THE BEAT DROP 🥁
A pulse of the culture.
If you’re reading this it’s another Sunday in the culture and I’m still dancing to Tyler, The Creator’s Don’t Tap The Glass. I’m also immersed in the masterpiece Freddie Gibbs delivered with The Alchemist this week. Meanwhile, Drake’s “Which One” also had me on my feet.
THIS WEEK’S TRACKLIST 💿
The most important news items of the week.
Tyler, The Creator defied Friday release date norms with Don’t Tap The Glass dropping on a Monday, followed by $5 event invites in LA and NYC.
Freddie Gibbs reignited his beef with Gunna on his new project Alfredo 2 with The Alchemist
Episode two of Drake’s ICEMAN livestream series made its debut along with “Which One” featuring Central Cee. He also confirmed that ICEMAN will be the title of the highly-anticipated album.
Beyoncé brought out Destiny’s Child for her final “Cowboy Carter Tour” show in Las Vegas.
Nino Paid was arrested on Thursday (July 24) for stealing a car. His trial date is set for Sept. 26.
GloRilla was also arrested, albeit wrongfully. Police were called for a robbery that occurred at her residence and authorities took her in instead.
The man claiming to be JAY-Z’s son withdrew his lawsuit.
Meanwhile, JAY-Z held a Caesars Palace Times Square Community Advisory Committee in hopes of landing bid to put a casino in Manhattan.
Hot Boy Turk was kicked off the Cash Money Reunion Tour.
JID shot a music video with fans ahead of his album release God Does Like Ugly.
BARS OF THE WEEK 🎤
Notable quotes or lyrics that made waves.
“Are you from Harlem? Make your arms and legs shake,” — Tyler getting jiggy on “Sugar On My Tongue” off Don’t Tap The Glass.
“Still slammin’ / Still bout it, still countin / Feel like the only nigga rap cold as me, André 3000 / Bitch, I raised a generation, kicked game on a thousand albums / I should go get me a flute and just disappear in the mountains.” — Freddie Gibbs spit on “A Thousand Mountains.”
“Got a fairy ting and I got a witch one / A G'd up ting that I bring sticks 'round / And I've got a good girl, good girl, snitch one.” — Central Cee on “Which One.”
“I'm above with all that state shit, I done beat up different cases.” — NBA Youngboy flexing all the cases he beat on “MASA”
CHART TOPPERS 📈
Notable top-performing rap and R&B tracks on streaming platforms and charts.
Tyler, The Creator’s Don’t Tap The Glass landed at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with only four tracking days.
On YouTube, NBA Youngboy landed at No. 1 on the top Rap Artists list following the release of his album MASA.
Clipse’s Let God Sort Em Out debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Independent Albums Chart via Roc Nation Distribution.
SOUND WATCH 🎧
Upcoming releases and recent drops worth noting.
Tyler The Creator’s Don’t Tap The Glass is a continuation of the greatness that is Igor, if you ask me. 10 songs deep, it’s aimed to get everyone on their feet. So GET UP!
Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist came through this week with Alfredo 2 and it’s magnificent. You just have to hear it for yourself.
Drake also got the crowd moving with another one expected to land on ICEMAN titled “Which One” featuring Central Cee.
Offset offered the music video to his latest release “Professional.”
Ayra Starr’s “Hot Body” is out.
Hit-Boy offered the music video for his new song “What’s The Deal?” to celebrate being officially released from his music deal.
Tyla’s dance-fueled mixtape We Wanna Party (WWP) was released starring four songs including “DYNAMITE” featuring Wizkid.
Trevor Jackson dropped off “Friend of a Friend.”
Jorja Smith is back with a new one called “With You” and it came with a music video.
Kee Nola shared the music video for “At the Top.”
Baby Money’s "Boobie Trap” visual was released.
Amaarae shared the visuals for “Girlie-Pop!”
Kodak Black dropped off "By Myself” featuring DJ E Money and G6reddot.
NBA Youngboy finally released MASA (Make America Slime Again).
The legendary Kurupt teamed up with DJ Battlecat and Blaqtoven for “Special.”
Mariah Carey shared “Sugar Sweet” with Kehlani and Shenseea.
mgk dropped the music video for “miss sunshine.”
Bia is back with “ONE THING.”
Umi shared two new singles, “What Now” and “Somewhere New” from her forthcoming project people stories.
American Idol winner Jamal Roberts shared his new single “Mississippi.”
Benny the Butcher and Westside Gunn came together for “Jasmine’s.”
Rio Da Yung OG and Zillionaire Doe tapped in with each other for “What U Spend.”
Lupe Fiasco dropped off “SOS.”
BBYKOBE shared his EP She Love BBYKOBE.
Toosii got vulnerable with the music video for his latest release “Even Then.”
The Kid Laroi got on a boat and said he got “Hot Girl Problems.”
Chow Lee offered the official music video for “Hold It Down 4 Me.”
Joyner Lucas took aim at Skepta on “Round 2 K.O.”
DB.Boutabag dropped off The Real Boutabag II.
Nobu Woods offered a new called “Dirty.”
Jenevieve is getting ready to share her next project and offered a trio of vibes called “Head Over Heels,” “Haiku” and “Crysalis.”
BEHIND THE MUSIC 🎵
Industry news.
The global live entertainment market is expected to grow from USD 202.90 billion in 2025 to USD 270.29 billion by 2030 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets™.
TOUR BUS 🚌
Concert and festival announcements, tour updates and live performance highlights.
“The Cowboy Carter Tour” wrapped on Saturday in Las Vegas with the reuniting of Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child.
Yseult set to return back to the states at the top of January 2026.
Rob49 is ready to take over the stage like never before with the announcement of his debut solo headlining tour, “Let Me Fly Tour,” launching in October.
AfroPlus Fest will debut Sunday, August 31 at RFK Festival Grounds in Washington, D.C. featuring Gunna and Asake.
GIVĒON has formally announced his headlining tour, “Dear Beloved, The Tour,” set to kick off in October.
The iconic Cash Money Millionaires, featuring Birdman, Mannie Fresh, Juvenile and B.G, are expanding their milestone anniversary tour with additional dates.
The Weeknd and Shakira will headline the 2025 Global Citizen Festival, with performances by Tyla, Ayra Starr and Mariah the Scientist set to take place on Central Park’s Great Lawn on September 27.
Sexyy Red is set to host a “Back To School Bash” with GloRilla, Rob49, Bossman DLow and more, in her hometown of St. Louis on Sept. 6.
FREESTYLE 🎙️
Memes and viral moments.
True.
OUTSIDE 📸
Sightings and appearances.
Jay "Jeezy" Jenkins hosted a "Community Day" on Saturday (July 26th), the 20th anniversary of his debut album Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 at Impact Church in Georgia.
BIRTHDAYS 🎉
Celebrating artists and industry figures born this week.
Petey Pablo, Bre-Z, Lil Woody, Kevin McCall, Lil Phat, Westside Gunn, Guapdad 4000, Young Dolph