Month: July 2023

Rihanna and ASAP Rocky have a baby together and another on the way. Given their relationship status and the fact that they’re both respected musical artists, it would make sense that at some point, the two could do something like their own version of Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s Everything Is Love and make some music together. Now, the question is: Do they have a song coming?

Rocky seemingly teased one on his newly released single “Riot (Rowdy Pipe’n),” which includes the line, “Luxe balm up in my palm / New collab’ with my baby mom.”

While lyrics are of course open to interpretation and aren’t always 100-percent reflective of reality, Rocky did just tell Complex that he and Rihanna do have some things on the way, but not necessarily music. He said, “I’m always down to collab with my partner. She’s a phenomenal creative. Yeah, there’s a lot of things we’re going to collaborate on, from products for children, there’s a lot of things to look forward to.”

He also spoke of his partnership with Beats, saying, “[Beats] is a heritage brand at this point, and I think that they really advocated to have me display my different talents. They also showed love and made sure that the [new] music was in video; they were just open to the ideas that I wanted to do. And I think that’s what made them a great partner, for just allowing me to really take the wheel.”

Jaxon Carter is an incredible example of turning tragedy into triumph. The 6-year-old boy lost his mother, Taryn Marie Gainey, in an accidental apartment fire in Harrison Township, Michigan, when he was 5, a few weeks before he started kindergarten.

Even though his life had been turned upside down by tragedy, young Jaxon excelled at his school, New Dawn Academy, a public STEM-focused charter school. He won his class spelling Bee, received honors in nearly all of his subjects and graduating valedictorian of his class.

In June, his teacher asked him to give his class a valedictory address, and he delivered a 4-minute speech from memory that he wrote with his grandma. “When I started kindergarten at New Dawn Academy in August 2022, I was a little 5-year-old who had lost my beautiful mother a month before,” Jaxon said.

@blackdollarntwk

♻️ lG/blackinformationnetwork 6-year-old Jaxon Carter delivered an emotional speech dedicated to his late mom at his graduation ceremony. Jaxon lost his mom, Taryn Marie Gainey, last July in an apartment fire. Jaxon started kindergarten at a new school in Sterling Heights, MI

But he persevered and put all of his efforts into his studies. “I learned to play with other kids, read books, answer or ask questions like how or why, use correct grammar and use my school tablet,” he continued. “My kindergarten year helped me grow braver, smarter, kind-hearted and more grateful.”

He ended his speech by paying tribute to his beloved mother. “I dedicate my speech, good grades, all school awards, and my kindergarten graduation to my beautiful mommy, who I will always love and miss so very much. I know she will always be with me in my heart,” Carter said.

He also thanked his grandmother, uncles and dad for their support. “You are the best daddy ever, and I love you so very much,” Carter said to rapturous applause.

A new era of Zayn is upon us. Two years after his third album, Nobody Is Listening and with a freshly signed deal with Mercury Records, Zayn is back with his new single, “Love Like This.”

On his new song, produced and written by Jon Bellion and songwriting collective The Monsters & Strangerz, Zayn and his special love are going through a rough patch. But regardless, his heart still beats only for her.

“I just wanna take your time / and everything is on the line / but I would rather be dead / If it’s gonna mean a life that’s lived without you, baby / I guess that’s love like this,” he sings on the song’s chorus.

Earlier this month, Zayn made an appearance on Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast, which marked his first interview in six years. Though he’s maintained a steady flow of music, Zayn admitted he felt it was necessary to take a break from the spotlight in order to home in on who he is as an artist.

“You don’t want to be sat there saying the same sh*t on repeat,” Zayn said. “I mean, day in and day out, I think this should be a good, healthy break in-between — and that was my approach to it. ”

You can see the video for “Love Like This” above.

In the streaming era, songs longer than three minutes feel like an anomaly. Even more rare today are rap songs with three verses. But tonight, Jay Rock, Anderson .Paak, and Latto brought back what the game has been missing for a while.

On their new collaboration “Too Fast (Pull Over),” Jay, Anderson, and Latto can’t help but party it up and toast to their accomplishments.

Though he’s been doing more singing lately — particularly with his Bruno Mars collaborative side project, Silk Sonic — Anderson makes a return to rap, with a catchy chorus.

“Pull ovеr, that ass too fast / Hit the ATM and grab more cash / Yеs, lord, feelin’ like a new man,” he says.

Though Jay hasn’t put out an album since 2018’s Redemption, he reminds us that he hasn’t left the building at all.

“Send a stepper up the stairway to heaven / Put a pole dancer in a Mercedes / She wanna watch P Valley and go half on a baby,” raps Jay in his verse.

In the video, as guests are partying in a pool at a mansion, Latto is seen dancing on the aforementioned pole on the Mercedes. She also reminds us that she’s not going to let any haters faze her or let anyone use her name for clout.

