Amber

The hype is building. Playboi Carti has exited his cave and is creeping out of the shadows to deliver one of the most highly-anticipated albums in recent memory, inciting virtual riots and not stopping short of blood. The vampiric artist is hitting us hard and aplenty as he continues unwrapping layers of Whole Lotta Red, his official follow-up to the cult classic Die Lit. Less than twenty-four hours ago, the world was unaware that it would be under attack with such menacing yelps from one of rap's most unusual characters but, alas, here we are, several snippets and a cryptic album reveal later. His activity on Instagram and Twitter has been restored, with Playboi Carti finally showing signs of life, keeping his freshly-dyed red hair all over our screens. In addition to him previewing new music during an unannounced live-stream last night, Carti has returned with another call-out, bringing another rarely-heard-from superstar into the fray. Posting a new snippet on Instagram, the Atlanta native followed on his wave of momentum and thanked Kanye West for hopping on a song with him, writing: "OK YE @kanyewest THANK @younglord." The song seemingly starts out with an introduction by West, before a long instrumental breakdown, which one fan noted sounds like it could have been crafted for a vampire movie. Then, Carti provides some ad-libs before the beat drops, allowing him to do his thing. It sounds like Playboi Carti is hitting his stride. He's in the prime of his life, so it makes sense that he would be making his best music. Are you excited for Whole Lotta Red to drop? View the full article

One of the most respected young rappers in the game, Cordae has a world of success ahead of him. He's setting himself up for an incredible year in 2021, celebrating his birthday this summer with the release of his latest single "Gifted", featuring Roddy Ricch, and now he's inching closer to the inevitable release of his album with another drop. After teasing new music on social media, Cordae has returned with "The Parables". The single is hard-hitting, with Cordae proving himself through his sharp lyricism and clever storytelling. The 23-year-old tells his life story, realizing that even despite that, some people might not listen. Still, he journals his biggest downfalls, including robberies and more, while keeping his eyes locked on the future and where he can get himself. The song's release was accompanied by a new music video, which shows the rapper recreating some of his biggest mistakes. Listen to the new release below and stay tuned for more from the GRAMMY-nominated rapper. His official follow-up to The Lost Boy appears to be on the way. Quotable Lyrics: First and foremost, for every door that's opened, a door close Beat a n***a, take his Bordeauxs, upgrade my wardrobe And Lord knows livin' like this, it leads a short road A dead-end, or prison time, where we was headin' Instead, when I got bread, broke it with brethren Eyes open, leave the house, move like a veteran Made a couple dollars from come ups, my n***as flexin' N***a got a problem, then I can make some corrections View the full article

On Tuesday, the Recording Academy will livestream the nominations for its Grammy Awards. Here's how to watch. View the full article

For those of you who were excited to hear new music from Tory Lanez this week, you'll have to wait a tad bit longer. The rapper-singer recently promised his fans that on Thanksgiving he would set off a series of capsules, but on Monday (November 23), he gave an update, saying that he wanted to focus on helping those less fortunate this week instead of worrying about releases. He did follow-up by adding that next week, new tunes would be on their way and it sounds as if we can expect much from his camp. Lanez also shared a video of himself in Brooklyn with his team and stated that he'd spent thousands of dollars on groceries so people could enjoy their Thanksgiving holiday. "So today I spent like 15K and Got turkeys and extra groceries For families in less fortunate places and situations," he penned in the caption. This event was something that was close to his heart because Tory said he knows the feeling of not having enough to get by. "I used to be homeless and I hated thanksgiving cuz I wasn’t able to afford sh*t or cook sh*t," he said. "S/O my n*gga Soul B & Johnny Cash (WE DID THIS BY OURSELF NO COOPERATION OR COMPANY HELP ... ... this is my way of helping what ever kid might be going through the same thing I was ! LOVE FROM THE UMBRELLAS HAPPY THANKSGIVING." Watch it all go down below. View the full article

Their relationship may be over, but Playboi Carti and Iggy Azalea are tied together for life. The pair recently welcomed their baby boy Onyx into the world earlier this year, and months later, Iggy publicly announced that she was a single mother. She and Carti have kept their relationship away from prying eyes and haven't spoken openly about their personal lives, so it came as a surprise that they had decided to part so soon after their son was born. Aside from not speaking about one another, the artists don't really acknowledge each other, either. That's why on Monday (November 23) it took fans by surprise when Iggy retweeted and answered one of Playboi Carti's tweets. He wrote, "I told da bit shut up! My son crying." Iggy wrote him back, "Did you?" She then followed it up with, "Honestly I had a great day and I’m confused as f*ck about why I’ve logged onto some bullsh*t but - Happy thanksgiving y’all. Ima go enjoy mine... with my son." A Twitter user asked her what was going on and she told them she had "zero clue," while someone else tried to convince her that Carti was probably speaking about another person. "What b*tch would you need to tell to shut up? Certainly none are around my son... and I know it ain’t me." Check out her tweets below. View the full article

He lives a relatively quiet life away from controversy, but Roddy Ricch has made headlines now that a lawsuit has been filed against him. The rapper has boasted a number of accomplishments this year, and last night he took home the American Music Awards trophy for Best Rap/Hip Hop album for his No. 1 hit Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial. In recent months, there have been reports of artists being accused of not paying what is owed to their landlords, and Roddy adds his name to the growing list. Gregg DeGuire / Stringer / Getty Images According to The Blast, Roddy Ricch has been sued by his ex-landlord, AIM Property Investment, Inc, who stated that the rapper didn't pay his rent. The outlet reportedly obtained legal documents that state Roddy stiffed the landlords for "$200,000 in past rent" and also "failed to return the property in good condition." The residence, which is located in Encino, California, was reportedly occupied by the rapper beginning in April, but by July, the property owners say Roddy stopped paying rent. The legal paperwork shows that Roddy was dishing out $15,950 per month. In August, Roddy reportedly "gave up possession" of the residence but because he broke the yearlong lease agreement, the landlord wants him to pay up in full. The rapper also is accused of damaging the property so extensively that the home hasn't been rented since he exited the home. The property owners believe Roddy Ricch should be held "responsible for lost rent," as well. The specific damages weren't listed in the lawsuit. [via] View the full article

When LeBron James decided that his time with the Miami Heat had come to an end and he wanted to return home to the Cleveland Cavaliers to try to earn his team and city a title, he didn't inform his teammates with a heartfelt talk. Former Heat star Chris Bosh recently sat down with the All The Smoke podcast where he spoke about how he learned that LeBron was heading back to Ohio and he admitted that the delivery initially offended him. Mike Ehrmann / Staff / Getty Images "[I found out] through a text. I thought it was BS," said Bosh. "And then about ten minutes later, it's everywhere. At the time, I didn't understand it. In my mind, I was ready to put the team back together because we had just lost. So, we wanted to put something back together so we could win, and it really didn't go like that. I took offense to it to be honest with you, at first." Bosh said that he "was only thinking of how I felt about it" and since that time, he and James have reconciled any ill-feelings. You can watch Chris Bosh's episode of All The Smoke in its entirety below. View the full article

This is Megan Thee Stallion's time to shine. The Good News rapper has had a whirlwind year with monumental accomplishments, controversies, No. 1 songs, and show-stopping performances—including her recent "Body" appearance at the American Music Awards. As thousands of her fans attempt to complete the viral "Body" challenge, Megan caught up with Entertainment Tonight to discuss what it was like for her linking up with Beyoncé for their hit song "Savage (Remix)" and Cardi B for their chart-topping "WAP." "Working with Cardi and Beyoncé, it was two totally different experiences," said Megan. "Beyoncé's the OG. Like, she is the standard. You want to be like Beyoncé. You want to grow up and be like Beyoncé. You watch Beyoncé from when you were a kid to this point in life. Beyoncé is somebody that is so top tier, you just feel so great to know that you even made it that you can even be in the room with Beyoncé. I felt like, girl, I was breathing Beyoncé's air. That is a flex." She said that her relationship with the Knowles-Carters deepened following the "Savage (Remix) collaboration. "They both text me all the time and they send me inspiration things and like, that is just so crazy." She didn't mince words when it came to praising Cardi, either. "Cardi is like my homegirl. She is so great, she's so fun," said Megan. "We both are very unapologetically us and to be two women with big personalities and big confidence and still be able to coexist comfortably with each other, that is like a really big deal to me. I really respect her. I appreciate her." Check out the clip of Megan Thee Stallion's Entertainment Tonight interview below. View the full article

By now, the rap world has heard that Guwop and The Snowman are no longer at each other's throats. For 15 years there have been back and forths between the two chart-topping artists, and when the opportunity came for them to put the past behind them, they decided to do so on the most recent Verzuz. The show was tense throughout as over one million people were tuned in at any given time to hear tracks where each artist reference the other, but by the end, they showed that they were done with the animosity. However, that hasn't stopped others from interjecting with their opinions, including Troy Ave who can't believe that forgiveness flowed so easily. Since appearing on Verzuz, Jeezy has spoken about not wanting to carry the burden of that beef with him for the rest of his life, but that's not a good enough reason to mend fences for Troy Ave. On his Instagram Story he wrote, "if you killed somebody I love and we performing on camera .. well I guess I'm killing you on camera ... #StreetsIsAMyth." He's referring to Henry "Pookie Loc" Clark who, back in 2005, was shot and killed by Gucci Mane while Clark was reportedly attempting to rob the rapper's home. Clark was a friend of Jeezy's and Gucci claimed that the shooting was in self-defense. The rapper would later be indicted for the murder but in the end, he beat the case. This isn't the first time Troy Ave spoke about one rapper taking the life of another; back in May, he said that Jim Jones should have killed Tekashi 6ix9ine because of Mel Murda's prison sentence. View the full article

A recent interview has caused a bit of a stir. LaKeith Stanfield is a rising, celebrated actor of our time, and often his comments steal attention from the public. Last week, Standfield's interview with The Hollywood Reporter was published, and inside, he spoke with the outlet about his high school days as a theater kid. He thrived during that time, bonding with the "oddballs of the theater scene," as THR described them. Stanfield noted that it wasn't controversial to see love scenes between two men, and he said that he "always wanted to play a gay role. Because I wanted to experience and feel and understand what that meant." Rich Polk / Stringer / Getty Images While Stanfield was speaking on expanding his views artistically, the quote soon made headlines. VladTV made a post about it titled "LaKeith Stanfield Says He Wants to Play Gay Role to 'Feel What That Meant,'" and it didn't take long for the commentary to roll in. In a post-and-delete move, Standfield criticized the publication for allegedly playing on people's phobias. "Yes i was saying i wanted to experience love through a lense i hadn't experienced before though a character," LaKeith explained. "After all, love is love, OF COURSE Vladtv strikes again trying to make that fact a dramatic and negative thing. I'm not surprised. I'm a Black man and he's Vlad. Out of all the things i said in the interview with THR you chose to zoom in on this and try to frame me in a way where your fans can hate on me, you ain't slick." The actor concluded, "Too bad most ppl aren't deeply bigoted and so don't care to grab your bait." Check out his post below. [via] View the full article

