A look back at Warner Music’s best performing artists, videos, and genres offers insights into the sound and substance of music in 2026
Zach Bryan is at the start of a big year. In March, he launches a tour that will keep him sporadically busy until October. His new album With Heaven On Top is also set to drop tomorrow (January 10). Ahead of that, we have “Plastic Cigarette,” what will presumably be the final taste of the album before its release.
In an Instagram post from today, Bryan wrote of the album:
“‘With Heaven on Top’ is a collection of songs my band and me recorded across three different houses in Oklahoma this winter. The cool air kept us all inside staggering around each live take. I pray these all end up meaning as much to others as they mean to me. Songs are living things, they want to be free and these free’d me.
I was in the throes for a long time and the simple statement of heaven being above me got me through a lot.
Not my job to convince anyone of anything. I’m not trying to sell music. Music to me is God’s gift and it needs no competition or commentary. The last ten years I’ve tried my best to share the human experience. I feel like I’ve lived all my 20’s out on a very large, very lucky and very unfair stage but this one felt different. This one felt like recording music with my best friends again.
I’ll always give my best and I’ll always be willin’. Thanks for listening and I will see everyone on the road.”
In another post, he teased an acoustic version of the project, coming soon:
“I’m assuming this record is just like all the other ones and there’s gonna be a billion people saying it’s over produced and shitty so I sat down in a room by myself and recorded all the songs acoustically so I didn’t have to hear everyone whine about more stuff
There’s mistakes and I didn’t redo any of them but this’ll be out three days after ‘With Heaven On Top’ drops tomorrow.”
Listen to “Plastic Cigarette” above and find Bryan’s upcoming tour dates below.
Zach Bryan’s 2026 Tour Dates: With Heaven On Tour
03/07 — St. Louis, MO @ The Dome at America’s Center * ~
03/14 — Tampa, FL @ Raymond James Stadium * ~
03/21 — San Antonio, TX @ The Alamodome * ~
03/28 — Baton Rouge, LA @ Tiger Stadium * ~
04/11 — Louisville, KY @ L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium # ~
04/18 — Charlotte, NC @ Bank of America Stadium * ~
04/25 — Lincoln, NE @ Memorial Stadium # ~
05/02 — Starkville, MS @ Davis Wade Stadium $ ~
05/09 — Cleveland, OH @ Huntington Bank Field $ ~
05/27 — San Sebastián, Spain @ Donostia Arena ^ &
05/31 — Berlin, Germany @ Waldbühne ^ &
06/03 — Oslo, Norway @ Unity Arena ^ &
06/06 — Copenhagen, Denmark @ Parken ^ &
06/09 — Eindhoven, Netherlands @ Philips Stadion ^ &
06/12 — Liverpool, UK @ Anfield Stadium $ }
06/14 — Edinburgh, UK @ Scottish Gas Murrayfield $ }
06/16 — London, UK @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium $ }
06/17 — London, UK @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium $ }
06/20 — Cork, Ireland @ Páirc Uí Chaoimh $ }
06/21 — Cork, Ireland @ Páirc Uí Chaoimh $ }
06/23 — Belfast, Northern Ireland @ Boucher Playing Fields $ }
06/24 — Belfast, Northern Ireland @ Boucher Playing Fields $ }
07/31 — San Diego, CA @ Snapdragon Stadium ` }
08/01 — San Diego, CA @ Snapdragon Stadium ` }
08/07 — Salt Lake City, UT @ Rice-Eccles Stadium ` }
08/13 — Denver, CO @ Empower Field at Mile High ` }
08/14 — Denver, CO @ Empower Field at Mile High ` }
08/22 — Arlington, TX @ AT&T Stadium ` }
09/05 — Glendale, AZ @ State Farm Stadium ` }
09/18 — Dover, DE @ The Woodlands # @ }
09/19 — Dover, DE @ The Woodlands ! } @
10/02 — Foxborough, MA @ Gillette Stadium { @
10/03 — Foxborough, MA @ Gillette Stadium { @
10/10 — Auburn, AL @ Jordan-Hare Stadium { @
* with Caamp
~ with J.R. Carroll
# with Kings Of Leon
$ with Dijon
^ with Ben Howard
& with Keenan O’Meara
} with Fey Fili
` with MJ Lenderman
@ with Gabriella Rose
{ with Gregory Alan Isakov
! with Alabama Shakes
What does Latin pop music’s biggest breakout do when she’s just mixed her next hit, and she can’t wait to share it with her biggest fans? She takes it on the road… literally. The Sonic Route, UPROXX’s new team up with Toyota, follows Latin GRAMMY winner GALE as she cruises around Los Angeles, planning an exclusive surprise performance of her newest track, “Mi Tienes.” To pull it off, she’s going to need the right team and the right car, utilizing the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE as a rolling hub and showing that a good ride with your team feels like a win when everyone is pulling together to make it all feel special for her fans.
