HipHop DX News
Pooh Shiesty Arrested For Allegedy Robbing & Kidnapping Gucci Mane At Gunpoint
Andy Bustard (03/04/2026)
Pooh Shiesty, along with his father Lontrell Williams Sr. and fellow rapper Big30, has been arrested for allegedy robbing and kidnapping at gunpoint Gucci Mane and two others earlier this year. Shiesty (real name Lontrell Williams. Jr.) is one of eight defendants who were taken into custody by federal authorities this week in connection with... The post Pooh Shiesty Arrested For Allegedy Robbing & Kidnapping Gucci Mane At Gunpoint appeared first on HipHopDX.
Pooh Shiesty, along with his father Lontrell Williams Sr. and fellow rapper Big30, has been arrested for allegedy robbing and kidnapping at gunpoint Gucci Mane and two others earlier this year.
Shiesty (real name Lontrell Williams. Jr.) is one of eight defendants who were taken into custody by federal authorities this week in connection with the incident. A ninth suspect remains at large.
According to the Department of Justice, Shiesty arranged a meeting with Gucci Mane and two other music industry professionals (referred to by the initials M.M. and B.P.) on January 10 at a Dallas recording studio to discuss the terms of his contract with 1017 Records.
When the three men entered the studio, Shiesty and his crew “executed a coordinated armed takeover,” the DOJ claims. Shiesty allegedly pulled out an AK-style pistol and forced Gucci to sign contract termination paperwork releasing him from his deal.
The “Back In Blood” rapper is also accused of stealing Gucci’s wedding ring, watch, earrings and cash.
The remaining defendants allegedly brandished firearms and robbed the other victims of Rolex watches, jewelry, cash, and other high-value items as Big30 barricaded the studio door with his body to prevent them from leaving.
The victim referred to as M.M. was even choked to near unconsciousness during the incident, according to authorities.
Pooh Shiesty was on home confinement at the time of the incident for a previous firearms conspiracy conviction in Florida. He had only been released from prison in October 2025 after spending four years behind bars.
Investigators used various pieces of evidence to charge Shiesty and his crew, including fingerprints, rental car records and social media posts shared displaying the allegedly stolen items, which were shared just hours after the incident.
If convicted, each defendant faces a sentence of up to life imprisonment.
Neither Pooh Shiesty, Big30 nor Gucci Mane have yet addressed the charges.
The post Pooh Shiesty Arrested For Allegedy Robbing & Kidnapping Gucci Mane At Gunpoint appeared first on HipHopDX.
Read More New Music Friday: Earl Sweatshirt, 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa & Curren$y, Don Toliver & More
Andy Bustard (03/04/2026)
After Kanye West‘s long-awaited Bully took center stage last week, this week’s New Music Friday is all about the heavyweight collaborations. Building on their chemistry from past collabs, Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE make their case as hip-hop’s newest great lyrical tag-team with their joint album POMPEII // UTILITY, soundtracked entirely by the forward-thinking sounds of... The post New Music Friday: Earl Sweatshirt, 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa & Curren$y, Don Toliver & More appeared first on HipHopDX.
After Kanye West‘s long-awaited Bully took center stage last week, this week’s New Music Friday is all about the heavyweight collaborations.
Building on their chemistry from past collabs, Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE make their case as hip-hop’s newest great lyrical tag-team with their joint album POMPEII // UTILITY, soundtracked entirely by the forward-thinking sounds of Surf Gang.
Longtime buddies Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y continue to grow their potent partnership with their latest weed-laced project Roofless Records For Drop Tops: Disc 1, which arrives in plenty of time before 4/20.
On the singles front, 2 Chainz reunites with Statik Selektah for what he’s calling “the most meaningful song I ever wrote.” A heartfelt tribute to his late father, “Pops” is another reminder that we still need that full-length project from Tity Boi and Statik.
Meanwhile, Don Toliver taps Lil Baby for the official remix to his OCTANE track “Tuition,” YG and Ty Dolla $ign team up for another West Coast bop with the “Teach Me How to Dougie”-inspired “Teach You How to Luh Me,” and Trippie Redd and Young Thug bring the rage rap energy on the frantic yet infectious “Paperbag Boy.”
Check out all the best new rap albums and songs below.
Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE & Surf Gang — POMPEII // UTILITY
Featuring: Na-Kel Smith, Jadasea, Niontay, Anysia Kym, Lerado Khalil
2 Chainz & Statik Selektah — “Pops”
Produced By: Statik Selektah, Larrance Dopson & Khirye Tyler Music
Don Toliver feat. Lil Baby — “Tuition (Remix)”
Produced By: BNYX, 206DEREK, Rio Leyva & Sir Dylan
Wiz Khalifa & Curren$y — Roofless Records For Drop Tops: Disc 1
Featuring: N/A
Swae Lee — Same Difference
Featuring: French Montana, Post Malone, Slim Jxmmi, NAV, Jhené Aiko, Rich The Kid, Mike WiLL Made-It, Turbo, Mally Mall
YG feat. Ty Dolla $ign — “Teach You How to Luh Me”
Produced By: Bankroll Got It
Meek Mill — “600 Racks”
Produced By: Credits unavailable
Trippie Redd feat. Young Thug — “Paperbag Boy”
Produced By: J-Bone, southboy, Trist & rprpxrprp
Thundercat — Distracted
Featuring: Mac Miller, A$AP Rocky, Lil Yachty, Flying Lotus, Tame Impala, Willow Smith, Channel Tres, The Lemon Twigs
Juicy J — The Trippy Tapes Vol. 1
Featuring: Wiz Khalifa, La Reezy, BeatKing, Babyfxce E, DJ Scream, Lil Wyte, G9ngstaB9by, rjtheweirdo
Tory Lanez — LOL: Slutty Bass
Featuring: Play Picasso, Roselilah, Smash David, Digital Jet, 2one2, King Midas,
Key Glock — “Loco”
Produced By: King Wonka
BossMan Dlow — “Nothin Like Me”
Produced By: Baker Yung & Blvck Uzi
Mary J. Blige — “Want Love”
Produced By: Camper & Mary J. Blige
Lil Peep — “Don’t Panic”
Produced By: IIVI & Smokeasac
DDG feat. Polo G — “Not Friendly”
Produced By: Jahk & 1204
Ski Mask the Slump God — “BreakTheRules!”
Produced By: Boohmii & Alexis Martin
Ravyn Lenae — “Reputation” (feat. Dominic Fike) + “Bobby”
Produced By: DJ Dahi & Ely Rise / DJ Dahi, Saya Gray & Lucian Gray
Marlon Craft — The Internet Killed the Neighborhood
Featuring: Havoc (Mobb Deep), Dan Edinburg, Kevin Theodore, The Kount, River Tiber, Sly5thAve, Numonics
Paul Wall — “RIP Old Me”
Produced By: Credits unavailable
Tony Shhnow — Flood
Featuring: DRAM, Luh Tyler, ManMan Savage, Jose Guapo, Dreek Jones, YoDogg, Ebo Sosa, Heartless Kid
Red Cafe feat. Max B — “Wish Me Well”
Produced By: Cartune Beatz
Rosco P. Coldchain & Nicholas Craven feat. Ab-Liva & Jimmie D — “Play With Something Safe”
Produced By: Nicholas Craven
Nick Grant — “Money Problems”
Produced By: Credits unavailable
Miles Minnick — Somersville (EP)
Featuring: Lul DreDay, Tommy Zuko, Sam Rivera, Aha Gazelle
Phil Adé feat. The Amours — “Still in Love”
Produced By: Credits unavailable
The post New Music Friday: Earl Sweatshirt, 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa & Curren$y, Don Toliver & More appeared first on HipHopDX.
Read More JAY-Z Was Dissing Cam’ron On “Otis” This Entire Time
Andy Bustard (02/04/2026)
If anything illustrates just how slick JAY-Z‘s bars are, it’s how he subliminally jabbed Cam’ron on “Otis” without barely anyone realizing it for 15 years. During the latest episode of his REVOLT series Talk With Flee, Killa Cam revealed that Hov quietly got at him on the Watch the Throne hit in response to him... The post JAY-Z Was Dissing Cam’ron On “Otis” This Entire Time appeared first on HipHopDX.
If anything illustrates just how slick JAY-Z‘s bars are, it’s how he subliminally jabbed Cam’ron on “Otis” without barely anyone realizing it for 15 years.
During the latest episode of his REVOLT series Talk With Flee, Killa Cam revealed that Hov quietly got at him on the Watch the Throne hit in response to him dissing Kanye West — a fact that had gone unnoticed by even the most diehard of Jigga fans.
“We had said some slick shit about Kanye one time,” he began, referencing his and Jim Jones‘ 2010 freestyle over Ye’s “Runaway” on which Cam rapped: “Kanye, you a sucka n*gga / Dissed Dame, so my attitude is fuck a n*gga / Suckin’ Jigga, how you gon’ live with that? / Took your beat, now come get it back.”
The Harlem rap legend then broke down the hidden meaning in Jay’s rhymes, making the link between his distribution deal with Asylum Records at the time and the “asylum” taunt in Hov’s second verse.
“[‘Otis’] came out probably a few months after we said something about Kanye,” Cam continued. “He said, ‘Live from the Mercer, run up on Yeezy the wrong way I might murk ya / Flee in the G450, I might surface / Political refugee, asylum can be purchased.’.”
(Sidebar: “Political refugee” could also be a subtle reference to the departure of Cam’ron’s Diplomats crew from Roc-A-Fella Records.)
Cam and his co-host Sen City couldn’t help but laugh at the cleverness of Jay’s bars, with both agreeing that he’s incredibly “slick.”
JAY-Z has been firmly back in the headlines of late thanks to what many fans are interpreting as a soft-launch for his long-awaited musical comeback.
In recent months, the Roc Nation mogul has rereleased a number of rare gems in his catalog including the original version of “Dead Presidents”; announced a string of shows at New York’s Yankee Stadium to celebrate the anniversaries of Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint; and been confirmed as the headliner of the 2026 Roots Picnic festival in Philadelphia.
He also recently sat down for a rare and lengthy interview with GQ in which he discussed the Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake battle, the backlash to Kendrick’s Super Bowl halftime show and his relationship with J. Cole.
In addition to revealing he was “close” to appearing on the Clipse‘s Grammy-nominated album Let God Sort Em Out, Hov addressed the speculation surrounding his potential return to music.
“I have a lot of scratch ideas and they’re all bad [laughs],” he joked. “I got to be honest … I don’t know what I need to create currently that’s going to fulfil me and make me happy, because that’s most important. I know I just got to be honest about what I feel and where I am. Maybe I’m overthinking it. Maybe I’m stopping myself from just creating.”
He added: “Whatever it is, it just needs to be a true representation of how I feel. Trying to create something that people like is where I think a lot of artists get jammed up. And people can feel that because it’s not authentic. I just got to make something timeless that I really love and that’s really honest and true to who I am.”
The post JAY-Z Was Dissing Cam’ron On “Otis” This Entire Time appeared first on HipHopDX.
Read More Megan Thee Stallion Shares Health Update After Hospitalization: “It Honestly Scared Me”
Andy Bustard (01/04/2026)
UPDATE: Megan Thee Stallion has been discharged from the hospital and is on the mend after her health scare. In a message to fans on Wednesday (April 1), the Houston Hottie revealed that she had succumbed to exhaustion and will return to the stage for Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Thursday (April 2). “Last night... The post Megan Thee Stallion Shares Health Update After Hospitalization: “It Honestly Scared Me” appeared first on HipHopDX.
UPDATE: Megan Thee Stallion has been discharged from the hospital and is on the mend after her health scare. In a message to fans on Wednesday (April 1), the Houston Hottie revealed that she had succumbed to exhaustion and will return to the stage for Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Thursday (April 2).
“Last night was a real wake-up call for me. I’ve been pushing myself past my limits lately, running on empty, and my body finally said enough,” she wrote on Instagram. “It honestly scared me. I thought I was gonna faint on stage, I really tried to push through my performance but I just couldn’t.
“Hotties I wanna be real with y’all because you mean everything to me and I hate letting yall down. I just need one day to rest, reset, and take care of myself the way I should have been.. I’ll be right back on that stage Thursday, stronger, clearer, and ready to give you 100% the way you deserve. Thank you for always riding with me and loving me through everything.”
The original article continues below.
Megan Thee Stallion has been hospitalized after falling ill during the Broadway production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
According to Complex, the Houston rapper and budding actor was rushed to hospital in New York City on Tuesday night (March 31) after becoming “very ill” during the show.
TMZ additionally reported that emergency services responded to a call from the Al Hirschfeld Theatre for a person who was having trouble breathing, although the exact nature of Megan’s health issue is unclear.
The Breakfast Club co-host Loren LoRosa, who was in attendance, added that the Broadway show was halted and Megan was subsequently removed due to her health issue.
“Came to see Meg The stallion on broadway and that was short lived,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “The few opening scenes I saw her in she was great on stage! I was excited BUT… They just stopped moulin rouge mid show apologized to the audience and said ..’stay inside and seated’ I asked security if we’re safe .. they told us ‘for now, we’ll update you if anything changes.'”
LoRosa later tweeted: “Milan rouge on Broadway has removed Meg the stallion for the night (no explanation as to why) … Announcement just came on in the theatre .. they have removed Meg Thee Stallion from the show as Zidler for the rest of the night.
“Her part was replaced by a black male actor I’ll get his info bc he’s amazing. We are safe .. show is continuing on without Megan thee stallion.”
Megan’s hairstylist Kellon Deryck also confirmed the incident, asking his social media followers to “say a prayer for Megan, we are all at the hospital.”
Came to see Meg The stallion on broadway and that was short lived.
The few opening scenes I saw her in she was great on stage! I was excited BUT…
They just stopped moulin rouge mid show apologized to the audience and said ..”stay inside and seated” I asked security if we’re… pic.twitter.com/rlqHTveHhc
— BROWN GIRL GRINDING
(@LorenLorosa) April 1, 2026
(@LorenLorosa) Everyone say a prayer for Megan, we are all at the hospital
— Kellon Deryck (@KellonDeryck) April 1, 2026
It’s unclear if Megan Thee Stallion will return to the stage for Moulin Rouge! The Musical. She made her debut in the production on March 24 and was expected to perform as Zidler until May 17.
Despite the setback, the Houston Hottie has been on a hot streak in recent months, racking up a number of major wins outside of music.
Earlier this year, she opened her first Popeyes franchise in Miami before being unveiled as the face of True Religion’s Spring 2026 campaign alongside fellow rapper Key Glock.
Adding to her already impressive acting resume, the 31-year-old also landed a guest-starring role in the NBC sitcom The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, led by Tracy Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe.
The post Megan Thee Stallion Shares Health Update After Hospitalization: “It Honestly Scared Me” appeared first on HipHopDX.
