A$AP Rocky and Rihanna's Met Gala
The Met’s annual fashion party raised a historic $31M.
THE BEAT DROP
A pulse of the culture
If you’re reading this, it’s another weekend in the culture and it’s also Mother’s Day. So, happy mom’s day all the mothers, mothering out there. This week was just dandy as the Met Gala took place with A$AP Rocky on the board and Rihanna closing out the carpet, while revealing her pregnancy. Meanwhile, Doechii made the most diva Met Gala entrance ever and Megan Thee Stallion snuck her phone in to give us an inside look of the event and an hors d'oeuvre mukbang with Angel Reese.
THIS WEEK’S TRACKLIST
The most important news items of the week.
A$AP Rocky called Rihanna a thief for stealing his clothes — but that’s okay because he stole her heart!
Doechii demanded four umbrellas in an effort to hide her Met Gala outfit and naturally, the internet had a lot to say.
Nicki Minaj, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion walk into the Met Gala. Everyone lived.
SZA brought out Kendrick Lamar to her mall pop-up for Not Beauty in her hometown of New Jersey.
Playboi Carti promised Baby Boi is on the way…THIS YEAR; as confirmed by F1lthy.
JAY-Z amended his defamation suit against disgraced lawyer Tony Buzbee and revealed he lost out on over $100M in income.
Lil Durk’s bond request was denied.
BET is bringing 106 & Park back for the 2025 BET Awards.
Drake continued to tease the makings of his upcoming solo album soon and it’s rumored to be titled Iceman.
BARS OF THE WEEK
Notable quotes or lyrics that made waves.
“There’s only so much that I can do, so I kind of leave my faith in God and not in man.” — Rihanna on the Met Gala carpet.
“I already stole her heart, so I think I have enough.” — A$AP Rocky on the Met Gala red carpet expressing his love for Rihanna.
“Give me another umbrella! Now! And another!” — Doechii refusing to drink the pickle juice ahead of her Met Gala appearance.
“God forbid a girl needs more umbrellas.” — Doechii on the backlash of her umbrella demands.
“She thought she was loving me good, I told her go harder.” — Beyoncé remixing the lyrics to “Thique” feeding into that lore.
CHART TOPPERS
Notable top-performing rap and R&B tracks on streaming platforms and charts.
Kali Uchis' Sincerely, is headed for a top five debut on the Billboard 200.
Beyoncé's COWBOY CARTER returned to the top 100 on this week's Billboard 200.
SZA’s SOS is still reigning supreme at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, while Kendrick Lamar holds it down at No. 5 with GNX, followed by PartyNextDoor and Drake at No. 6 with $$$4U and Key Glock at No. 11 with Glockaveli: The Don.
Not to mention, SZA and Kendrick’s “luther” is spending its eleventh week at No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart.
SOUND WATCH
Upcoming releases and recent drops worth noting.
Andre 3000 dropped a surprise EP called 7 Piano Sketches. I think this will go hard as my new study playlist for this upcoming fall semester.
Naomi Sharon came through with an impeccable 6-song project titled The Only Love We Know; the follow-up to 2023’s Obsidian.
Sailorr dropped her debut project From Florida’s Finest.
Billy Woods delivered his highly-anticipated project Golliwog with production from Conductor Williams and The Alchemist.
Kali Uchis released her highly anticipated fifth studio album, Sincerely,.
PinkPanthress shared her 9-track mixtape Fancy That.
Isaiah Falls tapped in with LVRS PARADISE Side A.
DDG shared his new project blame the chat.
Russ dropped a new one called “Crazy.”
UMI released her new single “HARD TRUTHS” featuring 6lack.
And Tyla served her new single “Bliss.”
Kid Cudi made his return with “Neverland” and it will come with a short film to be debuted at Tribeca Film Festival in June.
Honey Bxby released her latest slow-burning anthem “3AM” featuring Toosii.
The Weeknd tapped in with Doechii for the "Timeless” remix.
Lefty Gunplay released Can’t Get Right with the help of Jason Martin.
