Doechii and Kendrick Lamar strike gold at the Grammys
This is where pgLang and TDE meet.
THE BEAT DROP
If you’re reading this, it’s just another Saturday at the crib and I am still thinking about how impactful Doechii’s Grammy Award speech was and how Beyoncé finally won Album of the Year. Kendrick Lamar also took home plenty of awards ahead of his Super Bowl LIX halftime show performance where SZA, who also took home some gold, is expected to make an appearance.
THIS WEEK’S TRACKLIST
The most important news items of the week.
Doechii took home the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album for her work on Alligator Bites Never Heal.
Kendrick Lamar swept up gilded-trophies at the Grammys and among the awarded categories was Song of the Year for “Not Like Us.”
Beyoncé won a Grammy for Album of the Year with Cowboy Carter and announced dates for the Cowboy Carter Tour. Tickets are set to go on pre-sale Feb. 12.
J Dilla had a street named after him in Detroit and the Detroit City Council proclaimed Feb. 7 as J Dilla Day.
Hit-Boy urged fans to sign a petition to help demand a fair and independent review concerning a case in North Carolina involving his dad Big Hit.
Irv Gotti passed away after suffering from a stroke. He was 54.
Killer Mike filed a lawsuit against a security company from an arrest that occurred during last years Grammys.
Merriam-Webster added the word “yeet” to the dictionary.
SZA announced that she will be adding more songs to Lana.
Sha EK was arrested and charged in connection with a shooting in the Bronx. He is facing three counts of attempted murder, along with a long list of 20 other charges.
BARS OF THE WEEK
Notable quotes or lyrics that made waves.
“You are exactly who you need to be to be right where you are.” — Doechii sharing some inspiration after winning Best Rap Album for Alligator Bites Never Heal at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
“Always strive and prosper.” — A$AP Twelvyy on the meaning of A$AP while giving his testimony during the A$AP Rocky trial.
“What next season lil 🥷?” — 50 Cent to Lil Meech on the future of the BMF series.
“Bet if I had caught you outside, it would be free me like Big Meech. You want smoke because he tried to eat me? Only smoke you got is out that vape.” — Alabama Barker going in on Bhad Bhabie on her diss track “Cry Bhabie”
“Two guns on my hip this bitch feel like its Law & Order.” — Gelo on his upcoming song “Law & Order.”
“Why do I love LA? It got healthy, green juice here. It’s healthy here.” — JT being so real on why she loves the city of Los Angeles.
CHART TOPPERS
Notable top-performing rap and R&B tracks on streaming platforms and charts.
The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow is expected to land at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
And Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter is expected to re-enter the Billboard 200.
Meanwhile, Doechii’s Alligator Bites Never Heal is eyeing the No. 14 spot.
Among other achievements, SZA surpassed over 100 million RIAA certified units across her entire discography, including some of my personal faves like “Good Days” and “Broken Clocks.”
SOUND WATCH
Upcoming releases and recent drops worth noting.
Larry June, 2 Chainz and The Alchemist’s Life Is Beautiful project is out, and it is phenomenal. I highly recommend “Generation.”
Doechii released a new song called “Nosebleed” following her monumental Grammy win.
Dice Soho delivered 11 fresh tracks in the form of Chill With Us and it includes guest appearances from Trill Sammy and Sauce Walka.
Tyga dropped his album NSFW and it was trending on iTunes (meaning purchased) at No. 4, right below Kendrick Lamar, Doechii and Life is Beautiful.
Nardo Wick dropped off six new songs with his Hold Off EP.
Soulja Boy shared his Influence EP.
French rapper Guy2Bezbar released the music video for his song “Batmobile” and it’s everything. Since I am on a French learning journey, ya’ll get to join in on that with me. This will include an occasional song from an artist who raps in French.
Robb Bank$ dropped his latest project The Leak 3.
EST Gee added a few new songs to I Ain’t Feeling You, among them include “My Love” with Veeze and Rylo Rodriguez.
DDG released his new song “The Method.”
Up and comer Lil2posh dropped a music video worthy of World Star Hip Hop debut as if it were 2007 for “DoYoDance” featuring Thirteendegrees.
