HOT 97’s Summer Jam is typically one of the biggest hip-hop events to look forward to every summer, and that’ll be true again this year, too. The one-day show goes down at June 20 at Newark, New Jersey’s Prudential Center, and the lineup was announced today (March 31).
The lineup includes Gunna, GloRilla, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Muni Long, Asake, Ayra Starr, Ja Rule & Friends: A Tribute To Irv Gotti, Kash Doll, Bobby Konders & Jabba Feat. Masicka, Jim Jones & Friends, Cash Cobain, 41 (Kyle Rich, Jenn Carter, Tata), and more. A press release also teases “surprises, special guests, and unforgettable moments.”
The general on-sale starts on April 4 at 10 a.m. ET. Pre-sales start with an American Express pre-sale starting on April 1 at 10 a.m. ET. There’s also a Boost Mobile pre-sale and a promoter pre-sale, both of which start on April 2 at 10 a.m. ET. More information can be found here.
The festival is produced by The Black Promoters Collective and is part of the Prudential North To Shore Festival. Shelby Joyner, Founder of SJ Presents and President of The Black Promoters Collective, says in a statement, “Summer Jam is the pinnacle of hip-hop culture, and we’re honored to bring this electrifying experience to fans once again. This year’s lineup is a testament to the genre’s evolution, featuring both chart-topping superstars and rising talent who are shaping the future of hip-hop.”
The 36th GLAAD Media Awards went down last week, on March 27, and there, Doechii picked up the award for Outstanding Music Artist. As she told People, that was a major win for her.
Doechii called the award the “warmest win that I have gotten yet,” explaining, “Because I feel like I’m amongst my family, I feel like I’m in my element, I’m with my community, and I just feel proud to be here because I know I’m safe.”
Doechii also said of her past year, “It’s been transformative for me. Truly. All of my dreams have become a reality, and I feel like I am literally walking in a dream.”
While accepting the award during the show (video above), Doechii said:
“I am thrilled at being recognized with such a prestigious award by GLAAD, and joining the prior honorees such as Reneé [Rapp], Lady Gaga, Lil Nas X, Sam Smith, and Janelle Monáe. This is a huge and special moment as well because GLAAD is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, which is super fab [laughs]!
This organization was founded on the principles of acceptance, inclusiveness, and empowerment, and those are the same things that I strongly believe in and advocate for and that continue to propel me forward, especially now that hard-won cultural change and rights for transgender people and the LGBTQ community have been threatened, and I’m disgusted. Disgusted. But I want to say that we are here and we are not going anywhere.
So, the support and the love I’m feeling as I accept this award from GLAAD is truly overwhelming and uplifting, and as I move forward in my life and career, enabling. It’s also a beacon to other aspiring artists to not let anyone ever block your dreams, like ever [laughs]. So, I just want to encourage you guys to stay connected with one another, stay passionate, stay focused, keep your chin up, be kind, and be fab [laughs]!”
In a 2022 interview with British GQ, Doechii said of her sexuality, “I started becoming comfortable with it when I started getting more gay friends. I always knew that I was queer, and I was bisexual. But I didn’t really feel comfortable talking about it, because nobody around me was gay. So it’s not like I was hiding it, but I also wasn’t fully embracing it.”
Every month, Uproxx cultural critic Steven Hyden makes an unranked list of his favorite music-related items released during this period — songs, albums, books, films, you name it.
1. Destroyer, Dan’s Boogie
This is the 14th album Dan Bejar has made as Destroyer. When you get to the 14th album in any discography, you’re hoping for something that sounds fresh and exciting while also delivering the unique qualities that kept you interested through the other 13 records. Dan’s Boogie does that. It feels like a new beginning after the previous three releases, which form a stylistically united trilogy. (Let’s call those dark, synth-infused LPs his ’80s Dylan period — which coming from me is a compliment.) Dan’s Boogie, meanwhile, retains some of the feel of that music while also reaching back to the live-band looseness of aughts-era albums like This Night and Rubies.
It’s a compact record (under 40 minutes), and yet Bejar’s song structures feel even less conventional than usual. Songs like “Hydroplaning Off The Edge Of The World” are dense to the point of inscrutability, but you also can’t get it out of your head. It is, in other words, precisely the record that Destroyer fans invested in the 14th Destroyer album will probably want.