It's been 24 hours since the American Music Awards delivered their virtual show and people are still talking about hot takes from the winners and performances. There were a few controversial moments, not because the AMAs didn't go off without a hitch, but because some of their choices sparked debates. Doja Cat's win for Best Female Artist Soul/R&B has continued to be the topic of conversations as people discuss what exactly Soul and R&B music sounds like, and Jennifer Lopez has also become a trending topic after her striking performance gave Beyoncé fans pause. Lopez took to the AMAs stage alongside Maluma as she performed "Pa' Ti" and "Lonely." The multihyphenate entertainer donned a look similar to Beyoncé's 2014 Grammy Award performance where she and husband Jay-Z gave their live rendition of "Drunk In Love." Fans made sure to point out the similarities that spanned from J. Lo's outfit to her hair, to the stage lighting, to the fog, to the dance moves. The BeyHive wasn't letting her off without a scolding, and they took to social media to share just what they thought of Lopez's recent performance. Check out a few reactions below and let us know if you think J. Lo swiped a few ideas from Beyoncé. View the full article

As she continues to publicly grieve the loss of King Von, Asian Doll has a message for people who place her name in unrelated conflict. Earlier this month, the shocking news of King Von's murder stunned the rap community, and his girlfriend Asian Doll has taken to social media to mourn his loss. She's spoken openly about their relationship and shared photos and videos of them together, but she recently took to Twitter to vocalize her anger toward publications that attempt to involve her in beef or scandal that she isn't apart of. She didn't name anyone specifically, but outlets have been speculating about Von's killers and other rappers linked to his death. "Stop screenshotting my tweets putting them in beef I’m in my own f*cking world talking to MY fans you b*tch ass blogs playing with people life way to f*cking much I’m finna start suing y’all cause wtf is wrong with y’all seriously all this real sh*t going on," wrote Asian Doll. The rapper wasn't quite finished because she didn't appreciate people taking her words out of context and possibly creating more issues where they didn't need to be any. "ANYTHING I TWEET HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH NOBODY NO BEEF NO NOTHING!!" she added. "This sh*t not funny or a joke or entertainment this REAL life so stop playing with me cause I’m not on no negative sh*t I talk to my fans so you b*tch ass blogs go find another d*ck to ride cause this ain’t DAT!" Check out her messages below. View the full article

As we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, we have some news about Kanye West's phantom album Donda. Named after his late mother, fans thought they would receive the project months ago. There were tracklist teases as far back as August, but it seemed that at the time, Kanye was more concerned with Jesus Is King and his Sunday Service choir. Some have suggested that Donda is complete and ready for release, but Ye's good friend Consequence claims the project isn't even finished yet. "He's working on that now," Cons told JasmineBrand. "Yeah, it's retarded. I mean, look. I'd rather you hear it than me try to throw lighter fluid on it, but come on. If we don't do nothin' else, we'll make that fire. We might...look. We make that fire. Especially when it's me and Kanye together, you know what I'm saying? That speaks volumes. You can check the resumé. You can check the catalog." Consequence added that anytime he and Kanye come together musically, "we're gonna score." He didn't hesitate to say that Donda "would be no exception." He couldn't promise that it would be an album that would be ready for 2020, but Cons said the release date is "a Kanye decision." Are you looking forward to Donda? What's your favorite Kanye-Consequence collaboration? View the full article

The comedian just wanted to have a bit of fun with his newborn daughter Kaoiri Mari, but the baby's onesie grabbed the attention of critics. Recently, Netflix released Kevin Hart's latest stand-up special Zero F*cks Given, and to celebrate its premiere, Hart shared a photo of Baby Kaori wearing a onesie with the show's name. People were outraged that he used a swear word on his child's clothing, but Kevin couldn't help but laugh at those who spent time commenting on his child's attire. Kevin Hart uploaded a screenshot of a headline about the controversy and shared a few thoughts. "This is the world that we are currently living in....sh*t is funny and sad at the same time," wrote Hart in the caption. "Y’all motha f*cka’s need to grow up and get a hobby. What’s happening out here...once again I could give 'Zero F*cks'......Now go watch my special on NETFLIX 'Zero F*cks Given' .....Stupidity at the highest level. #ComedicRockStarSh*t .....This is why my mindset is what it is in my comedy special ....as said in 'Zero F*cks Given' y’all are THE FEDS." Aside from the mini-scandal involving his daughter, Hart's Zero F*cks Given has received mixed reviews. Have you checked it out yet? View the full article