Gelo shared his song “Law & Order” on PlaqueBoyMax’s Twitch stream, and it’s sounding like he’ll be around for a long time.
Zyah Belle released the official music video for her song “1-800-Heartbreak.”
Cardi B and Pardi dropped the music video for their song “Toot It Up.”
Cash Cobain announced “Trippin on a Yacht” will be released on Feb. 12.
And Lil Wayne told fans to hold on because a new album is on the horizon, and it will be here on June 6.
BEHIND THE MUSIC
Industry news.
Fanbase has reached over $8.6M in investments and is looking to launch its next product Fanbase Spark, which is its answer to micro-blogging.
Raphael Saadiq opened the archives to his past musical creations and is reissuing some of his classic albums through Raphael Saadiq Vinyl Club.
Chappell Roan made waves with her Best New Artist Grammy Award speech criticizing the music industry. Part of her speech called out the lack of health care options for artists. Barry “Hefner” Johnson of Since the 80s pointed out on Twitter that health care for artists is available through SAG-AFTRA. Learn more here.
Prince’s Netflix documentary with director Ezra Edelman was shelved. The Prince Estate now will be able to use their footage to develop the documentary elsewhere.
STEAK REPORT
Feuds, diss tracks and social media spats.
In the Drake versus Kendrick saga, there are rumors that a certain part of “Not Like Us” will not be played during his Super Bowl halftime set. The audience will likely do it for him.
50 Cent is so over Big Meech and Lil Meech. The rapper told Lil Meech he will be calling Mona Scott Lee to see if he can get him a spot on Love & Hip Hop. This is all going down because Big Meech linked with 50’s longtime nemesis Rick Ross for some dough until next season. Now it’s up and there is no “next season.”
In another world, Bhad Bhabie made some wild allegations against Alabama Barker and she responded like she should, with a diss track titled “Cry Bhabie.” In the song, she addressed all the allegations. The most impressive part is she managed to make this diss track sound like a bop and that’s how it’s supposed to go. Like Latto once said: “Get in the booth.”
THE BLUEPRINT
A deep dive of trending topics, artist profiles and music analysis.
Kendrick Lamar had a sit down interview with Ebro Darden and Nadeska Alexis ahead of his Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show and it was very insightful and handled beautifully. Watch it on your own below!
FREESTYLE
Memes and viral moments.
Remember, there’s always someone out there eyeing your nachos.
RAP HILL
Legal matters affecting the music industry.
Viacom has filed suit against Nick Cannon for ripping off Wild N Out’s entire aesthetic for a Zeus Network show called Bad v. Wild.
A$AP Rocky’s trial is moving along with A$AP Twelvyy recently taking the stand and confirming that the gun A$AP Relli claimed Rocky threatened him with was indeed a prop gun. The prosecutor in handling the case, John Lewin, didn’t seem to care for Twelvyy’s testimony that much.
OUTSIDE
Sightings and appearances.
Chlöe Bailey and Burna Boy was caught in 4k sharing kisses and holding hands at dinner.
Drake popped out at his Australia show to Take Care classic “Over My Dead Body” wearing a hoodie filled bullet hole.
BIRTHDAYS
Celebrating artists and industry figures born this week.
Kevin Gates, Babyface Ray, Lola Brooke, Big Boi, Shakira, Tems, Bobby Brown, Bob Marley, Seth Green
OUTRO
A final thought.
It’s only two months into the year and TDE already has the music industry in a chokehold with Doechii’s continued rise and SZA’s leveled dominance in the R&B arena. The next stop is obviously the alt space with Alemeda. It’s so dope to see this all happening for TDE, in conjunction with former label mate Kendrick Lamar leaving home with Song of the Year, all on the same night. I am looking forward to his Super Bowl LIX halftime show performance on Sunday, not only because I need to see “All The Stars” with SZA performed live, but I think it’s cool to watch TDE/pgLang move as a unit and stay on code with each other. It’s giving No Limit/Master P from back in the day vibes!
Lastly, I love that SZA is giving more songs the same day as the Super. I couldn’t be any more grateful. What a great 2025 it’s been so far.
xx