Read More Kanye West Expands ‘Bully’ Tour With Wireless Festival Takeover
Andy Bustard (31/03/2026)
Kanye West is set to take over the UK this summer by headlining all three nights of London’s Wireless Festival. Ye, who is fresh off releasing his new album Bully, will perform at the Finsbury Park-based festival on July 10, 11 and 12 — incidentally, the same time that his Watch the Throne collaborator JAY-Z... The post Kanye West Expands ‘Bully’ Tour With Wireless Festival Takeover appeared first on HipHopDX.
Kanye West is set to take over the UK this summer by headlining all three nights of London’s Wireless Festival.
Ye, who is fresh off releasing his new album Bully, will perform at the Finsbury Park-based festival on July 10, 11 and 12 — incidentally, the same time that his Watch the Throne collaborator JAY-Z will return to the stage at NYC’s Yankee Stadium to celebrate the anniversaries of Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint.
Adding to the buzz around these shows is the fact that Yeezy has not performed across the pond since his widely-praised headlining set at Glastonbury in 2015, more than a decade ago.
He is also the second North American rapper in as many years to headline Wireless Festival on his own following Drake, who paid tribute to R&B, hip-hop and UK rap/grime, and dancehall and afrobeats across three star-studded performances in 2025.
It’s unclear if Kanye, who is so far the only confirmed act at 2026 Wireless Festival, plans to bring out any special guests of his own or how he will structure his three sets.
Pre-sale begins next Tuesday, April 7, while general tickets go on sale Wednesday, April 8, at 12pm BST / 5pm ET.
Wireless Festival is just one of several international stops that Kanye West is scheduled to make in the coming months to promote Bully, which finally hit streaming services last week after numerous delays.
The Chicago native has also announced two shows at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium on April 1 and 3, followed by a string of arena concerts in Turkey, the Netherlands, France, Italy and Spain between May 30 and July 30.
Ye will be hoping to repair some of the damage caused by his series of increasingly inflammatory statements made in recent years aimed at Jewish people and expressing admiration for Adolf Hitler — comments that cost him his lucrative and influential Yeezy partnership with adidas, among other business deals.
The 48-year-old issued a lengthy apology in The Wall Street Journal in January, clarifying that he is “not a Nazi” and blaming his offensive behavior on undiagnosed brain injuries from his 2002 car accident.
“I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that [fractured] state, and am committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change. It does not excuse what I did though. I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people,” he wrote.
The post Kanye West Expands ‘Bully’ Tour With Wireless Festival Takeover appeared first on HipHopDX.
Read More J. Cole Reveals His Current Favorite Rapper: “This N*gga’s An Alien”
Andy Bustard (31/03/2026)
J. Cole has revealed the one rapper he’s currently bumping outside of himself — and his answer might surprise you. During an interview with the YouTube channel Lost In Vegas as part of his press run to promote The Fall-Off, the Dreamville rapper waxed poetic about longtime Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Killah Priest. When asked which... The post J. Cole Reveals His Current Favorite Rapper: “This N*gga’s An Alien” appeared first on HipHopDX.
J. Cole has revealed the one rapper he’s currently bumping outside of himself — and his answer might surprise you.
During an interview with the YouTube channel Lost In Vegas as part of his press run to promote The Fall-Off, the Dreamville rapper waxed poetic about longtime Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Killah Priest.
When asked which MC(s) outside of the usual Mount Rushmore candidates (JAY-Z, Nas, 2Pac, Biggie etc) that he’s currently listening to, Cole replied: “The first answer that comes to my mind is somebody that I’ve been playing the last month — this one song in particular. And it made me dive back into some of the shit he’s been releasing over the years. It’s gonna be hella left-field… but Killah Priest.”
The North Carolina native admitted that until recently he wasn’t intimately familiar with Priest’s catalog outside of his “vicious” solo track “B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)” on GZA‘s classic 1995 album Liquid Swords.
However, he was left in awe by the Brooklyn veteran’s lyrical talent when he stumbled upon on his song “NASA Case” during his recent Trunk Sale Tour.
“I played this song and this shit … it’s crazy. I didn’t know what the fuck to expect; I just clicked [on it]. It’s nine and a half minutes,” he said. “It’s not a style that’s normally the one I gravitate to. It’s super dense, it’s super — I’m not even going to say poetic. It’s prose. It’s like a book, damn near. And he’s telling this story.
“Bro, I shit you not, I’m listening to it and I’m like, ‘I can’t exactly follow what he’s talking about.’ I’m getting enough, though, to keep me hooked.”
It wasn’t until he sat with and studied the track that Cole fully grasped Killah Priest’s rhymes, instantly converting him into a fan.
“I listened to that song, I shit you not, like nine times in a row because every time I listened to it again, the story got clearer and clearer,” he continued. “And I’m like, ‘Oh my God! Is this n*gga an alien?!’
“By the time I’m done with my ninth listen and I see the concept he’s playing with, I’m like, ‘Oh my God, is this n*gga from another dimension and he knows some shit we don’t know?!'”
He added: “It’s one of the only songs outside of my album that I’m playing ’cause it’s so enjoyable and I’m so amazed with what this dude did … Shout out to Killah Priest, man.”
Looking back on some of his favorite rappers from his childhood, J. Cole named Canibus and Royce Da 5’9″ as two MCs he had particular reverence for as a lyrics-obsessed teenager.
Watch the entire segment at the 1:19:30 mark below.
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Read More Drake Originally Wanted Kendrick Lamar On “First Person Shooter,” J. Cole Reveals
Andy Bustard (30/03/2026)
J. Cole has set the record straight on the rumor that Drake originally wanted both him and Kendrick Lamar on “First Person Shooter.” The Dreamville rapper addressed the speculation on Carmelo Anthony’s 7PM In Brooklyn podcast as part of his press run to promote The Fall-Off, revealing that Drizzy initially asked Dot, not him, to... The post Drake Originally Wanted Kendrick Lamar On “First Person Shooter,” J. Cole Reveals appeared first on HipHopDX.
J. Cole has set the record straight on the rumor that Drake originally wanted both him and Kendrick Lamar on “First Person Shooter.”
The Dreamville rapper addressed the speculation on Carmelo Anthony’s 7PM In Brooklyn podcast as part of his press run to promote The Fall-Off, revealing that Drizzy initially asked Dot, not him, to jump on the chart-topping track.
“So, I’m not gonna say we were all supposed to be [on the song]. How it came to me was, before that beat ever made it to me, I think Drake wanted that to be a him and [Kendrick] song,” he explained.
Cole then implied that Kendrick snubbed Drake’s request, saying: “My interpretation is like… maybe when it wasn’t moving fast enough or he wasn’t getting the response he wanted, maybe he was like, ‘Let me hit Cole.’ ‘Cause I think Boi-1da was pushing him like, ‘Bro, you need to hit Cole.’
“I never looked at that song like it was going to be all of us. I thought it was me and Drake. And I just had the beat; there was nothing on it. And I felt mad pressure ’cause I wanted to come through for him. I had to write that verse several times.”
J. Cole also revealed that he was planning on bringing both Kendrick Lamar and Drake out at 2024 Dreamville Festival — until their long-simmering beef boiled over.
“[Drake] was supposed to be at Dreamville Fest. That was planned. He didn’t come. Thank God he didn’t come, though — no disrespect to Drake, I love Drake — but had he come, I would have felt more pressure to be on stage representing that energy,” he said, referring to his Kendrick diss song “7 Minute Drill” for which he apologized at said festival.
“I was trying to get Kendrick to come, too. That was my plan for Dreamville Fest that year. Mind you, I never got a chance to [ask Kendrick]. I told Drake. Drake knew that that was something that I wanted to happen. When we were on tour I was like, ‘Yo, it’d be crazy if both of y’all came out at Dreamville Fest.’ It’s silly now to say. It’s like, ‘Nah, n*gga! There were other plans in the works.'”
