THE BEAT DROP 🥁
A pulse of the culture.
It’s another Sunday at the crib, and I definitely have Drake’s “What Did I Miss?” on repeat. It’s time to move forward y’all and this week felt like the beginning of a new era. To start, a jury came back with a verdict in the Diddy RICO trial — so that saga is quickly coming to an end and XXL Magazine released their 2025 Freshman list and I am not mad it.
THIS WEEK’S TRACKLIST 💿
The most important news items of the week.
Drake’s ICEMAN era began with the release of “What Did I Miss?”
Diddy was found not guilty on three of five counts in his RICO case, including RICO, which avoids a government seizure of $400M in assets. He was denied bailed and is set for sentencing July 8.
The 2025 XXL Freshman list was unveiled with some of my faves such as BabyChiefDoIt, Lazer Dim 700, Nino Paid, Loe Shimmy, Eem Triplin and YTB Fatt.
That being said, XXL Freshman EBK Jaaybo is facing 30 years in prison.
Trippie Redd was arrested at a Miami Airport related to a 2023 invalid drivers license case. He was quickly released out on bond.
Mello Buckzz's album release party resulted in a shooting, leaving four dead and 14 injured.
Outlawz member Young Nobel passed away by suicide. He was 47.
Skepta challenged American rappers to a clash versus UK rappers, and he’s probably the only one interested tbh.
Offset asked a judge for help in serving producer ChaseTheMoney since all attempts were blocked by security at the producer’s studio.
It turns out when you search “💩” on Apple Music, DDG’s music pops up.
BARS OF THE WEEK 🎤
Notable quotes or lyrics that made waves.
“IDGAF if you love me. IDGAF if you like me.” — Drake addressing the traitors on “What Did I Miss?”
“Supermax, for what I got going on I’m too relaxed.” — Drizzy on a song expected to make an appearance on ICEMAN called “Super Max.”
“The cards I was handed determined the gambit / It made me the man, but it turned me into Manson / Son of a madman Max, minimal chances.” — JID going crazy on “Animals (Pt. 1).”
“How you mobbin' with them niggas? / How you strivin' with them niggas?” — A$AP Rocky getting inquisitive on “pray4dagang."
“I'll crash about my bitch, that's my ball.” — Something Ace would say about Chelley, but it’s just DDG on “That’s My Ball.”
CHART TOPPERS 📈
Notable top-performing rap and R&B tracks on streaming platforms and charts.
SZA’s SOS sits at #7 on the Billboard charts with over 7M units sold.
RUSS’ W!LD entered the Billboard 200 at #10, whereas Playboi Carti’s MUSIC pushed up to #8 on the Billboard 200.
Pluto landed her first entry into the Billboard 200 at #190 with her Both Ways EP.
SOUND WATCH 🎧
Upcoming releases and recent drops worth noting.
Drake delivered “What Did I Miss?,” a goodie off his forthcoming ICEMAN album while he rode around Toronto in an ice truck blasting songs from the highly anticipated project. One of the songs expected to land on ICEMAN is something fans have titled “Super Max.”
Capitalizing off his coined saying, DDG dropped off the rambunctious “That’s My Ball” produced by FOREVEROLLING so you know it slaps.
Chance the Rapper released “Tree” featuring Smino and Lil Wayne.
A$AP Rocky “pray4dagang” featuring KayCyy was released. Album next? Who knows.
Lizzo dropped her mixtape MY FACE HURTS FROM SMILING with features from Doja Cat and SZA.
JID GDLU Preluxe four songs deep including “Animals (Pt. 1)” with Eminem.
Trae Tha Truth released a new project titled Angel.
Sins Aloud by Lazer Dim 700 was unleashed.
Mello Buckzz dropped Hollyhood.
Don Toliver offered the music video for the jiggy “FWU.”
BEHIND THE MUSIC 🎵
Industry news.
YIKES! Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl announced that the label will be reducing their headcount by $170M.
THE BLUEPRINT
A deep dive of trending topics, artist profiles and music analysis.
Corey "C-Notes" Calder is the music marketing genius pushing the culture forward 🔥
Last week, I had the honor of meeting up with Corey "C-Notes" Calder, the SVP of Marketing and Creative at Artist Partner Group, one of the industry's most sought-after marketing masterminds and I le…
TOUR BUS 🚌
Concert and festival announcements, tour updates and live performance highlights.
Drake is set to headline Wireless Festival July 11-13.
Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter Tour” is almost coming to a close. After her July 4 D.C. performance, she is set to take over Atlanta for four nights and Las Vegas for two nights. Act III is otw — and no one is more excited than me!
Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Grand National Tour” resumed across the pond this week, and is expected to wrap early August.
The Weeknd broke records while performing at SoFi Stadium this week, drawing in over 200k fans.
BigXThaPlug announced that he will be going on NBA Youngboy’s “Make America Slime Again Tour,” which is set to kick off September 1.
FREESTYLE 🎙️
Memes and viral moments.
CDL Drizzy.
RAP HILL ⚖️
Legal matters affecting the music industry.
In the matter of Drake’s ongoing defamation suit against UMG, Judge Vargas has decided that she’ll decide whether or not to dismiss the lawsuit on her own time. UMG’s legal team and Drake’s legal team defended their reasoning as to why the lawsuit should be dismissed or not. Judge Vargas challenged both sides equally. No word on when she will come to a decision, though.
What a cliffhanger…
OUTSIDE 📸
Sightings and appearances.
Sexyy Red was spotted with DDG using his real voice in Paris and later with Justin Bieber at the studio.
Playboi Carti, GloRilla, 21 Savage, Vybz Kartel, Sahbabii and more were seen posted up on the Jackboys Lambo — which means Jackboys 2 is otw.
BIRTHDAYS 🎉
Celebrating artists and industry figures born this week.
Fantasia, Missy Elliott, Saweetie, Vince Staples, Post Malone, RZA, Joe, Royce Da 5’9, Bizarre, 50 Cent, Cassidy
OUTRO ✌🏽
A final thought.
I could never turn my back on Drake. Too many memories attached to too many hits. That said, I am so happy he’s getting back to what matters. My prediction: the ICEMAN era will be legendary — just like If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late. It’s no secret, vengeful Drake is the best Drake and that’s exactly what we are about to get.
LET’S GO!
xx