2. Fust, Big Ugly
My favorite album of 2025’s first quarter. Given that Fust makes hearty alt-country and hails from North Carolina, it’s natural to think of it as a post-Manning Fireworks southern indie rock record. But Fust’s singer-songwriter Aaron Dowdy is no Lenderman-come-lately. He’s been working on music under the Fust banner for eight years, and part of that time he’s been a Ph.D candidate in literature at Duke University. Which means I am required by music-critic law to describe Big Ugly as “literary.” Which it is, though Fust truly satisfies by playing beautiful bar-band jams that convey warmth and coziness to academics and morons (my kind of people) alike.
3. Haim, “Relationships”
As you would expect from Haim, this is pretty much a perfect indie-pop single. If I were Ariel Rechtshaid, and someone wrote a breakup song inspired by my personal life, I would insist that it was as well-executed as this song.
4. Charley Crockett, Lonesome Drifter
I have enjoyed this Texas country singer’s albums over the years, though even if I didn’t, I would just have to wait a few months for another one to come along. Last year, he put out two records, and he’s already back in 2025 with another LP, Lonesome Drifter. By now, his formula is more or less set — a mix of originals and covers, all pitched in the retro honky-tonk zone. This time, one of the highlights is a rendition of “Amarillo By Morning,” a 1980s era hit for George Strait that Crockett delivers with his usual barrel-chested élan.
5. Dutch Interior, Moneyball
I wrote about this California band last month upon the release of the single “Fourth Street,” one of the better songs from Moneyball, out this month. If you missed them in February, don’t sleep on them now — Moneyball is a pleasurable collection of rustic indie tunes that occasionally slip into Allmans-style harmonized guitar leads.
6. The Waterboys Feat. Fiona Apple, “Letter From An Unknown Girlfriend”
I’m a big fan of The Waterboys’ work from the 1980s, when they mixed self-described “big music” in the mold of bands like Simple Minds and pre-Joshua Tree U2 with American and European folk influences. Singer-songwriter Mike Scott has kept the band going over the years, though his forthcoming record — a conceptual work about Dennis Hopper called Life, Death And Dennis Hopper — appears to be the strangest and most high profile in a while. It’s out on April 4, but one of the album’s standouts — featuring an impassioned (is there any other kind?) Fiona Apple lead vocal — has already been released.
7. Florry, “Hey Baby”
I loved this Philadelphia band’s previous album from 2023, The Holey Bible, and I’m pleased to hear that they haven’t much tamed their shambolic country-rock sound on the forthcoming Sounds Like…, due in May. “Hey Baby” has two hearty “woo’s!” during the sloppy guitar solo and it sounds like the rhythm section was recorded after bars closed on a Saturday night. Can’t wait to marinate in the entire album.
8. Alien Boy, “Changes”
It’s been four years since this Portland band’s breakthrough LP, Don’t Know What I Am, which made my year-end best of list in 2021. But judging by “Changes,” the first song released from their upcoming LP Do You Wanna Fade? (due in May), they are still making fuzz-pop gems that split the difference between ’90s lo-fi and classic dream pop.
Zach Braff pulled together quite the lineup for this past weekend’s concert honoring the anniversary of the Garden State soundtrack: Iron & Wine, The Shins, Laufey, Imogen Heap, Frou Frou, Madison Cunningham, The Milk Carton Kids, Bonnie Somerville, Sophie Barker from Zero 7, Cary Brothers, Remy Zero, Thievery Corporation, and Colin Hay.
To wrap the show up, what looked like just about everybody on the lineup took the stage for an all-star rendition of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’.”
Braff previously said of the event, “When I was first approached about doing a concert for the 20th anniversary, I was like, ‘I don’t know how we’re ever going to get all these bands together at the same time.’ But when the notion of doing it as a benefit for The Midnight Mission, I was all in. I was like if we can marshal all of these beautiful artists together for a cause that is helping such a prevalent dire situation in Los Angeles and give back to the community, that’s when I got off my couch. I was like, ‘How do we figure this out?’”
Check out some other highlights above and find the full setlist (via Rolling Stone) below.
