Category: News

On her explosive return to form, Fetch The Bolt Cutters, Fiona Apple came back from an eight-year hiatus with a force. On her new album, which will likely be a topping year-end lists next month, one of the most-talked about songs was “Shameika,” a track where Fiona remembers some encouraging words from a classmate. Bullied in the cafeteria with the same old story of mean girls who wouldn’t let her sit at their table, young Fiona was heartened by words from a young Shameika who told her: “You have potential.”

Well, the story of that song eventually made its way to Shameika herself, who is also making music. In an amazing new twist, she’s reimagined Fiona’s song about her and delivered her own take on the story for “Shameika Said.” A much groovier and beat-driven take on the song, it skates toward hip-hop as Shameika raps her bars, and trade most of Apple’s piano for horns and bass. Listen to that above and learn more about Shameika Stepney and her story via Pitchfork’s interview with her.

Oh and while she was at it, Apple also released a music video for her original track, “Shameika.” Check that out below.

The end of November will mark two years since Meek Mill graced fans with his last full-length release, Championships. Since then fans have been patiently — and at times impatiently — waiting for the release of his next body of work. However, in the last two years, fans have only received a few singles here and there as the Philly native shifted his attention to be more heavily-focused on other endeavors like the film world with his Charm City Kings movie and activism thanks to his REFORM Alliance with Jay-Z. However, fans of the rapper should have no fear as Meek has returned with a new EP, one he appropriately labeled the Quarantine Pack.

With the new EP comes a video for “Pain Away,” his long-awaited collaboration with Lil Durk. The visual starts off with Meek flexing his money in one hand as he carries a weapon in the other. The song’s premise focuses on the Dreamchasers rapper’s desire for money to wipe away his pains, despite knowing that isn’t a reality in life. As the setting shifts to nightfall, Lil Durk steps in with a verse of his own, one that lines up with Meek’s thoughts as the Chicago rapper details his past pains and losses while struggling to trust the new faces that come into his life.

The Quarantine Pack EP comes with four songs including “Pain Away” and boasts additional features from 42 Dugg and Vory.

You can watch the “Pain Away” video above.

Quarantine Pack is out now via Dreamchasers/Atlantic. Get it here.

Meek Mill is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Nas’ 2020 has been a lot better than his recent years and it’s thanks in large part to his King’s Disease album, one that was executive produced by Hit-Boy. The album was much better than his past releases as it found the rapper doing a good job of navigating between his vintage raps and a more modernized sound. Since he released the album, the Brooklyn native has lent his voice to a couple of artists including Public Enemy and Statik Selektah for their respective “Fight The Power: Remix 2020” and “Keep It Moving” tracks. Adding another track to his 2020 resume, Nas brings his talents to the soundtrack of HBO’s Between The World And Me original with his “Fallen Stars Flying” track.

The song finds Nas in a very introspective state as he reflects on some of the losses he’s experienced in his life while heralding the Black youth as these “fallen stars flying.” The past memories he recalls can be heard in lines like, “I just talked with big homie up in federal court / He was double-crossed, nowadays staying real is a loss.” Dealing with these hardships in life often pushes him to react, but he knows going to dangerous extents isn’t always worth it. “I got the ‘K for them,” he raps. “But I refrain from doing shaitans work.” The song later closes with a quick story about how is “Black Girl Lost” track helped a young girl navigate through life, so much so that she got a tattoo of wings on her back.

Press play on the video above to hear “Fallen Stars Flying.”

This weekend marks a landmark anniversary, not just for Nicki Minaj but for hip-hop as a whole. November 22nd, which is this Sunday, will be the tenth anniversary of Nicki’s classic album Pink Friday. Did the Barbz really think Nicki was going to let this day pass without some sort of fanfare? She’s already teased a virtual celebration, and to further mark the occasion, Minaj and her team have dropped a super deluxe version of the album, dubbed Pink Friday: The Complete Edition, featuring eight new bonus tracks.

Available now on all platforms, this new edition brings together all the various editions of Pink Friday that have been released before — and there’s been quite a few — gathering all the classic Minaj releases from the era into one place. It is also available on vinyl from Record Store, a UK-based seller. Despite that, their shipping charge is only about $12, so the total still comes in around $40. Not too bad for limited edition vinyl.

