Joey Badass Attempts To Take The West, Ray Vaughn Barks Back
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THE BEAT DROP
A pulse of the culture.
If you’re reading this it’s another Saturday in Hip Hop and this week, things got real lyrical between Joey Badass and TDE upstart, Ray Vaughn. Diddy’s RICO trial is underway and it’s quite disturbing. And after Tory Lanez was stabbed 14 times in prison, his legal team revealed that they have evidence he didn’t shoot Megan Thee Stallion.
THIS WEEK’S TRACKLIST
The most important news items of the week.
Joey Badass and Ray Vaughn went bar for bar.
Diddy’s trial started and it was A LOT. Cassie testified for four days and revealed all about their “freak offs.” Danity Kane’s Dawn Richard testified as well.
Tory Lanez’s legal team claimed they have evidence that Kelsey is the one who shot Megan Thee Stallion.
Then, Chris Brown shouted out “Free Tory” and later found himself in a Manchester jail cell from a 2023 incident. His bond was denied.
Halle Bailey was granted a temporary restraining order against DDG and full custody of their son Halo, alleging domestic violence. A hearing is set for June.
Four scholars decried Drake’s defamation suit against UMG in an amicus brief to Judge Vargas.
A$AP Rocky released a Met Gala AWGE collection.
Rockstar Games’ introduced an in-game rap label called Only Raw Records for GTA 6.
Quavo recorded two new songs on ‘In The Booth’ with PlaqueBoyMax.
United Justice Coalition and Roc Nation announced the speakers for their 2025 Justice Summit taking place May 30. Get tickets here.
BARS OF THE WEEK
Notable quotes or lyrics that made waves.
“No fly zone, say oh, is that right? / I ain't gotta book no flight, I'm still gon' pack 'Lyt” — Joey Badass on Red Bull’s Spiral Freestyle aimed at the West Coast.
“I'm Snoop Dogg kickin' over his lil' fort / Bitch, you washed, you ain't carryin' no torch / You let Ice Spice turn into the king of New York.” — Ray Vaughn responding to Joey on “Hoe Era.”
"Signed for five years, had your biggest moment from me / Can’t nobody name a single song you ever released.” 💔 — Joey biting back at Ray on “The Finals.”
"I salute you Kenny but I know you well aware / You lookin' for some competition? Then just know that I'll be right here.” — Joey talking to Dot on “The Finals.”
CHART TOPPERS
Notable top-performing rap and R&B tracks on streaming platforms and charts.
Mariah The Scientist’s “Burning Blue” entered the Hot 100 at #25.
NBA Youngboy returned with the video-assisted dual single "Where I Been / Shot Callin," which debuted at #4 on YouTube’s US Top Songs.
Pluto and YK Niece’s viral hit "Whim Whamiee," hit #21 on YouTube’s US Top Songs.
SOUND WATCH
Upcoming releases and recent drops worth noting.
Ray Vaughn unleashed a diss track aimed at Joey Badass and called it “Hoe Era.”
AZ Chike delivered the music video for his banger “Game Time.”
Giveon offered a visual for “Rather Be.”
YKNiece dropped some “Pressure.”
And Pluto released her solo track “Pull Yo Skirt Up.”
Hurricane Wisdom created a syrupy love song in form of “Need Me.”
Rico Nasty dropped her LETHAL EP.
Latto got in her bag with “Somebody.”
untiljapan released his first single of 2025 called “PYRAMIDZ.”
2 Chainz and Lil Yachty tapped in with “Sista Wives.”
J.I.D released the official music video for "WRK."
Blxst returned with a short stack of unreleased songs.
Reason dropped a Joey diss track in honor of his old label called “The Dead Apple.”
TiaCorine and Kenny Beats teamed up for “IRONIC.”
Bossman Dlow and Gucci Mane linked up for “Hit.”
Mozzy performed "SEVEN 2'S” for Vevo Ctrl.
Farrah Fawx shared her electrifying project, But Did You Die.
Little Simz offered the music video for “Young.”
Chuckyy and Lucki linked up for “Hotseat.”
BKTHERULA and Ty Dolla Sign shared “BBGIRLGOSLOW.”
Jessie J came through with “Living My Best Life.”
Lil Poppa released the video for “Start Trippin (Shawty Fine).”
Boldy James, Antt Beatz and Baby Money connected for "Off The Richter.”
Pink Siifu shared an “Alive & Direct’!” visual.