Garden State: The 20th Anniversary Concert Setlist
1. Bonnie Somerville — “Winding Road”
2. Sophie Barker from Zero 7 — “In The Waiting Line”
3. Cary Brothers — “Blue Eyes
4. Remy Zero — “Fair”
5. Remy Zero — “Save Me”
6. Thievery Corporation — “Lebanese Blonde”
7. Colin Hay — “I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You”
8. Colin Hay — “Down Under”
9. The Milk Carton Kids — “The Only Living Boy In New York”
10. Iron & Wine — “Such Great Heights”
11. Iron & Wine — “Naked As We Came”
12. Madison Cunningham and Iron & Wine — “One Of These Things First”
13. Laufey — “Don’t Panic”
14. Imogen Heap and Frou Frou — “Let Go”
15. Imogen Heap and Frou Frou — “New Song Creation”
16. The Shins — “New Slang”
17. The Shins — “Caring Is Creepy”
18. ensemble — “Free Fallin’”
The South has something to say–more specifically South Florida. When talking about the South’s impact on rap music many tend to skip of Florida’s contributions. But local official sure haven’t.
In a statement provided to NBC6, District 3 Commissioner Keon Hardemon discussed the initiative that aims to revitalize Miami’s neighborhood Liberty City.
“If you play this music to the people who are from this area, they are going to light up like it’s the Fourth of July,” he said. “The essence of this is to encourage economic development in our community… to let people know that this exists in Miami-Dade County, and you should come and see it.”
He continued: “In the 1950s or so, during the time of segregation,18th Avenue was the place to be. It had juke joints, it had bars, it had restaurants, and it had living quarters… that’s why they named it Broadway.”
Hardemon confirmed the renamed streets are congregated around 8th Avenue. View the full list below.
Between Northwest 18th Avenue and Northwest 19th Avenue:
What’s My Name Street on NW 62nd Street
City Girls Street on NW 63rd Street
Soul Ties Street on NW 64th Street
Post & Delete Street on NW 65th Street
Chase Dis Money Street on NW 66th Street
Born N Raised Street on NW 67th Street
Big Money Baller Street on NW 68th Street
We the Best Terrace on NW 68th Terrace
Still Da Baddest Street on NW 69th Street
Trick Love the Kids Street on NW 69th Terrace
It’s Your Birthday Street on NW 70th Street
Bad Boys Bad Boys Street on NW 71st Street
Between Northwest 18th Avenue:
Welcome to the MIA Terrace on NW 62nd Terrace
I Luv My Dawgs Street on NW 63rd Street
I Deserve It All Street on NW 64th Street
Closer to My Dreams Street on NW 65th Street
Tunnel Vision Street on NW 66th Street
Welcome to My House Street on NW 67th Street
You Go Girl Street on NW 68th Street
People Change on NW 68th Terrace
Lovers and Friends Street on NW 69th Street
Peace In Da Hood Street on NW 69th Terrace
Run Da Yard Street on NW 70th Street
Last year, André 3000 shook up the music world with his debut Grammy Award-nominated instrumental album, New Blue Sun. Now, his Outkast group mate Big Boi is ready to do that same.
Over on Instagram, Big Boi revealed that he’s back in the studio working on new music. In the post, Big Boi confirmed that his first solo studio in eight years is coming along rather smoothly thanks in part to longtime friend Killer Mike.
“Working on a new album, we just had to fight off 50 Stormtroopers,” he wrote referring to the studio’s animated decor.
Separately his gave the multiple Grammy Award-winner a kind nod. “Live from Stankonia… with my playa Patna Killer Mike,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “New Big Boi ALBUM on da way.”
Big Boi didn’t disclose if Killer Mike would serve as the forthcoming body of work’s producer. Neither did he reveal if they had worked on collaboration for the project. Big Boi fans are excited nevertheless.
Some even joked about the irony of the pair linking up. Back in June 2023, Killer Mike “jokingly” announced that André 3000 would be dropping an album. Although it did not happen immediately after his declaration, an André 3000 project was released the year following.
If Killer Mike predicted André 3000’s debut, now he’s in the studio with Big Boi, then maybe an Outkast reunion could happen after all.
Believe or not, Taylor Swift and Lil Nas X have quite a few things in common. Both musicians’ careers were launched in country music, they’re chart-toppers, and each hold a coveted Grammy Award. But what they don’t have is a song together. However, according to the “Lean On My Body” rapper they almost did.
While chatting with E! News at the 2025 GLAAD Media Awards, Lil Nas X claimed that he and Taylor Swift were secretly working on a collaboration, but it fell through.
“We were working on something,” he said when asked about potentially working with Swift. “She offered to let me try a verse on something, but I couldn’t catch a vibe for it, so it didn’t happen.”
Despite their creativity being misaligned, Lil Nas X remains remains optimistic open penning something together in the future. “When it happens…[it was be] global. World[wide]. Tay-Tay and Nassy,” he said.
Lil Nas X did not share when the collaboration happened but as she gears up for her Reputation (Taylor’s Version) era, take number two may not be far away.
In the past, Swift has surprised fans by securing collaborations with other rappers such as Kendrick Lamar (“Bad Blood“) and Ice Spice (“Karma“). Therefore, a Lil Nas X feature makes perfect sense to the Swifties.
Although the reason for the swift action can not yet be found, fans stumbled across something more valuable. Yesterday (March 29), during Morgan Wallen’s performance of “Just In Case” he subtly revealed a part of the I’m The Problem tracklist.
On the prop television set behind him on stage, Wallen flashed 10 track titles set to appear on I’m The Problem. He even confirmed two new collaborations would make its way onto the album but Wallen did not name names. Those songs include “I Got Better,” “What I Want” with a special guest, “Skoal, Chevy, And Browning,” “Where’d That Girl Go,” “Genesis,” “Number 3 and Number 7” with a special guest, “Come Back As A Redneck” with a special guest, “LA Night,” and “Miami.” Wallen teased track 10’s name but due to the positioning of the SNL cameras the title could not be seen.
Earlier in the evening, Wallen delivered an assured set of the forthcoming project’s title track (view here).
Watch Morgan Wallen’s performance of “Just In Case” on Saturday Night Live above. View the partial tracklist and artwork for I’m The Problem below.
Tracklist
1. “I’m The Problem”
2. “I Got Better”
3. “?”
4. “What I Want” featuring ?
5. “Just In Case”
6. “?”
7. “?”
8. “Skoal, Chevy, And Browning”
9. “?”
10. “?”
11. “?”
12. “?”
13. “?”
14. “Where’d That Girl Go”
15. “Genesis”
16. “?”
17. “Number 3 and Number 7” featuring ?
18. “?”
19. “?”
20. “?”
21. “Come Back As A Redneck” featuring ?
22. “Love Somebody”
23. “?”
24. “?”
25. “?”
26. “?”
27. “?”
28. “?”
29. “?”
30. “Smile”
31. “?”
32. “?”
33. “?”
34. “LA Night”
35. “Miami”
36. “Lies Lies Lies”
37. “I’m A Little Crazy”
Artwork
Big Loud Records
I’m The Problem is out 5/16 via Big Loud Records/Mercury Records. Find more information here.
With his studio album, I’m The Problem, expected to hit streaming platforms on May 16, Morgan Wallen treated the studio audience to a performance of its title track. Backed by his robust band, Wallen’s set of “I’m The Problem” felt like an impromptu romantic counseling session.
As he sang, “You say I’ll never change / I’m just a go around town with some gasoline / Just tryin’ to bum a flame / Gonna burn the whole place down / And how do you explain / Ever fallin’ in love with a guy like me in the first place? / Then turn around say that I’m the worst thing / I guess I’m the problem / And you’re Miss Never Do No Wrong / If I’m so awful / Then why’d you stick around this long,” you couldn’t help but feel the uncomfortable reminder to brush up on your self-accountability.
Ironically, Wallen could’ve used a dose of that later in the evening. As the closing credits were rolling, Wallen abruptly walked off the set of SNL. In a message posted on Instagram, Wallen suggested that he did so intentionally. So, it appears Wallen is just living up to his lyrics.
Watch Morgan Wallen’s full Saturday Night Live performance of “I’m The Problem” above.
I’m The Problem is out 5/16 via . Find more information here.
With his album, I’m The Problem, slated to be released soon, and it’s supporting tour set to kick off, Wallen served as the evening’s musical guest. While his two live performances met the mark, during SNL‘s closing credits, Morgan Wallen seemed to have forgotten his manners. As the Madison, SNL cast and crew waved goodbye to viewers at home, Wallen abruptly exited the set (viewable here).
Initially, viewers gave Wallen the benefit of the doubt claiming that he might’ve thought the show had wrapped. However, over on Instagram Wallen seeming confirmed that his quick departure was in fact intentional.
“Get me to God’s country,” he wrote posting a photo of his a jet ready for departure.
Wallen does not have the best relationship with producers of SNL. Back in October 2020, Wallen’s invitation to perform on SNL was rescinded. The show cited a party-filled trip to Alabama where he was spotted with a mask and interacting with multiple women. His disregard for COVID-19 protocols forced SNL to pull the plug to ensure the safety of its team.
However, months later, Wallen was invited back which hinted the professional relationship had been repaired. But Wallen’s latest actions suggest that this is not the case.
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