From bouncing between the studio and coffee shops, to listening to finished cuts on the car’s JBL speakers, booking food trucks, and making calls on the move to get merch printed, the Corolla Cross Hybrid is vital, with tech that lets you time everything right and style that makes you look good while doing it.
At the end of the drive, it’s time to share the song with some of GALE’s most dedicated fans by way of a mini-pop-up concert on a rainy L.A. day.
Unsurprisingly, GALE delivers an amazing performance, getting up close and personal with her fans, as Toyota and UPROXX showcase the power of music, community, and the thrill of actually pulling off something this wild and spontaneous.
Check out the full video above.
It’s happening: This week, Bruno Mars announced a new album, The Romantic, and a big tour for 2026. At the time, he promised new music would arrive today (January 9), and now it has as Mars shares the video for “I Just Might.”
It’s a classic Mars number: Catchy and carried by a throwback funky and soulful vibe. He also has fun in the video, featuring a bunch of different versions of himself dancing and playing the song.
On his upcoming tour, he’ll be joined by Silk Sonic partner Anderson .Paak (as DJ Pee .Wee), Leon Thomas, Victoria Monét, and Raye.
Watch the “I Just Might” video above and find Mars’ tour dates below.
Bruno Mars’ 2026 Tour Dates: The Romantic Tour
04/10 — Las Vegas, NV @ Allegiant Stadium #
04/14 — Glendale, AZ @ State Farm Stadium #
04/18 — Arlington, TX @ Globe Life Field #
04/22 — Houston, TX @ NRG Stadium #
04/25 — Atlanta, GA @ Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field #
04/29 — Charlotte, NC @ Bank of America Stadium #
05/02 — Landover, MD @ Northwest Stadium #
05/06 — Nashville, TN @ Nissan Stadium #
05/09 — Detroit, MI @ Ford Field #
05/13 — Minneapolis, MN @ U.S. Bank Stadium #
05/16 — Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field #
05/20 — Columbus, OH @ Ohio Stadium #
05/23 — Toronto, ON @ Rogers Stadium #
05/24 — Toronto, ON @ Rogers Stadium #
06/20 — Paris, FR @ Stade de France ^
06/21 — Paris, FR @ Stade de France ^
06/26 — Berlin, DE @ Olympiastadion ^
07/04 — Amsterdam, NL @ Johan Cruijff ArenA ^
07/05 — Amsterdam, NL @ Johan Cruijff ArenA ^
07/10 — Madrid, ES @ Riyadh Air Metropolitano ^
07/14 — Milan, IT @ Stadio San Siro ^
07/18 — London, UK @ Wembley Stadium Connected by EE ^
07/19 — London, UK @ Wembley Stadium Connected by EE ^
08/21 — East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium @
08/22 — East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium @
08/29 — Pittsburgh, PA @ Acrisure Stadium
09/01 — Philadelphia, PA @ Lincoln Financial Field @
09/05 — Foxborough, MA @ Gillette Stadium @
09/09 — Indianapolis, IN @ Lucas Oil Stadium @
09/12 — Tampa, FL @ Raymond James Stadium @
09/16 — New Orleans, LA @ Caesars Superdome @
09/19 — Miami, FL @ Hard Rock Stadium @
09/23 — San Antonio, TX @ Alamodome @
09/26 — Air Force Academy, CO @ Falcon Stadium at the United States Air Force Academy @
10/02 — Inglewood, CA @ SoFi Stadium @
10/03 — Inglewood, CA @ SoFi Stadium @
10/10 — Santa Clara, CA @ Levi’s Stadium @
10/14 — Vancouver, BC @ BC Place @
# with Leon Thomas
^ with Victoria Monét
@ with Raye
The Romantic is out 2/27 via Atlantic. Find more information here.
We are approaching 20 years of Twenty One Pilots and the duo remains huge: Their 2025 album Breach went No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, making it their second chart-topper and fifth to peak at at least No. 3. The band remains a touring force, too, as they showed on The Clancy World Tour last year. They decided to capture their Mexico City performance, in front of 65,000 fans, for More Than We Ever Imagined, a new IMAX concert film.
It’s set to hit IMAX cinemas worldwide for a limited time starting February 26, with exclusive previews starting February 25. Tickets go on sale on January 15, and more information can be found here.
Aside from the performance itself, the film also offers behind-the-scenes footage, of the band arriving in Mexico City and preparing for the big moment. There’s also exclusive commentary from the duo reflecting on their journey.
In a statement, director Mark C. Eshleman says:
“I have spent the better part of the last 16 years of my life following Twenty One Pilots around the world. I have seen them play clubs that were in the basements of bigger clubs for an audience made up of only the other bands on the bill. I have seen them play those clubs as if they were on a festival stage during a headline slot and then quietly drag their gear up the steps and into a trailer that limped behind our touring van. They would chat for hours, fine tuning the show basically no one saw. Their fingers never leave the pulse of the performance; they swear by preparation and a vision. For More Than We Ever Imagined, we were given the opportunity to capture two perspectives of a Twenty One Pilots performance: over 20 cameras centered around the fans experiencing their show and, the second, the perspective I have had all these years leading up to that sold out stadium in Mexico City, a camera following Tyler and Josh as they take the fundamentals of their show and apply to one of the biggest stages.”
Kymberli Frueh, EVP of Programming and Content Acquisitions for Trafalgar Releasing, adds, “From building an audience one fan at a time to becoming a global touring force, Twenty One Pilots continue to redefine the magic of concert tours. This all-new film marks their second time bringing a concert experience to cinemas — and their first with IMAX — delivering the scale, sound, and shared energy that make it feel as close to being at the live show as possible.”
UPROXX is the exclusive way in for brands wanting to take advantage of the bump Twenty One Pilots’ YouTube inventory is sure to receive from the film, making this media opportunity a can’t-miss!
The reggaeton Mexa revolution is upon us and El Malilla (real name: Fernando Hernández Flores) is leading the charge while also making his mark as a multi-hyphenate.
“I’m in the best moment of my career,” El Malilla tells UPROXX while discussing his the upward trajectory of his music career and his experiences branching out as an actor, model, and entrepreneur. “I’m having fun doing concerts and going to the studio to make music. I believe when a person starts achieving fame, they can lose sight of who they once were. I’m happy, excited, and grateful because I’ve found the perfect balance between being “El Malilla” the artist, and Fernando.”
Reggaeton music comes from the Caribbean and it’s especially rooted in Puerto Rico and Panama. As a child, El Malilla grew up on the music of the legends of the genre like J Álvarez, Arcángel, and Gotay El Autentiko. Despite Mexico being one of the countries that consumes reggaeton music the most, there weren’t many Mexican artists finding success in the genre. For the past 10 years, El Malilla has remained determined to bring reggaeton Mexa to the forefront. Last year, he not only made history as the first Mexican reggaeton artist to perform at Coachella, he also collaborated with reggaeton giants like J Balvin, Jowell y Randy, J Álvarez, and Gotay El Autentiko.
To tide fans over until his second album, the singer released two EPs in his Tu Maliante Bebé series. He’s also gearing up for a tour of Mexico, including a concert at the emblematic Palacio De Los Deportes. To nurture more reggaeton Mexa talent, El Malilla runs his own record label, La Esquina Inc. He recently added acting to his growing resume in the HBO Max series Vgly. Over Zoom, El Malilla caught up with UPROXX about the reggaeton Mexa movement, his breakthrough year, and his vision for 2026.
After performing outside of Mexico for the first time in places like Coachella, how would you describe this past year?
It was the biggest year in my career in terms of performing at international festivals like Coachella. In terms of brands, I’ve done campaigns with Air Jordan, Ray-Ban, and now YSL. It was an important year for growth and in 2026, there will be even more surprises. I promise. I’ll be doing the Tu Maliante Bebé Tour in Mexico and later this year, I’m going to announce the tour for the US.
You’re featured on Cachirula and Loojan’s remix of “Beiby” and they’re going to perform at Coachella this year. Is there a chance that they could bring out you as a special guest?
That’s going to be a surprise. [Laughs.]
How do you feel to be a face of the reggaeton Mexa scene?
It’s a very big responsibility, but it’s also a beautiful one. I’m very happy. I’m so excited that I’m not only representative of this genre. Now there’s more artists that are putting their hearts and souls into the genre. That’s what it’s all about: for more Mexican artists to be out there representing our flag.
You collaborated with J Balvin on the “G Low Kitty” remix. What does it mean for you to have his support?
Jose [J Balvin] is a very assertive person that’s always looking towards the future. He’s worked very hard and understands the business of this industry, but I’ve also had the chance to get to know him personally. I feel very satisfied to have collaborated with big and international artists, but when you get to know them on a personal level, it’s beautiful to see that there’s more good than bad people in the world. This industry can be dark, so it’s a pleasure for me to have that connection with Jose. There’s more big collaborations coming to surprise people.
Two pioneers in the genre, Jowell y Randy, featured on the “B de Bellako” remix. What was the experience like to work with them?
It was very satisfying because Jowell y Randy are artists that I used to listen to when I was a kid. When I was in middle school, I enjoyed their perreo music. It’s very crazy to think that I have a song with artists that I listened to when I was younger. I feel the same way now about having songs with J Álvarez and Gotay El Autentiko.
Speaking of J Álvarez and Gotay El Autentiko, you collaborated with them and other reggaeton artists from around the world on Tu Maliante Bebé, Vol. 2. What did that solidarity of reggaeton artists on your EP mean to you?
It was very beautiful because they’re artists that I’ve admired and listened to for a while. To have songs with them and Kaydy Cain and Lucky Brown is very satisfying. It’s been very gratifying as well because I had the pleasure of working on these songs with each one of them in the studio. I got to connect with all these artists in person and we got to create these beautiful songs together.
Who would you love to collaborate with next?
I would love to collaborate with everyone. That’s why I’m taking singing classes, so one day I’ll be able to sing with Justin Bieber. [Laughs.]
I loved seeing you be an ally to your LGBTQ+ fans with the “Rebote” music video. What does that connection you have with the LGBTQ+ community mean to you?
It’s a blessing because the LGBTQ+ community has always been there for me. They have always supported me and listened to my music. I have a surprise for my LGBTQ+ fans, which is a perreito [reggaeton song] that they’re going to love. They’re going to say, “I didn’t expect to hear this kind of song from El Malilla.” I always take them into account and there’s times where I do things for them to let them know that I’m grateful for their support. I recorded the music video for “Rebote” in a very emblematic gay club, Spartacus, in Nezahualcóyotl. This month, I’m going to come with a surprise that I know everyone will love.
With your fans always calling for you to take off your shirt at your concerts, how do you feel to be seen as a sex symbol?
I’m very surprised because whether or not my fans see me as a sex symbol, I feel like they have genuine love for me as a person and I really like that. I feel like my fans that have followed me and my career, they’ve gotten to get to know me as Fernando. That’s very gratifying for me. Whether or not I look handsome to them, that’s up to each person’s taste. [Laughs.]
What can we expect from your upcoming second album?
It’s a very experimental album where I’m singing boleros and a corrido song, which will surprise people. It’s a different facet to El Malilla that’s more artistic and disciplined. The singing classes I’ve been taking have helped so much. This album is the best work I’ve done in all my life, but to get that album, I first had to make perreo music with Tu Maliante Bebé, Vol. 1 and cute reggaeton with Vol. 2. I’m very excited for this next chapter. There’s also a beautiful bachata song on it with a big artist that I love so much.
How would you describe the experience of managing your label La Esquina Inc. and supporting rising stars like Joss ML and Omarcito Glock?
Honestly, it’s very crazy because each artist has dreams of their own. We’re all people and we think and feel differently. The fact that I created a label where I’m hand-in-hand with each artist to help them achieve their dreams, it’s very beautiful because that’s my dream as well. It’s been a dream of mine to see my friends grow as artists and to help out the people that I love. It’s been a big challenge for me, but it’s a very beautiful chapter in my career. I also thank the guys on the label for trusting me.
How do you feel about now becoming an actor in the HBO Max series Vgly?
It was a very beautiful experience and I hope I can do it again. I never imagined that I would be acting. For people to see me on their screen and say, “He’s an actor?,” it’s something that I didn’t see coming. Now that I’ve had this chance to act in Vgly, it opened my mind and made me want to continue trying this out. It’s a very amazing world and a big challenge for me. I think this year I’ll appear in a cameo in a movie as well, but I want to take on a different role. I don’t want to play myself. I would love to play a doctor. I want to keep making my mark in the acting world.
What do you want to accomplish next?
I want to keep being an inspiration to people from the hood. I want to show them that we can achieve things. I want to rewrite history. I’ve added my grain of sand to reggaeton Mexa, but I feel that I can do more. Reggaeton Mexa will become something that’s out of control. It’s going to be something that’s bigger than us. Reggaeton Mexa is going to travel around the world through the many artists representing the genre now. With the hard work that we’re putting into this, our music will soon be heard in Europe and Asia too and I’ll be collaborating with bands like BTS.
Today (January 8) is the five-year anniversary of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License,” which went on to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and launch Rodrigo’s career as one of music’s biggest stars. The tune ultimately led to a lot of fantastic opportunities for Rodrigo, including performing with David Byrne at Governors Ball last year. Now Byrne is helping Rodrigo celebrate half a decade of her breakout hit by performing the song himself, in a new cover shared today.
Byrne, naturally, puts an alternative spin on the track, making it less of a powerhouse piano ballad but maintaining its emotional resonance.
Byrne previously told People of their GovBall surprise:
“I went to her show when she was in New York. I’m a fan, like her music and her performance was really good. And we said hello afterwards.And then out of nowhere, I got a message or an email or whatever, it was saying, ‘Would you like to join Olivia [at] Governor’s Ball?’ And I happened to be here, so it wasn’t that hard. I’m preparing to go on tour again, but I’m not quite there yet. And it was very flattering. A lot of what she wanted to do was inspired by unusual movement that I did in Stop Making Sense. Anyway, that was a lot of fun.”
Listen to Byrne’s cover of “Drivers License” above.
We are officially entering Bruno Mars season. This week, he declared that a new album is coming. Now, we know more about it: Yesterday (January 8), Mars revealed the project is called The Romantic and it’s set to drop on February 27. He also said new music is coming tomorrow, January 9.
On top of that, he also has a massive tour lined up between April and October. His Silk Sonic partner Anderson .Paak will be joining on all dates (as DJ Pee .Wee), while Leon Thomas, Victoria Monét, and Raye will also perform at select dates.
For tickets, there’s an artist pre-sale on January 14 at noon p.m. local time. The general on-sale follows on January 15 at noon p.m. local time. More information can be found here.
Check out the tour dates below.
Bruno Mars’ 2026 Tour Dates: The Romantic Tour
04/10 — Las Vegas, NV @ Allegiant Stadium #
04/14 — Glendale, AZ @ State Farm Stadium #
04/18 — Arlington, TX @ Globe Life Field #
04/22 — Houston, TX @ NRG Stadium #
04/25 — Atlanta, GA @ Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field #
04/29 — Charlotte, NC @ Bank of America Stadium #
05/02 — Landover, MD @ Northwest Stadium #
05/06 — Nashville, TN @ Nissan Stadium #
05/09 — Detroit, MI @ Ford Field #
05/13 — Minneapolis, MN @ U.S. Bank Stadium #
05/16 — Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field #
05/20 — Columbus, OH @ Ohio Stadium #
05/23 — Toronto, ON @ Rogers Stadium #
05/24 — Toronto, ON @ Rogers Stadium #
06/20 — Paris, FR @ Stade de France ^
06/21 — Paris, FR @ Stade de France ^
06/26 — Berlin, DE @ Olympiastadion ^
07/04 — Amsterdam, NL @ Johan Cruijff ArenA ^
07/05 — Amsterdam, NL @ Johan Cruijff ArenA ^
07/10 — Madrid, ES @ Riyadh Air Metropolitano ^
07/14 — Milan, IT @ Stadio San Siro ^
07/18 — London, UK @ Wembley Stadium Connected by EE ^
07/19 — London, UK @ Wembley Stadium Connected by EE ^
08/21 — East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium @
08/22 — East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium @
08/29 — Pittsburgh, PA @ Acrisure Stadium
09/01 — Philadelphia, PA @ Lincoln Financial Field @
09/05 — Foxborough, MA @ Gillette Stadium @
09/09 — Indianapolis, IN @ Lucas Oil Stadium @
09/12 — Tampa, FL @ Raymond James Stadium @
09/16 — New Orleans, LA @ Caesars Superdome @
09/19 — Miami, FL @ Hard Rock Stadium @
09/23 — San Antonio, TX @ Alamodome @
09/26 — Air Force Academy, CO @ Falcon Stadium at the United States Air Force Academy @
10/02 — Inglewood, CA @ SoFi Stadium @
10/03 — Inglewood, CA @ SoFi Stadium @
10/10 — Santa Clara, CA @ Levi’s Stadium @
10/14 — Vancouver, BC @ BC Place @
# with Leon Thomas
^ with Victoria Monét
@ with Raye
The Romantic is out 2/27 via Atlantic. Find more information here.
Hip-hop still lives for moments. Damn the trends. Screw the metrics. Moments — the kind you feel in your chest. In 2025, one of the most undeniable moments came from Chris Patrick, whose Kai Cenat freestyle didn’t just go viral — it cut through.
It reminded rap fans why bars still matter, why intent still matters, why hunger is still the most powerful currency in rap. What followed wasn’t just a spike — it was a pivot: a Def Jam deal, a JID tour, and Pray 4 Me, a raw, real-time EP that documents faith, fear, grief, patience, and purpose. This is Chris Patrick, in his own words, at the moment everything changed.
Obviously, we have to start with the freestyle, one of the biggest hip-hop moments of the past year. Are you tired of talking about it yet?
Nah. I’m not tired of it at all. It’s part of the story now. It’s part of the narrative around me. I don’t have a problem talking about it because it really represents a turning point — not just for my career, but for how people see me.
Looking back now, with a little distance, how did that moment truly change your life?
Man, before that freestyle, I was working a part-time job. I was really in regular-life mode. Gabe P hit me like 16 days before and was like, “Pull up.” I didn’t think anything crazy of it. I’d already done On The Radar and smoked that, so I was like, “This is going to be fire,” but I didn’t think it was going to change anything.
Tuesday came, it went how I thought it would. Wednesday is when things got wild. I literally called out of work and said, “I need to get my mind right.” I was seeing stuff come in, but I still hadn’t processed it.
Even the next day, it still hadn’t fully hit you?
Not at all. I woke up at like 6 in the morning — no idea why — and checked my DMs. I saw a message from Russell Wilson. I just froze. I was like, “Oh shit… it’s really going crazy.” From there, everything started pouring in. Rappers hitting me up. Conductor Williams sending beat packs. Then the JID tour came from that. My whole career did a 180, no exaggeration.
On “Ausar’s Prayer,” you rap, “If I choke, I probably just packed up my dream.” Why did the stakes feel that high for you?
Because they were. At that time, I was supposed to drop a project earlier in the year, but it got pushed back. Clearances, delays, all that. I felt like I was losing momentum. I didn’t want to go two years without dropping again. That shit messes with your head.
I felt defeated. I really felt like I didn’t have motion. So going into that freestyle, I told myself, “If this is my last chance to show people I can do this, then this is it.” I didn’t think anything was coming after.
Artists don’t talk about that enough — that moment where you’re really questioning everything.
Facts. I was genuinely thinking, “Maybe it’s not my time.” I had already started making peace with the idea that this might not go how I dreamed it would.
When did you realize Kai Cenat was actually locked in and connected with what you were doing?
Honestly? Not until I got home. I had anxiety the whole time. I was locked in on rapping. Even after, we were dapping up, taking pictures — it still didn’t register. But when I got back to the crib and watched it again with my homies, I saw it. His demeanor changed with every beat. The chat went crazy. When that last beat hit, I realized, “Oh, he was really locked in.” Then, days later, he kept talking about me. He wore the jersey I gave him. That’s when it really hit.
New Jersey Devils jersey — because you really rep Jersey.
Always. I stand on that shit. There’s too much talent in Jersey that doesn’t get the light. That moment wasn’t just for me — it was for the state. It felt like a chance to put Jersey on in a way we haven’t seen in a long time.
Let’s talk more about Pray 4 Me. It starts with a prayer and ends with a prayer. Why was that the vision?
My grandma used to pray for me every single day when I was in college. She sent me scriptures all the time. After the freestyle, my DMs were flooded with people saying, “I’m praying for you.” That energy felt exactly like what my grandma used to give me.
