Will you be my ball? 🏀
I'm not a player, I just ball a lot.
THE BEAT DROP 🥁
A pulse of the culture.
It’s another Sunday at the crib and I’m just counting how many balls I have with my name on it. Shout out to DDG for the new lingo. Nevertheless, this week has been full of movement: Megan Thee Stallion took over Dream Con in her hometown of Houston and SZA won big at the American Music Awards.
THIS WEEK’S TRACKLIST 💿
The most important news items of the week.
While at Streamer University, DDG stamped the phrase, “that’s my ball,” as a new way to claim your boo and created some merch for it. His brother also got into a tussle at Dream Con over a heckler disrespecting DDG’s name.
Also at Dream Con, Megan Thee Stallion hilariously played The Sims 4 with Quen Blackwell and later announced the she has an anime series otw with Amazon. She also debuted her swim line at Miami Swim Week.
SZA swept at the American Music Awards, winning many awards including Favorite Female R&B Artist. She’s certainly mine!
Tyler, the Creator was announced as the face of Bottega Veneta.
NBA Youngboy was pardoned by President Trump. So was Larry Hoover.
Offset asked Cardi B for spousal support in their divorce and she isn’t having it.
Video surfaced of Tory Lanez getting stabbed 14 times and his team published a website with “suppressed evidence” to prove his innocence. Megan’s lawyer called it “desperate.”
Wu-Tang Clan kicked off their farewell tour and is giving fans a chance to be part of their Wu-Tang Forever Time Capsule.
Rihanna’s father, Ronald Fenty, passed away. He was 70.
BARS OF THE WEEK 🎤
Notable quotes or lyrics that made waves.
“That’s my ball.” — DDG any chance he could get, while at Streamer U.
“You rappers all beneath me, beloved like the Bee Gees / International flights, connect me to the wi-fi / The only way you reach me HUH!” — King Push on “Ace Trumpets” pronouncing wi-fi like the French.
“Got me thinkin' really deep, like, What this street shit really 'bout? / Like, If I slide for these niggas, will they really come get me out? — Meek Mill getting real contemplative on “Survivor’s Guilt.”
“The whole system been a scam from the beginning.” — Fat Joe on “Joe and Jada,” describing the music industry.
“I’m going to become a mogul. I’m working towards becoming an executive producer as big as David Geffen.” — Gunna’s producer Turbo on his future in an exclusive interview with MBW.
CHART TOPPERS 📈
Notable top-performing rap and R&B tracks on streaming platforms and charts.
Drake broke the record for the most Diamond certified songs in RIAA history, giving a whole new meaning to “Diamonds Dancing.”
SZA’s SOS is still holding it down on the Billboard 200 at No. 2.
SOUND WATCH 🎧
Upcoming releases and recent drops worth noting.
Pusha T and No Malice are back as Clipse with Pharrell on the beat for the banger “Ace Trumpets.” That’s a reference to JAY-Z’s big body Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Champagne bottles btw. It’s expected to live on their forthcoming project, Let God Sort Em Out.
Honey Bxby finally delivered her Raw Honey EP and it includes Lola Brooke on the remix for “LEFT EYE.” Check out my interview with her here.
Molly Santana released her rager-riffic sophomore album, Molly and Her Week of Wonders.
Pluto dropped the official remix to her hit single, “WHIM WHAMIEE” and it got Sexyy Red on it.
Benji Blue Bills and BNYX® Out The Blue tape is out.
Lil Tecca’s “Owa Owa” gained some major traction upon its release.
Justine Skye tapped in with Kaytranada to ring in a new era with “Oh Lala.”
Leon Thomas unveiled HEEL, the deluxe edition of MUTT.
EBK Jaaybo offered his Don’t Trust Me project.
Journey Montana released the music video for “Hollywood.”
OVO’s Roy Woods offered the music video for “You.”
Baby Money connected with G.T. for the "Armageddon” music video.
R&B Pop star Chxrry shared her new single, “Main Character.”