There were rumors that Drake’s absence at Dreamville Festival was due to a disagreement with Cole, but as the North Carolina native clarified, it was because Drizzy didn’t want to put him in an awkward position.
“He could tell, when me and him talked, that my heart wasn’t equivalent to his. So he was like, ‘Yo, I didn’t want to come down there and put you in a situation on that stage and say some shit that you would have to stand behind,'” Cole recalled. “And I was like, ‘Thank you!’ Because it left the space for me to [do] what I was supposed to do.”
J. Cole’s involvement in Kendrick and Drake’s highly-publicized battle has been a major talking point throughout his recent press run.
In an interview with Cam’ron, he admitted that he only released “7 Minute Drill” because he felt pressurized to respond to Kendrick’s “Like That” verse and didn’t want to let it overshadow the rollout for The Fall-Off, which he was planning to drop in 2024.
“There wasn’t any disrespect in [Kendrick’s verse]!” Cole said. “My feeling was, ‘Fuck!’ Because now I know this [album] that I’ve been working on for eight years, plus this other [mixtape, Might Delete Later] that I did as a set-up, n*ggas ain’t gonna never let me put that out until I address this.”
He added: “There was no malice in my heart … I [was] like, ‘Let me say just enough to where it looks like I said something.’ Everything I’m saying, I know and he knows, it’s all survivable. I’m not hitting him with no fatal blows.”
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Read More New Music Friday: Kanye West, Earl Sweatshirt, Snoop Dogg, The LOX & More
Andy Bustard (27/03/2026)
Kanye West‘s new album Bully is finally here — sort of. While the long-awaited project has yet to hit streaming services (surprise, surprise), Ye did premiere his 12th LP via a YouTube livestream (which can be watched below) about an hour after its scheduled midnight release. Yeezy’s first album since he apologized for his antisemitic... The post New Music Friday: Kanye West, Earl Sweatshirt, Snoop Dogg, The LOX & More appeared first on HipHopDX.
Kanye West‘s new album Bully is finally here — sort of.
While the long-awaited project has yet to hit streaming services (surprise, surprise), Ye did premiere his 12th LP via a YouTube livestream (which can be watched below) about an hour after its scheduled midnight release.
Yeezy’s first album since he apologized for his antisemitic behavior, Bully features collaborations with the likes of Travis Scott, Ty Dolla $ign and CeeLo Green across 14 tracks — some of which mark the return of his classic soul-sampling sound.
Stove God Cooks and Busta Rhymes fans have also been left scratching their heads by the unexplained absence of All This For Me?, Stove’s new Swizz Beatz-produced album, and Busta’s “Talk Ya Shit” collab with J Dilla and Lil Wayne — both of which were supposed to drop today.
However, there’s still plenty of other new releases worth checking out this New Music Friday. Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE continue to stake their claim as rap’s best lyrical tag-team with their subterranean new single “Leadbelly,” The LOX make a welcome comeback with the reflective, R&B-flavored “Never Change” and Snoop Dogg reunites with Nottz for a bouncy new West Coast anthem called “Stop Counting My Poccets,” off his upcoming album and short film 10 Til Midnight (out April 10).
In addition to new projects from Central Cee, Juvenile, Chief Keef and the recently-freed Fetty Wap, Yeat continues to cement himself as a modern-day star with his sixth LP ADL, which boasts an insane supporting cast featuring the likes of Elton John, NBA YoungBoy, Kid Cudi, Grimes and even Kylie Jenner (make of that what you will).
Check out the best new rap albums and songs below.
UPDATE: Bully is now available to stream below.
Kanye West — Bully
Featuring: Travis Scott, Ty Dolla $ign, CeeLo Green, Havoc, North West, James Blake, Nine Vicious, Tony Williams, André Troutman
Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE & Surf Gang — “Leadbelly”
Produced By: Harrison, Elipropperr & Tony Seltzer
Snoop Dogg — “Stop Counting My Poccets”
Produced By: Nottz
The LOX feat. Jaheim & Trent Shelton — “Never Change”
Produced By: IR$
Yeat — ADL
Featuring: NBA YoungBoy, Elton John, Kid Cudi, Swizz Beatz, Don Toliver, Kylie Jenner, BNYX, 070 Shake, Joji, Grimes, Julia Wolf
Larry June — “Still Calculating Freestyle”
Produced By: DVME & Blade
Fetty Wap — Zavier
Featuring: Wiz Khalifa, Max B, G Herbo, Tink, Monty, Honey Bxby, Ymanie, Divinity, Rob McCoy
Juvenile — Boiling Point
Featuring: Megan Thee Stallion, Birdman, Mannie Fresh, B.G., Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, DJ Khaled, Jacquees, Dee-1, Trombone Shorty
Fivio Foreign — Still Standing
Featuring: Tory Lanez, Polo G, Lil Tjay, Trey Songz
BIA — We On Go Pack (EP)
Featuring: Denzel Curry, A$AP Ferg, TiaCorine, Da Honorable C.N.O.T.E.
Central Cee — All Roads Lead Home (EP)
Featuring: J Hus, A2ANTI
Joyner Lucas feat. NBA YoungBoy — “Deep End”
Produced By: ALyX, Orsix, Chanté Marie, KXVI, Leo Son & ADHD Productions
Chief Keef — Skeletor
Featuring: G Herbo, Rich The Kid, Ian, Ballout
Jozzy — Soundtrack 2 Get Her Back
Featuring: Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Jeremih, Jon B., Keyon Harrold, Stevie J, Cardiak, Bongo ByTheWay
Rob49 & YTB Fatt feat. Lil Yachty, G Herbo, G Youngin & BTY Beedo — “Da Fuxk (Remix)”
Produced By: Schife, 1040 Beats & Millibeatz
Boldy James, MC Serch & Handz Up — “What the Stove Say”
Produced By: Credits unavailable
Marlon Craft — “The Neighborhoood”
Produced By: The Kount, CARRTOONS, River Tiber, Marlon Craft & Sly5thAve
Eric Bellinger — “Cry In Front of You”
Produced By: Credits unavailable
Jim Legxacy feat. Natanya — “idk idk”
Produced By: Jim Legxacy, Joe Stanley, .fullstopnathan., henes, Boy Red & Vuko
Kota the Friend — Local Art Dealer, Vol. 1
Featuring: Rome Streetz
Momo Boyd — “She’s a Sweetheart”
Produced By: Brandon Shoop
Yung Bleu — World At War
Featuring: Trap Dickey, HoneyKomb Brazy, JackBoys
Nickelus F — The Undisputed
Featuring: N/A
YGTUT — Sunset of the Titan Twilight
Featuring: N/A
Kaelin Ellis feat. Madison McFerrin & SWEATA — “Hello.Morning”
Produced By: Kaelin Ellis
Kembe X — “Crooks & Castles”
Produced By: Credits unavailable
The post New Music Friday: Kanye West, Earl Sweatshirt, Snoop Dogg, The LOX & More appeared first on HipHopDX.
Read More J. Cole Confirms Drake & Kendrick Lamar Were Originally On ‘The Fall-Off’
Andy Bustard (26/03/2026)
J. Cole has confirmed rumors that Drake and Kendrick Lamar were supposed to appear on The Fall-Off. During a lengthy interview with Cam’ron (which puts to bed their bizarre legal battle), the Dreamville founder explained that both Dot and Drizzy were orginally featured on his latest album until their 2024 rap battle, as well as... The post J. Cole Confirms Drake & Kendrick Lamar Were Originally On ‘The Fall-Off’ appeared first on HipHopDX.
J. Cole has confirmed rumors that Drake and Kendrick Lamar were supposed to appear on The Fall-Off.
During a lengthy interview with Cam’ron (which puts to bed their bizarre legal battle), the Dreamville founder explained that both Dot and Drizzy were orginally featured on his latest album until their 2024 rap battle, as well as a leak of his project, forced him to take them off the tracklist.
“[Kendrick] was on two joints,” he revealed, certifying a claim made last year by podcaster Mal that the pgLang star and OVO hitmaker each had multiple appearances on an early version of The Fall-Off.
Cole added: “That was a part of my vision for it, having both of these dudes as a part of this. On my way out, I wanted to celebrate like, ‘Damn, I’m really grateful to have done it at the same time as these n*ggas.'”
The North Carolina native also revealed that he had mixed feelings about Kendrick’s verse on Future and Metro Boomin‘s “Like That” — the song that ignited Kendrick and Drake’s long-simmering beef — as it inadvertently sabotaged the rollout for The Fall-Off, which Cole was planning to release shortly after his Might Delete Later mixtape.
“I had two reactions,” he shared. “My first reaction is: that shit is hard. It’s a hard-ass verse, undeniably. The beat is crazy, the song is ill and I’m like, ‘That shit is tough.’ My second reaction is: not now, n*gga! This is inconvenient for me.”
J. Cole went on to explain that he only recorded his (since-deleted) Kendrick diss song “7 Minute Drill” because he felt pressurized to respond to “Like That” before putting out The Fall-Off.
“My phone was blowing up immediately like, ‘Please, press the button!’ That’s the energy from n*ggas that love me,” he recalled. “In reality, do I actually feel any sort of [disrespect]. There wasn’t any disrespect in [Kendrick’s verse]! I didn’t listen to that and be like, ‘Damn, n*gga said what?’
“My feeling was, ‘Fuck!’ Because now I know this [album] that I’ve been working on for eight years, plus this other [mixtape] that I did as a set-up, n*ggas ain’t gonna never let me put that out until I address this.”
Reflecting on “7 Minute Drill,” Cole admitted that he had no ill towards Kendrick when writing the track and simply saw it as friendly sparring.
“There was no malice in my heart. There wasn’t even a desire to be like, ‘Ooh, this n*gga gave me a chance to come demolish him!'” he said. “I love this n*gga … but I’m worried about what the world is gonna say.
“Which is embarassing to say out loud, but it’s true. Because I’m fearful that this thing that I’ve been working on for so long is gonna go unappreciated if I don’t [respond].
“So I’m like, ‘Let me say just enough to where it looks like I said something.’ Everything I’m saying, I know and he knows, it’s all survivable. I’m not hitting him with no fatal blows.”
As his well-documented apology at Dreamville Fest showed, however, Cole instantly regretted the move.
“The second it comes out, I’m like, ‘Oh, you created a dividing line where you’re forcing the world to pick a side … and to slander [Kendrick]. And they’re taking some of the shit you said and they giving it gas.’ And then my thought becomes, ‘I fucked up. I’ve misrepresented myself,'” he admitted.
The 41-year-old added that his heart was “heavy” when he reflected on the damage that he might have done to his friendship with Kendrick, motivating him to distance himself from “7 Minute Drill” and publicly apologize to his “Forbidden Fruit” collaborator.
“The [idea] came to me an hour before, and I really feel like this was God because of how it lifted me and took the weight off me,” he said. “I didn’t give a fuck [about the immediate backlash] because I knew in my heart what I did wad right for me.”
The post J. Cole Confirms Drake & Kendrick Lamar Were Originally On ‘The Fall-Off’ appeared first on HipHopDX.
Read More Kanye West Reveals ‘Bully’ Tracklist, Clears Up AI Claim
Andy Bustard (26/03/2026)
Kanye West has revealed the tracklist for his new album Bully ahead of its long-awaited arrival later this week. In a rare post on X (former Twitter) on Wednesday (March 25), the rap icon shared a picture of a handwritten tracklist for his upcoming 12th studio effort which is set to drop this Friday (March... The post Kanye West Reveals ‘Bully’ Tracklist, Clears Up AI Claim appeared first on HipHopDX.
Kanye West has revealed the tracklist for his new album Bully ahead of its long-awaited arrival later this week.
In a rare post on X (former Twitter) on Wednesday (March 25), the rap icon shared a picture of a handwritten tracklist for his upcoming 12th studio effort which is set to drop this Friday (March 27) via Gamma.
Ye’s first proper solo project since 2021’s Donda, Bully clocks in at 18 tracks and includes a number of previously released songs including “Preacher Man,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Damn.”
A final list of producers and potential guest features have yet to be revealed, but it’s rumored that Travis Scott appears on the track “Father.” Ye has previously said that longtime collaborator Mike Dean is involved in the project, too.
BULLY ON THE WAY NO AI pic.twitter.com/LJFUAczgSl
— ye (@kanyewest) March 25, 2026
In his tweet, Kanye West also clarified that Bully will feature “no AI,” contradicting a previous statement that he used artificial intelligence in writing and recording the album — specifically to recreate his own voice.
During a 2025 interview with Justin Laboy which showed him experimenting with an AI program, he said: “It’s time for me to explain to people the power of AI in music.
“You can take any song and separate it — just get the vocals, the bassline, the drums. So when I send a song for a sample to my engineers, I just say, ‘JS, AI.’ Me and my engineer, John Scott, we’re speaking in, like, digital THX [language].”
Despite flirting with cutting-edge (and controversial) technology, West also revealed that he “chopp[ed] up all the samples by hand” and described Bully as a more “positive” record.
“This is more the way I remember Lauryn Hill’s album. I feel like [Bully] is my Miseducation, my Gnarls Barkley album,” he said. “I know the title Bully has a connotation that a lot of people are anti-bully, but we can bring it… I’m just hyper-next-level frequency right now”
Bully marks Ye’s first album since he apologized for his antisemitic behavior, a years-long pattern of controversy that terminated a number of lucrative business partnerships, including with adidas and Gap; eradicated his status as a billionaire; and has threatened to tarnish his legacy.
In a full-length letter published in The Wall Street Journal earlier this month, the Chicago native expressed “deep regret” over his actions and blamed them on undiagnosed brain injuries from his infamous 2002 car accident.
“In that fractured state, I gravitated toward the most destructive symbol I could find, the swastika, and even sold T-shirts bearing it,” he wrote. “I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change.
“It does not excuse what I did though. I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people.”
Bully will be supported by a run of tour dates which will see Kanye perform at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium on April 1 and 3, as well as in India, Turkey, France, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain between June and August.
The post Kanye West Reveals ‘Bully’ Tracklist, Clears Up AI Claim appeared first on HipHopDX.
Read More JAY-Z Explains Why He Didn’t Like Drake & Kendrick Lamar’s Beef
Andy Bustard (24/03/2026)
JAY-Z has finally shared his thoughts on Drake and Kendrick Lamar‘s epic 2024 rap battle — and his stance might surprise you. Despite being involved in one of hip-hop’s fiercest feuds with Nas in the early 2000s, Hov believes that Dot and Drizzy’s beef went “too far” and is not a fan of all the... The post JAY-Z Explains Why He Didn’t Like Drake & Kendrick Lamar’s Beef appeared first on HipHopDX.
JAY-Z has finally shared his thoughts on Drake and Kendrick Lamar‘s epic 2024 rap battle — and his stance might surprise you.
Despite being involved in one of hip-hop’s fiercest feuds with Nas in the early 2000s, Hov believes that Dot and Drizzy’s beef went “too far” and is not a fan of all the negativity and division that continues to fuel their rivalry.
“We love the excitement and I love the sparring and the music you get, but in this day and age, there’s so much negative stuff that comes with it that you almost wish it didn’t happen,” he said in a rare interview with GQ ahead of his recently announced Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint anniversary shows at New York’s Yankee Stadium in July.
“Now, people that like Kendrick hate Drake, no matter what he makes or says. And it goes far, too. It’s like attacks on his character [and family]. I don’t know if I love that. I don’t know if it’s helpful to our growth.”
The Roc Nation mogul went on to claim that Kendrick and Drake’s beef inadvertently set hip-hop “a couple steps back” and wonders whether the age-old tradition of battling “even needs to be a part of the culture anymore.”
“I hate that I have this point of view because I know what it sounds like, I know what it feels like. I hate it!” he acknowledged, alluding to his own history of involvement in messy rap battles. “It’s just how I feel.”
The 56-year-old also laid out a path for keeping hip-hop’s competitive spirit alive without damaging careers or relationships: “I think we can achieve the same thing, as far as sparring with music, with collaborations more so than breaking the whole thing apart.
JAY-Z also addressed the backlash to Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl halftime show — specifically claims that he and Roc Nation, who oversee the annual spectacle, picked sides in the beef by handing the coveted gig to the Compton superstar.
“I chose the guy that was having a monster year. I think it was the right choice. What do I care about them two guys battling? What’s that got to do with me? Have at it,” he argued.
Hov also laughed off suggestions that he was part of a “conspiracy” to “undermine” Drake: “It’s like, what the fuck? I’m fucking JAY-Z! [laughs.] All due respect to him. I’m fucking Hov. Respectfully. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Check out more highlights from JAY-Z’s conversation with GQ below where he talks about his relationship with J. Cole, the rumors of him jumping on the Clipse‘s Let God Sort Em Out and where he’s at when it comes to new music.
On almost appearing on the Clipse’s Let God Sort Em Out:
I was close. I think the first thing that I say [about the sexual assault lawsuit], it has to be said from me. [Pauses and reconsiders.] I don’t want to be so rigid with it, though. I’m going to keep that open. I’m going to take that back. I don’t want to be so rigid. But at that moment, I was like, “Yeah, I want to do something.” But in order for me to move forward, I got to get this shit out. I got to get it out.
On J. Cole:
I don’t have any negative feelings for him. I’m actually super proud of him and what he’s done … [DJ] Clue sent [J. Cole’s Birthday Blizzard ’26 tape] to me actually, not Cole. I’m a fan of hip-hop and this culture. I’m listening to it all. I play it all. I’m playing songs that most people haven’t heard of.
On new music:
I have a lot of scratch ideas and they’re all bad [laughs]. I got to be honest … I don’t know what I need to create currently that’s going to fulfil me and make me happy, because that’s most important. I know I just got to be honest about what I feel and where I am. Maybe I’m overthinking it. Maybe I’m stopping myself from just creating.
Whatever it is, it just needs to be a true representation of how I feel. Trying to create something that people like is where I think a lot of artists get jammed up. And people can feel that because it’s not authentic. I just got to make something timeless that I really love and that’s really honest and true to who I am.
On Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show:
He could have made it a little easier on himself. The artistic choice to play the new album was brave in front of that big of an audience. Because even if 10 million people know some of these songs, there’s 120 million people that’re like, “What is he doing?” As an artist, to stand up there and do it and complete your vision – I had to tip my hat. I had high respect for him already, but, like, even more my respect was like, “He’s really about what he says he’s about.”
On his past beef with Nas:
[Our feud] didn’t happen at the Summer Jam — that happened with “Lex with TV sets, the minimum”. It was a whole bunch of stuff leading up to that point. I actually regret that because I really like Nas. He’s a really nice guy.
On his since-withdrawn sexual assault lawsuit:
It was hard. Really hard. I was heartbroken. I’m glad we got right to that so we could just get that out the way … That shit took a lot out of me. I was angry. I haven’t been that angry in a long time, uncontrollable anger. You don’t put that on someone — that’s a thing that you better be super sure.
Even when we were doing the worst things, we had those kind of rules. There was a line: no women, no kids. You hear those sayings, but those are the things that I took from the street. We lived and died by that. So it’s strict for me, like it meant a lot to me … I knew that we were going to walk through that because, first of all, it’s not true. And the truth, at the end of the day, still reigns supreme.
On 4:44:
4:44 released a lot. I can’t really even listen to 4:44. It’s the album that I was always afraid to make… Just pure and vulnerable, the real interior thoughts … It was a lot of trauma [growing up], a lot of loss, a lot of seeing things that nine-year-olds shouldn’t be seeing. We tuck it away and we bury it, and then it shows up in different ways … At some point you got to figure out how you’re going to navigate the world.
[My earlier albums were] just all bravado. Part of it was closed off and it works … People like the hothead. That excitement and that danger has an allure to it. That’s Jigga. It was very useful, but it’s also not sustainable. You don’t want to look up one day and just be in some insane asylum somewhere, alone, no family. It’s another side of that that had to happen.
On Reasonable Doubt, 30 years later:
When we first dropped Reasonable Doubt, we sold 43,000 records. The energy was like, “You’re new. You haven’t proven yourself.” But in our mind, the fact that we released an album was proof enough of concept. We did it. Remember, we’re not in control of distribution, marketing, anything. We’re going like a street-level, street-team approach to this. And so when we put the album out — that was the win. We had some success, and remember: on the streets we were platinum. Anywhere you was going to go, you was going to hear Reasonable Doubt.
If you wasn’t there, now you’re looking at the analytics. Someone that speaks like that, you know they wasn’t there because if you were there, you’re like, “This not even a conversation.” Anywhere you went, any car, Reasonable Doubt was going to play.
On J. Cole’s early struggles on Roc Nation:
The narrative is that we [Roc Nation] didn’t love Cole. No, we believed in him enough to let him find his journey. It took him a minute, but he found his way. I was giving him a chance to take his talent and show it to the most people possible, but his way. I didn’t say, “Here’s this record from Stargate and you putting it out.” Like I forced Bleek to make “Memphis Bleek Is…”
Bleek is my little brother; he has to listen to me. But for J. Cole, he has to find his own direction and I’m going to give him the tools. Stargate made humongous records with Rihanna; Wiz Khalifa “Black and Yellow”. Biggest songs in the world. You don’t want to go sit with them? Fine.
On the backlash to him being a billionaire:
The only thing I heard coming up was the American dream. “You could make it, if you pull yourself up by the bootstraps.” I heard that my entire life — until we started being successful. Then it was like, “You’re selling out because you’re making money.” People had this allure for the “struggling artist” – that’s a mind game, what we would call, back in the day, “tricknology”. I’m not going for that.
I make art first and then I make sure that I’m compensated for my art. I didn’t get here by taking advantage of people or taking advantage of the loopholes in the system, or some wrinkle in a capitalist structure. That structure exists; I just see the world for what it is, not for what I want it to be. I’m a realist. It’s not idealistic. People speak about the world how they want to see it. You’re never going to win like that.
I have to deal with the reality of the world, and I’m going to navigate this world, not only for me, but for a bunch of people that’s been disenfranchised by a system that doesn’t play fair for us. In order for us to progress forward, we have to deal with the world the way it is.
Sometimes that means going out and starting your own company. Sometimes that means partnering with established companies because that’s the world that we live in. [There’s] nowhere you’re going to go that Black people control distribution and control media. At some point, you’re going to have to partner with somebody.
