Month: March 2025

In December 2024, Kendrick Lamar and SZA announced they will be embarking on the Grand National Tour together. The shows kick off soon, in April, and when SZA was a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last night (March 11), the host couldn’t help but work a Drake question into the mix, given that the tour includes a stop in Toronto.

Kimmel brought up the Toronto date and asked, “Are you worried about that at all?” SZA responded, “Are you worried?” Kimmel replied, “I’m not worried about it.” SZA then said, “I wouldn’t be either. I think it’s going to be so fun.”

Kimmel then got more directly at what he was driving at, continuing, “What if you-know-who shows up to the show in Toronto?” SZA, keeping her cool, responded, “Who-knows-who?” That got a laugh out of Kimmel and the studio audience, and the conversation moved on.

Elsewhere during the chat, Kimmel and SZA discussed her and Keke Palmer’s hit movie One Of Them Days. Kimmel asked, “I would imagine you guys are working on a sequel to this film, yes? I mean, you must be.” SZA joked, “Keke’s tired of me, she’s gotta be.” She continued, “She’s chock-full of energy. I would be so honored to be involved in anything that they did again.”

Ian heard the criticism surrounding his sudden rise in rap, and now he’s firing back. One of the biggest critics of the Lil Yachty protégé’s artistic approach is none other than Tyler The Creator.

So, during his “Lunch Break Freestyle” for Lyrical Lemonade, Ian addressed the pushback. “Back then, I really loved Odd Future / I ain’t never sat down tryna mock Future / I ain’t wanna show no disrespect, so I kept my mouth shut and that’s not human/ Damn, would’ve been a dumbass thing to do,” he rapped.

The stanza is a direct response to remarks Tyler The Creator made, in which he accused Ian of “mocking Future, Gucci Mane, [and] rap music.”

Tyler The Creator followed up his remarks in August 2024 on Mavericks with Mav Carter saying: “People are like, ‘This sh*t hard.’ It’s not even like satire. I hold rap music so close to my heart because this sh*t changed my life […] This is like weird, and I’m looking at it like something about it don’t sit well with me […] In comparison to someone like a Mac Miller or an Eminem, who it didn’t seem like they were mocking it.”

Listen to Ian’s “Lunch Break Freestyle” on Lyrical Lemonade above.

Yungeen Ace is one of the faces of Florida’s drill rap scene. His 2019 project Step Harder and 2020’s follow-up Don Dada, made the “Game Over” rapper Jacksonville’s fastest rising rookie. However, do not expect local authorities in his hometown to roll out the red carpet for him.

According to a viral video out of Duval County, Yungeen Ace is no longer welcomed within Jacksonville, Florida’s city limits. In the clip (viewable here), Sheriff T.K. Waters has made it clear that if it were up to him, Yungace would be banned from Jacksonville all together.

In an effort to crackdown on the alleged “violence the city’s growing drill music scene” influence, Waters is going after Yungeen Ace in the public eye. “It’s down here too, man” Waters said referring to drill rap. “And the thing about it is, we like to run them out of town. There’s a couple of them, they know they can’t live here anymore. There was a particular song I don’t even want to mention because I don’t want to give these guys credit.”

Although Waters did not directly name the track, he appears to be talking about Yungeen Ace’s track “Who I Smoke.” The controversial song, which samples Vanessa Carlton’s pop hit “A Thousand Miles,” caught pushback online for its taunting lyrics directed at now Ace’s deceased foe Julio Foolio and the seemingly off kilter use of the sample.

He continued: “They sampled her song, and then they made a song, a rap. They were talking about people that have actually been killed in Jacksonville, about five or six of them, right? They’re named in that song. But that’s what drill rap is. It’s nonsense, but it’s impactful because they’re talking about people that have actually been killed.”

Other Jacksonville officials seen in the video backed the Waters’ statement. However, users online have expressed mix feelings towards the video.

Yungeen Ace has not publicly addressed the clip.