Baby Jungle dropped “ASF” featuring T Royal.
BBYKOBE teamed up with G.T. to pay tribute to their city on “RIP HUTCH.”
Nija delivered a dreamy ballad called "Heaven.”
Lettuce teamed up with Styles P of The Lox for the exclusive release of “Better Than Money” on EVEN.
Star Bandz dropped “Like This.”
Big Moochie Grape shared EAT OR GET ATE 2 (DELUXE).
Gashi and G-Eazy collabed on a new one called “RINGS.”
Gelo dropped “Booted Up.”
Meek Mill and G Herbo connected for the introspective “Survivor’s Guilt.”
Smino and Samara Cyn can be heard on the jazzy “Brand New Teeth.”
Mavi and Earl Sweatshirt referenced Apple TV’s show "Severance” for their “Landgrab” music video.
Lucki delivered a dope visual for “Diamond Stitching.”
BEHIND THE MUSIC 🎵
Industry news.
Karol G’s Con Cora Foundation announced the third edition of Women Ink initiative, expanding its reach to Mexico City for the first time.
You can now pay for Spotify Premium outside of Apple Pay — the streaming giant confirmed that the move has increased subs.
STEAK REPORT 🥩
Feuds, diss tracks and social media spats.
Ab-Soul responded to Joey Badass going against 100 West Coast niggas. BUT, it was a little bit too late. The people have moved on. He also responded to DJ Akademiks saying that he’d put him in the grave and bringing up the late great Nipsey Hussle’s name into it.
TOUR BUS 🚌
Concert and festival announcements, tour updates and live performance highlights.
Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter Tour” is now one of the highest grossing shows on a single run and of all-time with over $70,000,000 grossed across five shows in New Jersey. Next stop? London for six nights.
The first day of the Roots Picnic in Philly was a complete “disaster,” according to concertgoers. Maxwell headlined on Saturday (May 31) along with Latto, Glorilla, Tems, and more.
FREESTYLE 🎙️
Memes and viral moments.
AIN’T THAT MY BALL?
RAP HILL ⚖️
Legal matters affecting the music industry.
In the matter of Drake’s ongoing defamation suit against UMG, his legal team filed a 35-page answer to the label’s motion to dismiss. His team is obviously asking the court to deny UMG’s request. They also touch on those “rap scholars” who filed an amicus brief — something Judge Vargas has confirmed that she will take into consideration when making her decision.
Read Drake’s opposition to UMG’s motion to dismiss here, courtesy of OVO Docket.
TRENDSETTERS 🔥
Updates on key figures who are driving the culture.
Wasserman Music announced the hiring of two new executives to further the growth of its Hip-Hop/R&B division. Jazmyn Griffin joined as a New York-based Director on the company's Global Festivals team, and Tessie Lammle joined as Los Angeles-based Director and agent.
OUTSIDE 📸
Sightings and appearances.
Nipsey Hussle’s Marathon Burgers opened up another location in Venice.
Cardi B and her new bae Steffon Diggs were spotted getting litty on yacht with some babes.
BIRTHDAYS 🎉
Celebrating artists and industry figures born this week.
André 3000, Jadakiss, Big L, Cee-Lo Green, DMC of Run DMC, Chubb Rock, Waka Flocka
OUTRO ✌🏽
A final thought.
“My ball” is so much better than “fine shyt.” Thank you DDG for introducing a new phrase into the cultural lexicon. There have been so many new words and phrases introduced lately as a way to proclaim your love for someone else and this by far has to top all of them.
Anyway, this week’s news cycle has been insane. It’s a lot going on ya’ll. Like Trump pardoning everybody and they mama and A$AP Rocky’s Twitter account getting hacked — but the hackers couldn’t leak a track list, audio, nothing for DON’T BE DUMB? Pshhhhh. Need that!
I also wanna say Joe and Jada’s podcast is the most entertaining thing we have right now. Ya’ll really gotta tune in. They really be having me weak af. 😭
xx
I love these!!