On unlikely advice from Jon Bon Jovi:
This is the strangest thing, but you get advice from places that you just wouldn’t expect it. When I took the president job at Def Jam [in 2004], Jon Bon Jovi told me, “You’re an artist. Don’t forget you’re an artist.”
The post JAY-Z Explains Why He Didn’t Like Drake & Kendrick Lamar’s Beef appeared first on HipHopDX.
Read More J. Cole Discusses Drake & Kendrick Lamar Beef, Admits Apology Backlash Affected Him
Andy Bustard (23/03/2026)
J. Cole has finally opened up about Drake and Kendrick Lamar‘s beef in his first series of interviews since he controversially bowed out of the high-profile rap battle. Sitting down with Apple Music’s Nadeska Alexis for one of many in-depth conversations about his latest album The Fall-Off, the Dreamville star explained why he apologized to... The post J. Cole Discusses Drake & Kendrick Lamar Beef, Admits Apology Backlash Affected Him appeared first on HipHopDX.
J. Cole has finally opened up about Drake and Kendrick Lamar‘s beef in his first series of interviews since he controversially bowed out of the high-profile rap battle.
Sitting down with Apple Music’s Nadeska Alexis for one of many in-depth conversations about his latest album The Fall-Off, the Dreamville star explained why he apologized to Kendrick for his since-deleted diss track “7 Minute Drill.”
“[The idea] hit me about an hour before [I went out on stage at Dreamville Fest],” he said. “In that moment, I felt lifted and I got light and I got excited. Because the two or three days before that, I was stressing the fuck out. I felt like I had misrepresented myself. I was giving life to division and to negative storylines about somebody that I fuck with and I got love for and care about.
“That shit had me feeling terrible. I was like, ‘This shit don’t feel right’ … I felt miserable about it.”
Cole also revealed that his wife “started crying” when he told her that he was going to make peace with Kendrick because “she knows how I feel about him and she saw how it was weighing on me the two or three days before that.”
The North Carolina native went on to admit that he was aware of the widespread backlash over his decision to wave the white flag, and while he doesn’t regret his actions, the criticism did make a dent in his confidence.
“The world didn’t give a fuck [about how great I felt after the apology] and they were fucking me up — my name, my reputation. Although the lightness that I felt made it easier to deal with, over time I had to process that shit and I had to get right,” he said.
“It always felt like the right move, but there were times where I thought, ‘Damn, n*gga, you’re fucking done right now. It’s over!’ That brought up emotions and fears that I had to sit with and fight.”
Cole added that it was hard to block out the noise because “every other muthafucking video” he came across on YouTube was about him. “I knew it was bad because people were calling and texting to check on me like, ‘You good, bro?'” he joked.
In a separate interview with Cam’ron, which puts their bizarre legal battle to bed, J. Cole opened up about his current relationship with both Drake and Kendrick Lamar now that the dust has settled on their 2024 showdown.
“I’m in the same place where I genuinely love these n*ggas, but I’m not gonna act like we’ve been communicating and talking,” he said. “I’ve had conversations with them post everything but not, like, a lot. That’s me not knowing where they’re at.”
He added: “I genuinely love these n*ggas. I be wanting to shoot off a text. Even saying that on the mic is kinda lame to me, but it is my truth.”
The 41-year-old also expressed “disgust” at the intense division between Drake and Kendrick’s respective fanbases, as well as the level of hate that Drizzy has faced since losing the battle.
“Right away, the world became like politics — you either Democrat or Republican; you either Kendrick or Drake. You gotta pick a side,” he dismayed. “Creatively, it’ not my place to say [whether it got out of hand]. But to me it’s disgusting how people tried to use that opportunity to either show how they really felt about Drake the whole time or just pile on and tear this dude down and create a narrative as if he’s not great. It was a whole campaign, and probably still is to this day.”
Cole did, however, congratulate Kendrick on the enormous success he has enjoyed after emerging victorious over Drake, even if it has come at the expense of his “First Person Shooter” collaborator.
“When I saw Kendrick get the moment he had — the Pop Out, the stadium, the Super Bowl, the Grammys — I’m just as proud of this n*gga as I was when I knew him back then,” he said. “But I also hate that for Drake and I hate how the world has turned on him. Simulatenously, I’m also like, ‘I hope Iceman goes crazy!'”
Snippets of J. Cole and Cam’ron’s conversation can be seen below. The full interview airs Tuesday (March 24) at 10pm ET on REVOLT and Wednesday (March 25) at 5pm ET on YouTube.
The post J. Cole Discusses Drake & Kendrick Lamar Beef, Admits Apology Backlash Affected Him appeared first on HipHopDX.
Read More Latto & 21 Savage Announce Pregnancy In New “Business & Personal” Video
Andy Bustard (20/03/2026)
Latto and 21 Savage have finally confirmed the long-running rumors that they’re a couple — and what’s more, they’re about to become a family. The Atlanta rappers announced their big news in the video for Latto’s new song “Business & Personal (Intro),” which serves as the lead single from her upcoming (and aptly-titled) album Big... The post Latto & 21 Savage Announce Pregnancy In New “Business & Personal” Video appeared first on HipHopDX.
Latto and 21 Savage have finally confirmed the long-running rumors that they’re a couple — and what’s more, they’re about to become a family.
The Atlanta rappers announced their big news in the video for Latto’s new song “Business & Personal (Intro),” which serves as the lead single from her upcoming (and aptly-titled) album Big Mama, out May 29.
The boo’d up clip finds Latto debuting her baby bump as 21 Savage’s hand caresses her growing belly (although the Slaughter Gang rapper keeps his face concealed from the camera).
There are also shots of the self-proclaimed Queen of da Souf flipping through a pregnancy scrapbook featuring childhood photos of both herself and 21, as well as her showing off a small tattoo on her lower back of the same knife that is on her boyfriend’s forehead.
As for the song itself, Latto reflects on her humble beginnings and the challenges she’s faced on the way to hip-hop stardom before looking ahead to motherhood. “That bitch at the end of the day, Maybach, that’s the Benz of the day / Car seat, got a kid on the way,” she raps.
The vibe then switches from soulful to swaggering as Latto stunts on the competition over a hard-hitting trap beat that’s reminiscent of T.I.‘s “24s.”
“These bitches hating, wish that they was living in my skin / I’m in a multi-million dollar crib playing Sims / I’m backing out the Barbies, trying not to scrape the rims,” she spits, aiming a light jab at her bitter rival Nicki Minaj.
Latto also addresses the speculation that she’s had ghostwriting help from Drake, rapping: “Oh they think Crodie wrote it, (Pfft) well that’s a compliment.”
Big Mama will serve as the follow-up to Latto’s 2024 album Sugar Honey Iced Tea, which debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200 with around 29,000 first-week units.
The post Latto & 21 Savage Announce Pregnancy In New “Business & Personal” Video appeared first on HipHopDX.
Read More New Music Friday: Mike WiLL Made-It, Rick Ross, Latto, Kid Cudi & More
Andy Bustard (20/03/2026)
Mike WiLL Made-It continues to carry the torch for superproducers with his star-studded new album R3SET. Almost a decade after his last full-length effort, the multi-platinum hitmaker returns with the third installment in his Ransom series and has rounded up the Southern rap avengers — from J. Cole, 21 Savage and Young Thug to T.I.,... The post New Music Friday: Mike WiLL Made-It, Rick Ross, Latto, Kid Cudi & More appeared first on HipHopDX.
Mike WiLL Made-It continues to carry the torch for superproducers with his star-studded new album R3SET.