Apparently, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs do love fans like they love them. Today (March 11), the “Burning” musicians have answered supporters desperate pleads for more live shows or so it seems.

Over on Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ official Instagram page they are teasing a full on international tour. In the post (viewable here), a string of major cities including Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Manchester, Mexico City, Nashville, New York, San Francisco are listed.

Although dates for the hinted at performance haven’t been disclosed the RSVP link attached to Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ profile confirm that this as indeed events. Once clicked, fans are directed to series of Laylo webpages which are almost exclusively used by musicians to promote tour tickets.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs last live shows and festival appearances were back in 2023. The band played a headlining gig at History in Toronto and Just Like Heaven as well as Kilby Block Party 2023. Still, supporters are begging for Yeah Yeah Yeahs to pop again.

During an interview with Vulture in 2022, frontwoman Karen O explained the significant gap between Yeah Yeah Yeahs gigs.

“It’s hard to sustain,” she said. “There really was a spectacle of self-destruction happening, but it was therapy.”

She continued: “The stage is a safe space for me. It’s the greatest gift in my life. It’s such a release. It’s like wild ecstasy onstage, something I can’t access hardly anywhere else. All of a sudden, anything I had repressed over my entire life just felt open, free, fun, confrontational, vulnerable.”

Based on the comment section of Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ teaser they won’t have to worry about ticket sale because followers are champing at the bit to snag a pair.

Back in September 2024, Miley Cyrus was hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit.

Within the legal documents, Tempo Music Investments accused Cyrus of plagiarizing Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man” (a song they have fractional ownership in) for her Grammy Award-winning single, “Flowers.” Cyrus denies the claims and immediately filed a motion to have the case dismissed. Yesterday’s hearing (March 10) for that filing does not appear to have gone Cyrus’ way.

According to Rolling Stone, the presiding judge, U.S. District Judge Dean D. Pregerson, is leaning toward rejecting Cyrus’ motion.

In Los Angeles federal court, Judge Pregerson repeatedly agreed with copyright ownership and enforcement arguments made by Tempo Music Investments’ lawyer Alex Weingarten.

“There’s a profound policy issue before the court,” said Weingarten. “Adopting the rule urged by [Cyrus] would turn the entire music industry, indeed the tech industry as well, on its ear. The policy behind the Copyright Act allows people to freely [sell] their interests in copyright.”

In agreeance Judge Pregerson chimed: “Or if someone dies and someone acquires an interest through an estate. All of a sudden they lose the right to enforce it.”

Although the judge has not yet made a ruling, in the court’s transcript Judge Preperson reportedly said he would “likely deny a motion to dismiss the case” because the claims have “merit.”

Now, Miley Cyrus as well as her co-defendants Sony Music Publishing, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing will are gearing up for a nasty legal fight.

Boosie Badazz fans are in shock following a tragic incident. Early yesterday morning (March 10), gun shots abruptly put an end to the “Black Rain” rapper’s recent performance.

On Sunday, March 9, Boosie was scheduled to make an appearance at Akron, Ohio’s local nightclub, Field House Lounge. According to reports, his mini set during the official The Millennium Tour after party was abruptly ended after a shooting took place leaving three injured.

Cleveland 19 News reports that after a heated confrontation from patrons within the establishment things quickly escalated, which resulted in three eventgoers being shot–two critically.

Although local law enforcement are still gathering details surrounding the matter, Akron police confirm that around 2 a.m. yesterday morning an off-duty officer in the arm called the incident in. After cops arrived they discovered the unnamed gun shot victims– one 18-year-old man, a 25-year-old man, and a 36-year-old man.

Both the 18-year-old man and 36-year-old man victim were immediately taken to the nearby hospital for treatment. They’re currently being listed in critical condition. While the third victim (25-year-old man) was treated by medical professionals sources say it was for a non-life threatening grazing.

A suspect was not identified at the scene. But Akron Police said are hoping that witnesses will come forward. The Akron Police Department Detective Bureau has directed attendees to contact their tip line at 330-375-2490.