Dumar 1K released the music video for his latest single “Soulmate.”
Ayra Starr unleashed the music video for her rising smash “Gimme Dat” featuring WizKid.
Poiison unveiled the official music video for “Kill Switch.”
Doe Boy released his romantic new single “Change” starring Lola Brooke.
Jenevieve returned with her mesmerizing new single and visual “Haiku.”
That Mexican OT and Lil Wayne connected for the melodic "Baby Mad At Me."
Kill Dyll is pulling back the veil on his new musical era with “WILTED ROSE.”
Fetty Wap is back with “Forever (71943509).”
Leon Thomas’ MUTT is set to get the deluxe treatment in the form of HEEL, arriving May 30.
BEHIND THE MUSIC
Industry news.
A$AP Rocky talked with Variety about his upcoming role in the Spike Lee joint Highest 2 Lowest and is entertaining the idea of getting into action movies next. “I think I need to be the new Black James Bond,” he told the publication. I wouldn’t be mad at that.
TOUR BUS
Concert and festival announcements, tour updates and live performance highlights.
Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter Tour’ closed out five historic nights in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium and the show is now headed for three nights in Chicago.
The Weeknd launched his 43-date 2025 ‘After Hours Til Dawn’ stadium tour with a massive sold-out show at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix, AZ filled with 60,000 fans.
Usher announced the Australian leg of his ‘Past Present Future 2025 Global Tour.’
Bad Bunny announced his 23-date ‘DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS World Tour.’
Kevin Gates announced his national ‘The Amilio Tour’ hosted by DJ Chose and will be kicking off in Boston on October 1.
FREESTYLE
Memes and viral moments.
AGAIN?!
RAP HILL
Legal matters affecting the music industry.
UMG filed their amended complaint to dismiss Drake’s defamation lawsuit over the damage done by Kendrick Lamar’s hit single “Not Like Us.” Not much changed except for the removal of two articles which referenced Millie Bobby Brown and Drake’s stage act involving a 17 year-old girl that took place in 2010.
UMG and Drake’s legal team proposed a protective order to keep the names and business from discovery as confidential.
OUTSIDE
Sightings and appearances.
While many were in attendance for the Met Gala, Rihanna, Lauryn Hill, Diana Ross, Teyana Taylor, Nicki Minaj, Doechii and Andre 3000 are among those who delivered the best looks of the evening.
SZA threw an after party with Kaytranada for a magical house experience while in Brooklyn. The pair also indulged in what would be a dream blunt rotation for many, including myself. Lizzo also made a fun appearance!
BIRTHDAYS
Celebrating artists and industry figures born this week.
Ace Hood, Ghostface Killah, Problem (aka Jason Martin), Meek Mill, Chris Brown
OUTRO
A final thought.
We are SO back! I had to take a break to focus on finals ya’ll and it definitely paid off because I am wrapping the term up with a 4.0. If you didn’t know, I am a student at the University of Houston and I am trying to finish this degree up ‘chile. I pay out of pocket so if you want to support ya girl, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Nevertheless, let’s talk about the MET — basically my Super Bowl. The battle of the stylist and the brands. Law Roach, who arrived with the Fenty hair special, won. He literally styled everyone who had something to give (aside from Zendaya), including Nicki Minaj and Cardi B. Rihanna showed up glowing and pregnant, which means a delay in music but I have already accepted Anti as her retirement album. But, if she were still making music she’d definitely be on Charli XCX’s brat. I love that Doechii gave us “who is this diva?” irl and am grateful Megan Thee Stallion snuck her phone in. More impressive, Lauryn Hill pulled up on time! Everyone knows Rihanna is the only one allowed to be late to the Met Gala and she closes out the carpet.
There’s so much to say about the theme, who followed it - who didn’t, etc. I am just disappointed that we didn’t get a proper Met Gala bathroom pic. Other than that, the Met Gala raised a whopping $31M. More than any Met before it. Congrats to Rocky and the rest of the Met Gala board.
xx