tracklist given the timeline, but you can never be too sure. Sonically, the St. Louis producer typically falls well outside of Carti’s usual pallets these days, but “Type S**t” was welcome proof that they can find common ground. As such, fans expect another banger on the way, although the question of when it will actually arrive becomes more cumbersome each week.
Meanwhile, Playboi Carti at least gave fans a taste of what to expect during his Rolling Loud set earlier in December, playing and performing many presumably upcoming I AM MUSIC tracks. They garnered big fans, especially for another teased collab with The Weeknd. We truly hope DJ Akademiks is correct, and our skepticism of his assessment has nothing to do with him and everything to do with what history has taught us.
” Nonetheless, we enjoy it a lot and we hope that it finds a home on a tape.