It's almost time to say goodbye to The Weeknd
The Weeknd and the inevitable end of an era, plus PlaqueBoyMax's latest music moves.
THE BEAT DROP
A pulse of the culture
If you’re reading this, it’s just another Saturday at the crib and so much has happened this week. Tragically, Los Angeles erupted into uncontrollable wildfires causing the displacement of thousands as well as the loss of hundreds of structures, including the studio Doja Cat and SZA were known to record out of. Meanwhile, The Weeknd announced that this may the end of his lore after the release of Hurry Up Tomorrow and PlaqueBoyMax streamed Cash Cobain making a song live on Twitch.
THIS WEEK’S TRACKLIST
The most important news items of the week.
The Malibu studio where the likes of SZA, Drake, Doja Cat and Nicki Minaj recorded their latest albums, Harbor Studios, was lost in the Pacific Palisades wildfire.
The Weeknd said that he is thinking about going by his government name, Abel Tesfaye, after he wraps up the release of Hurry Up Tomorrow.
The Rolling Loud California festival lineup was announced with the usual headliners A$AP Rocky and Playboi Carti, but don’t ever expect Drake to headline as he’s denied the opportunity many times according to RL founder, Tariq Cherif, who thinks the boy is “ducking” him. LiAngelo Ball will be there, however, and ready for the crowd with “Tweaker.”
Megan Thee Stallion’s restraining order against Tory Lanez was successfully granted.
JAY-Z has requested for sanctions against Tony Buzbee and the dismissal of the pending lawsuit against him.
The warrant requested for Nicki Minaj for allegedly hitting her ex-manager in the face with a phone was denied by the prosecutor’s office for insufficient evidence.
Ye called out adidas about their site popping up before the actual YEEZY website in a google search and called out Fear of God’s Jerry Lorenzo for partnering with them.
Brandy Norwood announced that she is releasing an untitled memoir that is slated for release in October. It is available for pre-order now.
The damages previously awarded to T.I. and Tiny from their lawsuit against MGA Entertainment for copying the likeness of the OMG Girlz was reduced from $71M to $17M by a federal judge.
A hacker who made over $40k selling unreleased music from artists such as Drake, was sentenced to 22 months in prison.
BARS OF THE WEEK
Notable quotes or lyrics that made waves.
“THOSE THAT HAVE AND CONTINUE TO BAD MOUTH GUNNA, GET OVER IT.” — Steve Sadow, Gunna’s lawyer on the snitch allegations.
“I would love that!” — SZA on a collab album with Kendrick Lamar.
“I thought this through.” — Drake in the studio, seemingly working on new chunes.
“There’s not a record label. I think it’s a thing of the past.” — A$AP Ferg on the status of A$AP Mob.
“The Weeknd, whatever that is, it’s been mastered.” — The Weeknd to Variety on the end of his persona.
“We might got something big in store on that. I don’t know exactly but it’s gonna be a lot in the works.” — Lil Baby on the possibility of a tape with him, Future and Young Thug on Spotify’s Rap Caviar.
“Respect my sh*t.” — PlaqueBoyMax on kicking out Fivio Foreign and Lil Tjay from his AirBnB for smoking.
CHART TOPPERS
Notable top-performing rap and R&B tracks on streaming platforms and charts.
SZA’s SOS traveled back up the Billboard 200 chart to No. 1 for a total of 100 weeks and has reportedly sold over 6 million units.
Lil Baby is slated to earn his fourth No. 1 album with WHAM and gave the fans even more music with a deluxe version.
Doechii’s “Denial is a River” landed at No. 1 on Billboard’s Bubbling Under chart, while “Nissan Altima” trailed at No. 20.
SOUND WATCH
Upcoming releases and recent drops worth noting.
Rio Da Yung OG is free, so the album is out.
Cash Cobain, Kyle Ricch, Chow Lee and Bay Swag made a song on PlaqueBoyMax’s stream called “No More.”
Bossman Dlow and OT7 Quanny dropped the music video for “Bout My Money” having a ball.
Wolfacejoeyy dropped his new album cupid.
Lil Baby dropped the deluxe to WHAM with four new songs, which includes the banger “99” with Future.
Expect OVO Sound’s Naomi Sharon and PartyNextDoor to release new music soon. Drake did promise that collab tape with PND, after all.
Karrahbooo dropped off the music video for her Kelis-sampled song “Bossy Boo.”
Queen Key shared a snippet of a song she did with Glorilla.
Destroy Lonely teased a snippet online with fans.
G Herbo tapped in with Lyrical Lemonade for a Lunch Break freestyle.
idk did a freestyle to LiAngelo Ball’s “Tweaker.”
Please listen to this mashup of Doechii’s “Nissan Altima” to Charli XCX’s “360.” There will be zero regrets.
BEHIND THE MUSIC
Industry news.
Kanye West dropped an AI-generated trailer for Vultures: The Movie.
The Weeknd and Spotify released the “Billions Club Live” concert film.
STEAK REPORT
Feuds, diss tracks and social media spats.
Nine Vicious dissed Rich Amiri on an unreleased song titled “Blast Off” while on Instagram Live and no one knows why.
Fivio Foreign and Lil Tjay abruptly left PlaqueBoyMax’s stream after being told they couldn’t smoke in the AirBnB they were in.
Lil Tjay also put Offset on blast for owing him $10k for a gambling debt and called him broke with a gambling addiction. Offset has yet to respond.
It’s the 2000s again and 50 Cent is back into it with Jim Jones.
Meanwhile, Jim Jones is into it with Cam’Ron and Mase.
TDE’s Ray Vaughn replied to Joey Badass dissing the West Coast on “The Ruler’s Back” freestyle with “Crashout Heritage.”
FREESTYLE
Memes and viral moments.
Are you ready?
RAP HILL
Legal matters affecting the music industry.
Travis Scott, Future and SZA have been named in a copyright lawsuit over “Telekinesis.” The suit was filed by Roc Nation producer Victory Boyd, who shared her demo of the original song, “Like The Way It Sounds,” with Kanye West in 2019 via voice note.
Tay-K’s second trial is set for October 2025.
TRENDSETTERS
Updates on key figures who are driving the culture.
Wasserman Music Group added music vets Kevin Shivers, James Rubin and Cristina Baxter to the executive leadership team. Collectively, they’ve represented the likes of Tyler, The Creator, Lil Baby, Travis Scott, Solange and Andre 3000, among others.
OUTSIDE
Sightings and appearances.
Lil Baby and Future were spotted out recording a music video for “99” in Harlem and it looks like Bay Swag was in the cut too.
Yes, Kaytranada and Odeal were in the same studio together.
Sexyy Red went to the surgeon’s office for a breast reduction and then put them back in the next day.
Cash Cobain was live on PlaqueBoyMax’s stream making music.
SZA was out in Coast Rica spending quality time with her family.
BIRTHDAYS
Celebrating artists and industry figures born this week.
Coco Jones, Sean Paul, Donald Fagen of Steely Dan, Mary J. Blige, Lil Twist, Bones, LunchMoney Lewis, Nef the Pharoah, Mia X, Polo G
OUTRO
A final thought.
The Los Angeles wildfires have been a lot. Without a doubt, they will have a devastating impact on the entertainment industry and the local residents at large that work within these systems and rely not them for a living wage. Though, it is nice to see community in this time and to see people stepping in to help one another out. I am not from Los Angeles, but I have lived here for nearly a decade, and it breaks my heart to see so many of the friends I have made during my time here lose their childhood homes. I truly do love this city and know the comeback will be great.
On that note, if you or anyone you know has been affected by the California wildfires, here are a few resources for anyone who needs them: