Drake has announced he’s dropping a new project called Dark Lane Demo Tapes at midnight EST on Friday (May 1). The 6 God made the big reveal via Instagram on Thursday (April 30). At the same time, the multiplatinum-selling artist confirmed his sixth studio album would arrive this summer.
“My brothers @oliverelkhatib @ovonoel put together alot of the songs people have been asking for (some leaks and some joints from SoundCloud and some new vibes) DARK LANE DEMO TAPES out everywhere at midnight…also my 6th STUDIO ALBUM DROPPING SUMMER 2020!!! Lucky number 6. soon fwd.”
As Drake noted in the caption, Dark Lane Demo Tapes will include previously leaked tracks, SoundCloud songs and some brand new music. The Toronto superstar’s latest solo effort, Scorpion, arrived in 2018.
Billed as a double album, it boasted 25 tracks and featured JAY-Z and Ty Dolla $ign as well as posthumous appearances from Michael Jackson and Static Major. In February, Drake promised his next album would be “shorter” than Scorpion.
More recently, Drake unleashed his TikTok smash“Toosie Slide”andbroke a recordin the process. The #ToosieSlide hashtag racked up over one billion views in two days on the platform, the fastest music trend to hit that number. The single debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 where it remained for a second consecutive week.
What a weird time we’re living through right now. The world is on pause but art, and music specifically, is strong.
With everyone locked inside, one of my favorite emerging rappers out of Chicago, Woes, dropped a new EP that dissects being stuck by yourself day in and day out.
“When isolated, you are forced to be with yourself and every single one of your thoughts.” Woes says. Throughout this record, he discusses his mental health little by little until the title track rolls around at the end of the project.
Woes is a rising star and this shows his ability to create hyper-relevant content without being too on the nose.
Shortly after the drama between Kehlani and Kamaiyah started to unfold, Keyshia Cole hopped in the mix and revealed she had her own issues with the While We Wait singer. While speaking to Hollywood Unlocked, Cole explained where they stand — and apparently they aren’t cool.
“We didn’t see eye-to-eye on a lot of things and that’s OK,” she says. “Anything’s possible as far as being cool again, but I just don’t think friendship.”
And that was all it took. Kehlani returned to Twitter to defend herself and shared screenshots of an exchange the two had prior to their falling out. Under The Shade Room’s video, Kehlani commented, “this is just sad and lame tho. i have screenshots of texts of Keyshia apologizing to my manager saying she just felt embarrassed about how she looked in the videos. apologizing to my manager saying she’s just emotional.
“that’s why she isn’t in the video. i lost money on that. i still look up to her and am honored to have her on the song, there are so many videos of me covering her songs on youtube since i was little. i have screenshots of me telling her she’s an idol of mine. this is all super sad.”
Cole was quick to respond with, “I’m confused. I thought I explained that I wasn’t upset at all. And that it’s all love. We had disagreements….regardless, that I didn’t disclose. And said I still loved and supported you. But you wanna Drk ‘screenshots??’ I have some screen shots of my own.”
Kehlani then disclosed why Cole wasn’t in the video for their December 2019 collaboration “All Me” using the alleged screenshots from Cole’s manager.
The texts read, “Keyshia apologizes. She on deck we gonna figure out solution tomorrow,” to which Kehlani says, “i wish she would apologize to me.” The manager then assures her she will tell Cole to hit her up and explains she was “emotional and be overreacting.”
The thread continued, “She was really self conscious. She said she look like …”
In another post, Kehlani wrote in all caps, “IM A FAN. I WANTED HER IN THE VIDEO. IM CONFUSED AND BUMMED AS ANYONE ELSE. I’VE NEVER POSTED SCREENSHOTS OF TEXTS IN MY LIFE BUT IM TIRED OF BEING PAINTED AS A MESSY BAD PERSON WHEN PEOPLE JUST BE FUCKING WITH ME!!!!”
The Bay Area native included a long text she sent to Cole which explains she just had surgery and was shocked by allegations she was trying to make Cole look bad on purpose.
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Finally, Kehlani shared several other emotionally charged posts to her Instagram Stories and insisted she’s had enough.
“THIS NARRATIVE OF HOPPING ON A TRAIN OF FUCKING WITH ME WHEN IT’S CONVENIENT IS CRAZY,” she wrote in all caps. “AGAIN. IM NOT ANGRY. IM SAD. I MIND MY BUSINESS AND WORK MY ASS OFF TO TAKE CARE OF MY FAMILY. LEAVE ME ALONE.
“AND FOR THERE TO BE THIS DAMN KEHLANIS IN DRAMA ALWAYS AND SHE ALWAYS A VICTIM LIKE MAN WHAT… ITS NOT POSSIBLE PEOPLE BE FUCKING WITH ME??? LIKE PEOPLE JUST BE FUCKING WITH ME. FORREAL. IM TOO NICE. IM TOO OPEN. I OVEREXTEND. I OVERSHARE. IM WORKING TO GROW OUT OF IT. THAT MAKES ME NAIVE AND POTENTIALLY TOO NICE. BUT DARK AND TWISTED? CALCULATED? HUHHH. FUCK.”
Ultimately, it appears Kehlani was advised to get off Twitter and instead, sit down for an interview with writer Taylor Crumpton to air everything out right when her new album It Was Good Until Wasn’t drops on Friday (May 8).
i’ll be doing an interview with my album. with @taylorcrumpton she’s super epic and we’re going to address every topic of discussion, every public everything from the past few years and more.
until then i’ve been told to get off twitter 😂 i love you guys. 8 days!
Icewear Vezzo and Sada Baby have teamed up in “2 Hands” video -sheesh, now you know this about to be fire! This collab was long over do, both these artist have a proven track record to make hit records -looks like this one is going into the history book as well. Tap in with two of Detroits hottest artist Icewear Vezzo and Sada Baby “2 Hands” video below.
E Modest checks in with the quarantine vibes, in his latest video “R Y N” shot by SuppaRay. E’s melodic flow may come off somewhat modest, but don’t get it twisted -every bar is complimented with a cold delivery. Tap in with E Modest “R Y N” below.
GT’s contribution to Detroit’s rap scene will forever be solidified in the city, and this “Timeless” project, will put time to the test literally. GT’s maturity has elevated his sound, songs like “Taste of Soul” and “Half Crazy” are my go to track off the project. With twelve tracks in and features from Babyface Ray and Sada Baby -no cap its the young bulls time. Take some time out and vibe with GT’s “Timeless” album below.
J Roca finds ways to dig deep within his mind and soul, to provide music of substance that can connect with people universally. J’s latest video “The Rain” is a heartfelt account of the Covid-19 pandemic, that is plaguing the world. Detroit is one of many city’s in the nation that has been affected badly by this pandemic -so when J dropped this, it really hit home for me. Lets hope that Aprils showers brings May flowers and J Roca’s “The Rain” heals those, every minute of every hour.
Detroit artist Baby Money is carving his name in the game, by dropping this banger “Time A Tell”. Baby Money makes it look easy, but he assures his listeners nothing happens over night. Baby gets into his bag, dripping sauce all over this record. Watch Baby Money snap with his designer flow in “Time A Tell” video shot by Kardiak Films.
The duo’s 48-page comic boasts original illustrations by Sam Hochman, Joey Prosser, Forrest Whaley, Justin Johnson, Chaz Bottoms, Malik Bolton, Rachel Headlam, Borboev Shakhnazer and Asekov Tilek. The book’s storyline is produced by Psycho Films.
Curry and Kenny’s UNLOCKED comic comes with a vinyl flexi disc insert featuring the album cut “DIET_” and polybag packaging. Fans also get a digital copy of the LP as part of the bundle.
UNLOCKED was unexpectedly released in February, initially dropping as a surprise short film on YouTube. Shortly after, the eight-track album was made available on streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music.
Curry and Kenny’s comic book is scheduled to begin shipping on June 26. Only 2,000 copies are being printed.
The comic is being sold exclusively via Curry’s online store. Pre-order the project here.
Shortly after Tekashi 6ix9ine was granted a “compassionate release” from prison, his legal team promised their client wouldn’t go back to his trolling ways — but evidently, the polarizing rapper can’t help himself.
On Thursday (April 30), the 23-year-old Brooklynite snuck into The Shade Room’s comment section to diss 50 Cent. Underneath a video titled “50 Cent Says He Wouldn’t Work With 6ix9ine Anymore,” 6ix9ine wrote, “Won’t be the first time 50 abandons his son…. lemme just mind my business.”
6ix9ine is not only referring to Fiddy’s previous nickname for him — his “son” — but also to 50’s biological son Marquise Jackson. The For Life producer has continually bashed Jackson on social media and even joked about not being upset if Jackson got hit by a bus.
But despite 50’s previous comments about 6ix9ine, he still said he’d choose him over his own son. Earlier this month, an audio clip of 50’s Instagram Live session started making the rounds.
“People ask, ‘You seen your son yet?’” he said. “Nah, I ain’t heard from 6ix9ine. He’s his mother’s child now. He’s trollin’ everybody. He better than Marquise though. I take him before I take my actual biological son [laughs]. Fuck that nigga [laughs].”
Marquise replied via Instagram, “Did he just say he’d claim a rat? Oh no! I don’t know what y’all got going on over there. That’s some other shit. Stupid!”
Last June, 50 publicly disowned his son after Jackson attended the Masters Of Ceremony show featuring Snoop Dogg, DMX, Ludacris and 50. During Fiddy’s set, Jackson filmed himself dancing and singing along to 2003’s “Magic Stick,” 50’s collaboration with Lil Kim. A fan noticed he wasn’t granted all access and made a comment to 50 via Instagram, asking why he wasn’t allowed backstage.
“I got a blood test,” 50 replied. that’s not my kid. da fuck outta here.”
Meanwhile, 6ix9ine appears to be gearing up for a rap comeback. Earlier this month, he reportedly shelled out $300,000 for a new chain, copped a small fleet of luxury vehicles and bought three fancy timepieces, including a Richard Millie watch which start around $80,000.
Then on Wednesday (April 29), he hit up his Instagram Stories and teased a release date of Friday (May 8) — not long after a judge slightly loosened his restrictions. While behind bars, 6ix9ine secured another record contractworth $10 million.He’s reportedly making two albums — one in Spanish and another in English.
TWITTER – Blue Ivy, OnlyFans, Beyoncé and Big B became Twitter trending topics on Wednesday (April 29) after Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé delivered their “Savage (Remix)” collaboration.
The track features the Destiny Child’s icon both singing and rapping, which she hasn’t really done since her HipHopDX perfect-rated joint project with JAY-Z, EVERYTHING IS LOVE. People were particularly intrigued by Bey’s mention of two adult-only social media platforms — Demon Time and OnlyFans.
“Hips tik tok when I dance (Dance)/On that Demon Time, she might start an OnlyFans (OnlyFans),” she raps. “Big B and that B stands for bands/If you wanna see some real ass, baby, here’s your chance I say, left cheek, right cheek, drop it low and let it swang (Swang)/Texas up in this thang, put you up from this gang (Gang)/IVY PARK on my frame (Frame), gang, gang, gang, gang (Gang).”
For Megan’s part, she offers more bars about being “classy, bougie and ratchet” in a way only Megan can.
The original song comes from Meg’s latest solo album Suga, which was released last month amid a dispute with her label 1501 Certified Entertainment.
Twitter erupted with reactions to remix. The general consensus appeared to be that Beyoncé bodied the track. Check out some of the best reactions below.
Veteran Hip Hop artist/dancer Steve “Stezo” Williams has reportedly died. Legendary New York City promoter Van Silk tells HipHopDX Stezo’s fiancée confirmed the news on Thursday (April 30) morning and noted the Connecticut native was suffering from heart issues. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 51.
Stezo made his debut as a dancer for EPMD, appearing in the video for “You Gots To Chill” from the 1988 classic Strictly Business.
But in 1989, he stepped out on his own in pursuit of a solo career and signed a deal with Sleeping Bag Records. His released his first 12-inch single “To the Max” and followed with his debut solo album Crazy Noise, which peaked at No. 37 on the Billboard R&B albums chart and included the single “It’s My Turn.”
He’s also credited as the first Hip Hop artist to sample “It’s A New Day” breakbeat from ’70s band Skull Snaps.
Following Crazy Noise, Stezo retreated from the spotlight for roughly five years. But in 1994, he returned with the “Bop Ya Headz”/”Shining Star” single and followed up with his sophomore album Where’s the Funk At in 1997, although he failed to garner the success he found in the ’80s.
On April 22, Stezo shared an Instagram post promoting his barbershop business S & S Cuts in Charlotte, North Carolina. That would prove to be his final post.
A roster of Hip Hop artists are expressing their condolences on social media. Erick Sermon reacted on DJ Chuck Chillout’s Instagram page, writing, “NO WAY. Too much death around,” while Masta Ace replied with shock, “Whaaaaaat?! RIP..smh.”
Pete Rock, DJ Rhettmatic, Public Enemy’s DJ Lord, New York City radio legend Stretch Armstrong, Questlove, Planet Asia and DJ Premier are among the other artists paying their respects. Check out the reactions below.
R.I.P. STEZO
You Made Sure That "THERES NO WAY THAT THE CROWD COULD SIT DOWN"...
Condolences To Your Family🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/OjDMqocEhq