Almost a decade after his last full-length effort, the multi-platinum hitmaker returns with the third installment in his Ransom series and has rounded up the Southern rap avengers — from J. Cole, 21 Savage and Young Thug to T.I., Ludacris and Killer Mike.
Nearly 20 years into his career, Kid Cudi has dropped his debut EP with the four-track HAVE U BN 2 HEAVEN @ NITE?, BigXThaPlug introduces the world to his 600 Entertainment crew with the N.W.A-inspired 6WA, and Samara Cyn continues to prove she’s one of the game’s brightest new talents with her new project Detour.
There’s plenty on offer this week when it comes to new singles, too. Rick Ross, French Montana and Max B stay fly on the luxurious, Masta Ace-sampling “Minks In Miami,” Latto confirms her pregnancy with 21 Savage in her new “Business & Personal” video — the lead single from her aptly-titled upcoming album Big Mama — and Coi Leray borrows Kelis’ “Milkshake” recipe on her new NBA YoungBoy-assisted club anthem “Better Than Yours.”
Oh, and there’s also a new Yeat and Kylie Jenner (yes, you read that right) collab which is bound to divide opinion. Check out all the best new rap albums and songs below.
Mike WiLL Made-It — R3SET
Featuring: J. Cole, 21 Savage, Young Thug, NBA YoungBoy, T.I., Ludacris, 2 Chainz, Killer Mike, Chief Keef, Teezo Touchdown, Young Dro, CeeLo Green
Rick Ross feat. French Montana & Max B — “Minks in Miami”
Produced By: damn james!
Latto — “Business & Personal (Intro)”
Produced By: COUPE, Go Grizzly, Pooh Beatz, MadisonLST, Wax Roof, SupaKaine & Sango
Kid Cudi — HAVE U BN 2 HEAVEN @ NITE? (EP)
Featuring: BNYX, Dot Da Genius, Heavy Mellow, Iain Findlay, Eren Cannata
Coi Leray feat. NBA YoungBoy — “Better Than Yours”
Produced By: SkipOnDaBeat
T.I. — “Trauma Bond”
Produced By: Mr. Hanky, T.I. & Kawan “K.P.” Prather
Swae Lee feat. Rich The Kid — “Don’t Even Call”
Produced By: J-Bo, Saint Luca, Theskybeats & Swae Lee
Yeat feat. Kylie Jenner — “Let King Tonka Talk”
Produced By: Dylan Brady & Lucid
BigXThaPlug & 600 Entertainment — 6WA
Featuring: Snoop Dogg, LilJuMadeDaBeat, Larrance “Rance” Dopson, Bandplay, Tony Coles
6LACK — “Bird Flu”
Produced By: Fwdslxsh, Malik95, Sucuki & Loof
Samara Cyn — Detour (EP)
Featuring: Ovrkast., Whit Kane, Sherwyn, Two Fresh, Luke Titus, Kendo & Pera
Skilla Baby feat. 42 Dugg — “West to East”
Produced By: Go Grizzly, MyGuyMars & Aaron “Dash” Sherrod
Hurricane Wisdom — “Living Up”
Produced By: Rugged, Ema Onigah & Joel Dre
Cousin Stizz — “Field Goal”
Produced By: LDG & Charlie Hallock
Fetty P Franklin — “Get Yo Money”
Produced By: Credits unavailable
Blu & Exile feat. Rome Streetz & ICECOLDBISHOP — “Crumbs”
Produced By: Exile
T.F & DJ Muggs feat. Ghostface Killah — “Clap”
Produced By: DJ Muggs
Black Milk — “Crash Test Dummy”
Produced By: Black Milk
Tink — “Overrated”
Produced By: Troy Taylor, SK & Hitmaka
Red Cafe feat. Benny The Butcher — “TSA Pre-Check”
Produced By: Credits unavailable
Terrace Martin — Perspective
Featuring: Hit-Boy
Hus Kingpin — Wavo Forever
Featuring: RZA, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Kurupt, Tricky, Planet Asia, Killah Priest
Tank & The Bangas feat. Lucky Daye — “Move”
Produced By: Credits unavailable
Cormega & Sean Price — “Sayyid Was Here”
Produced By: Credits unavailable
Lil Keke — Streets Is My Witness
Featuring: Paul Wall, Slim Thug, Z-Ro, Glasses Malone, Propain, Craig G, Celly Cel, Cartel Bo
Marvin Gaye & Salaam Remi — “Soon I’ll Be Loving You Again (Salaam Remi Remix)”
Produced By: Salaam Remi
Fre$H feat. Ab-Soul — “Mullet”
Produced By: Credits unavailable
Brother Ali — “Screamin’ Jay Hawkins”
Produced By: Brother Ali
The post New Music Friday: Mike WiLL Made-It, Rick Ross, Latto, Kid Cudi & More appeared first on HipHopDX.
Read More Black Thought & Mach-Hommy Have A Collab Album On The Way
Andy Bustard (19/03/2026)
Black Thought and Mach-Hommy, two of the game’s most dangerous MCs, are joining forces for a full-length album. Mach confirmed the news in his latest newsletter, telling fans: “I have a few projects in the chamber: one with August Fanon, one with Ras G … and last, but not least, Black-Hommy.” Further details, including a... The post Black Thought & Mach-Hommy Have A Collab Album On The Way appeared first on HipHopDX.
Black Thought and Mach-Hommy, two of the game’s most dangerous MCs, are joining forces for a full-length album.
Mach confirmed the news in his latest newsletter, telling fans: “I have a few projects in the chamber: one with August Fanon, one with Ras G … and last, but not least, Black-Hommy.”
Further details, including a release date, remain under wraps for now.
The pair first teased a project together in an interview with Pigeons & Planes back in 2024.
“Sometimes I send cats’ verses back because it’s like, I don’t believe it enough,” Black Thought said. “So when you find somebody that’s on that same type time, it’s going to best serve the culture for y’all to collab. So I think we’re probably gonna continue to build.”
Mach added: “Oh yeah, we’re building, I got a folder for you.”
The lyrical heavyweights have already given us a glimpse of their in-studio chemistry on “Copy Cold,” from Mach’s 2024 album #RICHAXXHAITIAN, as well as Your Old Droog‘s 2020 song “Pravda” which also featured El-P and Tha God Fahim.
“I made this song like a decade ago … and the inner voice is like ‘Black Thought.’ And then the rational mind is like, ‘fuck outta here,'” Mach told Pigeons & Planes while explaining how “Copy Cold” came about.
“So I put it away, because that’s never gonna happen. Then 10 years later I’ve got Black Thought in my phone, talking about some, ‘Where’s the record? When are we gonna cook?'”
The respect is mutual. During an appearance on his Roots bandmate Questlove‘s Questlove Supreme podcast in 2023, Black Thought named Mach-Hommy as one of the five rappers he feels deserves more credit.
“That’s my ace,” he said. “I think he’s one of those ones. Someone who understands a sensibility of, you know, a person who’s been around since the ’90s, but who also still feels cutting edge. I think his association with the whole Griselda family and that movement, but the way that he’s distinctly different, is huge too.”
If Black-Hommy is next on the agenda for both MCs, it will serve as Mach-Hommy’s first album in two years following the aforementioned #RICHAXXHAITIAN, while Black Thought’s most recent project, Glorious Game with El Michels Affair, dropped in 2023.
The Philly native also appears to be readying a second full-length collaboration with Grammy-winning producer Danger Mouse, the sequel to their acclaimed 2022 effort Cheat Codes.
The post Black Thought & Mach-Hommy Have A Collab Album On The Way appeared first on HipHopDX.
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