Boosie Badazz has not yet released a public statement regarding the incident.

Mexico-based Latin music festival Baja Beach Fest returns to Rosarito Beach for 2025 on August 8-10, with a lineup headlined by Don Omar, J Balvin, and Maluma. Tickets for the festival — which has become the premiere music festival for contemporary música latina, including reggaeton, Latin trap, and more — go on sale Thursday, March 13 at 12 PM PT.

In addition to the headliners, who are all huge stars even outside the Spanish-speaking world, the lineup also features newcomers and rising stars who have been making their names over the past five years of the fest’s existence. They include Brazilian pop singer Anitta, Puerto Rican rapper Young Miko, Venezuelan singer Danny Ocean, Puerto Rican rapper Myke Towers, Latin trap pioneer Arcangel, reggaeton star Wisin, and Mexican corridero Tito Double P.

Established in 2019, the Baja Beach Fest has grown in esteem and demand over the past five years (skipping 2020, of course). In 2021, Balvin headlined for the first time alongside Anuel AA and Ozuna. Anuel returned in 2022 with Daddy Yankee and Farruko, then both Balvin and Ozuna joined the Chicago expansion in 2023, accompanied by Wisin Y Yandel. The 2023 fest in Rosarito hosted Wisin Y Yandel, as well as Ozuna, Feid, and Don Omar. Last year was the most diverse lineup yet, with Kali Uchis and Peso Pluma.

You can find more information about Baja Beach Fest here.

Måneskin is perhaps the biggest Italian musical export of the past half-decade, and now leader Damiano David is looking the ride the momentum into a solo career: Today (March 11), he announced his debut solo album, Funny Little Fears.

In a statement, David says of the project:

“I’ve always been afraid of heights, that any moment the ground breaks apart under my feet and in one second, everything’s gone. I’ve been afraid of darkness, an immensity I don’t get to see or understand, that might take me if I don’t watch my steps. I’ve been afraid of myself, asking for too much, chasing something I didn’t even know if I really wanted. And honestly sometimes I’m still scared, but I wrote myself a manual. Hope u find it helpful too. I called it Funny Little Fears. With love – Damiano.”

The album features previously released singles “Born With A Broken Heart, “Silverlines,” and “Next Summer.”

Check out the Funny Little Fears cover art and tracklist below, along with David’s upcoming tour dates.

Damiano David’s Funny Little Fears Album Cover Artwork

Damiano David’s Funny Little Fears Tracklist

1. “Voices”
2. “Next Summer”
3. “Zombie Lady”
4. “The Bruise”
5. “Sick Of Myself”
6. “Angel”
7. “Tango”
8. “Born With A Broken Heart”
9. “Tangerine”
10. “Mars”
11. “The First Time”
12. “Perfect Life”
13. “Silverlines”
14. “Solitude (No One Understands Me)”