The first prayer is from my homie Ausar. He prayed for me before leaving my crib when I was really struggling — deciding whether to take a part-time job, questioning everything. The last prayer is from my dawg Huncho, who was locked up at the time and calling me every day on the JID tour, telling me to keep going. The project is about my community holding me up.
You’ve always been vulnerable in your music — struggling to pay rent, missing funerals. Why has transparency always mattered to you?
I grew up on Cole, Kendrick, Drake — artists who were honest. Writing is therapy for me. I don’t do it for relatability points. I do it because it’s how I survive. When people connect to it, that’s just the byproduct.
This project came together fast?
Immediately. We started it the day after the freestyle. I’m capturing real time — everything from that moment through half the JID tour. I wanted it to be authentic. No polish, just the truth.
You mention meeting J. Cole on the same day your friend Huncho got locked up.
Yeah. 2023. I drove from Nashville to Atlanta with $12 in my bank account just to be in the studio. I met Cole that day, and that same day, Huncho got locked up. Funny enough, I just found out right before this interview that he beat the case. He’s coming home soon. That shit feels full circle.
You’re intentional about who you work with — Marco Plus, Swavay, Ben Reilly, Reuben Vincent. Do you feel like you’re part of a new class of MCs?
For sure. We’ve been broke together, stressed together, building together. We talk every day. It’s a brotherhood. Seeing everyone rise together is special.
You’re now at Def Jam. Why does that legacy still matter to you?
Def Jam is culture. They’re uplifting Black artists. I grew up on that legacy. My uncle put me onto all those artists. I just met Nas last night. Being part of that lineage means everything.
“Screaming At The Sky” is one of the most powerful records on the project. Talk about honoring your grandmother.
That song was one take. I don’t like revisiting records like that — I want them to stay pure. My grandma was one of my biggest supporters. I still keep her obituary in my car. She introduced me to the loctician who locked my hair. Everything I am is connected to her belief in me.
What did touring with JID teach you?
He’s a master — especially live. Breath control, pacing, crowd engagement. I took notes every night. Same with Russ. Young Nudy, too — no backtrack. I’m always learning.
“Frankenstein” with Marco Plus is just bars. How did that come together?
Conductor sent the beat pack. I told Marco, “No hook, just rap.” That was for hip-hop. Sharing that moment with my brother meant everything.
You say on that song, “You haven’t felt a moment this impactful since Kendrick emerged.”
I stand on that. I saw legends, athletes, everyone showing love. Real rap cut through again. That Kai moment is a turning point in hip-hop.
How do you define success now?
Impact. On the JID tour, we sold out merch. People waited just to talk to me. They told me my music gave them a safe space. No number can quantify that. The numbers will catch up. The impact is already here.
Dunkin’ has an impeccable track record over the past few years of working with music’s biggest stars. Ice Spice had a signature drink in 2023, Jack Harlow (and Ben Affleck) did a Super Bowl commercial in 2024, and Sabrina Carpenter was their star of 2025.
We’re in a new year now, and for 2026, Dunkin’ is going with Megan Thee Stallion, and today (January 7), a new ad campaign debuted.
A new 60-second spot arrives as part of Dunkin’s “Dunk N’ Pump” campaign. On a vibrant pink and orange soundstage, Megan introduces herself as “ProTina,” a nod to the Protein Refreshers and Dunkin’s new protein milk that can by enjoyed throughout their drink menu. She leads a crew of fellow instructors through a workout routine meant to target the all-important “sip muscles.” She then runs through a quick original rap: “6, 7, 8, 9, 10 / All of your exes gonna want you again / Bang, bang, the body is bangin’ / Turn around the thing be bangin’.”
Meg said in a statement (as People notes):
“Teaming up with Dunkin’ to bring my new Mango Protein Refresher to life has been such an exciting experience and I can’t wait for the Hotties to try it. Whether you’re drinking it to boost your fitness routine or just to power through a busy day, it’s the perfect drink for any occasion.”
Jill Nelson, chief marketing officer at Dunkin’, also says, “We saw protein milk as a natural way to give our guests more flexibility in how they enjoy the Dunkin’ menu throughout the day. Protein Milk tastes great across coffee, lattes and refreshers without changing the flavors guests already love, and we’re excited to support the launch in unexpected ways.”