Regent Park's own Lil Berete unleashed a steady stream of music throughout the year after closing out 2019 with the release of 1 Way Out. He kicked things off with "Ride Or Die" ft. Anders earlier this year and kept his foot on the pedal throughout 2020. This week, he returned with a brand new single titled, "Murda" ft 2KBaby. The record, produced by Unimerce, Skeem, and Ethan Frost, finds the rapper reflecting on the harsh realities of the streets. "I made 'Murda' as a way to communicate to the world how we as Black men are being profiled by authorities worldwide," Berete said of the song in a statement. "Unfortunately, it's not just an American issue, it's a worldwide issue. As a Black man growing up in Regent Park (Toronto, Canada), we get profiled by the police every day, and most of the incidents that occur within our community aren't even reported in the news - this is why we feel like society believes that Black lives don't matter and this is the reason we are trying to convince the world that Black lives do in fact matter." Quotable Lyrics I'm just trying to live life for real I don't care about the past Friendship had to crash And I knew it wouldn't last I don't trust nobody because you Gotta watch you mans View the full article

The West Coast has seen a new generation of rappers come to take over from across California. Rucci is surely among those leading the wave. Earlier this year, the rapper returned with his project, Midget and now, he's back with the deluxe. The Inglewood rapper stacks his project with nine new songs, on top of the 15 on the original tracklist. The deluxe edition includes appearances from OhGeesy, Lil Duece, Band Gang Lonnie Bands and more, as well as production from JR, Tiesto, Fort Woe, and more. Midget (Deluxe) new tracks: 16. Hotel (Prod. by Zay Coronado) 17. Tha Whoops (ft Lil Duece & Cypress Moreno) (Prod. by Cypress Moreno) 18. Watch Me (ft. AzChike) 19. Where I’m From (ft. Band Gang Lonnie Bands & OhGeesy) (Prod. by Ron-RonTheProducer) 20. Do I Ever (Prod. by BlvckLotus) 21. Ride Wit Me (Prod. by Benny Ave) 22. Float On (ft. Mister) (Prod. by Tiesto) 23. Shmoke (ft. Pjay & AzSwaye) (Prod. by Fort Woe) 24. Everybody Weird (Prod. by JR) View the full article

His fans and detractors have known much about the life and legal woes of Tekashi 6ix9ine for years, but director Vikram Gandhi hoped to show more of how the rainbow-haired troll developed before being an infamous character in rap history. Gandhi helmed the Hulu documentary 69: The Saga of Daniel Hernandez where he and his team shared the story of the rapper's personal life from his days working in his local bodega as a kid to turning himself, as Gandhi described it, "into a monster." “I see a young man who was intelligent, smart and had huge insight into how to make himself famous," Gandhi told Page Six. "He got so caught up in the monster he created.” In the documentary, Hernandez's former friends who were by his side before he became "Tekashi 6ix9ine" said it has become difficult to distinguish Hernandez from his rap persona. “Danny invented a character of Tekashi 6ix9ine with a criminal mindset, shock value, a nihilistic way of looking at the world,” Gandhi added. “He created the ultimate troll that could access young people and trigger everybody emotionally.” 6ix9ine's manager has come forward to say that the documentary is "cap." Make sure to check out our interview with 6ix9ine's ex: Sara Molina Talks 6ix9ine: Their Daughter, Past Relationship Failures & More. [via] View the full article

Thutmose's debut project, Man On Fire truly caught our attention. He's one of the most versatile new artists out right now. From Lagos to Brooklyn, there's a worldly influence to his music that holds no boundaries, and his latest single, "My Maria" is a testament to that. Thut's latest single is a melodious banger that's fitting to set the mood to any pre-drink. Backed by afrobeats rhythms, Thut reflects on those late-night excursions with an infectious hook and sharp delivery. Thut's been active this year throughout the pandemic. The rapper dropped his latest offering, "On The Run" earlier this year which continued to make waves. Ahead of "My Maria," he gave fans a taste of what to expect in 2021 with Best Of Both Worlds: Side A. Quotable Lyrics Bad boy, got rocks like VV Come close, see the ice in 3D See the gang gang moving freely Come around and put 'em in the game like Luigi View the full article