“B*tches want the come up, ain’t gon’ give ’em one / Pull up in the, ‘Skrrt,’ then I pull off in a different one / A bigger one, expensive one, the Lamby or somethin’ / Pull the switch on their ass like a Grammy or somethin’” she raps.

You can see the “Too Fast (Pull Over)” video above.

Anderson .Paak is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

In true New York fashion, Ice Spice’s newest single is an ode to a city staple — the deli. On “Deli,’ Ice is has gone from a scrappy newcomer to a full-blown superstar.

Teaming up with her frequent collaborator RiotUSA, Ice is embracing her opulence as one of rap’s most prolific acts.

“She a baddie, she showin’ her panty / She shake it like jelly / Hundred bands in Chanel-y / But I’m still shakin’ ass in the deli,” she raps with fervor on the song’s chorus.

The past year has been monumental for Ice. She has a collaboration with Nicki Minaj on the Barbie soundtrack — which is out today. She also collaborated with Taylor Swift back in May.

But no matter how famous she gets, she will always have love for where she came from — The Bronx.

In an interview with Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe, Ice showed love for her home borough and expressed her gratitude for the upbringing she experienced.

“A childhood in the Bronx, I’m not going to lie, is fun, for me,” she said. “That’s how my childhood was. I know a lot of people in the Bronx have different experiences, especially depending on what part of the Bronx you from. But I had a fun childhood. I mean, I only know it from my perspective.”

You can listen to “Deli” above.

Like…? (Deluxe) is out now via Capitol Records & 10K Projects. Find out more information here

Britney is back, b*tch! Tonight (July 21), Will.I.Am has dropped “Mind Your Business,” his hotly-anticipated new collaboration with Britney Spears. Over a thumping, bass-heavy beat, Will and Spears are reminding their haters that they’re not here for any drama.

Having been a star since she was a child, Spears can never escape intrusive people. No matter where she goes, she is aware that she is being followed “Uptown, downtown, everywhere I turn around,” on her verse of the song.

She continues, singing, “Hollywood, London, snap-snap is the sound / Paparazzi shot me / I am the economy.”

Will doubles down on the frustration, rapping, “Too much looky-looky, I’m so sick of all these looky-loos / Everybody lookin’ at me like I was the breakin’ news / Police gotta stayin’ watchin’ every step I take / Every move I make, every breath I take.”

“Mind Your Business” marks Spears’ first musical contribution since last year’s Elton John collab, “Hold Me Closer,” an updated version of John’s timeless classic, “Tiny Dancer.” It’s also her second overall since being released from her 13-year conservatorship back in 2021.

At this point, the message of “Mind Your Business” rings stronger now more than ever for Spears.

You can listen to “Mind Your Business” above.

Travis Scott is back — and he’s brought some friends with him. On his new song, “KPop,” Scott is joined by fellow hitmaker heavyweights Bad Bunny and The Weeknd, as they all come through with the heat.

Over a smooth, percussive beat, Scott delivers his signature brand of rap-singing. Of course, in true Travis Scott fashion, there’s no shortage of “skrt” or “it’s lit” adlibs.

Bad Bunny pops in, with the intent to charm a lady on the dancefloor — no matter how her man feels about it.

Meanwhile, The Weeknd — in his first musical contribution since the end of season 1 of his controversial HBO series, The Idol — seeks to continue a debauched night long after the club closes.

The scorching new single arrives a week before his hotly-anticipated fourth studio album, Utopia. Utopia marks Scott’s first album in five years, and also, his first since the Astroworld tragedy.

Scott will celebrate the release of Utopia next week with a special concert at the Giza Pyramids in Egypt — despite rumors of its previous cancellation due to alleged cultural insensitivity. The album will also come in five different artworks.

You can listen to “KPop” above.

Utopia is out 7/28 via Epic Records and Cactus Jack. Find out more information here.

Jaxon Carter is an incredible example of turning tragedy into triumph. The 6-year-old boy lost his mother, Taryn Marie Gainey, in an accidental apartment fire in Harrison Township, Michigan, when he was 5, a few weeks before he started kindergarten.

Even though his life had been turned upside down by tragedy, young Jaxon excelled at his school, New Dawn Academy, a public STEM-focused charter school. He won his class spelling Bee, received honors in nearly all of his subjects and graduating valedictorian of his class.

In June, his teacher asked him to give his class a valedictory address, and he delivered a 4-minute speech from memory that he wrote with his grandma. “When I started kindergarten at New Dawn Academy in August 2022, I was a little 5-year-old who had lost my beautiful mother a month before,” Jaxon said.