Check out the full tracklisting below and listen here.

1. “I’m The Best”
2. “Roman’s Revenge” (Feat. Eminem)”
3. “Did It On’em”
4. “Right Thru Me”
5. “Fly” (Feat. Rihanna)
6. “Save Me”
7. “Moment 4 Life” (Feat. Drake)
8. “Check It Out” (Feat. will.i.am)
9. “Blazin” (Feat. Kanye West)
10. “Here I Am”
11. “Dear Old Nicki”
12. “Your Love”
13. “Last Chance” (Feat. Natasha Bedingfield)
14. “Super Bass”
15. “Blow Ya Mind”
16. “Muny”
17. “Wave Ya Hand”
18. “Catch Me”
19. “Girls Fall Like Dominoes”
20. “BedRock” (Feat. Young Money & Lloyd)
21. “Roman’s Revenge” (Feat. Lil Wayne)

Just days into November, DaBaby and his family were hit with the tragic news that his brother, Glenn Robinson, passed away from a self-inflicted gunshot on Election Day. According to a report from TMZ, his death occurred after he posted a video of himself visibly upset with a gun in his possession as he spoke about how many times he was “wronged.” When the rapper learned about his brother’s death, he posted a line from his Kirk “Intro” track that reads, “My brother be thinkin’ that we don’t love him and let him struggle like we ain’t family.” Now, DaBaby has taken things a few steps further as he returned with a full tribute EP to his older brother.

After teasing his “My Brother’s Keeper” track a few days ago, DaBaby unveils the My Brother’s Keeper (Long Live G) EP for fans, one he dedicates to his late brother Glenn Robinson. The EP comes attached with seven songs and features from Meek Mill, NoCap, Polo G, and Toosii. The project was a surprise release for his fans as many thought the Charlotte rapper would grace them with just a song in honor of his sibling. The EP serves as DaBaby’s third release of the year following his Blame It On Baby album and its deluxe re-issue.

My Brother’s Keeper (Long Live G) is out now via South Coast Music Group/Interscope. Get it here.

Meek Mill is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

This year has been as turbulent as it gets for Megan Thee Stallion. The Houston native battled through lows that included a contract dispute and fighting through the physical and mental pains of being a shooting victim while enjoying the highs of two No. 1 singles, which come in thanks to “WAP” and her “Savage” remix with Beyonce, as well as a number of award show nominations and a season premiere appearance on Saturday Night Live. Now, after months of making headlines with news she’d rather move on from, Megan is finally bringing the Good News to fans in the form of a new album, one she release with a brand new video for “Body.”

The new visual finds the Houston rap star standing tall next to a group of other women as they join forces for an eye-catching dance routine that highlights their assets while Megan’s raps do the same. The video also sees Lil Kim, Taraji P. Henson, Jordyn Woods, and more. As for her new album, Good News comes attached with 17 songs, including “Girls In The Hood,” her “Savage” remix, and her most recent single, “Don’t Stop.” Proving to be a true coming out affair, Good News presents guest appearances from Young Thug, Beyoncé, DaBaby, SZA, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Popcaan, City Girls, and Lil Durk.

You can watch the “Body” video above.

Good News is out now via 1501 Certified Entertainment/300 Entertainment. Get it here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Shawn Mendes has been on the up and up lately, with the new single “Wonder,” a thriving relationship with fellow pop star Camilla Cabello, and a new album on the horizon set for release the first week of December. His last self-titled album released in 2018 was a smash hit with critics, and he’s definitely looking to follow that up with Wonder.

Also on the up and up lately? Justin Bieber. His new pair of singles, “Holy” featuring Chance The Rapper and “Lonely” featuring Benny Blanco are both pretty astounding, the former is super loved up and the latter is full of so much earnest yearning, not a subject we’ve heard a lot from Bieber. All this to say, they’re both in a good place leading up to tonight’s collaboration, “Monster,” and though these two Canadian pop stars have a lot in common, they haven’t worked together before.

“Monster” is basically a song that stays in the same lane as “Lonely,” reflecting on the pressures of fame that both of these stars have faced at a young age. The downtempo track is full of falsettos and harmonies, the things these two do best. Right now, America’s sweethearts are these two Canadians, and their new song lets us know just how hard being up on that pedestal is. Listen above.