Savannah Ré delivered her Formed EP.
DC The Don officially dropped “GET NAKED” after performing it at Rolling Loud.
BEHIND THE MUSIC
Industry news.
United Masters’ announced Real Time Royalties so indie artists can get paid ASAP.
Meanwhile, YouTube expanded its commitment to indie artists and that includes Anycia.
UMG and Apple Music announced a mood playlist called Sound Therapy.
Ryan Murphy announced All’s Fair starring Kim Kardashian, Teyana Taylor, Sarah Paulson, Niecy Nash, and Glenn Close.
Megan Thee Stallion announced her Hot Girl Swimwear with WalMart and Otaku Hottie Airbnb collab.
STEAK REPORT
Feuds, diss tracks and social media spats.
Ray Vaughn was the main one to respond to Joey Badass’ “The Ruler’s Back” diss at the West Coast with “Crashout Heritage,” earlier this year. Fast forward to May, and Joey Badass has appeared in a freestyle cypher alongside Big Sean and TDE’s Ab-Soul, while taking shots at the West…again. And he mentioned Daylyt A LOT. All Daylyt has done so far is show love to Capital Steez. Ray continued to press the issue with “Hoe Era” and Joey followed-up with “The Finals,” challenging the final boss — Kendrick Lamar. You can listen to it at TDEast.com.
YK Niece and Pluto are back at it. Yup. Niece revealed that apparently Pluto didn’t want to step on stage with her for their viral hit “Whim Whammiee” and that Pluto originally sent the song to Latto without her verse on it. Latto wanted both. Meanwhile, Pluto keeps saying she wrote Niece’s verse. Both ladies dropped a song this week though. YK Niece came with “Pressure” and Pluto with “Pull Yo Skirt Up.”
THE BLUEPRINT
A deep dive of trending topics, artist profiles and music analysis.
Top 7 Songs From 'In the Booth' with PlaqueBoyMax
One of the best things happening in the culture right now has to be PlaqueBoyMax’s “In The Booth” series where the talented engineer/producer invites artists on to his platform to make music live on …
TOUR BUS
Concert and festival announcements, tour updates and live performance highlights.
LiveNation launched its $30 Ticket to Summer promo with opps to see $uicideboy$ and Nelly for the low.
Naomi Sharon will travel for seven dates on “The Only Love We Know Tour.”
JMSN will be doing a few shows in LA and NYC – no phones please!
Kali Uchis announced "The Sincerely, Tour" and will be stopping in 25 cities.
Jae Stephens shared her tour rider while on the road with FLO. Get tickets here.
Isaiah Falls is set to take the stage for his 17-stop “LVRS Paradise Tour.”
FREESTYLE
Memes and viral moments.
“It's too bad, nigga, you should have been signed to me. Somebody tell Top we bout to start TDEast.” — Joey Badass on “The Finals"
TRENDSETTERS
Updates on key figures who are driving the culture.
UMG appointed Matt Ellis as CFO.
Janet Jackson is set to receive the ICON Award at this years’ AMAs.
Halle Bailey, Lala Milan, and more were recognized at the Mom Honors in Culver City.
OUTSIDE
Sightings and appearances.
Usher gave a commencement speech at Emory and received an honorary degree.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves are expected to pay tribute to Usher with a Bobblehead gate giveaway when the team takes on the Mets June 18.
André 3000 received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music and gave a commencement speech to the graduating class of 2025.
Cardi B and Stefon Diggs got cozy at a Knicks game.
A beautiful Young Thug and Mariah the Scientist snippet surfaced.
BIRTHDAYS
Celebrating artists and industry figures born this week.
Pusha T, Isaiah Rashad, Ace Hood, Janet Jackson, James Fauntleroy, Ralph Tresvant
OUTRO
A final thought.
Joey Badass versus 100 West Coast niggas. I’m super into it. This is the kind of lyrical joust I am into. The kind of rap tussle that elevates the culture into a higher realm. So far, the 100 West Coast niggas is mainly TDE and it’s safe to say Joey is holding down the fort. But, is Daylyt just gonna sit back and post memes? Will the final boss man Kenny respond to Joey’s pleas? We’ll have to wait and see. Mind you, Kenny was recently seen at the studio in NYC’s West Village although he’s on a sold-out tour with SZA. Honestly, I hope he does. Let’s redirect the energy into something worthy.
xx