It's been a hella productive year for Abra Cadabra. The UK rapper has been one to watch over the past few years, though it feels like he was never able to fully grasp the momentum. That is, until the past year. He kicked off this year on a high note with the release of LOL: Love Or Lust? and has been steadily unleashing banger after banger including "On Deck" and it's a subsequent remix with OFB. Through his guttural vocals and intense production that backs him, he finds a soft spot for more commercially-friendly offerings such as his latest release, "Show Me." The rapper's latest offering is an upbeat banger that has him flowing with high-energy. The latest single is off of his forthcoming project, Product Of My Environment. Quotable Lyrics We coulda shot 20 man last year, If I hit you in your chest, you pussy you're dropping Beside drill, I'm doing good in music I know they counted on badman flopping View the full article

It was just last week when the ladies of Cocktails with Queens were questioning Hitmaka's bedroom game because the producer spoke openly about his Hollywood sexual exploits during a Drink Champs interview. However, things switched up when they got together and the topic of Halle Berry was brought up during the conversation. "I can't imagine Toni Braxton not being able to put it down with the amount of love songs this girl got," said singer Syleena Johnson. The women began speaking over one another but LisaRaye McCoy can be heard saying, "All [words] and no action!" Claudia Jordan questioned LisaRaye, asking her to explain what she meant. "What you mean about Halle Berry? She's not supposed to be good in bed?" LisaRaye answered, "That's what they said. That's what I read. That's what I've heard. That's what they say." Some people thought it was hypocritical for Hitmaka to be chastised for bringing up his alleged sexual interactions with Naturi Naughton and Teairra Mari while the women openly spoke on rumors regarding Halle Berry's sex life. Meanwhile, Halle and her man, singer-songwriter Van Hunt, seem to be doing just fine. Check out the clip of Cocktails with Queens below. View the full article

Despite the fact that we're inching towards the end of the month, November's felt particularly long. It's largely due to the elections earlier this month that have projected Joe Biden as the winner. Unfortunately for Americans, Trump hasn't been willing to accept defeat, filing lawsuits, and demanding recounts in certain states. Over the past few weeks, Trump's refusal to concede and allow the Biden team to begin their transition process has sparked concerns. Between the handling of the coronavirus, the vaccine, and national security as a whole, Trump's actions over the past few weeks have posed serious threats against America. Today, the General Services Administration officially signed off to allow the process to take place. GSA's Emily Murphy addressed the letter to Joe Biden, informing him that he can move forward with the transition. Murphy revealed that she had been getting threats towards her and her family's safety over the decision. "I want to thank Emily Murphy at GSA for her steadfast dedication and loyalty to our Country. She has been harassed, threatened, and abused – and I do not want to see this happen to her, her family, or employees of GSA," he tweeted. "Our case STRONGLY continues, we will keep up the good fight, and I believe we will prevail! Nevertheless, in the best interest of our Country, I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same." Despite not formally conceding, this might be the closest thing we'll witness to Trump publicly accepting the L. View the full article

As its title promises, Megan Thee Stallion's "Good News" isn't bitter or vindictive — even when she has every right to be — but funny and full of joy. View the full article

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl has finally conceded defeat in his drum battle with 10-year-old prodigy Nandi Bushell. Watch her awesome victory speech. View the full article

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's message to people shaming Harry Styles for wearing a dress on the cover of Vogue: "Sit with that reaction and think about it." View the full article

From Megan Thee Stallion's full 'Body' performance to BTS' Seoul spectacular, here are some of the best moments from the 2020 American Music Awards. View the full article