@blackdollarntwk

♻️ lG/blackinformationnetwork 6-year-old Jaxon Carter delivered an emotional speech dedicated to his late mom at his graduation ceremony. Jaxon lost his mom, Taryn Marie Gainey, last July in an apartment fire. Jaxon started kindergarten at a new school in Sterling Heights, MI

But he persevered and put all of his efforts into his studies. “I learned to play with other kids, read books, answer or ask questions like how or why, use correct grammar and use my school tablet,” he continued. “My kindergarten year helped me grow braver, smarter, kind-hearted and more grateful.”

He ended his speech by paying tribute to his beloved mother. “I dedicate my speech, good grades, all school awards, and my kindergarten graduation to my beautiful mommy, who I will always love and miss so very much. I know she will always be with me in my heart,” Carter said.

He also thanked his grandmother, uncles and dad for their support. “You are the best daddy ever, and I love you so very much,” Carter said to rapturous applause.

Freddie Mercury had a voice and a stage presence unlike any other in rock music history. His unique talents helped propel the band Queen to the top of music charts and created a loyal fan base around the world.

Sadly, the world lost that voice when Mercury died of AIDS at age 45. For decades, most of us have assumed we’d heard all the music we were going to hear from him.

However, according to Yahoo! Entertainment, remaining Queen members Roger Taylor and Brian May announced this summer that they had found a never-released song they’d recorded with Mercury in 1988 as they were working on the album “The Miracle.”

“We did find a little gem from Freddie, that we’d kind of forgotten about,” Taylor said in June, according to the BBC. “It’s wonderful, a real discovery. It’s a very passionate piece.”

That “little gem” is a four-minute ballad called “Face It Alone.” Queen released a lyric video of the song on its YouTube channel, and it’s bringing fans to tears.

The lyrics are particularly heart-wrenching, considering the timing of the song’s recording. Mercury was reportedly diagnosed with HIV in 1987, though kept it a secret from the public and even from many who worked closely with him until shortly before his death.

Comments have poured in from around the world in multiple languages, and the sentiment is universal—people are deeply moved.

“Over 3 million views in one day. To hear Freddie’s voice again is so special. You live forever, darling. The song is heart breaking but then again, Queen’s songs are from the heart and that can never go wrong. Thank you to all who made it happen.” – sweet pea

“One day Freddie said: ‘I won’t be a star, I will be a Legend’ And yes we all agree, he STILL REMAINS A LEGEND even after 31 years after his death. AMAZING.” – Gloria Sousa

“Freddie’s vocal is killing me same today as 20 years ago. Thank You Queen for this amazing gift after so many years. We love You.” – Adrian Kufel

“What to say?? A great magnificent surprise. All I know is that I cried the moment I heard this voice, these words…. Only Freddie. Love this man for eternity.. It seems as if he returned briefly to us!! To send us a message… What a beautiful present for all his fans, for this generation that has had the impact of the pandemic, this strange war, these strange times. So happy and touched to hear this now. Thank you Queen… Thank you Freddie forever !!!” – Fern 19671

“So great to see all the Freddie and Queen fans here today celebrating this song and Freddie’s amazing voice. I love how much Freddie is still treasured. I remember the day he passed away, how I cried. It’s like a gift to get this new song and have his song playing loud throughout the house today. We all love you dear Freddie.” – Sarah-Louise ASMR

Mercury was truly a legend in his own time, and hearing his voice anew almost makes it feel like he’s time-traveled to the here and now. What a lovely gift for Queen fans everywhere.

This article originally appeared on 10.14.22

We’ve all been there at some point or another, nervously waiting for a big job interview hoping you don’t sweat through your good shirt. Interviews are stressful but there’s likely no job interview more stressful than the one Guy Goma went on in 2006 for the BBC, when he was mistaken for an expert for a news segment. The person they were supposed to interview for the news segment was Guy Kewney, an actual music industry expert. But with cameras rolling and questions being asked, Goma took a deep breath and answered the newscaster.

In the clip you can see Goma likely thinking through how he could gracefully exit the situation after the realization that he had been placed on live television with no idea what he was about to be asked. It didn’t stop him though, once he committed to going along with the expert interview he did pretty well. While he tried desperately to control his breathing, he was able to inform the interviewer that he was predicting more people would begin downloading music online and it would become a faster process. I mean, he was right, even if he had no idea at the time.

Surprisingly, after the on-air snafu and subsequent save by Goma, he didn’t get the job he applied for, which is weird because he was clearly perfect for whatever position he wanted. I’m pretty sure they dropped the ball there, but it sure would be nice to know what happened to the quick-thinking faux expert.

Unfortunately there are no recent updates about the whereabouts of Guy Goma after his brief and random moment in the spotlight, but he’ll always hold a place in television history. Watch Goma’s WTF reaction when he realizes what’s going on below.

This article originally appeared on 10.20.22