Damiano David’s 2025 Tour Dates

06/21 — Lisbon, Portugal @ MEO Kalorama
07/05 — Belgium @ Rock Werchter
07/17 — Carhaix, France @ Vieilles Charrues
08/01 — Montreal, QC, Canada @ Osheaga
09/11 — Poland, Warsaw @ COS Torwar
09/13 — Germany, Berlin @ Uber Eats Music Hall
09/15 — Netherlands, Amsterdam @ AFAS Live
09/17 — Germany, Cologne @ Palladium
09/21 — Spain, Barcelona @ Saint Jordi Club
09/22 — Spain, Madrid @ WiZink Center
09/26 — France, Paris @ Adidas Arena
09/28 — UK, London @ Roundhouse
09/29 — UK, London @ Roundhouse
10/02 — Belgium, Brussels @ Forest National
10/04 — Switzerland, Zurich @ Halle622
10/07 — Italy, Milan @ Unipol Forum
10/11 — Italy, Rome @ Palazzo dello Sport
10/12 — Italy, Rome @ Palazzo dello Sport
10/22 — Australia, Sydney @ Enmore Theatre
10/24 — Australia, Melbourne @ Forum
10/27 — Japan, Tokyo @ Tokyo Garden Theater
10/29 — Japan, Osaka @ Zepp Osaka Bayside
11/07 — Brazil, Sao Paulo @ Tokio Marine Hall
11/09 — Chile, Santiago @ Teatro Caupolican
11/11 — Argentina, Buenos Aires @ Complejo C Art Media
11/13 — Colombia, Bogotà @ Teatro Royal Center
11/17 — Mexico, Mexico City @ Auditorio BlackBerry
11/21 — USA, Seattle @ Paramount Theatre
11/23 — USA, San Francisco @ The Masonic
11/25 — USA, Los Angeles @ The Wiltern
11/29 — USA, Chicago @ The Riviera Theatre
11/30 — USA, Detroit @ The Fillmore Detroit
12/02 — Canada, Toronto @ Coca-Cola Coliseum
12/04 — Canada, Montreal @ MTELUS
12/06 — USA, Philadelphia @ The Fillmore Philadelphia
12/08 — USA, New York @ Brooklyn Paramount
12/09 — USA, New York @ Brooklyn Paramount
12/16 — USA, Washington DC @ The Fillmore Silver Spring

Funny Little Fears is out 5/16 via Sony Music Italy/Arista. Find more information here.

Ah, BBLs, the evergreen hot topic of podcasters and reality show mavens fishing for viral hits. The “Brazilian butt lift” has generated plenty of discourse since being popularized over the last decade and a half by rappers and pop culture commentators — and not all of it good.

A recent BBL question asked by Shannon Sharpe on his podcast Club Shay Shay may have cost him a big-name guest in SZA, who deemed his untimely query to fellow singer Coco Jones “tacky,” and noted it made her change her mind about being a guest on the show.

The interview was posted two weeks ago, but the show’s social team has been posting clips as recently as five days ago, all with the sorts of salacious titles designed to prompt internet users’ lizard brains to click. One such clip revolved around the above-mentioned BBL question.

“Recently, SZA came out and said she regretted getting a BBL,” Sharpe noted. “Have you talked to anyone that regret it, like, ‘Whatever you do, don’t do this?’” While Coco handled the question adroitly, offering an opposing perspective, SZA clocked the clip, calling out the host in the comments on Instagram.

“Lmaooo now why would this be a question for coco,” she wrote. “Poor baby she handled it well now Shay Shay.” In a separate comment, she also wrote, “Incredibly tacky .. I wanted to come here too, dah well.”

The question was prompted by SZA’s own response to a similar inquiry in a British Vogue interview. “I’m so mad I did that sh*t,” she admitted. “I gained all this weight from being immobile while recovering and trying to preserve the fat. It was just so stupid. But who gives a f*ck. You got a BBL, you realize you didn’t need that sh*t. It doesn’t matter.”

Let that be a lesson to you aspiring journalists out there; controversy may sell, but you’ll never know what opportunities courting controversy could cost you in the long run.

A few days ago, The xx shared some studio photos on Instagram, writing, “Last week, in the studio.”

The band hasn’t announced a new album, but their next LP would be their first in a very long time, since 2017’s I See You. However, as fans know, this is far from the first time the band has teased new music in recent years.

In late 2019, they seemingly indicated new music was on the way in 2020. In 2021, the group shared some studio footage, again suggesting new material was in the works. In 2022, the band’s Oliver Sim declared, “Nothing is recorded at the moment, but there is more music from The xx, definitely.”

In 2024, Romy Madley Croft said in an interview, “It’s quite different being back in the studio with The xx. I think Oliver and Jamie and I have all tried new things and have learned a lot from the different projects, and I think that’s quite healthy to be like, ‘What have you learned? What should we do now?’ I think it’s wide open, and it feels exciting to sort of be starting again in a way.”

The band did actually deliver a sort-of reunion last year, with Croft and Sim featured on Jamie xx’s “Waited All Night.”