Drake + PartyNextDoor makes music for real lovers only
Plus, an exclusive interview with R&B singer Honey Bxby.
THE BEAT DROP
A pulse of the culture
If you’re reading this, it’s just another Saturday at the crib and I have Drake and PartyNextDoor’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U playing loud af. This week has been eventful, nevertheless. Kendrick Lamar gave a phenomenal Super Bowl halftime performance while breaking major viewership records and JAY-Z’s accuser dropped the lawsuit against him.
THIS WEEK’S TRACKLIST
The most important news items of the week.
Drake and PartyNextDoor dropped $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, and Freddie Gibbs accused them of reheating his nachos.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show with SZA broke records.
Doja Cat said her upcoming album Vie is otw.
Big Meech’s welcome home concert in Miami was canceled.
SZA added four new songs to her deluxe SOS album.
Drake gifted a fan in the audience $45k at a show in Melbourne.
Destiny’s Child came together to celebrate Kelly Rowland’s 44th birthday.
BARS OF THE WEEK
Notable quotes or lyrics that made waves.
“This 1-800 lawyer gets to file a suit hiding behind Jane Doe, and when they quickly realize that the money grab is going to fail, they get to walk away with norepercussions. The system has failed.” — JAY-Z on the dismissal of the assault case Tony Buzbee filed.
“I’m not doing a back-and-forth with a corpse.” — Joe Budden on Drake and the results of Drizzy’s rap beef with Dot.
“Melyssa Ford, you a legend from the 6, hate to see you with a d*ck-sucker.” — Drake on “Gimme A Hug” taking aim at Joe Budden.
“I got A$AP [Rocky] beaten this case I'll bet 500, 000 on it, that boy A$AP Tellie was just trying to get some money.” — 50 Cent on A$AP Rocky’s gun trial.
“I never folded, never told, never will. Death before dishonor always with me.” — Big Meech on 50 Cent accusing him being a rat.
“I don't know Spanish, but for work, I'ma speak some.” — Westside Gunn on 12 cut “Boswell.”
SOUND WATCH
Upcoming releases and recent drops worth noting.
Drake and PartyNextDoor released their highly-anticipated collaborative project $$$4u and obviously it included some heat. “Gimme A Hug” made a huge buzz on the internet, but my recommendation would be to check out “Nokia” and “Die Trying” — in that order.
Westside Gunn dropped his album 12 with 11 heaters.
Cash Cobain finally dropped “Trippin on a Yacht,” which features Bay Swag and Rob49. Mind you, this was recorded on PlaqueBoyMax’s Twitch stream.
Halle Bailey delivered her sweet Valentine’s Day tune “Back & Forth.”
Honey Bxby’s “LEFT EYE” video was released and she talked about it with me in our exclusive interview.
Flau’jae Johnson celebrated V-Day with her R&B project titled Flau & B.
Rema’s “Baby (Is It A Crime)” music video was released.
Offset dropped a new song called “Ten” and people think it’s about Cardi B.
Dej Loaf and Jacquees dropped a music video for their song “Back Door.”
BossMan DLow performed “Mr. Potscraper” with an orchestra on Trap Symphony.
Rising rapper Zukenee dropped the music video for “DIRT DAY.”
Montana 700 delivered the music video for his 700 Reasons single “Wit A Boss.”
2 Chainz, Larry June and The Alchemist pulled up to Jimmy Kimmel to perform “Life Is Beautiful.”
Someone on Twitter put Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” to the beat of “Squabble Up” and everyone should experience it.
BEHIND THE MUSIC
Industry news.
Universal Music Group and Music Health Alliance came together to launch the Music Industry Mental Health Fund to give musicians access to healthcare, health insurance and mental health resources. Bravo.
Spotify signed a multi-year deal with Warner Music deal featuring “Super-Premium” subscription tiers.
Smino dropped a short film called Maybe In Nirvana.
STEAK REPORT
Feuds, diss tracks and social media spats.
50 Cent clowned Big Meech after his welcome back show in Miami was canceled due to “unforeseen circumstances.”
The Drake and Kendrick Lamar war has finally come to a close with Mr. Morale as the winner.
"He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight."
Sun Tzu, Art of War
THE BLUEPRINT
A deep dive of trending topics, artist profiles and music analysis.
I interviewed Honey Bxby for The Bar Report and we talked about so many things including how she came up with the concept for her song “LEFT EYE,” her OVO tattoo and what to expect next.
Watch the interview below!
TOUR BUS
Concert and festival announcements, tour updates and live performance highlights.
Tommy Richman is going on tour starting on Feb. 19 in Seattle.
Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter tickets are now on sale and Paris is sold out. If you missed out, no worries, she also added more dates.
TDE princess Alemeda is going on a tour with Rachel Chinouriri and then after that she’ll be on the road with Halsey.
FREESTYLE
Memes and viral moments.
RIP Duo!
TRENDSETTERS
Updates on key figures who are driving the culture.
Roc Nation Founder JAY-Z, CEO Desiree Perez and Executive VP of Communication Strategy Jana Fleishman were named as one Billboard's Sports & Music Power Players 2025.
In other Hov news, Reasonable Doubt is set to be inducted in the GRAMMY’s Hall of Fame, a testimony to his teflon legacy. Alexa, play “Brooklyn’s Finest.”
OUTSIDE
Sightings and appearances.
Travis Scott’s HBCU softball classic brought out Metro Boomin, Scarface, Amber Rose and more.
Chlöe Bailey and Burna Boy were spotted everywhere like the real lovers they are.
Madonna and NLE Choppa were also spotted looking cozy af.
JAY-Z, Blue Ivy and Rumi Carter pulled up to the Super Bowl. Ice Spice, Kai Cenat, Druski, Tyla, Tinashe, Teyana Taylor, plus more were also in attendance.
Halle Bailey was at New York Fashion Week for Coach.
Boyz II Men was spotted with Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson.
Sexyy Red went down the Jennifer Hudson show tunnel.
BIRTHDAYS
Celebrating artists and industry figures born this week.
Anderson .Paak, Don Omar, Yung Miami, Gucci Mane, Yungeen Ace, Dwele, Freddie Gibbs, Megan Thee Stallion, Birdman
OUTRO
A final thought.
Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl was a nice end to the Drake v. Kendrick Lamar beef. I am sure things will never be the same but I appreciate how the beef made everyone pipe up and give their best. Due to that, fans are getting fed and I love that for us.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show was apparently the most viewed anything, according to Roc Nation which is insane to me because I never thought anyone would ever surpass Beyoncé in that regard.
As a lover of music, honestly, this beef got in the way of me enjoying the music. Fans on both sides became so insufferable I muted EVERYTHING. It wasn’t as fun as Drake v. Meek Mill or Drake v. Pusha T. This was dark and it started with “Meet the Grahams.” After ingesting the first few lines of that song, I turned it off and never played it again. A beef riddled with hate, harmful lies, coupled with willful ignorance isn’t my cup of tea. The fact that Drake is blood related to one of the most decorated musicians in Black American history, Larry Graham of the Sly and the Family Stone, who also worked with Prince, didn’t matter the entire beef and that was so funny to me.
Now that’s over, I am excited to get back to the MUSIC. Drake and PartyNextDoor delivering $ome $exy $ongs 4u has been the best anecdote for the aftermath of the murderous slaughter Dot imposed on him. The energy has been transformed into good vibes, something to dance to, get dressed to and be a real lover to. Words cannot express how grateful I am for this shift.
xx
🌋🌋🌋