With just a few weeks left until the year comes to a close, it should be noted that IDK has had one of the more productive years in comparison to his peers. The DMV native shared his IDK & Friends 2 project, one that marked his fourth project in as many years, a span that is also highlighted by his major-label debut album, Is He Real?. This year also saw the rapper drop off a number of videos and make his debut late-night TV appearance as he brought his talents to The Late Show With Stephen Colbert to perform “No Cable.” Keeping the streak alive, IDK doubles back with his new single, “2 Cents.”

The new tune finds the DMV native in a confident state as he flexes his awareness of life around him, which includes scheming women and untrustworthy friends. As a result, IDK keeps to himself more times than not and holds on to his “2 Cents.” The track comes after IDK put out a PSA to gather the troops and get into action on his bass-thumping single, “King Alfred.” The song was named after the “King Alfred Plan” from author John A. Williams’ novel The Man Who Cried I Am. Prior to that single, he called on two of today’s best young lyricists — JID and Kenny Mason — for his “Cereal” single which boasts production from DJ Scheme.

Press play on the video above to hear “2 Cents.”

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

Tulsa and Tulane occupied the lone college football slot on the Thursday night schedule this week and for the first 58 or so minutes, it was a relatively sluggish game. Tulsa entered their final drive of the game playing third-string QB Davis Brin down 21-14 and in need of a miracle.

With six seconds to play on the Tulane 37, the Golden Hurricane drew up a Hail Mary to JuanCarlos Santana in the back right of the end zone and, somehow, Tulane’s defense let Santana get behind them for the game-tying touchdown.

Tulsa would kick the extra point to force overtime, and in the first overtime period the two teams traded field goals to make it 24-24. At this point, those that bet the Under on a total of 55 were bracing for a disastrous loss, while the cover also hung in the balance at Tulsa -5.5. Tulane got the ball first and while facing third and goal from the Tulsa 3, managed to throw an interception to Zaven Collins, who motored 97 yards the other way for a game-winning pick-six to cover for Tulsa and, miraculously, preserve the Under.

It has to be up there with the wild Western Michigan-Toledo finish for craziest ending to a game this year, as the Broncos beat the Rockets on an onside kick and a fake spike. I’m not sure the Golden Hurricane’s finish is quite as spectacular but it’s damn close, and they remain undefeated in the AAC.

On Thursday, as with every day, there was a lot of news. A lot of it revolved around outgoing president Donald Trump’s increasingly desperate — and pretty illegal-sounding — attempts to flip the election in his favor. But almost all of it was drowned out by his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and his latest trainwreck of a press conference. History will have to decide which was nuttier: the Four Seasons Total Landscaping fiasco or the latest one, in which Giuliani hatched bizarre conspiracy theories while black goo that may have been melting hair dye seeped down the side of his face. He also talked a lot about the 1992 comedy My Cousin Vinny.

Giuliani’s literal meltdown of a presser earned a lot of attention, on social media and on the news. While CNN’s Anderson Cooper was left exasperated, The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah saw it in more hopeful terms — sort of.

There were jokes, of course. “Trump always said he had leakers in his administration, but I didn’t realize it was this bad,” Noah said of Giuliani’s sweaty performance. “What was going on with Rudy? Was his hair dye dripping? Was his brain s*itting itself? Honestly, I didn’t even know sideburns got periods. You know your legal strategy is f*cked up when even your hair starts crying about it.”

But Noah also had some empathy — kind of. “I’m not going to lie: Part of me feels bad for Rudy,” he said. “Because this was the biggest press conference of his life, his chance to get Donald Trump another term as president, and his hair ruined the entire moment. Can you imagine if Abraham Lincoln was reading the Emancipation Proclamation and his beard just walked away?”

He also saw some positive spin. After all, it really does feel like some kind of ending. “Maybe this is the perfect combination of evil and ridiculous to end the Trump era. I think it’s perfect,” he said. “Because think about it: If someone said in 2016 that this whole thing would end with Rudy Giuliani openly plotted a coup against the government, but no one would take him seriously because he had hair dye running down his face the entire time, you’d be like, ‘Yeah, you know what? That sounds about right.’” It sure does. And hopefully this is the end of this…interesting era.

You can watch the segment in the video above. The Giuliani business begins around the 4:47 mark.

(Via Deadline)